Weights, Weights and More Weights

Two to three times a week I've been going to lift weights at the Y.

I enjoy doing it!

There are two things that do annoy me.

1. The people that live there. Not really, but it seems like they do. Here I am trying to be healthy, and they just sit on the machines chatting with their friends. They have super nice bodies. Technically they could skip the gym if they wanted. No one would notice.

2. Changing clothes. I swear sometimes after work I just want to go to the Y and work out in my dress clothes. Seriously, it's that much of a pain to change clothing! More to put away, more laundry to do. A few times, when I know my clothes are dirty I'll just show up. I'm sure people are thinking, Why is she wearing those clothes to lift weights? I'm just lucky enough to be there. So what if I don't have on my dress down fashionable Nike outfit on?

By the way I feel the burn. That's not on the list of things that annoy me. It's just a fact. My body aches afterwards.

Bitch Therapy 2

Six Things That Really Annoy Me:

1. When the leader of the pack gives you gobs of work at the end of the summer, when I had all summer to do it. I was setting my pace; now I'm scrambling. 
2. When projects are left almost done. I'm just as guilty as the next. Yes I annoy myself with this to.
3. When children change their minds as to what they want for their birthday or Christmas right before the holiday.
4. When I don't have time to do what I need to do for myself. 
5. When someone/anyone says, "I bored!" I just don't get it. There's so much in life to do. How can anyone possibly be bored?
6. When someone specifically says they want to talk to me. I go to talk to them, and they make me feel like I'm interrupting them. Hey I thought you wanted to talk to me! Why are you treating me like I am doing something wrong?

Dip

Do you have any favorite dips. If you do I want to know! I'm especially looking for some bean dips. This is the second year in a row that we've grown beans.

Source

Jolly Mom has a few great recipes here. She is also hosting a giveaway for one winner to win a $50 American Express Card! That's a great card to buy stuff to make salsa and dips.

Bitch Therapy

The summer started at work. I was told, "Alissa you have no summer classes!" A week later I had a summer class. One student didn't graduate because his grade point average was low. He never failed my class, but is taking it because he needs to bum up his GPA.

I was told that I had this class 2 days before it started. The only reason I found out I had it, is because I asked. Talk about scramble! If you don't know me I have to have things pretty much completed before they start. Someone was going to take my place while I was gone on vacation. The class during the school year is once a week. This summer the class is every day. My thinking as to when things were do is/was a challenge.

I felt much better when everything was ready to go.

The problem: I had to bring a C to D level student all the way up to a B+. The start of the class was fine. The end (now) is rough! He went from trying to not trying at all.

I know he's not watching the PowerPoints because there are activities in two that I gave him. When I asked if he did them he looked at me with a question mark on his forehead.

He has done none of the extra credit things I have given him.

I told my student yesterday that I don't think he'll get a B+ from me.

His last assignment is supposed to be 18x24 and he was working on a 9x12. In the real world you could get fired by having the wrong document size. I down grade a lot for the size being wrong.When I confronted him with this size issue he said, "This is the only board I have left. It will have to do." I said, "Ok it's the cost of illustration board, or the cost of taking another class with probably no financial aid." Now he's working on the correct size of board. What I said must of gotten into him.

This morning I went in to hand him a review sheet for the last exam and his grade sheet. He's getting a B. He shook his head and didn't look at me to talk to me.

I think many students expect something for nothing. I'm just not going to hand over that something, if they give me little to nothing.

No student left behind doesn't work in college.

Sore

I did the rowing machine; then lifted weights yesterday at the Y. This morning I woke up and getting dressed was a chore. My muscles are sore. It would be great if I could get in on a normal schedule. At least I know what I'm doing is in effect.

I've been lifting arm weights in my office as well.

My arms are not perfect! Some shirts that were too tight before are able to fit. Woo hoo!

Cyst Number Two - Gone

I applied apple cider vinegar to my second cyst for a month, and now it's gone. The last one took a month as well.

Here's the scoop:

It doesn't hurt at all in the beginning of applying the vinegar to it. At first I felt like it was doing little to nothing.

After about 3 weeks it starts to burn. Towards the end of the month it down right hurts. I was percystant  to get rid of my cysts on my own. I stuck with applying the vinegar. You can apply it with a cotton swab, or a q-tip. I used a q-tip. I found that a cotton swab absorbs too much of the vinegar. Meaning not enough goes on the spot where the cyst is at. Plus I liked how the vinegar wasn't touching my fingers, a q-tip is easier to hold, and I could use a q-tip twice (it has 2 ends). Every other night I'd use both sides of the q-tip until the vinegar absorbed into my head. Towards the end, when it really burned I'd do this process a few times a day. I really just wanted that thing gone!

