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COVID19 Survival - No Waste Plan

COVID19 Survival - No Waste Plan

So after my last post..or a past post rather,  I am not sure where we are now...Answering some questions about how we are managing our No (food) Waste Plan. 

I'll share below what we are doing and it's honestly not a lot just being more aware and intentional.  A few things that pushed me to this decision, firstly our demands as a society have dramatically increased.  Hoarding aside, we are ALL consuming a significant amount more than our norm and our supply chain was not prepared to service this immediate influx of purchasing.  Secondly, being more aware of waste.  Like most people, a lot of stuff ends up in the garbage at our house.  Even stuff we purchased and never even touched.  RIP broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers...the usual suspects.  Lastly,  we are trying to purchase less more frequently and meal plan accordingly. 

As I mentioned, we are not doing extravagant meals and I really cringe every time I see someone making meals with 5, 6, 7+ menu items.  Not judging, but we just need to be more aware right now. 

So back to our strategy, we shoot for 2 maybe 3 items.  Supplementing with vitamins and some random veggie and protein powders I found in the pantry.  It's a good time to get through those things "you had to have" that have been collecting dust in your pantry.  I know I have several.  And if a refrigerator could collect dust..well, there might be a few dusty things in there as well!

I am not really "meal planning" in the true form, but rather thinking about two meals I can make with whatever I am cooking.  Note, this is mainly in reference to dinner.  We are eating breakfast and lunch at home as well but those are easy meals.  Cereal and half bagel, breakfast tacos, eggs & fruit are some of our typical breakfasts.  Sandwich or salad and fruit or chips typically for lunch.  

Back to dinner, which seems to always be the most difficult meal of the day.  Not sure why, but it is for me at least.  The second thing I have done, first being to limit the number of items I prepare, is minimize our portions.  I don't love leftovers.  So either I try to plan to cook only what I think  we will actually consume or plan for the next meal with the leftovers.  For me, the leftovers need to transform into something that looks completely different to be appetizing.

So for example, we cooked a roast one night.  Actually, it was a mystery meat.  The packaging with the label came off in transport and I was not sure what it was until it thawed.  It was actually a brisket but I tossed it in the crockpot anyway and prayed for the best.  I made our favorite 5 minute Kroger potatoes and that was our meal.  It was simple, easy, and delicious.  

The next night it was supposed to be a bit colder in Dallas.  So I chopped up the rest of the meat, threw in the leftover potatoes, added some carrots and we had stew the next night.  Again, I'm not planning a week at a time, rather just thinking "if I have leftovers what can I do with this". Checking the stock and status in my pantry, of my fresh items, veggies, breads, etc and planning meals accordingly.  Focusing on what needs to be cooked before it goes to waste.

It seems to be working fairly well for us but again, we are only two people.  It's much easier for me to plan for the two of us than it will be for someone planning for a large family with some picky eaters.

My last bit of advice, take it easy on yourself.  We don't all have to be Barefoot Contessa right now.  Make your meals and if one night is pj's and pancakes night, so what.  Your kids will probably love that night the most.  You might not be getting all of your suggested daily fruits and veggies, most people aren't.  That's ok right now too. We are all doing the best we can under the circumstances.

Remember, We are one day closer, friends.  We are one day closer to this all being over!

6' Cyber Hugs from Me to you!

 

 

Go “Tinkle”

Go “Tinkle”
Giving “Go Tinkle” a new meaning!!


So here’s the scoop on shaving your face. Have you noticed men typically have nice, youthful looking skin (turds)!? In reality, it makes sense. 


A. They don’t use makeup and other pore clogging products EVERY.SINGLE.DAY
B. They don't go to sleep with said products on their face.. Ahemmmm!
C. They SHAVE

So, basically #itsscience

But seriously, I'm a believer there is something to shaving your face.  It is essentially DIY dermaplaning. Removing that bothersome face fuzz and dead skin. Leaving your skin silky soft and smooth.  Also creating a much smoother surface for your products to do their work,

If you are still skeptical, try professional dermaplaning first.  When I had it done it was very inexpensive $15 add-on to a facial and I loved the results.  I just don't have the time to go have it done as frequently as I would like.

Face waxing is also an option; however I was highly disappointed in this option.  It cost me around $75, it wasn't overly pleasant, and it didn't work.  I came home to discover my face was still super fuzzy.

So I opted for Tinkle razors.  These are amazing little tools.  You can find them in drugstores and on Amazon (of course). They are small, easy to use and to maneuver over your face.  Just don't get too confident and accidentally take off the top portion of your eyebrow like I may have done.  Also, take caution, although they are much smaller and not as sharp as a normal razor they will cut you.  So be sure to take your time and be careful.

So you have questions.  I get it, girl.  I did too.  So I will do my best to answer them for you per my experience.

Q: How often do you need to do it?
A:  I am assuming this will be different for everyone depending on how quickly your hair grows, the color, and your desired results.  I do it once a week. 

Q:  Does it hurt?
AIt does not hurt.  It's the same as shaving your legs with the same silky skin feeling afterwards.

Q:  How long do the razors last?
A:  I honestly don't know.  I haven't really paid attention but like any razor, I think you will know when it's time to grab a new one.  

Q:  Do you get razor burn?
A:  I experienced a few patches of irritated skin when I first started.  Nothing unbearable and it was only noticeable to the touch not visibly obvious.  This went away after a few times.

Q:  Do you use shaving cream?
A:  I do not.  I wet my face and apply a tiny amount of my face wash making a lather.  I continue to wet my face as I go through the process.  I would not recommend using on a dry face and I do not feel shaving cream is necessary. 

Q:  Do you just shave your jawline and lip areas?
A:  I actually shave my whole face, and under chin (what exactly is the name of that area?).  It's great to touch up eyebrows, just don't get too close and the hairline gets tricky.  But I do my whole face. I can always post a video on this if that would be more helpful. 

Q:  Do you grow a man beard?
A:  This one makes me laugh out loud, but only because I had the same concern. My answer is No and  also, kinda Yes.  NO, you will not grow a man beard with a slight disclaimer that we are all different.  If you have rapid, dark hair growth you may see different results.  I felt like I "noticed" more hair on my face.  But I highlight noticed because was it just because now I was looking for it or because now instead of laying flush with my skin it's growing outward?  So, NO, you will not grow a beard but YES, you will notice the hair more than you did before.

After continuing my routine for a few months now I actually feel like there is less hair on my face.  And let's face it ladies, it would be really nice to remove those elusive chin hairs before they reach the one inch mark and attract attention. 

So that's pretty much it.  I have added it to my Monday routine which I would be happy to run through and show you all what I do.  Don't be afraid to give it a shot.  I think you will really enjoy the results.

Until our next life-hack discovery!

-Amy

 

Mondays are for ME!

Mondays are for ME!

I'll admit, I'm bad at "Self-Care".  I don't get caught up in the spin and I really don't make time for it.  HOWEVER, I've come to accept that it really is important and if we don't take care of ourselves we perpetuate a downward spiral of negativity. 

I get it.

I have also accepted, it really looks different for everyone.  Your version of self-care doesn't have to look like mine and visa-versa.

About six or so weeks ago I decided Mondays (and really only Monday morning) are for ME.  Monday the store is closed.  I don't have to rush to be anywhere.  I can take a moment for ME.

Backing up a bit I'll tell you honestly, this girl was unkept.  My hair was dry.  My skin was dry and troublesome.  My legs were never shaved.  My gym membership unused (still this, but hey we can't expect perfection overnight!).  On and on in the "lack of attention to oneself" department.

With the opening of a new store and taking on that challenge, to learning how to juggle and tackle this new version of life I decided this...

Mondays are for ME.

  • For me to shave my legs.
  • And my face.  Yes, I said that.
  • Do my face mask.
  • My hair mask.
  • Bleach my teeth.

As a multi-tasker by nature, I sit here typing this blog in my robe with my hair and face soaking in mask.  But we do what we have to do and again, my version doesn't have to be the same as anyone else's.  At least I am knocking out the five things I promised myself I would do EVERY WEEK.

NOW, I'll tell you, this morning, this VERY MORNING.  I said to myself, "Just get dressed and run down to the store and knock out.....you can do your Monday routine later."

But then...

I said to myself, "Get your butt in the shower and start your Monday routine."

The discipline we apply to taking care of ourselves, in whatever form that looks like, is just as important as the actual events. Pause, and read that again.

It also made me reflect on a rant or gripe if you will, that I see every darn day in Women's groups I'm involved in.  Ladies constantly venting about people not supporting them.  Not taking them seriously.  

Stop and ask yourself this, are you supporting yourself?  Are you taking yourself seriously?  Or are you a hamster on a wheel running as fast as you can to do and please and, and, and.

You can't ask people to do for you what you are showing them is not even important for you to do for yourself.  I get it, you're busy.  We are all busy.  But let me tell you this, in the last call it six weeks I have done my 5-step promise above.  It takes about one hour.  

ONE HOUR.

Over the course of SIX WEEKS I have taken SIX HOURS for me.  Six hours.  That's not even a full work day.

You have time.

Start with something small.  It doesn't have to be extravagant or expensive.  Start with solving some pain points in your life.  That's where I looked first.  The things that bothered me about me. I already had all of the necessary products and resources to solve the issues, I just wasn't utilizing them.  I wasn't making time. Once you have your routine down, add another layer.

Until next week...

-Amy

 

Updated to post the links to products I use and love.

1. Shave my legs.  Link below for the Billie razor.  It really is worth all of the hype.  You don't even need shaving cream.  Well, at least I don't, but again we are all different so you be the judge. 

https://mybillie.com/products/razor-starter-kit

2.  Shave my face.  Yep, do it, you won't be sorry. Just be careful around the brows.  I will tell you from experience growing back brows takes about as long as growing back bangs.  

https://www.amazon.com/Tinkle-Eyebrow-Razor-Pack-6/dp/B014HNOXZS

3.  Face Mask.  I actually love two products. In the shower, prior to shaving my face and applying my charcoal mask I use a R&F microderm paste.  It's awesome. Followed up with the charcoal mask after my clean shave.

https://www.rodanandfields.com/shop/micro-dermabrasion-paste/p/ENPS125

https://revisionskincare.com/products/black-mask-purifying-facial-mask-for-a-smooth-polished-complexion

4.  Hair Mask.

https://us.davines.com/products/oi-butter

5.  Bleaching my teeth.  I use my invisalign night guards and bleach below for 30 minutes.

https://www.amazon.com/Ultradent-Opalescence-Mint-Refill-5400/dp/B00065XXPI

 

Steps:

So probably goes without saying, I shave my legs and do the R&F Microderm Paste in the shower.  When I get out of the shower I apply my hair mask and put it back in my towel turban then shave my face and apply the black mask.  I then put in my bleaching trays and set the timer for 30 minutes.  I jump back in the shower when the time is up to rinse my hair and wash off the mask. It's just easier for me, but whatever works for you!