Dying to Be Thin!

I'm watching Dr. Oz's show, "Dying to Be Thin" and I'm relating so much to this because this used to be me.  I was tormented in high school by the boyfriend of my best friend who called me "Greg" meaning the thick thighed baseball player, Greg Luzinski.  This happened in the late 1970's.  He would pass me in the hall and say "Hey Greg!" and when I was up to bat in softball games he would yell it out from the stand of people including my parents.  I would ask my girlfriend why she allowed him to say that and not stand up for me and she would just brush it off.  And she was not a skinny minny herself.

I went to one year of college with her and he went there too and they broke up.  I was so upset that we were at the same college and didn't want him doing it there (the campus was huge and I never saw him there) that I began binging and purging.  I was hospitalized several times because I was passing out all the time.  My mom finally came to the campus because I was telling her that I was just "sick" all the time and must miss being home (lying to her and everyone all the time).  She is a nurse and I got away with it with her telling her it was stressful there at that school.  I lost about 60 lbs.  I was 98lbs. when she came there.  My best friend got jealous of my weight loss and she stopped talking to me.  I was like "what the hell?"  Who does that?  I had a boyfriend in college the whole time that year and he accepted me fat and skinny and was worried for me for my stress.

To this day my family still does not know that this was bulemia.
And then just three years ago because of the stress that my father put on me about starting to gain weight, I did it again.  I lost a lot of weight and got to the point where I was then anorexic.  He asked my husband what was wrong with me that I didn't eat much and he said that he didn't know.  And he didn't.  I only just recently came out with the truth to my own husband.

At this time I am somewhat over weight and am now working with my therapist about having a healthy relationship with food.  I am working on losing weight because I am overweight.  Truly.  But this time I am going slow and being under the care of my medical doctor and therapist.  My husband has accepted me at whatever weight I am but my father just cannot accept a "fat Carolyn."  And he has actually called me fat.  He has said things like, "why can't you be in the shape you were in when you were a kid on the swim team?"  That is constantly in my head and I cannot have a good relationship with him because he is so mean to me.  I haven't seen him since I gained my weight back.  I don't plan on seeing him until I lost the weight, whenever that may be.

There are horrible sites on the Internet called "Pro Ana." And you can see them in this search:  HERE.   My sister is obsessed with weight loss too and trying to be perfect.  Both she and I have actually asked each other who weighs less.   Now I just don't discuss weight with her and never send her any current pictures of me.

I "know" that all I need to be is healthy and am working toward that end right now.  I have a love/hate relationship with food.  I will watch shows like "Biggest Loser" and feel good.  But then I will watch "America's Next Top Model" and feel horrible.  I have started a group for those of us who struggle with this.  And if I do and you are interested in being in it as a fellow struggler, please email me to get the link to the private group.  Please don't ask to join the group to promote weight loss products or preach to us.  I am going to be very careful of who I allow in the PRIVATE group.  Thanks for reading!  If you have a teen who needs a group like this, please let me know.  My email is carolyncavies@yahoo.com and you can email me.  No need to write your email address in the comments.  Thank you!

Accepting your Body Image: Introduction

The above picture shows the various body images that exist.  There's not one gal there that is a size 0.  Notice that?  

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about body image (one excerpt from this entire article) "A person's body image is thought to be, in part, a product of his or her personal experiences, personality, and various social and cultural forces. A person's sense of his or her own physical appearance, usually in relation to others or in relation to some cultural "ideal," can shape his or her body image. A person's perception of their appearance can be different from how others actually perceive him or her."

I have a personal story to share but before I do that (I think I'll wait til we open this up to questions and comments from all of you) about a bad body image from the time of high school until present day.  Something happened to me in high school where I was teased so much from a boyfriend of my best girl friend that when I went to college I became bulimic and then transferred colleges and was anorexic.   I maintained a healthy weight for years until I was diagnosed 17 years ago with depression and fibromyalgia.  And then 10 years ago with degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis.   I'll tell you more about that in days to come.  I want to see how this discussion progresses and what we need to cover before I get too personal about this.  I can just tell you that there is nothing that would shock me that anyone tells me about themselves and body image.  Even though I have the most loving and understanding husband with crazy unconditional love for me, I still struggle today with this.

It's hard to watch tv without seeing what Hollywood wants us to accept about body image.  For women it's a size zero and for men it's a six pack.  And many of these actors struggle themselves with body image.  Many have gone into hiding while dealing with problems while others have taken a public stand about the issue. 

