#MIMM and a GIVEAWAY!!!

    Happy Marvelous Monday Darlings! 

   So for today's Marvelous Monday post I decided it would be fun to do a GIVEAWAY!! A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to attend the Pinners Conference which was so much fun! I attended two classes, both on photography which helped me learn a lot. But one of my favorite parts of the Pinners Conf. is all the fabulous shops and booths you can explore. While I was visiting the booths I came across a booth called IdealShape, right away I was intrigued by their products because of a key ingredient in them called Slendesta. Slendesta is a potato starch which helps curb hunger.

    Just a few tips I have for you my loves:

• I suggest drinking a full glass of water after each bar you consume. This helps to activate the hunger blocker.  
• Any time you cut back your calorie intake it will take a couple of days for your body to adjust.  (complaints of still feeling hungry) so don't give up!
• Be sure to be eating 5 times a day. I suggest 2 healthy snacks. The Idealbar works great for this. 
  
  
  
     I've been trying out these bars for a while now, and I honestly have noticed a change. I have to be careful when I choose to eat a bar because I find it curbs my hunger for 2-3 hours. Once I ate one close to dinner, and wasn't super hungry for dinner. So you do have to plan it out so you can get all your meals in. 
  
  
  So for today's GIVEAWAY I am giving away: 
  
  
  IdealBars Giveaway Retail Value $67
  1 of each flavor which is 4 boxes. 
  
  
  
  

  ****And I want to offer you a Special 20% discount code for my followers.

  Just simply put the code BPOWELL20 in the space provided at checkout for 20% off your order.****

  
  
  If interested about IdealShapes Products and Program you can go to: 

  www.idealshape.com

  Call 1-800-51-0896 and ask how you can save 10% and FREE Shipping on every order. 

  Follow us on Social Media:

  YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IdealShape

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idealshape

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/IdealShape

Hope you all have had a Marvelous Monday, and Good Luck to all those that enter, this giveaway will end on November 22nd! :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday My Loves!
Today I woke up and ate breakfast and got Grayson and I ready for the gym. I ran 3 miles. My new thing has been running with my iPad and reading. 
I am really love my new hair extensions. They are from a company called gud hur and have an etsy shop, etsy.com/gudhur and when you use the code BPOW2014 you can score 15% off. I've enjoyed having my hair short, it's a lot more manageable for me, with my working out and chasing around a toddler, but it is so fun to be able to have long hair when I want to! I love how it looks curled :) I don't think my hair would ever be able to grow this long naturally. 
I am still obsessed with Suja juices, I wish they weren't so dang pricey, I need to just get myself to start juicing again even though it isn't really the season for it, because my body feels so much better when i'm drinking fresh juices, especially greens. 

I also was able to get some much needed cleaning done today. I've held out on the packing for now. Packing stresses me out! lol

I attempted to try doing my hair hungry runner girl's method today. I have an instyler and I loved it the first few months I had it but then I forgot about it and gave up on trying to figure out how to curl my hair with it. Her video made it super simple to understand and even though I need a bit more practice it was an easy method. This is why I love Youtube! You can learn nearly anything on Youtube.

Anyways, that's all for now, I am hoping to get in some strength training during Graysons nap today. And I am also hoping that we will find a baby sitter so that Grant and I can go on a much needed date together tonight!! 

XOXO,

Brittany Marie Powell

#MIMM

Happy Marvelous Monday Everyone!
   Today was a cooking day for me, every year I like to continue my Grandmommy's tradition of Dinner In A Pumpkin :) It's not a very complicated recipe, I'll post the recipe on here soon, but it's pretty time consuming when you are serving a large group of people. I bought 3 pumpkins for cooking, two pie pumpkins and one normal Jack-O-latern pumpkin, the pie pumpkins are slightly sweeter tasting and perfect if you have a small family or if it's just you and your significant other. I also made some Protein Cheesecakes for dessert, which I have a post with that recipe on here.

   I also was able to get some much needed cleaning done today, the clean mama's cleaning charts are so motivating. I am looking for a shoe organizer to take care of the shoe explosion in my closet. I am thinking of purchasing this cute locker style cabinet from Ikea, I would need to figure out a way to set up shelving inside of it though for shoes.

I am also in search for a toddler bed for Grayson, I was going to start him out in a twin bed, but I'm thinking it might be an easier transition for him if we start out with something lower to the ground. Any mommies reading this I am happy to hear your input with this! :) 
  I was able to fit in a run today. 3.5 miles. I am really wanting to start running more regularly again, and have a goal of doing 3 miles every day till christmas. I think that's reasonable, but we shall see, if I start getting knee issues again, I know when to hold back. I just feel like I need to give myself a little challenge again, since hubby and I are looking for a house I have cut back on how many races I've done this year, and in some ways that sort of kills my motivation so I need to find new ways to give me that push. I do think I'll be signing up for some sort of race soon though, even though it's getting chilly!

 I also was able to purchase some of the Suja Juices today, they're $$$ but my body is in need of juicing again I think.... and this just might get me to get in the mood to start juicing again :) 
Anyways, that's all for My #MIMM not much to post today, but just wanted to fill you guys in! :) 

XOXO,
        Brittany Marie Powell

What I Ate Wednesday

What I Ate Wednesday!

   I haven't done one of these in ages! Mostly because I have #strangebutgood food choices! haha This morning I made egg white chips, which my husband thinks is the oddest thing on earth! But I think they are a good low carb option, and high protein, and great for when you're craving something crunchy. Plus you have so many options when making them, you can make them sweet or savory. What I do is spray a few muffin tins with a non stick spray and pour a tiny tiny amount of egg whites in each muffin spot. And then I let it bake at 350 for however long it takes them to get crispy, I am weird and like them to be a bit burnt... haha.

egg white chips

I also ate some carrots with Grayson (side note: he LOVES carrots, he always tells me when we eat them "MOM bunnies eat carrots!" haha funny boy) in bed while he watched a show and we both tried to wake up a bit. I then made his breakfast too which is usually Eggo waffles, not the healthiest thing, but he's so picky when it comes to food. I'd like to make him a healthier alternative such as spinach banana pancakes, I know he would probably like those since he loves 'nana's.  I went running after I ate my egg whites I like to eat something light if I know I am going to go running after. 

  After my run I made myself shakeology, I love the chocolate it tastes just like a frosty. Then Grayson and I got ready for the day. We went up to the mall so I could return some shoes that ended up not fitting... I was trying to be frugal and decided to buy some boots that were children's size which normally that works out for me when it comes to certain boots like Uggs or Hunters but these were some Steve Madden zip up boots and they wouldn't fit around my calf, haha I think I have large calfs... But I was happy to see that Burlington Coat Factory had the same ones for $35! And I had paid $75 for the ones that didn't fit so it was sort of a blessing in disguise in a way. I've wanted these boots for years, I just love the red zipper and tan color, I can't wait to wear them with skinny jeans. 

  And for dinner I had a Garden lites souffle, more egg white chips haha, and butternut squash. 

XOXO,
Brittany Marie Powell

   

Three Things Tuesday

I finally was able to go to the doctors today to get anitbiotics, I am not a happy camper when I am sick! I have so many projects I need to get done and now that I am feeling better I can finally tackle them. I went on pinterest and printed out a cleaning schedule courtesy of cleanmama.net  she has a bunch of free printables, I love her blog so much! It is my dream to be even half as organized as she is. 
   

 I don't really have much to say today so I am just going to share a few Pin's on Pinterest, that have caught my eye. I really am Pinterest Obsessed. I've had many sleepless nights due to spending way too much time on Pinterest! haha Anyways, I very much want to try this Ben Nye Banana Powder, I've heard nothing but good reviews about it, and look how flawless of a finish it leaves! 
   I am thinking about applying for a few makeup jobs, I'd love the opportunity to learn more and enhance my skills. And we could also use the extra income right now since we are finally starting our search in House Hunting again! Ahh! IT is sooo nerve wracking, and I wish houses weren't so expensive where we live but such is life! I know that we will find the perfect home for our family and that everything will work out. 

How adorable is this arm party?! I am looooving Tortoise Shell jewelry right now. This Tortoise Shell Michael Kors watch is so chic, and timeless. I love looking at all of the fashion posts on Pinterest. I looove this Lilly pumpkin printed skirt! <3 data-blogger-escaped-font="">

I am going to now try and find the energy to work out. I don't feel well, but I think I can work out today. I've gotten better at listening to my body I think I am even more paranoid now to when my body needs rest or when it doesn't. I've fell off the wagon lately, I feel like, with eating and working out. So I really need to get my right mind set back, and stop letting my stresses affect my food choices....which happens! 

To Do's &amp; Goals For the Week:
-Film and post at least 3 Youtube Videos.
-Stick to my daily meal plan and calorie goals.
-Wake up early for cardio.
-Get back into my lifting program.
-Drink more water.
-Focus on the positives, don't let the little things stress me out.
-Get Grayson Mickey Mouse Flashcards, and practice with him.
-Be better at Potty Training with Grayson. 

XOXO,
Brittany Marie Powell

Guest Post I wrote for themumsyblog :)

My name is Brittany Powell 
and I am a married 
mother of a two year old boy. 
When Michelle and Natashia asked me to write a guest post, I was
delighted, but nervous. I think I've always felt overweight
and insecure. Losing weight is HARD. One of my favorite quotes is, 
"We either make ourselves miserable, 
or we make ourselves strong. 
The amount of work is the same."  
HOW TRUE THAT IS!  I don't know about you, but I
can spend a day feeling bad about myself, my food choices, being lazy… 
Or, I can spend a day putting GOOD foods into my body, moving, and feeling GOOD.

My hope has always been that I can inspire
someone so much that they can say, 
"Because of you I didn't give up."

I think for me, losing weight was just the tip of the iceberg.I don't know if anyone can really embark on a weightloss or fitness journey and still stay the same.  It's from the inside out, your own personal health is an overall thing.  It all started from a remark I received from an acquaintance, she had told me I needed to be careful kneeling since i was pregnant, when I WAS NOT PREGNANT!  Then, shortly after that incident, a co-worker at work had said something to the effect of, "Oh that stocky girl?".  They were talking about me.  That made me think. I knew I had a weight problem, I knew I needed to be healthier, eat less junk, and think happier thoughts. I was tired of being tired, tired of not liking what I saw in the mirror, tired of being insecure (which by the way has NOTHING to do with weight)! So one day, I just decided I wasn't going to be this anymore. I was going to change for ME; to become someone I love! To become someone I love, because I loved myself enough to TRY. It is, however, the act of doing it that determines the difference between who you are, and who you want to become.

I really had no clue where to start, so I did some research. I read running magazines, looked at pinterest for healthy recipes, and I turned to Youtube videos for help and inspiration.  I loved watching videos of others on their weight loss journeys and talking about it, or just giving motivational pep talks. I now have a Youtube channel myself, and my own weight loss video with over 100,000 views. I finally made my health and fitness a priority.  I literally had to tell myself, "I don't care how long this takes, I don't care if I'm 80 years old and still working at this I WILL do this because it matters to me!".  There is strength in the struggle, people!  It's crazy to me to think how different I am now from the woman I was. Sometimes I still feel like the "old" me, or let some of my past thinking patterns creep in; but I've ran two half marathons, I've lost 80 pounds, I am doing a body beast strength training program, and I'm a health coach, ME!

Being a health coach has given me a team to be accountable to, and without my team and challenge groups I know I would've slipped back into my old ways. If you're like me and NEED that support, accountability, and motivation DAILY, then please, feel free to contact me! I know how hard losing weight is, I would love, and want to help empower others. If you want to live this lifestyle forever, don't look for the finish line, run this race with a smile and you'll never stop winning!

XOXO,
Brittany Powell

Check out the mumsy blog, it is full of amazing, wonderful things, I promise! 
themumsyblog.com

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

  Today I got a ton of cleaning done around the house. I also went to the gym and did the cybex machine. No running today because I'm waiting for my knee to cooperate. Tonight's Body Beast workout is back and bis :) I really like these workouts so far they're hard but I like it. 

   I made Cauliflower Pizza today, and I filmed it. It's kind of a complicated process but very worth it if you're trying to lose weight and want something Pizza-esque. So hopefully, my subbies will like watching that. youtube.com/theianuzified
I'm also going to post some pics of the process and the recipe on here. :)

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

Cauliflower

Egg

Any seasonings you'd like

Toppings of choice

Sauce of choice

-I used my Blendtec to pulse the cauliflower into a sort of rice-like mixture. 

-Using lots of paper towels, I did my best to squeeze out all of the cauliflower juice/liquid. You could also use cheesecloth but I didn't have any. 

-Next I added an egg and blended. 

 -I put my mixture in a mixing bowl and added Mrs.Dash onion and herb, garlic and herb, and Italian medley.

-I let my crust bake at 420 for about 40 mins or so.

-I then topped with my toppings of choice which included: tomato sauce, cheese, chicken, bacon, celery, fire-roasted red peppers, and jalapeños. :) 

-I then let it cook a few more minutes to heat up all my toppings and make the cheese all melty and delicious! 

 And Voila! Cauliflower crust pizza! 

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy. 

Xoxo,

   Brittany Marie Powell. 

Something I tell myself...

   This is a quote I think of often. I think in weightloss and fitness, there's always gonna be an excuse, reason, ailment or whatever else as to why you can't do it. There's gonna be people who question why the heck you're doing what you're doing. But this journey isn't for them. They're not there yet. Rise up and do what you know you can do. #selfmade #nevergiveup 

"It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint."

Xoxo,
   Brittany Marie Powell

New Blog, Same Blogger.

Hey Everyone,
So I am switching my blog over here. It was just easier to do through my primary email. Plus I am fairly certain that nobody was reading my other one anyways hah! If you're curious to see any of my old posts you can go on over to: 
http://ianuzified.blogspot.com

My hopes are for this to be a fresh start though and for me to be more consistent with my blogging! And youtubing! Lol people don't realize how much work it is to keep up on social media! My youtube channel is:
youtube.com/theianuzified


Okay, so now that you can fully stalk me... 8-) I want to talk about Mommy Life for a little bit. Grayson has seriously been such a sweetheart lately, (at times haha) and it makes me so happy. He is such the little mama's boy lately, and I am loving how cute he has been with me. He is growing up so fast and he really is my best friend. Having a baby has been one of the hardest and best things of my life. I never was one of those women that was "excited" about motherhood, I knew I'd have kids one day but I guess I never really thought I'd enjoy it as much as I do. Having this little person in my life is such a blessing. I can see why people have more kids. :)

As far as running goes, my mileage hasn't been where I want it to be lately. I've been doing more cross training with the stair master/elliptical. Prior to going to new york, I was having heel issues, so I decided to take it easy for a while, because I didn't want to injure myself any further. I hate getting injured. I really would like to start training for a full marathon. I really need to get new shoes! I want to go to a runner's store and have them fit me I'm nervous I still don't feel like I qualify as a runner. It's funny how with weight loss... at least for me... Idk if your mind ever fully catches up. I still sometimes feel like I did 85 lbs ago. I've done a lot of research on these mizuno stuft mama has talked about them on her blog. I want to try them on, but I will probably end up purchasing them online, since I've not seen them in any stores. It's going to be my hubby's christmas present to me haha I just know about it 8-) And aren't the colors so fun?!

I just found out that Urban Decay is coming out with a Naked 3 pallet. I am ABSOLUTELY obsessed with the naked line. I have both the first and second pallet plus the basics pallet and the flushed pallet. I really would like to try their foundation as well. I am excited that my area is getting an Ulta. I can tell I will probably spend way too much money there. I got a catalog in the mail the other day and was drooling over this Tarte Gorgeous Getaways Palette. I think it is such a good deal ($433 value!) And I've been wanting to try this line for a while now. I also would love to get their amazonian clay foundation. Now that it is winter, my skin is SO pale. I need to get more lighter foundations because I only have two that really work for me right now. I also really need to get a spray tan hah! The other product I actually got a chance to play with at Ulta when I was in new yorkwas the Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder. I think this product is great for it's versatility because not only can you use it for it intended purpose, but I think it would also do a great job as an eyeshadow or hilight, and it is a product that would last you a LONG time, it's huge! And I also want to get a good makeup setting spray, do any of you have one you are in love with? #buyallthemakeup #makeupjunkie #addicted #beautyguru

Anyways, I am going to go run now, I've been procrastinating all morning, it's funny. At least my house is super clean now, and my laundry village has been folded. Having my little has made for SO MUCH laundry, it is seriously never ending. I want to start with my early morning workouts again. Or just working out before I eat breakfast. I've been really good with my workouts and eating clean lately. I've been stressed and I think now I just turn that into motivation, where before I'd just eat all the things. haha 8-) self made.

xoxo,
brittany