New You Archives - mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents

Keep it Together with CBD

July 6, 2020 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

Stressed? Tired? Headaches? Foggy brain? Body Pains? More than ever it’s time to look at what and how you take care of your body. Keep it together with CBD.

Over the last few months we’ve all learned some new talents – school teacher, playdate mate, manicurist, hair colorist, nurse, and that was already in addition to housekeeper, wife and mom. With all the additional stress (let’s stress that) lately, a lot of things have suffered.

All of our sleep patterns have been crazy. (Some days it’s four hours and some days it’s 10…)
I’ve spent hours in front of a computer for weeks and I can feel the carpal tunnel kicking in…and my legs are aching. (Work and school still have to happen, right? Along with filling out grants, loans and taxes!)
My back is killing me (especially around my neck) enough that I’ve been begging my daughter for back rubs (for 8 years old she’s not bad.)
The headaches are real.
And then there’s just the malaise happening right now for obvious reasons.

Now rattling off my list of ailments and gripes makes me feel like an old lady (and apparently look like one since my son starting calling me bags (dark circles), but it was the truth and I needed something to help me find a solution – ideally one that was as natural as possible and if I can get them directly without stepping into a doctor’s office.

I had been dancing around the idea of CBD for a while as a possible solution, but honestly I didn’t want to just follow the fad. I wanted to really understand what CBD is and how it works to be such a great “cure all” for so many issues. But with its natural characteristics, did make now the right time to explore its credibility and even more so, its effectiveness.

Why CBD?

CBD (Cannabidiol) is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. Unlike THC which is commonly associated with marijuana, CBD is non-psychotropic and therefore will not cause feelings of intoxication or the feeling of being “high”. While CBD can be found in the marijuana plant, most CBD products on the market today are derived from the Hemp plant. Hemp, by definition, is very low in THC containing only trace amounts (less than 0.3%).

Our bodies contain “cannabinoid receptors” which are part of our endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for the regulation of internal functions such as a pain sensation, inflammation levels, body temperature, and sleep. When CBD enters your body, it collaborates with our ECS system by binding to the cannabinoid receptors and thus helping the ECS system to promote homeostasis (a natural state of balance).

Unlike many modern-day pharmaceuticals, CBD works at the “system” level, not the “symptom” level, engaging with your body’s endocannabinoid system to provide homeostasis with, for example, your body’s immune and central nervous systems. So, if your body is experiencing high levels of inflammation, CBD works to help lower the inflammation to normal levels – restoring homeostasis. If you are feeling anxiety, stress or having trouble falling asleep your central nervous system may be over excited in certain ways. CBD works to help lower that level of excitement and restore homeostasis.*

While the FDA (and all the other orgs that certify and police products) continually researches CBD for natural healing and supportive properties, CBD is even more attractive because it’s non-habit forming. There are studies underway to research CBD for symptoms and needs such as pain and inflammation such as muscle and joint pain, lower back pain, sports injury, workout recovery, headaches as well as other common concerns such as stress and anxiety, headaches and importantly sleep issues like sleep loss, help falling asleep and staying asleep.

Yes, that’s still a lot to take to understand, so I decided to try it for a bit to see what it did.

CHOOSING A CBD COMPANY

KINDURTH isn’t just a reputable CBD company – it’s focused on the environment (hence the name.) Kindurth’s mission is to provide the community with wellness products that are derived from nature, completely safe and of the highest quality available. Their products are 100% natural, organically grown, vegan, non-GMO and sourced responsibly from licensed farms in the US. KindUrth with the core value that the Earth is KIND — sustaining life, health and wellness for all beings who inhabit this wonderful planet. Urth places emphasis on “U” as in “You” and “Us” in our shared responsibility to show KINDNESS to the Earth.

Plus, I loved the packaging that felt like one of my favorite upscale beauty products and everything I researched came with extensive information about the ingredients and the overall information about CBD, which is a win for me.

DOES CBD WORK

I decided to dive into the pool of CBD slowly. First choice was with the CBD Gummies designed to help with sleep. The combination of CBD and Melatonin (a natural sleep aid) together helps you fall asleep fast and supports healthy sleep cycles. They were delicious (=and my kids even tried a few. Indeed after about a week, things seemed to improve with more restful sleep.

While I saw positive results from the CBD Gummies after a short time, the cream was an immediate change. The 300 mg Premium Nano CBD Cream is a high-quality CBD blended with a special formula of Rosemary, Lavender, Arnica, Vitamin E, Menthol for maximum penetration and benefit to help with pain. Using the metered dose pump, I applied the vegan, USA made product to my lower back and with my daughter’s help to the parts of my back I couldn’t get to. Immediately I could feel the tingle from the menthol, but within 15-20 could feel the pain soften. And while the product is not habit forming I have to admit at night it’s become a part of my sleep ritual and brought me much relief. I used to be able to see the massage therapist, but for now considering my kids are the only ones to help me, I’m relieved to have found something that works – with a beautiful scent and brings instant as well as longer-term relief with its extended time release formula.

As for the hallmark of the KindUrth products, the Premium Full Spectrum CBD Oil – I’m just starting to use this product. I wanted to give each product an opportunity to experience its results on its own and so far I’m so excited. I had held off because I had heard from others the taste of CBD oils are so “grassy.” but honestly I don’t taste anything off the 500 mg oil made only with hemp extract and coconut oil. Just placing it under the tongue, letting it sit for less than a minute and then swallow. Best of all the oil helps to bring a sense of calm, manage everyday stress, recovery from exercise, maintain healthy sleep cycles – things we all need right now. While I’ve only been using the CBD oil for less than a week, I’m excited by the track record of its results!

