Spring has finally sprung, and the first weekend definitely gave us a taste of what’s to come. Spring bulbs are sending green shoots up from the ground, coats tossed carelessly to the ground, and friends are gathering (albeit socially distant still) in parks around town. After months (and months) of hibernation resulting from the bone-chilling cold and COVID-induced isolation, we are READY TO ROLL into spring. Here are a few items I have found to put a spring in your step- time for a spring refresh!
Kicking It Into Gear
This was the first winter I had a regular workout routine, and I can say with absolute certainty that it helped me maintain my energy. BUT. I am not looking forward to the grey weather yoyo that spring in the midwest seems to toss at us. It completely kills my motivation, and when that’s gone…it is only a short time before I start binge-watching the latest period drama streaming on TV. There are hazy afternoons where the sun hasn’t made an appearance in weeks. On these days, I need an extra boost of energy and not something that is going to make me crash or go into overdrive, only to zonk on the couch an hour later.
Celsius is an energy drink clinically proven to accelerate metabolism, burn fat, burn calories, boost endurance and help build lean body muscle. Unlike traditional energy drinks (you know, the kind we chugged in our 20s or mixed with booze) you won’t be left with a crash or jitters. With 7 essential vitamins, zero sugar, no added artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, no aspartame, no high fructose corn syrup…well, it is the healthiest way for me to grab extra energy when I need to run that last leg of the race for the day.
Cutting the COVID-19
I was talking to a friend the other day who had just gotten back from her physical. She is in the medical field herself and rolled her eyes at me when she announced that her physician tried to scold her for gaining 10 lbs. I laughed, complimenting her for surviving the past year, and that we all needed a little extra cushioning for everything this year threw at us. I am personally guilty of bringing a bag of chips into my bed and eating them all as a form of comfort (instead of portioning out them in a bowl and eating them at the kitchen table).
Spring can be a time to reset- clocks and habits.
My biggest issue this past year has been food. Raise your hand if working from home has kicked that snacking habit into high gear. Yep. I have resorted to some not-so-healthy food habits that need to be reset.
Personal Trainer Food delivers delicious pre-cooked and flash-frozen meals right to your door. All you do is heat and eat, and you can be in your way to losing weight. With Personal Trainer Food, there’s no need to worry about grocery shopping, cooking, or cleaning. It’s affordable and healthy for the whole family. It costs about $10/day for 3 meals- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am a fan of meal kits, but after a few days, they aren’t as fresh as the day they arrive. Since meals are frozen, you don’t have to worry about produce spoiling.
Putting Your Best Face Forward
Ok, THIS is what I am MOST excited about this spring. Makeup! But not just any makeup, makeup that is really letting your gorgeous skin show as opposed to that cakey, full-coverage business. And if you know me, you know I am not all about the department store brands. I pick and choose products that work for me, regardless of the price tag or brand name.
UnDone Beauty is a vegan and clean minimalist beauty brand with major benefits that is inspired by multitasking women and the business of real life. Undone Beauty is for women who look to make up to celebrate, not hide, their natural beauty. From their cult-favorite products like the Water Bronzer and Lip 2 Cheek palette, to the Unfoundation Glow Tint, each product multitasks just like the consumer using it as it includes skincare ingredients like coconut and castor oil. BEST PART- they are actually affordable. All items are under $15.
I was able to talk to someone on the UnDone Beauty team and here’s the scoop. They listened to their customers when they asked for a more affordable range of multi-tasking products. The team came up with this…an incredible offering that JUST launched in over 350 Target stores nation-wide.
My favorite product is their Lip-to-Cheek 3-in-1 Cream Palette. The palette comes with color in three different densities:
Sheer for lips and dewy highlights
Medium for lips and cheeks
Opaque for lips, liner, and blush that lasts
I recently took this on a trip and it was the perfect palette for travel! I also popped it into my purse for touch-ups after dinner- my lip and cheek color usually fades through the evening.
I also recommend the Water Bronzer- they separated out the best shade for different undertones. It is a blendable, non-streaking formula that is goof-proof. UnDone recommends starting with your forehead, temples, chin, and beneath your cheekbones, then blending before the bronzer dries.
Investing in Your Hair
I went for one whole year without a trip to my colorist or stylist. ONE FREAKING YEAR. Let me tell you…when I walked out of there, I was still wearing a cape (invisible, natch). I felt like a supermodel compared to the faded, shaggy ‘do I went in with. Also, I dropped a lot of money to get my mane caught up- expert highlights aren’t cheap! Upkeep is necessary, and I always use John Frieda Violet Crush Purple Shampoo & Conditioner for Blondes. They recently came out with Blue Crush for Brunettes, because they need to banish the brass as well.
Where other blue-pigment shampoos have failed (via staining or glove use), the Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Shampoo excels with its proprietary “tri-dye” blend of blue, green, and violet dyes that are stain-free and generate a cooler, brighter brunette after a single wash. This non-color depositing hydrator of the Blue Crush for Brunettes Blue Conditioner softens, smooths, and aligns strands for maximum shine and manageability with Targeted Conditioning Technologies that zero in on fragile areas to restore and moisturize brunette hair.
Healthy Habits
Deficient in Vitamin D. Low energy. Issues falling asleep. This is what I have been combating the past few months, and I know my body needs more nutrients than I am able to provide in my diet. I took the Persona Nutrition assessment (5 minutes!), and they were able to customize a vitamin pack for my specific needs. One thing I love about Persona is that they have a DNI Checker– you list all of the medications you are taking and they are able to determine if there are any drug-nutrient interactions. (Did you know that grapefruit should be avoided with antianxiety medications to ensure appropriate levels of medications in the bloodstream??).
They are the only vitamin company I have used that has different packs to take in the morning vs. evening, and you also have unlimited free access to their nutritionists. In fact, shortly after I received the vitamin packs, one of their nutritionists reached out to check in with me and see if I had any questions! They can help you adjust supplements depending upon your changing needs.
Cheers to hitting that reset button for a spring refresh- adding new products, habits, and energy into your life!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and my own, as always.
