What is Younique?

As part of my mission to help people (including myself!) be the best they can be, inside and out, I have partnered with a company called Younique.

First of all, you can see that their Mission is right inline with mine! 

I found out about Younique from my friend, Mandy. She was having an Online 3D Lash Party on FaceBook. I kept seeing these posts with incredible eye lash transformations! Check out this one!

When I was working at Studio nine Salon in Chico, I thought about learning how to do eyelash extensions. After consulting with she salon owner about it, I decided it was a huge investment for a service I would have to charge a lot for. I also spoke with my own aestheticism about it. She shared with me that it takes her three hours to do a set of extensions.

I was thrilled to discover I could get the same look, and share it with others, for just $29 and the time it takes to apply a few coats of mascara! Wow!

I decided to buy a set from Mandy's party. I couldn't believe the difference in my lashes! My husband even thought I was wearing falsies!

It's one of those things that just gives your confidence a little boost. Most people probably don't even look at me close enough to see my lashes behind my glasses. But, I know they're there. I feel like my normally somewhat squinty eyes look a little brighter and more open.

Younique offers more than just 3D Fiber Lashes. I didn't think a moisturizer could make a difference, but one of my dark spots on my face is less noticeable now that I've been using Brilliance morning and night.

I'll share more about the Younique products and business opportunity in the days and weeks to come. For day, I just want to introduce it to you. You can check out my current parties, or book one of your own and earn free and half off products.It's all run through FaceBook, so you don't even have to clean your house or make plans for hubby and kiddos to leave the house for a few hours!

New Online Bible Study With Proverbs 31!

Online Bible Studies (OBS) are a great way to participate in a study when getting away for a consistent weekly, in person get together is not an option. Even if you are able to attend a small group in person, OBS is a good way to enrich your own quiet time.

I previously participated in A Confident Heart.  I didn't blow my way through it because I felt I could dig a little deeper if I just journaled my thoughts along the way.

This time the study is called Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future. We started on May 25, but it's never too late to join. I'm a little behind myself, what with migraines and all. This week we are reading and discussing (or blogging or journaling) chapters 3&4.

The verse of the week is: "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:20)

The challenge this week is to do one or more of the following:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10) - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.wQTXvmJ1.dpuf

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10) - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/page/2/#sthash.wQTXvmJ1.dpuf

Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.BBsTmXit.dpuf

Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.BBsTmXit.dpuf

Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.BBsTmXit.dpuf

I'm going to share how this verse resonates with me today.

God is moving in me lately. It started when we discovered our new church home. It has progressed as I've been spending more intentional time with the Lord, in the Word, and in prayer.  I believe that He has given me Zumba and a few other things as tools...tools to improve my inner and outer STRENGTH. They're also tools to help others.

Obesity is now a world wide epidemic. Obesity is more than being a little chubby, overweight, fluffy, or whatever other euphemism we want to apply to it. Obesity cause a variety of other health complications that can be prevented. Dear readers, I am speaking from the heart. I am speaking from experience. I have topped 200 pounds and picked up a few of the obesity side effects along the way. It's not fun. It's expensive.

Let's break this verse down and do a little mapping..."For we (that includes ME) are God's masterpiece," that means I am perfect in His sight. I am beautiful. To borrow from another verse, I am fearfully, wonderfully made. I wasn't born fat. God didn't intend for me to become obese. I've done this to myself.

I'm not beating myself up over this, don't get me wrong. There's no point in that. If you're doing that to yourself right now, I want you to STOP IT! This is where "He has created us ANEW in Christ Jesus" comes in. "Us." That means ALL OF US. You, me, anyone who wants to accept this gift of a new life!

Let's keep going:  "So we (this includes ME again!) can do the things he planned for us long ago." He has plans for me. He has work for me to do. He has given me gifts, talents, abilities...that He wants me to use! More and more lately I feel like it is more than just "my idea" to help people become the best version of themselves, inside and out. I can't help but feel like this is God's plan for me.

What about you? Do you believe this verse? Do you believe and embrace the fact you are His masterpiece? That he has plans for you and work for you to do? I'd love to hear more about it! Please comment below, drop a comment on my FaceBook page, or Tweet me!

