My Quick Makeup Routine

I'm excited to share with you my quick, out the door in no time, make up routine. I usually do this routine when I'm pressed for time or just need to throw on a little makeup before going to run errands, meet a girlfriend for lunch or head to the gym for an early morning workout. Yes, I wear makeup to the gym! (;

Click here to watch this video live!

PRODUCTS

FACE

Coastal Scents Camo Quad - Medium

MAC MSF - Medium Plus

Stila Bronzer - Shade 01

BH Cosmetics 10 Professional Blush Palette (Hot Pink)

EYEBROWS

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit - Light

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - Clear

EYES

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit (Highlight Color)

MAC e/s - Carbon

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara - Blackest Black

LIPS

NYX Lipliner - Pinky

Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss - Hot Pink Rose

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

Jumping Rope: Amazing & Cheap Exercise!

Hi everyone!

Hope you are all doing well and are ready to bust out your jump ropes from your younger days. I hope I'm not alone when I say I used to LOVE jumping roping as a kid! I would literally go outside and jump rope by myself for half an hour to an hour for fun. Yeah, it's funny the things we do as kids!

Although I don't jump rope for an hour anymore, I have been enjoying adding jump roping to my routine at the gym. I usually manage to jump rope about four to five times a week. This is such an amazing exercise because it works both your heart and muscles at the same time. It's also insanely cheap! I got my jump rope at Target for just under $10.

My Routine

1) Jump rope as fast as possible for 1-1.5 mintues. Rest. Repeat.

or

2) Jump rope for 5 minutes straight alternating slow/moderate speeds to fast speeds every 15 seconds.

Click here to watch this exercise video live.

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

Homemade Protein Bars Recipe

Most of the time my Mom likes my healthy eats but she's normally not too excited about my creations using whey protein. However, she loves these protein bars! :D I take that as a clear sign that this recipe is a success!

I plan to take these bars to work this week as my mid-morning snack.

Click here to watch this recipe video live!

INGREDIENTS

7 Scoops Vanilla Protein Powder

1/3 Cup Natural, Unsalted, Crunchy Peanut Butter

3 Tbsp Raw Honey

1 Cup Quick Oats

3 Tbsp Peanuts, Crushed

1/2 Cup Skim, Almond or Soy Milk

RECIPE

- Whisk together protein and oats until well combined.

- Add in all other ingredients, except peanuts and mix with electric mixer until well combined.

- Spoon out "batter" and form into whatever shape you like.

(This will determine whether you make bars, cookies or balls).

- Roll in crushed peanuts and place on top of a cookie sheeted covered with wax paper.

- Refrigerate for a few hours before eating.

Enjoy!

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

Raisin Almond Cashew Muffins

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to share this muffin recipe with you all. It was my first time making this recipe during the filming of this video and I'm thrilled to say that the muffins were a great success! I made a good size batch of them and plan to take them to work this week as my mid-morning snack! (:

Click here to watch this recipe video live!

(Bloopers with Mom at the end!)

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Cup Raw Almonds/Cashews, Chopped

6 Tbsp Flax seed, Ground

4 Tbsp Raisins

6 1/2 Scoops Vanilla Protein Powder

2 Cups Quinoa, Cooked

2 Small-Medium Size Bananas, Ripe/Mashed

1 Cup Skim, Almond or Soy Milk

RECIPE

- Mix dry ingredients until well combined.

- Add in bananas and milk; mix until well combined.

- Add in nuts, flax seed and raisins; mix until well combined.

TIP:

(I started out using a metal whisker but found it was easier to mix with the electric mixer.)

- Pour batter into greased or lined muffin pan and cook for 20-30 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. 

(The center of the muffins should be firm to the touch.)

Enjoy!

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

Protein Pancakes - Recipe

I grew up eating pancakes, the unhealthy kind! I came across this recipe and tried it earlier this week and found it to be delicious! It's high in protein and tastes really good at anytime of the day. You can also make them into small pancakes and they make great snacks.

Click here to watch this recipe video live.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 Cup Skim, Almond or Soy Milk

1 Egg

2 Scoops Vanilla Protein Powder

1/2 Cup Almond Meal

2 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

Berries to garnish

Non-stick cooking spray

RECIPE

Combine all ingredients (except berries) in a bowl and mix until well combined.

Spray skillet with cooking spray.

Use a large spoon to pour batter onto a hot skillet. 

Cook about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Stack pancakes and garnish with berries.

Enjoy!

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

My Active Rest Day

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday! Keep going, you're half way through your week! (:

Today I want to talk about planning at least one rest day or active rest day per week. It's super important to let your body have a break from all of its normal training. Once you're into an awesome workout routine, sometimes it can be tempting to not take any rest days to let your body recover. I know there have been times in my past where I would grind it hard in the gym seven days a week but with time, it just made me tired and I wasn't able to work out as hard as I would like to because my body was never getting a break.

