Monday, June 30, 2014

#NatalieJillFitness 30 day challenge on Pinterest-starts July 1st.

Got an email today from Natalie Jill Fitness that she is starting another free month long challenge. This time it's on Pinterest! 



http://www.pinterest.com/nataliejillfit/30-day-challenge/

Here are some details that she posted in my email about the challenge: 

During this challenge, NATALIEJILLFITNESS will be pinning 3 cards each day.  
Each card will have a theme of Happy, Healthy, or Fit.  
  • The HAPPY card will have a short assignment or tip to help you with your overall happiness.
  • The HEALTHY card will have a short video, assignment, recipe, or health tip.  
  • The FIT card will have a detailed workout for you to follow that day.
Don’t worry, ALL of the workouts will take less than 10 minutes to  complete. 


To make it even easier for you, use coupon code: 30DAYCHALLENGE to save 20% on any of her programs HERE.   

TO JOIN all you have to do is:
1.  CLICK HERE
2.  “Follow the board”
3.  Comment on one of the images on the board that YOU ARE IN!


I have personally paid for the 7 day jumpstart (which I've done twice) and just got the 4 week program and they are FABULOUS!! Super easy to follow and I feel great when I follow her eating plans! 

You can follow my Pinterest board here as I follow along with this month long challenge:
http://www.pinterest.com/rdevaughn4/nataliejillfitnesschallenge/


Hope to see you there-happy, healthy and fit! 

MyYogaWorks website review and 1 free month code!

This week I had the chance to check out "MyYogaWorks" website. 
https://www.myyogaworks.com/

It's really cool-you can do a search for duration (who doesn't have 5-10 mins?!) or by Target Area (arms, legs etc.), Level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), benefit (cardio, calming etc.) or by the teacher. 

There are also several free videos you can try before signing up for a monthly membership. I have been able to view the videos on my ipad as well as the computer and didn't have any streaming issues. 


I have personally tried two of them so far-Cardio Wake up Call (15 mins) and 5 Min Yoga Butt, which is free here: 
https://www.myyogaworks.com/video?embed=NkMGhjODp7QXoq1g7lCWOy0deDDmmKWw&journey=yoga-butt

The Yoga butt gets started right away so make sure you are warm first. 

I like that they have 2 people demonstrating the yoga moves and then the instructor giving directions and pointing out the form. 

Here are some Yoga Class Suggestions for you: 
Stability and balance video


I explored one of the headings called "Journey series" and found some really neat challenges-one is called the "28 day spring yoga challenge" which I would love to try. 
More info about the Journey Series here: 
https://www.myyogaworks.com/journey%20series
They have several other challenges like Detox or Meditation. 

I can't wait to do more videos from this website-they have alot of variety. I've only had this subscription for less than a week so I haven't been able to view many videos yet.  

If you would like to try it out, you can use my code "bloggermonth" to receive ONE FREE MONTH of "MyYogaWorks". 

https://www.myyogaworks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/myyogaworks


Disclosure: I received a free six-month trial of MyYogaWorks in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Welcome to the Jessica Smith Flat Abs Challenge! | SUBSCRIBE TO JOIN - Begins July 1st



I love Jessica Smith TV workout youtube videos-and the best part is that they are FREE and FULL LENGTH!! I've used them off and on for years. Jessica is easy to follow, great with directions and motivating!

She is starting a free 31 day flat abs challenge starting Tuesday July 1st.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe5P3ayTEj7Z7CJqzdZHgX7pRzUse1wEy

I'm going to try and do this challenge along with starting PIYO next week; so I can still get my 60 mins of exercising in the mornings.

What are your workout plans for July?

Thursday, June 26, 2014

FREE printable #PIYO Food Diary for 60 day Nutrition Plan. #piyoworkout #chalenejohnson

I got my deluxe piyo kit in the mail last night!! I posted a youtube video yesterday with the contents.
You can see my blog post here:
http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-deluxe-piyo-kit-from-chalenejohnson.html

I'm planning to start PIYO on Monday along with "The Daniel Plan" program which is implementing healthy eating along with daily exercise.

