Health Archives - Honeygirl's World - A Hawaii Lifestyle Blog

Fitness July 18, 2018

Fat VS Skinny, How I’m Treated Differently Now That I’ve Lost Weight

Fat VS Skinny, is that even a thing? I’ll be honest with you, this is probably a topic that many people are thinking about, but don’t normally talk about. As most of you know, I have been on a “Getting Healthy Journey” as of September/October of 2017. It’s been almost a year since I started working on my overall health while losing my weight. And boy oh boy have I noticed how differently I’m treated now that I’m smaller than I was before. Let’s chit chat about this, shall we?

fat vs skinny, weight loss, weight gain, weight comparison, venting, hot topic, stigma, difference between fat and skinny, overweight, weightloss, exercise, health, healthy living, healthy lifestyle,

As much as we all love to share our accomplishments with others, I think talking about weight loss is like an unspoken language. You either have those that support you and encourage you no matter what and those that talk about or put you down. Then, you have those that just don’t talk about the subject at all. But, once you really start losing weight, do people treat you differently? Well, after 10 months of working on my weight loss journey, I’ve noticed that I am most definitely being treated nicer in comparison to my heavier self.

You can read more about my weight loss journey here, but I’ll tell you that in about 10 months, I’ve lost over 80 lbs. Having gained all of my weight after having children, I was about 125 lbs through my mid-twenties, I guess I never really remembered how differently I was treated as I started to gain my weight because I was so caught up in everyday life. Fast forward to 2018, having lost as much as I have, I notice that so many people are polite and sweet to me. Going as far as acknowledging me with a smile (instead of a nod or a smirk) and often times holding my door open for me when they wouldn’t have done so before.

How can you tell that you are being treated differently?

Now you may be saying… “How can you tell that you are being treated differently?” Well, Maui (my island home) is small and you basically shop and visit the same locations most of your life, while seeing the same people each day, time and time again. So it’s very easy to compare how they treated you at one time VS how they treat you now. I’ve definitely noticed.

I’m super proud of my accomplishments, having not only losing over 80 lbs but also going from a size 3x/4x shirt to now wearing an XL. When it comes to jeans, pants, and shorts – I was wearing a size 22/24 and can now comfortably fit into a size 14/16. It’s been a long and challenging road and making the changes has taken a lot of time and effort. I’m very happy with the new me, but I can’t help but notice that being smaller means people are much nicer than before.

If you’re smaller in size, you may not have experienced this before, but imagine being overweight (or fat to put it bluntly) and in a grocery store and purchasing food. It doesn’t have to be “bad for you” type of food, because we don’t eat badly in our household. Imagine you’re buying vegetables and have a person say under their breath “Yeah right like you actually eat vegetables. If you did, you wouldn’t look like you do.” Or imagine that when you’re shopping for clothes, you have someone tell you, “no ma’am, that will not fit you, it’s meant for a more petite frame.” How about someone not say anything to you at all, but just snicker when they look at you, snob you or ignore you when you ask for assistance. I grew up with my Dad holding open the door for any woman or girl as my husband and sons do for me now, but imagine being at a door and a man walks past you while letting the door slam in your face.

Now, those may seem like they are quite extreme scenarios, but I assure you that if I didn’t experience them myself, I would have never known that it happened. While I experienced these things during the time when I was much larger, I just assumed that people were having a bad day or just didn’t like me. It didn’t dawn on me that it had to do with my weight. Fast forward to the present and I’ve had many encounters in similar situations and in some cases with the same people only to find that I was treated respectfully and nicely. Many of these people smiled at me, took the time to greet me and even have conversations with me. Some of these people even continue to acknowledge me by name, which only instills in my mind that they just did not like the fact that I was overweight before. Whether it disgusted them or they just had a phobia of it, I don’t know. All I know is that I noticed a difference.

This is a long post, so if you want to hear the Podcast version, click here.

I guess the reason for this post is to remind people that it doesn’t matter if a person is skinny or fat, tall or short. It doesn’t matter if someone has a skin color that is different from yours or they have curly hair and you have straight hair. No one deserves to be treated like they are beneath you. There’s a stigma in the world that basically states that “overweight people are gross and disgusting and that they don’t deserve to be treated with respect because they don’t respect themselves enough to lose the weight,” but most of the time that could be furthest from the truth. I didn’t gain my weight overnight and much of it stemmed not because I overate, but because of underlying health issues. I didn’t like being overweight or unhealthy and it took me a long time to figure out the formula to change all of that for me. I do want to say, that I am in no way skinny, but I’ve noticed a huge difference in my body as others are noticing as well.

If there is a lesson to be learned from this post, it is that everyone, no matter their size should be treated with respect. Smile at more people, hold doors open and treat others as you would like to be treated. We shouldn’t have to deal with that on top of everything else that is happening in the World.

I hope you all enjoyed this post. It may have been a little bit of venting or a whole lot of nothing, but it came from my heart and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Aloha,

If you’re interested in more “Fit and Healthy” stuff, be sure to check out some of my blogger friends and their posts. This post is in collaboration with some of my favorite bloggers and they have a wide range of information to share with all of you.

weight loss June 8, 2018

Getting Healthy & How I’m Doing It | Weight Loss Update – 50 lbs lost

NOTHING TO DISCLOSE

Hi friends. I hope you are all doing well. Today, I’m gonna get a little personal with all of you and share a little update on my weight loss journey. It’s been years in the making, but I’m super excited to have all of you on this journey with me. It’s like I’ve had a bunch of awesome cheerleaders all for me. If you are interested in learning a little about it, definitely keep on reading about my weight loss. This is just the beginning of this series and I plan to update all of you on this journey as I experience it. Also, I just released a video on my YouTube Channel so if you want the breakdown in video form, click this link and check out the video. So, let’s chit chat a little… shall we?

The photo on the left was taken in April 2018. The photo on the right was taken in December/January (2017-2018). It’s amazing at how a few months can make such a huge difference.

At the beginning of this year, I posted on Honeygirl’s World about how I needed to get going on a healthier me. Since October 2017, I felt the need to really get my health issues together and start working on being a better version of my self, physically and mentally. I’ll be honest, it hasn’t been an easy road. I had worked my butt off the last few months trying to get in shape and lose weight, but it’s been difficult and I haven’t been the easiest person to live with because of it.

Let me break a few things down for you… So, in November 2017, I decided I would cut out all the things that really were dragging me down (food wise). I stopped drinking my Cherry Pepsi (I’m glad the world didn’t come to an end because of it) and I ultimately stopped eating white rice (most rice for that matter) and pasta. Yup, I said it… pasta. Let’s just say that it was not an easy choice for me, but I was amazed at how easy it was to give them up when I look at myself in the mirror and I’m excited about my progress. There are days when I see white rice smothered in gravy or a giant slice of pizza topped with ooey gooey cheese and I just want to lose my marbles, but then I realize that I’ve come too far.

weight loss, weightloss, weightloss journey, weighloss transformation, body positive, transformation, 50 lbs lost, weight gain, plus size, weight loss, weight update, — This photo was taken June 5, 2018. This is a recent photo. While I’m covered with clothes, I’m proud to say that this jumpsuit is an XL whereas I have been using a 3x – 4x size now for the last few years.

Here’s the deal… there is no such thing as a fad diet or a 30-minute exercise once a week that will help. It took me a long time, lots of money and many years of realizing that because I really struggled with my weight after having my sons. I wasn’t always big (though I did always have thunder thighs… lol) and so I really wanted to get myself back on track. I realized that after years of the struggle, I needed to really do this for my health, not just my looks. This epiphany was probably the one good thought I had in my mind and it has been a constant reminder of how I’ve been able to keep going on this journey (or lifestyle change).

