Jari Love {Website Review}

  Hello ladies! I'm sorry it's been a bit of time since my last post. Things have been busy. The Lord has blessed me with some wonderful opportunities this summer and I feel like I've grown a bit in Him, praise the Lord! I'm working on getting the youtube channel up and running, but for now, here is a review.

 Today I have the pleasure of reviewing a pretty cool site. It's http://www.jarilove.com/. More specifically I am reviewing their On Demand program. I received this opportunity free in exchange for my honest review.

  The On Demand program works sort of like a video streaming service, like Netflix. Instead of action flicks and romantic comedies, however, On Demand is stocked with work out videos, healthy recipes/tips, and tutorials. There are also audio workouts. Basically, it's pretty cool.

  Because my summer has been so busy, I haven't had the most chances to try the website, which is a bummer, but so far I like it.

  So, first things first. You set up an account. This was a bit of a hassle for me, but that was because of some things. These things were worked out, and the Jari Love folks were quite helpful and kind. Once I was on all I had to do was click on On Demand Member and I was in to look at all the awesome healthy stuff.

  The On Demand page was pretty simple to navigate. There are five tabs at the top: Home, Video Work Outs, Audio Workouts, Tips (including recipes and fitness/nutrition tips,) and the Log Out button. I'm going to go into details on the specific tabs (aside from log out of course.)

  The home button simply gives updates on when new content will arrive and whatnot.

  Audio: Many of the work outs are designed for a specific type of exercise. Both of the audio work outs are for the treadmill user, so of course I avoided those ones. So the audio work outs I didn't really use.

 Video: Many of the video work outs were also for something specific, but they were helpful. Most of them were two parters or could be split into more than one work out, which was pretty cool. Some of them required special things such as weights, but not all of them. The people in the videos were up beat and pretty cool.

 Tips: The fitness tips were pretty neat and there were several to choose from, such as At Home Work Outs and Dealing With Achilles Injuries. The nutrition tips are also nice, with articles about diet soda and eating advice. Lastly, although there weren't a large amount of them, the recipe tip tab had some delicious recipes on it. Mm. Now I want pasta.

  All in all, I think this is really neat site. Something like a Netflix for health sounds like a good idea to me, though I think they're still expanding their database, which will make it even better as some of their options are somewhat limited at this time. But I'm happy I've had the chance to review them and am going to enjoy the rest of my subscription.

~ Bethany 

 

5 Ways to STAY Motivated To Exercise! {+ product review}

 

 

So, on my last post, (Tuesday's) I talked about some relatively easy ways for just about anyone to get a good work out in., and one of our lovely readers asked for a post on exercise motivation.

 

So here we are!

 

Now, before I go any further, you're probably wondering why I am posting when it's Abigail's day to post, and my day is Tuesday. Wellllllllll....I'm gonna be on vacation at the beach (ohhhh yeah!) for a week starting this Monday, so won't be doing any blogging. (I'll miss you guys!)

 

So. I'm gonna see if hopefully she (or one of the other sweet APOC ladies I work with) can post for me then, and I'm getting in my post today so I won't miss anything.

 

And before I get to the motivation tips in written form, I wanted to share a couple Pinterest graphics I found.

 

(Haha, so I thought this one was cute. Of course you knew that exercise is far better than any plastic surgery, didn't you? *wink*)

 

 So. You've found out some practical ways that you can get moving and burn calories. But now...you're lacking motivation to actually go DO it. You'd rather just go flop on the couch and read, or do something else which doesn't require sweating.

 

Unfortunately, reading doesn't burn fat molecules, and it never will, as awesome as it may be.

If you're lacking motivation than most likely you need to take a look at the whole thing from a different perspective.

 

So here are a few things you can do to find motivation to exercise, and STAY motivated!