Next Study: Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.9zB3iFd2.dpuf

Next Study: Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.9zB3iFd2.dpuf

Next Study: Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/#sthash.9zB3iFd2.dpuf

COMMUNITY – What does community mean to you? What do you need from community? What can you give to community? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2014/05/22/blog-hop-101-community/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+P31OnlineBibleStudies+%28P31+Online+Bible+Studies%29#sthash.666FG8u6.dpuf

COMMUNITY – What does community mean to you? What do you need from community? What can you give to community? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2014/05/22/blog-hop-101-community/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+P31OnlineBibleStudies+%28P31+Online+Bible+Studies%29#sthash.666FG8u6.dpuf

COMMUNITY – What does community mean to you? What do you need from community? What can you give to community? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/2014/05/22/blog-hop-101-community/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+P31OnlineBibleStudies+%28P31+Online+Bible+Studies%29#sthash.666FG8u6.dpuf

Migraine & Headache Awareness Month

I do not personally need help becoming more AWARE of migraines. I am reminded approximately once a month now of how painful and debilitating migraines are. Sometimes they're migraines, sometimes I'm not so sure. I'm participating in Migraine & Headache Awareness month so that others who suffer won't feel so alone. I also want to help spread awareness to those who love or work with a migraine sufferer. There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about this condition. I am still learning a lot myself.

I was in a car accident on my 19th birthday. Happy Birthday to me! That messed up my neck pretty badly and caused headaches off and on for several years. About 18 months or so ago, I started getting a new variety of headaches. These were 10 times worse than the "my neck is out" variety.

I haven't quite figured out what triggers these unpleasant events. Red wine is definitely one. Soy sauce may be another. I feel like the headaches are part of a bigger problem as I get other symptoms too that I think are abnormal. I feel it is important to educate myself and get support from others going through the same thing.

If you or someone you love suffers from migraines or other headaches, here are some support resources I find helpful:

National Headache Foundation Facebook page

MAGNUM - The National Migraine Association Facebook page

Voices of Fibromyalgia Facebook page

My personal Headache Board on Pinterest

What not to say to a person with migraines

Personally, my next steps, medically speaking, are to take a headache class at my local neurology center (cha-ching), which is not available until mid-July. They will instruct me to keep a headache journal for six weeks, then we'll go from there. Meanwhile, I am to take 500 mg of Magnesium and 400 mg of CoQ-10 every day for prophylaxis. I'll take a healthy scoop of prayer with that!

I recognize that my headaches were fewer and farther between when I was exercising regularly. Hopefully, now that I'm leading Zumba again, I will get to enjoy more pain free days in the near future.

Exciting News!

Today's theme song is "Tub Thumping" by Chumbawumba. For those of you who need help getting that song stuck in your head for the rest of the week, please view the video below:

Yes, yes, it's been a couple of weeks since I said I was back to blogging again. I even touted my blogging calendar! Ha! Well, life has a way of getting in the way. By life, I mean work, family, visitors, and a three day migraine.

Enough about that! My 1 year Zumba-versary is this Saturday! Yahooo! I'm so excited! Not only have I been licensed for one whole year, but I am teaching leading Zumba again! That's right...ain't no migraine gonna STOP me! Well, at least I will introduce some steps, take measurements, weigh in, and talk about goals, etc. Hopefully we can get a few songs in at least.

This is exciting for me for so many reasons. Last year, I wrote my commitments on a white board and posted it on Facebook as my profile pic. Each time I accomplished one of them, or it became invalid (no longer need to paint the exterior of a home I no longer owned), I crossed it off and re-posted it. I got through most of the list:

This year, I wrote on the white board again, but never got around to posting it. That's probably in part because I don't have bills paid off (in fact have more thanks to a sky high deductible), nor am I close to a size 9. Anyway, my white board currently reads:

1. Teach Zumba again
2. ACE cert (nationally recognized group exercise certification)
3. Zumba kids license
4. (a couple of Avon related goals, which are now void, to be covered in another blog post)

So I've got  #1 covered. #3 is coming in July! I'm not sure how long #2 will take, but I WILL get it done by the end of the year...possibly the end of the summer!

What else is new? Oh yeah! My blog name! You like? You can also find Saranity Fitness at Twitter and on FaceBook!

Maybe today's theme song should be "I'm So Excited" by the Pointer Sisters! Both are apropros, so here you go!

Back in the Saddle Again!

Feel free to queue up "Let's Here it for the Boyyyyy" from the movie Footloose to listen to in the background while reading this post. Only swap out Girl for Boy in your head.

So I haven't blogged in a while. Well, it happens. But now I'm back and super excited. I even have a blog calender created with some ideas for posts. I don't want to ruin the surprise...plus, I reserve the right to change my mind and post about something else at any time.