The Bible has much to say about body image and accepting ourselves as we are.  But I do want to say that we should strive to be healthy, no matter what weight we are.  

Found a great blog entry about loving your body!  Here it is. 

I have started a group for those of us who struggle with this.  And if I do and you are interested in being in it as a fellow struggler, please email me to get the link to the private group.  Please don't ask to join the group to promote weight loss products or preach to us.  I am going to be very careful of who I allow in the PRIVATE group.  Thanks for reading!  If you have a teen who needs a group like this, please let me know.  My email is carolyncavies@yahoo.com and you can email me.  No need to write your email address in the comments.  Thank you!

What would you like to discuss about body image?  If you don't want to write a public comment or question then please feel free to write to me in personal email at carolyncavies@yahoo.com and for those who are wondering, cavies is the official word for a guinea pig.  I used to have a guinea pig rescue and love them to this day!  One day I'm going to blog about them.  I can put your question or comment in a blog to come without identifying you.  I am not a clinical physician and do not pretend to have anything but personal and current experience in this area.  

Let's chat!

Proverbs 31 Woman Contrasted and Reviewed

I found this image on my newsfeed today for the group of young women going through this Bible Study together that I spoke of in yesterday's blog.

I had wanted to respond to your incredible and thought-provoking comments tonight.  Your words really spoke to my heart and told me that we're working on something together here that's very important to us as women.  We want to be good wives, partners, moms and step moms! 

One thing I notice is that the woman teaching the Proverbs 31 woman is always a beautiful thin young woman.  She's never over weight or less desirable to look at (in one's own opinion) and never a woman who is loud and quirky.  I think this is so wrong on so many levels.  This reminds me of tv and the size 0 models for so many products.  This is why I love DOVE and REAL WOMEN. 

For those who don't know the passage that I refer to I thought that tonight I would outline that here so that you could refer to it when you consider if you are a Modern Proverbs 31 Woman like I know I am and believe you to be as well.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

^10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

When this passage was taught to me in a Christian school it was taught by a sweet woman who you would say is "perfect."  I clung on to her every word and remember promising that day that I would be the Virtuous Woman to my future husband.  I memorized that entire passage and learned what every word meant in Greek and Hebrew later in Christian college where I received my Bachelor's of Science in Bible and Elementary Education.  But who cares about all of that?  What I care about is that you don't get lost in the translation and that you don't view this woman as some perfect woman.  Because she is not!

I found this chart online and just wanted to add it here for something to consider...

THE VOLUPTUOUS WOMAN	THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Described in the first nine chapters of Proverbs	Described in Proverbs chapter 31
SHE IS LEWD (Proverbs 6:24; 2:17).	SHE IS LOYAL (Proverbs 31:11).
SHE IS A HOME BREAKER (Proverbs 7).	SHE IS A HOMEMAKER (Proverbs 31).
SHE IS EASY TO FIND (Proverbs 7:10-12).	SHE IS HARD TO FIND (a rare gem) (Proverbs 31:10).
SHE IS CHEAP (Proverbs 30:20)	SHE IS PRECIOUS (Proverbs 31:10).
SHE HAS OUTER BEAUTY Surface attraction (Proverbs 6:25).	SHE HAS INNER BEAUTY Heart attraction (Proverbs 31:30; 1 Peter 3:4).
SHE WORKS WITH HER MOUTH (lively lips but no life) (Proverbs 21:9,19; 25:24 etc.).	SHE WORKS WITH HER HANDS (a lovely life producing loving deeds) (Proverbs 31, many verses).
SHE IS RELIGIOUS (Proverbs 7:14).	SHE IS RIGHT WITH GOD (Proverbs 31:30).
SHE IS OUTSIDE THE HOME (Proverbs 7:11-12).	SHE ABIDES IN THE HOME (Proverbs 31:27).
SHE DOES HER HUSBAND NOTHING BUT HARM (Proverbs 2:17).	SHE DOES HER HUSBAND GOOD (Proverbs 31:12).
SHE IS ON THE LOOSE AT NIGHT (Proverbs 7:9,18).	SHE IS RESTING AT NIGHT SO SHE CAN AWAKE EARLY (Proverbs 31:15).
SHE KILLS HER VICTIMS (Proverbs 7:23).	SHE BLESSES HER FAMILY (Proverbs 31:28).
SHE LIVES BY LUST (Proverbs 7:10).	SHE LIVES BY LOVE (Proverbs 31:20).

ref: http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/homefam/prov31.htm

Don't get caught up in that chart and find things on the left side that seem to be you and then on the right side that seem to be you and feel like you are not worthy of being called the virtuous woman because you are! (I also think it's a nice thing to be called a voluptuous woman and that the author of this chart made a bad mistake using that word as the label.)


