Health and Fitness Collab!

Good Morning ladies!

I just posted a video on my YouTube channel where I share with you my health and fitness routine. My video is part of a collaboration with 5 other YouTubers. Below are links to check out each of their channels. 

Cherie: http://www.youtube.com/user/livelovelatte

Deb:https://www.youtube.com/user/debwanderson

Clara: https://www.youtube.com/user/claraslate

Tina: https://www.youtube.com/user/frugalfunfab

Annie: https://www.youtube.com/user/Anniesimplelife

In my video I shared two recipes that I love to make on a regular basis. Below you will find the complete recipes. I really hope you enjoy these recipes and let me know if you would like to see more recipes or cooking videos in the future. 

3 Ingredient Cookie

Ingredients:

2 medium ripe bananas

1 cup of oats

1 scoop of protein powder

Chocolate chips-Amount it up to you!

* You can also add in nuts, nut butter, chia, flax seed, or dried fruit. 

Instructions:

1. Mash bananas really well and then mix in all ingredients. 

2. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. 

3. Cool and enjoy!

Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:

1 ripe Spaghetti Squash

Pasta sauce of choice

Optional: You can add in ground beef, ground turkey, tofu, Morning Star crumbles, shredded cheese, or any protein you like.

Instructions:

1.Carefully cut the squash in half length wise

2. Take microwave safe dish and add about 1/4-1/2 inch water. 

3. Place squash open end down into the dish.

4. Microwave on high for 5-7 minutes.

5. Take out and let it cool for a minutes and then use your fork to scrape the squash, starting at the top and scrape down vertically. It should look like angel hair spaghetti noodles. 

6. Top with your sauce/protein of choice and serve!

*leftovers stay good in the fridge for about 3-5 days. 

Check out these links to some of my other favorite Tone It Up recipes:

https://www.toneitup.com/recipe/no-bake-almond-joy-protein-truffles/

https://www.toneitup.com/recipe/avocado-toast-5-ways/

https://www.toneitup.com/recipe/black-bean-quinoa-chili/

I hope you enjoyed this post and my video. STAY TUNED for my next blog post where I share my workout music playlist! 

 Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and watching my video!

Have a great day and follow me at the links below to stay connected!

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/CourtneyVal 

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Email: courtneywval@gmail.com

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My 2016 New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year, lovelies! 

I hope your 2016 is starting off full of health and happiness. 

Here we are almost one full week into the new year and I am just now taking time to make my goals for the year. I actually think it's a good idea to wait a few days into the new year before cementing your resolutions. You need time for the newness of the year to wear off a bit and reality to set in. It's so easy to get hyped up on December 31st and make resolutions that, in reality, you won't keep. Then you feel bad when you can't complete your unreasonable resolutions. One week ago I was resolving to cut my hair short, dye it purple, and run a marathon before May. Now, I have settled down a bit and have compiled a list of reasonable goals that will help me improve myself and my quality of life in 2016. 


SIDE NOTE: When you make your own resolutions do not be afraid to add, subtract, or change goals as you see fit. If you are working towards a goal and realize you need to change it to most benefit yourself, then do it. These are your goals.  Don't eliminate or change a goal just because you are tired and don't feel like trying anymore. If you think a goal is unrealistic then switch it out for something more attainable but still challenging. 

Ok, without further ado...here are my 2016 new year's resolutions. 

1.  Read 15-20 books. This is one carried over from last year. I read about 10-15 books last year so only half of my goal. I read a lot of online newspapers,  blogs, and magazines but I want to set aside more time to read actual books. 

2. Complete a Tone It Up fitness challenge. I'm a Tone It Up girl! Are you?  I've been following the Tone It Up nutrition and fitness plan for about 4 years now and it is life changing. It helped me get into great shape for my wedding and the nutrition plan helped reduce my migraines and completely eliminate my stomach issues. Plus, there is a huge community of women who are all here to support each other. If you want to check it out you can visit their website HERE. Every year they have  a bunch of free challenges so my goal is to complete one. They have one going on right now if you're interested. I also have a separate Instagram for Tone It Up and fitness in general. Follow me @liveloveandtiu. 

