Sunscreen Changes

Summer is here! Before you head outside be sure you protect yourself from the dangers of the sun.

I'm one of those people that do not burn easily. In fact, to be honest, I don't usually even wear sunscreen even while I'm on the beach.  However, I always made sure my daughter was protected. I just hate the oily sticky feeling and then worry if I miss a spot.
As I've gotten older, I have been using makeup and BB creams with SPF on my face just to keep it for getting that leathery look.

Even though I do not use sunscreen like I should, I highly recommend everyone to wear it. I am in my 40's and I am just noticing the affect of never using the stuff. Not pretty.
Before you buy that Banana Boat or Coppertone, read some of these interesting facts and changes I have learned.

Broad Spectrum:
The FDA has made changes to the labels on sunscreen. You will notice when you purchase a bottle or spray it will have on the label "Broad Spectrum". This means it will protect from both A and B ultraviolet rays and has a protection factor of 15 or more.
If it does not say "Broad Spectrum", then it only protects against sunburn, not sun cancer, according to the FDA.
Products that do not meet those requirements will have an ugly label on them saying "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert". Wow if that's not enough to make you put back and spend a little more on the good stuff.

Water Proof:
No sunscreen is guaranteed to have endless hours of protection. It is important you reapply every 40 to 80 minutes. New rules now also require manufactures to tell customers how long the sunscreens can stand sweat and swimming. In fact, manufactures are prohibited from even claiming their product is waterproof at all.

SPF Levels:
Choose at least 15 to 20 SPF. Higher levels only filter about one or two more percent. The FDA is still in the process of changing the SPF labels. Some products will have as high as 100 SPF printed on the labels. This is misleading. FDA is considering making manufactures lower the number to 50 and just put "+" after the number (50+).

When I do rarely wear sun protection, I notice I still tan, just slower, and as a matter of fact, the tan will stay longer if I use the sunscreen. Now, lotion down and get out there and enjoy yourselves!

Sun Flowers and Burlap

This past weekend I attended my nephews wedding. It was a cute little wedding out in the country on lovely Lin-Way Farms. These two kids are some of the sweetest, and most down to earth people I know. They are also as southern as you can get and will have you rolling in stitches laughing when your around them. They have known each other from church since they were little and grew into best friends that will last them a life time.

Being an outdoor wedding there was always the fear of rain. We have not had rain for weeks but today, it rained. However, It didn't affect the wedding at all except for a slight delay while they redressed the tables for the reception. The little bit of rain that came down gave us a break from the hundred degree weather we were about to endure as we all sat anxiously in a field waiting on the wedding to start.

(source)

As the wedding began, the bride came in on a horse and carriage. She was just beautiful. When the Father gave the bride away, there was not a dry eye around. It was so sweet. 

Once the marriage was complete they rode off on a John Deer Tractor. It was so funny how they put it all together to surprise the guest as they jump on and rode off while the song "She Thinks My Tractors Sexy" played in the air. 

(source)

The farm was made up beautiful, yet simple just like the bride and groom. They did a lot of the decorating using their own ideas. Just check out this bouteneer the grooms and groomsmen wore. A bullet tied with a burlap. The bride made these herself.

The isles were decorated with mason jars on shepherd hooks filled with wild flowers.

(source)

The tables were simply decorated with the wedding colors. The center pieces were made up of sliced wood rounds cut by the father of the bride.

(source)

I'm sure that a lot of family and friends had part in all the decorations. It was perfect. Look how they did the guest cake table. That was unique.

In the barn, we enjoyed visiting the horses while we visited the guest table and suggestion table.

(source)

(source)

And the food?? Oh man, the food was delicious complete with venison stew, BBQ, slaw, potato salad, a chocolate fountain and more. It was all so nice and Lin-Way Farms fit this couple perfect, and the owners were the sweetest couple and did everything to make sure the day went smooth.

(source)

After a trip to Tennessee, The couple will continue living happily ever after the way God has planned..

Ice Creamless Banana Split

 

Who says you cant break rules and enjoy a banana split without the ice cream?
Ok all of you out there wanting to eat healthy and still have a sweet treat without the guilt. Your going to love this.