“I am down over 50 lbs in about 8-10 months and I’m so excited to be able to shop in stores that carry regular sized clothing, instead of only plus sized clothes.”

So what am I doing? Well, I’m at the gym 3 to 5 times a week concentrating on not only cardio but also strength training. You don’t need to spend excessive amounts of time at the gym if you don’t have it and if you don’t have a gym, use what you do have. I signed up for the gym in March, but prior to that I was walking/running and jogging several times a week – averaging about a mile to three miles each time I went for a walk and tried to do that 3 times a week. I also work with my kettle balls and my own walls to help with building my muscle and keeping the muscles I have. There are a number of different exercises you can do while utilizing your own body weight as your option to strengthen your muscles. I like doing push-ups against the wall if I can’t make it to the gym and if I do make it to the gym, then I love doing pull-ups and using the different muscle toning machines available. Remember, that it’s all about using what you have, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a gym membership. I like it because it’s my time to myself, but if you don’t have that – use what you go. Run or walk the dog or your baby or even go on a hike with a friend or two (or three) if it helps get you mobile and outdoors.

Now, when it comes to food… that’s a little more difficult. I try to concentrate on the Keto diet since I did a liquid fast prior to getting my metabolism jump started. The Keto Diet and 21 Day Fix have been two diets or lifestyle changes when it comes to food that I know I can actually keep working at. They aren’t easy diets, but basically a way of changing your lifestyle to accommodate what works better for you. I concentrate on healthy proteins and fats at each meal so that I can keep my muscle lean. I also have cut out most sugars from my diet (of course many fruits and veggies have sugar so I try to be mindful of how much I eat) and carbs. Making this change did not happen overnight, but it has definitely gotten easier as time progresses. Sugar-free popsicles have been my best friend lately (because it’s been so hot here on Maui) and I am really loving protein ice creams like Halo Top. However, everything is best in moderation, so if I am gonna eat a few sweets, I will definitely be putting in more work at the gym or I make sure I only have a little in moderation. Remember my words – “Moderation is more than just the key, it will be your new way of life.”

“Moderation is more than just the key, it will be your new way of life.”

I couldn’t possibly sum up how to do all of this in just one blog post, so I am gonna wrap this up in a bit. But, before I do, I wanted to share with all of you that this lifestyle change is not easy, but it’s doable and it can work. It took me a long time of saying excuses and my shoulda-coulda-wouldas before I realized that I need to take action and keep at it before I’ll see results. Don’t worry, I’ll be here to answer all of your questions and I’ll also be posting more frequently about this journey so that I can offer you some tips, ideas and even food choices. My goal is to actually share this journey with all of you because the support from each of you means the world to me and it helps more than you realize.

Stay tuned for more updates as I discuss products I’m enjoying to help with my weight-loss and get healthy jourey and everything else.

Wishing you all the best,

Honey

Fitness February 7, 2018

Getting Healthy On My Terms – My 2018 Personal Fitness Goals

I know, I know… new year means, “new me” right? Wrong! I’ve realized that I’ve been looking at getting healthy incorrectly all of these years. I didn’t start putting on my weight till after I had kids, so I guess, you could say that my mentality was a tad bit construed, or maybe I was just lazy. But, this year (I actually started in December 2017), I’m making a change in not only my thoughts and how I view things, but what I’m doing to get to my healthy me. Today I share with you my 2018 Personal Fitness Goals. I whole-heartily agree that a person’s fitness and health goals should be tapered and adjusted, customized and unique to that particular person. We aren’t cookies, so, therefore, we shouldn’t have cookie-cutter goals and routines. Don’t you agree?

Try New Things: I really want to be able to embrace new workouts by trying new things and including a variety of different stuff. By doing so you will encourage your body to continue burning fat for energy and increasing your metabolism. While I know it, I often get stuck in the same rut. My schedule is never my own, so I workout and exercise around everyone else’s time. Because of this, I find myself doing what I know works and that fits within that given time frame. The problem is that my body eventually gets to a standstill and as I plateau, I get discouraged. I have somewhat figured out a way around this. By creating a schedule block of different exercises throughout the week, changing between interval training, cardio and stretching as well as a good walk/jog each week, my body will still be active while still burning fat and building leaner muscle. Adding in additional dance and hip-hop fitness into the mix is a great way to jumpstart the routines as I’m changing them around throughout the month. I’ll test my theory and I’ll get back with all of you on how it has worked for me.

Get Running: I also look at my current fitness and exercise regimen and compare it to what I used to do before. I bet most people didn’t know that I was a runner. I ran cross country and track in middle school and high school. I used to be pretty fast too. After a few ankle injuries in the last 20-25 years and a bad knee, I stopped running or even jogging and it’s been a struggle for me to get back on track. By the end of this year, I want to be able to at least jog without being in so much pain. I have been slowly increasing my walks to a light jog lately and I noticed that it’s a challenge for my aches and pains. But with proper support and effort, I think I can include low impact running into my workout routine before the end of the year.

Planks, Pull ups and Push ups – oh my: Before planks were a popular thing, my Daddy had me doing them along with pull ups and push ups each day. It’s how I kept my core strong and strengthened my arms so that I could paddle my surfboard out to the wave breaks and stand up on the board, balance and catch a wave. It’s been years since I’ve been able to really do any of those things. However, I’ve been slowly incorporating all three into my exercise regimen the last month. I’d love to be able to do planks, push ups and pull ups easily, without having to stop to take a break between each set. I’d also like to be able to do it the challenging way instead of easy. I think by incorporating a little of it in each workout, by the end of the year, I’ll be to able to do it without struggling.

Positive affirmation and goals: You see the photo above? Well, that photo was taken in 1998, back when I was smaller than a size 8 and 125 lbs wet. It seems like a lifetime ago. Obviously, I have had three children (2 pregnancies) and I weigh more than 150 lbs above that weight that I am in that photo. I’m realistic that I can do well and I can lose my weight, tone my muscles and build lean muscle, but, honestly, I will never look the same again. I will have saggy skin once I lose my weight and that’s something I have to deal with, but I will be healthy and happy because I accomplished it all. My biggest fitness goal this year is to use my past body as inspiration, determination and drive to be a healthier person, not using it as a way to bring me down. Our lives are filled with enough negativity and lack of drive, that I want to make sure that I’m not soaking all the bad energy in. I’m doing all of this for a healthier me so that I can be there for my husband and sons. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or the looks they give because it doesn’t feed my drive to be a better me. My goal this year is to keep positivity around me as much as possible so that I can be much more successful in this healthier lifestyle.

2018 fitness goals, fitness goals, goals, 2018 goals, exercise, fitness, get healthy, healthy, healthier living, vegan, — Just me on one of my daily walks.

My 2018 Fitness goals are minimal but I believe they will make a huge impact on me. Besides, when we try out new things or focus on things to drive us, sometimes starting off small is the key. What about you? Do you have any fitness goals for this year? Is there anything in particular that you would like to try or incorporate into the year to get you on track?

This post was done in collaboration with some of my favorite Beauty and Lifestyle Bloggers. Head on over to their links below and check them out.

Beauty September 13, 2017

Bright Smiles and Confidence for Back to School Season With Rembrandt and Plackers

Avoiding Pregnancy or Trying to Conceive? KNOWHEN Advanced Ovulation Kit

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Before I start this post and assumptions fly, I wanted to let you all know that I’m not pregnant and not trying at the moment. But, I really wanted to share some information on this subject since I have struggled with similar in the past. I’m currently on Birth Control, but I remember a time when trying to conceive was a struggle for me. You see, I have had several difficult pregnancies and miscarried quite a few times as well, but I also experienced trouble when trying to get pregnant. My twins are now 7 years old and while it’s been a few years since my last pregnancy, I’m constantly worried about what my body will do when and if my husband and I are ready to have another child and add to my family. With so many great products on the market today to assist in trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy altogether, I thought it would be a great idea to share with you an advanced Ovulation Kit called KNOWHEN.

