We had such great weather this week. Lots of sunshine, warm temps, and stroller walking!
Like my new hat?!? Thomas and I took an impromptu trip to Mezeh for dinner on Monday night. I was craving the caramelized eggplant hard! We popped into Mincers next door to buy some UVA things. Thomas went a little crazy. He is still glowing from the big win.
Breakfast Burrito
I started the day with a bacon, egg, and cheese burrito that I made with leftovers from Sunday breakfast. This was a nice change from the ushe!
First Time In The Bob Stroller
B and I went for several walks this week, and I tried my first stroller run with him. He immediately fell asleep, so I’d say he found it very relaxing : ) Running with B is a lot easier than running with Mazen. I think I last ran with him when he was about 3.5 and a lot heavier! But it was still not easy. One great thing about stroller running is the ability to bring a water bottle and your phone.
Salmon Salad
I made salmon salad for lunch with a packet of wild salmon plus carrots, celery, capers, relish, mayo, mustard, curry powder, and a little sour cream (which is why it’s so runny!) Served with pita chips for dipping and grapes.
Great Harvest Goodies
One of our walks led us down to Great Harvest where I picked up a bunch of goodies! Iced raisin bread, Cville Cluster granola, a scuffin, a muffin, a salted caramel cookie (SO GOOD!) and some biscotti. Once home, I made a carb-free lunch so I could have my carbs for dessert!
Salad + BBQ that Thomas brought home!
Dessert was delish…
I had that iced raisin bread for breakfast the next day along with an egg and berries. The icing came on the side and you drizzle it on as you eat it. (Mazen loved this!)
Mazen: Artist, Athlete, Trickster
Quote from Mazen: “It’s so cool that the Easter Bunny knew I was an artist!” These washable brush pens from his Easter basket are great! Also these fill-in-the-blank thank you notes have already been used to thank our neighbor for some chocolates she brought over for Mazen.
Our neighbors across the street just put up a slack line that is all the rage for the kids. I’ve said it before, but we are so lucky to have so many kids in all the houses around us! M and I went over after dinner one night to check it out.
Workouts
Those kids play “secret base” in my house all the time, and they run in and out hiding things. Like when I found these three spiders next to my weights the next day.
My workouts this week:
Mon: Outdoor run while babysitter was here (~3.25 miles)
Tues: Bob walk/run to Great Harvest and the greenway (~3.5 miles)
Wed: Started new iFit program in Portugal! Run + walking cool down. (~3.7 miles)
Thurs: Aaptiv weight training + power walk on treadmill
The Big Yellow Bus
Birch loves to sit on the porch and watch the cars and trucks. (Seriously, if you turn his head in his spins around so he can see what’s going by). It’s extra fun when the big yellow bus goes by! (Actually our bus stop is a block away and I have to walk to meet it, but on days that Matt gets Mazen we greet him on the porch before they go home. It would be SO convenient if the bus stopped in front of our house. If Birch is napping I have to ask the neighbors to walk Mazen up the block for me because I can’t leave.)
Plenty Dinners
I got two entrees this week. First, grilled salmon kebobs with pineapple, mango salsa and coconut rice. LOVED this and had it as leftovers for two lunches!
And chicken fajitas! (With more peach salsa.)
Kid Food
Mazen had his salmon kebobs outside as a picnic. It was one of those perfect days and this was his request. Shortly after a bunny with a picnic basket of plastic food join him!
Birch’s food of the week was carrots!!
Beautycounter Update: Before + After
I did a little update on Beautycounter in my Stories this week. I didn’t even realize how much more even and glowy my skin was until I put these two photos side by side.
Left side is April 12 and right side is April 24. Just under two weeks. This was taken first thing in the morning. Nothing on my face (except last night’s night cream!) and no edits or filters. So far I am REALLY happy with the results!
What I’ve been using at night:
- Cleansing balm
- Overnight Resurfacing Peel
- No. 1 Brightening Oil I’ve also been using the Brightening Mist in the mornings)
- Countermatch Sleeping Cream (I’ve been using the whole Countermatch line in the morning too.)
I think the Overnight Resurfacing Peel + Brightening Oil are the ones making the biggest difference, as both are designed to brighten, even skin tone, reduce fine lines, and make you glow. I plan to do a more detailed post about all of this, including my morning + night routines, soon!
Hope you guys have a GREAT weekend!! My parents are coming, and we are excited!!
Wow, your skin looks great! What a difference in just a short amount of time! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Shouldn’t it be ok to have carbs both during your meal and for dessert?
Of course! I didn’t say it wasn’t and you’ll find plenty of meals where I do. But this day I mindfully chose to split my meal that way and was simply pointing out that decision for those who often ask for more “why” behind portions or meals.
I can’t even begin to thank you for introducing me to Aaptiv. I’ve been using it regularly for ten weeks now. The auditory nature of the training just works for me. Thank you!!!!!
10 weeks is amazing!! It makes SUCH a difference to have someone telling you what to do doesn’t it!?
Thank you!!! It really does make a difference having someone tell you what to do!
I also have Beach Body On Demand at home but will often quit early. Aaptiv just feels more personal. And I will absolutely “high five” my trainer while I am at the gym even if no one is actually on the receiving end of my five. I guess that means I am “working out like no one is watching”? 🙂
Stopped in Great Harvest on one of my trips to Charlottesville a couple of years ago. I picked up a couple of the Salted Caramel cookie. I think it was one of the best cookies I’ve ever eaten. And I’ve eaten a lot of cookies.
🙂
Do you think the big change in your skin may not be from Beautycounter but because your before was taken near the time when you were at the beach after lots of sun, sand, dry air, drinks? Which may have contributed to the uneven color and drier skin which made it look less smooth?
Not doubting Beautycounter products but wanting to think about the full scenario of the before picture.
Well I don’t live in a vacuum so it’s possible. I did see lots of sun, but the sand didn’t touch my face, the air was actually very humid not dry, and I didn’t really over drink. Plus I had been home for a week when I took the pics. (Had it been the day after my flights – more likely the above.) You can see another before pic here – the light is so bright and my forehead spots are really clear there. I rarely take pics of my face without ANY makeup on, so it’s hard to find other before pics. (I actually did have some on in the Birch pic but I don’t think I put on any foundation that day.)
It would be more helpful to see an authentic side-by-side with the same expression. On the left, her expression with her mouth brings up the area around the eye, showing some lines, where the pic on the right does not. I have used some Beautycounter in the past and while I like some of the products okay, they don’t erase crows feet in a week. (Only my buddy Botox does that 🙂
I don’t think the crows feet are what the before and after shows! It’s more about even skin tone and a better complexion.
Longtime reader, although I don’t think I’ve ever posted. Just FYI that there have been some safety issues with the BOB stroller, particularly when people are jogging with them. We happen to have the stroller in one of the “effected” years and are now debating about what to do with it since we have our second baby due this summer. https://www.mother.ly/news/bob-stroller-safety-what-parents-need-to-know
Thanks for sharing this. Another reader did too. It sounds like we just need to double check the front wheel attachment to ensure it’s super tight and secure but there’s not anything actually broken. Am I understanding that right? Mine does fall in those years.
If you do a google search there have been some other recent news articles. I think it just depends on your comfort level with it as it seems like it maybe should have been recalled, but it wasn’t … we haven’t quite decided yet what we’ll do 🙂
I think our stroller falls under one of the years but we’re not too worried about it. All you have to do is make sure the front wheel mechanism is secure. If you make it too loose, it could let the tire go. As long as you tighten it well and have a hard time pushing the metal lever in to lock it, you should be fine.
I think your skin looks great. I need to place an order for beautycounter to see if I happen to get similar results. Do you still have a pretty close relationship with the owners of Great Harvest? Do you ever miss still owning the bakery or was that a part of your life that you were/are glad to have moved on from??
Thanks! I bet you will. And, we are very friendly but I wouldn’t say “close.” I’m happy that chapter of my life is over 🙂
I need to try taking the bob for a running spin but man it’s already so hot here I’m glad we got the treadmill because it could honestly be a while till I get outside for an outdoor run! Love the recap of your workouts! Would love to hear any Aaptiv strength training workouts you try that you like!