As I was looking thru the food plan last night (which is awesome!) I didn't really like the food tracker that I downloaded from the beachbody website that I previously shared here on my blog. I wanted more space to write down what I actually ate and for what categories.

I made up a new PIYO food tracker and hopefully you will like it and it will be helpful with your food logging. Theres room to write down food for every meal, what category, how many servings, and how many cups of water per day.




DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE FOOD TRACKER HERE:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2pDqGIZYlisb3ZEcW1kY3VFenc/edit?usp=sharing

The Food plan seems very similar to the 21 day fix food plan except you aren't using colored containers. You eat specific servings per day of the specific food groups and each page tells you what items you can eat and what a serving size is. Super easy to follow and understand!!

For example, because of my weight I will be following plan B which is 1400-1599 calories.
So every day I can have:
5 servings of food from the primary vegetables category,
2 servings of secondary veggies and grains,
2 servings of fresh fruit
5 servings of lean protein
4 servings of healthy fats

For breakfast I typically have:
1 scoop of Greenberry shakeology (or any protein drink)
1 cup frozen berries
1/2 banana
1.5 tsp almond butter
1 cup water
--------------------------
EQUALS for the PIYO plan:
1 protein
1 fruit
1 fruit
1 healthy fat

For lunch I could have:
unlimited romaine lettuce salad mix
2 hard boiled eggs or 3 oz turkey breast
dressing
1/2 sweet potato
------------------------------------
EQUALS for the PIYO plan:
1 primary veggie
1 protein
1 healthy fat
1 secondary veggie/grain

See how easy that is?
Just plan your day's meals AHEAD of time and I promise you, you can be successful!


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

My deluxe #piyo kit from #ChaleneJohnson is here!! #piyoworkout



Printable calendar:

You can download it free here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2pDqGIZYlisLXNDOUV2cW40UEk/edit?usp=sharing

I also found this awesome food tracker on the Team Beachbody website that I also wanted to share:

Food tracker:

A Mothers Secret-Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel by Amy Clipston

I really enjoyed this book!! It took me a couple chapters to get use to the Amish words the author used, but there was a glossary word listing in the beginning of the book to help with the translations. This story was about Godly forgiveness and Carolyn's journey to find true love and acceptance in her Amish community and with her family. The story line was very good and kept my interest, although I felt like the last chapter was a little rushed. I loved reading about the Amish people and the author's descriptions about the Amish homes and how they acted and spoke were very authentic.  


About the book: 

Book two in the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series.
Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever?
Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother's farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin's father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her.
His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn't convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter.
When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn's brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance.
After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family-and the unconditional love-she's longed for?

Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/xlHpQ 

About the author: 

Amy Clipston holds a degree in communication from Virginia Wesleyan College and works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, and two sons and four spoiled rotten cats.


Amy can be found at: website,TwitterFacebook






Amy Clipston A Mother's Secret

I'm a blog book reviewer for LitFuse Publicity so I was given this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

#7dayjumpstart program by #nataliejillfitness Results and Nutrition Pictures

I've been participating in the #nataliejillfitness challenge during the month of June and decided to use the 20% off coupon code to purchase her digital 7 day jumpstart program. I didn't find alot of reviews online, so hopefully my review will help others. 

This program is designed for women and is a nutrition/lifestyle guide only (not a workout plan). This was exactly what I wanted and needed!! 

I read thru the entire booklet (36 pages) and then printed off the grocery list, list of approved foods and 7 day menu plan. All the foods on the list are normal every day "clean" foods and I was still able to stay dairy and gluten free while following her plan. 

I did the plan 2 weeks ago and felt great the entire time I did it! No cravings for dairy or sugar which was big for me, plus I felt FULL and most times never had my 6th meal of the day. I'm disappointed in myself that on day 6 and day 7 I didn't follow the plan 100% because of fathers day weekend and eating other foods not on the approved list. :-( 

So I will still share with you what I ate every day and my weight loss (WHOOHO!!) but understand that I'm not perfect and I didn't do the program 100%. I also did exercise along with this nutrition program. Results will obviously vary depending on your exercise and how well you follow the nutrition plan. 

