#MIMM

  Today I got off to a late start. Planned on waking up early (5:30 am) to go to the gym, but I switched off all my alarms in a half sleep, half awake state. I hate when I do that. I ended up running during Graysons nap, just a 5k it felt good I could have kept going but I had to get ready.

 

  I had a Marvelous time at the Pinners Conference this weekend. I learned lots of good tips and met a lot of nice people. I also met up with my two friends from themumsyblog.com 😊 they are so much fun!! 

  I am currently trying to paint Lilly Pulitzer's First Impression Floral Print, I don't want to show it until it's done... But let's just say right now it does NOT look similar haha. Grayson got jealous though and had to join in on the painting. I like this little crayola "paint" set I had lying around because it's washable and it only allows you to paint on paper, so my walls and tables are safe #mommywin 

   For dinner I went out with my family, they all got Five Guys and I just couldn't stomache a burger tonight. I'm not really a beef person. So I walked next door to Which Which and got a "bowl which" which (haha) is basically just a salad.

  We then went and saw Hero 6 which was Graysons third time in a row of seeing it. He loves it. Grant bought him a Baemax doll at the Disney store, Grayson calls him IMAX though haha! When the movie was over Grayson kept saying "MORE" and crying. Haha he really loves this movie. 

   I am thinking of signing myself up for another half marathon for thanksgiving. My cousin is doing it and even though I am not in racing condition for a half marathon race I do think it would be fun to walk run it. It will probably be the last  one for a while. 

   I uploaded a review of what I think about P28 Foods Company's products. They were kind enough to send me a package, with tons of goodies to review. I especially love their nut butters, with added protein. The White Chocolate Flavor is my favorite. I still think it's such a great idea to put protein in bread #mindblown. 

   Well that's all for now. Thanks for reading my friends! 

     XOXO,
Brittany Marie Powell

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

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

Nerium Giveaway

Before

After

I was given the opportunity to try out an age-defying Day and Night face cream called Nerium. My lovely friend Briana Johnson is the one who told me all about it and once I saw the before and after pictures, I knew it was something I wanted to give a try. To be honest, I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to my face care routine, before if I had taken my makeup off and washed my face that day, then that was a success for me! I am horrible at taking my make up off sometimes. So Nerium was a helpful little reminder for me to stick to a regimen, and I'll tell you what it was worth it! My skin looks brighter and more vibrant, I feel like before my skin had a little bit of a "dull" look to it. And even though I am 25, I have noticed some wrinkles/lines on my forehead (probably from worrying haha) and I didn't even realize it until I saw Briana's before photo close up of my face but I have/had laugh lines!I also feel like my makeup looks better, I think when you have better skin it's easy! I've noticed an improvement in these last three weeks, and I feel like the skin under my chin has tightened up. The night cream is my favorite because I feel like it really tightens my face. So 2 lucky readers or subscribers will get the chance win Nerium Age-Defying Night Cream!! 
 1. 'Like' Briana's FB page, Independent Brand Partner for Nerium International: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandbriana.nerium?sk=app_228910107186452 
2. Share this giveaway on any of your Social Media Sites a Rafflecopter giveaway
And if you would like to try out both of these products for yourself: http://www.nerium.com/mikeandbriana/Customers 

 XOXO, Brittany Marie Powell

this giveaway will close at midnight on Oct 21st MST
this giveaway is opened to US residents only
the winner will be chosen using Rafflecopter 
they will have 48 hours to respond to the winner notification email. after 48 hours another winner will be chosen
2 winners will win 1 Nerium Age-Defying Night Treatment valued at $110

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

Me Party Of One!

   Well, Grant went to the movies with a friend so I decided to have a ME party, as the Muppets Movie would say! Which really just consisted of having a sugar free Rita's Italian Ice...watching trashy girly reality TV shows and reading blogs. Livin' it up over here. ;-)

   We are on the bulk phase of Body Beast. I've really enjoyed Body Beast, and even though it is tough it is worth it to me because I can see and feel the changes. I can even see myself doing another round of this! I'm starting to enjoy lifting more. I still don't think I get quite the same endorphins/stress relief as I do with running. 

   

   Lately Grayson just thinks it is hilarious to cover himself (and mommy) in stickers. It's so funny to see what he thinks is funny. He's developed such the little personality. He's my boy<3 

   Tomorrow for dinner I am hoping to make a turkey meatloaf. The body beast nutrition guide came with a recipe book for one. I am also thinking of trying to make a key lime cheesecake or maybe a Carmel one or maybe a cookies and cream one. Or I might just get the church lazy's and not make a dessert haha we shall see. Church wears me out sometimes (my service is 3 hrs).

   

^ I like this quote a lot. For me personally, I think I let fear win when it comes to things I want to do. I think, I think I won't succeed and that scares me. But honestly I have come to the conclusion that I would rather try and fail at something, than to never have tried at all and spend my life wondering. Anyways that's my "deep" thought for the day haha getting sleepy now. Good night everyone! 

Xoxo,

Brittany 

   

   

Protein Cheesecake Recipe

   I've wanted to try this recipe for months! But my husband isn't such a fan of "healthy" desserts, since it's my birthday week I went ahead and made it. It was sooo good you guys! Here is the recipe:

1 pckg fat free cream cheese. 

Yoplait Greek 100 calorie vanilla yogurt.

1 Egg.

3 Eggwhites.

Some sugar free cheesecake pudding mix, like 2 tbsp.

Sugar free graham cracker crust.

1 cup artificial sweetner of choice.

1 scoop vanilla whey.

   I blended all of the ingredients, poured the filling in the crust and baked for 40 mins at 300 degrees. It's about 185 calories and 18g of protein per slice! Enjoy! 

Xoxo,

   Brittany Marie Powell