Monday, February 24, 2014

Stay Tuned...

Lucy, I'm hooooome!
 
That's right folks! No, I didn't fall off a cliff or move to Siberia but my somewhat extended blog hiatus has come to an end. It's hard to remember to eat and bathe, let alone blog, when you have an energetic and easily bored baby calling the shots! Nevertheless, I'm back in black and ready to rumble.
 
Life lately has been full of long days, short nights, 6 month going on 2 year old, nutrition studying, a self-proclaimed "Chopped" Food Network star (aka: me), friends, and family. I had an AWESOME Wrap Party this past weekend, that I can't wait to share about and lots of testimonials, transformations, and new product reviews!
 
(And, of course, your daily dose of cute baby)
 
So stay tuned!
 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Product Review: Greens

 
Here is another one of my favorite It Works products, GREENS! I could honestly go on all day about the benefits of having your greens, so I'll stick to a few of the ones I love the most.
 
So what are Greens exactly?
 
It's an alkalizing drink powder with 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables in every packet, as well as 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods. Here is a list of what you can find in your Greens...
 
-Detoxify, energize, and promote pH balance within the body
-Acidity-fighting magnesium and potassium blend
-Cutting edge probiotic support for digestive health
-Fee radical-fighting antioxidants
-Tangy orange or berry flavor
 
 
Just mix one packet of Greens in 8 oz. of water or juice. This was my breakfast this morning. I love starting off my day with Greens and a fruit or protein!
 
 
Green Lean Smoothie Recipe
 
2 ripe medium bananas
1 ripe pear or apple, chopped & peeled (if desired)
2 cups chopped kale leaves, tough stems removed
1/2 cup cold orange juice
1/2 cup cold water
12 ice cubes
1 tablespoon chia seeds
 
Blend & Enjoy!
 
 
 
What a great way to...
 
-Stay healthy on the go!
-Get your kids to have their fruits & veggies
-Beat Flu Season and ward off colds
 
 

Get your Greens Here!
 

 
Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
 
Alyssa
 


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Snow Day!

Well, it looks like we have a few snow days on the schedule which are sometimes not as exciting for an adult because usually, unless you're a teacher, you still have to work. However, where I live in the Midwest, we're talking 18 inches of snow and temperatures dropping to -40 degrees with the wind chill. HOLY BURR!!! So needless to say, even businesses are shutting down and we're camping out at home for a few days - which is actually exciting.
 
Here is one of the views taken a few hours ago off our front porch of the farm. Now it's a complete whiteout. Snow is already a few feet high without the predicted 18 inches... as soon as it warms up, you can definitely find us on the snowmobiles!
 
 
I think what's so exciting about a snow day as an adult is that you have time to work on personal development. Time to make yourself a better person and better equipped to handle everything you need to after this mini vacation.
 
Now that could mean a number of things. For some, a little break to do the things they love whether it's painting, reading, working in the garage, organizing (for us OCDers!) etc. can be just the boost they need to propel them into the coming days and weeks. For me, I'm excited to work on some of my New Year Resolutions! Here are a few of the things I want to work on this year.
 
1. Always be positive! Be grateful for each day and seek the silver linings. Watch my thoughts and don't poison my body with negativity. Surround myself with other positive and happy people.
2. Be more health and fitness conscious. Be wedding ready!
3. Read a book each month.
4. Bike to Southern California! (In terms of mileage, so 2,000 miles)
5. Contribute to our finances as a stay-at-home-mom
 
Some of these resolutions have already been tested - like my positivity level after I backed into the garage. Face palm. Also, biking 2,000 miles this year = approx. 5.5 miles/day and so far I've biked 18. So these could be some difficult resolutions (or goals, rather). But it's better to set your sights high and try rather than not try at all because you're afraid of failure. In terms of fitness, Devo and I have been doing THE CORE CHALLENGE every other day. Have you heard of it? It's:
 
50 CRUNCHES
15 PUSH UPS
1 MIN PLANK
30 SECS SIDE PLANK
1 MIN BRIDGE
15 PUSH UPS
1 MIN PLANK
30 SECS SIDE PLANK
50 CRUNCHES
1 MIN RAISED PLANK
2 MINS BRIDGE
50 CRUNCHES
 
The first time you do it, it's pretty challenging but do-able. The second time, it's just evil. It you want a reminder that somewhere down deep you do have ab muscles, give it a shot. I promise you'll feel the burn for an entire week..
 
In other news, Wyatt is eating like a CHAMP! What 4-Month old is already feeding himself? I swear we have a prodigy on our hands. He'll probably be entering hot dog eating contests by the time he's 2.


 
Now, time to go enjoy the rest of my day with that little ham.
HAPPY SNOW DAY YA'LL!
 
Alyssa
 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Product Review: Defining Gel

 
Today I will review one of my favorite It Works products,*drum roll, please*...... Defining Gel!
 
This is a go-to in almost all situations because it is so versatile! Let's go over the basics.
 