What happens when it's done:

The cyst rises to the surface sac and all. It just pulled out. When it was all gone I did have a tiny sunk in area that healed quickly. After the cyst is gone, so is the burning sensation.

To do this, or to not do this:

I chose to try this on my own. We have a genetic problem with getting cysts on our head (my mom, my grandpa, my sister, my cousin and I all have gotten them). They are not cancerous. If there was any question of them being cancerous, I would have not done this! My family members have gotten them surgically removed. Sometimes the doctor gets the sack, sometimes they don't. They had to pay to have them take care of cutting this thing out of your head, and it comes right back.

Changes:

Just like anything you learn what to change as you go. I'd change the kind of vinegar I was using. I just bought the store brand thinking apple cider vinegar is apple cider vinegar. I guess the more expensive stuff is more potent, and does the job more effectively. The store brand stuff has water to dilute it. Cheaper for them, less effective for me. The moral is, you get what you pay for.

I also would do this right away when getting a cyst. The smaller it is, the easier it is to take care of.

Risks:

I worried about a staph infection. Apple cider vinegar burns you skin. It's an open wound. It's just like burning off a wart. There is a risk of an infection happening.

Dream List

I want a gel mat to sit in front of my sink. It doesn't have to be brown. I could be red, green or tan. In fact it doesn't even have to be this brand. This one can be found here.

I want this artist doll Frida Kahlo. I know she's pretty expensive. She can be found here.

I'd like the 3rd season of Little House on the Prairie. You can find it here.

I'd like a compost pail. It could be made of bamboo. So brown, green or red. This one can be found here.

A fun rug in my bathroom. The first one can be found here and the second one can be found here.

I've thought about getting a Roku streaming channel device. It sreamlines the internet to watch all kind of channels on any TV. It can be found here and a lot of other places.

Some type of citrus squeezer would be cool to have. I found this one here, but it could be any kind.

This is pretty. A peacock cross bag. It can be found here and here.

Anything at Novica. I love their store. The masks, earrings and shirts are all cool.

I Started Lifting Weights

I feel the burn! My husband says I'm supposed to learn to love the burn.

We can't always make it to the Y when we need to, so I started lifting weights in my office again. I used to do that, and it really helped shrink my arms down. I'm back at it once again. It's perfect when I'm reading something on my computer, or waiting for something to upload!

The Healthy Deodorant

Do you ever worry about what is in your deodorant? I do. In fact I've thought about making my own, but haven't.

There's a site called Lavanila that sells Healthy Deodorant. Heck of a Bunch is giving away the winners choice of deodorant. I'd love to win! If I do I'll pick their Vanilla Coconut.

I Have A Love Hate Relationship With Nasonex

I love it because it helps me breathe. I can actually breathe out of my nose now.

I hate it because I have an odd taste in my mouth from it all day long. Plus I can't smell. Even though I can breathe it totally takes away my ability to smell.

Conscious Box Review

I am excited to tell you about a great company called Conscious Box.

They have a monthly subscription service that delivers the most natural, organic, purest products on the planet. They deliver right to your house. Conscious Box has monthly themes, daily living tips and ideas on how to use your box.

I took some of the bigger things out of the box, so you could see some of the smaller things. It's filled with samples of organic products. Then they include bigger items as well.

 Organic Toothpaste. It's a must at my house.

An organic milkshake for one of the kids and Dream Water for the adults. Dream Water helps with stress. I'm a teacher, and trust me with finals last week it was stressful!

Snacks galore in the kit.

Chemical free cleaner for your dishwasher!

There are different categories you can check out: 

• Bath and Beauty
• Food 
• Health
• Home and Garden

Many of the products I am familiar with. I love the brands! What I love is that customers are free to write reviews on the products. Each review can earn points to help with future orders.

Disclaimer: The opinions on the post are my personal take on the product. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. I did receive a free product to help with this review.

 

NeoCell

NeoCell is the originator in the industry that promotes vital collagen health.

They believe in the power of collagen, the body's structural protein and its ability to heal and nourish, providing youth. Not only outside the body, but also inside the spirit.

New Age Mama is giving away a pack of Beauty Bursts.

What Kind of Deodorant Do You Use?

I've been thinking about making my own deodorant.

On this site they are giving away a chemical free, natural deodorant. Yay for no chemicals!

Cyst is Gone I Think

I like many of my family members get cysts on my scalp. It's genetic, it's not cancerous.

I have two.

They can be cut and drained, but often times doctors do not get the sacks, so they come right on back.

I decided to try treating it with Apple Cinder Vinegar. Well it burned like heck, I was kind of worried that I was hurting myself more than helping myself. The treatment stopped. Then I started it back up again. I would just apply it on a q-tip, while watching TV every other night.