So, what is KNOWHEN? KNOWHEN is an Advanced Saliva Ovulation Test Kit that pinpoints your 5 most fertile days so you’re in control of your fertility. In 2016, the KNOWHEN kit was rated #1 Ovulation Test Kit and it’s easy and safe to use.

How does it work? This innovative test tracks your ovulation using only a drop of your saliva. It identifies your five (5) most fertile days and the best days in your Ovulation Cycle if you’re trying to conceive. With a 98.9% accurate rate (100% proven correlation with a doctor’s ovarian ultrasound examination), this test is 100% Safe, Natural and OB/GYN recommended.

How to use the kit:

Remove the lens cover.
Remove the lens housing.
First thing in the morning before eating, drinking, smoking or brushing your teeth, apply a thick drop of saliva (without bubbles) to the glass surface.
Wait for the saliva to dry. This will take about 5 – 15 minutes (the saliva must be completely dry for accurate results).
Replace the lens housing onto the tube.
Hold the monitor up to your eyes to view the image.
Compare the image to the chart supplied with the kit (see right-hand side of chart.)
Input your results on the KNOWHEN App.

KNOWHEN® Advanced Ovulation Kit from HILIN VIDEO on Vimeo.

The KNOWHEN Fertility Monitor APP is the leading fertility tracking and ovulation monitoring app worldwide. Users made the KNOWHEN Fertility Monitor App #1 because it is:

FREE – you get full access and functionality included in the KNOWHEN Advanced Ovulation Test Kit.
DIFFERENT – tracks and records when you ovulate or have sex over your lifetime.
INNOVATIVE – Identifies your most likely days to get (not get) pregnant.
ACCURATE – information based on your actual daily test results
EASY TO USE – quickly and easily monitors your ovulation test results daily.
REVEALING – shows the fertility pattern of your unique ovulation cycle
PRIVATE – stores your results on a secure server forever
FLEXIBLE – access to your secure date when needed, even if you lose your mobile device
INFORMATION – sends you message alerts on your ovulation status. Provides access to exclusive educational materials and keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and innovations in the fertility field.

The KNOWHEN Fertility Monitor APP is available in the iTunes store and Google Play for both iPhone and Android.

While all the obvious things make KNOWHEN Fertility Monitor APP and KNOWHEN Advanced Ovulation Test Kit ideal for conceiving or avoiding pregnancy, for me there are many things that stick out. As someone who struggled to get pregnant many times and some of my pregnancies resulting in miscarriage I find that documenting and keeping proper files and records are always important to provide to your doctor. A kit and app like this one from KNOWHEN will allow you to keep track of these things easily and provide that information to your physician should you need it. Tools like KNOWHEN allow you to track your ovulation cycle so that you can make informed decisions about your body and whether or not to plan accordingly.

The KNOWHEN Advanced Ovulation Test Kit retails for $49.99 and with the purchase of the kit you get the Fertility Monitor App included. When used careful and taken cared of, your KNOWHEN Ovulation Test can last for years, so long as you do not get it wet, drop it or interfere with the light housing unit. Please note that results are not necessarily typical so while one product will work for some, it may not for others. However, there are a number of positive reviews on the KNOWHEN Advanced Ovulation Test Kit, so I highly suggest checking it out and get informed before making a decision to purchase.

When the time is right, I’ll be using this Ovulation Test Kit to help me with planning my next pregnancy – should there be one. I wanted to share this with all of you because I thought it was a genius product and while I haven’t personally used it, any information that I provide is simply my own.

You can get more information or purchase your own KNOWHEN Advanced Ovulation Test Kit here: https://www.knowhen.com/

Disclaimer: This product was sent for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. I was not paid to share this product with you. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Anti-Aging February 23, 2017

I Tried Products With Sea Buckthorn and Here’s What I Think – SeabuckWonders

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With news articles and stories all over the internet, I’m sure you’ve heard the words: “Sea Buckthorn berry” before, I know I have and over the last few months, it’s become quite popular. Dr. Oz calls it the “Miracle Berry” and others rave about how it’s a power-packed super fruit that should be on everyone’s radar. So – what is this berry and why is it becoming so popular? Today, I’m going to share with you some sea buckthorn products from SeabuckWonders and hopefully I can share with you a little more on this product so you are armed with some information.

The sea buckthorn berry has over 190 phytonutrients and fatty acids (ALL the omegas: 3, 6, 9 and the rae Omega-7) that help to protect against many diseases (including breast cancer), but it also provides soothing relief to many. Many breast cancer patients use sea buckthorn products to reduce the negative effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatments and there are a variety of different uses for this berry in general. For those that are looking for an improvement in your skin – sea buckthorn if filled with antioxidants, vitamins A, E and beta-carotene. With a treasure chest of nutrients, sea buckthorn has been a secret beauty aid in Eastern Asia for over a 1000 years to provide the lasting and necessary benefits for ever-lasting beauty.

Seabuck thorn berry oil is not only high in Omega-7 which helps to moisturize the cell membranes, but the anti-inflammatory properties can have a hugely positive effect on blood levels. I was especially intrigued by this particular miracle berry because of the recent health issues I’ve been experiencing and sea buckthorn berry is known to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels while reducing inflammation, dry-eye symptoms, vaginal dryness and dry skin conditions. It can also assist in hydrating the digestive tract and internal organs and I love that it’s great for the skin and nails – which for me take a beating during the colder months.

So – now that I’ve given you a little information on this miracle berry – I’m going to share with you a brand and their products that I’ve been using over the course of the last few months. I’m excited to share these with you because I love products that are affordable and easy to attain.

SeabuckWonders is the first company that brought Sea Buckthorn products to the United States. The sea buckthorn berries that they harvest are exclusively harvested from the prestine Tibetan region where high altitude and harsh environment have equipped the sea buckthorn with extraordinary biodefense mechanisms with numerous life-giving nutrients such as the rare Omega-7. The SeabuckWonders 100% pure Sea Buckthorn oil contains up to 30-35% Omega-7, the highest concentration known in the natural world, that provides the best results possible. All of SeabuckWonders products are made of 100% Pure, USDA Certified Organice Sea Buckthorn Oil, are Kosher Certified and are also Non-GMO Project Verfied and Gluten Free.

I tried four products from the line and have my eyes set on a few others that are on my wishlist to pick up. The first I’m going to talk to you about is the Ultimate Hair, Skin and Nails Supplement ($34.97 – 60 vegan softgels / 500 mg each). This supplement helps you to go below the hair, skin and nails to the root of any problems. By combining biotin with the cell membrane nurturing properties of sea buckthorn oil, the blend offers the best support for strength and beauty. As I mentioned previously, winter takes a toll on my body (especially my hair, skin and nails) and I make it a point to take a daily supplement to help with this. The SeabuckWonders Ultimate Hair, Skin & Nails supplement (with Omega-7 and Biotin) have helped to keep my hair stronger than usual while keeping my scalp moisturized so I don’t experience dry, itchy or flakiness. I noticed after about 2 weeks of taking this supplement that my nails grew faster (my nails naturally are long and grow, but they are at their strongest during the summer months and tend to be brittle during winter). They not only were growing faster but also stronger without treatment of my cuticles. My skin is not as dry as it usually is during the winter which to me is probably the biggest plus to see. Normally – my skin is so dry I am lathering layers of moisturizer to combat my Eczema. This is the first winter in a long time since I’ve experienced an Eczema flare up thanks to my skin being so hydrated.

