Is 15 Minutes A Day Worth It To Look Better and Feel Better?

I knew back in December this was going to be the year of the beach for me.  The beach just makes me happy.  I've always been a beach girl and by golly I'm getting my beach mojo back!  But you can't get excited about going to the beach if you dread putting your swimsuit on. My biggest issue right now is lower belly fat. So I thought that's what we'd talk about today. Anyone else with me? Okay let's go.  

                                  If I told you that by setting aside only 30 minutes a day for yourself, could actually make a difference in the size clothes you wear, would you believe me?
At the beginning of the year I made a concerted effort lose weight and tighten things up. More importantly, I just wanted to feel better.  One thing I know about myself is that if I want to do something on a regular basis, I'd better make the program as simple as I can.  No strict calorie cutting and intense workouts for me.
So far, so good.  I lost between 12 and 13 lbs and have maintained that for over 2 months. It fluctuates daily between those two. I'd still like to lose another 5 lbs and if I decided to really cut the sugar and carbs out I'm sure I could do it.  
The biggest thing I've noticed is the way my clothes fit.  I went from a very tight medium shirt back to the small I've always worn before.  I've even lost a pants size, almost two. I'm stuck somewhere in-between.  Even without more lbs falling off, I'm noticing that the inches are coming off, which makes sense. Muscle weighs more than fat.
So how have I been doing it?  I started walking daily.  Some days more than others, but between the exercise, the fresh air, and the good old vitamin D that comes with it, I really started feeling a lot better.  Remember, not only does your body benefit from exercise but your mind does as well.  Plus even my skin looks better.
I also started exercising everyday.  Admittedly, I'm not working hard at this, but apparently it has been enough that I can still eat way more junk than I should while maintaining my current weight. I probably spend 15 mins a night doing a few simple crunches and arm exercises.  The photo below is an image of the exercise I do.

                                     Image from sheknows

• crunches - 10 reps of 3 crunches. I lay on the floor with my back pressed against the floor, legs straight up in the air with feet pointed parallel.  My hands are behind my head and I lift my shoulders off the floor.  Straight up, down, up again twisting to the left, repeat again twisting to the right.

Exercise is the best way to get rid of unwanted fat deposits in your body.  Researchers at Havard's Dana-Farber Cancer institute reveal that working out for 30 minutes five days a week is sufficient to burn belly fat.  Exercising releases a hormone called irisin that helps in the conversion of white fat to brown.  Indulge in exercises that involve multiple muscle groups while effectively working your cardiovascular system.

I knew it was really making a difference when I would feel Neil's hand on my stomach as we slept. I could tell he was feeling it like someone taking mental notes.  He never said anything, he thought I was asleep.  Then one morning he said your stomach's really gotten a lot flatter.  Picture me grinning like a Cheshire cat!  Something like this.

Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you how I'm taming the jiggle where there shouldn't be any wiggle - underneath my arms.

Before you leave be sure to enter my latest giveaways.

• Ryans, Old Country Buffet and HomeTown Buffet Giveaway.
•  BrylaneHome Spring Helpers Giveaway

P.S.  If anyone knows why blogger thinks it's fun to play with my font please let me know.  I can't get all the paragraphs to come out the same even though I typed every word the same way and it looks the same in the draft.  Geez.

Be blessed y'all...

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

~Proverbs 17:22

Brylane Home Spring Reviews and a Giveaway

I've survived winter and I'm bursting with Spring energy.  I'm out walking and I'm inside sprucing up with a good spring cleaning too.

The temperatures are just right for walking to the store, but comfortable temperatures or not, I still only have two hands. That's where my new BrylaneHome cart comes in handy!

This BrylaneHome shopping cart is just the ticket! It's small enough to not be cumbersome, while still having room to hold a bag of cat food plus several bags of groceries too.  And it's saving my arms and shoulders!

BrylaneHome does a wonderful job with packaging to ensure you get a safe delivery.  My cart came shrink wrapped and double boxed.  Plus you can always count on them to stand behind their products if anything unfortunate happens between the warehouse and your home.

Assembling it couldn't have been any easier.  It was a simple 4 step process and no tools were required.  I was able to put it together in less than 5 mins.  Now that's my kind of project.

The construction is really sturdy.  With it being so lightweight you wouldn't think it would be that strong but it really is. There's no rattling or loose feeling parts on it.  I love the foam handle too, it's very comfortable to pull or push.  I prefer tilting it back and pulling it all the back wheels.  I've already taken it to the store several times.

This lightweight shopping cart is perfect for trips to the grocery store and has special back wheels that climb curbs and stairs with ease.

