Snow and Giveaways and Birthdays, OH MY!

Brrrr!!!

It's cold in here, there must be some torro's in the atmosphere, I said o-e-o-e-o-e ice, ice ice..

It's another fabulous Friday in the middle of Kansas where it was just in the 50's and we were able to play football outside, to the stupid snow thats "showering" the town along with "feel's like" temperature of 9.

I know I'm not alone when I say: Oh Spring, Spring, where for art thou Spring?

I'm SUPER duper excited for Sunday. But we'll get to that in a minute. 

For all you beautiful ladies that took part in the contest, the time is now for a winner...

(drum roll please?)

$50 gift card too:

Sasha Morgan Florea

I sent you the code, if you have any issues with it please let me know!!

Snowflake necklace winner:

Tatum McGuire

I sent you an email requesting your address. Please let me know if you didn't get it!

And thank you to Kiki La'Rue for donating the gift card!!!

Now I will be personally hosting a giveaway here soon in honor of my one year blogaversary! So stay tuned for that ladies!

So now on to the current.

In order to swing getting Super Bowl Sunday / Hubs Birthday off, I have to work Friday and Saturday... wah wah wah..

But thats okay.

I'm like a little kid when it comes to birthday's. I feel like everyone deserves a party, no matter the number of guests, just a good old fashion celebration of them!

In order to achieve that, I rented us a jacuzzi suite at Holiday Inn, ordered him a cake and got decorations.

Sunday I'm going to get up early and let him sleep in while I pick up the cake and swing by the hotel to get it decorated.

I found this awesome site that probably everyone else in the world has used but me,  www.birthdaydirect.com ?

They have super cheap decorations and all the ones I got seem to be great quality too! With shipping I only spent $20 and I ordered 13 items! Shipping took awhile, but they have you enter the day of your party to I guess, ensure that you get it in time. I entered 2-1 to be safe and received it on 1-30.

This is the kinda stuff I got. 

He's just as much a kid at heart like I am, so I know he'll love it!

I gave the cake lady some idea's and am just trusting her to make it awesome, which I'm sure it will be!

I'm also horrible at surprises, I mean he's my best friend so I tell him everything, so he already opened his birthday presents. Some Nike gear that he'd been hinting about wanting. 

So yeah.. I fail.

Thats the excitement of our world, were pretty old and don't party so we'll eat, drink(Peace Tea) and GO HAWKS!

Also Be Sure to Stop by Holly's Bloggity Blog for a giveaway, if your one of my followers then you are already one step closer to winning! Go check it out!

Who are you rooting for Sunday?
Big Super Bowl Party Plans?

-J

On Wednesday We Eat Soup.

Hey hey hey!!!

Wednesday is here and not a moment too soon!

My parents are getting ready to leave for vacation so I'm puppy sitting.

I have their two 6lb miniature pinschers 

Aren't they adorable.

My TWELVE pound Chihuahua baby, is being just that.

A baby.

She towers over these little things and she was scared of them! She hid in my lap most of the night staring at them and me like "Mom what the heck are those things and why are they here"

Yes she's my baby.

She got over it, eventually.

But the important thing is they all get along which makes my life easier and the cuddles all the better. 

Who doesn't love to be covered in puppy cuddles after a day of work.

Cat ladies, thats who!

A few of you asked for a recipe to the Buffalo Wing Soup I was eating the other night, and as always, as you wish lovelies!

Buff & Lean Wing Soup

First cook 1lb Chicken breast (350 for about 300)

While your chicken cooks, in a large pot over medium heat combine the following:

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 chicken bouillon cube

1/3 package fat free cream cheese

1 cup milk(I use skim or 1%)

1 cup Franks Buffalo Wing Hot Sauce

Let that simmer.

When your chicken is done, chop it up and add it to the pot.

While chopping,

chop up 1 1/2 cups celery

1/2 cup onion

1/2 cup carrots.

(amounts measure should be after the chopping so 1  1/2 cups chopped celery)

add these to the pot and let them soften.

You can also add cheese to this if you like.

Once its done it can be frozen too!

I like to eat it with a slice of mozzerella cheese and a shot of fat free ranch!

Its yummy!!!

Also adjust the amount of Hot Sauce to the level of spicy you want to enjoy!

Make some, I DARE YOU ;)

Whats your favorite kinda soup?

What are your plans for the week?

I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow and get all things geared up for the hubs birthday/Super Bowl Sunday. We aren't having a party or anything but were having fun, cause he's my best friend after all. Well after my BFF Gabby, but thats 15 years of friendship, sooo he's gotta some stiff competition.  But I like to make sure that he's happy and I spoil him. I got us a Jacuzzi Suite at a Hotel so after the game we can celebrate the Seahawks win(Knock on wood)!