So am I using KindUrth now, I am. I plan to continue my exploration of CBD and how it helps, but right now I can say that it’s part of my new normal.

To learn more about KindUrth, visit their website.

Real Tips for Parents to Get Better Sleep

January 22, 2020 By Autumn Rose Reo 215 Comments

Listen up, parents. Sleep is not a luxury – it’s necessity to be a good parent! Here are Real Tips for Parents to Get Better Sleep and enter to win the Fitbit Charge HD to get a real handle on your sleep! Thanks Verizon for this amazing giveaway and The Dream Bed for letting us try it out!

Ironically I type up a post about with only four hours until I need to get up for my day. But that’s what most of us as parents get used to. If we’re gonna get anything done, we have to sacrifice and most the time that sacrifice it’s our sleep.

And that’s exactly what you should do – if you want to gain weight, increase your chance of heart disease, diabetes and the other numerous health issues that is causes when you don’t get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep nightly. And let’s not even talk about being irritable, grumpy, and downright pissy all day long to everyone – especially to your kids.

So what can you do to make all the other challenges of you day not cut right into your precious sleep time?

Take a lesson from yourself and listen to those things you tell your kids before they go to bed.

You’ll find out you’re pretty stinkin’ smart.

1. Make a Routine.

Creating a routine is one of most vital things as parents we do for our kiddos as soon as we bring them home from the hospital. You set a time and stick to it. Do the same thing for yourself and say 10 PM is your bedtime – and that’s it or you are in trouble mister!:)

2. Make it Comfortable to Get in the Mood.

When you tuck the kids in at night, you always make sure the temperature is just right, the pillow is perfect and of course, the bed is just right. Do yourself a favor and do a little audit of your own bed situation? Are you waking up feeling like you slept on a box of rocks? If you’re bed is over 7 years, it’s time to order a new one. Did you know you spend about 1/3 your lifetime in bed? So give your body a little respect (it’s the only one you got) and get a new bed for dream sleep.

No time? Then get online and order The Dream Bed. A few clicks and 48 hours later you’ll have a new bed in a box at your door. But this is no air up mattress – not at all just check out how it works. And you’ll rest peacefully knowing that when you buy a Dream Bed, they’ll give one to someone in need.

And make sure to set the mood…for sleep that is. I know, just because you lay down doesn’t mean your brain is ready for sleep. So get the mood with essential oils. There are several different ones to choose from and you can make your own blend for just the perfect sleep formula for you!

3. Turn it Off.

That’s right. Turn it all off – the phone, the TV, and most of all, your brain. And the only way that’s gonna happen is if you quit doing it for at least an hour before you go to bed. Just because you flip the switch doesn’t mean your head stops turning. So quit Pinteresting and posting and think about sheep.. and sleep… and whatever else gets your to nod off (I normally think about laundry since I have no interest in giving it anymore time in my day!)

4. Watch the Water.

The last thing I tell my kids at least an hour before night-night time is NO water so they don’t wet the bed. Hopefully, you’re past that stage (lol!), but you don’t want to fill up your bladder so you have to wake up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break. That includes a nightcap as well. I’m not saying you can’t have a glass, just be mindful of the timing as alcohol doesn’t normally make for restful sleep. And note to your healthy folks – make your workout part of your morning routine if you can. Getting all worked up at nighttime makes it difficult for the body to slow down for bedtime. So schedule accordingly.

5. Quantify to Get Quality

You just thought your Fitbit was made for steppin’ – actually it’s made for sleepin’ too! You can evaluate your sleep time with the Fitbit Charge HD. The #1 best seller at Verizon, the Fitbit is a mean little machine that helps you stay on top of your health. The graph in the free app shows you your sleep time, records, and whether or not you had good sleep.

That’s the one that counts.

Get Your Sleep In Check – Win a FitBit Charge HD, powered by Verizon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t Miss this #mamachallenge Moment:

How Do You Find the Right Mattress?

Best Planners for Moms

January 1, 2020 By Autumn Rose Reo 294 Comments

Getting organized for the New Year or Back to School? Get it Together with these Best Planners for Moms.

Affiliate links may be included.

The beginning of the year is our mental reset button to get it together. Get a wrangle on things for you, your family, your meal planning and whatever else with an organizer/planner/agenda. Then carpool, after school activities, athletic practices and science projects that are suddenly due the next day can stay in stay in check (at least as much as possible!)

Before you click out of this browser because you’re running from reality, slow down, take a deep breath and take these next few weeks to get prepared and most importantly organized.

Maybe you’re a digital woman who swears by the Google or their Outlook calendar. Click away, my friends. But for the more lady who literally needs to “pencil something in,” here the best mom planners and agendas that will make this year a piece of cake.

Best Planner: CARRIE ELLE // Website

What started as a blog and meal planner, has turned into a brand and a storefront dedicated to making life a little more beautiful and organized. From your 21-Day Fix, family meal planning, budgeting, a full 12-month agenda, digital downloads and now even journals for bullet journaling, Carrie Elle is a mom that has taken her best practices and made them easier for the rest of us with her favorite prints, inspirational quotes and more. that And because your job often includes meal planning, groceries and how to get it all done, make sure to check out the Meal Planner from Carrie Elle for her specially formatted book to help you look at meal planning and grocery shopping in a whole new way with perforated lists, calendars and ideas.