Cell membrane nurturing Omega-7
5000 mcg of Biotin
Vegan
Gluten Free
Available in 60 vegan softgels/500 mg each

This is the first winter in a long time since I’ve experienced an Eczema flare up thanks to my skin being so hydrated.

The SeabuckWonders Himalayan Sea Buckthorn Exfoliating Facial Cleanser ($16.97 – 4 fl.oz / 120 mL) has also been a welcoming part of my skin care routine. During the winter my skin is so dry that I often layer on different types of moisturizing products but it can also cause my skin to look and feel dull while also causing me to breakout. This exfoliating facial cleanser has been awesome to use the last several months because it not only deep cleans my skin but boosts my skin’s vibrancy. It’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin of it’s natural oils (which I definitely need) but still exfoliates my skin, leaving it smooth and clearing up my complexion. This is a facial cleanser that is ideal for all skin types because of it’s nutritional properties and leaves my skin feeling clean, balanced and just awesome.

Enhances skin tone & texture
Gently exfoliates & detoxifies
Made with certified organic Sea Buckthorn
Vegan; Non-GMO
Paraben-free; Leaping Bunny Cruelty-free
Dairy-free, Wheat-free and Gluten-free
Naturally scented with essential orange oil
pH-balanced for all skin types

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Decyl Glucoside, Lauryl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Coco Glucoside, Carrageenan, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Phenylethyl Alcohol, Sodium Phytate.

The SeabuckWonders Himalayan Sea Buckthorn Facial Cream ($19.97 – 1 fl.oz. / 30mL) has also been a great addition to my skin care regimen. This product includes all the great ingredients that the others do like the Omegas (including Omega-7) and packs a lot of moisture for my dry skin while still keeping my skin in balance. Absolutely lightweight and applies like a breeze, my skin drinks this facial cream up and stays moisturized and rejuvenated all day long. This facial cream helps to minimize my fine lines while smoothing and softening my complexion. I also enjoy the added benefit of it protecting my skin from the damaging effects of the sun and environmental pollutants.

Moisturizes and rejuvenates
Supports skin cell functions
Protects against visible signs of UV-induced stress
Enhances skin tone and texture
Made with certified organic Sea Buckthorn
Vegan & Non-GMO
Paraben free & Leaping Bunny Project Certified Cruelty-free
Dairy-free, Wheat-free & Gluten-free
Naturally scented with essential orange oil
For all skin types
1 fl. oz. (30ml)

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Vegetable Stearic Acid, Vegetable Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oil, Vegetable Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Shea Butter, Essential Herbal Blend (Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower (Linden) Extract, Cornflower Extract, Roman Chamomilla Extract, Hypericum Perforatum (St. John’s Wort) Extract), Phenoxyethanol, Essential Orange Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera Gel), Pro-Vitamin B-5, Allantoin, Vitamin E, Ethylhexylglycerin.

SeabuckWonders Himalayan Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion ($14.97 – 6 fl.oz. / 180 mL) was also a hit for me. It was awarded the Delicious Living Beauty & Body Award in 2013 and I can definitely see why. Filled with a potent infusion of Omega 3, 6, 9 and the powerful skin-healing Omega 7, SeabuckWonders Body Lotion provides nourishment with age-defying properties for soft and healthy skin. I think this product will easily be a favorite of mine for years to come, especially during the winter. It’s intensely moisturizing without feeling oily/greasy or sticky. When applied to the skin, it soaks right in while leaving my skin and body feeling touchable soft. With a high concentration of sea buckthorn oil, this lotion allows for superior moisture retention while protecting the skin from various signs of aging and effects of exposure to the sun. My knees, elbows and feel LOVE this lotion and I love the light orange scent. It’s amazing!

Moisturizes and protects
Supports skin cell functions
Protects against visible signs of UV-induced stress
Made with certified organic Sea Buckthorn
Vegan; Non-GMO
Paraben-free; Leaping Bunny Cruelty-free
Dairy-free, Wheat-free and Gluten-free
Naturally scented with essential orange oil
For all skin types
6 fl. oz. (180ml)

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oil, Vegetable Stearic Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Cetyl Alcohol, Shea Butter, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Essential Herbal Blend (Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower (Linden) Extract, Cornflower Extract, Roman Chamomilla Extract, Hypericum Perforatum (St. John’s Wort) Extract), Phenoxyethanol, Essential Orange Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera Gel), Pro-Vitamin B-5, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vitamin E.

I have my eyes set on a few other products to try from SeabuckWonders, especially the supplements. As I mentioned previously, I have been dealing with a plethora of health ailments, so adding some new supplements to my regiment will surely help. I’m beyond impressed with the products I’ve tried so far and I am definitely interested in picking up and ordering more that SeabuckWonders offers.

Like I mentioned previously, each product is reasonably priced – in fact, it’s quite affordable when you think of the benefits. SeabuckWonders products were the first I’ve tried with Sea Buckthorn Oil and my experiencing has definitely been a positive one. I know this was a lengthy review/feature, but I wanted to make sure you had as much information as possible to be able to make a decision on whether or not you wanted to try these. As I say with anything I talk about here, my experience with one product may be different from those that you may have. It’s important to make an informed decision before trying anything obviously, but I love sharing products I’ve been enjoying.

You can purchase these products or learn more about SeabuckWonders at: http://www.seabuckwonders.com/

So how about you? Have you heard of Sea buckthorn oil or berries before and have you used it or products that include it? What are your thoughts on this “supposed” miracle berry?

Disclosure: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for editorial consideration for Honeygirlsworld.com. This post may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details, an outline of my product review disclosures and policies, affiliate links, etc. please visit myDisclosures page.

Daily Life January 9, 2017

2017 Goals

NOTHING TO DISCLOSE

Yay, I’m finally ALIVE! No, seriously – I’ve been in bed and seriously nursing the flu and then a cold for the last week, ringing in the new year in bed. I finally feel like I can get it together and get on the grind to start 2017. Hey, I’m only 7 or 8 days late – right? lol. Since I’m finally moving around and starting the year, I figured I would share my 2017 goals. These goals consist of those that are personal, blogging or anything in between. What I love about sharing them here on the blog, is that it kind of holds me accountable and that way I have no excuse but to keep on top of them. Let’s get started shall we?

1.) Lose Weight. This may seem like a given for anyone, especially those like me in my particular circumstance. But, the fact is – I’m slowly getting my health back in order and plan to not only continue eating healthier, but also really work on improving my self image and health overall – both physically and mentally.

Sub-goals: Make sure that I a) include more vegetables in my daily meal intake. b) try to eliminate the carbs and starches that plague me badly – i.e. reduce my rice, noodles and bread intake. c) reduce meal portion sizes while making sure I am eating through the day (my biggest issue is that I don’t have time to eat, so I must make time to eat). And, d) continue to increase my exercise daily.

2.) Be smart with purchases. Only buy new products when I’m running low or when I’ve actually run out of them. As a makeup addict, I often times find myself ooing and ahhing over the newest thing. In 2016, I did really well with purchases and didn’t purchase everything and anything that was newly released. This year, in 2017, I want to incorporate the same but really stick to it. After destashing and donating a lot of cosmetic items for 2016, I realized that I need to truly use what I already have. Money hard earned should be money well spent and buying makeup items only to have them sit since I only have one face, well – I have better things to do with my finances. I want to continue minimal self spending and splurging and continue to buy less – no matter what it may be… makeup, skin care, planners, pens, whatever.

