Preparing for Spiritual and Physical Needs: Putting together a 72 hour kit and Seek, Receive, and Act on Personal Revelation

We never know when we are going to be tested physically or spiritually. That is why it is so important to prepare NOW!

This Weeks Physical Needs focus is:  Putting together a 72 hour kit.

This is what I have found to work for me and my family of five.  I have my kit in two different containers.  The first container is a 5 gal bucket that has a screw on lid with a toilet seat that fits onto the 5 gal bucket.  In this bucket I have:

o A Tarp

o A-frame tent

o Shovel

o Ax

o Bungee Chords

o Screw Driver

o Anti-bacterial Gel

o Toilet Paper

o Masks (one for each member of family)

o Rope
o Poncho (one for each member of family)
o 13 gal plastic garbage bags
o Whistle
o Plastic or Latex gloves
o Matches
o Glow Sticks
o Saw

Then, right now I use a 18 gal tote for the rest.  I have a couple bags that I keep the Hygiene items in. I have also thought about using something with wheels, like a cooler.  (The stuff in this container is intended to be used when camping also, replenishing as needed):

Kitchen Needs:

o Mess Kit

o Stove & fuel

o Aluminum Foil

o Ziploc bags various sizes

o Plastic or latex gloves

o Paper Towels

o Dishcloth, washcloth and dish towels

o Rope

o Matches

o Sponge with scouring side

o Dish Soap

o Hydrogen Peroxide

o Drinking Water Capsules

o Utensils (I have a set for each member of the family)

o Hand operated can opener

o Paring knifes

o Potato peeler

o Bowls (1 for each member of family)

o Cups (1 for each member of family)

o Food Strainer

o Cheese Grater

o Measuring spoons and cups

o Small mixing bowl with lids

o Spices (garlic, beef and chicken bouillon cubes, salt, pepper, cinnamon, onion seasoning, Italian seasoning)

o Baking Soda

Hygiene Needs:

o First Aid Kit

o Emergency Sleeping bags (one for each member of family)

o Emergency blankets (one for each member of family)

o 13 gal garbage bags

o Tissues

o Wipes

o Tooth paste, tooth brush, floss, mouth wash (for each member of family)

o Sunscreen

o Chap-stick

o Hand Soap

o Bug Repellent

o Lotion

o Deodorant

o Medication

o Contacts, solution, cases, glasses

o Comb, brush, hair clips, bobby pins, elastics

o Nail clippers and file

o Shaving Cream, razors

o Face wash & face lotion

o Optional: Makeup

o Hair Spray

o Shampoo & Conditioner

o Sewing Kit

o Body Wash

o Anti-Histamine

o Pain Reliever

Misc.Needs:

o Candles

o Wind-up and solar Radio with cell phone charger and flashlight

o Whistle

o Money

o Matches

o Lighter

o Pocket knife

o Scissors

o Notebook paper and pens

o More Masks

o Box cutter

o Flashlight with batteries

o Wind up Flashlight

Food Needs:

o Food (you will need to have enough in there for 3 meals a day for three days.)

           -Examples: Breakfasts- Oatmeal packets, canned fruit

                             Lunch: Ramon Noodles or Cup of Soups, Dried fruit

                             Dinner: Canned Soup or Chili, Canned Corn

                             Hard Candies

o Water (The goal is to have at least a gallon of water per day per person.  Visit this site for more info) 

           ****Buy stuff that your family usually eats and rotate food & water every 6 months****

           ****Another great idea is to rotate you lotions, soaps, first aid kits stuff and medicine regularly. Something I do is in my 72 hr/vacation bag for hygiene I have the same makeup, lotion, etc. that I regularly use.  When the stuff I use every day runs out I get it from the bag and then buy new to replace the bag with.  That way I am regularly rotating and not wasting. ****

Pursuit of Excellence Goal for the week:

Goals That Build Spiritual Strength
**Learn what it means to seek, receive, and act on personal revelation.**

Here is a great article on this subject: "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for your Personal Life"

Once we recognize the promptings of the spirit we need to act upon those promptings!!

Organization- Be Prepared!

