Product Review: Garnier Clean - Balancing Daily Exfoliator

Product Description:

Customized Cleansing + Skin Type Specific Care
Customized Cleansing: Daily gel exfoliator targets T-Zone to deeply cleanse away oil and impurities.
Skin Type Specific Care: Formula, infused with antioxidants, Grapefruit and Pomegranate softens dry areas to balance skin.

History on my skin:

I have been struggling with acne since I started college in the fall of 2008. In high school i had really nice skin and tended to only get a zit around the dreaded time of the month. I did notice that my skin improved some when we lived out west. I believe this was because it was so dry and my skin didn't get quite as oily anymore. I was not about to complain about that!

We moved back to the Midwest in July of 2012 and after we were back for about a month my skin went crazy! I was 23 years old and had skin like a 14 year going through puberty; I was not happy! I have been trying everything you can get at the drug store and nothing seemed to help. 

I did find a product system that worked very well (i will be going a review on these products in the next week) but they are just way too expensive so i have been on the hunt for a cleanser that works and won't break the bank. 

How I feel about this product:

I received a sample of this last month from PINCHme so i thought why not? I took the sample with my when we went on vacation earlier this month. I really thought i was going to dislike this cleanser because it had no active ingredient in it like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid but i was wrong! This smells so fresh and clean since it had citrus in it (grapefruit and pomegranate) and it leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean. It targets your oily spots on your skin and leaves your dry spots feel moisturized. I have no idea how this works so well but it does. I use this face wash every night before bed and i have not had a breakout since i started using it. I do still tend to do a face mask once or twice a week but that's normal for me. I do use my benzoyl peroxide face gel after i wash my face along with a hydrator that has salicylic acid in it (this has been apart of my normal routine for about 6 months). 

This product is awesome and has helped my skin look more healthy and vibrant. I honestly had no idea i would like this face wash this much but now i swear by it. If you have combination skin or even oily skin i would check this out! If you have any products that you really find helps your oily acne prone skin let me know in the comments below so i can check them out. Also if you have any kind of product you would like me the review please leave it below.

Come back soon! =)

Tara

How to Survive Living in a house full of boys

Living in a house full of boys is very energetic and borderline crazy i have found. Between my hubby's crazy work schedule and his hobbies plus having two little boys that seem to never stop it can be hard to get some time to be a women. I feel like now all my life is made of is superhero's and semi trucks. I do love my boys (big and small) and without them i don't know what i would do, but i do like having time to be a girl. 

I love doing my hair and playing with makeup. I love pink everything and you can't forget about sparkles. I have found that every night after my littles have gone to bed and my hubby is at work i just have to sit back and relax. I take a hot shower and light a candle or two. I do a face mask or use a new scrub. Afterwards i read a chapter in a book i started and sip on some wine or i watch a YouTube video from one of my favorite beauty guru's. I just have to take a moment to step back from all of the lego's and teenage mutant turtles and have some "girl" time. 

Thankfully i have a very supportive husband who understands that i'm a girly girl at heart and helps me with all of the boy stuff. All of us like to get down and dirty while working on a car or running around at the park playing ball. I love being able to learn a little about being a "tom boy". Then at the end of the day i get to be my girly self all over again.

The key to being the only female in a house full of boys is making sure you set aside the time to be just that; a girl! Whether you get to lock yourself in your bedroom for an hour while the boys are sleeping to paint your toes barbie pink. Or soak in the tub with candles lit while your hubby is mowing the lawn. The little 15 minutes we get to ourselves we have to remember to enjoy them and make the best out of them. Even if that means you get a 30 minute dance party with N'Sync while you are mopping your floors. 

You have to appreciate every moment you get to have while your winged eyeliner is perfect because you never know when you will have a mud pie thrown in your face!

Comment below some things you do to make time to be girly!