This is the image I leave you with tonight...  and I want to hear from you again if you don't mind.  

Show me your NAILS!

Before we get to that we have to start at the beginning!  And ladies...  we are going to work on a project!  We are going to work on our nails.  But FIRST, you have to show them to me.  I'm going to show you mine (no polish, no care, no nothing)  

I always clip them short for the computer and because I have fibromyalgia they are very soft and hard to grow strong BUT I have help from Avon!  I really do.  I'm not trying to tell you that you must use Avon to have nice nails, but because I'm an Avon representative and have been trained in nail care I'm going to be offering a group where we can learn together how to care for our natural nails and then using any product that you want to use on your nails, we will work on some goals and I will have some incentive gifts for you from Avon.

The group to join is here and it's open to you and your friends!  I encourage to bring a friend so that you two or three or more can be a help to each other.  The name of the group is NailAthon by Conversations with Carolyn.  Come and join us and bring some snacks!  :o)

ps... because this is natural nail care we ask that you not join if you are using fake nails UNLESS you are trimming them down and growing them out to get rid of them, thanks for understanding!

The Modern Proverbs 31 Woman

Christian women, this may not be your picture of the Proverbs 31 Woman and I understand that.  I feel I am a Proverbs 31 woman and I can tell you that I have evolved.  At age 52 I feel I can speak to younger women and older women.  All I ask is that you listen with an open heart and do not judge.  Comments are moderated so be it may be awhile before your comment appears here.

The year is 2012 and I live in Southern California at the beach with my husband and dog.  John's sons are adult men who live on their own in Texas and do not have wives yet.  They are in their late 30's and I hope they find their perfect wife!

I recently joined a Proverbs 31 woman study and as the days go on I am just astonished at how literal these young moms are taking this passage and how much guilt they are laying on themselves for not accomplishing all that they think that THEY have to do.

Some thoughts...  today's married woman works outside the home or inside the home..  today's married woman has turned into a single mom and they have to be the dad in the family as well as the mom.  Today's married woman may be married to another woman!  Yes, I said it and it's a part of life that you can't ignore.

Proverbs 31 definitely speaks about her husband and I feel in my heart and understanding of the Bible that this is a man and woman relationship, not a woman and woman relationship.  The Proverbs 31 woman has step children and she's a product of divorce herself.

She has hang ups and issues and seeks God's guidance and goes to her husband with her issues but she also seeks the guidance of her girlfriends.  She has a "girls night out" on the town and her husband can take care of himself at home and handle the children while she enjoys herself.

She owns a business and makes more money than her husband.  She works outside of the home and he is the stay-at-home dad.  She and he share the chores of the home  because like me she may not physically be able to do the chores in the home.

She doesn't wear too much make up and think that she has to look like a model.  She's comfortable in shorts, pants or a dress and maybe she wears shorts to church!


He may wake up before her in the morning and allow her to "sleep in" while he gets the coffee going and makes the breakfast.

He cooks with her and sometimes for her and for the children.  She leaves him to do the home finances because she may have a spending problem and it's better for him to manage the money and she works from a budget.  They meal plan together because he has some thoughts about what he would like to eat and has input.

She cooks healthy food for her family and she may coupon but she is not a food hoarder.  She only buys what the family needs and will use and not go bad.   She doesn't make her kids fat by feeding them junk food and lots of candy because the candy and soda were on sale and she had coupons for it.  She and he help with the homework and don't assume that the child can do it by themself.

They do not spank their children.  They do not bring any harm to each other verbally or physically.  She has part in the decision making in decorating the home but he and the children can make those decisions too and they together can make the home a home.

She may have a job as a consultant and make money for herself for the things she wants to do.  Her children may have jobs and they give the money that they make into the keeping of the home.

I think by now you're starting to get the point here.  It's 2012 and there's no way that she's treating him like a "master."

Now it's your turn to comment...  thanks!

Omaha Steaks Giveaway!

Father's Day is just around the corner! Since it's barbecue season and we'd like to help you enjoy your Father's Day cookout even more, we're giving you this great giveaway! Get a chance to win 1 of two $100 gift certificates to Omaha Steaks! This giveaway is brought to you by Bay Area Mommy and some awesome bloggers. And the prize was made possible by American Family.
What's more, American Family is offering a new recipe ebook for barbecues! Download it to get 25 entries to the giveaway. PLUS an additional 25 bonus entries for it, giving you a total of 50 entries for just downloading!
Giveaway runs until June 14, 11:59pm EST. Open to US residents only. Must be 18 years or older to be eligible to win. Please read the Terms and Conditions of this giveaway at the very end of the Rafflecopter form. Good luck!

Saturday Night Mystery Coupon Envie Giveaway!

Saturday Night Mystery Coupon Envie (envelope) Giveaway!

This envelope is stuffed with one stamp on it with P&G, Red Plum and Smart Source coupons from the last three weeks worth of papers!  Some are duplicates!

Enjoy :o)

Rafflecopter here:

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What we would do without Social Networking?

This is the funniest thing I've seen yet on FaceBook!  So what do you think?  Too much time spent on the "social network" and not enough time spent with "real life" people and family and things to do?  

It's Friday night, and I'm watching the DVR of the shows I missed today while we were at the beach and making foods (yogurt pops tonight was totally fun and will be coming here this week!).  Spent the day working on my Wheatgrass Kit  (the grass is finally grown and I will blog about that too next week!) and lined up a blog for this week to post and then tonight I put some food for thought on my FaceBook fan page about Teen Mom and Pregnant and 16.  

But after this blog is done I'm off the computer and back watching tv and cuddling with my dog while my husband watches a history movie from NetFlix in the "man cave!"  

My sister and my 17 year old niece gave up FaceBook months ago.  They did it together because my sister just didn't like what she was seeing on FaceBook anymore for my niece's interactions with high school friends and they ditched the scene!

Could you go a day, a week, a month without your Social Networking?  I did it for three months because my computer died and I was so sick with my autoimmune diseases.  I actually read about 17 short books on my Kindle! I reconnected with my husband and our relationship grew better!  I quit my online Avon page that was filled with people who were there just for free stuff.  Life got so much better.  So now I regulate the time I spend on here.  I just have to!  How about you?

World's Ocean Day, 2012

 

The above picturea are of our ocean.   We live at the beach and it's clean and absolutely wonderful here in Oxnard, California.  The islands in the background are the Channel Islands and it's wonderful to go on a boat out to the islands and go whale watching.  Everything here is just so beautiful!

World Oceans Day is celebrated around the world every June 8th. Join in! Visit http://www.WorldOceansDay.org/

to download materials & find events near you!  On FaceBook you can join World Oceans Day.  See this incredible video that is less than one minute long. 

John and I recently took a week long vacation to Long Beach which is south of us and we stayed at a wonderful hotel and visited the amazing Aquarium of the Pacific and am going to share some amazing photos that I took while we were there.

I will be sharing more of our pictures from our vacation on another day.  But today we are honoring THE OCEAN!  What can you do to be involved?

It’s fun and easy!

• Check out their list of event ideas
• Plan your event and submit it to their event listing.
• Or find a planned event you like and attend!
• Spread the word about ocean conservation by “Wearing Blue and Telling Two.”

Why Should You Celebrate World Oceans Day?

The world’s ocean:

• Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
• Helps feed us
• Regulates our climate
• Cleans the water we drink
• Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines
• Provides limitless inspiration!

Now we can give back.

Take part in World Oceans Day events and activities this year and help protect our ocean for the future!

It’s up to each one of us to help ensure that our ocean is protected and conserved for future generations. World Oceans Day allows us to:

• Change perspective – encourage individuals to think about what the ocean means to them and what it has to offer all of us with hopes of conserving it for present and the future generations.
• Learn - discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful ocean creatures and habitats, how our daily actions affect them, and how we are all interconnected.
• Change our ways – we are all linked to, and through, the ocean! By taking care of your backyard, you are acting as a caretaker of our ocean. Making small modifications to your everyday habits will greatly benefit our blue planet.
• Celebrate - whether you live inland or on the coast we are all connected to the ocean; take the time to think about how the ocean affects you, and how you affect the ocean, and then organize or participate in activities that celebrate our world ocean.

So what are you going to do for World's Ocean Day 2012 or from now on regarding the ocean?

The Eyes Have it Contest and Giveaway

Welcome to THE EYES HAVE IT Contest and Giveaway!

Well the other day I introduced you to Eye Make Up: Color Blending.  And now I want to introduce an eye make up contest.  I will judge this one with the help of my husband.  But I will ask for the COMMENT section today for you to tell me if you would enter or share this with a friend to enter. Contest and giveaway end at 11:59pm ET/8:59pm PT Tuesday night.