I believe that part of being organized is being prepared.  Both for our Physical needs and for our Spiritual needs.  Starting next Tuesday, I am going to start posting a way to prepare for physical needs, with food storage tips, 72 hour kit ideas, etc.  I am also going to be focusing on one item a week in the "Pursuit of Excellence" booklet.  This is a booklet for Relief Society Sisters to help them set personal goals.
These goals can be used for both men and women.  They are very personal goals, so you will need to decide what goals you would like to work on and what pace you need to accomplish these goals.  I will be posting what goals I will be working on and some ideas of how to accomplish them.  Isn't it a wonderful thing that we can constantly work on improving our selves.  There is no limit. If we use our Heavenly Father's guidance just think how much more we can improve.  Make sure you set, record and evaluate your goals.  If you would like to share them in the comments below, please do so!

"When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates" (see Thomas S. Monson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 107).

Getting Organized- Bathroom Hygiene Checklist

As I have visited the bathrooms my boys use the most it has become apparent that I need to help them with their bathroom hygiene and etiquette.  What are the struggles.... THE SINK.  I don't know how but they manage to get toothpaste everywhere.  They are excellent with putting the seat down, which is a plus! The other struggle is just keeping it straightened.  They use wash clothes and don't put them in the dirty clothes.  Hand towels some how end up soaking wet, and I have these mysterious white spots that keep ending up on my tile.  I am assuming they are coming from not thoroughly rinsed and dried hands.  So, my solution is a checklist.  Hopefully it will help to be a reminder of what to do!

Let's Get Organized: Storing sheet sets

This is an organization tip that I have loved doing.  With your extra sheet sets, fold the fitted and flat sheets, then place them inside of the pillow case.  Fold the edges in and fold neatly.  I love this because everything you need is all together and it is folded so neatly that it is easy to store until needed.

Take Care Tuesday- Getting Organized Week #4: Pantry Lists

My pantry is a disaster right now.  There was a time when I had a list of everything I had.  I decided it is time to get back to those days.  So, I created "The Pantry & More" list.  See the free printable below.

Here's the Plan:

Go through the kitchen and food storage area and right down all food items, the size of the package (lbs, oz, etc), How many you estimate you use in a year, How many you currently have, and How many you need to purchase.

At the same time, clean out the old and straiten up.

I also like to write the expiration day on the top of my cans with a sharpie marker, so I can actually see when then expire.

A good tip, as things get close to there expiration date, use them or donate them to a food drive.

Shop the sales.  (I recently read an article about shopping the sales.  I wish I could remember where I saw it.  Anyways, the just of it was that most stores run sales on a particular item every 4 to 6 weeks.  So, the plan is to decide how many of that item you will use in that time frame and then when it goes on sale buy that many of the item.  Then you will have enough to get you by until the sale on that item is on again.)

Buy what you will use!!!  I hate nothing more than to go to my pantry and see things that have expired, because I do not use them.  Then I have the remorse of throwing them away and seeing my dollars go to the garbage can.

I am planning on hanging this in my pantry where I will have easy access to it.  Another thought I just had was, after I have written my food items in I think I am going to either put it in a sheet protector, frame or laminate it. Then I can use a dry erase marker for the quantities so I am not having to print a bunch of these out as numbers change.

Take Care Tuesday- Getting Organized Week #3- Kid Chores Door Hanger free printable

Organization not only includes our schedule, but also helping our kids organize theirs.  I find myself getting my kids out the door for school and starting my day of chores and finding they haven't made their beds.  Then, comes my dilemma, do I make it for them, so my house can be clean, or do I wait for them to come home and have them do it then?  I really want them to be able to do their own chores, so I decided to come up with a little door hanger chart for them.  It has their morning chores. Things they need to get done before leaving for school. And then it has their evening chores.  Things they need to accomplish once they come home.  I am hoping that it will help them become more responsible of the things I have asked them to do as part of our family.  When everyone does their responsibilities then the home can run smoother, be more organized and be a happier place to be.

There are two printables.  The first one has what I am planning on hanging on my children's doors. I am printing them off on card stock and then laminating them.  (note: cut on the dotted line and then cut the circle out.)  They can either use an erasable marker to mark off their chores as they accomplish them or I might give them some stickers that they can put on them.  With it being laminated I should be able to remove the stickers each day. I'll have to post later what I find works best. My children have weekly chores that I have them do. They correlate with the chores I do on each specific day.  On Saturday, I am planning on having a jar with a bunch of different things that need to get done.  They can pick a chore out of the jar and that will be their chore that day.  The second printable is blank that you could add your own chores to.  Let me know if you use these and how they work.  I will also post how it goes with my kiddos.