He has a man crush on Richard Sherman #25 for the Seahawks, what a coincidence that its Ty's 25th Birthday this Sunday too!

He saw Sherman in the Nike commercial the other day and fell in love with the running outfit he was wearing so I got the tights, shorts and a Seahwaks tee to go with ordered and express shipped for him. 

I love to see his face light up like a little kid. 

Enjoy the day!!

Have a GREAT Wednesday, beat the cold and enjoy some soup!

-J

PS Have you entered the Kiki La'Rue Giveaway I posted monday? 

Winner announced Friday!

Comfy in Clothes && Kiki La'Rue Giveaway!

Good Morning Beautiful! 

 But every gal should hear that.

So as you can see my bloggity blog got QUITE the facelift!! 

What you think?

I owe it all to the WONDERFUL Hubby Jack

Go check out his handy work!

As a bigger girl, I had some serious body image issues. I didn't feel like I deserved to wear pretty clothes, and I didn't feel pretty in them. I hid behind supposed to be oversized shirts, plus size jeans, hoodies and sweats. Anything unflattering and not exactly cute, yeah I wore it.

Then as I've lost weight I've gotten a lot more comfortable in cute outfits. If you follow me you know, I live in workout gear but when I clean up, man do I clean up good! And you will usually find me in at least one piece of Kiki La'Rue clothing.

The only bad thing is I wish I would of found their clothes sooner. They offer sizes for EVERYONE.

Also if you follow me, you know I have many reasons to love them!

They are one of the best boutiques to buy from. They CARE SOO MUCH about their customers, they are helpful and they are not shy to do random acts of kindness!

I mean they are ALWAYS offering discounts, giveaways, sending out freebies, free shipping, they do it all!!!! They even do benefits! Gah They are just so amazing. The shipping is always fast and the best thing about getting a package is when you open it up and there is an extra piece in there that you didn't order, it sure makes you feel amazing!!

Now remember how I've been promising you complete awesomeness with a FABULOUS giveaway?!

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Kiki La'Rue is giving one of you lucky readers a $50 gift card!!! And on top of that a second winner will get a Kiki La'Rue Snowflake necklace!

They asked me to show off my favorite outfits and man I have a good stock pile of their goodies so Saturday the hubs and I went out for a photo shoot! Man did I feel freakin' BEAUTIFUL. Its amazing what a good outfit can do for your self confidence!

The Tis the Season Sweater (Med)
with Punky Brewster Leggings

The Mad About Plaid Top (Sm)
with Burgundy Ribbed Fleece Leggings

The Flash Dance Raglan Top (Med)
with Ribbed Fleece Leggings

The Ambiance Sweater (Lg), Bailey Infinity Scarf
 with Double AA Cheetah Leggings

The Baseball Top(Med)
with Riverbend Leggings

The GEEK sweater (Med) with the Geek Glasses
with the Double AA Cheetah Leggings 

The Take My Breath Away Top (Med)
with the Double AA Cheetah Leggings

 Im also wearing the Snowflake Necklace and a Pair of their Pearl Earrings in each picture.

Winner announced Friday!
Now get to entering!!

And for those of you that can't wait til Friday
 head over and take 10% off with this coupon code:

" JessiThinking10% "



a Rafflecopter giveaway


As always
-J

If you take one of these pictures for use as a giveaway entry, please give me credit, as these pictures aren't just of me, but The Hubs and I dabble in photography and we did take these pictures and did all the work.

This is a sponsored giveaway, they sent me the "Take my Breath Away Top" for review, but the opinions are all my own and Ya'll know I wouldn't lie to you!

Cold Weather Beauty Products && Giveaway Winner!

Happy Friday Ya'll!!

Well lets cut to the chase real fast, The winner of the Cyclone Cup giveaway is...

TRACY FABER!!

Please email or comment with the color you'd like!

And while we are speaking giveaways, I've promised you a great giveaway is coming up and MONDAY is the day it will be live on the blog and I don't want you to miss it!! So you best stop by Monday!!!

Well its been FREEZING cold here as of late. Not enjoying it at all, its supposed to spike back up into the 50's for the weekend. I hope it will stick around though a little longer. I can handle 40's and 50's but I cant stand the negatives and the wind!!!

And of course I'm linking up with the amazing Darci at The Good Life Blog for 5 on Friday

Today, my stylist part of me is coming forward. So I'm layin out the must haves for this stupid cold and windy weather survival!