3.) Get organized. This may seem like an easy task for someone like me who likes structure, but the fact of the matter is… I could do so much better. My desk – while I can find whatever it is I’m looking for, is a mess. While my time scheduling is organized and structured, my paperwork is a mess and I would love to bring more organization to my household overall. This may seem like an easy task for one person, but I balance the organization for a whole household of 5 members and I would love to be able to really kick it in gear and get it together.

Sub-goals: a) I would like to organize the paperwork on my desk and in my files. Trying to reduce paper clutter and keep it at a minimum, keeping only the papers that are needed. I would like to come up with a proper filing system so that I have an easier time with paperwork. b) I really need to organize our household better. Each month we take donations and try to keep clutter at a minimum, but I think there is so much more I could do. And, c) I need to organize my time better. This is important since I work from home. I need to be able to organize my work and home schedule to try and make sure I have enough time in the day to accomplish all the things I need to do.

4.) Wear my hair down more. This may seem like something that is already being done in my life… but the fact of the matter is, I still consistently wear my hair up in a bun or pulled back. I need to embrace my natural curls and my hair and really need to find the time and effort to get it under control so that I can wash and wear it easily – without constantly pulling it up. Since I wear my hair up so often, I am quite accustomed to not having anything in my face and that in it’s own is a difficult thing to get used to. My goal is to commit to wearing my hair down at least 2x a week so I can get used to it without sacrificing the “on-the-go” lifestyle I live.

5.) Wear more dresses or dress up more. Come on now, I have really never been a dress wearing girl. I’m a tomboy and will wear a pair of jeans or shorts with a t-shirt as much as possible if allowed. I would like to dress up a little more or wear more dresses so that I’m not so casual. There’s nothing wrong with dressing casually – it’s just that I do it so much, I forget what it is like to dress up sometimes. By putting on a dress or just adding a little more flair to my outfits, I think it would make a world of a difference.

6.) Eliminate the negativity and keep positive, striving for joy. This particular goal may seem like an easy one, but trust me when I say it has been anything but easy the last few years. I would like to do everything in my power to eliminate the negativity and strive for joy. By keeping the negative nancys out of my personal bubble and keeping positive aspirations, goals and overall happiness in my life – I think I can accomplish this goal. Spreading joy and happiness where I go while not feeding into others negative thoughts will make a huge difference in my life.

7.) Back to Lifestyle posts. Honeygirl’s World is technically a lifestyle blog and boy do I miss it. I feel like I’ve focused so much on product reviews or beauty and skin care over the last year, that I have lost sight of where my passion lies. I love sharing new products or reviews with all of you – but I also want to really incorporate more of my life on the blog. That is how I started blogging to begin with – to document my life’s story. So, my goal this year is to incorporate at least one lifestyle post a week. Whether it be to share my weight loss and health journey each week, post Sunday letters or just sum up life with my family each week – it’s my goal to go back to it and keep at it. Honeygirl’s World is my life, my world and I need to get back to my roots and remember where I started and how I got here.

Of course, a new year comes with new goals and I’m sure I’ll have a plethora more to add to this list as the year progresses. While many of these goals may seem a bit simplistic – it may not be that case for many because it’s all a matter of changing the way one thinks and how they proceed to do things. Since Honeygirl’s World is a lifestyle site, I plan to come back in the coming months and share how I’m accomplishing these goals and if I have had an positive change.

I wish all of you reading this a wonderful New Year. Whether you are making goals for yourself to accomplish or just plan on living life to its fullest, or both – may your year be filled with joy and happiness.

Disclaimer: This post may feature affiliate links or referral links. For more details and outline of my product review disclosures and policies, affiliate links, etc. please visit myDisclosures page.

Health December 16, 2016

Pain Relief For Winter Aches – Zim’s Max-Freeze Patches with Lidocaine and Menthol

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I have to admit, this post is long over due but I thought that it would be a great time to share this product with all of you – especially if you deal with winter aches and pains like my family and I do. We live in Hawaii, so anywhere on this planet that has a colder climate, could appreciate these. The Zim’s Max-Freeze Patches with Lidocaine and Menthol also made a huge difference in sports injuries and my husband’s aches and pains from work. Let’s explore this product a bit more and I’ll share some information with all of you.

Zim’s Max-Freeze Patches are for temporary relief of your pain. They are individually wrapped and feature a new formula with lidocaine and menthol to help deliver more pain relieving power where you need it. These patches come with six per package and are best used for smaller areas like the arms and neck and when you need broader coverage like the knees and elbows, you have the option to use the large patches which come four per package. Extra-large patches are idea for large areas as the back and comes with three patches for your convenience.

Using Zim’s Max-Freeze Patches is easy. You simply remove the film of the individually wrapped patch and place the adhesive over the affected area. The patches are long-lasting and we absolutely enjoy the fact that they stay in place once you adhere them. You can change them out twice a day for continued pain relief and they are so easy to use and take with you on the go. My family and I found that these made great additions to put into a gym bag and have on hand in my purse whenever we needed it.

Of course, Zim’s Max-Freeze Patches are not meant to treat or diagnose any issues you are having or pain and I’m certainly not here to do so myself, but it’s something I thought I would share with my readers in the case they are experiencing some aches and pens in their muscles, etc. and could use some relief. These patches offer a cooling sensation when you put them on but I didn’t think they burned the skin at all. If you have tried any type of topical cream of sorts with lidocaine or menthol in them, you can expect that these have the same affect without the mess. I absolutely love that these are so easy to use, no mess and no fuss. You don’t have to worry about a messy liquid or cream and waiting for it to dry before putting clothes on or leaving the house. It’s easy and mess free which means it’s a winner in our house.

Zim’s Max-Freeze Patches retail for $10.99 (any size) and can be purchased at: http://www.zimsusa.com/

Have you tried Zim’s Max-Freeze products before? What about the patches, is this something you think you could use for your winter aches and pains?

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was sent for editorial consideration for Honeygirlsworld.com. This post may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details and outline of my product review disclosures and policies, affiliate links, etc. please visit myDisclosures page.

Health November 5, 2016

Beating the Fall and Winter Blues With Nature Made® Vitamins

“This post was sponsored by Nature Made^® as a part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central.”

Holiday Season is officially in full swing and that means with Holidays come the cold and wetter months. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fall and Winter and man can it take a toll on my immune system. With the stress of shopping, cooking and everything in between – the holiday blues mixed with the Fall and Winter blues tend to take a toll on me. Thankfully – Nature Made^® Vitamins are to the rescue.

I’ve been taking different types of vitamins and supplements daily for years now. It is important for me to use and purchase from a brand I trust and Nature Made^® is just that. And, keeping up with a healthy lifestyle during the chillier and colder months help you to keep on top of your health needs during a busy season.

The holiday season surely keeps me and my family on our toes and it tends to be that time of year when we are most susceptible to the cold and flue. Keeping my body in balance throughout the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is important. It not only allows my family to stay on top of the busy schedule, but when I’m healthy – I’m not grumpy and no one wants to deal with me when I am. lol

Nature Made^® is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended brand for many key dietary supplement categories*

*Based on the 2016 U.S. News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey.

Where do I buy my Nature Made Supplements?

Well, shopping for your favorite supplements can be a challenge when you are dealing with the busy crowds this season. But, I love that I can get my holiday shopping in and still pick up my favorite supplement while I’m there. Walmart has everyday low prices on Nature Made^® items, so it’s easy for me to stock up and save myself some money. No need for my family and I to wait for a sale because I can grab and go when I need it. It’s so convenient for me to pick up the Nature Made^® items I need so I can always stock up and save for my entire family.