 

 

1. This is the simplest of all, but for many women it works better than anything else. Look at yourself in the mirror. Close the bathroom door and look at your entire body...without any clothing. (Yes, this would be weird to do for no reason, but if you're about to get a shower, well, you're already getting undressed, right?) Most gals in today's society will look at themselves in disdain. I'll admit, *I* do sometimes, too.

Basically every girl has something about her body which she doesn't like, and she's probably not being completely honest if she says that's not true. (Obviously, this isn't really ideal - we're supposed to be thankful for the way God fashioned us - no matter how we look.) You know your body better than anyone else here on earth. Therefore, you'll be the first to notice progress you make physically, with your fitness. Now, I'm not saying you should spend hours in front of the mirror, loathing your appearance (or admiring, for that matter) but as painful as it might be to do sometimes, to just take a quick glance, it might possibly spur you to go take that run or jump on the treadmill. And like I said - you'll be the first to notice your body changing for the better, when you actually start working out! The mirror is your best friend when it comes to accountability; it never lies about what it sees.

 

2. Set up fitness goals, and reward yourself when you accomplish them! Start small, so you won't disappoint yourself by not finishing things because they were too much for you at that present time. (Of course, if you're like me, are overly ambitious and like going BIG, than maybe you'll want to challenge yourself a bit more by setting higher goals - however, unless you're SUPER ambitious and are okay with dumping hours into your exercise routine I'd not recommend this) The rewards can be just as simple as the goals - or, they can be a big deal! I'm not a big fan of food rewards, unless they're healthy ones. But I do know some people who will reward themselves with a bar of chocolate, or maybe some ice cream, once in a while. *grins*

 

3. Stay accountable. Find a sibling, parent or friend who will be your work-out pal and keep you accountable. You can help each other in a reciprocal relationship of encouraging and edifying one another in your fitness endeavors. On most days, it's usually a lot more enjoyable to go exercise with a friend. Take walking for example - you can have a lot of awesome discussions when taking walks/hikes! Once, my best friend and I walked around our driveway...dozens upon dozens of times. We didn't intend to do so JUST for the sake of exercising; but we figured that if we were gonna have a long chat, it'd be better to get some body movement in at the same time!

Having somebody keep you focused can make all the difference - and spur you to keep going, even when you don't feel like it. Not to mention, you can be a help equally to the other person, too!

 

 

4.  Ask yourself: Why are you exercising? Are you trying to get in shape for an upcoming event? Do you want to lose weight, sleep better, increase your energy, gain strength, add muscle tone and flexibility, or do you just want to feel better about yourself?

Always keep in mind 1 Corinthians 6:19 - "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" Our bodies are gifts from the Heavenly Father, and not to be treated carelessly! If you are follower and child of the King of Kings, than you need to act like one - and yes, taking care of your body is one of the ways we can do this!

My greatest, and sole reason to work out and stay in shape is because I pray that I honor YHWH with my physical body. When somebody asks me why I love to run so much, why I only eat things which are healthful to my system, I respond, "Because I want to take care of the temple God gave me." Since it's not even mine to begin with, only a loaned vessel, and housing the Holy Ghost, it's my duty to make sure it reflects its Owner! I want to be able to do anything that He might want me to do; and what if His will includes mission work or some other task which will require sufficient physical strength? I guarantee you, Jesus was not physically weak or flabby!

 

 

5. Get pinning - again. Now, I'll warn you - with the area of exercise motivation comes some immodest imagery, on Pinterest and Google. (probably most other sites, too) I searched "exercise motivation" on Pinterest and found the graphics I included in this post. There are numerous other inspiring quotes to do with this topic, and some of them can really get you wanting to work out - this very instant, wherever you might be. Just be forewarned, with the good comes some bad sprinkled here and there, and please know that I am in no way endorsing any photos of bikini-clad women in running shoes! (ew!)