3. Volunteer at least one a month. I really want to get involved with the House Rabbit Society and volunteer with them at least monthly. Do you have any suggestions of other good places to volunteer? Let me know in the comments!

4. Create more great content for you. This year I want to take my blog, Instagram, and Youtube channel to the next level. I am already working on a brand new blog website that will hopefully be ready soon. I'm also planning out a new filming and editing set up for my YouTube channel.  Let me know in the comments if there are any specific video requests you have and I will try my best to make those happen. I can't wait to share amazing content with you in 2016!

5. Take a class...or two. I love learning new skills and I think continuing education is good for everyone. Last year I took an American Sign Language class which I absolutely loved. This year I would like to take another ASL class and maybe something else. French? Photography? French Photography!? 

6. Try a new hairstyle. I've been rocking these straight, long locks for about a year and a half. It's time to spice it up with a new cut and maybe color. 

7. Cook more. This year I want to set aside more time to cook and try new healthy recipes. Someone requested I make healthy recipe videos for my YT channel so I will definitely share those with you. 

8. Write more...with my actual hands. In this age of technology we don't really even need to get out a pen and paper to write things down. I was recently looking at some old notebooks of mine and I noticed that my hand writing used to be so pretty. Now, it's a jumbled mess because I hardly ever have to actually write things down. This year I want to handwrite in my journal, notes to friends, to-do lists...anything to get me hand writing things again. 

9. Stay connected with far away friends and family.  This year I want to make more of an effort to Skype, Facetime, text, and send cards to my family and friends who live far away. Sometimes it's hard to manage different schedules and time zones but I really want 2016 to be the year that we stay connected better. 

10. Participate in my local community. This year I want to explore my local community and take a more active role. I would like to attend more community events, network with people, and participate in the local culture. This can also tie into my goal to volunteer more. I also want to explore the local nature and get outdoors more. 


What are you new year's resolutions or goals? Let me know in the comments section below or on any of my social media sites. 

Cheers to an amazing 2016!

Courtney

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REVIEW: Maybelline Better Skin Foundation

I am back today with another review and this time we're talking foundation and skincare. Maybelline has developed a new foundation that is supposed to actually improve the condition of your skin in 3 weeks of use. I was able to try this product through Influenster but as you will see, my opinions are not biased by the fact that I didn't purchase this product myself.

• If you are interested in trying Influenster for yourself you can sign up HERE

On with the review!

When I took the Influenster "snap", which is a little survey to determine whether or not you are eligible for a certain product, I remember choosing the second to lightest shade for this foundation. That being said, I received the shade 10 Porcelain.

This shade is too light for my skin tone so really I could never get a true idea if this foundation would work for me. I had to mix it with a darker foundation to make it match my normal skin tone. The darker foundation I used was the Maybelline Fit Me foundation in the shade 120. I needed to use this foundation up anyway so I thought this was a good opportunity to do that. I also thought that maybe since they were both Maybelline foundations it might help me decide if, under normal circumstances, I would like this foundation. 

After 3 complete weeks of use I have some distinct pros and cons for this product.

Pros:

1. The formula definitely didn't irritate my skin and my skin stayed clear of blemishes while using this foundation. 

2. The formula feels very light on your skin. 

3.The packaging is nice and I love that it comes with a pump.

Cons:

1. It make my skin look dry.
2. The color match was completely off.
3. The coverage is light and it did not cover any of my dark spots. In fact, I think it made them look worse.
4. On the days I didn't mix it with another foundation my skin had a weird grey tint to it.
5. It contains no SPF so it provides no protection from the sun.

As you can probably guess this foundation did not work out for me. I think if you already have nice skin and don't need to cover anything up this foundation would look beautiful on you. Also, if you are in your early teens and looking for a light coverage foundation to keep your skin clear this would be a nice starter foundation.

 I really think Influenster should have offered all shades to chose from and included the shade names in the survey before offering to send out samples. From talking to other people who were in the test group, many of us received the wrong shade for our skin tone so we can't really give a truly accurate review of how this product works.

I do think this product has properties in it to keep your skin clear of blemishes which is great. I sometimes suffer from acne and I think this foundation helped prevent those breakouts.