Take Care - Getting Organized Week 2- Free Printable to keep track of Bills

This week in getting organized I made this printable.

It is so much easier to keep track of what is owed and when it is due if it is written down.  On this printable there is a space at the top for what month the bills are due in. It then has a column where you can put where the bill is from, a column for the amount that is due, a column for what day it is due, a column for the day you paid it, a column for what method you used to pay it, and a column for any notes.

Nobody wants to be late for a payment and have to experience the fees and embarrassment that comes from missing the due date. It is stressful when you are not sure what day your payment is due and having to search through all of the paperwork.  When we get our bills organized then we will not have to worry about those things. As soon as you receive a bill write it's information down. It is so much easier to just have to refer to one sheet of paper. Our lives will flow just a little bit smoother with each part of our lives that we get organized.

Take Care Tuesday- Organize your life

This is actually a post I really need.  Lately I have kind of been in a organization slump. At a time I was so organized.  My pantry was organized, my days were organized, my finances were organized, my home was more organized, my life was just more organized.  Life just seems to flow more smoothly and more gets accomplished with organization.  There is less time wasted and more time spent getting things done.  The Prophet Joseph Smith received reveltion on organization in the scriptures it says, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” (D&C 88:119).  I found a little article that i found inspiring to read it clicck on this link, "Organize Yourselves".  So, here is what I have done in the past and am in the process of getting back into:

Organized Daily Schedule w/to do list (free printable):

Daily Cleaning Schedule:

I have posted this before, here is the link: Cleaning Schedule.


Bills and Expenses:  This post will be coming Next Week.


Pantry and food storage: This post will be coming in a future week.

More organization tips to come.  I am going to be devoting my Take Care Tuesdays this month to Organizing our lives.

I would love to here any organization tips you may have! please leave a comment.

Take Care Tuesday - Set a Little Reminder for Yourself

I was thinking what a great way would be to help myself remember how important the things I  do are.  Something that could lift me up.  That is when I decided that I would use my phone and set a reminder on there.  I have it come up every day at the same time.  It beeps just like all of my reminders and I have to check it off too.  This is the message that I put on for myself: "You are a daughter of God, a mother of princes, and a wife to a potential king.  You are smart, you are beautiful, you are important  and what you  are doing is important.  Remember to be the mom your children deserve to have."  Okay, so it is a little pep talk to myself, so when I get going through my busy day and I feel overwhelmed.  I can remember who I am and my great purpose.  Actually when I read it each day I get a little smile.  I don't know if the smile is from the words I am reading or that the smile is that I think it is funny that I set myself a reminder.  Whatever the reason, it works! I know at times I get hard on myself, I do not feel like I am the smartest or most creative. At times I  look at myself and do not think I look that beautiful.  I think as individuals, especially women we are great at pointing out all of our faults, things that others do not see.  So, for me this helps me put everything back into perspective.  That yes, I am a daughter of God and can do amazing things with his help.  I am a mom to little boys whom I am helping to follow the right path so they can reach their divine potential.  Same as with being a wife, trying to work together to achieve our divine potential.  Yes, even though I don't feel smart at times, I am.  Even though I have flaws, I am beautiful.  I am important, what I am doing to help raise my children is a very important thing.  And I do need to constantly remind myself that my children are on loan to me from my Heavenly Father, they are his spirit children.  I need to raise them, teach them and love them the way they deserve and the way my Heavenly Father would want me to.

Everyone has an important role in their lives.  Yours may differ than mine.  It is great to reflect on yourself and your role and then constantly remind yourself of your importance!  Try it...give your self a reminder.

Take Care Tuesday - Finding Motivation and Overcoming Discouragement when Exercising

I find myself at times struggling to be motivated to do exercise. Sometimes it is due to feeling I don't have the time, sometimes it is feeling to tired, and sometimes it is discouragement of not having the results I should be having.  So, how do we motivate ourselves to exercise and overcome these discouragements?

