Consumer Advisory Reports

So my husband has told me that I have an opinion about everything. Couple that with me liking to try new things and a Product Reviewer, Blogger, Vlogger, Restaurant and Event Reviewer, Taste Tester and all around Test Monkey is born.

I actually really like giving reviews on products, foods and services. Why?! Well, because I hate wasting my time and money. So before I buy something new or go somewhere new I like to look up reviews. I need to know: how was the experience, how did it work out, was it cheaply made, was it easy to find, was it easy to use, how long did it take, did it taste good, how was the service, was it worth it...was it a waste of time or money.
I figure if I like knowing those things, maybe others would too. Maybe I can save someone else from making a bad purchase

 or help them make a good one

So, for awhile now, I've been doing reviews on TripAdvisor, on my Youtube channel, and Instagram. 

I do reviews on just about every type of restaurant and product. A lot of products lately had been fitness related due to my increase in training for Spartan Races. However last week I needed a non-fitness related product as a result of my Spartan Race instead of for the training of it. 

 

It was the NeilMed Nasal Sinus Rinse. Why on earth would I need a nose squirter for a post-race recovery?!

This is why...

 Yea, Yuck...and More Yuck!

No, I'm not going to show you a picture of me using the nose squirter in my nose...it's bad enough you're seeing nasty, muddy water oozing from out of my nose. So just imagine that I used it properly. Here is the company's promo pic:

First off let me say that it was a bit daunting because of the huge size of the tip of the squirter. I mean I know I have a pretty big snout but wow! That being said it was pretty easy to use. The package comes with a saline powder solution that you mix with water...shake...and squirt. I suggest you take a deep breath and really mentally prepare yourself for what's about to happen. Unlike myself, who just kind of went for it and it totally freaked me out the first time. Which is weird and funny considering I have really bad sinuses so this is not the first time I've used a nasal spray. Anyways, I did it a couple of times in each nostril just to make sure I had gotten all of the yucky boo-boo water out of my nose. I could tell the difference right away. It didn't sting or burn like some other rinses. I suppose the big tip helped make sure the solution sprayed in the right place. NeilMed also sells A Nasal-Oral Aspirator for babies and kids which I'm strangely excited to try out as well. 

*Side note: 

Use "MOMSBLOG" for $3 off the purchase of a Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator at  www.neilmed.com

As an added BONUS, I'm giving away a NeilMed Naspira for 2 lucky people who follow my Youtube AND Instagram

So are you a Test Monkey like me

Or can you benefit from learning from others sweet finds or sour flunks

Or are you amazed that people actually do this

Am I the only weird one?

The Light Between 2 Oceans

So, I saw the movie trailer for "The Light Between Oceans" early last week. I won't go into details about what the actual movie is about, but it wasn't the plot that stuck with me. It was the title. It strongly resonated with me, but at the time I couldn't figure out why. I kept thinking about that title for days; I couldn't shake it. Weird.

Well fast forward to that Thursday, as I packed for another Spartan race, my normal anxiety is in full force. There's more at stake at this one...more to be afraid of.

• It's half way into my Double Trifecta
• It's a team trip 
• It's in Colorado=5500ft elevation, cold and mountains (scary for this Texas girl)
• It's at a Military base where Olympians train

My husband, as always, tries to calm me down. He's a great encourager but my fears often drown out his uplifting words. The more I pack, the more those voices creep in..."Can I do it...What about the elevation...How many obstacles will you overcome and/or fail...Can you finally get up that rope...Will you survive?!"

I know I can't continue to stress over it...It's too late; I'm already committed.

Forget about the cold

Forget about the elevation

Forget about the difficulty of the obstacles

Forget about trying to keep pace with others

FORGET ABOUT THE ROPE

Just cross the Finish Line. 

 Yes it was COLD (40degrees)

 Yes it was TIRING

Yes it was DIFFICULT

But YES I MADE IT

I CROSSED THE FINISH LINE

Honestly the rest of the day and weekend was a blur. 

However, I get it now. That small whisper last week trying to give me a hint of things to come. The success that I had longed for. That 'Light' was actually between 2 raging oceans. The first ocean was full of doubt...the " Will I ever...It's not possible...I'm not strong enough...I can'ts." 

But then a there was a light...a spark...a catalyst to the next ocean. The ocean of full of confidence...the "It can happen...Anything is possible...I am a BEAST...I can!"

The lesson learned from my roller-coaster of emotions:

If you work through your anxiety and pain on the other side there is a reward. Use it to push you to greatness.

The Day I Almost Died

Yesterday, I almost died. Well at least I felt like I was going to die. My chest was tight. My lungs were heaving heavily. My face was red. My body was sweating uncontrollably. My whole body was screaming in pain. What was this act of the devil that had me this way?! I ran my first 5k. Now, before you roll your eyes or chuckle...you have to realize that that was a big step for me. I am a former "fatfat", lazy couch potato, a self proclaimed asthmatic who HATED to exercise. So just signing up for the race was a milestone. But I did so for a good cause...Lupus Awareness. My eldest daughter was diagnosed with Lupus last year. Something I don't share with most people because it's scary. Scary to think that my sweet little piece of Hollywood is in pain and there's nothing that Mommy can do to fix it. Lupus is coined as the 'Silent Killer', a disease that turns your body against itself...a disease with no cure. So the ONLY thing that can be done is medication to ease the symptoms and education to bring awareness. So yesterday, inspite of my fears and self pity, amongst a sea of hundreds of others, I ran...I ran to bring awareness...I ran to raise money for research...I ran for all of the ones who couldn't...I ran in honor of my daughter. It put into perspective of how my struggles with weightloss, food addiction, and self confidence is so trivial in comparison to others who are struggling just to get out of bed...just to be productive and active...just to cope with physical pain...just to be alive one more day. So, although I am a bit sore today from yesterday's 'milestone', I will continue this journey with less complaints. I will continue to run for the ones who can't...I will continue to run because I CAN.

For more information on Lupus and how you can help:

 KEEP IN TOUCH: Stay tuned for news, events, lupus information and more at www.Facebook.com/LupusTexas!
A GIFT FOR YOU: Give membership a try with a free 6-month trial membership at www.lupustexas.kintera.org/trialmembership. Includes exclusive updates, a subscription to our Lupus Now magazine, and so much more.
SPREAD THE LOVE: Our volunteers are truly the heart of our organization and our patients count on you to help spread awareness until we find a cure. Sign up for volunteer updates today at www.lupustexas.kintera.org/volunteer!
KNOW LUPUS: Find out more about Lupus, our organization, and our chapter at www.LupusTexas.org!
We must KNOW Lupus for a future with NO Lupus. Get to know lupus today!

Striving to be #instafamous

So everyday I troll through social media and gawk and awe at the beautiful fitness models and delicious fitfoods and wonder...HOW? How is it that their hair and skin is flawless...How is it that the crust isn't burnt...How is it that the lighting is always so PERFECT?! I've even been desperate enough to ask a few of these #instafamous profiles and they all answered simply...Put yourself out there and just practice. They proceed to tell me that the one perfect shot I'm looking at took them hours to create and over 50+ takes. Really?!

So you mean to tell me that all of these profiles and 'perfectly' executed shots don't happen so easily and are NOT so perfect afterall?! Ok, I'll take the bait...So today I tried to create the perfect #foodporn protein pancakes with a Youtube Video to boot. OMG!!! It literally took 67 takes, made my phone hot and battery die...AND IT STILL WASN'T TRUE #FOODPORN WORTHY!!

So although I truly loved the taste of my #topnotch30in30 Almond Protein Pancakes, I think it'll be a loooong while before my next #instafamous trial.

New Resolutions Resolved

So, heres a video of Day1 of the NEW stronger and more disciplined me.

 I recently received these #FitnessAnsweredTrainingBands to review. I loved the portability of these bands and it got me geeked for being able to accomplish my New Years Resolutions this year. Honestly, looking through all of the social media blobs of how, just like myself, everyone's going to make this year different...how 2016 will be the turning point for their fitness...has me wanting to excited to get on the band wagon to ride the train of better health and fitness. So I get the newest gadgets and experiment with the newest recipes. And in this first quarter of the new year (actually just barely the  the 2nd week of 2016 to be exact) I have resolved that 'New Year's Resolutions' are crap! I was so caught up in making sure everything was so perfect and precise that I started stressing and depressing myself into a cloud of frustration. So I'm just going to continue to do what I do best...
*Be true to myself
*Continue to be better everyday
*Strive to improve the old and/or learn something new
*Love myself no matter what

Adding Up the Healthy Foodie Credits

So every Friday on all of my social media outlets, I pay homage to all of my favorite foodie finds of the prior week...some vegan, some not, but mostly healthy #nomnoms that I wish to devour or at least try to recreate. I call it #fitfoodfriday!

Initially I wanted the purpose of #fitfoodfriday to be to educate novices out there on healthy food facts and recipes and hopefully inspire them to get and STAY on a better path of health. However, the more research and posting I do, it has seemed to evolve into something else.
Confession: I'm using it for EVIL.

I've noticed that I've started gathering tips and ideas on how to "ADD UP THE CREDITS"...simply put counting my Macros, dotting my I's/crossing my T's, to figure out when and what cheat I can have later. Adding up enough healthy food credits so when I go bonkers on some McDonald's fries I don't feel as guilty...or the Wendy's Frosty...or biscuits and gravy...or chocolate chip muffins...or a candy bar...or a warm slice of apple pie...

My kitchen cabinet stays stocked with all kinds of healthy treats...my 'break the glass in case of emergency' stash...they are lifesavers. Take for instance my new favorite go-to:  manitobaharvest hemp products...I add the hemp hearts to EVERYTHING! Seriously #yummyinmytummy! So much so that I've partnered up with them to do a lil'giveaway > #instagramgiveaway@fatfatgonefit <

Banana with Cashew Butter and rolled in Hemp Hearts

Vanilla Greek Yogurt with Hemp Hearts

Yea, I didn't say I was Rachel Ray...don't judge me! You can actual find tastier and more creative recipes on their website. (see link above)

So I guess my question to all of you fabulous #fitfam fanatics is:
If I eat this heart healthy, low calorie, high protein sort of stuff everyday from now until let's say...umm, just choosing a random date here...November 26ish...will I have enough 'credits' built up to demolish some stuffing?

Or do I even care?

October CRAZINESS Rundown

 So this month has been SUPER crazy for me (as well as the other looney tunes that I live with). Here's a brief rundown:

• My family and I moved from Georgia to Texas
• I received more product reviews than anticipated
• My daughter started at a new school
• My husband (who had previously worked from home) started a new position
• I also started working outside of the home
• I'm ending this month out with completing a Spartan Race

Now all of that just in a brief cliff note doesn't seem so bad, right?! But it's all of the little details....

1. Moving from Georgia to Texas- Working out the $$ details with the Property we were living in so they wouldn't evict us before our actual moveout date. Having to sell off furniture because you know the new property won't be able to fit your oversized furniture nor will the moving truck you're trying to get. Finding the cheapest, yet reliable, moving truck company to haul all of our stuff....FYI- DO NOT use Budget Rental. They may be cheaper but they don't guarantee a truck size on your actual reservation day. So what's the point of even asking me what size I need?! #ugh Plus if they only have a bigger size, you still have to pay the difference even though it's not your fault. Another #ugh. Getting a call a few days before moving that the person you thought you'd be crashing with for a couple weeks until your apartment was ready is trying to hit you up for $$$$$$$$$. Needless to say last minute adjustments to that whole thing because we're pinching pennies here. The 13hour straight drive with a copilot (my 11year old daughter) who slept most of the way.
2. More product reviews than I anticipated- They were all either delayed, sent to the wrong address or are somewhere in the abyss. I did a temporary change of address months ago to the first place we were supposed to staying ( reference#1 above:the one that wanted the whole bank), then had to change it a day before we left to the new temporary address, but it didn't take affect until a week after we arrived in Texas. Then I had to change it to our now permanent address....Needless to say, I'm sure the Postmaster is confused and highly upset with me.
3. My daughter starting a new school- The old school originally told us that the withdrawal forms could be completed her last day of school. "Just come in; it's an easy and quick process" So we did just that. We get there on her last day to withdraw her (a Friday) and the Registrar tell us that it won't be processed until the following Monday or Tuesday and for us to come back then. (insert my mean face here) Ok, what?! We kindly explained to her that we were leaving 5am Monday so that would not be a possibility. (insert her blank stare here). Plus the new school in Texas wants a lot of new student and transfer paperwork that we just didn't have.
4. My husband started a new position- For the past 2 years I have been blessed to have my husband work from home. I absolutely love spending time with him and I had gotten use to seeing him hard at work at our kitchen table. Unfortunately, it wasn't paying the bills as much as we would've liked or hoped. So when he got offered a promotion within the same company umbrella, we jumped at it. So we packed up and headed west. Only thing is his start date kept getting pushed back and in the mean time his paychecks were adding up to zero. So that meant eating, sitting and sleeping on the floor since we sold most of our furniture (reference#1, yea probably could've kept some of it since we ended up getting a bigger truck).
5. I started working outside the home- Since getting married 5 years ago, I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to be a stay at home mom and wife. My husband's income previously had always been enough. He always told me that it was my choice if I wanted to work outside of the home, but I didn't have to. He would take care of me. I love him for that. I've been working since I was 15 years old. When I was a single mom, I sometimes would work 2-3 jobs just to keep my children fed and a roof over our head. The struggle to maintain was hard. So when my Prince Charming came and offered this, of course I took advantage of it. Despite my husband's promotion and pay increase, I decided to go back to work to speed up our financial savings plan and retirement agenda. (Hawaii here we come!) So now re-entering the workforce has been hard. Primarily because I was trying to make sure I'm able to get the hours that don't disrupt our family time and lifestyle. Also trying not to be self conscious about the fact that I'm a 40 year old woman competing for the same positions as the whippersnappers half my age.
6. The Spartan Race- Enough said. 

Now before you start feeling sorry for me or think I'm over here having a pity party...stop and read on....

1. Moving from Georgia to Texas- Our previous property was absolutely excellent in working with our situation and time crunch. We were able to sell and/giveaway what we needed to and kept the rest...which did all fit in the bigger truck we got stuck with. The actual drive itself wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. The weather was nice and since my 11 year old copilot slept most of the way, it gave me the opportunity to have a mini Beyonce and Mariah Carey karaoke contest with myself....a lot better than 13 hours of Disney show tunes. Also because we have the best extended family in the world, we were able to find a better and bigger temporary living situation for ZERO dollars. Our host was more than accommodating and was a true Godsend.
2. More product reviews than I anticipated-   PurAthlete Endurance, PurAthlete Regenerate, Urbal Dermaroot, Lemmings2Lions Pure Triple Strength Omega3 Fish Oil, Research Verified Omega 3...just to name a few. Although it was a bit rough tracking everything, I am more than pleased with everything I received. Sure, there are a few things still in limbo, but I just look at it as surprise freebies that I'll be receiving soon.To see my complete review of the products I did receive follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook +fatfatgonefit . (yes, shameless plug). 
3. My daughter starting a new school- Miraculously, it actually didn't take until the next week for the withdrawal paperwork to get processed. My daughter came home with the forms at the end of that same day. So the following week, we nervously show up to the new school with the paperwork we did have, which was only 3 out of the 6 things they requested....guess what they accepted it; no questions asked! Plus it turns out that the new school is one of the best schools in the area and feeds into a high school that is in the top 1% in the country! 
4. My husband started a new position- Yes, I had to get use to the idea of him not being around constantly, but honestly this promotion has been such a huge blessing. This position seemed to be designed specifically for him. It marries his two areas of expertise: Professional Training/Employee Development and the Financial Industry. The pay increase and all of the other company perks more than make up for the time lost.  So although his original start date got pushed by a couple of weeks, we have no ill feelings about it now. It gave us the time we needed to acclimate ourselves to the new environment and explore the city before all of the busyness of work life. 
5. I started working outside the home- At first when I put my resumes out there, all I heard were crickets. Not a peep or if I did get a response back it wasn't an ideal employer, location or work schedule. I finally landed to a place that I think I'll enjoy that has a mix of old geezers like myself and young bucks. The location and work schedule fits our family life perfectly. The pay is pretty decent to say the least (Hawaii here we come!). Added bonus it's right in the middle of upscale cafes and coffee shops, cheap eclectic eateries and a 24 hour gym. Let's see which I frequent more. LOL
6. The Spartan Race- This will be the last race (thank GOD) this year to complete my Trifecta. This race a bit more special to my husband and I because our daughter will also be racing this weekend in the Kid's Spartan race. We're so excited to see her accomplish this obstacle course race and push past her limits.

So although this month has had it's challenges, it has turned out to be a true testimony of faith and patience. I'm anxious to see what next month brings....hopefully some peace and quiet.