Best Planner: INKWELL PRESS // Website

From the moment you open the box your inkWELL liveWELL planner, you know you’re not just getting a planner, but a new lifestyle. Designed with the goal of educating women to empower themselves through organization, these planners aren’t just a cute worksheets and tabs, but actually supplied educational resources to help you customize your inkWELL Press products (meal planning, exercise, etc.) to suit the specifics of your lifestyle. From videos, free downloads and weekly emails, you are armed and ready to create a better life with this planner. (Plus the couple behind the brand are SMU alums, so I’m biased for a little local.)

[See this special look at the Inkwell Press liveWELL planner.]

Best Planner: ERIN CONDREN // Website

These planners are relatively new, but have quickly become a favorite amongst women in all walks of life. Whether you’re a freshman starting out in college or the mom of a cute kindergartner or the kindergarten teacher, these life planners are the perfect way to stay organized in style. Erin Condren planners can be purchased in either read to ship options or you can customize it to your specific needs. Start the creative process by choosing from dozens of covers, from metallic golds to classic prints, or upload your own design. Agendas are available in 12 month, 17 month, and basically however you need it. Weekly layouts can be made vertical or horizontal and includes a section for notes, to-dos or weekly goals. Planner accessories from sticker books to pop up markers, elastic bands and more can be purchase to add personality to your daily organizer.

Best Planner: GIGI NEW YORK // Website

For the ladies who are searching for a little of sophistication in their planner, look no further than the Gigi New York Notebook. The ultimate in style and fashion with embossed python leather notebook planners are handmade in a factory in Long Island and feature month and week-at-a-view appointment pages. The covers come in several classic and jewel tone colors and be personalized with your initials if available. The premier brand for datebooks, Gigi New York makes notebooks for major retailers including Barney’s, Neiman Marcus and Henri Bendel.

Best Planner: TOOLS 4 WISDOM // Website

A Tools4Wisdom 2017 Planner has been crafted for this purpose through question-driven planning and daily schedules that emphasize on the essential. Each planning page serves as a compass to plan on doing more of what we love – and less of the opposite. These calendars give you at-a -glance insight about your daily schedule, next appointments, and events. A desktop organizer is a fast and simple tool to keep your office schedule organized, all year round. Not only will you have a 2017 planner handy at all times, you’ll also have an ample and comfortable journal for writing.

Best Planner: OLIVIA SOPHIA // Website

Named after her daughter, Olivia Sophia is a line centered on sharing faith, world empowerment and love through paper. With several products from wedding planning to gift bags, each is an expression of beauty. One of its biggest products is the Marriage & Grace planner. “PERFECT for the wife that loves to include date nights, meal planning and weekly prayer request into your schedule. It include budget sheets and family meeting pages. It’s the planner that leaves no one out and helps to keep you on track while staying focused on God first, marriage and family second and grace as the standard.”

Best Planner: MOM AGENDA // Website

This agenda is sleek, stylish, and functional day planner and organizer for moms, and all women in general, to help you feel relaxed, at peace and in control of your whole life. momAgenda is on a mission to help organize busy moms everywhere with unique day planners and other organizational products. momAgenda has been featured in Real Simple and The New York Times and has even been featured on The Today Show. Celebrity moms like Felicity Huffman, Cindy Crawford, and Reese Witherspoon rave about momAgenda! The unique layout helps moms manage multiple schedules and features space for mom and up to four kids (or one for your spouse.) This planner features two ribbons to mark important places, monthly and weekly views and writing space for to—do list and notes like meal planning, movie night, party planning and more.

These are just a few agendas available to help you get started with your planning. Most of these are in high demand, so make sure you order one before they sell out!

Stop the Business of Being Busy

March 19, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Feel like you’re always busy? Feel like you’re not busy enough? Quit the comparisons and stop the Business of Being Busy.

Thanks to McDonalds of North Texas for reminding all us ladies that we are more than enough, we’re worth it with this sponsored post.

I have a lot of quirks.

I hate the sound of repetitive tapping.

I despise people who stand up on airplanes when you land in hopes to be the first to deboard.

I cannot even handle it when people take phone calls in public places like the doctor’s office and talk like no one else is in the room.

I could keep going on for days, but probably the thing I hate to hear the most?

[yes, imagine this is me. Like right now. Or maybe you, but you get it.]

Hearing women rattle off how busy they are.

Yes, I said it. And oh yes, I’ve done it.

Hey I get it, we all have so much to do. Like crazy amounts of things – some because we have to, some because we volunteered to, some because we want to, and a lot because we just feel like we have no choice otherwise.

But why is it we feel so compelled to list it like a badge of honor? And then use it to make other people feel bad (or you feel bad from hearing it and think, “wow, I should be doing more!”)

It’s true, as women, especially those that are moms, we do a lot. No matter what we do in our personal or professional lives, most women don’t just have one job. We normally have like 3 or 4…or 5 or 6…well multiple jobs and many of them go unpaid. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says women do more than 4.5 hours of work every day that is unpaid and it’s considered Women’s unpaid work is the backbone of the American economy. Says a lot, right?

But whether you have a big important job with a corner office or your window is the one you look out of every day as you nurse your kid, we work a lot and we wear a lot of hats…some we love, some we don’t, but it is what we do.

