April 27, 2018 Leave a Comment

The 20 Best Weight Loss Foods To Always Have on Hand

Have you ever got the bill for an item or service you purchased and had no idea it was going to cost that much? Your eyebrows raise as your stomach sinks and you think, “Crap, how did that happen?” That’s exactly how I felt when I realized that I’d gained 60+ pounds with my third child. Whoops. How in the heck did that happen? Wait, I know exactly how it happened…too many cookies and junk food.

If you’ve joined my private Kylee’s Korner Weight Loss group (Ask to join! It’s a group of positive women who cheer each other on and it’s really awesome!), you’ll know I’m on a journey to shake some excess weight and the first step is to make some changes in what I’ve been eating. Sayonara cookies…here are the 20 best weight loss foods that I’m keeping stocked up on to fuel some serious weight loss.

The 20 Best Weight Loss Foods To Always Have on Hand

In alphabetical order, here are the most powerful foods to sizzle fat and boost metabolism!

1. Raw Almonds

If you are a crunchy snacker like I am, switch out your chips and crackers for raw almonds. They have a delicious, satisfying crunch and are a great source of mono and poly fats (the good kinds!). A 1/4 cup serving contains 160 calories, 4 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein with added benefits of calcium, folic acid, and iron.

2. Whole Apple

That old saying An apple a day keeps the doctor away continues to be on point. The big reason that apples are such a powerful health snack is that they contain pectin which naturally slows digestion and makes you feel full. A whole apple is only 95 calories with 4 grams of fiber. Eating an apple before a meal may help you consume less calories.

3. Avocados

Guacamole is basically a food group in my book and it’s a good thing that avocados are a superfood. Slice a half of an avocado and put on toast or in a salad and you’ll get 117 calories of super goodness. Studies have shown that avocados are linked to improved vision, good heart health, and a reduced risk of cancer.

4. Bananas

Bananas are a phenomenal weight loss food because they are loaded with resistant starch, a chain of glucose that isn’t digested by the body—it just passes straight through. The resistant starch in bananas (the less ripe the better) reduce appetite and lower blood sugar levels in your body, supporting healthy weight loss.

5. Beans

Magic beans made Jack’s beanstalk grow, but they can have the opposite effect on your waistline. Legumes like black beans and chickpeas are a killer weight loss tool. They are a low-calorie food that is loaded with protein and fiber to keep you fuller longer. Keep them stocked in your pantry to put in salads, burritos, and homemade dips. (Heck, you can even hide them in brownies!)

6. Blueberries

Fruits with dark purple skins, like blueberries, are packed with antioxidants that combat free radicals and protect your body from toxins, sicknesses, and pollutants. Blueberries make a yummy snack and at just 80 calories for an entire cup, they are an amazing weight loss food. Put them in yogurt, breakfast cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, salads, or just nosh on them by the handful.

7. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are tiny little soldiers that pack a punch. Don’t underestimate them based on their size—chia seeds may be tiny, but one tablespoon gives you 4 grams of fiber and enough calcium, potassium, and magnesium to make a big difference in your health. Chia seeds are great in salad dressings, granola, and add a fun crunch to yogurt.

8. Coconut oil

Coconut oil was trending before that term was even invented and although it’s been around for decades, coconut oil is making serious waves in today’s health world. That’s probably because it has less calories than other fat sources (like butter and vegetable oil) and is a source of healthy fats and medium-chain triglycerides which your body can easily digest and turn into energy, increasing metabolism.

9. Edamame

This little green soybean is so yummy, but don’t let its cuteness fool you—it’s packed with a blast of nutrition. One cup of edamame has 17 grams of protein (a 4-oz. chicken breast has 25 grams) and nearly every vitamin and mineral that your body needs: iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and calcium.

10. Eggs

One of the biggest secrets of body builders and sleek physiques is the egg. Eggs make a great weight loss food because they are protein-heavy (7 grams per egg) and support strong, lean muscles. Eggs also aid in brain development and memory enhancement.

11. Grapefruit

In the 1930s, Hollywood was raging over something they called the grapefruit diet. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, celebrities ate nothing but grapefruits, hoping to zap fat. Although perhaps a bit zealous, the thought behind the diet was and is still spot on—grapefruits are an amazing natural superfood. Grapefruits are low in calories and are 90% water so they fill you up. A compound found in grapefruits can lower the body’s insulin (the fat storage hormone) and can in fact help you lose weight.

