The only other 2 things I like about winter is the FIRST and ONLY the first snowfall and the Winter Olympics, but that doesn't happen often enough. Seriously, what the hell winter? Sorry, but I think we need to break-up because I am exhausted. I am also concerned about your inability to make decisions. For example, last week all you brought was ice and this week, it's going to be 60 degrees. Maybe it's me and not you?
It is this time of year where I kind of start to lose my cool. I am done with winter and ready for spring. Done and done. I am tired of everything being a different shade of brown or grey and I cannot wait to go to work AND leave work while the sun is still shining. These are all the reasons why I think it is more me. I need a season of brown and grey. I need a season of cold and dark. I need this season to pause and recharge me for the rest of the seasons full of sun, shades of green and warmth.
Even though it is time for winter to be over, I need this season to quiet down, reflect, grow and come out of it a better version of me.
Nosh Two. Weekly Conversation.
Conversation 63: Top 5 in 5: Up Close and Personal Conversation with Anne Elizabeth
Each week, I put out my Weekly Wisdom Blog which includes my Top 5 Nutrition Noshes: Wisdom, Weekly Conversations, Week in Review, Workout Playlist of the Week and What I Love Right Now. At the end of each month, I want to get more up close and personal with you all on the other side of the airwaves. I will be recapping my crazy, delicious and random as hell adventures as well as having a conversation with you all on this side of the mic.
Connect and let me know what you think by emailing me or connecting with me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
Nosh Three. Week in Review.
Going with the theme of winter, I wanted to share with you another one of my winter woes, my skin. Is there anyone else out there struggling with winter crazy skin? My skin has been a little crazy as I entered my 40s. A new decade has brought a whole new onset of skin issues and if you don't know, I am a little particular about my skin.
In my teens and early 20s, it was acne. It my 30's it was acne and wrinkles. Now, it is all about wrinkles and being itchy. When in the world did I get so itchy? I never had a problem with rashes, eczema, dermatitis or anything like that when I was younger. I could use almost any makeup, lotion, bar of soap and had no problems.
It is a completely different story now.
Just this past year, I have had to change my 7-step skin care routine completely because I was not tolerating the products I had used for years. The more things I tried to put on my skin, the worse my skin got irritated. I pretty much had to go with these two products, along with my Dove Sensitive Soap. I use Cetaphil lotion all over and Aquaphor has turned into my fancy new lipgloss because my bottom lip was getting irritated. I have come to realize, I have got to slow my roll on products with a lot of chemicals and go with more naturally-derived ingredients. It really does fall right in line with my #lessstuffmorelife mantra.
This is going to be a challenge. I am a researcher and have been heading out into the interwebs to start finding solutions to my skin care needs as I transition out of some of the products I have used and loved for years. I have started with the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to get an idea of what is out there and I am cross referencing it with the beauty experts from a variety of publications. It will be sad to say goodbye to some of my favorite products, but I know my skin will be so much happier.
I am also trying to teach myself a little bit more about essential oils and how I can start incorporating them into my skin care routine. I am excited to give Iowa based Aura Cacia products a try. I have learned my poor hair has not only been suffering from hair loss because of 2 rounds of Accutane and a new onset of changes in hormones, but also from using shampoos with sulfates, which are found in A LOT of shampoos and cleansers. I am on the quests for a new shampoo and some head massages with Argan Oil mixed with Rosemary, Sage and Cedarwood essential oils. If you have any advice or knowledge to share with me on this new adventure, please reach out! I would love your expertise.
Ok, the other crazy thing I did this week was cut my hair. Why is this crazy? Well, I take comfort in having longer hair. It is easier for me to style (believe or not) and I also fall back on putting it up (which is bad because I do it all the time). I have this ridiculous idea I will someday have long, this luscious locks anddddd I never will. My poor hair has really suffered this past year. With my intentions being "Scared and Stunning" I made an appointment to get my hair cut. Then I vacillated with not cutting it, just getting a trim, maybe getting bangs...all the things I do to talk myself out of something when I am scared to do something. Saturday, I put my big girl panties on and marched into the salon and told Tracy to cut it off. She talked me through it to make sure it was what I wanted. 4-5 inches later and it was stunning. Cross my first "do it scared" item on the list.
This past winter, I also did something for myself. Back in the day, I would hit up the tanning bed during the winter for my Vitamin D high. I am a true believe in seasonal affect disorder and light therapy, totally helps. I also think we are mentally wired to think bronzed skin is healthier skin, happier skin. We think of summer, beaches and warm weather. After having melanoma, I stopped tanning immediately and was on the quest for the perfect sunless tanning lotion. I found one I liked, but I always wanted to get a customized spray tan. In the Des Moines area, there was only one place that continually got recommended and that was Bronze515. I have had 2 appointments this winter and it was just what I needed to beat the winter blues. The owner Leah, is top notch. She is personable and I was very comfortable getting in the buff for her to spray me. Not intimidating at all! I got the perfect color to go with my complexion and it lasted over 10 days. She uses the highest quality eco compliant DHA and I did not look like a carrot at all. And to make it even better, I received a discount for having skin cancer. How awesome is that? If you live in the 515 and you are in need a little winter pick me up, go see Leah and get your glow on.
Nosh Four. Workout Playlist of the Week.
My playlist this week are all winter, ice, snow and cold infused jams. This might be one of my favorite playlists so far this year. It got me up on a few icy days at 4 am baby! Find the playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.
Nosh Five. What I Love Right Now.
As I am embarking on this skin and hair care quest, of course I have to take a nutrition angle. Vegetables, fruit, protein are all key components in keeping your skin and hair healthy and I am working to increase all three in my day. Part of increasing my protein intake is through Collagen Peptides from MOCU Health*. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and provides the building blocks (amino acids) or structure to our skin, hair, nails, joints and tendons. There are many claims of collagen powders: reducing wrinkles, glowing skin, growing hair and nails but unfortunately, there is not a lot of science or research backing up those claims. However there is some research on arthritis and gut integrity showing some great promise. I am going to give it a whirl for 3 months and taking 20 grams a day to see what I notice. If nothing else, I will get some additional protein. I mix this flavorless powder into my smoothie and tea/coffee each day at two different times for maximum absorption. MOCU even has Collagen drinks like Blueberry Lemonade and Pinneaple Greens, which I just ordered and I am excited to try. If you would like to try this along with me, it is currently on sale as well as a special discount code of ANNE20 and you can receive 20% of your order (order more things too, their products are great).
Maybe we will all have supermodel hair in 3 months?
~AE
*MOCUHealth did not sponsor this post but did provide products for me to review. I do not receive an money associate with this affiliate link or discount code. In other words, I really love their products and am grateful they send me some to try every now and then.
**No other products or businesses listed in my blog have compensated me in anyway. I just want to share everything I say #hellyeah to!
I like winter mainly because of the cold weather. I prefer cold than the scorching heat of the summer. XD
ReplyDeleteBut also, it's at this time of the year where my skin can get really sensitive and I have to up my skin care routine. I love and hate it at the same time.