In the end there were two clear things that made up my mind about this foundation: the color and the coverage. I think if I was given my correct shade my opinion would be much better. I tried to imagine how I might look if this were the correct color but it sure is hard when you are staring at a dull ghost in the mirror. I also think if this foundation provided more coverage I would have been able to work with it a bit better.

Those are just my thoughts and I would love to hear your thoughts on this product if you have tried it. Let me know in the comments or hit me up on any of my social media sites linked below.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and have a great day!

Courtney

Other places to find me:
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpfO5F6gkN8wjSsCrzOnDg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneywval/
Email: courtneywval@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourtneyValYT

REVIEW: OZ Naturals New Age Defying Tinted Sunscreen

Good Morning!

Today I have a review from an all natural skincare brand that is quickly becoming one of my favorite brands.
I'm talking about OZ Naturals and the product I'm featuring today is their brand new Age-Defying Tinted Sunscreen.

This sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 30 sun protection. I find that the formula absorbs into your skin very quickly and is not at all sticky. It doesn't feel like a normal sunscreen. It feel smooth and more like a BB cream. This product comes in a 2 fl oz tube so it's great for travel or for throwing in your bag. Currently this product is available on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1UE744f. 

The tint of this sunscreen is a medium to bronze skin tone color. I have very light skin so I couldn't use this on my face. I did, however, find that it looks great on my body to add a little color with sun protection. On the days I applied this on my neck, chest, and arms I also applied a matte bronzer to my face to make everything match. (Side Note: My current favorite matte bronzer is the Body Shop Honey bronzer in shade 3)

It does provide really nice sun protection. I have used some sunscreens in the past that had super high SPF (50-100) and somehow I still ended up with a sunburn or more freckles. On the days I used this sunscreen I definitely didn't get burnt and I didn't notice any new freckles. I did reapply every 80 minutes but you are supposed to do that with any sunscreen. If you are slightly self-conscious about your feckless like me, the tint of this cream helps blend in those little dots to make your overall skin tone look more even. Since the tint washes off in the shower you can get a subtle bronzed look to your arms and legs without the commitment (and potential disaster) of a sunless tan. 

I have also used this sunscreen during my outdoor runs and I found it stayed in place really well. These runs are the only time I used it on my face because I don't really care what I look like while I'm getting in those miles. Even when my hairline started to sweat the sunscreen still stayed in place and it never ran into my eyes. My husband is a dedicated and extremely sweaty soccer player so I had him try it on his face. The sunscreen stayed in place even with his torrential sweat. 

P.S. My husband has a medium skin tone so this would actually be a great product for men who are looking to even out their skin tone while protecting their skin from the sun. It didn't look like he was wearing makeup either. His skin just looked like it had a healthy glow. This is definitely a unisex product in my opinion. 

Overall, I am very pleased with this tinted sunscreen. I most prefer to use it on my legs for days I am wearing a dress or skirt. It also works great on your upper body too. If you have a medium skin tone, this would make a great BB cream. 

Product Recap:

• Medium tinted sunscreen that provided SPF 30 of broad spectrum sun protection
• All natural
• Cruelty-free
• Made in the USA
• Paraben-Free
• Comes in 2 Fl oz squeeze tube
• Cost is $21.99 and it can be purchased at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=me%3DAAV4VIJAUEOCB&field-keywords=Tinted+Sunscreen 
• It has a smooth BB cream like texture that absorbs into your skin quickly
• Great for travel or throwing in your purse. 

Have you tried this or other OZ products? Check out the OZ Naturals website at http://www.oznaturals.com/  and don't forget to sign-up for their newsletter to stay up to date with their newest products. 

Other places to find me:
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpfO5F6gkN8wjSsCrzOnDg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneywval/
Email: courtneywval@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourtneyValYT

*This post is brought to you by Brand Backer. As always all of my opinions and experiences are 100% honest. 

GIVEAWAY: Kiss Me Organics Dandelion Tea

Happy Friday Eve!

I am hosting a small giveaway on my Facebook Page! I was sent some of this Kiss Me Organics tea to try and I love it so much I want to pay it forward and gift TWO of you with a box of your very own to try.

