21st century cure or money making scheme?

Aromatherapy, using scented oils to alter a person's mind, mood, health or cognitive function, is a concept that began in Europe in the early 1900's.  Its since become an alternative form of medicine and is now wildly popular in the holistic medicine community.

21 Drops is a new company that has taken a so-called modern approach to the old school form of healing. The company offers 21 scented oils to ease a wide range of modern world symptoms such as PMS, overindulgence (fancy term for the unbearable hangover), distraction, cravings, and friskiness.  

Image from Wmagazine

To cure your situation at hand, you can use the oils one of two ways: you can open up the vial and take a deep breath or apply the oil directly to the skin. When inhaled, the aromatic molecules from the oil are then said to travel through your nasal cavity to the limbic system in your brain. When applied to the skin, the oils are said to dissolve into your bloodstream and then taken to your limbic system. The limbic system is the part of your brain which influences your endocrine and autonomic nervous systems.  The aromatic molecules from the oils are supposed to ease whatever symptoms your facing.

Photo from RealSimple

The 7.5 ml vial of oil does have a slightly hefty price tag of $28. But, compared to the price of some prescription alternatives, this could be a much less expensive attempt at relief.

If none of the 21 pre-blended oils seem to match your personal illness or issue, you always have the opportunity to create your own blend for the small (liar!) price of $415. Anyone have that type of pocket change to spend on oils? I sure as heck don't!


21 Drop's line of help for the modern gal certainly is intriguing, but I'm just not sure if I'm completely sold on their effects yet.


Tell me what you think: are essential oils a great alternative treatment of troublesome health issues or are they a waste of your hard earned cash? And if they are beneficial, are you willing to dish out that kind of dough for treatment?

Can you handle it?

Do you ever feel like there just aren't enough hours in your day? I'm guessing we've all felt that way at one time or another. That's how things for me have been lately. I know I've mentioned it before whew, its been a madhouse. 

Image from FitSugar

For those of you who share my busy day routine, checking out SELF magazine's Healthy Lunch Tips article may be helpful! This article give some guidelines for the best midday meals to help you prepare for afternoon adventures. Most women don't eat proper, filling meals and they wind up hungry a couple hours later. (No good!) Eating a substantial and nutritious meal can help fight off that pesky hungry stomach. You can check out there tips here.

With swim suit season (and spring break!!!!! :D ) sneaking up on us fast, I've noticed the gyms packed with girls getting their bikini bodies ready. Though I'm a huge gym enthusiast (group fitness especially), at home workouts can be a huge time saver. Especially those that target specific trouble areas. Widely hated 'Love Handles' seem to top the list of hardest to fix spots. While cardio is the best way to rid your body of extra midsection cushioning, toning specific muscles can always help. FitSugar's how to video gives us a couple variations of side plank to help reduce that unwanted padding. (double yay!!)



Check this video out to see if you can handle the moves that get rid of those pesky handles!

Workout rut? Fashion Fix :)

Image from FitSugar

Have you all ever hit a point in your workout/health goals where you are either bored with your routine or not seeing any results? I bet you have because I have! Sometimes you just feel like there is only so much you can do to make things different or to push yourself. FitSugar posted an article today (no surprise there haha) called "10 Fitness Tips to Help You Work Smarter and Get Results." It's got some really good ideas and ways to keep yourself going while changing up your routine enough to see results.

Sometimes we think we have to push ourselves harder and harder to see changes, but surprisingly you may need to slow down to see some results. Read through the tips to see how you may be overworking yourself or learn how to mix up your daily routines to get the results your looking for. You can check out the tips here!

You all know how much I love finding other fitness sites or blogs online. Somehow I stumbled across this site and it's pretty much amazing. MizzFit is blog about fitness (duh!) and fashion! What an amazing mix :) MizzFit follows all the latest trends in the workout world: classes, routines, products, gyms, events, services, wellness tips and of course, the latest in couture exercise style. The site is based out of New York, but works to promote fitness worldwide. 

Image from MizzFit

Ladies, if you love to workout with style, this site for you! Just read MizzFit's Manifesto:

Women who work out, fell sexy and radiate confidence.

Who embrace their inner jock and fashionista as one.

Who are proud to sweat and accessorize (a lot).

Who are determined, consistent and open-minded.

Who crave new challenges and know how to have fun.

Who love their bodies in and out of their workout clothes.

Who push hard, cheer loud and never give up on a dream.

Who inspire us to feel great and cherish who we are.

Here's to you for inspiring mizzFIT.com!

If this manifesto is calling to your inner workout wonder woman, check this site out here.  I know sometimes I load you all up with sites, but when I find something I love, I just have to share it with you! Even if I may not need, use or enjoy everything I find on a site, when something good comes along, it makes it worth checking the sites daily :)

Exhausted but ready for the week!

I never truly realized how exhausted I could become.

After a full day of class on Thursday, I drove 5 hours down to Atlanta, enjoyed a very late dinner with my group, woke up early Friday for the PRSSA Real World Atlanta Convention (which was amazing), gathered my things and drove back to Tennessee. I finally reentered my room after midnight on Friday. After my head hit the pillow, I wasn't awake until around 1 Saturday afternoon. Since then I have spent my weekend in a sleepy haze. Shew. Hard work can really wipe you out. Now it's back to my very detailed scheduled routine. :) And I'm surprisingly excited for it!

The Real World Atlanta Conference was amazing. I thought I knew a lot about PR and communication before I attended, and I was wrong! I discovered jobs that, even though I knew they existed, I never really thought about them and saw them as something I could do. Community events and tourism here I come! I think I have finally found a job that I would LOVE to do. :)

Image from Mizzfit

As I'm sure you all can guess, I did not visit the hotel fitness center as I planned. I seriously believe that they should consider long distance driving as exercise.  :D  It wears you out! I also think that walking trough downtown Atlanta in high heeled shoes is an excelled little workout. My calves were killing me by the end of the day.

Onto the exercise info you are all looking for! Has anyone ever heard of barre3? This latest workout craze combines Pilates, yoga, and ballet to create long, lean muscles. It's hugely popular among celebrities right now. (Madonna is one of the biggest fans of this fitness routine.)  The circuits work your entire body and are great for focusing on toning.

Vital Juice posted an article about the routine and included a video for an at home barre3 workout. This video shows a routine that can be done anywhere, at anytime. For a more intense workout, all you have you have to do is repeat the routine a couple times. You can check out the video here.

I'll be trying the video later today, and if anyone else tries it, let me know what you think!!

Atlanta Bound

Oh busy day! Today I have managed to be on the go since 7 a.m. Shew!  But, I was able to get all the paperwork started on becoming a substitute instructor at the gym :) I'll be able to put my new certification to use. (and get paid for something I do everyday anyway--yes!)


I've spent the remainder of my time in class and working on my mound of homework. Its strange, most of the time I actually enjoy homework and am ahead in my classes, but for some reason this semester, I seem to be letting myself get more overwhelmed than usual. I need to be sure to focus on my priorities and get all my assignments in order. (Repeat to self: I am a good student, I am a good student, I am a good student) I'm not failing at things, I'm just not okay with allowing myself to stress this much.

Photo from Top Atlanta Luxury

Fun is in the future though! Tomorrow afternoon I'm headed to Atlanta for a PRSSA Conference. I've been looking forward to the conference so much, and I get to go with friends. :) Though we won't be spending much time there, we're staying in the luxurious Ellis Hotel (yes, I will be pretending I'm a super rich professional). I absolutely love upscale hotels. Too bad we won't make it to the hotel in time for the complementary evening wine tasting (darn it!)  But I will be sure to take advantage of the hotel's other amenities: the fitness center.  Who knows what it will have to offer, but I can't wait to check it out.


Thinking about hotel fitness centers made me wonder, do you all work out when you're on a trip, either business or leisure? If you're only gone for a night, I understand skipping the gym, but what about when you're away from home longer? Or if you live the jet-set career life. How do you keep yourself in shape on the go?

I found an article on FitSugar called "5 Easy Exercises For Traveling Gals."I think I might have to print this out and bring it with me. These 5 moves are simple, but thats all you need when your away for one night. I've come to realize that exercise has become such an important part of my life, that I just don't feel good if I don't get even a small workout completed.

FitSugar also has another article about keeping up with your exercise routines when you're away from home. This one has some good tips and ideas to think about before you leave.

Yay for FitSugar for always providing me with the info I'm looking for :)

oh, college

As expected, the flood and bombardment of senior year courses have hit me all at once. (so annoying!) The free time I had only two weeks ago has become a memory and every moment of my day is now filled with some form of work. :( (boo!!!!)  It will take everything I have this week to manage my time wisely enough to fit in even a hopeful hour of exercise a day. This serious time crunch will force me to focus more strongly on my both my eating habits and my mental/inner health.

If I'm not careful to keep my stress level down and take a few minutes to breath, I know that I'll only work myself up to a crazy mess where I am unable to do any of my work well. It's more important to relax yourself and complete most of your work really well, then completing all of it terribly while your having a little freak out. (nobody wants to watch you freakout,  I promise)

Icon from Gain

Since I've not been able to hunt around for some super cool stuff to share, I thought I'd let you all know about one really helpful website I've been using lately. This website is still in the creation stage, so not all of the options are available yet, but what they have so far is really fun (I can't wait for the rest!!). Gain Fitness is a personal trainer tool that allows you to build a workout plan just for you. You set your own time constraints, fitness level, available equipment, workout location (home or gym,) goal and focus, then the site creates a routine. (yay! i love things that are just for me) 


The site also currently has a BMI calculator and body fat percentage tool available. In the future they will have weight chat, calorie burn and exercise equipment tools to use :).   The site also is showing that they will offer gain-plan, analyze, library and connect sections for users in the future.  I'm so excited!

FYI: Some of the workout options are hidden under 'tuning options' below your exercise time

The best part about this site is that it is free to join and you can constantly update and create workouts tailored just for you! Any exercise plan you love can be printed out, saved or emailed for use another time. This site really helps to offer you exercises you didn't know about or wouldn't think of using.  If your interested, you can check it out here.

I've gotta know, are you guys stressing out at much as I am, or have I dug myself into a little hole haha?

Overslept-----and Happy V-day!!!!!!

Well, so much for morning yoga. haha. As hard as I tried, I just couldn't get myself out of bed early enough to make it to class. Sleep was calling my name! I was up early, just not early enough. I am determined now to be awake in time for Wednesday's class. (we'll see how this goes)

Being up earlier than usual gave me time to catch up on some homework and browse the internet. And it seems that FitSugar was writing just for me today! Yesterday I talked about how I tend to slack off when Chris comes into town, and the first post on their site was titled "How to Maintain Your Routine Despite Your Social Life." They knew I needed this!!!! Lucky me :)

Todays entry posted 5 tips or guides to help balance yourself and your inner social butterfly. Each tip contains links to in depth entries that help you find ways to do it all.



Photo by Jessica Claire



The five tips, ideas, links, hints or guides (whatever you'd like to call 'em) are:

1. Date without breaking your healthy resolutions
2. How to avoid gaining weight when dating
3. Fitness date inspiration
4. Fun fitness-focused friend date ideas
5. Best places to get fit and flirty



If you seem to have trouble balancing it all (like I obviously do), check out the article here. This site definitly knows how to give readers realistic advice about problems most of us seem to be facing.

On another note, Happy Valentine's Day! Make sure you do something wonderful today, whether it be with that someone special, or something just for you. Pamper yourself today and splurge on something that makes your heart happy!

Back to Reality

As wonderful as it was to have Chris here with me this weekend,  holiday weekends like this aren't so wondeful for my exercise routine and meals. I spoiled myself eating and drinking whatever I felt like without working out! Shocking I know!! But now that he's gone :( it is time to start focusing on my healthy plans again.

To get myself back into my routines, I hit up my normal Zumba class and then did some other exercises with a friend. I made my way around the gym tonight using the stair machine, stationary bicycle, Arc trainer (that funky machine that is similar to an elliptical but provides results similar to jogging), rowing machine and the Nike Training app to work my abs. I have a feeling that I may seriously regret using the rowing machine tomorrow. Working out my arms and shoulders is something I don't do frequently enough.

I received an email this morning from the website Workout BOX that had ten tips for loosing belly blubber. I always love learning new tips and I hope you all do too because I'm going to continue loading you up with them. Here are the ten from Workout BOX:

1.  Clean up your diet - Eat fresh wholesome food
2.  Learn to cook - Control your fat, sugar and salt content
3.  Portion size - With a balance of protein, starchy carbohydrates, fruits & vegetables
4.  Get active - The more you move, the more calories you burn.
5.  Lift weights - More muscle means a higher metabolism, more calories burned and less body fat
6.  Peform the right exercises - Follow a structured training program suited to your goal
7.  Correct order of exercises - The most technical go first
8.  Get the intensity right - Work hard & break a sweat
9.  Get enough rest - Your body rebuilds & burns fat while you sleep
10.Chill out - Stress causes hormonal imbalances that may contribute to weight gain

Photo from ZestLife

Chilling out always seems to be the hardest thing on this list for me to do. With the 18 million things I always seem to have going on in my life, finding time to sit back and do something relaxing is really hard to do. In an effort to find some me time to clear my mind, I'm going to try to get myself up and to a yoga class tomorrow morning. I know you don't seem too stressed at 8 in the morning, but I'm hoping that starting my day off calm, streched out and at ease will set me up for feeling great for the rest of the day.  Now I must get some sleep to prepare for some early downward dog :)



V-day Weekend!!!