With the nature of my job and I often get asked, “what is it that you do?”

Sometimes, I just say marketing. But when the real answer is the only one that will do, I take a deep breathe and list off the list of what roles and responsibilities I have like a resume.

“…And oh yea, I have 2 kids and have been married since 2006.”

And it doesn’t even begin to really say what I do most days. But for every woman I know, that’s the case. We do it and we don’t even share the whole story because most of us don’t ever feel like it’s actually enough.

“I’m not working out enough.”

“I’m not volunteering enough.”

“I don’t cook enough.”

“I’m not home enough.”

“I’m not good enough.”

Man, the detriment we all do to ourselves with this thinking. But you know it’s true.

Being a woman and being a mom isn’t what we do, how much or how little, it’s how you live between the crazy that really matters.

For me:

It’s Sunday mornings when I steal a few moments of silence before my family wakes up wrapped up on the couch with nothing but silence.

It’s when I’ve had a super early morning, when I can stop through McDonalds and grab a medium cup of McCafè coffee (my favorite coffee bar none), hot and just the way I like it with three creamers. And then I can also grab hot breakfast for the kids and roll into the house just before they wake up to see a smile and the look of surprise!

It’s that opportunity when someone smiles at you or gives you a compliment or even better when you offer the smile that makes a big difference in your day and theirs!

Those are actually the sweet moments, especially those that you share with others, that bring us real joy that we should be judged by not the list of how much we do:)

This month McDonald’s all of us women and moms to share how you celebrate your own simple moments with LUNCH BUNCH! At each event, kids will be able to participate family friendly activities, including balloon twisters, face painters, arts and crafts and of course, to enjoy Play Place – to name a few! And you get a chance to talk with other women especially about women in business during Women’s History Month.

MARCH LUNCH BUNCH MEET UP

Tyler

Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 12-1 pm

McDonald’s at 4014 S. Broadway Avenue, Tyler, TX 75701

Dallas

Friday, March 22, 2019 from 12-1 pm

McDonald’s at 216 S. Coit Road, Plano, TX 75075

Plus everyone can try the newest menu offering, McCafé Donut Sticks. Made with golden-brown dough, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and made fresh every morning (they are light as air!)

I hope you’ll join me in Dallas on Friday and to enter to win a $10 McDonald’s gift card!

For those of you that attend the event, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a McDonald’s gift card if you say you’re from mamachallenge.com and the mamachallenge winner will also be entered to win whether they’re in attendance or not!

ENTER TO WIN MCDONALD’S GIFT CARD

Face It: 5 Real Benefits of Facials

January 15, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

Sure it feels good when someone treats you like a queen, but do facials actually benefit you? Here are 5 Real Benefits of Facials that are more than just fun.

Thanks to Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa at Lincoln Square in Arlington, Texas for sharing this great pore-opening sponsored experience!

Spa days for most of us are just one of the many dreams that the Real Housewives. Most the time the only “steaming” I had was when I dumped the spaghetti out of the pot and the steam hit my face.

(I’m always multitasking.)

However, with age, like everything in my parenthood, I’ve learned hanging with my “squad” for hours is not really possible to get on the calendar, but a routine, one-hour appointment to get a facial had real merit. And while I’m pretty good about washing my face, there’s so much more than getting it cleaned. And if I counted all the bottles of stuff I have to put on my face, I could easily have a new Louis V (no kidding.) BUT it doesn’t mean I’m doing it right or as good as they do when they perform facials professionally.

I was surprised that turning off my phone was so hard to do – even if for an hour to an hour and half, but after a glass of coconut water (they make the drops in-house), I was able to take a deep breath and let go. While that alone time is worth it, there are several other benefits for a frequent facial.

5 Real Benefits of Facials

1. Facials Get Your Face REALLY Clean

Washing your face daily has many benefits, but getting it cleaned through a facial is a whole other ballgame. Actually think of it more like a car wash. You’ve probably cleaned your car at home with the waterhose and a bucket. It was clean but it wasn’t near as clean as when you took it to the carwash and let them wash it, right? Normally the first step of a facial, the pores need to be cleaned out, preventing the increased size of pores and acne. Steaming, also part of the facial process, helps open things up, making it much easier for your skin to accept all those serums and creams you put on your face. It’s kinda useless basically to buy all those treatment if your skin doesn’t ever absorb them for them to work.

2. Then there’s all the Scrubbing

Exfoliation, or careful scrubbing, exfoliants to stimulate cell renewal, remove dry skin, break down stubborn discoloration (brown spots) and fade post-breakout red/dark marks. The scrubbing helps to get all the old crap out of the way so you can get the right crap on it. While at Hand & Body, my facialist asked all kinds of the questions to help find out all the things I did (and didn’t do right) to my skin so she can recommend the right masks, products, etc.

Actually, there isn’t just one exfoliation for everyone, either. With the help of your Hand & Body esthetician, you can experience several of their facial peels and exfoliation services depending on your needs including:

microdermabrasion
glycolic peel
salicylic peel
lactic acid peel

3. Massaging Does More Than Make Your Feel Good

And what about all that rubbing and massaging? It can aid in the detoxification process.

Facials drain all the crap under the skin that cause puffiness, ruddiness, and crap in the lymphatic system by actually pushing it out manually to drain. This way the crap detoxifies your skin both inside and out. Also, facials help your circulation to get the skin cells renewing and that color all pretty and pink.