12. Greek yogurt

Thick, creamy, and swimming with protein (17 grams per cup), greek yogurt is a very smart snack. Greek yogurt has three times the protein as an egg and can help you lose weight the healthy way. Substitute plain greek yogurt for sour cream, add it to smoothies and protein shakes, or add a teaspoon of agave to one cup of plain greek yogurt for a treat.

13. Grilled Chicken

If you’re trying to lose weight, you’d best become BFFs with lean proteins. Research suggests that eating more protein can help a person lose fat and maintain muscle mass. It is recommended that a 150-pound person consume about 110 grams of daily protein to lose weight and maintain muscle. One grilled chicken breast has 25 grams of protein. Grill a big batch and keep it in the fridge or freezer to add to salads, wraps, or just to snack on.

14. Oatmeal

A bowl of oatmeal is not only satisfying and filling, but it’s a huge metabolism booster too. Whole grain oats tote complex carbohydrates and fiber that keep you fueled longer than most foods. In just a half a cup, oats provide you with 9 important vitamins and minerals, 13 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and only 303 calories making it a nutrient-dense, low calorie food.

15. Popcorn

With three kids, snacking is a big part of my daily life as we run to and fro. Popcorn (not the movie theatre kind) is a great healthy snack that satisfies crunchy cravings. Popcorn is part of the whole grain family and is low-cal for the amount of space it takes up. Three cups of air-popped popcorn has only 93 calories and about 4 grams of fiber.

16. Quinoa

Quinoa isn’t just a superfood fad, it’s a smart option when you want to lose weight. This grain is kind of like an edible seed that is small but mighty. Quinoa contains nearly every amino acid your body needs and can hide in nearly every dish. Try it in salads, stuffed peppers, pancakes, and even cookies!

17. Salmon

My favorite “splurge” item at a restaurant is always salmon. It is delicious, rich, and filled with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that speed weight loss and support heart health. Salmon is a great protein source as well.

18. Sweet potatoes

If you have had to learn to love sweet potatoes, you’re not alone. This root vegetable grows on you, especially when you realize that just one sweet potato contains 438% of your daily vitamin A. Talk about superhero strength! So don’t just save sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner; put them on your weekly rotation.

19. Any and all Veggies

Mom always said eat your veggies and she was 100% right. Vegetables like beets, broccoli, and spinach are low on calories and ginormous on nutrition. Pack your plate with veggies and you’ll find yourself eating less and feeling fuller.

20. Water

Last but not least, and technically not a food, water is an vital part of weight loss. Ditch the sugary drinks and diet sodas and opt for the most natural, healthiest beverages on the planet: H2O. Drinking water can flush toxins from your body, curb over-eating, and skyrocket your metabolism.

What do tall of these foods have in common? They come from the earth, not a factory. Fill your fridge with these 20 power foods and you’ll feel more energized and more adept to lose weight and keep it off for good.

March 28, 2018 1 Comment

8 Spring Fashion Trends To Add To Your Closet

There’s something exciting about spring that makes us want to shake our hair loose and reinvent our personal style. Spring fashions are exciting! It’s time to wear lighter fabrics and playful colors. Maybe it’s the fact that the weather is warming up and the flowers starting to bud and bloom that makes spring the perfect time to refresh your closet. Here are this spring’s hottest fashion trends that are worth trying out.

8 Spring Fashion Trends To Add to Your Closet

1. Feminine florals

After wearing dark colors all winter long, florals are a welcome change, and it’s a good thing because they are totally in fashion this season! Everything from floral blouses, to dresses, to shorts—florals are fun and organic and you can get them any which way from printed to embroidered. A floral accent makes a great outfit pop!

2. This season’s color: lavender

According to Vogue Italia, lavender tops the list as one of the top ten color trends for spring and summer. This color is forecasted to dominate runways and collections giving this season’s fashion a lovely airiness.

3. Stripes

Stripes were all the craze at London fashion week, especially bold striped bottoms and cropped pants like these. As Rachel Zoe says, stripes never go out of fashion and this season be bold and rock those lines!