I created a banana split using all good stuff. I can call it a banana split because I DID split the bananas right?

Here is simply all you do:

• Get a banana and split it in half long ways.
• Drizzle a teaspoon of melted peanut butter onto it.
• Add a mixture of fresh fruit such as strawberries, apples, blueberries, pineapple, etc....
• Add a scoop of sugar free cool whip on top of that and sprinkles with nuts or almonds.
• Now enjoy!

Perfectly healthy and the peanut butter adds protein. You can even add your favorite yogurt in there somewhere.

This is a great way to enjoy a snack without the fat and calories of Ice cream. Not saying its better, but that its better for you if your on a diet. My favorite part is the sugar free cool whip ( not "fat free" its just nasty).You will never know the sugar is not in there. I love that stuff.

 

If you are on the Nutrisystem Diet like I am, this would count as one Smart Carb, one Power fuel plus an Extra.
 

DIY Earphone Case

I'm bad at keeping up with wires, chargers, cords , etc. So I found this really cool little do-it-yourself earphone case using a mint box. It was an Ice Breakers mint container to be exact. I didn't get a picture before I peeled off the label because I'm inpatient like that.

Here are the supplies you will need:

• Empty mint box with the label removed.
• Printed scrapbook or printed paper.
• Sissors
• Cylinder to trace a round pattern.( I actually used the bottom of a lysol can).
• Glue
• Mod Podge (to seal). 

Find a place to punch two holes for a key ring. I did this on the side I did not want to open since the container opens in two places.

Once you have your circles traced, carefully cut them out and glue them on your container. Do this any way that is easiest for you.

Mine was a little big so I cut out the opening seam and had edges but you can make the print to only fit the opening part if you wish.

Glue the 2nd circle to the bottom. Now you have two printed sides. Using Modge Podge, paint a coat on the entire printed area to seal the print on.

Once its dry, Its ready to use.

Have fun. Customize yours to fit your personality. You can paint them or even leave them plain. Add a clip on the ring and clip to a bag or belt. You can also use it to hold change and other small items. Great project to do with your kids.

ENJOY!

Ive shared this at:

be-inspired-features-and-link-party at elizabethandcovintage
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
two-uses-tuesday at sarahcelebrates *Featured*

Nutrisystem- Food Ideas

Well this is my fifth month on Nutrisystem and I have continued to loose weight. It has slowed down almost to a halt but I'm still loosing a couple ounces a week and that's better than gaining. I think I'm reaching a plateau. I'm was told that I need to eat more or exercise less. I could be working off more than I'm taking in which makes your body slow down on weight loss, thinking your starving yourself. Isn't it weird how our bodies will do that? I also am aware that I need to drink more water.

So this next month I'm going to change up a few things. I'm going to drink more water, moderate my exercise, and I'm also going to switch up my meals and eat dinner for lunch and lunch for dinner. I've read on the Nutrisystem site that often that will work to get you out of a plateau because it tricks your body into thinking your doing something different. We'll see.

I never know each month if I want to continue with this diet but then I always end up telling myself "one more month". Next month my order will be designed for "weekends on my own" I'm wanting to venture out and learn to eat healthy my way.

Everyone asks me what the foods look like and how they tastes. I still like how they tastes and I'm making them look better. I have taken a few more pictures of my some of my meals to share with you.

Nutrisystem Pizza with an added cup of spinach

Nutrisystem Chocolate cake with added sugar free Cool Whip

Nutrisystem Tuna Salad with added cup of lettuce on wheat round and 1/2 cup of  V8

Nutrisytem Mashed potatoes with added crab meat, onions and Old Bay seasoning then fried in olive oil into patties.

Nutrisystem Water Bottle with added water, cucumber and mint

Nutrisystem Rice Pilaf added into a steamed bell pepper and topped with no fat cheese.

This month I will be attending my Nephews wedding and will be tempted to eat more than I've been eating but in moderation, I think I will be fine. I have survived a couple cookouts and several birthdays, so I can handle this. And yes, I will have cake.

Beginning weight- 168 lbs.
Today I weigh-138.2
I've gone from a size 12 to a size 8.