…But yes that massaging on your face, neck, and shoulders does feel amazing. And nothin’ wrong about that.

4. Professional Consultation

All the Pinterest, Facebooking and reading you can do does not a dermatologist make you. While not every facialist is a derm either, they are educated about the skin, how best to treat it and prevent additional issues. These products can be applied during the facial (and this could be during repeated treatments) and also other products you can be using at home on a daily basis. This way you don’t just keep buying stuff at the drug store that doesn’t work and isn’t right for your skin.

5. Facials are Anti-Aging

When you’re 20 you aren’t thinking about anti-aging. But when you’re 30, those words get real. Facials help slow the aging process making your skin healthier by getting rid of all the old, dead skin cells, then increasing the rate of collagen production to make your skin healthier and more radiant. And all those products reduce the fine lines, lighten those age spots and give your skin that heavy drink of water (hydration) it needs.

Bottom line? Facials are good for you and do more than just make you feel good. Find somewhere you are comfortable with and keep facials in your routine; not just once in a while will create the best benefit for you. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa make it easy for you at a price that is also affordable, too. And your first service is always at a special introductory rate to try it out! You can’t beat that!

Melt Away Fat Without the Workout

December 20, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Does your wish list include losing inches, but can’t find the time for the exercise? With BTL Vanquish ME you can literally melt away fat without the workout.

Thank you to BTL Aesthetics and Advanced Skin Fitness for showing how it’s possible to get inches off your problem areas with a few non-invasive treatments.

What do YOU want for Christmas?

If Santa could figure out how I could go to bed Christmas Eve and wake up with a few inches off my belly, thighs or other choice areas, I’d be the happiest mama in the WORLD.

But we all know it’s all about work, time, and diligence to even begin to squeeze into those pre-baby jeans (I still have mine even though he’s 8 now!)

Unfortunately time isn’t something parents have tons of, especially to spend on us. And as much as I’ve tried, you can’t create more time in the day. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of what you have and make it work for you. AND I’m not talking special meals, pills, or pixie dust.

What if you could just melt away the muffin top or your post-pregnancy pooch?

BTL Vanquish ME is the next generation fat-reducing device that simultaneously slims the abs, belly and love handles by an average of 2 inches in 4-6 treatment sessions with no pain or no downtime. Basically by using the power of a radio frequency energy (like a microwave), the device heats up your fat cells, destroying them, and then they are removed from the body through your normal processes. AND it’s FDA cleared.

I have to admit the promise was big, but I still didn’t understand how it worked. Especially in regards to heat…I mean how hot was it gonna get?

So off to Dallas’ own Advanced Skin Fitness to figure out how BTL Vanquish ME really worked.

Wearing my best yoga pants (yep, comfortable, wear is requested), I was asked to lay down on the table and just relax. The technician rolled the BTL device over my stomach and flipped the switch.

I flipped through a magazine and enjoyed a little me time, then after around :45 minutes, he rolled it off my belly, and I was out the door.

That was it!

Now of course, there was a lot more going on, but nothing was touching me or my belly. I felt the heat from the device – and it was very warm – but with the help of my technician, he made sure I was comfortable throughout the session.

For six weeks, I visited Advanced Skin Fitness for my scheduled weekly visit to just spend a little me time, catching up on reading or even sneaking in a few minutes of sleep. (You can’t use your phone during the session which actually was a godsent – real relaxing!)

Clinicals Show: Patients Lost One-Quarter Liquid Gallon of Fat, on Average with BTL Vanquish ME”

But of course what you really want to know – did it work?

During my treatment, I was able to lose just under two inches from my waistline. AND that included a weeklong cruise (and you know those are full of food!) But otherwise, I kept to a healthy diet and minimal exercise. Now looking into the next year, BTL Vanquish ME is ideal to kick things into gear by undergoing treatment while managing a healthy diet and exercise.

Ready to trim, tighten, and tone with a little help from BTL Vanquish ME.

5 Ways to Make Your Face More Fabulous in a Flash

August 31, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 22 Comments

Have a special event coming up or feel like time is racing all over your face? Then do something now to make your face more fabulous in a flash. Get glam with these secrets to make you look gorgeous RIGHT. NOW.

Thank you to the amazing Dermatologist Dr. Houshmand for providing services for purposes of this post. This post is sponsored by Restylane^®. However, the thoughts and opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Getting older is for the birds…the old birds, right? And I’m not a bird…

Ok it has some good parts, but they say one of the hardest parts is the race against time that is running all over your face.

I’m not talking about turning into an old maid overnight; I’m just suggesting that sometimes things on your body start to fall closer to the ground than we want…(still talking about our face here…)

I’ve shared that I felt 2016 was a transformational year for me. There was no reason to deal with all the things that bugged me about me when there are ways to change them. Having LASIK was one of the first steps in my journey and it really changed everything – including my mindset. Life is too short and believe me, this body ain’t gonna fix itself. So finally I bit the bullet. A few tweaks here and there to help me be my best me. And tide me over until I do a full mommy makeover (well, I’m still wishing on that one.)

Ready to dive in? Before you do anything crazy, make sure you’re not under the influence, feeling really depressed, or just bored. And to get at least 8 hours of sleep and consume at least 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water (actually doctors say 1 ounce for every pound is the right amount for your daily intake.)Those two things can create beautiful results within themselves! That, with one of these tips, and you’ll be your best you in no time!