More about Nature Made^®

Nature Made^® has a variety of vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) to help support nutritional gaps with your health goals in mind ranging from Digestive Support, Heart Health & Function, Energy Metabolism, Women’s Health and much more!†

“Nature Made® vitamins and supplements: An easy, convenient way to help your body get the nutritional support it needs every day, whether it be to support bone health, immune health or energy metabolism (helping convert food into energy).†

You can enter for a chance to win one of 60 Walmart Gift Cards (each worth $50) by taking part in the sweepstakes. No Purchase Necessary. Click here to get all the details.

Visit http://www.healthyhabitbuilder.com and join the Nature Made^® HealthyHabit Builder program where you can get motivation and tips around your specific health goals.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.

Health October 15, 2016

Prioritizing My Health and Wellness with Nature Made® Probiotics

This post was sponsored by Nature Made^® as a part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central.”

Prioritizing my health and making it a priority is always a challenge for me. Let’s face it, with a busy life style, it’s a challenge for anyone and most moms can attest to having similar struggles. There always seems to be something more important on my long list of things to do and taking the time out for myself… well, it’s never a priority. But, this year has kind of opened my eyes to a vast array of health problems and because of this, I truly need to start maintaining better health and wellness habits so I can continue to be here for my family. Getting back on track is not as easy as it seems, but with a little motivation, a few changes to my daily life and of course, a little bit of self love, I think I can get my health in order. Some help from my daily vitamins, minerals and supplements are important too, and Nature Made^® can help with that.

To get my body back on track, I’ve been working to increase my exercise, drink more water and incorporate dietary supplements to help with my health. After being diagnosed with a plethora of ailments, I just knew that I had to get better about taking care of myself and adding new supplements to the mix along with my probiotics has been aiding in my “get better” movement.

Walmart has everyday low prices on Nature Made^® items, so it’s easy for me to stock up and save on the ones I’m using. There’s no need to wait for a sale or clip coupons to get a good deal. Since I shop at Walmart at least once a week, it’s convenient for me to pick up my probiotics and other supplements from Nature Made^® to keep up with my health. Nature Made^® has a variety of vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) to help support nutritional gaps with your health goals in mind ranging from Digestive Support, Heart Health & Function, Energy Metabolism, Women’s Health and much more!

The Nature Made® Advanced Dual Action Probiotic has been clinically studied and provides dual support to both your small and large intestine for comprehensive coverage to help support digestive balance and healthy gut flora.†

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.

There are two capsules – one with probiotics specifically for your large intestines and one with probiotics specifically for your small intestines. Since Nature Made^® is the #1 Pharmacist Recommended brand for many key dietary supplement categories*, I decided I would give it a try and include it in my daily supplement intake.

*Based on the 2016 U.S. News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey.

Improving your health and wellness is not a one time thing, in fact, it’s something you really need to spend the time working on. Whether it be to add more exercise and a change in diet or to try some dietary supplements to help with you wellness, it’s a work in progress. I know that with a little tweaking on my current routine, I get can get back to healthy with a little work and dedication.

If you’re looking to try out probiotic supplements for yourself, I highly suggest you visit http://www.healthyhabitbuilder.com and join the Nature Made^® Healthy Habit Builder program where you can get motivation and tips around your specific health goals. Sometimes you just need a little visual or help and this site will give you a little inspiration and motivation.

If you’re interested in trying out Nature Made^® supplements for yourself or want to get more information, visit your local Walmart check out Nature Made^®. You can also enter for a chance to win one of 60 $50 Walmart Gift Cards until November 28, 2016 (No purchase necessary).

My journey of health and wellness and making it a priority in my life is on its way and even with the stress and humdrum of day to day, I am excited to see how my world will change. What about you? Are you with me?

Fitness September 22, 2016

Pain Relief On The Go With iTENS – Wearable Electrotherapy

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I have to admit, my husband and I have been using this unit from iTens for quite a few months, maybe 6 months or so… and I’m finally devoting some time to sit down and write about it. You see, pain is never something I enjoy writing about (who does, anyway?) so putting the effort into writing about something that makes me miserable (PAIN) is not a thing I enjoy doing. But, I really wanted to share this with you and my thoughts on the iTENS wearable electrotherapy tens unit device.

The iTENS unit retails for $99.00 and you can select between the Large Wings (pictured above) or the Small Wings. My husband and I opted for the Large Wings because it gives the maximum coverage for your pain sites and are designed to provide bigger coverage area of pain relief for the back, shoulder and other large treatment areas… all of which are locations that my husband and I experience tremendous and continuous pain.

The iTENS unit will give you up to 24 hours of use per charge for continuous pain relief and the gel pads that come with it are good for 10-12 applications. Each unit includes the following items:

iTENS Device with rechargeable lithium-ion battery (installed)
Large Wings with Laser printed silver conductive surface
Charging dock with USB charging cable
One set of reusable Gel Pads
Large Wing Span of 2.5″ x 6.5″

What makes the iTENS so unique is that it brings together wearable technology that meets digital health. This thin, lightweight and compact unit can be worn discreetly under your clothing and there are no wires to get in the way or get tangled with like a traditional tens unit. The fun part, is that the device can be easily controlled from the convenience of an app on your smart phone.

The state of the art APP and an energy efficient lithium-ion battery provide you with exceptional battery life for on the go and daily use while incorporating the advanced technology of TENS electronics. And, what we enjoy is that the tool and app actually help with managing your pain allowing you to have documentation at your finger tips for how long you used the unit, a way to track your pain results and where your pain is as well as where you applied your iTENS to your body. The settings for this device is so easy and you can easily apply different types of settings to your device based on your specific pain condition and location.

The iTENS is an FDA cleared, drug-free alternative for treatment of a variety of pain conditions. It’s shape is unique in that it allows for flexible and contoured fit around most joints and body parts. My husband and I especially enjoy that it fits perfectly on our back and in the curves where we need the pain relief. Like I mentioned previously, it’s very lightweight, thin and comfortable and you get medical grade strength without the prescription.

Now, I’m not sure if I mentioned before, but my husband and I own several tens unit devices as prescribed by our doctors. Between the two of us, we probably have 6 total (not included the iTENS) so we have definitely tried many on the market, both medical grade and over the counter. I love that the accessories to keep up with the iTENS and replacement is affordable. If you’ve ever had to buy replacement pads for a tens unit, you know that they can get costly and many times only last 2-3 times before the sticky is gone. The Peel-n-stick Gel pads for iTENS are available in all sizes for the iTENS device wings. The reusable gel pads are good for 10 applications (as I stated above) and each package contains 3 sets of these gel pads for just $6.99 – which is a good bargain considering you are getting 30+ uses in one gel pad refill box.

The iTENS offers muscle massage and muscle rehabilitation modes so you get the maximum in pain relief for joints and muscles as well as recovery after you have really stressed your muscles from sports, working out, etc. You also get a variety of accessories for your device so you can decide to get teh Long Strip Accessory which is designed for sciatic nerve, IT band, tendons and other long treatment areas or the small wing, all of which are interchangeable with the original device you have purchased.

iTens, tens unit, electrotherapy, electro therapy device, pain relief, tens therapy, review, android, iphone, — iTENS.com also offers a placement gallery to assist with areas to place your wings.

I realize I have given you an overwhelming amount of information, but I honestly don’t know where to begin or where to start. I’m absolutely enjoy my iTENS device and my husband and I love the convenience of all the options available to us. I especially enjoy that the Bluetooth app enables me to use this product without being stopped up by wires or a bulky base that can keep me from really relaxing and enjoying the massage it offers. Replacement pads and accessories are reasonably priced and offer my husband and I a range of products at our finger tips and most importantly, it works. After using different tens units over the years, I know that they work well and I enjoy the fact that this one may look discreet and small but it surely packs a punch. If my husband can get a good massage and pain relief from a device that’s so small and tiny, through his muscles and all – I know anyone could benefit from the iTENS.

