Lifeway Kefir Review

Here I'm reviewing a Lifeway Kefir product. To be honest, until Influenster, I have never heard of this brand. I had some options as to what products of theirs to try, however the store I went to didn't carry the frozen versions that I was kind of excited about. SO I ended up with one of their smoothies:

I won't lie, it was bigger than I was expecting (the bottle). That's a lot of smoothie!

Now for the taste test, it tastes like yogurt. Almost like those gogurt things. It's thick, but I enjoyed the taste. After drinking it for a couple days, I thought it would be really yummy mixed in with a fresh smoothie!

That's just what I did:

 

The smoothie had peaches, apple juice (for thinning), frozen bananas, and what was left of my Lifeway Kefir pomegranate/acai smoothie. It tasted AMAZING. I'm a smoothie drinker for sure, this was super yum. 

To sum things up, the taste was not was I was expecting (I'm not sure what I was expecting), but it is also a little on the light side as far as how powerful the taste of acai and pomegranate were. 

• 4 stars for taste
• 5 stars for packaging & size
• 5 stars for potential uses

Overall, I do see myself buying this with my own money in the future. Thanks to Influenster for giving me the opportunity to explore this product I didn't even hear of before! 

Now, I like to pair my smoothies & juices with a good workout!

**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Mind Your Mondays - Career Decisions

Options. Decisions. Pathways. There's a lot going on in my world, or rather not going on...yet.

I have dreams like anyone else. The thing is, which way do I go? How should I get there? Can I do it all? Should I only chase one dream or run after them all? Maybe if I plan it right, one will lead to another.

“I want to be somebody”

This dances in my head. Though the idea is to see that I already am somebody. This, while true, sits with me in a way that says I’m finished. How about we go with something that says “I’m somebody, but continually growing”?

So here’s the jist: I recently graduated from Dixie State University with my B.S. in Psychology. Now, you can’t do too much with just that (at least not in any counseling-type way) so I need at least a master’s.

I found the program I want and it sounds amazing. However, I’m full of loans (don’t want more) and don’t have many options to pay for this degree I want. Issue#1

A different option I’ve been toying with is joining the military. Joining reserves in one of the branches has some perks. It would be a faster track towards helping people in the field of psychology that I’m interested in, I would join in as an officer to start, and I would get paid. The obvious downside is being away from home who knows how long and often, and the everlasting risk. There would be a lot of training and I don’t like being away from Daniel as it is. Issue#2

Then, there’s my photography. I’ve been bouncing around with the idea of going professional and starting my business for 4 years. However, starting up the type of business I’d like would require some startup money - - > and I’m in no mood for more loans!

I could do cheap, natural light, on location portraits for friends & family. This would help me start saving money and get the word out that I’m shooting. Maybe eventually I could start up a boudoir studio. However, if I’m being honest here...at heart my favorite thing to shoot is nature and landscapes. Issue#3

I also have a desire to be a fitness trainer and health coach. Sigh.

As you can see, as far as where my life is headed career-wise...I’ve got some decisions to make and paths to choose.

Can I have it all? Possibly. Will I want it all? I won’t know for sure. Here’s what I do know...I need to sit down and deeply explore my options. Write down how it would all play out, bit by bit. Also, I most definitely need to talk to people! Get the perspectives of others.  This includes friends, family, colleagues, coworkers, strangers, people on the internet who read this blog {yes that means you}

I’m a research-type gal, so I want it all.

Until Next Time

Sunday Social

1. What is something you’ve always wanted to do but are afraid of?

Shoot photos professionally. I have this thing where I don’t feel I’m good enough. Yea, I’m working on that.

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Honestly, I have no clue. I’ve been toying with military plans. So, that kind of leaves me with a big question mark in that department.

3. What are you looking forward to before the end of 2013?

Hopefully having some type of plan for where I’m headed. In the various areas of photography, psychology, military, jewelry-making, etc...

4. What are your hopes for your blog?

I hope when I sit down and share my stories that they help others. I also hope to meet some wonderful people. Maybe in the future I can grow into somewhat of a resource to others.

5. Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city?

Actually, as lame as this town can be. I hope I’m here for many years.

6. What is your morning routine?

Stretch (sometimes this includes yoga), EAT (or I’ll die and by that I mean faint), check my phone, wash up & brush my teeth, get organized for wherever I’m headed. If I’m not headed anywhere then relax and social network or play video games. Keep in mind, the order of things change often and my “mornings” are usually at night...I’m on a graveyard schedule due to work.

Until Next Time!!

Mind Your Mondays - Shopping

Man do I love my shopping! I've posted a few hauls on my youtube channel (5ish so far). Some examples here, here, and here ;)

Plus, I've written about it a couple times on the blog here & here. 

"They" say a lot about shopping. There are a lot of theories behind why we shop (a lot), like reasons of stress, loneliness, etc... I know I just love to look at all the possibilities (ideas often coming from Pinterest), but through the years of college I have realized that higher stress lead me to shop. I don't stop there, I also realized higher boredom levels lead me to shop. This is probably facilitated by Pinterest which shows me all of what I could be doing. 

BUT this boredom also comes from crafting downtime. Which is often brought to my attention thanks to Pinterest. 

Sooo, I guess what I'm saying is that it's Pinterest's fault ;)

Ok Ok...I can't blame them completely. It's also youtube's fault! Damn those vloggers and their Target hauls ;) hahaha

To be truly honest....it's when I don't have a plan for my money - > reason I got YNAB < - BUT it's also due to me having a plan for my money and part of that plan includes spending for fun. 

Whatever it is, it's not dying down anytime soon. I ♥♥ to shop!

Where are your favorite places to spend your green?!?

I Love me some Target  & Michaels!

Until Next Time!

*image from Google

Sunday Social

1. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

A Doctor, first for animals, then for people, then for dead people (Medical Examiner).

2. What was your favorite way to kill time as a kid?

Playing outside doing just about anything, playing with Barbies or Hotwheels, or legos, pretending to be my younger brother's teacher (he was 5, I was 11).

3. When did you get your first cell phone?

When I had the money to pay for it hahaha I think I was 16

4. What is your favorite magazine to read?

Oh geez I love three Psych magazines, but if I had to choose one it would be Scientific American Minds. However, I also enjoy reading my Runner's World and Popular Photography.  

5. What is the one random object people would be surprised to find in your purse?

A pink Gymboss Interval Timer. Yup I carry it around with me. I never know when I'm going to need to bust out a timed run or some hiit workouts! haha ;) that's a fitness junkie for you ♥

Until Next Time!

*All images from google

Sunday Social

1. What are 3 items you can’t live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter, and clothes don’t count)

My watch (I never take it off (except for this photo) & had it for 5yrs and counting), my phone, and chapstick!

2. What is your all time favorite book? Why?

Recently I've read a book that took #1 in my favs list. That book is called The Things They Cannot Say read more about it in my blogpost here

3. What is something you’d like to accomplish before the end of 2013?

Learn Something new and put it into practice. Catch up on scrapbooking!! Progress Progress Progress within my fitness!! Check out my Tumblr for motivation! 

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?

Are you kidding? I FINALLY graduated college. I'm staying RIGHT HERE. ;)

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them? 

That I absolutely can't handle the subject, concept, or act of eating contests. I literally can't handle it. I need to remove myself from the situation, whether it be on tv, youtube, or in real life. I just. Can't. Handle it. 

(I could post a picture for you right here, but I really don't want to look one up)

(nope, not happening)

Until Next Time