Feeling like I don't have enough time:  I have found that I am more motivated when I find a time to exercise before the day gets too busy.  It is so much harder when I know I want to workout for an hour and I look at the clock and see that lunch time is in half an hour. So, for me working out is better if done 1st thing in the morning.  I am even thinking about getting up before the kids go to school to get my exercising in, but that would also mean I would need to start getting to bed earlier. You might have a different schedule than me. You might wake up early to go to work, too early to get an exercise in.  If that is the case then pick a time that is going to work for you, it might be as soon as you get home from work you exercise.

Feeling too Tired:  Ok, sometimes I feel this way and I can either give in and go back to sleep and still be tired.  Because I find when I do this then I still don't have energy.  Or I can get up and start exercising and gain energy.  I have found that if I can just start, then pretty soon my energy starts to build and I can keep on going.  It is the starting, that is the big deal!  Also, think about how great you feel after you exercise.  I love the feeling I get when I am done.  My body is awakened and emotionally I am re-energized.  It also gives you a great feeling of accomplishment after each workout.

Feelings of Discouragement:  So, my body is not perfect! After being pregnant and having three children my body has changed.  I have also noticed that as my body gets older it doesn't seem to want to change as quickly.  So, what to do?  Acceptance... accepting the fact that it is going to take more work.  I had heard something like this somewhere, sometime: that it has taken your body (insert number) of years to get this way, why should we think that we are going to change in a day or a week or even a month. I think we need to celebrate the little changes.  I know that when I start to see or feel changes then I am definitely more motivated.  Also I think we can not compare ourselves with others!!  I am guilty of this, sometimes I look at the girls on the exercise videos and think, I am doing the program, why aren't my hips and buns as tight as hers, why isn't my stomach as tight, etc.  Well, we all have different make-ups, every ones body is different.  So, take that discouragement and change it into encouragement.  Think about how healthy your body is getting every time you exercise.  Think about how you can use it to get your emotions and frustrations out.  Stay persistent and consistent.  If you start to question if all of the hard work is worth it, remind yourself that it is! Think about if there is anything your diet that is sabotaging your results, then decide to eat more healthy.  Try to make your body the best it can be, not the same as the girl on the video.

Take Care Tuesday - Relieve Stress Tips

The day can get stressful!  Whether is be being a mom or dad 24-7, working, or other stressful responsibilities, you may find yourself at the end of the day with your shoulders stressed up into your neck.  Here are some stress relievers that I have found helpful.

1) Take a few minutes to yourself.  This could be taking a warm bath, reading a couple pages of a favorite book, or just going outside and enjoy the beauties.

2) Take some breaths.  Not hyperventilating breaths but deep ones.  Throughout the day don't forget to breath.

3) Do some stretches or yoga.  We carry so much tension in our neck and shoulders.  So take some time and stretch your neck and shoulders out.  A nice neck massage does wonders too.

4) Take the time to notice the little things.  We always seem to be in such a hurry, the days go by like a blur and so do the weeks and months.  If we just take a second to appreciate life then we slow down just a little.

5) Laugh.  Laugh at life. Smile. The people who laugh and smile and look at the positive. Are so much happier and less stressed then those who are always dwelling on the negative.  My grandma used to always tell me, "Smile, people will wonder what you did".  I think a smile is contagious and we need more smiles in this world.

6) Exercise.  One of the best stress relievers is exercise.  Take time in the day to do it.  You deserve it!  Today I did an exercise where I was doing some punches and the instructor said to make some loud noises out.  So I did and I punch harder and got some emotions out.  Wow, what a great stress reliever.

So take a few minutes, take a deep breath and blow the stress away.

Take Care Tuesday - Gratitude Journal (free printable)

There is so much going on in the world around us. So many things pulling us in so many different directions. There are trials and sorrows and obstacles that we each have to overcome.  Some times it is hard to think about all of the good stuff.  But the most happiest people on the earth are those who focus on all the great things in their lives. They are grateful and appreciative for even the little things.  I know that I myself need to be more focused on each little blessing. So, I made a little printable that can be used a few different ways.  You could print out the page cut it apart and give each family member one and have them right 3 things that they are grateful for every day for a week.  Or you can use it personally and print it out fold it accordion style into a little booklet and write the date of the week at the top and write 3 thing that you are grateful for every day for about a month (28 days).  I don't think that it will be hard to come up with 3 things each day, there are so many things all around us to be grateful for. I think that at the end of the week or the month that those who do this will be happier. Think if everyone focused more on the good stuff!