BOOM

{one}

No, Im not telling you what to put on your whoo haaa. Thats a personal choice I don't want to be involved in!

BUT I use this stuff on my face as a base foundation/primer. Yes I put vagina cream on my face! It really helps with dry skin and prevents over drying! It also isn't oily and doesn't alter my makeup in any way!

{two}

I recommend this ALL year!!! It really is a miracle product. If you don't use it I COMMAND you too! It protects, heals, detangles and a bajillion other things!

{three}

Now as a professional I'm usually all about Pro products but damn for $3 this bottle of moisture treatment, it super packs your hair with moisture and makes it super duper soft!!

{four}

True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Hand scrub this buffs away dry skin and moisturizes at the same time! and Its available at Bath and Body Works!!

{five}

Mary Kay's Satin Hands, this is the greatest non greasy moisturizing lotion. It smells SO DELICIOUS!!! I love the Vanilla Sugar! And we ALL know someone who sells Mary Kay products!!!

Whats your favorite cold weather product?!

The hubs and I are off today to do a whole lot of nothing and just enjoy the day!

What are your plans this weekend?!

-J

Feed Me! && a Giveaway!

The best second best day of the week is here!

Haha

We all know Friday is the favorite, Wednesday is the second and well, nobody likes Monday.

Poor Mondays, nope don't feel sorry for them!

Let's talk food.

Mhmmmmm food.

So I like to eat and that's no lie. 

Any one else watch food network at the gym? LOL

These all describe me sadly...

Yeah my food choices have greatly changed.

There was a point over a year ago when I could polish off a cheesecake sample by myself and still want more, it was ridiculous and unhealthy.

Now I still like my foods and many of you are asking how I'm eating these days.

I'm always willing to try new meals, diet plans, ect. I've done carb cycling, counting calories, no wheats, no dairy, meals from a nutritionists and so on.

For the month of December I followed a meal plan from my trainer that went with my lifting program, which was great while I was lifting like that and all. But now I've shifted into half marathon training and I've taking my eating back to my kind of make shift plan that's worked for me in the past. I've also adapted it to include things I've learned from my trainer and so on.

I'm not COUNTING calories, but I'm AWARE of how many calories I'm taking in.

I still do meal prep. I will always do this because I like the convince of having healthy foods at my fingertips just as easily as the junk food can be.

Now here are some examples of what my meals are consisting of:

Breakfast:

Old fashion oats with water with a piece of fruit

Serving of Chex or Special K cereal mixed with a 100 calorie Greek yogurt 

2 Special K waffles with sugar free syrup and scrambled egg whites

Lunch: 

Healthy choice soup or the vegan friendly soup with Special K chips

A romain lettuce salad with fat free cottage cheese, sunflower seeds, turkey, onions and bell pepper.

Rice and veggies sometimes with chicken

Dinner: 

Low carb tortilla pizza with fat free cheese And turkey pepperoni 

Taco salad with ground turkey, no sour cream 

Chicken and sweet potato fries

Snacks:

Mixed fresh fruit

Carrots and pickles

Natural raw almonds and raisins

Special K bar

Quest nutrition bar

I also substitute meals with protein shakes or smoothies.

I eat in this pattern, breakfast- 3hours later snack- 3 hours lunch - 3 hours snack- 3 hours dinner.

When I'm on the go go go I will grab a quest bar for a good filling and nutrient packed tide over.

I still will eat "junk food" but I do so in complete moderation or I find healthy substitutions for recipes to make them more friendly to my lifestyle.

What are some of your favorite healthy recipes?

Now whose ready for a giveaway!!!!!

No this isn't the big one I've been warning you about, that one will be up on Monday and I promise you, you don't want to miss out.

But for today's: 

I want to help you guys keep on track with prepping for your days, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. So I'm giving away your choice of color Cyclcone Shaker cup! This Is my go to shaker, not only does it kick the blender bottles butt but it has a compartment on the bottom to store snack or drink mixes or whatever your little heart desires! 

Winner will be announced Friday!! So get after it ladies! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored give away, this is just cause I like you guys :) 

How's your week going?

-J

Fear Not the Supplements & Weekend Recap

Good mooorrrnnnniiiinnnnngggg Wisconsin!!

Today is my first day back to work since Wednesday, oh yeah I cashed in on some PTO and had Thursday-Sunday off. It was nice, but now I was getting stir crazy. I need structure and schedules in my life to keep me from going all cray cray and ripping peoples faces off. 

True story.

 It happened once. 

Not really but it helps me street cred. 