1. Get Bronzed, Baby with Bronzer // $5-$35 / Takes less than 5 minutes – 1 day

Whether you opt for a fake bake with a spray tan, lather it on, or a brush it all-over with a shimmer or shine, brown fat is better than white fat and that includes your face. There’s nothing like a little bronze to minimize the dark spots, even your complexion and make your face light up like a woman who just got her first Louis Vuitton.

To get your spray tan, make sure your skin is exfoliated, but you don’t have any lotion for the most even look. After 15 minutes of spray, go to bed and you’ll be ready for the red carpet.
Opt for the lotion, foam or spray self- tanner, than read the instructions and make sure not to sleep on white sheets. Wake up the next morning for the golden touch.
Going with bronzer, then consider this one from Laura Mercier that’s an easy way for an immediate glow.

2. Clean up Your Pearly Whites with Professional Teeth Whitening // 15 minutes – 30 minutes / $125 session

The prettiest thing you can wear is a smile, but not one that shows the gallons of coffee and bottles of wines you needed to get through 2015. So make those pearly whites sparkle with teeth whitening. There are tons of products you can use (and hours you can spend) doing it yourself, but for an instantly beautiful smile, leave it to the professionals! For me that is DFW Smile Labs. In just around 1/2 an hour, my teeth look like they belong in a toothpaste commercial. Immediately, I walked out feeling like I gained five years to my life and the rest of my face just perked up too. No crazy hours of bleaching trays, sensitive teeth and planning for just the right night to do it yourself, you can be ready for the camera in no time at all!

3. Eye Those Eyebrows with Great Eyebrows // 5 minutes – 20 minutes / $ 5-35

I remember in third grade, I brought up my school pictures and realized I could’ve been Frida Kahlo’s descendant, so that marked my first tweeze job. Now I get those babies waxed almost as much as I run through the Starbucks’ line. There’s just something about clean, trimmed and perfect eyebrows to make your whole face brighten up and just look like “she’s got it together.”

However, channeling my Grandma (and my inner Kardashian), whipping out that eyebrow pencil to color in the brows are exactly what you need to finish the look. Not sure what to do? Hit up the Sephora for a free 15-minute makeover to show you want to do.

4. Create Contour with Fillers // 30 minutes / The cost is determined by healthcare professionals and will vary based on the amount of product used and the frequency of injections.

Ok, some celebrity gals have the whole fish-face-for-real look down pat. I love the look (and the rise in contour sticks show the rest of us do too), but doing it yourself is a little overwhelming without feeling like your face is a Paint-by-Numbers Kit. Try to figure it out on your own and you may look more like you’re getting ready for combat than out for a date. However, there are easier ways to create those perfect cheekbones and reduce the age around your mouth.

Restylane® Lyft is an injectable hyaluronic acid gel used to correct volume loss in the cheeks and midface and treat wrinkles in the face for a natural-looking, more youthful appearance. After attending an event with Dr. Houshmand, an internationally recognized Double Board Certified Dermatologist, to learn more about Restylane®, I discovered all the different things that can be done to look just like you with that extra lift you need in just the right place (for me that was my cheeks!). And most of all, it didn’t hurt much at all. Common side effects include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, headache, tenderness, and itching. While you do need 24 hours to a few days for the filler to settle in, you can walk out of the office ready to go. (Be nice about these pictures, they are completely makeup free!)

5. Say Goodbye to those Wrinkle Lines // 30 minutes / The cost is determined by healthcare professionals and will vary based on the amount of product used and the frequency of injections.

Wrinkles. Wrinkles. Wrinkles.

They suck.

There are tons of creams you can put on your face to attempt to diminish, dissolve or fade wrinkles away, but it takes time to see the effect and the money it can cost to keep them at bay. But with a little help from Restylane^® Silk, the effect can be immediate and last for up to several months. The first FDA approved product exclusively designed for subtle lip enhancement and the treatment of lines and wrinkles (also known as “barcode” or “smoker” lines) around the mouth, Restylane® Silk is a smooth, transparent hyaluronic acid (HA) gel that can be injected into the lips or the area around the mouth to restore natural, more youthful definition, symmetry and help smooth wrinkles.

Treated with 2 mL of Restylane Silk in the lips and perioral (lip) lines around the mouth. 5 weeks after treatment. Individual results may vary.

While the lip lines have not gotten to me yet, thankfully I know there’s a great way to keep more youthful-looking lips.

I would highly recommend Dr. Elizabeth B. Houshmand and her skill and artistry to achieve a natural look with Restylane® Lyft and Restylane® Silk.

To learn more about Restylane® Lyft or Silk and find a specialist in your area, visit www.RestylaneLyft.com or www.RestylaneSilk.com

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Important Safety Information

Indications: The Restylane family of products includes Restylane®, Restylane-L®, Restylane® Lyft with Lidocaine and Restylane® Silk. Restylane, Restylane-L, and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine are indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

Restylane and Restylane–L are indicated for mid-to-deep dermal implantation. Restylane and Restylane-L are also indicated for submucosal implantation for lip augmentation in patients over the age of 21.

Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine is indicated for implantation into the deep dermis to superficial subcutis. Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine is also indicated for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies in patients over the age of 21.

Restylane Silk is indicated for submucosal implantation for lip augmentation and dermal implantation for correction of perioral rhytids in patients over the age of 21.