•  max weight capacity of 30-lbs.
• front 360 degree rotating wheels for smooth movement
• open: 36 3/4"H, basket: 14"W x 16"D x 18"H
• folds flat to store
• all-weather polyester fabric liner with Velcro closures

You'll love this easy to maneuver shopping cart that's ultra-lightweight for a stress-free trip to the store.  This cart is regularly priced at $79.99 but right now it's on sale for $49.99 at a savings of 37% HERE!

Yep, that's Neil's bare feet in the photo, as he holds the cart so I could snap a picture when I came home from shopping.

My cart wasn't the only thing I received from BrylaneHome. Take a look at my brand new shiny stainless steel trash can (and my photo bombing cats).

When it comes to spring cleaning we all think about cleaning floors and baseboards, maybe even buying some new linens or towels.  But how often do you think about changing out your trash can.  The poor work horse of the kitchen barely gets a second thought.  Well, every time I open my pantry door I think about it.  My tired, worn and frankly, broken trash can was an eyesore that needed to go.  It was pretty embarrassing when someone would ask where's your trash can.  There was my pantry, nice and neat with my hand painted walls looking good and then there was this (notice the before picture).

Notice how with my old trash can, the round shape wasted a lot space.  I love the slim rectangular shape of my new BrylaneHome trash can.  The shiny stainless steel is so easy to keep clean.  The easy-lift, spring-loaded black plastic lid is a nice feature too.  The can holds a standard 13-gallon trash bag.

One of the features I find really unique and so helpful is the built in clip for the bag.  It keeps my bag from slipping down in the can, something that drove me crazy with my old trash can.

It's available in your choice of 3 colors...white, copper or stainless steel.  Best of all, you can save 50% right now. Thats right, it's regularly priced at $79.99, but you can buy it on sale for $39.99.  What a deal!  Click HERE to see more at the BrylaneHome website. 

You can see it was nicely packaged in styrofoam.  

It came in 6 easy to assemble pieces that took me less than 10 minutes to put together.  Again, no special tools were needed and the instruction sheet was easy to follow.

I'm really happy with my Stainless Steel 40-L trash can.  And you know what they say, "When Mama's happy, everybody's happy".

BrylaneHome has so many well know for products that are "helpers" around the house.  Things that make all the hard work you do a bit easier.  How many times have you went to reach for something and had to ask someone for help or look for something to stand on?  Having a stepstool at my house is a must. Being 5'3", I'm always stretching for everything and I couldn't get by in my kitchen without one.

Julie over at Mamawj's Moment Away and I are partnering together again to host another giveaway to make your life a bit simplier.  This time we're giving our readers a chance to win this red extra large step stool, valued at $69.99, that Julie reviewed.  You really have to read her review HERE and you'll see just how sturdy and invaluable it is.  It's one of those items that you'll use so often you wonder how you ever did without. She's crazy about hers and says it's making life easier and safer every day.  Now I'm wanting one of these too! Julie will tell you everything you want to know about this great stool and lots of other "helpers" over at Mamawj's Moment Away. 

Enter to Win

How would you like to win your own BrylaneHome "helper" for around the house.  Julie and I are giving away one red extra large stepstool to one of our readers.  It's so easy to enter just follow the instructions on the form below. You'll find lots of easy ways to gain extra entries.  Giveaway ends 5/12.

Entry-Form

Good Luck...

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

~ Colossians 3:23

April Mystery Giveaway with Dinner at Ryan's, HomeTown and Old Country Buffet

Disclosure: I received the following products to facilitate this review.  As always all opinions are 100% my own.

It's time to gather your honey bunnies up and hop on over to Ryan's, HomeTown Buffet, or Old Country Buffet for a family gathering around the dinner table. Throughout the month of April, the restaurants have partnered with Nancy Drew Diaries and Hardy Boys Adventures to celebrate the relaunch of the classic mystery book series. The books you may remember loving in your childhood can now be read with your own kids with a new look and suspenseful storylines.

As parents and former kids we all know the tradition of filling those Easter baskets full of candy and sugar overload goodness.  But have you ever thought about putting a book in their baskets.  After a busy day of hunting Easter eggs is over, you can calm that sugar rush down by delving into an exciting mystery novel.

One lucky  Cotton Pickin Cute winner will receive the Nancy Drew Diaries Curse of the Arctic Star book and the Hardy Boys Adventure Secret of the Red Arrow book, plus a family four pack of meal passes to Ryan’s, HomeTown Buffet and Old Country Buffet. The total value of each prize pack is $60.00.  Keep reading to learn more.

Neil and I really enjoy going to Ryan's to eat.  We both love buffets because of the large selection of foods to choose from.  Whether I'm eating at home or in a restaurant, I just like a little bit of this and that, I'm not big on stuffing on just one thing.  That's why I really enjoy Ryan's.  I get a spoonful of this, a piece of that.  Believe me, I'm a happy camper when I leave.  Going out to eat can be very expensive when you include the kids.  Going to Ryans is much easier on the wallet.  And when Ty was a kid, we ate at Ryan's a lot because we knew there would always be something that he'd enjoy eating as much as we would, and it was affordable!

The restaurants are celebrating Easter in a big way this year! In addition to serving traditional Easter ham, delicious prime rib and special Easter desserts at dinner from Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20, the first 50 children each night for dinner will receive a surprise gift. Parents will be treated to a Two Can Dine for $15.99 coupon (valid with two beverage purchases) that is redeemable from April 21 to May 2. 

Ovation Brands, is the parent company of Ryan's, HomeTown Buffet and Old Country Buffet, and they're all about family.  The good folks at Ovation Brands are always coming up with ways to make family time more fun, and now Ryans, HomeTown Buffet and Old Country Buffet are turning dinner on its head with the introduction of Breakfast for Dinner starting Thursday, April 10th.  The offering features breakfast favorites to enhance the restaurants popular Family Night.  Breakfast for Dinner is available from 5 to 8 p.m.  I know we love to switch things up and eat breakfast for dinner at our house and the grandkids love it too.  So now along side their everyday dinner favorites you'll find things like pancakes, waffles, sausage and sliced bacon.  And check this out....they'll even have an expanded Egg Action Station, where guests may request eggs to order with more choices, omelets with various fixings, as well as scramblers.  *Menus will vary by location.

Enter To Win

By now your mouth should be watering and you're wanting to know "how can I win this prize package?".  Well that's easy...just follow simple instructions on the Giveaway Tools form below.

Entry-Form

Good Luck Y'all...

 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

~Acts 2:42

2014 Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mothers are the hardest working people on earth and that's why it's so important to remember them on Mother's Day. They give all year long day in and day out.  Whether a mother is 19 or 91, there's not a day that goes by when she doesn't think about her children.

This year Julie and I have decided to put together a Mother's Day Gift Guide.  We're busy putting together an awesome selection of products that we really like and want to share with you.  It will serve two purposes:

• #1 - We'll give you our honest opinion on gifts that will be perfect for the mom in your life, even if that's you.
• #2 - Some of our sponsors will even be providing products for you to win!!

So for all our Cotton Pickin Cute and Mamawj's Moment Away readers, don't forget to come back on April 28th, when we'll get this party started!

If you are a company or business owner, and are interested in having your product featured, I would love to talk to you.  I can be reached at cottonpickincute(at)hotmail(dot)com.  

We would love to include some of you Etsy artiste (how's my French accent?) in our Mother's Day Gift Guide too!! Contact me to see how you can be featured.

Hugs Y'all...

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.  Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life.

~ Ephesians 6:1-3

Greening Up with Scotts Bonus S Turf Builder

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts Turf Builder for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

March is the month that we pull out our Scott’s spreader and Scotts Turf Builder, and this year was no different.  You know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”, well that phrase has always stayed in my mind and helps me to remember when to fertilize each year.  March we fertilize and then April - God willing we have plenty of showers (if not the hose can do the job) and the next thing we know we’re looking out at a lush lawn of green.

It's so easy to fertilize your own lawn.  The spreader makes it so simple and the directions are right on the bag. There's no need to hire a company to do it.

We use the Scotts broadcast spreader to apply our fertilizer. I start out by walking the edges of our property and then start walking in a back and forth pattern between those edges to spread the fertizer evenly.  See the illustration below.

Be sure to water the lawn thoroughly after fertilizing. Watering in the fertilizer washes the nutrients into the soil where lawn roots can use them and where they won't be washed away by a heavy rain. Watering also gets the fertilizer off the blades of grass which may cause burning. A dry lawn is more likely to burn than a wet one.

Like I was saying, we just spread the Scotts Bonus S Turf Builder last month and you can see it’s already done a lot of work.  I’m sure I’m going to be seeing even more changes in the coming months. Can't wait to watch as it greens up even more.

Forgive my before photos above, somehow my camera was on vivid mode.  We had a lot of weeds and the killing weeds part of the Bonus S sure did the job it promises!  Now we have quite a few bare spots, but that’s okay, because killing off those weeds is going to allow the grass to spread and grow, allowing the feeding part of the formula turn our lawn a beautiful deep green.