 
Defining Gel is an intensive skin care product that deeply hydrates while firming areas such as the abdomen, back, legs, and upper arms. When used regularly, it minimizes the appearance of cellulite and varicose veins. Apply to targeted areas with circular massage twice a day.
 
Here are a few additional uses:
 
 
I typically use Defining Gel on the targeted areas that I am wrapping in between wraps to maximize my results! Make sure not to apply it before a wrap as wraps will have the best effect on a clean surface. After I'm done wrapping, I'll rub in some of the extra product from my wrap and let it be fully absorbed - So I usually won't apply Defining Gel until quite a few hours later (ex. if you wrap in the morning, wait until the evening). Then I'll apply the Defining Gel. You only have to use a little bit, it has a great texture and goes a long way! That's one of the great things about the product, you definitely get your moneys worth. After I rub it in, I like to take one of those cheap $5 massagers from Target, Walmart, or Drug Stores and really massage in into whatever area I'm working on. Then sit back and let it work it's magic.
 
As always, I make sure to take a before and after picture to really see my results.
 
Now, are you ready for this? Here is an AWESOME use of Defining Gel.
 
Tattoos!
 
I have an old, faded tattoo on my foot that I've been meaning to get touched up for years. I just rub a little Defining Gel on the tattoo and immediately it becomes brighter with the colors and outlines more vivid and defined. Who needs to pay and go through the pain (and possible error) of a touch up? It's a quick fit with great lasting results. Here are my before and after. Obviously, the left is the before of my faded tattoo and the right is the same tattoo a few days later! It was improved right away but I wanted to wait a few days to take a picture to show that it works long-term, not for just an hour or two like a lotion might.
 

 
Now, I only have a few little foot tattoos, but if I had more or a sleeve with lots of color, I definitely would continue to use the Defining Gel for stunning results! Love!
 
 
Amazing product, right? Get your Defining Gel Here! 
Make sure to sign up as a Loyal Customer to save 40% on all orders!
 
Best Wishes,
Alyssa

My "Why"?



These two handsome men are my reason "Why" for most things in my life, but especially the reason I joined It Works.
 
It seemed that happiness had caught me on September 15, 2012 when I began dating the best guy I knew and it didn't take long for me and my family to realize that he was "the one". Never had I met someone who embraced and loved life as much as Devo and yet was hard-working, strong, reliable, sweet, and not to mention - HANDSOME ;) There I was, with Mr. Right, living our lives day to day and growing in love every moment.
 
On August 23, 2013 - My life changed in ways I never thought possible. Wyatt Nash arrived a week late after 3 long, hard days of labor (we joke that he was waiting for the weekend and ready to party!) and suddenly, I was responsible for another life. My heart had never contained so much love. Immediately I knew that I would, as long as I lived, do everything in my power to provide and protect this precious gift of life. I knew that I simply couldn't go back to my full-time job at the hospital and leave him with a babysitter. And thus began my life as a stay-at-home-mom.
 
We're extremely fortunate that Devo has a job that provides enough for me to stay at home with Wyatt but after a while, we both started to miss the paycheck I was bringing in. Suddenly, we went from being able to jet off to Aspen, Colorado for a week vacation, eat at expensive restaurants every night, and buy each other snowboards and shotguns for Christmas to clipping coupons, making home-cooked meals, and barely having enough to pay our bills each month. Our standard of living had drastically changed and we adapted to meet it. We were living with less money and more love than ever before.
 
The only problem is the stress and instability that not having extra money in the bank brings. We knew that we wanted to provide the best possible life for Wyatt (not to mention our future children)! We wanted to take him on the vacations to Disney World that we never got to take. We wanted to set up a nice college fund and be able to buy him his first car (even if it is an old junker!). We knew that we needed a solid savings fund incase something happened. In short, I knew that I wanted to contribute to our finances again. Not only was it necessary, but it was empowering. I didn't like asking Devo for the money that I was used to making and having him pay all of my bills didn't help the situation.
 
It Works is for our dreams. Where else could I make this life changing money while staying at home with my children? It Works is to be debt-free! It Works is for Disney World, it's for college, it's for emergencies, it's for our future. It's to own our first house and ranch. It's to help our family and friends. It's for our wedding, it's for our retirement. It's for a network of support and positivity.
 
But mostly,
It Works is to help me grow into the person I need to become to achieve my goals.
 
And that's my "WHY".
 
Best Wishes,
Alyssa
 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year!

It's officially 2014 and if this year follows suit, it should be another one for the books! Last year we moved into a new home, had our first child (a very handsome baby boy), both switched jobs, and got engaged - among other things!

 
I'm beginning this blog as I begin another exciting chapter of my life as an It Works Distributor!
See My Story Here. I am excited to help others achieve the results that I have experienced first hand and want to help everyone have a happy and healthy new year! We're all in this together!
 
This blog is currently in it's beginning construction phase, but the things you can count on seeing here include the following:
 
- My personal goals, achievements (& failures, I'm sure)
-Product views and demonstrations
-Wrap results
-Motivation & Inspiration
-Recipes
-Fitness exercises and tips
-Our family life
 
 
So start off the new year on the right foot and join me!