Free Gratitude Journal Printable

Take Care Tuesday- Free Printable Workout Calendars

Yay- I just finished my workout program. Now I need to decide on a schedule of what I am going to do each day.  Here is a free printable of a workout calendar. I am going to make use of mine and map out what I am going to do each day and for how long.  Be specific of what workouts you are going to do. On mine I am going to have some 20-30 min of cardio and 30 min of sculpting/weights on Mon, Wed, & Fri. Then on Tues, Thurs, and Sat I am going to do 50 min of cardio and 10 min abs. There are a lot of fun ways to do cardio, decide what you enjoy and what gets you the best results!  Good Luck!! Let me know what kind of workouts are your favorite.

Free Workout Calendar Printable

Take Care Tuesday - Exercise, What Works...

Exercising is a part of my life.  I do it pretty much everyday of the week.  I allow myself to have a rest day on Sunday, where I do not schedule a workout.  But a lot of times as a family we will go on a little walk that day.  I am a strong believer that you need to schedule a time each day  that you are going to exercise and know before hand what you are going to do.  Scheduling is so important.  So, pick a time that is going to work best for you.  If you have children it could be before they wake-up if you find it hard to workout when they are awake.  If you work,  choose what is going to work for you, whether it be exercising before you leave for work or exercising when you get home. Just pick a time and keep with it.

Make a workout schedule.  It is so important to know what workout you are going to do and for how long you are planning on exercising.  Currently, I am doing a cardio kickboxing program which is on DVD, which has a schedule already for me.  This makes it so easy because I just follow that schedule that is already there.  But if you are not going to do a video, then make your own schedule.  I have found that works good for me, when I am not following a program, is I do some kind of sculpting or toning exercise three times a week.  I like to workout for at least an hour, so that is what I have planned for. Here is an example:
     
Monday- Cardio for 30 minutes (5 minute warm-up included), then Sculpting for 30 minutes (5 minute cool-down/stretch included)

Tuesday- Cardio for 50 minutes (5 minute warm-up included), Ab workout 10 minutes, 2 minute stretch

Wednesday- Cardio for 30 minutes (5 minute warm-up included), Toning for 30 minutes (5 minute cool-down/stretch included)

Thursday- Cardio for 50 minutes (5 minute warm-up included), Ab workout 10 minutes, 2 minute stretch

Friday- Cardio for 30 minutes (5 minute warm-up included), Sculpting for 30 minutes (5 minute cool-down/stretch included)

Saturday- Cardio for 50 minutes (5 minute warm-up included), Ab workout 10 minutes, 2 minute stretch

Different kinds of Cardio workouts: Kickboxing, Dance, Interval Training, Running, Walking on an incline, Biking, swimming laps or water aerobics, etc. (There are a lot of cardio videos out there, you can even find some free ones on the Internet.) I also think it is important to mix it up.  I have been doing this kickboxing program and feel that I am in pretty good shape. But I decided to go running the other day and my endurance was great, but I was sore after.  Different exercises use different muscles, so mix it up.

Sculpting can be done using weights or resistance bands. What I do when I am not in a program, is I use the different sculpting videos that I have and alternate with them.  So like on Monday I would do one and on Friday I would do another.

Toning can be used with resistance bands or not.  Pilates is a great way to tone.

Ab workouts... I love working my abs.  They do not take long to workout and get results.  It is best to work all of  the muscles in your abs.  So don't just do crunches for 10 minutes.  Mix it up and work every part.

I think the biggest thing is that you need to CHALLENGE your self!  If you are starting to think your exercise is easy then you need to step it up a bit.  If you are running and its a breeze, then run longer, or faster, or run on an incline.  Be intense in what ever you are doing, that is how you get results is when you give it your all.

Have a positive attitude.  If a workout is hard then say to yourself that you can do it.  Give yourself a little pep talk. Do not give up and say you can not do it or your too tired. When you accomplish something then be proud that you did it!  If you made it through a workout with out having to stop, be happy for yourself. If you ran a little longer then you did the day before, be happy for yourself.  If you are starting and you did your first workout, be happy for yourself!