Products in the Restylane family contain traces of gram-positive bacterial protein and are contraindicated for patients with allergies to such material or in patients with severe allergies that have required in-hospital treatment. These products should not be used by patients with bleeding disorders or by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Restylane-L, Restylane Silk and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine should not be used by anyone with a known allergy to lidocaine. Products should not be injected anywhere except areas indicated in their Instructions for Use.

Use of products in the Restylane family at the site of skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infection should be postponed until healing is complete. The most commonly observed side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, and itching at the injection site. These are typically mild in severity and typically resolve in less than 7 days in nasolabial folds and less than 14 days in lips. Serious but rare side effects include delayed onset infections, recurrence of herpetic eruptions, and superficial necrosis at the injection site. Do not implant into blood vessels. Use with caution in patients recently treated with anticoagulant or platelet inhibitors to avoid bleeding and bruising.

The Restylane family of products is available only through a licensed practitioner. Complete Instructions for Use are available at www.RestylaneUSA.com.

Beyond Lasik: What Else Does Kleiman-Evangelista Do?

April 17, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Thinking about LASIK, but don’t know where to start? Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge is giving you a real look at LASIK and other services beyond Lasik at Kleiman|Evangelista with the Mom it Forward Blogger Network. #KEHELPEDMESEE

If you’ve followed my journey to perfect eyesight after 25 years in glasses, you’d think it’s been a long process.

Actually, from the moment I stepped in the door for a free consultation to my post-procedure appointment, it was only three weeks. Three weeks that has changed my life from something that affected me daily for almost three decades. While the time was short, the connection I have made with the team at Kleiman-Evangelista is strong.

But why wouldn’t it be?

Everyone I’ve come in contact with has been more than just friendly – they were integral in making a big difference in my life. I trusted them with one of my most valuable organs and they gave me the ability to see without glasses. That’s a pretty big promise and they over-delivered in giving me both what I wanted with a huge helping of support, guidance, and good customer service.

So when you have that connection with a company, you don’t necessarily want it to end. Just like a friend, you want it to extend past this one moment and in this case, other services.

I discovered that Kleiman-Evangelista offers more healthy vision. They have a Med Spa on property called Awakenings that offers everything from massages, to facials and peels, non-surgical body contouring and sculpting technologies and an extensive line of medical skin care products. And rather than going into a place you’ve never been to, Awakenings MedSpa gives you the professionalism and experience you expect from the KE Center.

A photo posted by Awakenings Med Spa (@awakeningsmedspa) on Apr 15, 2015 at 2:04pm PDT

I’m anxious to make an appointment. A few of the services that really have me interested include:

Dermaplaning

Starting to notice that unwanted hair around your chin, cheeks and neck that you want to get rid of? Of course, I don’t have any of that (at least that I want to show you in an up-close photo), but I’ll admit there may be a few places that could be “attended to.” An alternative to waxing and threading, dermaplanning uses a surgical scalpel to remove the top layers of dead skin cells and unwanted facial hair. It improves the appearance of facial wrinkles and acne scars and is effective treatment for skin issues and environmentally damaged skin.

Coolsculpting

Ready to freeze off fat? Me too. CoolSculpting uses controlled cooling (Cryolipolysis®) to gently and effectively freeze and eliminate unwanted fat cells. Ironically, the concept was discovered by Harvard University scientists who notices children developed dimples in their cheeks eating popsicles. “The idea that cold can selectively freeze and eliminate fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissue is the science behind CoolSculpting.” [Awakenings Med Spa.]

Did you know that you are born with a certain number of fat cells and depending on when you lose or gain weight, those cells increase or shrink? With Coolsculpting, the cells are completely rid from your body.

During the procedure, fat cells are frozen, crystallizing them, and causing them to die. Then the body expels them so then you’re left with a learner you.

Once I have this one, I hope to share the results with you exactly the way I did with my Lasik – up close and personal.

MicroNeedling

Looking to get rid of those beginning wrinkles and scars? Microneedling uses tiny needles to create microholes in the skin to stimulate the body’s natural process of rapid collagen and elastin production. The new thicker skin will resemble your younger self, one without the look the wrinkles and before sun damage. This service can be done in several areas of the body and with basically no downtime, you’ll have the look of fresh, subtle skin in almost no time.

Believe me, once you realize that there is a way to live a better life with the help of Kleiman-Evangelista, why wouldn’t you?

Check out their Facebook for new promotions offered for any of these services, as well as LASIK, or view the website for more information.

Don’t miss these #mamachallenge moments:

What Happens After Lasik Surgery

April 11, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 15 Comments

Thinking about LASIK, but don’t know where to start? Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge is giving you a real look at LASIK, including what happens after Lasik surgery, with the help of Kleiman|Evangelista and the Mom it Forward Blogger Network. #KEHELPEDMESEE

A few weeks after Lasik, you’d think maybe I’ve gotten used to not having to wear glasses.

Nope.

Each morning, I’m more excited every day that I finally did it.

First segment AFTER lasik! (No back and forth with glasses on off camera and taking them off right before we go live.) Can’t wait to share it with you soon!

But now what? Is there anything that happens after lasik?

Are there other appointments?
Can you swim or exercise?
Do you have medications to take?
Do you have to do it again later?
Do you get eye infections?
Can you mess it up?

I can report at least at this point – I haven’t messed anything up and nor will I. You can’t do much to “mess it up” after your recovery period…as long as pay attention to the few things not to do after the procedure.