I started round 2 yesterday and I'm determined to do a full 7 days according to the program so check back with me next week for round 2 results.  
If you want to purchase your own digital copy of this program you can find it here:
http://nataliejillfitness.com/7-day-jump-start/

To Save 20% on any of her programs, use coupon FLATBELLY20 HERE: http://NatalieJillFitness.com/Programs

Before starting the program I went thru the menu and made personal adjustments and then went grocery shopping so I had most of the food for the week. (you will need ALOT of eggs!) I'm not going to lie-it takes alot of time to do food prep for every meal, especially since I work outside the home. But after a couple of days I got use to it and I loved that I was finally feeling better-no bloating or gassy feelings after I ate. and I felt full. and had no cravings for sugar, dairy or breads.  

Here's what my food looked like for the 7 day jumpstart program: 

(Food prep at work)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

MY RESULTS: 
3.6 pounds lost in 7 days! I'm thrilled!! 

I can't wait to see my results after round 2-hoping for the same or better weight loss! My cravings are gone, my pants fit better, and my energy level is alot better!!  

Have you been doing the #nataliejillchallenge this month? 
Have you done any of her virtual programs, like this 7 day jumpstart, before? 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Week 2 recap of The Daniel Plan reading assignment and week 3 final assignment. #thedanielplan

Welcome to the start of week 3 of reading "The Daniel Plan" with me!



If you're not sure what I'm talking about, or want to join in; here's my post from last week that explains the program and challenge that I"m starting this month:
http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-daniel-plan-40-days-to-healthier.html

SO WHERE DO YOU START? 
First create a free profile here on their website:

PROGRAM SPECIFICS: 
Second, come back here to my blog every week to get the weekly assignment and check in with me about your progress. I will also be posting daily on my Instagram page when the 40 day challenge starts. 

For the next 3 weeks we will be reading the book together and then we will start the 40 day "Daniel Strong" challenge on Monday June 30th and end on Friday August 8th. 

Every 10 days from June 30-August 8 (so 4 times during the challenge) we will do a BLOG CHECK IN here for accountability and PRIZES! I will be using The Daniel Plan Journal as a guide for check in questions and focus on the program. 
I can't wait to get started on this journey with you!!

THIS WEEKS ASSIGNMENT: 
1. Buy or borrow the book.
2. Create your free profile on the Daniel Plan website.
3. Read chapters 9 and 10. You should have already read chapters 1-8 in the last two weeks. If not, hopefully you can catch up with us. :-) 
4. Check back here on my blog on Sunday 29th for next weeks assignment and the official beginning of the challenge.  

We ended week 1 which was to read chapters 1-4 and then week 2 which was to read chapters 5-8.  

What did you think about what you read this past week? 

I am LOVING this book!! 
I am so glad I bought it (and the journal) from their website (it was cheaper than amazon) because I have written a TON of notes in my book. 

Chapter 5 is about Fitness. 
I love how the book describes Daniel Strong= A pursuit of excellence in body, mind and spirit for God's glory. WOW! The book goes on to talk about how movement has gotten to be less and less because of our jobs, life, technology. It talks about mapping out your fitness course and getting back to the joy of PLAY-which also stands for something. Ch 9 will go over Fitness again for the challenge. Then the book goes on explain how to put your fitness plan into action. 

Chapter 6 is about Focus. This was a great chapter for me. It talks about your brain health, chronic stress and how to cope with it, taking control of negative thoughts and eliminating them, perception, attitude and purpose,  make SMART goals and motivation. LOTS of helpful things in this chapter! After reading this chapter I'm going to do a couple things before the challenge starts on Monday. 
First, I'm going to write down three things I am thankful for EVERY DAY before going to bed (pg 210), so I can practice gratitude and help with my anxiety and peace of mind. see Philippians 4:6-7. Hopefully I can post them here on my blog to share them with you. 
Next, I'm going to work on my perception of things. Especially about the things I stress about most and about my marriage. "Just questioning your thoughts and perceptions and then filtering them through a loving God and honest mind will make a huge difference in your life, happiness and health."  
Third, I'm going to take the five essentials and write down my major goals and purposes as mentioned on page 216.
Last, I'm going to make my SMART goals for this challenge and for the rest of the year. see page 218. 


Chapter 7 is about Friends. The reason why I'm posting about this challenge here on my blog and on Instagram is because of this essential. It is alot easier to make this life style change and commitment when you have others who love you and can encourage you thru this 40 day journey. TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE. 

Chapter 8 is about Living the Lifestyle. He says to start with a few vital behaviors-the ones that will have the biggest immediate impact-and go from there. 
"Your daily choices, with God's limitless power, done with a community of friends, can help you launch each day with intention and purpose. It begins with a shift in perspective: focusing on the good, acknowledging the abundance, and paying attention to who you are and the power within you to choose what is best. This new outlook leads the way to your transformation". page 253 
"Choose to believe that all things are possible with God. Be kind to yourself and trust him. Make God's Word a daily part of your life, and his truths and promises will restore anything that's broken; his love will propel you into a new way of thinking, a healthy approach to each day." page 260



This week's assignment is to read Chapter 9 and 10-Daniel Strong 40 day fitness challenge and 40 day meals plans; in preparation to starting the 40 day challenge on Monday June 30th. Don't worry about being 100% prepared for this challenge or whether you can commit to 40 days. For some of you this may be a big change in your eating habits or doing daily exercise. Just do the best you can and take one day at a time. Check back with me every 10 days here on my blog for our official Check in and post daily pictures of your food and exercise on Instagram so I can cheer you on! Use the hashtag #thedanielplan and @rdevaughn4 so I can see your posts. 



Saturday, June 21, 2014

PIYO 60 day workout exercise calendar and food tracker-FREE printables! #piyo #chalenejohnson

I haven't gotten my PIYO deluxe kit yet, but I did get a shipping notification tonight that it shipped!! whooho!! So I should be getting it sometime next week.

I've been working on a printable 60 day basic PIYO workout schedule calendar and wanted to share it with all my readers. I got the workout schedule info from off the wowy Beachbody Fitness website-and then designed this calendar.

I like having printable calendars that I can write on and check mark off when I do the workouts-do you?

PiYo Workout Schedule (from off the website)
Ready to define your whole body? Chalene arranged the PiYo workouts in this 60 day calendar to make sure you're progressing each week as you build up your strength, flexibility and stamina.

Printable calendar:

You can download it free here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2pDqGIZYlisLXNDOUV2cW40UEk/edit?usp=sharing

I also found this awesome food tracker on the Team Beachbody website that I also wanted to share:

Food tracker:

You can download it free here: 
http://www.teambeachbody.com/en_US/home/-/dl_get_file/1ead773b-79b0-4eb4-b512-d39ee83bba92

I will make another free printable calendar using the deluxe kit and post it here soon! 

Friday, June 20, 2014

Week 2 recap of #nataliejillchallenge #nataliejillfitness

Ended week 2 of the #nataliejillchallenge on sunday.
Here's my blog post with more specifics about the challenge.
http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/05/natalie-jill-fitness-flatbellychallenge.html

You can find all the challenge videos here:

Here are my workouts this week: 

Monday workout
2 miles Leslie Sansone and 3 Natalie Jill challenge YouTube videos


Tuesday 
1 mile Leslie Sansone, 22 min JessicaSmithTV workout, 10 mins Natalie Jill video. 


Wednesday
rest day

Thursday
2 miles Leslie Sansone, 10 mins JessicaSmithTV, two 6 min youtube Natalie Jill videos. 


Friday
2 miles Leslie Sansone, 10 mins Butt Lift, 3 mins trampoline.

Saturday 
2 miles Leslie Sansone, 10 mins youtube stability ball workout Natalie Jill and dancing. 

My workouts and nutrition went pretty good last week! I also did the Natalie Jill 7 day jumpstart nutrition program which I will be posting about later.

How did your week go? 

Thursday, June 19, 2014

IT'S HERE!!! #PIYO by #ChaleneJohnson #BeachbodyFitness is available!!

I've been stalking the Beachbody fitness website all day in anticipation of Chalene Johnson's newest exercise program -PIYO!! I've posted about it a couple times in the last month or so here on my blog.



I'm not a BB coach but I'm a huge fan of their fitness products and have/used alot of their programs.

I was planning to get the base kit for $60, but then I saw the deluxe package and knew I HAD to have that one!! I love getting extra workout dvds and the "equipment" is an extra plus!! and I'm so excited they are offering free shipping! Thank you Beachbody!! So my order is placed and now I'll be waiting for delivery confirmation so I can start sharing this program with my blog and Instagram followers. Check back with me in the next couple weeks for more info about this program!!

Here's what I ordered:

PiYo Deluxe DVD Pkg w/ FREE S+H
Item #: PiYoDeluxe
With the PiYo Strength® Deluxe DVD Package, you get everything you need to get an ultra-lean and intensely defined physique without jumps, weights, or straining your joints. PLUS, you get TWO accelerated workouts and Beachbody® Strength Slides with Strength Slide Booties—designed to increase the intensity of your workouts. That means you'll incinerate calories and define every single muscle, faster!
FREE SHIPPING. Limited time only!*
Exclusive Offer! Get a FREE bonus workout DVD "Hardcore on the Floor" (a $19.95 value) when you order the PiYo Deluxe DVD Package through your Coach or Team Beachbody®.
BONUS OFFER! Get a FREE Yoga Mat ($29.95 Value) with your Deluxe DVD Package.
Add PiYo Deluxe DVD Pkg to your cart:
Regular Price: $119.70USD
Your Price: $107.73USD

Get ready to define yourself.
Using your body weight, you'll perform low-impact, high-intensity movements inspired by Pilates and yoga. The result? Long, lean muscles, a high, firm booty, and tight, flat, sexy abs. With PiYo, you'll work every single muscle to stabilize, stretch, and strengthen every inch of your body. And since Chalene Johnson cranked up the speed and the fun, you'll burn crazy calories while you're at it.
Crank up your results!
With the Beachbody Strength Slides with Booties, bonus yoga mat, and accelerated workouts in the PiYo Deluxe DVD Package, you'll perform higher-intensity workouts that will help you burn fat and define every single muscle even faster!
Here's what you get:
8 WORKOUTS
  • Align: The Fundamentals (40 min.): This workout breaks down the most important and effective moves in the program to help you perfect your form and get the best results possible.
  • Define: Lower Body (25 min.): Get your sleekest and leanest legs ever as you lengthen and strengthen your entire lower body—from your glutes and hamstrings to your calves.
  • Define: Upper Body (35 min.): Use this incredibly effective workout to start chiseling away at your upper body to help shape your arms, carve out your triceps, and define sexy shoulders.
  • Sweat (35 min.): A traditional PiYo workout that incorporates effective dynamic conditioning, fast-paced cardio yoga-flows, and bodyweight resistance strength training to help sculpt your entire body.
  • Core (30 min.): This ab-centric workout hits your powerhouse from every angle to build a strong core, flat, sculpted abs and obliques, as well as a strong and sexy back.
  • Strength Intervals (25 min.): Twenty-five minutes is all you need of this nonstop body-carving, calorie-incinerating workout that uses no weights, no equipment, and gives you no bulk!
  • Drench (45 min.): This endurance workout maximizes fat burning while it works every muscle in your body. It will not only leave you drenched—it will kick-start your metabolism as you scorch away the fat.
  • Sculpt (30 min.): This workout uses varying tempos to keep your muscles under tension for different periods of time. This generates muscular endurance and metabolic changes that will totally transform your figure.
PLUS, 2 ACCELERATED WORKOUTS
  • Full Body Blast (30 min.): A total-body workout that uses the Beachbody Strength Slides to push your fat-burning potential into overdrive in just 30 minutes.
  • Strong Legs (30 min.): Use the Beachbody Strength Slides to lunge, squat, and stretch your way to amazing quads, glutes, and hamstrings for your strongest, leanest, and most defined legs ever.
TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
  • Quick Start Guide. Everything you need to know to get started including valuable insider tips to get your best results possible! Plus, discover how each powerful workout is strategically designed to transform your body.
  • PiYo 60-Day Workout Calendar. Chalene arranged the workouts to make sure you're progressing each week as you build up your strength, flexibility, and stamina. On the front, you'll find the schedule for the base workouts. On the back, you'll find the PiYo Strength Accelerated Calendar, which incorporates the PiYo Strength workouts to enhance your results.
  • Beachbody Strength Slides with Booties. Increase the intensity of your workout as your body works harder to stabilize and control your movements. You'll engage your core, stimulate your glutes, and activate muscles you never even knew you had. And, the versatile booties were designed exclusively for use with the Beachbody Strength Slides. Slip them on so you can use the slides on smooth surfaces throughout your home.
PLUS, 4 FREE GIFTS!
  • Get Lean Eating Plan. A simplified approach to clean and lean eating designed to fit your lifestyle and your taste buds! Learn how to eat a variety of delicious, nutritious foods that keep you properly fueled, satiated, and nourished—and help you define your best body.
  • Buns (25 min.): Focused on the glutes, this workout is designed to lift, redefine, and tighten the entire backside of your body for the perfect tight and round butt.
  • Tape Measure. Track your progress as you melt the fat away faster than you ever imagined.
  • 24/7 Online Support. Get motivated anytime of day with access to proven fitness, nutrition, and motivation tips. You'll even get exclusive invitations to live video chats with Chalene Johnson. You'll find unlimited peer support here, and you can even join a PiYo Challenge Group.
AND THIS EXCLUSIVE BONUS!
  • Yoga Mat. This mat is ideal for PiYo! It has a textured surface to promote better body alignment and footing, while the closed-cell, soft vinyl is lead- and latex-free to give you peace of mind. It provides nonslip traction and it's luxuriously thick to ensure comfort, control, and cushion for every PiYo move you make.
60-Day Money-Back Guarantee:
Try this program with the PiYo 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you're not satisfied with your results within 60 days, simply call Customer Service for a Return Authorization number to return the program for a full refund of the purchase price, less s&h—no questions asked.