You can look forward to posts about:

Spirituality - What I learned from my time in the Word for the week; Tips for spiritual growth, and more.

Craftiness - I'll share what I'm working on, amazing patterns and craft ideas I find online, and more! My hot craft of late is crochet, but there are lots of other crafty things to share about too!

Fitness stuff - My own accountability for my fitness, which will in turn, inspire you to make small, sustaintable changes to improve your health and well being too!

Book reviews - Sometimes it takes me a REALLY time to finish a book, even audio books! I will still share what I'm reading and discuss how I feel about it so far. Sometimes I hold myself back, waiting for everything to be perfect to do something, like finishing a book for a book review.

Funny stuff - Life can suck sometimes. Humor helps! Humor heals!

My official blog schedule starts June 1, but I'll be posting here and there between now and then as sort of a warm up.

I'm also working on plans to rename this thing and move it to my own URL. Baby steps, baby steps!

Fitness Friday: Fitness Challenge Starts in Two Weeks!

It's GO time! With school closures due to ice and snow, it's hard to believe Spring and Summer really are right around the corner! Forget about New Year's Resolutions, which may or may not have already been broken. Let's not beat ourselves up about it!

Instead, let's join forces and get into an accountability group! I am looking for FIVE people to join me in a Turbo Hotties Challenge group. My long time friend and Beachbody Coach, Korri Nelson, will spur us on through 90 days of concentrated dedication to our health and well being.  There will be prizes along the way too! Water bottles, Shakeology Samples (the most nutritious meal of the day), and more!

This is a preview of the program we will use transform our bodies over the next 90 days:

It's time to Decide, Commit, and Succeed!

Why I chose Turbo Fire as the challenge workout program:

Chalene Johnson - Chalene is the instructor and creator of Turbo Fire, Turbo Jam, and ChaLEAN Extreme. She is positive and upbeat without being a barbie doll cheer leader. She kicks your butt and she knows it. Chalene knows exactly when you need to be reminded that you are NOT dying, your legs are NOT falling off and to keep PUSHING yourself! I simply love her and I think you will too!

Challenging Workouts - You WILL feel like have two, maybe three left feet at first. BUT, there is the option to learn the moves at a slower pace first using the Fire Starter class.

It's proven, it WORKS! I've personally lost inches in the past and I know I can do it again. This time I'm getting my diet in order too in order to guarantee my success!

Challenge participants for this group are required to commit to 90 days of Turbo Fire. Results are Guaranteed. If you don't like it, simply return it after 30 days. You've got nothing to lose but the weight.

Connect with me on Facebook. Send me a message that you saw this post and want to join the challenge and Korri or I will invite you to the accountability group. Watch for an invite called Turbo Hotties Feb. 2014

Make Something Monday: Hello Kitty Hats

I learned to knit and crochet when I was a young girl. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I'm pretty sure it was under the age of 10. I learned some from my mom and some from my grandmother on my dad's side. Back then I didn't know how to follow a pattern. I didn't really make anything, I just kept knitting or crocheting.

About 10 years ago, I started knitting scarves. I wore them to work and people admired them so much they wanted me to make scarves for them. Some were for my friends/co-workers, others they wanted to give as gifts. I kept pretty busy knitting scarves for a few months!

Down the road, a friend showed me how to use DPNs (double pointed needles) to make hats. I made a few hats, but that was about it.

Then I had a baby and put away my knitting needs for a few years. I was afraid she would either poke her eyes out with the knitting needles, or pull one of my DPNs out of a project and unravel whatever I was working on.

A couple of months ago I decided to make Hello Kitty hats for my munchkin and her cousins. I got some white yarn and started knitting. It was taking a long time, but I knew the girls would enjoy the hats, so I kept at it. I had hoped to have the hats done by the time the family gathered in Carlsbad, California to celebrate a belated Christmas. That didn't happen.

Thankfully, Jenni from I'm Dancing in the Rain, shared a little secret with me: Crocheting goes a LOT faster than knitting! Man on man! She has a free pattern on her site that I used and got the last two hats cranked out in just a couple of hours each. Whew! I wish I'd know that secret when I started the project. Lesson learned!

I still have to finish embellishing all the hats and get them in the mail this week, but here's what they look like pre-embellishment:

This is the knitted version. 

This is the crochet version

If you're interested in making a Hello Kitty hat of your own, here is a link to the pattern I used for the knitted hats and embellishments. You could probably use just about any pattern for the white hat, then embellish it using the tips used on this blog. Obviously, that's what I did when I decided to crochet the hats!