Adventures in Rock Climbing

Confession:  Stepping out of your comfort zone can be challenging and humbling for someone with a Type A personality who hates the thought of other people seeing that she is not good or perfect at something (aka ME:) Though I would not describe myself as a prideful or arrogant person and while I do think that trying new things is the best way to stretch and grow as a person, I was reminded last night of how humbling this experience can actually be.   I realized that while I say that I like stepping outside of my comfort zone, the Type A part of my personality  would still prefer to be in control of this process.  A perfect example was last night when I went rock climbing.

Here is how my ideal scenario would have gone: 

       

•   I would have researched (aka googled) rock climbing and learned as many tips and techniques for beginners as I could.  Then I would have gone and practiced on my own  (aka without people I know around) and only THEN I would have gone rock climbing with my boyfriend (who is an experienced climber) and he would  have amazed at how “naturally” I picked it up.  To me, that seems like a win-win situation- I would have broadened my horizons by trying something new while minimizing the risk of looking like a fool in front of someone I care about.  

Here is how my actual adventure in rock climbing went down: 

• I had no idea what I was doing, it took me about 15 times to be able to learn how to make the simple figure 8 knot (one of my favorite comments from the night was when I said to Kevin- “um, this really doesn’t look like a figure 8, it looks like a pretzel” and he replied with “if it looks like a pretzel that is how you know its wrong;).”  Even though I consider myself an athlete, it turns out running half-marathons does not necessarily mean that you will have the right strength or muscles to climb up a wall- I can only imagine how awkward I looked hanging from the wall desperately trying to grab for a handhold.  And climbing was the part I was at least remotely decent at- I don’t even want to discuss my difficulties with belaying:)  For some reason the concept of throwing the rope and keeping it locked (so you don’t drop the person who is climbing up the wall- which even I knew was a bad thing to do) was hard for me to grasp.   

Blisters-proof that I worked hard!

Luckily, Kevin was a very patient teacher and by the end of the night I had successfully tackled a wall that I could not do the first time around, I managed to finally belay him without getting my hand caught in the carabiner, and both of us left mostly physically intact- or at least without any broken bones:) And do you know what- I loved it! It was a really hard workout, but it was FUN- and I am super proud of the blisters and bruises on my hands because they show hard work and perseverance. I loved rock climbing because it challenged me mentally and physically- it was like a puzzle trying to figure out where to best place your hands and feet to climb to the top of the wall (sort of like a vertical version of Twister) but I could also feel it working muscles in my arms, legs, back and core. I know the amount of calories burned rock climbing depends on a lot of factors, but I can guarantee you I burned a lot more calories on a rock climbing date than sitting in the movie theater!

It is really easy to blog or feel superior about things that we are good at- at this point I feel like I am pretty confident giving advice or suggestions on eating healthy, maintaining weight loss, or running.  It is much harder and much more humbling to try something new and let others see your inexperience.  But honestly, I think that is where true growth happens- when you admit your inexperience, allow yourself be taught by others , and embrace the challenge as a new adventure that takes practice to master.  

How have you stepped out of your comfort zone recently? Are there any other new/interesting fitness experiences that you have tried?

You CAN buy healthy on a budget

Last week I shared my favorite ways to shop for healthy and local produce.  If that doesn’t fit your budget right now, or you live in an area that doesn’t have lots of options, I am here to tell you that you can still eat healthy and it won’t cost you a ton of money.  If your resolution this year was to eat healthier or save money, I have you covered with this post! 

• Make a list and check it twice.  If it’s not on your list don’t buy it.  Don’t give in to those impulse buys, especially if they aren’t on sale and are full of garbage chemicals.  I’ll check out the ads and see what produce is on sale and make my menu plan that way.  I won’t prepare a fresh organic fruit salad in November when I know the price is sky high on berries.  When organic kale went on sale 2 weeks ago I bought 4 big bundles of it and tried all kinds of new recipes.  
•  Ditch the prepackaged meals, organic or not, they will cost you more!  They are doing all the prep work for you, and putting in all kinds of chemicals and additives so it stays “fresh” before you eat it.  How about actually making it fresh yourself with actual ingredients?  It will cost less when you buy the products and you can feel good about what is in it.  Doing your own cooking not only lets you control what you put in it, but also controls what you don’t put in it!  My recipe doesn’t call for propylene glycol in my chicken pot pie, but oddly enough it’s in there at the grocery store. 
•  Buy from the bulk foods section.  Not only is the per pound price much cheaper, you can also just buy a few ounces or whatever you need for a recipe.  If you aren’t sure if you are going to like quinoa or couscous (but I promise you will love them!) try it out in the bulk food section.  This is where I buy my oats, grains, nuts and unsweetened dried fruit.  Stay away from the bulk gummy bears, they won’t save you any money and don’t give you any nutritional benefit.
•  Sam’s Club does carry some organic produce and meats at great prices.  The 1 pound tub of mixed organic baby greens is just over $4, which is pretty good deal.  If you don’t already have a membership at Sam’s, don’t run out and buy one, unless you plan on using it more. Sam's Club lets each member bring a guest in with them, so if you do not have a membership find a family member or friend who has a membership and see if they would be willing to take you with them the next time you go.  (We don’t have Costco or other warehouse stores in Oklahoma, so I am only familiar with Sam’s)  They also do a 200% guarantee.  If you don’t like the produce, bakery or meat, they will double your refund back to you. 
• Walmart does price matching from competitor ads.  You can read all the specifics at this link.  If you are reviewing the ads from other stores and they have an item at a great price, don’t drive all over town to pick it up.  You don’t have to wait in line at customer service, just tell your cashier, and I always have a printed copy of the ad just in case.  I have scored plenty of pineapples for 99 cents this way.
• Aldi is a bare bones grocery store with rock bottom prices.  They usually aren’t in the most affluent sections of town and you have to pay a quarter deposit to use a grocery cart, but you get it back when you return your cart.  And if you are already bringing your own reusable bags you won’t have to pay for their bags.  I have seen peaches for a quarter, grapes for 88 cents, and carrots for 49 cents!  Those were all conventionally grown, but super cheap prices.  They also just launched their private label organic line called Simply Nature.  You still need to check the labels and read the ingredients, but it is by far the cheapest place I have seen organics.  I got a bottle of their Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (17 oz) – $3.99 and Organic Frozen Strawberries (12 oz) – $2.39 and was pretty impressed with both. 
• Use coupons!  Please don’t turn into those extreme couponers on TLC, but you can save money using coupons.  Most coupons are put out by all the big name manufacturers and contain items that we don’t eat anymore.  Saving 55 cents on an item you weren’t going to buy already isn’t really saving you any money.  Living Organic for Less is my favorite site to plug in whatever I’m going to purchase and it will tell me if there are coupons available.  My friend Leandra runs this site, and hopefully will be guest blogging for us soon.  Usually if you print them from the computer you can print the coupon twice.  I also like this site for tips on saving money.  

What’s the best deal you have found on healthy items and where did you get it? 

Shopping-Grocery Style

If you know me at all, you know I love shopping!  While I prefer to shop for clothes, or shoes, or whatever is on sale, I can also fill that shopping void by doing most of our grocery shopping.  I know each part of the country has their own grocery store chains, so I can only speak for what is available to me in Oklahoma.  I encourage you to go out and find what is out there in your city. 

First I would strongly urge you to check out Carrie’s posts from May & June on her experiences with her first garden, the money she saved and delicious produce she grew in her backyard.  In the meantime, below are a few other suggestions.  The first 3 options are my favorite since you are supporting local, sustainable farmers and keeping your money in your community. 

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)-We belonged to one of these last year and it was great.  Depending on the size of the share and the size of your family you might want to split it with someone.  Ours was $25 a week and they delivered 2 large brown bags of groceries to me every week.  Sometimes it was hard to use it all up before the next delivery came.  My favorite thing about it was the surprise, it was like a grab bag!  Whatever is in season that week, you will get.  You will be supporting a local farmer and getting the best local produce that hasn’t been traveling cross country, or cross continent to get to you.  If you are in OKC, check out Guilford Gardens.  Last year I really enjoyed the tomatoes, peppers, corn, peppery arugula, squash and tried so many new dishes that weren’t part of my repertoire. 

Farmer’s Markets-If you like the idea of eating & supporting locally (why would you not??) but you also want to control what items you purchase then this is the best option for you.  Check out this fabulous link for a national site with all kinds of great links to local farmer's and their markets.  It's really comprehensive. 

Urban Agrarian- Some farmer’s markets are only held on the weekends, or have limited hours.  If you are in Oklahoma City you need to check out Urban Agrarian.  They are a farmer’s market that has a storefront open Wednesday-Sunday and also travels to locations throughout the growing months.  They do all the hard work and gather products from 30 Oklahoma producers including amazing juicy peaches from Porter, perfect eggs from Geary, and beef from Davis.  I can still support local farmers but I don’t have to drive all across the state.  I go there at least once a week, all year round.  I get to know where my food it coming from and who prepared it.  Not all of it is labeled ‘organic’ but you can always ask about their pesticides and growing process and make your own decisions.  You can even order online and they will have it ready for you, or will deliver it to you. 

Whole Foods-Commonly called “Whole Paycheck” Whole Foods does not have the reputation of being affordable, but it does have the reputation of being the most health conscious organic grocer.  It really impressed me that they don’t allow anything sold in their stores to have ingredients from this unacceptable list unacceptable list of more than 80 “ingredients.”  And I use “ingredients” in quotes because I don’t have bottles of potassium metabisulfite, ethylene oxide and caprocaprylobehenin at home next to my refrigerator.  Heck I don’t even know how to pronounce them, but I am sure they are all crammed into some over processed snack that I ate at one point.  They still don’t ban recombinant bovine growth hormone and propylene glycol so make sure you are reading the labels.  Their private label brand is called 365 and is more reasonably priced.  Their sales also overlap on Wednesdays, so go then to stretch your dollar further.  You can also use Whole Foods coupons (printed online) and stack them with manufactures coupons for an even better bargain.  They have an extensive health & beauty section and salad bar and prepared foods section.  Their customer service is impeccable.  Their Whole Deal section of the website has coupons and recipes and they are always running promotions and educational opportunities.    

Trader Joe’s-I think you have heard me talk about my love for Trader Joe's and if you are lucky enough to have one nearby, check it out. I was surprised to recently learn they are owned by the same people as Aldi’s (I'll be posting about them next week). They carry a good variety of healthy food options, but I love their Trader Joe’s label items. The price point is really reasonable and they contain NO artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, NO MSG, NO genetically modified ingredients and NO added Trans Fats. They don’t have as large of a selection as Whole Foods, but you can certainly get what you need, along with a bottle of $2 Chuck, their frugal wine line from Charles Schwab. Their website also has some great recipe options and other tips. 

Sprouts-Sprouts  is a national chain based out of Colorado and are in the southwestern states.  Take advantage of their best deals on Wednesdays when they have 2 sale ads that overlap.  Their stores are about ½ produce, ¼ health & beauty and ¼ traditional packaged foods.  They are known for their “silly produce prices” and I have purchased pints of blackberries and organic kale for $1.  They have sold avocado’s 4/$1 and bulk almonds for $3.99 a pound.  You won’t find Lay’s potato chips and Diet Coke here, but you will still find added sugars and processed foods.  You need to read your labels.  There are some great options at Sprouts, but if you buy bags of “healthy” potato chips don’t wonder why you are gaining weight.  A candy bar is still a candy bar and should be eaten in moderation.  Make sure to view their deals of the month online and register for their e-updates and coupons. 

We don’t have an Earth Fare yet in Oklahoma, but I would love to try one out.  They are primarily in the southeastern states.  

Do you shop at any of these stores or what is your favorite?  Next week I'll be sharing how to 

maneuver in a healthy & affordable way around conventional stores like Walmart and Sam's Club. 

    

Italian Turkey Zucchini Burgers

This is one of my favorite recipes to make! I found this recipe on onceamonthmom.com, which has a ton of great make-ahead recipes. Not only are they delicious and nutritious, these turkey burgers are perfect to make ahead of time- I will double or triple the recipe and then after I have cooked them I will wrap them in parchment paper and put them in a ziplock bag and freeze them.  Then when I need a quick meal I will just pop one of the frozen turkey burgers into the microwave for 80 seconds or reheat them under the broiler.  Even my friend Kate's 10 year old son Brayden loves these!