PSH

So lets go ahead and acknowledge the elephant in the room here...

After a gruesome and intense game...the Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl!!! And Super Bowl Sunday is the hubs 25th Birthday! Crazy enough, 25 is his favorite player too...cue eire music.

So this weekend was a whirlwind of things for the hub and I. Friday we went to the big ole city of Salina, I got my hair done while the hubs got fitted for a tux for a friends wedding. 

After that I got to go on a mini shopping spree.

I picked up a plethora of Quest Bars, some Cellucor Super HD, a Six Pack Bag a tee from The Buckle, a Under Armour Headband, Nike Tee and Nike Pro Tights all from Dicks Sporting Goods.

It was a good day. 

We finished off with dinner and grocery shopping.

Its funny. 

A year ago a shopping spree for my chubby butt would involve cupcakes, sweat pants, movies and other necessities for doing nothing.

 Now its all geared towards fitness.

Oh how the tables have turned.

Saturday, we stayed in bed till we felt like getting up, I did some light meal prep for the upcoming week and we lounged around the house. I tell you we really are pretty boring for a 22 and a 24 year old. Sunday was game day! We got up and watched the Bronco's game, made a California Kitchen thin crust pizza and watched the Seahawks game.

That game was intense, I chewed off my nails and the hubs threw the remote a few times. But oh holy damn it was a good game and luckily we pulled away with a win.  Then the hubs went to his video game world and like every night, I hit up the gym to continue my half marathon training.

Now let's talk Supplements.

I get asked about what I take, how often and why. I'm not scared of supplements, I eat healthy and workout and there are just things that doesn't hurt your body to have extra of.

The Cheat Pill- This is a carb blocker, I like to take this with my cheat meals or when I'm away from home and have a meal thats heavier than I'm used to. 

CTS 360 Max- This is just a fat burner and appetite suppressant, I take these once every few days, when I'm feeling extremely hungry.

Advocare Omegaplex(Fish Oil)- I take these daily for the Omega. Which is good for your heart.

Milk Thistle- I take this daily, it helps the liver by flushing out toxins and optimizes liver metabolism.

B-12- I take daily for a boost of energy and well being.

Vitamin C- I take daily. It helps absorption of iron, enhances recovery and growth in muscle cells, involved in the formation of collagen and its an antioxidant. Its good for immune health as well.

Cranberry- I take daily. This helps your uniary tract and with my liver being flushed of toxins, I take this to help prevent any UTI's.

Probiotics- These help your digestive tract. These are great to ensure your system is unclogged and working smoothly. I take these daily.

V-Core Vantage Protein Powder- I take this on an as needed basis, I'f I haven't got in enough protein for the day I make a shake or add it to other foods. I like the flavor and how easily it mixes.

Cellucor Super HD Powder- This is an energy drink, appetite suppressant and fat burner. I love this. It really kills my appetite gives me a burst of energy with out the crash and is super yummy.

Nuun Electrolyte Tablets- This is a sugar free electrolyte tab that you add to 16oz of water for a healthy boosting drink.

Advocare Rehydrate & Spark- Rehydrate is great for the after workout and the Spark(not pictured) is an energy boost with an appetite Suppressant, I am starting to prefer the Super HD more, but I still enjoy Spark.

Quest Bars- These are my go to when I'm on the go go go and I need to pack in the nutrients also they a great substitute for a yummy  bad snack. They are freaking delicious.

Now with all these supplements and all and with my busy schedule, organization is key!

This is all the reason more why I was happy to get my 6 Pack Fitness bag. Which by the way I wanted the Pink and Complete Nutrition was out of. And Because They are the best people ever, they ordered me a pink one and when it comes in I can take this one in and swap the shells!! So I'm extremely grateful that the awesome people there really are out to please. And when they asked when we were moving, yes I go there enough, they know my life story. They told me they don't have store up there BUT they do offer free shipping and when I move I can phone them and change my address and then just call in my orders and they will ship them to me!!! How freaking great is that!?!?!

I use a pill keeper to set out all my supplements along with my anti-baby pills that way I don't open a bajillion and ten bottles daily. I also use a Cyclone Cup and My new freebie cup from Complete Nutrition. They have storage compartments which makes taking drink mixes with me extremely easy!

Now these supplements are just things I take and work for me, I'm not a Dr and if you are really wondering about supplements and whats best for you, ask your Dr!

How was your weekend? 

How do you stay on top of you fitness game!?

-J

REMEMBER TO BE KEEPING AN EYE OUT, THERES AN AWESOME GIVE AWAY or TWO COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEKS!