Two Thousand Seventeen

With the start of a new year and all of this talk of resolutions, I am reminded of the reason that I started Snickled Pink. It wasn’t to get likes on Instagram or pins on Pinterest. It was to share …

One Month as a Mother

It’s hard to believe but our little man just recently turned one month old.   Sure, people had shared lots of advice about what to expect with this new addition, but as we reached this milestone and I found myself …

A Celebration of Life and Love

Baby B is one lucky little boy. We kicked off the celebration of his pending arrival with our first of three baby showers. Sunday’s shower was thrown by my aunts and mom, at my parents’ new house. I first have …

It’s a… (Drum roll please)

The Truth About Your First Workout

It’s been just over 4 months since my last “work out.” The last time I went for a run was during my first couple of weeks of pregnancy. I got extremely sick afterwards, having no idea what my body was up to. Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I go on hikes through our property every week but I haven’t worked up a real sweat in far too long.

Finally feeling more like my old self these days, I was ready to get back on the horse. This morning I made it outside for a good run (okay, the dog would tell you it as a light jog) and finished up with some weights.  It was after all of this that I was reminded of some very good and very bad news about your first workout back. As it turns out, it’s one piece of news that swings both ways.

Your first workout is always the hardest. We’ve all been there. It takes everything in you to get into those workout clothes and even more out of you to actually get out there and do it. You feel like total garbage during and after your workout. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it can only get better and easier from there. That first hurdle is the worst. Before you know it, the motivation seems to come easier and your body grows stronger and more capable.

And so, let this post serve as a reminder that the first day is a tough one, but you are tougher! Once you get back on the horse, the rest of the ride will get easier, I promise.

 

When Things Are Not What They Seem (They’re Way Better!)

I kicked off 2016 with some pretty big goals. Between growing my blog and our business, I was giving 200% during the day and totally kicking butt! My husband was incredibly proud, but also a bit concerned. I’ve always been …

Rockstar Hair, Housewife Budget

 

You know that time you were checking out at a store and learned that the item you were buying was far more expensive than you’d anticipated and bought it anyway because you were too embarrassed to do otherwise? Yup, me too. My hairstylist must have thought she’d hit the jackpot when I agreed to purchase the shampoo and conditioner she’d recommended. I think my jaw nearly hit the floor when I found out the Kerastase product was $40… Per bottle! (Sorry hubby 😳) Besides the obvious financial reasons, this was an enormous mistake on my part because as it turned out, the stuff made my slightly processed hair feel like silk. I was smitten. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make this a habit, so I alternated use between it and my regular, Brilliant Brunette shampoo.

Before I knew it, I was all out. I’d had a great love affair with the product and now I was left to resume my boring, old routine. I had a connection with a stylist who got products at a discounted price, so I tried a few different $20 shampoos, but neither seemed to be an improvement from my drug store regular.

One day, while reminiscing about my luxurious lifestyle, I had an idea. A few times in my life, I’d used a deep conditioning treatment when I felt my hair needed some TLC. I was willing to bet that if I did those often enough, I’d notice a difference! I ran to Rite Aid and perused the shampoo aisle. I landed on L’Oreal’s Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm, simply because it was $7 and claimed to undo a year’s worth of damage with each treatment. I threw it into my routine, using it just once a week. It lasted me 8 weeks and worked like a rockstar for all of them.  

If you’re using an expensive shampoo and conditioner now, or you’d like the results of said products without the price, I highly recommend giving this routine a try. I can’t believe how much of a difference the extra three bucks per month has made on my hair AND my attitude. I’m back to living the luxurious lifestyle, or at least that’s what my hair believes.  

Monday Mischief

Just as I was trying to get out the door this morning, Berndt-pup hopped out the dog door with my pants in tow.  It can be difficult at times, but I encourage you to find the humor in frustrating situations.  I mean, how could I not smile? Apparently he wanted me to go to work this morning about as badly as I did. Happy Monday followers!!

**Be sure to check this photo and all things Snickled Pink on Instagram!

  

DIY Fireplace Makeover

One of our family’s absolute favorite things to do is curl up in front of a toasty fire on a cold, winter night. We adored our fireplace at our old house. It was a beautiful wood burner, built with bricks …

The Truth, the Whole30 Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

 At Snickled Pink, you ask and I deliver. Over the past couple of days, I’ve had quite a few people reach out with questions about what this “Whole30” mumbo jumbo is all about. In all honesty, this is my first time going through the program, so I am still learning. I’ve done a good deal of reading however, and with just 2 days under my belt, already have some insight to share.

The Whole30 program is based on an idea similar to “you are what you eat.” If you remember back to my post about fueling your machine, I spoke about this a bit there. Created in 2009, the Whole30 program operates around the idea that certain food groups may be adversely effecting our bodies and minds. There are a wide range of symptoms to consider, including poor energy levels, skin or digestive issues, body pain, etc. The list goes on. If in fact one of these symptoms is a result of diet, then the only way to truly find out is to eliminate certain foods and see if a difference is noticed. When you commit to the Whole30, you are committing to 30 days of focusing on real food and removing those that are potentially harmful.

Here are the DO NOT rules:

Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.

Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.

Do not eat grains.

Do not eat legumes.

Do not eat dairy.

Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.

Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients.

Day 2, I walked in to work and the first thing that I said to my coworker was, “This Whole30 thing is really hard.” Truth be told, I didn’t think it was going to be. I cook a lot at home and feel like my meals are generally pretty healthy. When I went to prepare food for day 1, looking through our pantry and refrigerator, I realized that a lot of what we eat is not on the approved list. Pasta sauce has added sugar. So does almond milk. Nearly everything does. Cheese is a staple in our house and that’s now out. I absolutely love salad, so I figured I could just eat those. Well, if you want dressing, you’re going to have to make it because there is sugar in it otherwise. I’ve now been to the grocery store 5 times in 2 days. I’ve spent, what feels like, more money than I usually do and am doing way more work!

If it sounds like I’m whining, I am. Well, I’m not anymore, but this was basically what I described that morning at the office. Then I began writing this post and read something on the Whole30’s website that I’d like to share with you, because it’s so true: “It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You’ve done harder things than this, and you have no excuse not to complete the program as written. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth – the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.”

It was at this point that my post originally concluded. I would, however, like to share with you an anecdote that occurred between writing and editing. I planned a Whole30 taco dinner for my husband and I to enjoy last night. I had to run out on my lunch break to get the appropriate seasoning packet and a different store on my way home from work for another ingredient. After getting out of work late, I got home and began preparing dinner. I was beyond hungry. An hour later, I took the beef out of the oven and set it on the counter. Now, when I say “counter,” I need you to imagine a counter covered in boxes and giant tubes of construction glue. (We’re still unpacking and getting settled in our new house.) It was a balancing act to say the least. Just as I went to plate our meal, the bowl of beef went crashing to the ground. Glass was everywhere. All I could do was stand in silence staring at my meat on the ground, as my husband came running from upstairs. Thinking about all of the planning, and trips to the store, and time spent preparing, I nearly melted down. After a visit to the fridge and some not-so-careful consideration, we were off to our local Mexican restaurant.

And so, today is my second Day 2 of the Whole30 this year. I told you that I would be 100% honest with you form the beginning and so here is my not-so-pretty truth. I worked my butt off, struggled, and failed. These things happen. The only thing that we can do is pick ourselves back up and try again. I’m proud to say that I have. I hope that you find success in your eating, be it through the Whole30 or something else. I know with great certainty that you can do it.

For more information, visit http://www.thewhole30.com.