Katie Talks About... being a mom and so much more

Medifast Monday – Take Shape for Life week 2

May 20, 2013 Leave a Comment

Take Shape for Life/Medifast is sponsoring me on this weight loss journey. Results and opinions are my own.

Week 2 is in the books and if you recall, week 1 I lost an amazing 8 lbs! This is not “typical” (the first two weeks are usually 2-5 lbs), but I will take it! This week the weight loss slowed down some and I lost an additional 3.7 lbs. From here on out, I can expect an average weight loss of 2 lbs a week, provided I continue to complete the program as directed.

Before I address anything else, the excitement for my week is that not only did I get to meat my health coach from Take Shape for Life, Greg Rex, I also got to meet the founder of Take Shape – Dr. Anderson! They were here in Denver to promote Take Shape for Life and I jumped at the chance to meet them. Greg has been wonderful so far as my coach, and since he’s based out of San Diego, the chance to meet with him one on one had to be taken! I really hope I have a chance to meet up with these guys again once I am at goal, so I can have some awesome before and after shots!

I’m slowly settling into the Medifast and Take Shape for Life lifestyle. It truly is a lifestyle which includes making good food choices and striving for optimal health. Dr. Anderson has written books on the topic of optimal health, including Habits of Health, which I am slowly making my way through right now. I am still in the infancy of my journey, and hope to someday not only meet my goal, but maintain my weight and achieve optimal health.

I’m continuing to document my progress and thoughts on my YouTube channel, where you can learn a little more about my likes and dislikes on the program, and my thoughts as each week passes. I’d love for you to check my videos out.

Week 1: -8
Week 2: -3.7 – 11.7

Caldrea Essential Collection

May 19, 2013 3 Comments

I received complimentary product in order to facilitate this review.

Every once in a while I will get a surprise delivery at my door from a PR firm that wants me to review their products. Normally it’s a pain with unsolicited items like this since I hadn’t planned for them, but other times the products themselves really make up for the potential inconvenience.

Caldrea Essential Collection really made up for the inconvenience. They sent me three items from their Blackcurrant Mint fragrance – hand soap, hand lotion and a signature candle. Blackcurrant Mint joins the rest of the fragrances in the Caldrea essential collection: Hibiscus Yuzu, Green Tea Verbena, Citron Ginger, Orchid Violet and Vanilla Lemon. All of these fragrances are available in their kitchen selections (found in the housewares aisle) and their home ambiance selections (found in the candle aisle).

I’ll be honest, these are “kitchen” essentials, but I’ve actually been using them in my bathroom. The Blackcurrant Mint scent is really invigorating and great for “waking” you up in the morning. I really try to not use it at night because it is such an energizing scent! I do use the candle in the kitchen since it’s a bit too perky of a scent to use when taking a relaxing bath to end the night.

If you’re interested in checking out Blackcurrant Mint or any of the other fabulous scents from the Caldrea Essential Collection, head to Target where you’ll find them – including dish soap and countertop cleaner – affordably priced starting at $5.99.

Five apps to manage diabetes

May 18, 2013 7 Comments

Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with insulin resistant diabetes. It was also the same week I started on my Medifast Take Shape for Life program, and my hope is that learning to eat right will help me to get off my medications and perhaps make the disease dormant. But for now, I am living [...]

[Continue reading...]

Living in Canada and want to incorporate?

May 16, 2013 Leave a Comment

This is a guest post by Shane Pinkman. In Canada a small business could be incorporated in each of the Canadian jurisdictions. However, while getting the business registered, the concerned and appropriate Corporate Registry must be checked, depending on the area in which the business is going to be active. Once you have gone through [...]

[Continue reading...]

Doc McStuffins – Time for your Checkup – Giveaway!

May 15, 2013 7 Comments

I received a copy of this DVD to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. Doc McStuffins is in heavy rotation in our house. My daughter was super bummed to learn that Doc wouldn’t be at Disneyland when we visited last fall – but she is now! We can’t wait to meet her when we [...]

[Continue reading...]

Planning a move?

May 14, 2013 6 Comments

With today’s housing market improving and interest rates at an all-time low, more and more people are making the move either out of apartment life or into a larger family home in a different neighborhood. Moving is a planned process so it is important to start months in advance and work your way into an [...]

[Continue reading...]

Medifast Monday – Take Shape for Life Week 1

May 13, 2013 1 Comment

The Take Shape for Life program by Medifast is sponsoring my weight loss efforts. All opinions are my own Well, week 1 is in the books. How did I do on my first week on Take Shape for Life? Check out my video update! So yes, the week was a success! Hopefully next week will [...]

[Continue reading...]

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 12, 2013 8 Comments

My day has been enjoyable – I hope that you have had a great day too! We started with a 5K for me and a 1K for my daughter – we had a great time! I came home, took a nap, and then Violet & I watched Brave and watched Princess Merida’s coronation from yesterday [...]

[Continue reading...]

The True Cost of Being a Mom

May 10, 2013 9 Comments

With Mother’s Day just around the corner (you still have time to shop!), this infographic takes a great look at how times have changed and just how much it “costs” to be a mom! Courtesy of: CashNetUSA: It’s Economic

[Continue reading...]

Bright Lights, Big Blackpool

May 9, 2013 1 Comment

This is a guest post by Jenna Smith Looking for some action Blackpool isn’t just known as the Las Vegas of the UK, it is known as one of the best locations for a fun in the sun British getaway for anyone and everyone due to the vast array that it has to offer. As [...]

[Continue reading...]