Plan in your mind and schedule on your calendar your rest day just like you would your workouts. I usually like to schedule my rest day on Sunday and when I do this, it makes me push myself even harder during the week because I know I will get a break at the end of the week.

Feel free to take the day completely off of exercise, this can be especially good if you are really tired or sore from your weekly workouts, or you can take an active rest day, which is what I like to do. An active rest day simply means that you will do some kind of low intense, physical activity that is different from what you normally do. Go for a relaxing hike, swim, and bike ride or take a yoga or pilates class, etc. If the weather allows, I personally like to get outside, get some healthy vitamin D and breathe in the fresh air.

This past Sunday, on my active rest day, I went for a two mile walk outside with my Mom around a local University in North Carolina. Boy did I need this rest day! I worked out my quadriceps and legs really hard on Friday and then chest and triceps on Saturday and was so sore by the time Sunday rolled around!

Click here to watch this video live!

Mom and I being silly and striking a pose before going on our outdoor walk.

Doesn't she look sassy with her hand on her hip? Aha ha! (:

North Carolina State University

My Mom used to work at NCSU before she retired and this was the first time she had been back on campus since her last day of work.

Wolves and wolf packs represent the mascot at NCSU. Here I am posing 

with a howling one on campus.

Here is my Mom in a garden area they have on campus.

The famous Bell Tower that was built in memory of veterans in World War I.

Most graduates get their picture taken here after the ceremony.

Wasn't it a gorgeous day?

NSCU is known for having an amazing school of design. I just love this message.

"All design begins with the dance of life".

Then, after our two mile walk, we decided to go to the famous Cup A Joe and get a cup a joe! (:

My Mom got a mocha latte which had espresso, steamed milk and flavor. I got a double espresso with steamed soy milk. Yum!

I highly recommend checking out Cup A Joe off Hillsborough Street in Raleigh! They roast their own coffee beans and it's an amazing little place. It's far from fancy but I like that!

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

Peanut Butter 'Nana Wrap - Recipe

I feel like every time I post a new recipe I tell you guys it's my "favorite" recipe because right now I'm so tempted to write, "Peanut Butter 'Nana Wrap - my new favorite snack"! Aha ha!

But seriously, this snack has been added to my long list of favorite eats! I've been loving this as a mid-morning snack lately.

Click here to watch this recipe video.

INGREDIENTS

Tsp Raw Honey

Tbsp Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 Banana, ripe (brown spots)

Whole Wheat Tortilla

Pinch Ground Cinnamon

RECIPE

Spread the peanut butter on the tortilla.

Place the half banana in the middle of the peanut butter covered tortilla.

Lightly spread the honey on top of the banana.

Sprinkle 1-2 pinches of cinnamon on top of the banana.

Roll up and enjoy your snack!

CALORIES:

207

FAT:

9.7g

CARBOHYDRATES:

35.5g

PROTEIN:

8.1g

Lots of love!

xx

Liz

February 2012 Favorite Products

Hello!!

I'm so happy to be bringing you a monthly favorites video and post! It has been way too long since I posted a monthly favorites for you guys! I have just a few products that I'm excited to tell you about my positive experience with this past February 2012.

All of these products are new to me...

Click here to view this video live!

<3 FEBRUARY 2012 FAVORITES <3

HOME Scents - 11.5oz Candle - Tahitian Vanilla

"The rich, creamy essence of exotic Tahitian vanilla accented with subtle nuances of fruits, flowers, woods and musk".

I'm a huge fan of vanilla scented candles, especially in the fall and winter. This one you can buy from Target for five dollars and it will have your whole house smelling delicious!

Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste

I've never been much of a believer in whitening toothpastes but I have to say that after using about one fourth of the tube, I can tell that the shade of my teeth are lighter. However, I think you will get optimal results if you use along with whitening strips weekly.

Wella SP Color Saver Shampoo - Fine Hair

This bottle of shampoo had been sitting on a shelf in our salon, by it's lonesome self for long enough, until I swept it up and brought it with me to the States. I have to say I'm highly impressed. My hair is left silky soft after each shampoo and the scent is like no other.

BVLGARI Eau De Parfum II

Don't ask me to pronounce this brand because I usually say it wrong! Aha ha! This was a belated Christmas present from some friends and it's become my new favorite fragrance for it's softness and femininity.

OPI Nail Lacquer - Sweet Heart

I'm very happy to have found this neutral pink shade of OPI polish. I enjoy wearing neutral shades of polish on my fingernails since it's lower maintenance however, with my fair coloring, it can be difficult to find the right shade. Love this soft pink!

Lots of love!

xx

Liz