Product of the Week! - Calm Soothing Eye Gel

As if the Calm Sensitive Skin Line wasn't awesome enough on it's own with the great Cleanser, Serum, and Moisturizer, they added this little number - the Soothing Eye Gel!

You've seen it on t.v. where ladies are getting facials and spending the day at the spa. They always have those cucumbers on their eyes. Most people are like, "what are those for?" Well, the coolness of the cucumbers help sooth and relax the eyes which helps reduce puffiness as well as adding a little bit of natural moisture.

Just like those cucumber slices, "this gentle, ophthalmologist-tested eye gel, packaged with a
convenient roller ball applicator, leaves skin feeling instantly refreshed. The lightweight formula helps
reduce the appearance of puffiness around the eyes and hydrates and smooths the eye area for
youthful, vibrant-looking skin."

My Eye Gel Experience:
This is one of my favorite parts of my morning and evening routine. While I do enjoy how my face and skin feels after washing, I can't wait to get to my eye gel roller! The coolness is so nice at the end of the day, especially if it's been a stressful one. I also notice that if I'm a little tired in the morning, the gel helps take care of my puffiness so that I look refreshed.

Key Ingredients and Benefits
 • Aloe Vera, cucumber, licorice, mallow,
chamomile and sea mayweed soothes, comforts
and moisturizes the skin.
• Japanese green tea contains antioxidants.
• Contains naturally derived and food-grade
ingredients.
• Extra-gentle formula helps soothe easily irritated,
sensitive skin by providing hydrating relief.

Clinical Results
After two days of use*
• 92% agreed it softened and helped
replenish moisture to the skin around the
eye area.
• 86% agreed it helped restore moisture to
the skin around the eyes for an improved,
youthful appearance.
• 86% agreed it helped reduce the
appearance of under-eye puffiness.
After 7 days of use*
• 94% said the product cooled, revitalized
and moisturized to help minimize the
appearance of aging around the eyes.*
*Based on clinical studies of 50 individuals.

Product of the Week! - Calm Gentle Daily Cleanser

Welcome the newest product line brought to you by Arbonne: Calm - Sensitive Skin Care.
This line has four different products specifically "formulated to help provide hydrating relief from tightness, dryness and discomfort. With 80% food grade ingredients, these extra gentle formulas help calm and soothe sensitive skin that is easily irritated. Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, colorant-free, and allergy- and dermatologist-tested, Calm has soothing botanicals to nurture and moisturize without blocking pores."

The Calm line carries a Gentle Daily Cleanser, Soothing Facial Serum, Gentle Moisturizer, and Soothing Eye Gel.
This week we're focusing on the Cleanser:
"This extra-gentle, sulfate-free cleanser, formulated with only the most essential ingredients, gently washes away makeup, excess oil and dirt without irritating or over-drying the skin. Use day or night to leave skin feeling clean and refreshed."

The cleanser is a very mild face cleanser that if soap free, dye free, and fragance free. 50% of Americans suffer from Sensitive skin and it's hard to find products that not only clean well, but do so without stripping the skin of it's natural moisture or leaving it irritated. It's also only $24!

My Calm Line Experience:
 I have never been one to say that I have 'sensitive' skin, but I've always had problem skin. For as long as I can remember, I have had these small bumps all along my forehead and temples. Also, I have very large pores, especially on my nose. I constantly struggle with pimples, clogged pores, and the bumps on my head. It's been very frustrating.  When I started using this line though, I observed an almost overnight change to my face, within a week my skin was noticeably different! I picked up the line at the Arbonne Conference and when I returned home after a couple days, one of my coworkers even told me, "Wow, your face looks great! It's so much clearer." I gushed, "It's Arbonne!"
By using the Calm line, my skin is smoother, I have less problems with my pores, and I'm not embarrassed by it anymore.After I wash my face with the Calm Gentle Cleanser, my faces feels clean and refreshed. I never have that tight feeling.

Fragrance Free?: 
It's funny, the first time I used it, I thought to myself, "Fragrance free? Surely not. It's from Botanicals, it must have some sort of scent." However, as I pumped a little bit into my hand, I sniffed it, and truly it smelled like nothing! I couldn't believe it. Even after massaging it over my face, I still noticed no smell whatsoever!

Design:
The Gentle Cleanser comes in a pump bottle. I usually hate pump bottles because I travel a lot and it's annoying to have to pack everything in plastic baggies or open up your bag to find whatever products has squished out all over your stuff. If you don't get a chance to get the travel kit, luckily, this little guy clicks closed. I can comfortably turn the head with a little kick and throw it in my purse and not worry about my purse contents getting messy.  

Key Ingredients and Benefits

• Aloe Vera, cucumber, licorice, mallow, chamomile and sea mayweed soothes, comforts and moisturizes the skin.
• Japanese green tea contains antioxidants.
• Contains naturally derived and food grade ingredients.
• Extra-gentle formula helps soothe easily irritated, sensitive 

Clinical Results
After 2 days of use*
• 100% agreed the product is a gentle daily cleanser that removed dirt and grime with no irritation.
• 96% said it calmed and soothed their skin.
• 86% said it gently lifted away impurities without leaving skin feeling tight or dry.
• 80% said it is one of the gentlest products they have ever used.
*Based on clinical studies of 50 individuals.

My first 5k

Today I ran my first 5k! It was pretty epic.

I ran in the Susan G. Komen 'Race for the Cure.'  There were a lot of people! I did not expect it to be such a large event, but it was truly awesome! There were all sorts of vendors giving out free stuff and bands, even a special tent for survivors where we got pancakes, pictures taken, and loads of free swag! (The friend I ran with is a survivor) There were girls in pink tutus and a couple caped super heros. So much pink!! Even I bought a pink shirt for the race. I had no idea what to expect, but it was so amazing to see all these people out supporting such a great cause.

We were able to squeeze our way to the front for the beginning of the race. When they fired the gun, a wave of pink poured out onto State street of Salt Lake City! I kept up with my friend for a block or so, but she soon left me in the dust. That's ok, my goal wasn't to beat anybody, I just wanted to run the whole thing and not stop. I definitely was able to accomplish my goal, even got 'pinked' and got a cool pair of pink sunglasses. It was pretty neat how fast the race went by, there were so  many people, even bamds strategicallh lined up along the path. Before ai knew it, I had made the halfway point and was getting water. Then I hit the two mile marker. I remember thinking to myself, 'does that mean I ran two miles or that I just got to the second mile?'

My friend finished before me and came back to run the rest of the way with me. It was perfect timing because I was starting to wear down and had slowed down considerably from my starting pace. But having her next to me, I had a surge of energy and with the finish line in the distance, I picked it up again and was able to complete the race in 35 minutes! I felt great! It's funny, only a month ago I was running one mile, now I had run 3.1. Amazing!

I really feel good about what I've accomplished and so glad that I did it. There were a few moments that were tough and I thought about stopping, but I didn't. There's a lesson in this; "if you have a goal, go for it. If you slow down, you'll get there, but if you stop you'll never reach it."

7-day Body Cleanse - Day 7!

Alright! Today is my last day on the cleanse!

So after running my 3.5 miles yesterday, I went out with the some of my girlfriends for girls night. We always go to Maccool's, an irish pub. I got a buffalo burger, thinking that'd be a little more healthy with a mix of Regular and Sweet Potato Fries. I didn't get a beer! Shocker, I know. Instead, I opted for a nice glass of cranberry juice. Plus, I only had one bite of an offered dessert.

Now, I woke up this morning at about 4am with unbelievable stomach pain. I was awake for a couple hours, writhing about, trying to get comfortable and cuddling the kitties. I took a couple drops of my "DigestZen" oils but it still took a couple hours before I could fall asleep. The pain was very reminiscent of my gallbladder pain (self diagnosed). In fact, as I type this, I can feel a residual ache in my side. I'm hoping it passes quickly.

So I'm finishing up my 7-day Body Cleanse. I'm still having the need to use the bathroom more frequently and gurgly tummy. I think this may actually be very normal. Therefore, I'm concluding that while using this product, in order to get the best results;

1. Do NOT go on a trip or extended excursion where you have limited access to a restroom. *
2. Do NOT eat unhealthy/fatty foods if you can help it. *
3. Do NOT drink sugary/alcoholic beverages. *
4. DO drink plenty of extra water. *
5. DO eat healthy and wholesome foods. *
6. DO continue to exercise and enjoy everyday activities. *
7. DO have a good time and enjoy the wonderful tasty drink. *

I'm happy with my results and have learned alot from this cleanse. I'm excited to see how the cleanse goes when I do it again in a month or two.

* These statesments are from me alone and not of Arbonne. Though I'm sure they'd agree with me. :)

7-day Body Cleanse - Day 5 and 6

It's really hard to eat healthy, when you are having work parties and end of the season functions. I guess I could have more will power, but who's kidding who?

**Warning... more graphic content involving bodily functions**

Ok. So I noticed a tapering off around day 4 and 5 of the softening of stool. However, I will say, that if you eat fatty foods while on the cleanse, you will pay for it. As I mentioned on Day 1, you should be running to the bathroom constantly. If you do eat poorly, your body will quickly cleanse it out of you. It's not uncomfortable really, but I would make sure you have access to a bathroom and a candle, because you will be gassy and bloated.

Defintitely good to drink plenty of water in addition to the mixed water.

I did run 3.5 miles today and it was a breeze! I couldn't believe how great I felt. I could have kept going, but I didn't want to outdo myself before the race on Saturday.

7-day Body Clease: Day 3 and 4

Ok. So I did not go out to the country western bar, but I did go out to my fave pub last night. Hey, I met a really cute guy at the Free Comic Book Day event and we went out. I DID have 2 drinks, tequila and OJ but to be fair, they make really weak drinks here in Utah.
I probably shouldn't but I dont think it has affected my cleanse.
I have noticed a more frequent need for the restroom, and still some softening of stool but, nothing uncomfortable or unusual.
Yesterday I walked quite a bit, to the Comic book store, did some gardening, and then back home . After my comic book guy and I finished up at the bar, we took a little stroll around the neighborhood. I get bonus points because I was in heels and it was incredibly windy.
As for today, I ran  2.5 miles. It kinda sucked.. I mean the first mile wa a piece of cake, it's the second half that really was aweful. I'm taking tomorrow off exercise-wise, but am running 3 miles on Tuesday.
Sadly, I'm have a huge headache. Maybe I should go to bed early, for once.

7-day Cleanse - Day 2

Today is my second day on the 7-day Body Cleanse from Arbonne. It's going great. I feel good and I actually had to ration out my Cleanse water so that I didn't drink it all at once. It tastes so good! In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm looking forward to tomorrow and getting to drink my third serving.

Last night I ran 2.25 miles at the gym in preparation for my Susan G. Komen 5k next weekend. Today, I'm not very sore or tight. I'm also not so worn out I couldn't work a full day. That's good. Oh! Last night I weighed myself, I'm currently at 170lbs. This seems to be me average over all weight. Also, I talked with some ladies in my Aqua Aerobics class and for this month we're starting a Month challenge. Our instructor has given us a calendar of different activities to accomplish this month. If we do, we get a prize. I'm so in!

My meals got a little messed up since I had to run errands on my lunch break and forgot to actually have lunch. But I got my salad and little bit of spaghetti for dinner. I did notice ...** ok warning!  this is graphic, just a warning!** .. I did notice a softening of the stool. But it wasn't anything uncomfortable or unusual. It may be due to the cleanse or even the fact that I had gluten today. We'll see how things go.

For my activity tonight, I'm going to go line dancing. The key is to try not to drink. I do love my drinkies, but while on the cleanse I really shouldn't have any alcohol. Ahh.. this is the hardest part. I'm going to have to ask Arbonne if it's ok to have a drink or two. Thank you Arbonne for The Source!