Be persistent.  I sometimes get this attitude as I am finishing a program that I deserve a little break for doing such intense exercises for so long. This is when I get in trouble. I slack and then some muscle goes bye bye and some fat starts to come to visit and then it is like I have to start all over again.  So, being persist is crucial.  Yes, working out is difficult if you are pushing yourself, but the benefits are worth it.  So don't start to slack! be persistent and stick with it.

Make sure you are safe! As always check with your doctor before you start an exercise program.  If something starts to hurt and you feel injured then stop.  Nothing is worse then getting an injury and having to put working out on hold.  So be safe.

Take Care Tuesday-Spotlight

Today I thought I would share and spotlight a website I recently found and love.  The amazing creator of the site is Merrick.  When you visit her website you will be hooked and in awe at how creative she is.  On her site she gives tutorials and fashion ideas.  A lot of her stuff is refashioning items, taking something and designing something else out of it.  I am doing this post on TakeCareTuesday, because I think everyone should feel good about what they're wearing and know that it doesn't have to take a lot of money to do so. Sometimes we need to think out side of the box.  We need to look at some of the stuff we already have and think, "What can I do with this?"  I am truly inspired by her posts.  So take a look and visit her at :Merricks Art

Take Care Tuesday - DIY Swim Suit Cover-Ups

Here are some cute swimming suit cover-ups that I found out there that you can make yourself. They all have great tutorials too.

This is made from a big white v-neck t-shirt.  This picture and the tutorial can be found at lovemaegan.com. Super cute and no sewing necessary.

This one is also made from a large white t-shirt.  Picture and tutorial can be found at Adventures of a Middle Sister.

This one is made from a piece of fabric.  Picture and tutorial can be found at laviediy.blogspot.com.

Now to decide which one to make?  Maybe all of them.

Take Care Tuesday - DIY Nail Art

'Tis the season for sandals, flip flops, and bare feet.  Here are some fun tips and ideas, to keep our toe nails looking pretty.

I love this French Manicure on these toe nails. Visit Becomegorgeous.com to view this and more French Manicure designs.

This flower design on these black nails is gorgeous! Click on this link and it will take you to a page you can click on he step by step tutorial.

Here is a site that gives you a bunch of ideas for the do it your selfers. I love these dotted flower toes, I also like the dotted toe nails on this site also.  Visit Stylecraze.

Take Care Tuesday - Beauty Tips

There are so many tips out there.  We all like to look and feel the best that we can.  Here are some tips that I have found.  Some I have tried and some I have not.

This website has some fun beauty tips click here to visit! Everything, from hairs, nails, make-up and the many uses of Vaseline.

Check out the many uses of Coconut Oil over at Wikihow.  I have not tried this one yet, but I am going to try it on my hair.

Olive Oil!! It is great.  My son had these very rough dry elbow this winter so I prepared an exfoliate using lemon juice, salt and olive oil.  I applied it to his elbows in a circular motion. Then rinsed it off. Then I applied either Vaseline or bag balm and sometimes a little hydrocortizone cream.  I repeated this every night before he went to bed and his elbows were normal within just a few days.  I've heard of it's uses on skin and hair also.

Water!!! Our Body Needs it!!  Make sure you are getting enough water each day.  If you can't stand it without flavoring, then add some.  Lemons and limes are great.

Exercise- Be active!  When you exercise you have more energy, you look healthier and younger!

Sleep- Get enough sleep.  You can tell when you don't, you start to get those dark puffy circles under your eyes.

Eat Good Foods! It does matter what you eat.  There are certain foods that contain nutrients that our skin and hair and nails need to look healthy.

I would say though that inner beauty has to be the most important!  When we feel good about ourselves, who we are and what we do.  Then it shows on the outside.  Have you ever noticed that someone who smiles is much more beautiful than someone who continually looks grumpy. Set time aside to become the person you want to be.

Take Care Tuesday - My Favorite Tools for Eyebrows

I found these eye brow shavers a few years back and absolutely love them.  I've tried it all the tweezing and the waxing and I have to say that shaving is the best way to go.  It does not hurt and I feel like I can get it more precise.  I know you can probably get them pretty much anywhere but I get mine in a two pack for $1 at the dollar store. So it doesn't cost much either.  If you are worried about getting the right shape, maybe get them done professionally first and then just upkeep and follow that shape.  Me, I've never had them professionally done I've just found the shape I like and kept it up.    I also use a brow pencil and brush when I am doing my make-up because I have such light eyebrows.