4. A simple blazer or jacket

One item essential to any closet is a well-fitted blazer or jacket. Spring months are especially unpredictable as far as weather goes, so having a fashionable blazer or jacket to slip on and off is both practical and stylish.

5. Play with layers.

Spring is the perfect time to play around with layers. Get creative with cardigans and a cropped tops with a blouse underneath. Layer an oversized sweater with a dress or a vest with a feminine top. Have fun experimenting with textures, lengths, and prints. I loved these smart ways to layer from winter to spring.

6. A spring maxi

The maxi dress has staying power. This season, look for off-the-shoulder maxi dresses, wrap maxi dresses, and high-low maxi dresses that show off just a bit of leg.

7. Nod to the 60s

The 60s will always be one of my favorite decades as far as fashion goes. High-waisted, wide leg pants, collared shirts, and drop waist dresses are making a comeback. Look for them in spring collections and your favorite retailers.

8. The long skirt

Long skirts are the new sexy and you can see celebrities and fashionistas wearing them pleated, patterned, and belted. Here are some great ways you can join the long skirt trend!

You can spot my favorite denim jacket in this post, along with some more fun spring inspiration. Happy spring!

March 16, 2018 1 Comment

Celebrate Spring with FREE Mrs. Meyer’s Seasonal Scents

Every year, I look forward to the return of spring.

Spring means finally planting the seeds I ordered this winter, drying linens on the breeze, and baking a pie with the rhubarb that’s popping up in my garden. It also means Mrs. Meyer’s spring scents are here!

I eagerly wait all winter to see which new scents will come out and for the return of old favorites. This year, the limited-edition spring scents are mint, peony and lilac.

I’ll tell you more about each scent in a second, but first I want to tell you how you can get your hands on them for FREE. When you place your first order of $20 from Grove Collaborative using this link here, you’ll get this free kit in your choice of scents:

+Free Mrs. Meyer’s Spring hand soap
+Free Mrs. Meyer’s Spring dish soap
+Free Mrs. Meyer’s Spring multi-surface spray
+Grove Collaborative Spring apron (new! Pink linen)
+Free Shipping & 60 Day VIP Trial

Existing customers will receive free Grove walnut scrubber sponges, which are perfect for spring cleaning.

Mint is Mrs. Meyer’s new scent this year. Like all of Mrs. Meyer’s scents, it has a garden-fresh smell thanks to plant-derived ingredients and essential oils.

I put the mint multi-surface spray to the test the other night after I made salmon and asparagus for dinner. It gets rid of cooking messes and odors, and smells like a refreshing spring breeze — even though it’s still too chilly to have the windows open!

Like the multi-surface spray, the dish soap is super effective on tough messes. You only need the tiniest amount, so this bottle will last us well beyond spring. I usually shy away from floral scents because they often smell like perfume, but Mrs. Meyer’s peony smells just like a bouquet of lush blooms.

Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap has me hooked, so I always have a bottle in our kitchen and bathrooms. The soap is thick and rich, and the pump dispenser is much sturdier than the ones you get at the grocery store. When my husband tried the lilac scent for the first time, he said, “Wow! This smells like lilacs. What is it?” I guess it’s safe to say I’ll be ordering more of this scent!

One of the things I love most about this Mrs. Meyer’s trio — aside from the lovely scents — is that the bottles come in such cheerful colors. That’s also why I love this blush linen apron. It’s almost too pretty to use, but I’ve been wearing it for cooking and potting plants and it does a great job of keeping my clothes clean.

That’s exactly the quality I’ve come to expect from Grove Collaborative. They hand-select natural products that really work and deliver them (carbon offset) right to my doorstep, on my schedule. Plus, they have their own line of amazing household products.

To show you how much you can save by using Grove Collaborative, here’s an example of what your first cart might look like:

+Free Mrs. Meyer’s Spring hand soap – FREE
+Free Mrs. Meyer’s Spring dish soap – FREE
+Free Mrs. Meyer’s Spring multi-surface spray – FREE
+Grove Collaborative Spring apron – FREE
+Arm & Hammer baking soda – $1.59
+Bon Ami powder cleanser – $1.49
+Walnut scrubber sponges – $3.95
+Method daily shower spray – $2.99
+Grove Collaborative recycled plastic loofah – $3.95
+Grove Collaborative dish brush – $6.95
+Seventh Generation disinfecting multi-surface wipes – $2.99
Total: $23.91

When you place your first order of $20 using this link here, you’ll also be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. For 60 days, save even more with free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service.