You can see in the after pictures above and below how much better our lawn is looking already! That's a lot of grass in front of our shed and it makes me so happy and proud to drive up in the summer and see it a deep rich green. The shed in the picture is where we store all our garden tools, like our Scotts spreader.  The wooden wall on the right, is a giant secret door, that we can put our bigger equipment in.

The photo with the fountain in the background is to the right of the shed and the same spot I was in when the before pictures were taken. These pictures tell exactly why we’ve used Scotts Bonus S Turf Builder for years.  We can count on it to get the job done.

Bonus S is an existing lawncare product designed specifically for southern grass and weeds. This year they have a new, and improved formula. It’s the most effective Bonus S formula ever that’s guaranteed to clear out listed - It controls 82% more types of weeds.
It’s now safe for more major southern grass types including St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), bermudagrass(new), centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, seashore paspalum(new) and buffalograss(new).

- Available at major retailers in the Jacksonville & Ft. Myers area.  When you think of Florida, you think of lush tropical green lawns.  You don’t want to be THAT house, you know the one I’m talking about.  The one with the brown, dry lawn with patches of dirt throughout.

Do yourself a favor and pick of a bag of Scotts Turf Builder, so you don’t have to hang your head in shame.   

Hugs Y'all...

 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

~ Deuteronomy 32:2

Easter Egg Wreath For Under $10.

We've got less than 2 week left before Easter, so I'd say it's time for some diy.  Today I'm sharing how I made my Easter egg wreath.

I usually go with pastel colors for Easter, but this year I decided to be bold and go with bright fun colors.  My porch is set back from the road and I wanted it to be bright enough to see.  So far I'm liking my neon wreath!

Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest...what would I do without you. Searching for Easter wreaths, I came across Debbie's wreath over at Kennedy Klan News.  Thanks for sharing the tutorial Debbie!

It looked quick, easy, inexpensive and most of all CUTE!  Just what I wanted.  So here's how I did mine, which is pretty much the same as Debbies.

Step 1
Gather your supplies. You'll need:

• Cardboard
• Plastic Eggs - I used about 40-45
• Easter Grass
•  Deco Mesh Ribbon
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Floral Wire or Pipe Cleaners/Chenille Stems
• Pen
• Razor Blade
• Scissors 

Step 2
Use a plate or charger to trace a large circle on your cardboard. I used a priority shipping box.  Draw a smaller circle inside the larger one.  You want your ring at least 2" wide or more so you have room to glue your eggs.  I used a razor blade to cut mine out but you could use a knife or scissors.

Step 3
Get busy gluing your eggs, butt to butt like I've done in the photo above.  My ring could have been a little bigger (how many times have you said that girls)? I was barely able to glue those suckers on there.  I ended up using the medium and small eggs because the big ones just wouldn't fit. *Be sure to leave an empty spot at the top of the wreath, egg free so you can add your bow.

Step 4
You want to fill the spaces between the eggs and anywhere you can see cardboard, with the grass.  I started out using a crochet hook to shove the grass in while trying (keyword is trying) not to burn myself.

*Tip
I found that best way to insert the grass was to grab a little wad and fold it back and forth so you have a short, thick little - well wad for lack of a better word, using a strand from your wad, wrap it around the end to hold it.  Add glue to the wrapped end and shove it in between the eggs.

Step 5
We're almost done.  It's time for the bow.  I wasn't quite sure how to handle the big deco mesh ribbon so I found this a site called Mardi Gras Outlet.  It has wonderful ideas and inspiration.  It explains how to tie a bow, so rather than me trying to explain it, I'm including the link because they have pics too. It also shows you how to make a deco mesh butterfly which is so cute. Just click on the link above.

Well there you go Peeps (get it), one "easy to create Easter project just for y'all, coz I love my Peeps. (I just can't stop).

The how much and where at:

I found the eggs and grass on sale at Walgreens, I bought 4 packages but only used 3.  What a deal. The cute foam bunnies were at Family Dollar.  Hobby Lobby had 40% off of the ribbon.

• Deco Mesh Ribbon = $4.79  (Plenty left for another project)
• Three bags of 15 eggs @ .49 cents each = $1.47
• One bag of grass @ .99 cents = .99
• One pkg of foam bunnies $1.00
• Misc items I had on hand such as pink ribbon, hot glue and cardboard. 

Total Moolah spent = $8.83 including taxes
Total Time spent = less than 2 hours
Gotta love dollar stores!

Always remember it's nice to have money to buy whatever you want, but never let a lack of money stop you from creating.  Sometimes the best things come from making do with what you have.  Anyone can do this craft or something similar.  Stop stressing and just have fun.  See where your mind takes you.