 

 

I could go on with more things that inspire and motivate me personally on working out, but I think these should be sufficient for now. Do y'all have a need for MORE motivation? If so, I'd be okay doing a "part two" post; but personally I think there's a treasure chest full of motivation right in these five tips. If you're having a rough day, and not feeling up to getting outside and taking a jog, or doing anything physical for that matter, just try dwelling on 1 Cor. 6:19 for a bit. That should get you thinking - and hopefully, doing!

 

Oh yeah. And turning on some of your favorite energetic music usually helps.

-

 

 

 

Now once again on to the other half of today's post.

 

I was sent this set of sample perfumes from Bajmy some time ago and I'd never gotten to doing the review here.

 

The all-natural perfume oils came adorably packaged, and very professional looking. I thought the little cardboard fold-box was a great idea!

 

Oh, and the little green bag - perf.

 

 

Of course, the best thing was what was in the little green bag!

 

 

I was sent the Prim set. This featured samples of Bajmy's La Lu, Padma, and Natural Mystic perfume oils. I like how each was marked clearly - I'm sure I'd get them mixed up right away otherwise.

 

The scents are all very similar to each other, but if you really get a whiff of each, there is a slight difference.

La Lu is more light and flowery, even though it doesn't remind me of any flower in particular that I can think of.

Natural Mystic is probably my favorite of the three; with its deep, spicy, incense-y, almost woodsy scent. It's the most potent of the three I think.

Padma is more in-between, not as light as La Lu and not as heavy as Natural Mystic. It has a pleasant smell too, and almost has tinges of citrus to it...almost. I can't distinguish what other scents are combined, in this one. Maybe some sort of spice oil like with Natural Mystic.

 

Overall, all of the perfumes are pretty long-lasting and they apply well. As stated previously, I can't distinguish actual notes of fragrance within them, for the most part. I do know that they smell nice, so I really don't care if I can't tell what exact different fragrance oils were added.

 

Each perfume is composed of jojoba oil and other natural ingredients, and is crafted by hand by Trish, owner of Bajmy's shop.

 

 

Check out the shop here if you've not yet - you can get the same sample packet I was sent here for just $12! Three different luscious oils, and in sample sizes so that even if you don't care for one, you didn't purchase a whole lot of it to begin with so it's not much of a loss! There are also other bath and body products and different varieties of perfumes besides just this set. So go give the shop a look!

 

Hope y'all are having a very blessed summer so far - I am! And thank you Trish for letting me review these lovely fragrances!

 

Note: I was sent these products from Bajmy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

5 Ways to Exercise + The Scent of Magnolia & Rose {review}

 

So, we all know the importance of exercise in our lives, right? Of course we do. In this day and age, it's almost impossible not to know.

 

But, just knowing doesn't burn calories or build stamina! You have to get up and move - and sometimes, it can be hard to find ways to work exercise into your daily schedule. So that's what we're going to look at today: 5 ways to get your heart pumping, and blood flowing - in a way that's practical for even the utmost beginner athlete.

 

I know many of you ladies live in the suburbs, or in the city - you might live in places where it may not be very safe to go running by yourself or just take a stroll down the block alone. Maybe where you live do don't have a big yard, and doing laps around the perimeter isn't very appealing to you.

 

The question plagues you every day when you look at yourself in the mirror, or see somebody else working out. What can you do?

 

Have no fear, the ideas are here! Hopefully these tips will benefit both the city girl and country maiden alike.

 

 

1. Get pinning! If you haven't checked out the myriads of exercise pins on Pinterest, you should. I have found lots of great ideas for short work-outs I can do in the privacy of my own bedroom- you don't hardly need any space at all, which is awesome! Want to tone those abs? Or what about your arms, legs? When I was recovering from a running injury, I found out some great quad work-outs which helped to strengthen my knees even when I wasn't running.

 

2. Help out the family!  If you are still living at home with your siblings and parents, then most likely there are chores to accomplish. Even if you have a small yard, you could make an extra effort to help keep it clean and orderly. Mow the grass during the summer, (and don't use the riding kind, either! Where's the exercise in THAT?) rake leaves in the fall, and if you live in an area where it's cold enough, shovel snow in wintertime. Yard work, at my house, is a great way for us kids to honor our parents, especially my dad, who appreciates a tidy living place! Even vacuuming the living room can burn calories, if you want it to.