This tea contains organic dandelion root which promotes liver detox, cinnamon to regulate blood sugar levels, and hibiscus which supports a healthy complexion. I love this combination. After I drink this tea I definitely notice that my skin is brighter and I have more natural energy. This is perfect to hold or cold but I prefer to drink it after dinner.

To enter:

1. Go on over to my Facebook Page and give it a "Like."

2. Leave a comment on my giveaway post telling me what your favorite tea is.

3. That's it! The giveaway will run until 7/30/15 at 11:59pm EST and a winner will be chosen using a random picker. You must be 18 or have the permission of your legal guardian to give out your address. This giveaway is international but please know that I may not be able to get a tracking number for international packages.

4. Good luck and thank you so much for entering! :)

Other places to find me:
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpfO5F6gkN8wjSsCrzOnDg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneywval/
Email: courtneywval@gmail.com
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Blossom VoxBox Review

Hey lovelies!


I am super late on blogging about the VoxBox Blossom box, I know. I do want to share my thoughts though so I hope this post is helpful.

I also filmed an un-boxing and taste test video which you can watch here:

The products I liked the most were the food items. The Beanitos chips were amazing and I would definitley purchase those with my own money. The same goes for the Bare Naked Granola and the Nasoya Pasta Zero noodles. I have actually already purchased the Nasoya noodles before and I will continue to repurchase them. They make an excellent healthy ramen soup.

   

The beauty product portion of the box is where I am a little unimpressed.
 The Australian Gold sunscreen is good and it's a very useful size for traveling. I think the Sally Hansen's Air Brushed legs might work for someone with a different skin tone. The formula seems nice but the shade I received makes me look like a Oompa Loompa. Yikes!

The Clariol shampoo is also nice but contains sodium lauryl sulfate which can strip color from your hair and I have color treated hair so I try to stick with shampoos without that ingredient. My husband can use it and it smells very nice so it's not a complete flop either. The NYC eyeshadow stick is not my favorite. It seems pigmented at first but when you start blending, the pigmentation dissolves and it's just a bunch of glittery specks. It also does not hold up in the heat without melting and creasing.


I don't want to say I completely hated the beauty products in this box. I just think these products were  not right for me. They might be awesome for someone else. Am I alone here? Let me know your thoughts on these products if you have tried them.

Thanks for stopping by and check out the links below to stay connected! :)

Other places to find me:
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpfO5F6gkN8wjSsCrzOnDg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneywval/
Email: courtneywval@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CourtneyValYT

REVIEW: Clean Bar Box Subscription

Good morning!

I just posted a new video on my YouTube Channel reviewing a new soap subscription service called Clean Bar Box. This service is similar to the popular beauty subscription services out there in which you pay a small monthly fee and each month they send you new products. In this case all of the products are handmade bars of soap.

There are 3 options for this subscription service:

Monthly Half Bar Sampler Box- $14.99
~This comes with four 2.5oz bars of soap

Monthly Large Box-$19.99
~Comes with two 5 oz bars and two 2.5oz bars

Every Other Month Large Box-$19.99
~Get all the goodies from the monthly large box shipped to you every other month.


I was sent the Monthly Half Bar Sampler Box to try and I love these soaps. From first touch you can feel how moisturizing they are. My box included an exfoliating Blueberry soap that has ground up oatmeal right in the bar for a gentle exfoliation. All of the soaps smelling amazing too.  These scents are neither too feminine nor too masculine so I think this is definitely a unisex product. I even had my husband try them and he loved them too. They cleanse your skin really well and leave you feeling very fresh.

Aesthetically, the packaging of these soaps is very natural looking and it appears that the box and shredded paper in the box can be recycled. Each soap comes in a small burlap pouch that you could reuse. (jewelry, hair ties, small office supplies, bobby pins, etc)

I think this is a really nice subscription service for anyone who loves bath and body products. This would make a really nice gift too.

Watch my review video here:

Thanks for stopping by and I check out the links below to stay connected! :)

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpfO5F6gkN8wjSsCrzOnDg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtney.val/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneywval
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Email: courtneywval@gmail.com
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