Take Care Tuesday - My Favorite Workouts

I have a love, hate relationship with working out!  I love the feeling I have after accomplishing a workout, I love the energy it gives me, I love pushing myself in a workout, I love the health and physical benefits of working out.  I hate when I feel too tired to workout and I hate when I feel like I don't have time,  those are the times that I have to remind myself what I love about working out.  I personally enjoy doing workout videos.  I have never really been one to enjoy going to the gym.  At home don't have to waste the time traveling and finding a babysitter.  I can just pop in a video and get the sweat on.  So, what videos have I found work the best for me?

For low impact I enjoy Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs, and Brazillian Butt Lift.  Notice I say low impact not low intensity.  I believe that you can push yourself in any workout and have high intensity. Low impact means that there is not as much jumping involved.  

Turbo Jam:  I love Chalene Johnson, she is so upbeat and motivating.  I love the music and I love that every video is a total body workout.  I also find the people in the workout video are inspiring, they are normal people who have done the workout and it has worked for them.  What to expect?  Turbo Jam is a kinda of dance mixed with kick boxing.  There is a lot of punching, kicking and shaking it.

Hip Hop Abs:  This is another workout that has some danciness to it.  You are working your abs the entire time you work out.  The videos are not as long, around 30 minute range.  

Brazillian Butt Lift:  This video focuses a little bit more on toning exercises of the butt and abs.  It has fun music and gives you that Latin flare.

For more high impact I love, Turbo Fire and Insanity.

Turbo Fire:  Love this workout!  Actually it is what I am currently doing.  I love the music, I love Chalene's positive attitude, I love the intensity and the total body workout.  I am pouring with sweat after every workout.  I push myself during every workout, I look at the people in the video and try to be just as intense.  It has some dance element, the music makes you want to dance anyways.  It has a lot of punching which is great from the whole upper body.  It has some kicking, running, squatting,lunging and jumping that is great for the lower body.  And really you are working and engaging your abs the entire time.  There are some fire drills involved in a lot of the workout.  When you hear the alarm you go at full intensity, pushing yourself as hard as you can four a minute.  It's great.  I love hearing the stories from some of the people on  there.  It is so motivating and helps you think if they can do it and get the amazing results I can too.

Insanity:  I like Shawn T. more in this video then I did in the Hip Hop Abs.  He is so intense and gets you to push yourself.  I would say this is a very athletic, intense workout. I always tell people that the 10 minute warm up he does is what most other workout videos whole workout is.  Each time you do it you push yourself to the max.  I think it is important to track your progress in this workout.  It helps you to push even harder.  

Between Insanity and Turbo Fire, I can't say I like one more than the other.  They are two different workouts designed by two different trainers.  Both are high intensity and high impact, both are very athletic workouts that will leave you out of breath at times and covered in sweat. 

What ever workout you chose it is important to remember that you will get out of it what you put into it.  Push your self, but also beware of your physical limitations.  If something starts to hurt ease up, you do not want to get an injury.  Check with your doctor to see if there are any limitations you may have.  Motivate your self to do it every day.  I have one day that I don't do a work out and that is Sunday. Once you start the workout then you'll enjoy it, it is just taking that first step to doing it.

Decide...Commit...Endure...Succeed!

Decide: Decide you want to be healthy, so you are going to workout and be active.

Commit:  Make a commitment to yourself that you are going to workout a certain amount of time and how many days a week.  Make a schedule of the workout that you are going to do and stick to it.

Endure:  At times you are going to feel like you are too tired to workout or that you do not have enough time.  Push through those thoughts and do the workout.  You will never regret doing the workout, but you will regret if you don't do it.

Succeed:  Get excited about your successes!  Every time you make it through a workout get excited, every time a workout gets a little easier, because you are getting stronger be excited.  Get excited as you gain more energy and as you feel and see your body getting tighter.  Every advancement is a success and you need to be excited about it and let it motivate you!

All above workouts can be found on Beach Body.