The prizes are 1 winner of an Avon Glimmerstick and then a giveaway for 6 Avon Glimmersticks Eyeliner for the giveaway.   Yes, I said 6!  I want to really encourage you to use the look like the above picture.  But I'm mostly looking for the eyeliner use.  So refer to the page I wrote the other night, here, and then get practicing and you only need a picture of ONE of your eyes and you may enter as many times as you wish up to 5 times!  The contest starts NOW and ends on Wed. June 13th at 11pm ET.  Send your pictures to me at carolyncavies@yahoo.com and please mark them for The Eyes Have It Contest.  Thanks!   So anxious to see your eyes!

There's a VIDEO for eye shadow blending on my other blog entry.  AND here's some reviews of the GLIMMERSTICKS.  Click here please?

Please tell me in the comments if you or a friend that you will bring here will enter this contest.  Thanks!

To place an order with me at Avon, please go to:  Carolyn's Avon Page. 


And now the rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This contest has nothing to do with FACEBOOK and they are not held accountable for anything in here.  Thanks! 

Travel Essentials Giveaway

 Are you planning to hit the road this summer? We've got you covered! We are bloggers, moms, wives, women and we know what it takes to have a succesful road trip!

Tips to make your summer travels go smoother!

• Ways a GPS can enhance your travel
• Planned my Vacation on a Budget
• Top 5 Apps for Traveling with Children
• Keeping your pet hydrated on a trip
• Hidden Hotel Fees to Watch For
• Save Money by using Redbox and Gas Buddy

    And of course, we know you need some basic essentials before you head out in the car or minivan.

What can you win?

Hop over here to see all the prizes you can win. (We've got travel games for kids, sprays and lotions, drink mixes,travel books, even some new earrings!) Then fill out the form below to get lots of chances to win! US winner only. Giveaway ends June 18 12:01 AM.

ps... I had to bow out of this event...  a technical problem. 

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Chocolate Smoothies

Learn how to make fresh smoothie recipes, including healthy vegetable, fruit, and a bit of the sweet tooth smoothies!

Smoothies make a healthy, nutritious snack or meal for any occasion; there is little you cannot do with a smoothie recipe. With ingredients from strawberries and bananas to kale and celery, smoothies could be considered the ultimate food, containing all of the body’s daily essential nutrients and fuel, preserving the whole foods concept, and helping you stay fit, healthy and strong. 

Once you have the right blender—and a few key bits of knowledge about food preparation—you are ready to start making your own smoothie recipes. But first, try some of the ingredients you see in this free smoothie video series. Our expert will give you some of those key tips to get started; then learn how to make a basic fresh fruit smoothie. Other recipes include a vegetable smoothie, a detox smoothie, an energy smoothie, an immune booster, smoothies for dessert and more.

Today we start with Chocolate Smoothies:

Let's start with a video for a Chocolate Chili Veggie Smoothie Recipe by clicking here!  She's great to watch and learn.


Chocolate is not the cause of weight gain and sugar highs and lows. The brutes giving chocolate a bad name is the highly refined sugar, milk, and chemicals mixed with the chocolate.
Why is it that you see chocolate toted for its high antioxidant properties, and yet many health experts say to stay away from it? How can we get the benefits of chocolate and stay away from harmful additives?

Chocolate Smoothie Ingredients

I propose for us to look at chocolate from a different prospective. What can give a chocolate smoothie recipe a creamy base?  Nuts, coconut, avocados, oatmeal, beans, and the list goes on!

I have used all of these in my chocolate smoothie recipes. Most of them taste just as good as a chocolate shake filled with ice cream and sugar. But I do have to admit that some of my experiments didn't taste so great. But how do we learn to be better if there are no failures?

What about replacing the refined sugars? My favorite way to sweeten chocolate smoothie recipes is to use dates soaked in water. They are extremely sweet and the flavor blends beautifully with chocolate. It also naturally thickens the smoothie. Plus, it contains healthy nutrients and fiber. Make sure that you remove the pit from the center, as they are as hard as rocks.

Stevia is also another great way to sweeten a smoothie. It contains no calories. Stevia is an all-natural sweetener made from leaves of the Stevia plant. Please, make sure not to put in too much. If you use too much, your smoothie will taste bitter. One to two packets easily sweetens a smoothie.
Another great way to sweeten up a chocolate smoothie recipe is to use frozen bananas. This also creates a creamy base that many people love!


Chocolate that you could indulge in without adding the extra pounds on your hips. Making chocolate with these healthy smoothie ingredients will actually be beneficial for you body!

First, you avoid the unnecessary addictive problems that come with regular chocolate.

Second, you feed your body nutrient dense chocolate that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.

My #1 tip for making a tasty chocolate smoothie is to blend everything together before adding the frozen fruit and/or ice. That way you will be savoring the smooth texture instead of chewing smoothie ingredient chunks.

Now you know how to savor chocolate without the gut-wrenching guilt. Purchasing raw cocao is a great first step to creating healthy desserts for you, your family, and your friends.

To make your chocolate smoothie recipe even healthier toss in a handful of fresh spinach. Don’t worry... The flavor of the spinach gets covered up by the smoothie.

Here's why green smoothies are good for you:
 http://gotgreensrevolution.com/green-smoothie.html

Pick a chocolate smoothie recipe below and have fun experimenting!

COCONUT BASE

Chocolate Silk
1/4 cup coconut milk
3/4 cup pure water
5 dates, pitted and soaked in the water
1/4 avocado
1 tablespoon of raw cacao
10 ice cubes
Pour the milk and water into the blender with the dates, avocado, and cacao on top. Blend. Add ice and blend until completely smooth. Serves 1-2

NUT BASE

Chocolate Divine
1/3 cup cashew, raw
7 dates
1 tablespoon of raw cacao
1 cup water
10 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients except the ice cubes until smooth. Add the ice cubes and blend again until smooth. Very yummy! Serves 1

Pecan Delight
1/3 cup raw pecans
4-8 dates, soaked in the water (depending on your desire of sweetness)
1 packet of stevia
1 tsp vanilla
1 tablespoon raw cacao
1 cup water
12 ice cubes
First, blend the pecans, dates, stevia, vanilla, cacao, and water. Then, add the ice and blend on high until smooth. Serves 1-2

BEAN BASE

Red Bean Smoothie
1/4 cup coconut milk powder
1 cup pure water
8 dates, pitted and soaked in the water
1/2 cup small red beans, cooked and rinsed
1 1/2 tablespoon of  raw cacao
1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 packet of stevia
8-10 ice cubes
Pour the milk powder and water into the blender with the dates, beans, chia seeds, stevia, and cacao on top. Blend. Add ice and blend until completely smooth.

OATMEAL BASE

Chocolate Oatmeal Smoothie
3 tablespoons of uncooked oatmeal
5 dates, pitted and soaked in the water
1/4 cup almonds
1 tablespoon of coconut powder
1 tablespoon of  raw cacao
1 packet stevia
1 1/4 cup water
10 ice cubes
Pour the water into the blender with the everything but the ice on top. Blend. Add ice and blend until completely smooth. Serves 1-2

SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIES

Chocolate Cashew Dream
1/4 cup cashews, raw
1/4 avocado, large
1 tablespoon of raw cacao
1/4 cup coconut milk powder
2 tsp stevia
1 cup water
11 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients except the ice until smooth. Then add the ice and blend again until smooth. Enjoy!

Chocolate Green Smoothie

Yummy Chocolate Cabbage Smoothie
1-2 cups cabbage
1/2 cup almonds, raw
7 dates, pitted
1/2 tsp stevia
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoon raw cacao
1 cup water
7 ice cubes
1 banana, frozen
Blend the first 7 ingredients until smooth. Add the frozen ingredients and blend again. Serves 1-2

Carob Smoothie

Almond Carob Smoothie
1/2 almonds, raw
6-8 dates, pitted
1 1/2 tablespoon carob, powder
1/4 tsp stevia
1 cup pure water
12 ice cubes
Pour the water into the blender with the almonds, dates, carob, stevia on top. Blend. Add ice and blend until completely smooth. Serves 1-2

If you need some places to purchase the raw cacao, carob, stevia, etc. online here are some places:

http://mountainroseherbs.com/
http://www.iherb.com
http://www.vitacost.com

I shop at all three of the above online stores for my needs. None of the links contain referrals because I'm not in this to make any money from anyone.  

How do you feel about these smoothies?  Much better than the kale ones?  Are you looking forward to fruit smoothies tomorrow?  What are your favorite fruits so I can have some ideas of what to post for you!

Tomorrow: Fruit smoothies!

Eye Make Up: Color Blending

As some of you know I'm sell make up for Avon and teach gals how to apply their make up.  Today we're talking about COLOR BLENDING.