Italian Turkey Zucchini Burgers

16 oz ground turkey breast
2 medium zucchini, grated
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp crushed fennel

• In a large bowl, mix the zucchini and all of the seasonings.  
• Add in the turkey and mix well.  
• Form into patties- I usually make the patties a little smaller than the size of my palm
• Turn on broiler and broil patties for 7 minutes per side.

These are great on exekiel buns or whole wheat bread- I have even eaten them by themselves:)

Cold Weather Running Tips!

Here in Ohio, we are firmly ensconced in winter- which definitely makes me miss the lovely fall running days! However, if you are like me and avoid the treadmill at any cost, here are some winter weather running tips that will keep you from putting on the winter pounds without relegating you to the boredom of the treadmill!

•  Let your body gradually adjust:  Just as it takes time for your body to adjust to running in the heat and humidity of the summer, it also takes a few runs for your body to get used to running in colder weather.  Do not aim for your fastest, hardest or longest runs right away
•  Gloves: my hands are always the first thing to get cold, so a pair of running gloves is a must! My favorite pair so far has been the Mizuno Breath thermo gloves.
•   Dress as if the weather were 20 degrees warmer: this is the hardest for me, because I HATE being cold!! I am always tempted to put on a million layers, but over time I have learned that the tip of dressing for your run as if the temperature is 20 degrees warmer is really true.  It is normal to be a little chilly when you first start running, but once you get going your body will warm up and you will be glad that you did not wear your heaviest winter wool coatJ
• Wear technical fabrics: As the owner of my favorite running store always says, “Cotton is Rotten!”  Even in the winter you want to make sure that you are wearing tech clothing so that the moisture is wicked away from your body.
• Change quickly after a run: You may not notice the cold or the damp while you are running, but the moment that you stop running your body starts to cool down and there is nothing worse than being in cold, wet running clothes.  So to avoid getting chilled, change out of your running clothes as quickly as possible- from head to toe, including socks and sports bra.
•  Tread carefully: it is really important that you pay attention to the road/sidewalk if you are running in the winter- you do not want to be injured by slipping on black ice or snow.  And if it is really icy, it is probably best to exercise caution and stick to the treadmill.
•  Moisturize: Running in the cold air can chap your face and lips easily! Make sure to use a good moisturizer and chapstick before and after your run. One of my good friends Ann swears by Carmex!
•  Wear reflective gear:  since the winter mornings and evenings are darker longer, it is really important to make sure that you take precautions to make sure that cars can see you.  Even though I always feel like I am on safety patrol, I make sure to wear a reflective running vest if I am going out for a run in the dark.  There are also lights that you can attach to your clothing or wear around your leg/arm, hats with lights, etc… the important thing is to make sure you are easily visible!

These are just some of the tips that I have used to stick with my running regimen during the winter without having to be relegated to the treadmill. Do you have any tips to share?

Sriracha Coconut Popcorn

If you didn't catch my first post on Healthy Kettle Korn, check out the archive posts from July.  This is another of my favorite popcorn recipes, and the Sriracha gives it a real kick! 

We always have a bottle of Sriracha on hand, my husband likes to add it to stuffed peppers, stir fry, just about anything. 

Sriracha-Coconut Popcorn (adapted from Bake Your Day)

• 4 cups of freshly popped popcorn (I use our air popper and pop it dry)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 2 tsp sea salt

Combine butter, oil, sriracha, and salt in a large, deep saucepan or pot over low heat. When butter is melted and everything is mixed together, add the popcorn and stir until well-coated. Eat immediately, as it will get a little soggy after a while.  Next time you are craving hot wings, DON'T give in and order them, see if this will satisfy you.   

And as an update to my resolutions I signed up for my first 5k.  It will be a GlowRun and I'm on the Lightening Bug team.  Can't wait to share photos with you of us in our neon colored gear.  How are you doing on your resolutions? 

New Years Resolutions Contest Winner!

Thank you all for being willing to be open and vulnerable and sharing with the smartsassysisters community your New Year's Resolutions for 2013! I know that you will all be successful and I cannot wait to see what awesome and fabulous changes we all make in our lives this year!

The winner of the 2013 Smart Sassy Sisters New Year's Resolution Contest is ......Peggy!  Peggy is a beautiful, kind  and talented person who has already made so many changes in her life-can't wait to see what she accomplishes in 2013.  Peggy will be receiving a copy of Maria Rodale's book, Organic Manifesto!