The cyst raised up. I was worried about a staph infection occurring. All the sudden the cyst was wiggling like a loose tooth and popped off. With it came a dried up sack. It still hurts when pressure is applied. I'm hoping I got it for good!

I'm going to put Toe Juice on it for awhile to be sure the sucker doesn't come back.

Homemade Mosquito Trap

I'm steeling this from FB. If you know who posted these pictures please email me at: alissa4illustration AT hotmail DOT COM

Items needed:
1 cup of water
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 gram of yeast
1 2-liter bottle

How:
1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.
2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.
3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.
4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.
5. Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside in an area away from your normal gathering area. (Mosquitoes are also drawn to the color black.)

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

Click

Have you ever bought protein powders? I haven't. I'd like to try one. Sometimes I just get hungry when it's not meal time, but I don't want to eat a bunch of things. I A) Do not have the time to be snacking throughout the day. B) Do not want to eat carbs. I need protein to fill me up.

During the summer time I make homemade tofu pops. Right now it might as well be winter.

I spotted a protein powder called Click! I'm thinking about trying it.

There's a giveaway going on here to win Click protein and a shaker.

Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

I've found a few articles about D.I.Y. techniques to overcome high cholesterol, diabetes, healing a sore throat, healing a wart, removing pimples and cysts. I imagine if you take it orally, you should mix it with water first. Any thoughts on this?

Here's the first article.

Here's the second.

Image Source

Apple cider vinegar has been my best friend these days. I had a wart that was on my foot. Gross I know! I haven't had one of those since I was itty bitty. When I was a kid, I got a few small ones on my hand. On the foot it's much more painful!!! It was on the bottom of my foot! It kept coming back. I've never experienced walking on something so awful. I got it burned twice. Each time the doctor said, "That should take care of it." It didn't. Instead it left a blister for me to walk on. That was worse then the wart its self! On top of that I had to get special arch supports because my left leg turns in. That was an adjustment to. Toe Juice helped the wart. It came back. That was my fault because I should have used it for two more weeks, after it was healed. I do believe in the Toe Juice product. Apple cider vinegar took care of it. With this I used a q-tip. I didn't want to burn the skin around the wart; just the wart it's self.

I have many family members that get cysts on their scalp: My mom, my sister, my cousin and my grandpa all have them. It's genetic. They really don't hurt. In fact dermatologists don't remove them unless they become bothersome. They are not cancerous. Well I just started getting them when I turned 36. Having bumps on my head really annoy me big time! I think it's A) Gross! and B) It's annoying to brush my hair and run over bumps. It's kind of like driving and hitting speed bumps.

I read that apple cider vinegar helps remove cysts and acne. I also read that it's best to leave these stupid bumps on my head alone. I started applying apple cider vinegar to them. For two weeks I've been applying it to them with a circle disc cotton swab. I apply it, and hold it down for as long as I can stand it. It helps to prop my arm up on a pillow. It burns after a bit. For awhile, I thought I might be causing more harm than good. Remember it burns. They are not gone, but they are 1/2 the size they were! If I can get things to go away with apple cider vinegar it's much cheaper than going to the doctor, I can do it on my terms and yes it stings, but it's better than being cut into! One last thing: A little bit goes a long way!

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies

First off I'm going to start off this post with some of the things I used to create these wonderful smoothies. 

We love peanut butter, but all the oils aren't great. There is some controversy on that. I've been trying to use powdered peanut butter. I've been using PB2 Powered Peanut Butter. I've been able to get it at the grocery store HyVee and Whole Foods. I haven't checked if Trader Joes has it or not.

I've been using whole flax seed. I've read in different sources that flax seed is better to digest if you ground it right before use. If you are looking for a great brand Tropical Traditions is wonderful!

Organic Flax Seed - 16 oz pouch









I use Chocolate or Vanilla NuStevia when I'm in a sweet mood.

Now onto the recipe: 

I start adding things into the blender. I add a splash of almond milk and keep adding that until the blender can handle it. The more the milk, the runnier it gets. That part just depends on your preference.

All 4 family members love it! It's the only way I can get the 7 year old to eat, or in this case drink bananas. I imagine I could even throw in a handful of spinach. My family happens to just eat a small pile of spinach every morning anyhow.

Aussie Bites

I posted about these on my other site, but like to keep all my recipes over here. Aussie Bites are really pretty good!

Set you oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients together. Mix the wet ingredients together. Mix everything together. Spray little muffin cups and put them in them. The recipe I found said to cook them for 12 minutes. I found that they needed to be cooked for 20 minutes.  I also replaced in the original recipe some butter with coconut oil.

Missing a Step

Source

I've done this more times than I'd care for. It does just about give me a mini heart attack!

Protein Bites

This is a really easy and no bake recipe. My boys and I LOVED it!