Now, yes – I was sent this product for review consideration and yes, I realize that it could seem that my opinion is biased… but let’s be honest here, if you’ve been on my site for a while, you know I have no problem talking about whether or not a product worked for me, whether it was sent for review or not. I can honestly say I am enjoying this product and so is my husband and we have bought replacement pads twice already. It’s worth looking into if you experience chronic pain like we do. And, if you’re over those bulky tens units you have been prescribed, I highly suggest checking this out. The investment is reasonable and actually quite affordable considering the relief you’ll get in the long run.

You can get more information or purchase an iTENS unit at: http://itens.com/

Thanks iTENS for sending this over to my husband and I. We love it and look forward to picking up all of the accessories and more. You have customers for life here.

Disclaimer: As stated in the post, I was sent this unit for review consideration and feature. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Food & Recipes June 20, 2016

Zing Anything With the Original Citrus Zinger Infused Water Bottle

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I consume lemon water daily to help add flavor and refreshment into my drink as well as great detox power. I love it and since water is my jam, I’m always excited to see when different water bottles hit the market. Recently, my family and I were introduced to the Original Citrus Zinger and it has easily become a favorite product in our household. Today I share this product with you and maybe you can add a little ZING to your water.

The Citrus Zinger Infusion Set (SRP – $19.99) is available for purchase online and retailers nationwide. Created by Zing Anything, the leading provide of active water infusion bottles, this new line up is perfect for the health nut, runner or anyone that is looking to add some extra flavor and nutrients to their water with a twist. The Citrus Zinger joins the original citrus press with a BPA / EA – free bottle and comes with a handy dandy cucumber slicer and kiwi reamer to add new flavors to your water. These awesome tools squeeze and slice fruits directly into your water bottle to extract all the nutrients we love while infusing great flavor using it’s unique infusing methods.

No need to squeeze your lemon juice over your water only to throw away the peel and all the pulp and waste them. Slice up your cucumber right into the bottle and release all the delicious goodness of kiwi without the mess. Lemon, lime or clementines are easy to infuse into your water without any issues and mess. The included cucumber slicer, citrus press and kiwi press will provide you with fresh fruits while preserving their taste, aroma, hue, vitamins and minerals in your water. It’s easy, hydrating and this is a tool my family absolutely loves.

Using your Citrus Zinger is easy:

Start by thoroughly washing and drying your ingredients and Citrus Zinger before you start zinging.
Make sure the cap is tightly fastened before adding ingredients (the cap on the top of the bottle)
Turn the Citrus Zinger over (upside down) and unscrew the bottom cup, exposing the citrus press or cucumber slicer.
Slice the citrus fruit (lemon, lime, clementines) in half and twist half on the citrus press to release the juice.
Once fruit is juiced, leave it on the citrus press and screw the cup back on tightly.
Unscrew top cap and add water, iced tea, or another chilled beverage (that is how citrus zinger suggest making your drink – I like to put water into the bottle prior to zinging so that the water is evenly infused.
Re-screw cap tightly, shake well and enjoy!

A few notes:

After juicing, the fruit you use can be left in the cap or taken out. The longer the fruit is left to infuse, the stronger the flavor will be. I like to leave the fruit in for strong flavor and great nutrients.
Refills can be infused by the same fruit one or two times before the flavor begins to weaken.

I posted a few snippets the first time I used this unit on snapchat and you can view that here or in the embedded video above.

lemon water, infused water, zing anything, original citrus zinger, infusion accessories, natural, healthy, fruit water, infused water drink, cucumber slicer, lemon, citrus press, kiwi press, — Infused Lemon water

Tips on use:

The bottle itself is well made and sturdy, however the brand does have a few tips and cautions to keep in mind. Dropping your bottle can cause damage and the bottom cup must be twisted properly and tight to prevent leaks. You don’t want to use your zinger if it is damaged. Do not use your citrus zinger with hot liquids and do not microwave or freeze. Avoid excessive heat when consuming a mixture and discard your beverage after 12 hours if not refrigerated.

A few details and features:

The Citrus Zinger is a 28 oz bottle that uses health-safe materials – BPA/Ea free Eastman Tritan Plastic. Your citrus press is dishwasher safe and the unit is carbonated water friendly. The bottle comes with a wide mouth top to allow for easy filling and ice cubes to keep your drink chilled. You have a finger loop in your top cap to allow for easy carrying and this unit is designed in the USA. Citrus Zinger (Zinganything.com) offers a 1 Year manufacturer warranty on any mechanical defects.

My family and I have had some fun zinging cucumbers, lemons, limes and adding some organic honey, fresh herbs and cayenne pepper to our water to help refresh, detox and add great flavor to our drinks. If you are looking for a fun way to add some flavor to your water, I think you’ll enjoy this. With summer in full swing, it’s important to stay hydrated and this neat product can offer a lot of fun but is also practical. It’s easy to clean, sturdy and we really enjoy it. Using the Zinger really perks up your water and makes it easy to stay hydrated and healthy this season and every day of the year.

“When life gives you lemons – or kiwis, zing them!”

You can purchase the Original Citrus Zinger at: http://www.zinganything.com/product/citruszinger-gift-set and Target stores.

Have you heard of or tried the Citrus Zinger by Zing Anything before? If so, what do you think of it? If not, do you think this is something you could see adding to your lifestyle?

Disclaimer: The product mentioned and featured in this post was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Beauty June 6, 2016

High Retention Health Benefits With Aloe Water – Detox Water #drinkaloe

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As a child growing up in Hawaii, you could find Aloe Vera plants everywhere and anywhere you could think of, including our backyard. My dad used it to treat our burns and sunburn during the summer and other medicinal uses, but I had never heard about drinking aloe water until a few years ago, maybe because I didn’t pay attention to it much or it wasn’t told to me directly. With my sons in full sports mode for summer (we are finishing up basketball season and going into football season in about a month), we always try to ensure that we keep all of our boys fully hydrated and ready to play in the hot summer sun. Today, I share with you my thoughts and my son Kevin’s on Detox Water, a Bioactive Aloe Water.

Detox Water is a mother inspired drink created by Founder Kenneth Park. In his childhood days Kenneth’s mother had experienced serious digestive issues and no medication worked in trying to heal her ailments. A doctor she seen suggested trying aloe. By adding aloe water to her diet, she not only resolved her stomach problems, but she improved her immune response to the on-going stomach pains. After realizing the plethora of benefits she experienced from ingesting aloe, Ken’s mother shared her smoothies with the rest of the family. Each morning with breakfast she would serve her delicious aloe-filled smoothies, blended with fruits and yogurt to neutralize the plant’s naturally bitter taste.

Detox Water is actually the re-launch of the business that Kenneth started in his dorm room at Babson College. In 2012, he created Superleaf Organic Aloe Juice and sold cases on campus, while juggling classwork and business. While it was quite successful – Superleaf drink was similar in variation to existing aloe drinks on the market – which did not deliver all the potential health benefits of truly bioactive aloe vera. After going back to the grind and working everything out, Detox Water became what it is today.