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. A visit for Valentine's Day from my wonderful boyfriend has taken me away from my computer for a bit. I was able to sneak some internet time in to update though :)

I've taken a lazy weekend pass and am lagging on my workouts and super healthy eating plan. Sometimes you have to splurge, especially when there is chocolate lol (guilty pleasure!!!).  I'm making sure to not skip on the workouts too much though, I'll be hitting up some group fitness later today and tomorrow afternoon. Group classes are the best for keeping me going. You can't slack off or cheat with 30 people surrounding you. They are also great for keeping you motivated; something about group classes push me to work even harder than usual. 

Tell me what you guys think: Do you enjoy group fitness classes or would you rather hit the gym alone?

Yay me!

So as I have done all morning, I will continue to share the wonderful news I received by email: I am now a certified primary aerobics instructor!! Yay me! :)  I'm so full of energy and excitement I'm about to burst. (okay maybe not burst, but you get the picture hehe) All of my hard work studying for the exam finally paid off. Now the journey of finding a class to teach will begin, and I can't wait.

In honor of being super excited and slightly full of myself at the moment, I thought I'd share another book that is all about YOU. Another important aspect of healthy living is you time and making sure your happy and healthy on the inside as well. Your only going to become as healthy as your willing to let yourself be. Taking time to focus and work on your mind and soul is equally as important as feeding yourself well and working out.

Jennifer "Gin" Sander's Wear More Cashmere: 151 Luxurious Ways to Pamper Your Inner Princess is the perfect book to conquer this task.  It is nothing but tips to make you love yourself even more. Here's a little peak at her book:

18Feet First:

Photo from Good Reads

A true princess would have many attendants to, um, attend to her. Not the lifestyle we usually get to live now, is it?  But there is a way you can spend at least one hour feeling very well attended to indeed. An hour in which you will feel petted and stroked, and you will even get to sit on a throne. Have you guessed? Yes, it is a pedicure. I'll take a pedicure over a manicure any day. It is far more indulgent, and the results last longer-- weeks and weeks for a pedicure, versus the mere days that you get out of even the best manicure before it starts to chip a bit. There you are, relaxed in your salon throne, the manicurist works away to transform your tired feet into elegant and well-cared-for objects. Close your eyes and enjoy the foot massage. I always offer to pay a tiny bit more for a longer foot massage. Such luxury for a scant $20. Not only do you end up with pretty feet, but you are so much more relaxed from the pampering and the effects of the foot massage on those sensitive parts of your feet. Truly a moment to savor.

I splurged this morning during all my excitement on an iced vanilla coffee. So yummy! I'll be sure to be good later. I'm working out with a friend which always helps to keep me going, motivation is key! The buddy system at the gym is always great for motivation. :)

Now, your mission for today: Go do something for you! And only you!

Happy Hour!

Photo from Indie Bound

I'm sure you've already figured out that I'm quite the reader. Books are one of my not-so-secret passions. I could spend days upon days locked inside of a library and never be bored. So it may come as no surprise that I am going to load you all up on my favorite books for the the mind, soul, body and tummy.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts that I received this past year was Lisa Lillien's Hungry Girl Happy Hour. Cocktails with your waistline in mind :) Perfect! This handy little cookbook has 75 recipes for all types of "guilt-free cocktails and party foods."   Guilt-free and cocktail in the same sentence is an automatic winner for me!

Photo from MyILive

This book has recipes such as the Cran-tastic Margarita, the Pink Drink, My Oh Mai Tai and Bella Bella Bellini.  Your parties are bound to be social event of the season with this book in your collection!

Soon I'll be gathering some of my new books for reading at the gym tonight. (I loaded up at the used book store this weekend :)  ) Reading on the stationary bicycle always makes the time pass so quickly. Then I'll hit up my kickboxing class and some Zumba if my legs can handle it.  Even if my legs can't make it I think I'll have to force myself to go. That class is way too much fun to miss!