This offer is good until 3/18/2018, but don’t wait! Mrs. Meyer’s mint, lilac, and peony are limited-edition scents, and these kits always disappear fast!

How it works:

Sign up for Grove Collaborative here. You will receive Mrs. Meyer’s Spring hand soap, Mrs. Meyer’s Spring dish soap, Mrs. Meyer’s Spring multi-surface spray, Grove Collaborative Spring apron (new! Pink linen), Free Shipping & 60 Day VIP Trial for free when you sign up!

To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20. Choose the combination of products and scents you love and receive your first box within a few days.
You made it! Click Finish & Pay and place your order.

We love our Grove membership so much! Happy Spring Cleaning,

Kylee

March 2, 2018 Leave a Comment

6 Tried-and-True Ways I Used To Fade Acne Scarring

About two years ago I was dealing with some difficult acne. You can check out some of my videos from that time and see that I was either wearing heavy makeup to cover the mean, red acne on my face, or you could visibly see the acne scarring left behind. I wish I could say that fading acne scarring was an easy process, but unfortunately it’s not. It takes time.

Today I’ve been able to get acne under control and successfully fade a lot of the scarring that I had from my teens and early 20s. It took two years and consistent facial care, but now have the best skin I’ve ever had. It didn’t happen overnight, and if you want to decrease signs of acne scarring, you’ll need to be patient and use a few of these tips below.

6 Ways To Fade Acne Scarring

1. Use organic, raw apple cider vinegar.

Hailed as quite the miracle-worker, apple cider vinegar can do everything from clean your bathrooms to sooth a sore throat. I happen to use Bragg organic apple cider vinegar as a facial toner. It is amazing! The naturally-occurring acid in apple cider vinegar restores the acidity to our skin and kills acne-causing bacteria, removes excess dirt, makeup, and dissolves dead skin cells. You can spend big bucks on high-end cleansers and toners or you can use apple cider vinegar that is 100% natural and significantly cheaper.

If straight apple cider vinegar seems to strong, you can dilute it with filtered water.

2. Indian clay healing mask.

Maybe you’ve heard me rave about the Indian clay healing mask before, but I swear it is one of the biggest reasons I finally got control of my acne and got rid of acne scarring. You can get the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay on Amazon and it basically deep cleanses your pores, sloughs off all dead skin cells, and allows your skin to regenerate and create new skin— layers without acne scarring. I mix apple cider vinegar into the mask to double up on powerful properties and get new, glowing skin tissue.

3. Daily skin exfoliation.

My acne-prone skin needs daily exfoliation to refresh and regenerate. Dead skin cells, old makeup, dirt, and oils like to hang out on your skin’s surface and simply rinsing and wiping doesn’t take all of that junk off. You’re going to have to exfoliate. You can do this by using a granulated scrub or mask, using a loofah in gentle circular motions, or by using a small exfoliating beauty brush (you can find these in the cosmetic sections of most stores).

4. Choose a cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

The best cleansers for tackling acne are the ones that contain either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You’ll find that most over-the-counter acne cleansers are going to be one or the other. Personally, my skin does not handle salicylic acid well so I like to use a benzoyl peroxide cleanser. If you deal with acne, use trial and error to determine which works best for you. My favorite benzoyl peroxide cleanser is PanOxyl. It’s helped fade my acne scarring by lightening my skin.

5. Use a brightening moisturizing cream.

One thing I discovered about six months ago that I am loving is the Burt’s Bees Brightening Moisturizing Cream with daisy extract. This is an even skin tone moisturizer that brightens the skin and reduces the appearance of acne scarring. You can get it at any drug store or here on Amazon. This is a great product to use in conjunction with the apple cider vinegar toner.

6. Always, always use sunscreen.

Twenty years ago sunscreen wasn’t such a big deal. Today it is not only recommended, but pretty much a beauty law. Simply put, you have to protect your skin from sun damage. Not only that, but when you have acne or acne scarring like I have dealt with, every time you get sunburnt or tan, that pigment actually darkens your acne scars and stays there. If you don’t wear sunscreen, it will take a really, really long time to get rid of acne scarring. Protect your skin by wearing sunscreen or a hat—it’s so important.