Come back soon! =)

Tara

My go to Pork Carnitas Recipe

What you will need:

Pork shoulder or Pork butt with the bone in (I like to use one that is anywhere from 5lbs to 7lbs)

1 Medium to Large Onion

1 Jalapeno

4 Garlic Cloves

2 Oranges

Rub:

1 tbsp Dried Oregano

2 tsp Ground Cumin

2 tbsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Black Peper (freshly ground)

Olive Oil

The night before I like to mix the rub ingredients together in a small bowl (I like to put the oil directly on the Pork so you can use as little as you like). I then rub the spices all over the meat and place the meat in the insert of my crock pot and put the lid on it before returning is to my refrigerator. I let it set in there over night.

The next morning (6:30am) I like to put the insert of my crock pot into the base and turn it on high (I like to do this while I’m getting ready for work). I then will chop the onion up into large chunks and sprinkle them into the crock pot evenly coating the meat. I then “hit” the garlic cloves with the flat side of my knife to make it easier to peel them. I then hit them again to “open” them up more then add those to the crock pot as well. I cut the jalapeno into about 4 or 5 pieces depending on its size and add them as well. Lastly I half the oranges and squeeze their juice all over the meat and vegetables in the crock pot and then add the halves into the pot as well. I turn the crock pot down to low and cover it. Off to work I go!

When I get home at about 5:15pm my house smells amazing and dinner is done! You can eat this on tortilla’s with your favorite taco or burrito toppings. Or you eat it over a bed of lettuce, black beans, tomatoes and corn. Or you can eat this all by itself with your favorite easy sides. We usually have a lot left over and we eat this for lunch as well. This is one of my favorite, easy crock pot recipes that I make at least twice a month! If you have any suggestions on sides or other ways to cook a pork roast please let me know in the comments below.

Come back soon! =)

Tara

At Home Pampering

Every women no matter age, race or class deserves a relaxing night. Whether you go to the spa with a group of friends or stay in and pamper yourself at home. I never feel like i have time to sit down let alone relax and pamper myself. I have found a couple of at home DIY treatments i love to do to have some me time.

Hair:

I love making a hair mask to help with all of the damage i do it on a weekly basis. I straighten and curl my hair at least 3 times a week and by Friday my hair feel's like a barbies. I have an oily scalp generally so i can only use this treatment once a week but i believe it helps a lot!

1/2 cup extra virgin organic coconut oil

1 egg yolk

2 tblsp honey

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground mustard

I mix all of this in a small bowl making sure everything is mixed completely. 

I then just dampen my hair and put this directly on my ends. I then work my way up until i have my roots coated as well. I then lightly wrap my hair up on itself until its twisted into a bun shape. I then put a towel over my hair and let the mask set on my hair for about 30 minutes.

Face:

I have large pores on my face so i tend to get a lot of black heads. In order to work on this i make a treatment for my skin once a week.

1 tblsp honey

2 tsp sea salt

2 tsp baking powder

I mix these ingredients in a small bowl until completely blended. I then take the mixture and massage it into my skin where my black heads are and rub the area for about 5 minutes. I then let it set on my skin until i take a bath or shower.

While i have my hair mask on and my face mask i will usually draw a hot bath and put some kind of bath salts in the water. I really like Eucalyptus and peppermint the most. These types of aromas help relax your body and mind.

I will usually shampoo the mark out of my hair and wash my face like usual as well. I will usually use my favorite homemade exfoliator on my body as well:

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

White Sugar

Sea Salt

Optional:

Tea Tree Oil

Orange Zest

Cinnamon

I mix these ingredients together with no certain ratio's. The amounts depends on how wet or dry you like your scrubs. 

I will use this exfoliator all over my body focussing on my legs. I like to exfoliate my legs before shaving to prolong the time between when i need to shave. 

I then will wrap up in my favorite robe and sit down my a good book and glass of wine.

If you have any suggestions on how you like to pamper yourself and relax please leave them in the comments!