Can't move

So last night I ventured to take a class at our campus gym called Guts, Butts, and Thighs. And while I try my best to attend 2-3 gym classes a day, they typically focus on arms, thighs, or stomachs, not my behind! Our instructor had us do two laps of lunges around the upstairs track. HOLY COW! Those lunges really do work! I can barely make it up and down the stairs today! It is definitely worth the pain though :) Summertime will be here before you know it!

Photo from I Green Spot

Look what I came across. Has anyone seen this before? This funky little chair is called the ErgoErgo.  This bouncy plastic tube supposedly strengthens your core as you sit and move around on it. The company claims that this recyclable indoor/outdoor plastic tube-chair helps the user improve their balance as well as toning their core muscles. Very unique to say the least. If anybody is venturesome enough to try this bad boy out, let me know!!!

more more more

Photo from Coquette

As I know you saw in my last post, I'm seriously obsessing over the book Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous. And to fuel my obsession I have just found the iphone app to accompany the book. yay!!!!  If you couldn't tell already, I'm a huge fan of apps. I can take all my info with me and not worry about loosing it or carrying around tons of books/paperwork :) (I seriously need to invest in an Ipad.)


Anyways, this app is a collection of information from the book and so much more. This app has 'cards' that cover almost any girly situation you can think of. All of the basics and necessities for the modern, health conscious chick are here. You flip though a deck of cards that give tips and tricks to help you make it through your social and professional blunders and keep you looking, feeling and acting your best. I'm in love!


After a warm snack of turkey chili (so yummy), I'm off to a night of meetings, step class,  Guts Butts & Thighs class and some homework. Looks like I'll be busy.

Book Club!

I have found my new wellness bible. Honestly, the best book ever :) Eat, Drink, and be Gorgeous: A Nutritionist's Guide to Living Well While Living It Up. A great guide for the modern woman!

LOVE IT! -Photo from LivingGorgeous

Written by registered certified dietitian-nutritionist Esther Blum, this book takes a real life, face the facts look at living a healthy life while having fun. With don't deprive your diet rules, hangover cures and alcohol tips, bedroom hints, workout ideas, and advice for womanly issues, this book has everything covered. It's honest, in your face and savvy. This book how now become my go-to guide for everything healthy and fun in life :) 

Here's a sneak peak at one of the book's passages:

Don't be a bump on a log-- keep a log instead!

If you've never really believed that food can affect your energy levels and mental acuity, try keeping a food log in which you record how you feel before and after each meal. For instance, how do you feel after eating two slices of pizza? How about after a large salad with protein? Or after a sandwich and a soda? Writing it down will help you eat mindfully and make the connections among food, mood, and energy levels.

Keeping it Real: The Food Log

Treat yourself to a sassy little notebook that is for your eyes only. Write down the following:

1. Track your hunger and fullness on a scale at the beginning and end of each meal.
2. Think about your emotions at the time you were eating and write them down.
3. Write down the day and times of your meals; this will enable you to keep track of how frequently you eat.  Also make sure to write down what foods you ate. Be as honest as you can; remember, it's just good information for yourself to give you a perspective on how certain foods help or hinder your energy levels.

Ladies,  I promise you'll love it.

Busy Busy Busy

This week has been beyond exhausting. With interviews, homework and quizzes,  I really didn't think I would survive (let alone find time to keep up with my healthy goals!). But somehow I managed it.  Tonight it's time to hit the gym, burn off some excess energy and study my butt off for my aerobics instructor certification class and exam tomorrow. (I'm sooooo nervous! ahh!) 


I just downloaded the Nike Training Club app for my iphone and I'm so excited to try it out tonight! The app is designed to help you transform yourself into whatever you want to be. It's filled with exercises and guided workouts to help you reach your goals.

With the app you can choose between four goals:

• Get Lean
• High interval cardio drills to slim down
• Get Toned
• Light weights and intervals to add definition
• Get Strong
• Increased weights and reps to build strength
• Get Focused
• 15-minute workouts to target specific areas

Photo from FiveFiveFabulous

Each section offers you a bunch of different workouts. You can pick a different goal and workout routine everyday.  AND the more workouts you complete, the more "minutes" you earn. Once you have collected specific amounts of minutes, you can unlock special features and workouts. I can't wait to unlock these :) I'm a total sucker for incentives.

FitSugar tip of the day:

• Rise and Shine (and sweat!)
• Research has shown that people who exercise in the morning keep their metabolism elevated for hours and thus get a jump on burning calories. Studies also show that people who start each day with a workout tend to stick with their programs longer.

New goal for me: TRY to wake up early to kickstart my metabolism :)  (yeah, we'll see how long that happens!)