Consult your physician, read the PiYo Quick Start Guide, and follow all safety instructions before beginning this high-intensity and physically demanding exercise program.
Results vary. Exercise and proper diet are necessary to achieve and maintain weight loss and muscle definition.

*Free shipping to U.S. and Canada only.
© 2014 Beachbody, LLC. All rights reserved. Distributed by Beachbody, LLC, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Beachbody, LLC, is the owner of PiYo, PiYo Strength, Shakeology, ActiVit, E&E Energy and Endurance, Beachbody, and Team Beachbody trademarks, and all related designs, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property.

What do you think? Ever heard of PIYO?
What do you do for flexibility training?

If you're interested in buying PIYO from a Beachbody Fitness coach, my local coach husband/wife team are great!!
You can check out their website here:
http://fergusonfitness.com/

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble book review

This book was fantastic-I couldn't put it down!! It was a mixture of suspense, drama and clean romance with an incredible story line. I read it within a couple of days although I would have loved to read it in one night, but life gets in the way. ;-) Within reading the first couple chapters, I was already hooked and impressed with the character plot and story line that I told several people about it and recommended they read it. The story line kept me guessing who the "bad buy" was the whole time-it was not predictable or boring. I also liked the historical mini story within the story about the owner of the house and how it tied into the main plot line. After reading the book I was very intrigued by "cell memory" and if that's a real thing for organ donor receivers, and I found out that it is. Very interesting to read about that as well. I will definitely be looking up more books by this author.

Read below to get the book description-I know you will not be disappointed if you read this book! I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it!!



About the book: 

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger's memories . . . before they cost her everything.
Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.
But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks---and vivid dreams of being strangled---she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder.
Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked---by a man she's only met in her nightmares.
The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter.
Of course, he doesn't know about that. Yet.
Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there's no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her---before she remembers too much.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xAP8O

About the author: 

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide.Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Colleen can be found at: websiteTwitterFacebook





Colleen Coble Seagrass Pier


I'm a blog book reviewer for LitFuse Publicity so I was given this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Week 1 recap of The Daniel Plan reading assignment and week 2 assignment. #thedanielplan

Welcome to the start of week 2 of reading "The Daniel Plan" with me!


