Melting Basket 97

Wax tarts from my last basket I would seek out again: TBG Gardenia Coconut Cream and Pink Sands, CFTKR Sun Kissed Sugarcane, and RG Peppermint/Shaving Cream/Gilligan's Brew (I think this will be either in the Gilligan sampler or offered on its own soon, I recently got to pick its name and chose Winter Mermaid).

Ten Digit Creations- Patchouli Mint

Ten Digit Creations- This Old House

Super Tarts- Dwarf Warrior

Handmade in Florida- Summer Smoothie

Handmade in Florida- The Garden

Vintage Chic Scents- Bogie & Bacall

Vintage Chic Scents- Rose's Powder Room

Lasting Scent Candles- Bliss

Cosmic Cleanse- Fell on Black Days

Cosmic Cleanse- Set Fire to the Rain

Rosegirls- Game Over <3 gift

Rosegirls- 2500 Calories <3 gift

Rosegirls- Triple Berry Jelly Donut <3 gift

Sniff My Tarts- Sandalwood

Sniff My Tarts- Indian Sandalwood

Sniff My Tarts- Buttercream Sprinkles/Sugared Violets

Sniff My Tarts- Strawberry/Vanilla Waffle Cone/Cream Cheese Frosting <3 gift

Sniff My Tarts- Pizzelle/Blackberry and Marshmallow Smoothie <3 gift

Sniff My Tarts- Mango Sorbet/Coconut Cream Pie/Vanilla Waffle Cone <3 gift

Front Porch- Egyptian Musk <3 gift

If you want me to review any of these scents, please let me know which ones in the comments!

 I help take care of our home, our kids, my husband, our pets, my plants and heck, even the kefir grains full of wee yeasties and bacterium on the kitchen counter. But I know I have not been taking care of myself. This is a cycle I often fall into throughout my adulthood. I will be revved up for positive change and eat better, become more active, shed weight and feel amazing, asking myself, "why haven't I been doing this all along?!" Running along a well paved road with my heart hammering and a goofy grin on my face, both literally and figuratively. Then all of a sudden I am not on that track. My eyes blink briefly and find my feet slugging in the mire and tripping in the fiery weeds, not giving a damn what I eat or how long I have lain in bed watching endless TV. The weight is back and then some. The energy is gone. The self-esteem, shot. 

Guys. I am in the mire. Big time. I can blame it on any number of things, including myself first and foremost. But I am trying to step back onto that road. Monday, the first real day of summer break, I began a new routine to try and check myself. I am journaling my food and counting calories and cutting out extraneous sugars and overly processed foods. I am working out again. (Oh God! My butt and thighs hurt.) As an educated woman, I know what to do. The equation is easy but much like following the Ten Commandments or putting others first, the execution can be challenging. But like those other things too, the outcomes and peace of mind (heart and body) are well worth it, if the battle is waged. I am trying to be battle ready.

Some tools I am using:

Food Freedom Forever: Letting Go of Bad Habits, Guilt and Anxiety Around Food by Melissa Hartwig

The Whole 30 by the Hartwigs

I have not read either book yet, but I figure it cannot hurt and maybe I will learn a few things that I can put into action.

Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30

Walking

Water

Pokemon journal for food tracking

Herbal teas (not weight loss teas just so we are clear! Just regular teas as a sort of treat to look forward to)

This is a simple plan and I know it will work for me, as I have lost weight just by tracking my food and working out before (just she says! HA!) but my point is that I know I can do it. I just need more tools to help me catch my backslides more quickly.  I feel like if I can learn what my triggers are and how to deal with them then I might make it. 

And just for transparency and clarity, I am not looking to lose just a handful of pounds. I have quite a load to lift off my burdened body. But the first step in the right direction has taken place.... the step to decide to do it. 

Sandra at Finger Candy is on a journey to better health too, you can read her story here. Do you have goals for better health? How are you accomplishing them? Have you tried the Whole 30 or any type of low carb/clean eating/paleo or whatever lifestyle eating plan? What helps you through the temptations?

Puur Body Tonic: Vegan Deodorant in Morocco

Vegan deodorant... yep. Let me preface this review by saying that since I have had children, I seriously perspire. If I have a white shirt that I adore, I have to wear it sparingly if I want it to last a few years without getting stained. Gross I know. But those are the breaks. I will take sweaty pits and my lovely babies any day. I also gave them my bladder strength and luscious locks and firm... well... I will stop there. As a result, a have to wear heavy duty deodorant, think clinical strength. Regular 'ol Sure was not cutting it any longer. All of this to say I was highly skeptical of this product, but ever the adventurer, I gave it a go.

I am glad I read up on The Soap Box Company's site about this product or I might  not have been able to stick with it. Here is what the site has to say:



This natural deodorant is not only Vegan, but it's baking soda and aluminum free formula is kind to the environment and your skin.

How it works: Unlike commercial antiperspirants, natural deodorants do not prevent you from sweating; rather, they form a barrier on the skin which gently absorbs moisture and odor.
To Use: Gently apply a VERY thin layer; only a little is needed. Allow to dry before dressing. If you accidentally over apply and it feels "wet", gently rub it in. If your body is used to commercial antiperspirants, you may sweat more than usual when you stop using them. This may take a few days to a few weeks to normalize.
NOTE: During the adjustment period, you may need to reapply your natural deodorant throughout the day to avoid body odor. Please realize that this is normal, your body is adjusting to the lack of chemicals, and it doesn't mean the formula isn't working.
Ingredients: Castor oil, Candelilia wax, Soy wax, hemp butter, shea butter, kaolin clay, arrowroot powder, fragrance.

I started using on Saturday. It feels like you are rubbing lip balm in your arm pits. I never really got the "drying" sensation and I don't really have time to stand with my arms out waiting for that to happen in my morning routine. The girls  and cat have urgent needs I must fulfill first thing upon the sunrise. The first 4 to 5 days were an adjustment period. If I felt yucky I would re apply. This seemed to help. At day 5 I did give it a little test as I was ironing, basting and getting ready to quilt a quilt. It wasn't too bad. I did not gag anyone in my general vicinity (and let me tell you if anyone will let you know that you stink it is a 5 year old). I did notice that the perspiring did decrease as I used it. I did not have that "fresh from the shower" under arm smell that standard deodorant imparts but I still smelt nice. Like warm skin. The Moroccan scent did not leave me redolent of a Marrakech market overflowing with spices. It was just a sweet innocuous scent. I am continuing to use this and am considering ordering more. They have very generous sample sizes (which is what this is- 15 times more product than a Chapstick) for $3.75.

The Soap Box Company is having a sale ONLY TODAY, the 4th of July. Enter the code FIREWORKS to get $5 off of a $25 purchase. Sweet deal! Happy Independence Day, hope it is full of motley sparkling skies, flavorful food, summer night scents, and loving family.

*Link provided for convenience only*