Hugs Y'all...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

~ 1 Peter 1:3

Fun Is a Relative Term + Giveaway Reminder

Boy did I have a great weekend.  It was beautiful weather here, and I was outside both days.  You would have thought I was just a few weeks away from delivering a baby.  It was like I was in major nesting mode.  Plus we got some really fantastic news that I'm a little cautious about, sorry I can't share, but lets just say things are looking up, and that feels good.

On Friday I headed outdoors to trim up some bushes.  I didn't even make a dent, but hey I was out there for a couple of hours and it was a start.

I got up on Saturday and made an Easter wreath for the front door, which I'll be sharing later today, so come back for that. Then we went out to eat, did a lot of walking and a little shopping, mostly window shopping, but still a little of both.
*Update:  You can see my Easter wreath tutorial here.

I couldn't help but take a few photos in Pier 1 Imports. It was like an explosion of my favorite colors.  Loving it!!  Neil practically had to pull me out of there. FYI - this isn't a sponsored post, I'm just sharing things that make me happy.

They have so many gorgeous pillows to choose from.  Here are two that I just want to wallow in.

How pretty is this shell wreath?  My biggest problem with it, would be deciding on which room to hang it in.

My store didn't have as big an art selection as I would have expected, but I can totally see this hanging in my dining room or above my sofa.

Wouldn't these glass platters make a dramatic statement?

Who wouldn't want to set their Easter table using this dinnerware.  When I look at them I can just see using them for Easter and then using all summer long because of that beautiful beachy blue.

But oh' how much do I want this bolder looking set?  Anyone in the mood to dine alfresco?  And they're red tagged too! Ekkk!!

While we're dreaming of those summer alfresco nights, let's not forget mood lighting.  Don't you love these colorful lanterns?

So with window shopping done and a good nights sleep I was full of energy on Sunday.  I started by blowing all the leaves off the porch.  Remember, spring here is like fall everywhere else, except we have warmer temperatures.  Lots of falling leaves everywhere here.  They aren't the beautifully colored, fluffy fall leaves most of you have during your fall.  These are the tiny little oak leaves that burrow down and make you fight to get them raked up.

Next I put away the piles of junk that seem to accumulate over the winter months.  Just doing that little bit made everything look better. After that I continued on with my frenzy and started raking the yard.  I spent HOURS doing that, and only got probably less than a quarter raked and still have to bag all those leaves tomorrow.  Whew, is this yard big and man do we have a pile of leaves.

At this point you should probably be picturing me looking something like this except in shorts.  Ahh...It was such a relaxing experience.  Not!

I came in and cleaned ALL my hardwood floors (entryway, living room and the kitchen) on my hands and knees using my new Scott's Liquid Gold Wood Wash Concentrate. I don't always clean my floors on my hands and knees but they really needed a good scrubbing, and I got in every single crevice and corner.  I'm giving away a 4 pack of Scott's Liquid Gold products to one lucky Cotton Pickin Cute winner too.  I've extended the giveaway entry time until April 5th at midnight. You can enter here.

But I didn't stop there, I ate a quick bite of supper, fyi...dinner is lunch here in the South, and then I scrubbed the tile dining room floors, again on my hands and knees.  I kid you not, I had a big 'ole raw spot on my knee where I rubbed the skin off.  My house is smelling clean and that makes me feel so good.   What's up with me?

Still not finished.  My cats like to lay around on my dining and game table chairs, so they were in need of some TLC.  I vacuumed all 8 of them and then scrubbed them with a little dawn and water mixture.  Done.  Pumpkin is our infamous giant cat.  He's also the chair hog and usually stretches out on 2-3 chairs. Now it was time to vacuum the carpets.  Done. On to dusting the living room and dining room furniture.  Done.

Now I'm heading to the back of the house. Clean 2 cat pans, sweep the hall and the laundry room, aka cat room. Done I might as well throw a load of rugs and cleaning rags in the wash.  It's way later than I thought by now.

Finally a little me time.  Twenty minutes of my daily exercises and a thoroughly appreciated shower, followed by my nightly slathering of my facial creams and body butters.  I use the Racinne Youth Power Skin Care Regime and I seriously love it.  This is by far the best facial skin care products I've ever used!  You can see my post about them here.  Time to throw the rugs and towels in the dryer.  Done.

Ahhh...hitting the bed feels good and I say a prayer of gratitude to my heavenly father for a wonderful weekend.

So how was your weekend?  What did you do?  I hope you enjoyed yours as much as I enjoyed mine.

Hugs Y'all...

Humility and fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

~ Proverb 22:4