Peggy's 2013 New Year's Resolutions are:

1. Cook four healthy family meals per week instead of always eating on the go. Even the healthier choices aren't really that healthy in a restaurant.

2. Exercise five times per week, and in turn run 250 miles by Christmas. I already registered for two 5ks to get myself motivated.

3. This one is hardest for me...I have no self-esteem. None. I focus on the things I cannot do or don't like instead of the things I can do or like about myself and the way I look. This year, I will learn to take a complement. I will allow myself to feel proud when I do something well. When I move down a size, I will tell myself "good job!" instead of saying "well, you still have a long way to go." This is the year I finally learn to love myself. :-)

Congrats Peggy!

The Wonder of Coconut Oil

If you are on pinterest at all or read any type of healthy living books or magazines I am sure you have heard of Coconut Oil.  We started cooking with it last spring and love it! I gave you some brief information on it in my Kettle Korn recipe this summer, but we use it on much more than popcorn and you should too!

My favorite Coconut Oil is from Trader Joe's and I stock up with about 6 bottles at a time since the  closest store is 3 hours away.  I have never had it go rancid on me, 1 jar lasts us about 2 months.  I would try a few different brands and see what you like, and then stock up when it's on sale.  Depending on what brand you buy its about $10 a bottle, but TJ's is only $6.  I know any natural grocer will carry it, and if your conventional grocery store has a natural/healthy section you will likely find it there.  I know Whole Foods and Walmart have a no questions asked return policy, and I am sure many other stores do as well.  But if you are anything like us, you won't be returning this jar!

I was confused when I first heard the term coconut oil and looked for it in a large bottle like Olive Oil.  It is not in liquid form like traditional oils and it's also not the same thing as Coconut Milk found in a can or the dairy case.  It is usually found with the other oil products and baking section.  It can also often be found in the health & beauty section since there are multiple uses for it besides eating that I will explain below.  Usually you will see multiple types. 

Virgin (unrefined) coconut oil tastes and smells coconutty and is great for cooking and baking. You can use it for anything but it will impart a mild coconut taste and odor. Unrefined coconut oil retains the most nutritional value and is superior to refined oil.  Since we are always trying to eat the least processed foods, unrefined is the best choice for us. 

Expeller pressed (refined) It does not have a coconutty smell or taste. It is still outstanding to use but does lose some of it’s health properties during the refining process, and is usually a little cheaper.
 

I use a spoon of it every morning to cook my eggs and use it in place of butter or oil in any recipe. It is easily melted to liquid form or you can just scoop it.  If you store it in the refrigerator it hardens up and doesn't spread easily, so we keep ours out on the counter.  When I am making popcorn I use it in melted form and just put the closed jar in a sink of hot water and it easily melts.  It's not like beer, it can go back and forth from the counter to the fridge everyday if you want.  It's super versatile! 

Coconut Oil is a true Multi-Tasker!  There are literally hundreds of ways to use it.  It's great as a moisturizer, lightens age spots and works as aftershave.  I've also used it as a deep conditioner for my hair and slept in it.  I normally have greasy hair anyways, so I was worried about putting more oil in my hair, but it worked great.  It's also wonderful to use in healing cuts, scraps and bruises. 

It has also been known to prevent or relieve a whole host of diseases and disorders including Alzheimer's, Cancer, Cholestrol, Colds/Flu, Energy, Gallbladder, Liver Disease, Cramping and Urinary Tracking Infections.  These health issues can also be lessened by including coconut oil on a daily basis: Acne, Sore Muscles, Cellulite, Decongestant, and Ear Infections.  It is also a great natural healer for your pets including Digestive Disorders, Bad Breath, Hairballs, Wound Healing, Clears up Itchy Skin, Eliminates Odor in Fur and Makes Coat Shiny. 

Whether you are trying to be frugal or just use less chemicals (or both!) you can also make Goo Gone, Insect Repellant and Furniture Polish from this miracle oil.   

Be on the lookout for a recipe next week using coconut oil.  It's another popcorn one! 

Do you use coconut oil?  What is your favorite way to use it or what are some options I have left out?  If your New Year's Resolutions had anything to do with healthy living, this is a must try!