 

3. Get involved! If you live in a community with lots of neighbors nearby

, than take a walk with some of your family members or friends/church members and see if you can serve by helping with other peoples' yard work. Knock on doors, ask if there's anything they need help with! Maybe you know somebody who has an old wreck for a house and they could use some assistance renovating it. Recently, my family helped a local lady fix up a house she owned. Not only were we blessing her and showing the love of Christ, but it wasn't that shabby of a work-out!

 

4. LIFT! So, you don't need a full weight set and all the hardware to lift weights. You can find old weights at yard sales, or even be creative and find other things to lift without spending a dime. Weight-lifting is excellent for building muscle and retaining it. Not to mention, when you lift weights, the calories will continue to burn long after you've finished a lifting session, as the muscles recover. Isn't that awesome? You can start by lifting smaller weights - 5 pound dumbbells for example - and gradually build up as you feel ready. Just be careful not to overdo it. Go slow!

 

5. Dance! Zumba classes or ballet shoes are not required! You can simply turn on some of your favorite tunes, and get those limbs moving! I have learned different routines by watching YouTube videos and also, my aunt's shown me a few Zumba moves, which helps. But this isn't necessary for you to have fun and get into it. I usually do it in my bedroom where I don't have to worry about anyone seeing me, haha. This is more for modesty reasons, as I think that dancing can be a potential stumbling block to the opposite gender, and I have 5 other male people in my house. Plus, well, my routines aren't exactly anywhere near professional or polished, to put it mildly. *snickers*

 

 So, there you go! I will hopefully be doing more posts on fitness and exercise in the near future. Keep your eyes peeled, and tell me what you think so far!

 

Now, to the other half of today's post.

 

So you worked out. You got a shower, and combined with the endorphins running through your brain, you feel ah-mazing. Now, what would top this bliss off to perfection?

 

A splash or two, of this.

 

 

Perfume from Passion Moon Potions!

 

Sooo you've already seen me do one review post here on natural, homemade perfumes.

Well, this isn't just another natural, homemade perfume!

 

I was told by somebody that my reviews are mainly just a bunch of raves - me "oohing and ahhing" over stuff people send me.

Well, to the person who told me that, you are right - it may look like that, from a first glance.

BUT. I'll remind y'all that every review I do is an honest one - I don't take honesty lightly. If I say I'm being honest, you can count on me to be honest. 100%.

I promise you that none of my reviews flatter in vain or against my opinion. If I don't like something, I'll tell you guys! It just so happens that most of the things I've been sent to review, I liked a lot - hence the apparent "oohing and ahhing". (Just wanted to clear that up.)

 

 

 

I was sent a rose petals perfume and a white gardenia one.

Both scents are delightful - honestly. I kid you not when I say they are my favorite perfumes right now. Especially the rose petals one. (I have always adored the scent of roses - they're one of my favorite flowers, as are gardenias.)

 

 

I have been wearing this one everyyyywhere. It's potent, and that's how I like my perfume. The gardenia perfume is also just as strong in scent.

Both perfumes are oily in consistency, which I like because it's easier to massage it into your skin, and it seems to remain there well...it's not a light type of perfume for body misting.

 

I have already begun considering purchasing another rose petals perfume from this business when this current one is finished. Wait. Scratch the "considering" part. I'm certain that if I buy perfume, this will be the next one I get.

 

Hence, we have the bottom line: YOU MUST GET THIS.  Well, at least try it. If you love flower-scented perfumes, I guarantee you'll enjoy these two. There are also a variety of other lovely scents available in the shop....go check it out now!

 

Many thanks to Passion Moon Potions for providing these excellent products!

 

 

Note: I was provided these items from Passion Moon Potions in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.