“Detox Water was born in the spirit of my mom and is testament to a strong commitment to health I believe in aloe vera’s healing properties because it healed me, prepared me for every day. I created Detox Water to share my experience with you, help you heal from the inside out.” – Kenneth Park (Founder, Detox Water)

Detox Water is available in three different delicious flavors – Original, Pinamint and Mangaloe. Each bottle contains 350mg of ACTIValoe aloe gel flakes with no less than 10% aloe polysaccarides by dry weight. I know it’s a lot of technical talk – but basically, that means it’s comparable to drinking a shot of the most extensitively researched and clinically-proven pure aloe juice. Each bottle is filled with electrolytes and vitamins to help replenish and restore your body with electrolytes, vitamin c and a full range of vitamin b’s. What also makes this so wonderful is that Detox Water is made without the use of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. The aloe water is able to provide healthy hydration from the best of what nature has to offer. Detox Water is just 15 calories per serving and is rejuvenating, refreshing aloe water paired with organic and natural flavors. It’s literally something that helps to make you feel great and not guilty.

My entire family has been loving Detox Water – so much so that we have already repurchased a case for us to share. Each case retails for $45.00 (12 bottles). My son Kevin however, has been loving Detox Water as a way to re-hydrate after his basketball games. Most of the gyms here in Hawaii are old and many of them do not have air circulation through out. After an extensive game my son’s shirts are drenched in sweat and he’s beyond exhausted. Drinking Detox Water that has been chilled is a great way to hydrate and really just give his body back the nutrients he lost while running about the court.

“Detox Water tastes GREAT! The Mangaloe is my favorite but all of the flavors taste really good. After one sip I feel hydrated and refreshed. I love to drink a few sips of this during half-time to get my energy back and give me the extra electrolytes my body needs to recover from an intense game. I have never tried aloe water before, but you can’t taste any bitter flavor at all. It’s delicious and I really enjoy it.” – Kevin

As a mother, I try to instill proper care of your body and health to all of my children. We are all busy bodies in our household and by teaching my sons at a young age that caring for your well-being is important, I’m hoping it will continue on with them as they become adults and well into their life. I also suffer from ailments of health and have found after drinking Detox Water, it has improved my issues with my stomach, my IBS and other problems I have been experiencing. I’m not a doctor, but I do notice that things have improved with my health, and of course – my son noticed immediately after drinking his first Detox Water how his body felt rejuvenated.

I received Detox Water over a month ago and my family and I have really tested the products for a long period of time to see it’s benefits. I’m beyond impressed and as I stated before, we have already placed an order for replenishing our water. I have never tried anything like it before and I didn’t think it would taste as good as it did.

If you are interested in trying Detox Water for yourself and getting you a case – you can do so by checking out their website. You can opt to do a single purchase of a Detox Water case or sign up for their Delivery Subscription and get 20% off your orders. I haven’t found anywhere local that sells this water as of yet, so we have to order our case online. However, it’s worth it if you are looking for Immunity boosts and other benefits like skin health & anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory and heart health help. I have been really liking how it has helped my stomach, my blood pressure and my immune system.

Purchase your Detox Water at: https://www.detoxwater.com

Are you looking to add a little extra hydration to your summer? Have you heard of Aloe water before?

Disclaimer: My family and I were sent these products for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and we were not paid to provide our thoughts. Affiliate links are posted through out.

Anti-Aging May 31, 2016

Decrease Fine Lines and Wrinkles With Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Anti-Aging Serum

PRESS SAMPLE / AFFILIATE LINKS

When it comes to skin care, I have tried many different products available on the market – from highend to drugstore priced and everything in between. It seems like there is a serum on the market for any given purpose and made with ingredients both natural and chemical to help with anti-aging and keeping the look of youthful skin. While I have tried a variety of products, I have never tried anything with Truffles in the ingredient list so I was excited and intrigued to try this particular product out. The Skin & Co. Truffle Therapy Boosting Anti-Aging Serum, that is made in Italy, has been an interesting try the last month and today I share my thoughts on this product with all of you.

The Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Anti-Aging Serum (retailing for $70.00 1 fl.oz. / 30mL) is a formulated serum that utilized undiscovered properties of the Truffle. Now – immediately this serum intrigued me… because if you know anything about this foodie, it’s that black and white truffles, truffle oil and truffle salt are ingredients you can readily find in my food pantry – it’s something I love to add to my food when it calls for it. So, hearing that something I love the taste and aroma of – is a skin care ingredient… well, let’s just say I was sold almost immediately because of this. The Truffle Therapy Serum is infused with potent skin-renewing ingredients and carefully handcrafted in Umbria. This serum helps to restore skin with undetected radiance and you notice after a short time using the product that fine lines start fading, roughness is surrendered and you are left with silky smoothness. Immediately after using it you will see that your skin looks firmer and brighter, leaving you with a healthy, youthful looking complexion.

The Truffle Therapy Serum has a smooth, liquid-like texture… kind of reminding me of a liquid like lotion that’s slightly runny. It’s smooth and creamy, but applies nicely to the skin with a light cooling sensation. You only need apply a little amount and smooth the serum onto your face or neck after cleansing and/or exfoliating and before applying your moisturizer. This serum applies nicely but soaks into the skin quickly. I love adding this in my skin care routine in the morning especially, because it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth for the day.

After using this product for almost a month I noticed a difference in my skin’s texture and how it looked and felt. As many know who read my blog, my skin goes through changes as the season does and since we are transitioning from Spring to Summer here in Hawaii, my skin can freak out and go through a major Eczema flare up – resulting in dry skin that leaves me feeling like yuck. Incorporating this product has made such a huge difference how my skin feels and how fast it recovered from my flare ups. My skin is soft, hydrated and left looking vibrant and bright when it should look dull and be extremely dry. I also noticed the fine lines I am starting to see on my face are diminishing, looking softer and filled in – which is awesome. But, most importantly – my skin feeling smooth, looking plump and hydrated are probably what makes a huge difference for me.

If you are sensitive to scents and fragrance as I am, you do not have to worry about this product. I find that it has a light earthy scent, but is not extreme or overpowering. It’s a scent that is really nice and doesn’t linger once the product absorbs into the skin. I especially love that after the first use, I noticed how much my skin loved the product – leaving it feeling and looking dewy (not oily – but hydrated) and leaving my skin just feeling so supple and plump… I seriously wanted to bathe in the stuff. If you are looking for a product that feels luxurious, I honestly think this would be a great one to check out.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alochol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Tuber Melanosporum Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sucrose Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, P-Anisic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Citric Acid, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Coumarin, Linalool, Dextrin

What makes this product and their Skin & Co. skincare line so great is that there are NO Sulfates, Parabens, Mineral Oils or Phthalates. The truffles that go into the skin care line are harvested for Skin & Co. own farms in Umbria, Italy. Each product is carefully handcrafted and proudly made in Italy with great ingredients.

I’m not often lost for words, honestly – this post was a bit challenging to write. The fact of the matter is, I really enjoy this product and have been really loving the way it leaves my skin feeling and how nice it’s been working for me. I have tried so many products over the years, and this one really did impress me far more than I could have imagined. I freaked out a bit over the cost of the product and I’m not sure how long I can keep up with the price tag but when it comes to skin care, once my skin loves something, I try to spoil it as much as possible. I have my wishlist for next month and this product is definitely on it.

Have you heard of Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Serum before? If so, what are your thoughts on this product? If not, would you spend the price on this product knowing that it works for you and your skin? Get a full review live on my YouTube channel here. You can purchase this product on Amazon here as well as different locations online.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased and I was not paid to provide my thoughts on this product. Affiliate links are posted through out.

About Honeygirl's World

Honeygirl's World is a Lifestyle blog by Honey Kaho'ohanohano. Honey is a Maui girl, born and raised on the island of Maui with a background in Sales and Marketing, Resort Management and Motivational Speaking. This blog is a way for her to document her life's adventures while sharing her best tips and tricks for all things lifestyle, beauty and Hawaii. Learn more about Honey and the entire family that is featured here on the blog.

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