If you're not sure what I'm talking about, or want to join in; here's my post from last week that explains the program and challenge that I"m starting this month:
http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-daniel-plan-40-days-to-healthier.html

SO WHERE DO YOU START? 
First create a free profile here on their website:

PROGRAM SPECIFICS: 
Second, come back here to my blog every week to get the weekly assignment and check in with me about your progress. I will also be posting daily on my Instagram page when the 40 day challenge starts. 

For the next 3 weeks we will be reading the book together and then we will start the 40 day "Daniel Strong" challenge on Monday June 30th and end on Friday August 8th. 

Every 10 days from June 30-August 8 (so 4 times during the challenge) we will do a BLOG CHECK IN here for accountability and PRIZES! I will be using The Daniel Plan Journal as a guide for check in questions and focus on the program. 
I can't wait to get started on this journey with you!!

THIS WEEKS ASSIGNMENT: 
1. Buy or borrow the book.
2. Create your free profile on the Daniel Plan website.
3. Read chapters 5-8. You should have already read chapters 1-4 last week. If not, hopefully you can catch up with us. :-) 
4. Check back here on my blog on Sunday 22nd for next weeks assignment.  

We just ended week 1 which was to read chapters 1-4. 
What did you think about what you read? 


Chapter 1 was about "How it all began" and chapter 2 was about "The Essentials" of the program. 

I loved reading about how this program began from Pastor Rick Warren. His testimony and experiences is very powerful!!  On page 16 he says, "this plan you will read about...is really quite simple. Dedicate your body to God. Ask for his help, and get involved in a small group of some kind that will support you on your journey. (THIS IS WHY IM DOING THIS BLOGGING CHALLENGE WITH YOU). Then start making healthy choices...make whole foods a regular part of your diet. Live a more active lifestyle. Get more sleep. Cut down stress." 

He goes on to share why it's important to have good physical health and how it affects the other aspects of your life. 

"... we are going to begin by raising your energy level, since you can't do anything without a body! We are doing to start at the most basic level of your life: your physical health." 

One of the sub chapters in chapter 1 is titled "What does God say about your body?" which was the most powerful chapter that I've read so far. 
1. My body belongs to God.
2. Jesus paid for my body when he died for me on the cross. 
3. God's Spirit lives in my body. 
4. God expects me to take care of my body. 
5. God will resurrect my body after I die. 

You will also read the Five elements for lasting change during chapter 1. Also very powerful!! 

Chapter 2 addresses the 5 key essentials to The Daniel Plan: 
FAITH
FOOD
FITNESS
FOCUS
FRIENDS


Chapter 3 was about "Faith". 
"Before you can make any healthy changes in your life, you must first believe those changes are possible. Even more important, if you want God's help, you must trust him to give you his power to change.." 

The chapter goes on to talk about God's power, how we need God to change, how God's power works, our part in change, and trusting God during the process. 


Chapter 4 was about "Food".
"When you focus on health, healing and weight loss happen automatically. The Daniel Plan was not designed as a weight loss program. In fact, we never focused on weight, but on health..."

"You can actually eat anything based on one rule: Eat rule, whole food. Eat a colorful variety of real, whole foods from real ingredients that you can make yourself..."

He goes on to talk about Foods that Heal and what nutrigenomics and exposome means in relation to our bodies. "Real food has the power to give you your life back and more fully engage in the purpose for your life."

He describes The Daniel Plan perfect plate and the foods that are suggested for each category. It talks about the good carbs, the Glycemic Index, Veggies, Grains, Fruit, Protein, Vegetarian sources of protein, healing fats and snacks.

He talks about vitamins, food cravings and addictions. There's an entire sub chapter on foods that harm our body-obviously sugars, bad fats, etc.  And another chapter on designing your eating life in regards to your kitchen makeover, food alternatives, cooking, and reading labels.

The Food chapter is pretty long but very informative!!

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After reading these 4 chapters, what do you think about the program so far?
What changes do you think you are going to make?

Make sure to read chapters 5-8 this week which explains more about the 5 essentials to the program.

You can buy materials here if you're interested or check out your local library:

http://store.danielplan.com/

http://www.amazon.com/The-Daniel-Plan-Days-Healthier/dp/0310344298/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1402403629&sr=8-1