You can check out my quick video on this topic here:

Thanks for stopping by! You can check out more beauty videos here. And feel free to share any secrets you have for reducing acne scarring.

February 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

14 Creative Uses for Baby Wipes That Will Rock Your World!

We just welcomed baby #3 into our home and I’m amazed at the amount of baby wipes needed just for one little man. What’s even more amazing are the ways you can use baby wipes every single day to make your life easier! You don’t need to have a baby at home to utilize the amazing possibilities of baby wipes. After reading these, it just might convince you to always keep a pack or two handy!

14 Creative Uses for Baby Wipes That Will Rock Your World

1. Use a baby wipe to pick up tiny pieces of hair.

Whenever my hubby shaves, he inevitably leaves little tiny pieces of hair around the sink and bathroom counter that are a bugger to clean up! The trick: use a baby wipe. One sweep of a baby wipe will pick up all of those minuscule hairs left by pets, hair cuts, and beard trims.

2. A convenient makeup and mascara remover.

Baby wipes are created for sensitive baby skin and so they do wonders on your face as well. I always keep a travel pack of wipes in my makeup bag or travel bag for convenient makeup removal. A baby wipe will even take off my toughest mascara!

3. Removes faux tan stains.

If you’ve just had a spray tan and notice lines where they’re not supposed to be, take a baby wipe to them. Baby wipes can take off stains from all types of faux tanning whether it be from a spray tan or a self tanner.

4. Always keep wipes in the car!

Even after babies, it’s a smart idea to keep wipes in the car. You can use them to wipe dust off your dash, clean up spills, or get an annoying bird poop splatter off your window. Whenever I’m at a stop light, I pull a wipe out and give the car a quick clean.

5. Use a baby wipe as a quick mop.

Spot mop in between mop jobs with a simple baby wipe. Just put one under your shoe and walk around to any trouble areas, scrubbing until clean. It’s the best thing I’ve done to prolong the time between having to mop again.

6. Remove pen and marker from skin and home surfaces.

Countless times my kids have come to me with pen marks up and down their arms and legs. Apparently it’s fun for them to give each other “tattoos” just like Maui in the movie Moana. Whenever this happens, a baby wipe will take the pen marks off in a jiffy. Wipes also remove pen and markers from home surfaces as well, like walls and floors.

7. Takes foundation stains off your clothes.

You know when you take your favorite sweater off only to find a trail of your foundation left behind? I hate when that happens, but luckily I’ve found that a baby wipe will act as a quick foundation stain remover!

8. Removes deodorant markings from clothing.

Similarly, a baby wipe can remove deodorant markings from your dark clothing when you take them on and off. It’s a trick that sales associates use in clothing stores when we all go in to try on clothes.

9. Tame erratic eyebrows.

I’ll be the first to admit that some mornings, my eyebrows are cray-cray. I just take a baby wipe to them and smooth them flat. It works every time! I wonder if a baby wipe could work like that on my little boy’s cowlick?

10. Clean your shoes.

It’s no secret that I love shoes and I’m a stickler for keeping them clean. One of the biggest ways I use baby wipes, besides on my babies, is to keep my shoes clean. That’s why I’m always grateful to have a small pack of wipes in my purse.

11. Stop licking your envelopes—use a wipe!

Hate the feeling of licking an envelope like I do? A simple solution is to use a baby wipe. And when it starts to dry up, just wet it again!

12. Wipe off a chalkboard.

Nothing beats a baby wipe when it comes to cleaning off a chalkboard. Hands down, it works the very best.

13. Throw ’em in with your camping supplies.

Wipes are incredibly handy to have while camping. They can keep hands and faces clean when there’s no running water; they can squash bugs that come into your tent, and you can even drop a few drops of lavender essential oils into them to act as a natural bug repellent.

14. Keep them in your gym bag.

Lastly, and possibly one of my favorite creative uses for baby wipes is at the gym. Keep a package of wipes in your gym bag for wiping down equipment or for freshening up after a workout. Wipe off sweat from your neck and underarms before you head home.

Got any more creative uses for baby wipes? I’d love to hear them!