Instructions

When to apply eye make up

1. • Apply eye makeup after a foundation or base has been placed on the skin. Makeup on the eyes will blend better when a small amount of liquid foundation is applied to the eyelids and the area under the eyebrow.
   • Brush on eye shadow with a loose brush rather than a foam applicator to start with a more natural look. Eye make up is easier to blend when you do not start your application with strong lines.
   • Apply the medium-colored eye shadow from a pre-packaged eye shadow trio to the eyelid. Highlight the area under the brow with the lightest color in the trio. Add the darkest color last, on the crease of the eyelid.
   • Use a clean finger to gently blend the dark color in the crease with the medium color on the eyelid. Wash your finger. Blend the dark color in the crease up and out into the highlight color.
   • Apply a thin line of eyeliner to the upper brow to emphasize the eyes. Use a cotton swab to blend the eyeliner into the underlying eye shadow.

The actual blending of the eye make up

1. • Blend eye makeup only after you've applied all the eye shadow shades you want to wear. Apply all three eye shadow colors if you're planning to wear highlighter, midtone and accent colors. For the best effect, the highlighter color should be your lightest eye shadow color.
   • Wait to apply eyeliner and mascara until after your eye shadow is blended; otherwise, you'll end up with a big mess to clean up.
   • Use the brush you used to apply your accent color to blend your eye makeup so that you don't get your darker accent color on the brush you use for your other two lighter eye shadow colors.
   • Buy a tapered blending brush for applying and blending eye makeup if your budget permits. You'll get a much better end result than if you use the small eye shadow brushes that accompany discount store makeup. Better yet, splurge on high-end eye makeup for the best application.
   • Move the makeup brush lightly across eyelids and under the eyebrows to blend eye shadow and remove any excess makeup.

Here's a video at youtube to help you. 


If you would like to purchase any Avon products from me, please visit here:  Carolyn, AVON REP


For more help: 
How to Apply Eye Makeup in 8 Steps

Just For Kids Giveaway - Over $250 In Prizes!

Welcome to the Just For Kids Giveaway! We’ll be giving away five gift certificates to some of our favorite children’s online retailers for a total of $275 worth of prizes.

Our sponsors are fabulous so be sure to visit each of their websites to see all of the awesome children’s products they have available!  Here are the prizes we’re giving away:

1. $50 gift certificate to Glow Baby
2. $75 gift certificate to Polka Dot Pond Shop
3. $50 gift certificate to Lilly James
4. $50 gift certificate to Bumblebee Toys
5. $50 gift certificate to Juley Jules

Five prizes means you have five chances to win, so be sure to do as many entries as you can! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only and ends on June 18th at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck!

And now the RAFFLECOPTER!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FREE Uncle Sam Cereal Food and Erewhon Cereal COUPONS

This giveaway is for FREE FOOD coupons!  This giveaway only lasts for one week because the expiration date on the coupon is 6/30/12 so be sure to sign up if you can actually use these coupons.  To sign up and not be able to use them is just a waste of free food.  Thank you for agreeing to those terms.

http://www.attunefoods.com/products/Uncle-Sam-Healthy-Breakfast

There are three sets of two coupons per winner!  So you will receive a coupon for your choice of the Uncle Sam cereal product and...

http://www.attunefoods.com/products/Erewhon-Gluten-Free

Your choice of the Erewhon Cereal Product coupon.  Your choice means you go to the Whole Foods or other grocery store that carries these products and you choose the flavor that you wish to have!

BEFORE you enter the giveaway be sure to read the TERMS and CONDITIONS... this is for the USA only.  You agree that you are able to go to a Whole Foods or other store that sells these products before you sign up for the giveaway.  Thanks!

And now the GIVEAWAY... only lasts ONE week, so enter soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All about KALE smoothies

I started drinking KALE smoothies (and progressed up the line of them into more scrumptious and vitamin rich ones) in the span of two weeks!

One of the first things I noticed about my KALE smoothies is that they are very filling and with all the additions to the smoothie I am finding that I'm more and more in love with them each day.  I want you to know that my husband was quite reluctant to try one but if I add some chocolate to one of them, I am sure I am going to win him over as well!  

Do you like dark leafy greens?   It is hard to get the benefits from these kale if you never eat it!   Do you have a hard time finding a healthy kale recipe that you and your family will eat? I never ate kale until I started making green smoothies. Now I crave kale!

A couple years ago, I wouldn’t have even tried kale. Now, I prefer to drink a kale smoothie every morning for breakfast.  I used to only add a tablespoon of Green Foods Green Magama to my juice smoothies.  If I can crave greens, there is still hope for you! 

I have seen my skin glow, my weight drop, and my bowels become regular from drinking kale smoothies.

On Dr. Fuhrman’s nutrient dense chart, kale is at the top along with collards. In order for a food to be nutrient dense, it must contain a high amount of nutrients with low amount of calories.