You may be asked to NOT do a few of your normal activities (up to a week after the procedure) including:

Exercise (after a few days I was allowed to exercise)
Driving (is normally just for the first day depending on your doctor)
Makeup (no eye makeup for a week. This was my hardest part!)
Spa or Sauna
Gardening or other areas where there is soil in sand
Smoking isn’t forbidden, but perhaps may irritate your eyes
Rubbing your eyes!

Yep, it may seem very obvious to not rub your eyes, but you’d be surprised how often you touch your eyes you don’t even know it! Sleeping might be easier with the special goggles they give to you post-procedure to wear. You won’t want to clean out your eyes with your fingers either. Your hands carry so much bacteria and you definitely don’t want that in your “new” eyes.

All I can say is that the recommended medicated eye drops are your best friend. For real.

And to be honest, mine still are. Especially as A/C and fan season kicks in, my eyes don’t love direct air blowing on my eyeballs. And with allergies in full swing, my eyes were already burning before. There hasn’t been any increase, but the drops sure have helped the dryness and itchiness that I normally experience.

After the procedure and your initial follow-up appointment, there will be other appointments, but just a few and far between typically – one after a week and then around six weeks later. After this point, your doctor will choose if and when other appointments are necessary. On average, it’s just like you would before lasik – recommended at at least once a year.

While like any procedure, you aren’t always perfect right off the bat. But it amazes me how much my eyes changed in such a short amount of time. Originally, I saw a little halo effect around bright lights, but that only lasted a few days. And remember, I was seeing 20/20 the next day.

Of course, everyone’s eyes are a little different. I’ve shared my experience candidly with Kleiman-Evangelista Eye Center and am excited to report nothing but rave reviews. So what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present to start seeing your life more clearly with lasik.

Make your free appointment now.

Don’t miss these #mamachallenge moments:

The Cost of NOT Having LASIK

April 5, 2016 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Thinking about LASIK, but don’t know where to start? Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge is giving you a real look at LASIK, including the cost of not having Lasik, with the help of Kleiman|Evangelista and the Mom it Forward Blogger Network. #KEHELPEDMESEE

I can’t believe it’s already been a month since I had HD BladeFree Lasik at Kleiman-Evangelista Eye Center.

Thinking back on the last 30 days, it overwhelms me how much my life has changed. REALLY.

Like each morning when I reach for my glasses and realize I don’t need them…
When I put on eye makeup and don’t have to cover it up with big lenses…
Reaching to pick up my daughter and not have to say “watch my glasses”…
Putting on my running shoes and I don’t have to grab glasses to see…
Or watching TV, the computer, going to the movies, or checking my smartphone – I don’t have to have glasses.

I think this is a sign… Don’t you hate when you’re that reliant on a little bit of plastic? #glasses #mamachallenge #dallasblogger #eyes #whattodo #working #cantsee #urgh #lasik #foureyes

A photo posted by Autumn Reo | Mamachallenge.com (@autumnreo) on Mar 5, 2016 at 12:22pm PST

Like many people, I had been thinking about Lasik for years, but kept coming up with excuses to put it off.

Will it hurt?

I don’t have time for the down time?

What if something happens?

Do I really need it?

It costs too much.

However, the idea of wanting Lasik was always there in the back of my head. Kinda like a little whisper that always got louder each time I went to get new glasses, broke my frames, or my glasses slid down my nose (daily.)

Then there was finally a moment I realized – what was I waiting for?

My eyes are one of our most precious resources. Why was I willing to spend money on clothes or a car that I only used temporarily instead of my eyes that I used everyday to work, to drive, and of course, see my children?!? Almost everything I do includes my eyes, so why wasn’t I willing to reap the benefits of 20/20 vision on my own!

While those were the intrinsic costs, what about the real hard costs of having glasses/contacts? Lasik is normally performed only once, while glasses and/or contacts are an annual cost.

Let’s break it down. According to a 2013 market study, average annual costs of corrective lenses are as follows*:

Eye Exam: $100 – $200
Contact Lenses: $250 – $700
Contact Lens Supplies: $150 – $200
Glasses with Designer Frames: $500 – $1000
Backup Pair of Glasses: $100 – $200
Prescription Sunglasses: $500+
Total: $1600+/ year

If you do the math, having glasses and/or contacts ain’t exactly cheap. And last year for Christmas, my husband bought me two pairs of prescription sunglasses. Those little gifts cost around $450 a piece! So for me, my Lasik could have almost been paid for when you start adding up costs like that.

Although, I wish Lasik was covered under insurance, unfortunately it’s not normally covered under your benefits. However, some plans (like mine) do allow for Lasik to be included in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Spending Account (HSA.) And when you combine that, with the discounts/promotions often offered by Kleiman-Evangelista Eye Center, the cost are very affordable.

While every patient is different, so every procedure is different, costs for Lasik can range depending on your provider and your needs. For a procedure like my HD BladeFree Lasik, costs range starting at $2,500 per eye. However, your eyes isn’t where you want to start looking for the cheapest service available either. It’s your eyes!!! You want to not just pick the place with the most experience, but also the best customer service, and certainly who is going to be up front with you about everything from the start.

For me, I found that at Kleiman-Evangelista and you will, too. You can make appointment any day of the week for free or if you have a few questions before you even step in the door, get online now and chat with someone immediately to give you more information as you start your own path in seeing the world in a whole new way.

A better way. A better life.

Why wait for that?

Don’t Miss this #mamachallenge moment: