Laughing Away Laugh Lines

8:55 PM ByFiled Underreviews

Well, it has been just over a week and I have to honestly say that I am noticing a difference. Are the lines around my eyes completely gone? No. (bummer) Can you still see them when I smile? Yes. (sigh)

BUT, they are not as deep as they used to be. AND, it has only been one week. The impatient side of me wanted my wrinkles fixed last year. The Irish impatient side of me wanted the PaloVia laser to zap those nasty eye wrinkles away permanently after the first try.  Are these reasonable demands? Well, no. But as I stated previously, I am noticing a difference. Even if it doesn’t keep up with my non-realistic demands.

Curious how it works? I will be posting a “How To” video this weekend. The whole treatment every night only takes three to four minutes, which is a huge reason why it is an easy addition to your night time regime. Even better than the fact that it is not overly time consuming – it is super easy to do! The added bonus is that it is only every night for the first month, then you just have to do maintanence once or twice a week. Super easy!

I also realized that I forgot to mention that the amazing peeps at PaloVia were kind enough to send me a laser to try and will be flying me, and my fellow laser-ettes, to New York for a fabulous photo shoot of our progress. Here’s to no wrinkles by New York!

 

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A Wrinkle In Time

7:14 PM ByFiled Underkat facts, life

Sigh…. wrinkles. We all have them. Ok, maybe not all of us, but this lassie does! I like to consider them laugh lines, love lines, heck even happy lines. But in all truth – I wish they would go away. I am the first to admit that I love to soften the look of my crows feet and forehead lines when editing pictures. That simple act of camouflage makes me looks years younger. I have jars of various creams, lotions and gels that promise to erase the signs of aging. While some may work a little or for a short time, I have not had any luck finding my youthful eyes of the past.

 

Continue HERE…….

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A Wrinkle In Time

7:13 PM ByFiled Underreviews

Sigh…. wrinkles. We all have them. Ok, maybe not all of us, but this lassie does! I like to consider them laugh lines, love lines, heck even happy lines. But in all truth – I wish they would go away. I am the first to admit that I love to soften the look of my crows feet and forehead lines when editing pictures. That simple act of camouflage makes me looks years younger. I have jars of various creams, lotions and gels that promise to erase the signs of aging. While some may work a little or for a short time, I have not had any luck finding my youthful eyes of the past.

I will also admit that there is part of me that may have researched Botox a few times. Sadly, the females in my family age in their eyes first. They become sunken and crinkly (yes, crinkly is a word) And while I found that trait adorable on my Grandmother, I do not find it so adorable when it is looking back at me in the mirror. Let me share Exhibit A.

Yikes that is hard to see all blown up and amplified!  I am fighting every inch of me that wants to throw this picture in Picnik and ‘fix’ those awful things. Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Thankfully, I will have the pleasure of trying the PaloVia – Skin Renewing Laser. Did you know it was voted the Best of Beauty Award Winner in 2011 by Allure? PaloVia is also the first FDA-cleared, at-home laser clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.

I am excited to put this product to the test and document my journey. I can’t wait to make my crows feet a thing of the past! See ya later wrinkles!

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SELF’s Workout in the park

9:26 AM ByFiled Underreviews

SELF workout in the parkWhat do you get when you combine great music, energized women and a warm sunny day? Why SELF”s Workout in the Park of course!

Every year SELF hosts Workout in the Park, a place for women to bond, experience community and try some killer new workouts. Alison Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser and author of “The Mommy Diet” even made guest appearances in San Francisco and Chicago. She even jumped right in and kicked off the day with a little sexy stretching… growl!

After a little stretching it was down to business. The music got louder and the workouts intensified. Throughout the day I was able to tone, tighten and discover muscles I never knew I had. I got to try a wide variety of exercise techniques and programs, my favorite being Masala Bhangra. Bali Bali! I was able to get my body beach ready, went back in time for some Retro-Robics  and finished up the day dancing away calories with Glee Club. I burned over 1200 calories and had a blast doing it!

Oh, and did I mention the sponsors? Workout in the Park had a team of top notch sponsors such as Athleta, euphoria by Calvin Klein, Asics, Garnier, Jockey, Lucy and Crunch – just to name a few. At the booths you could sample products, try on shoes and work out wear and even get a hair color consultation!

Workout in the Park is a great way to jump start you excitement to workout. It opened my eyes that there really is more to working out than running, though I do still have a passion to hit the pavement. Sometimes all you need is a little variety to keep you motivated and healthy.

Thank you SELF and I will definitely see you next year!

 

*Thank you One2One Network for giving me the opportunity to get off my couch and get my workout on. And while One2One purchased my ticket, the calories burned, sweat and good times had were strictly my own.*

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edamame salad

6:33 PM ByFiled UnderMouthwatering Mondays

Edamame, to me, are like little pods of crack. You can’t have just one and sharing is not an option. It is also one of the few vegetables that my picky 10 y/o will eat. And while I embrace the fact that my boys love it as much as I do, they  know not to stick their hands in my bowl – ever. So when my friend gave me her recipe for edamame salad I jumped at the chance to make it! It’s a great salad for picnics, BBQs, family gatherings or just to make for lunch. Added bonus – it is super easy to make! (if I don’t eat all the edamame before it’s done)

INGREDIENTS

SALAD
1 lb frozen shelled edamame
3 cups frozen corn
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 or 2  chopped red tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion (optional)
1/2 – 1 cup cilantro
2 Tbl fresh oregano or marjoram or basil

DRESSING
1/3 lemon juice
2 Tbl dijon mustard
2 Tbl olive oil
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper

Add vegetables together in a bowl and stir. In a separate bowl combine dressing ingredients and whisk till mixed well.  Pour over chopped veggies and refrigerate until ready to serve. You can also just grab a spoon and eat to your hearts content but I wouldn’t know anyone who was that desperate to eat it from the bowl. *ahem*

nom nom nom

Don’t forget to see what Rachel is cooking up this week. I think I smell chicken – YUM!

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week five as a vegan

9:51 PM ByFiled Underkat facts, life

Just when I think the worst is behind me I have to travel. What on earth does one eat when traveling by car across the country? Ok, not entirely across the country but it was an all day drive.  I thought about packing all my food like Hubby had done when he went on a fishing trip with his buddies but the lack of probable refrigerator space AND the fact we would be eating out a lot, put a damper on my packing idea. I did pack snackables which made the car ride tolerable but when we stopped for lunch I was at the mercy of the rest stop and the rest stop was unforgiving.

I opted for a turkey sandwich since it was loaded with lettuce and a tomato and was on a tomato basil bagel. Ironically, it did not taste that good (aka – it tasted like carp) and I threw most of it away. Dinner in our home town was a yummy spinach, mushroom, olives and peppers stuffed open calzone. Side that bad boy up with a few Blue Moons and this lassie’s tummy was singing the praises of her Italian hometown.

Things got easier as we only ate out the rest of the weekend. My options are slim, read: salads, but I was really shocked at my lack of choices when driving along the glorious highways and interstates. While I tried to be optimistic  in what I might find along the way, I definitely know that the next time I take a road trip I need to pack a cooler if I want anything good and of substance to eat. On a completely random side note – I treated myself to sushi last week and have been dreaming about it every since. Mmmmmmm, sushi.

On a good note, and also in the TMI category, my monthly cravings are non-existent this month. That is not saying I am the most joyful person to be around cause I am a wee bit crabby today, but I am not ransacking the pantry like a teenage boy in a growth spurt.

So now I seek your advice of vegan masters – what do you eat while traveling? Are you a food packer or food scrambler? Your insight will be greatly appreciated.

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