A great leafy green to begin adding to your smoothies is spinach. Its flavor is easy to cover up with fruit. I can add quite a bit of beneficial spinach without the smoothie’s taste changing. Here is an excellent article about the benefits of SPINACH SMOOTHIES.

Kale’s flavor on the other hand is harder to cover up. Start making kale recipes with 1-4 leaves of kale. Then, add more leaves as you adjust to the flavor.

Two secrets to tame down kale’s flavor

#1 - Blanch and freeze the kale before blending. Not only you can get more leaves into your smoothie, you can also save a lot of money by buying kale in bulk and then freezing it.

#2 – Add a delicious berry green drink  (for instance Green Foods, Green Magma) to help cover the flavor.  Click here to order this product (and I get nothing from you doing this, this is what I do and suggest).

Kale Recipes

Beginner Blueberry Kale Smoothie

1 large ripe banana, peeled

2-4 kale leaves
1 scoop protein powder

1 cup blueberries, frozen

1 packet of stevia (optional) or agave nectar (not too much)

1 cup pure water

Pour the water and toss the banana and kale into the blender. Blend. Then add the blueberries and stevia. Blend again until smooth. Enjoy! 1-2 servings

Tropical Kale Smoothie

1 large ripe banana, peeled
1 scoop protein powder

10 kale leaves

1 cup pineapple, fresh

3 dates, pitted

1 cup mango, frozen

3 ice cubes

1 1/2 cup pure water

Pour the water and toss the banana, kale, pineapple, and dates into the blender. Blend. Then add the mango and ice. Blend again until smooth. Very Yummy! 1-2 servings

Purple Tropics

1 large ripe banana, peeled
1 scoop protein powder

2-4 large kale leaves

1/2 cup blueberries, freeze-dried

3/4 cup pineapple, fresh or canned

1 packet of stevia (optional) or agave nectar (not too much)

5 ice cubes

1 cup pure water

Pour the water and toss the banana, kale, blueberries, pineapple, and stevia into the blender. Blend. Then add ice. Blend again until smooth. Enjoy! 1-2 servings

Purple Kale Smoothie

If you have a hard time drinking green kale recipes, try a smoothie recipe with beets. You only need a little bit, but it can disguise your green smoothie!

1 large ripe banana, peeled

3-4 large kale leaves
1 scoop protein powder

1/4 medium beet (To turn the smoothie purple)

1 cup blueberries, frozen

1 packet of stevia (optional) or agave nectar (not too much)

1 1/2 cups pure water

5 ice cubes

Pour the water and toss the banana, kale, and beet into the blender. Blend. Then add the blueberries, stevia, and ice cubes. Blend again until smooth. Enjoy! 1-2 servings

Creamy Avocado Kale Smoothie

1 large ripe banana, peeled

4 large kale leaves
1 scoop protein powder

1/4-1/2 avocado flesh

3/4 cup blueberries, frozen

1/2 cup strawberries, frozen

1 packet of stevia (optional) or agave nectar (not too much)

1 1/2 cups pure water

Pour the water and toss the banana, kale, and avocado into the blender. Blend. Then add the blueberries, strawberries, and stevia. Blend again until smooth. Enjoy! 1-2 servings

Advanced Berry Kale Smoothie

1 large ripe bananas, peeled
1 scoop protein powder

6-12 kale leaves

1/2 cup strawberries, frozen

1 cup blueberries, frozen

1 packet of stevia (optional) or agave nectar (not too much)

1 1/2 cup pure water

Pour the water and toss the banana and kale into the blender. Blend. Then add the strawberries, blueberries, and stevia. Blend again until smooth. Enjoy! 1-2 servings

Peachy Kale Smoothie

1 large ripe banana, peeled
1 scoop protein powder

10 kale leaves

4 dates, pitted

3/4 cup pineapple, frozen

1/2 cup strawberries, frozen

3/4 cup peaches, frozen

1 cup pure water

Pour the water and toss the banana, kale, and dates into the blender. Blend. Then add the frozen fruit and blend again until smooth. 1-2 servings

Now please tell me if this disgusts you, intrigues you, teaches you something new, or made you want to try one as soon as you get your hands on some of the ingredients!  MAYBE you would like to share a SMOOTHIE recipe of your own in the comments?  Thanks for all your comments and input!

Tomorrow:  Chocolate Smoothies (yes I have plenty of recipes for them!)  Hubby will be happy! 

Random Acts of Kindness and Special Thoughts