Kale Salad

A few months ago I talked about how much I loved making Kale chips.  Just sprinkle the leaves with olive oil and sea salt and bake up until they are light and crispy.  I was making these 'chips' almost every week and started to read up on all the benefits of Kale. Not only is it low in calorie, high in fiber and has 0 fat, it's also filled with antioxidants and is a great source of iron and vitamin K, A and C.  And it has more calcium than cow's milk!  With all those benefits I figured it would be a wonderful addition to my kitchen plans each week.  The Kale Salad recipe below is my new favorite way to prepare it.

1 large bowl of washed Kale leaves (I usually use the whole bunch)
Kale is tougher & more bitter than spinach or many of the other greens I am used to.  To get the best flavor & coverage you need to massage it.  Add the olive oil & salt to the kale and just dig in with your hands and start breaking it down.  Work the kale pieces until they get smaller, bright green and coated in olive oil.

1 tablespoon of lemon olive oil.  (You can also use EVOO and add some lemon juice if you don't have flavored oil)
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt


After it's all mixed & massaged I add peppitas, dried unsweetened cranberries, sliced almonds and shaved parmesan cheese.  You can add tomatoes & avocados or whatever flavor profile you like. 

I usually make a big bowl and if I don't eat it all that night I will take a container for work tomorrow.  I have never tried to see if it will last more than a day, since I eat it up as soon as I make it.  My local grocer has organic kale on sale for 99 cents a bunch every couple of months which also makes this a great frugal meal too!

Do you have any other ways you like to prepare Kale?

Lexy's 2013 Resolutions

I had every intention of getting these posted before January 5th, but  better late than never right?



2012 was a great year: I hit my goal weight by losing a total of 50 pounds, Carrie & I started the blog, I earned some professional awards, we bought a house with a pool and got to travel to many exciting places.  I also had some setbacks including gaining back 15 pounds that I lost and losing my Grandmother.  But, I have every confidence that 2013 is going to be the best year yet. 



Here are the goals I am committing to in 2013

1. Lose 25 pounds and keep it off.
I can't very well keep telling you how to eat healthy & exercise more when I have let some of my weight creep back on my body.  Honestly, it doesn't feel good, doesn't look good, and I have gotten sick and lack the energy that used to drive me. I am tired of my new clothes being too tight and tired of being tired!


2. Commit to keeping my weight under 140 pounds.
I hate putting a number out there for fear that it is too high or too low for you based your body shape, but this is a number that works for me, Carrie has a few inches in height on me, so she has more wiggle room!

3. Participate in a sanctioned 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathon.
I have timed myself in the gym plenty of times in running a 5k and gotten my time lower, and I have planned them, but never actually ran in one, crazy right?


4. Try 1 new recipe a week and at least 2 new foods every month.
My 3 year old niece recently got me hooked on Cutie's.  They are so much easier to peel than oranges, don't have seeds, and taste like candy.  I don't know why or how I went this long without eating but now I can't stop!



You certainly don't have to wait for New Years to make a change, but it's an easy way to keep track of it on the calendar.  Ignore that nagging feeling and commit to your goals right now and put them in writing.  Carrie & I keep each other accountable, and you do the same for us when you read and comment on our posts.  Let us help keep you on track and achieving your goals.  We are doing another contest.  Post your goals here or on our facebook page and we will draw a winner (and be sure to keep up with you on your progress!).  Deadline to enter the contest is January 9th. 

Carrie's New Year's Resolutions- 2013

Hopefully everyone had a fantastic New Year holiday and is ready for the exciting things that 2013 has to offer!  As promised, here are my 2013 New Year's Resolutions:

• Running
• Run 900 miles
• Run a sub 30 5k 
• Run in at least 2 half marathons (Flying Pig in the Spring-goal is to beat my last year's flying pig time of 2:25.34
• Nutrition/Weight Loss
• Stay under 155 lbs all year- weigh in once every week 
• Continue to cook and eat cleanly (try at least two new recipes a month)
• Continue personal training 1-2 times a week
• Personal 

• Go out on a date or hang out with other young professionals at least one night every week
•  Do a monthly budget and track spending (using mint.com)
•  I cannot say it better than pinterest- Don't let insecurity ruin the beauty you were born with!

Lexy will be posting her New Year's Resolutions later this week and we will be announcing a contest where you will all have a chance to share your New Year's Resolutions with us and the rest of the Smart Sassy Sisters!