Come again soon! =)

Tara 

Perfect Energy Booster Mom Snack

Soft And Chewy Granola Bars Recipe

You Will Need

2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup whole Sunflower Nuts

1/2 cup of plain shredded coconut

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried cherries

Directions

Prepare Oven and Pan

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line bottom and sides of a 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil.Then lightly oil with organic coconut oil.

Toast Oats and Nuts:

Add oats, shredded coconut and sunflower nuts to a small baking sheet then bake 5 minutes, stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

Prepare Granola Bars:

Combine butter, honey, peanut butter,  vanilla extract and the salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until butter melts and the sugar completely dissolves.

Pour butter mixture in to bowl with toasted oats and almonds. Mix well. Let cool about 5 minutes then add cranberries and cherries. Stir to combine. 

Transfer oat mixture to lined pan then use a rubber spatula or damp finger tips to firmly press the mixture into the pan. (Press hard here, this way the bars will stay together once cooled and cut. We press for about one minute to be extra safe).
Cover then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Remove block of granola mixture from pan then peel away aluminum foil. Cut into 12 bars.
Store bars in an airtight container for up to one week. For the softest bars, keep at room temperature. For slightly harder bars, store in the fridge.

I make these every Sunday after dinner to pack with my for a morning snack at work. These give me a natural boost of energy and keep me full until lunch around 1pm. My boys love these too and think they are just a sweet treat (when really these are super healthy!) I do change it up sometimes by adding some cinnamon or chocolate chips. I also really using dried blueberries sometimes. I sometimes add some flax seed or wheat germ if i have some in our cabinet. If you have tried any other granola bar recipes comment below and share.

Come back soon! =)

Tara

Super moist and Yummy Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Super moist and Yummy Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Bread

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder 
1/2 tsp salt 
2 eggs 
1/2 cup vegetable oil 
2/3 cup sugar 
1/2 cup buttermilk 
Juice of 1 lemon or 2 tbsp lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon 
1 cup grated zucchini
1/2 to 1 cup of blueberries

LEMON GLAZE
1 cup powdered sugar 
Juice of 1 lemon or 2 tbsp lemon juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 35o ⁰F. Grease and flour a 9×5″ loaf pan, set aside. In large bowl, blend flour, baking powder, and salt. 
In the mixer bowl beat 2 eggs well. Then add oil and sugar, and beat on low until well combined. Add the buttermilk, lemon juice and lemon zest and blend everything well. Fold in zucchini and stir until evenly distributed in mixture. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients in the large bowl and blend everything together, but don’t over mix. Stir in blueberries.
Pour batter into prepared 9×5″ loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Take the loaf out of the pan and let it cool on a wire rack. After about 10 minutes pour the glaze over the loaf and let it sick in. Let it cool for about 30 more minutes and your done!

This year we grew our own zucchini garden and i had so many zucchini i had no idea what to do with them all! I started making all different kinds of zucchini recipes and this one has been my favorite so far! It is super moist and very yummy! You can't even tell there is zucchini in it! I hope you try this one out and enjoy it just as much as i do! =)

Come back soon! =)

Tara

Welcome!!

Hello!! =)

Welcome to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to help relate to other full time working mom's. I have two beautiful boys and I am married to my best friend. 

I work a crazy schedule of about 45 hours a week and when i'm not at the office i'm cooking and raising my boys. I'm into making everything homemade whether its what we eat for dinner or the face mask i put on my face to relax. I do make my own hair treatments and i try to make my own beauty products. I love finding new things to try and i love suggestions!

I am very into makeup and finding new products to try and test. I love creating different makeup looks on myself and others and sharing how i created them with others. I am also very into cooking and baking and trying new recipes and creating new dishes. My loves this part most about me! If you would like to learn more from weather its a new favorite dish or how to create that perfect back head remover then please come back to read more! I am open to suggestions on what you would like to learn and read about as well. I will let you into my life and show you how I balance my busy life between work, family and me time!

Come back soon! =)

Tara