Things I’m Loving (and some I’m not)

Happy Monday, everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day! Craig and I are wanting to do a hike, but it is supposed to rain all day, so we’ll have to decide if its worth it. Since we’ll be out-and-about during Cullen’s nap time–and he prefers to walk instead of ride in the backpack carrier, he’ll get some good Grandma and Grandpa time while we have a date day.

I like sharing recent finds that are worth their money and other things you probably should just save your money on, so here’s another edition of ‘Things I’m Loving Lately.’

Don Lee Farms Superfoods Veggie Burgers

I like to have a couple of foods on-hand that heat up quickly for lunch, and I’ve purchased these Don Lee Farms Superfoods Veggie Burgers from Costco several times now. I love the ingredient list, and they have a lot of flavor for a veggie patty.

Brooks Seattle Shell Jacket

When I get back to running (which I hope is soon!!), I know this Brooks Seattle Shell Jacket going to be a favorite of mine: highly windproof, nearly waterproof, and bright colors for dark and early mornings this fall and winter. It is super comfortable, and I’ve already worn it several times.

Origins Checks and Balances Face Wash

I was in need of a new face wash and moisturizer, so I asked Teri of A Foodie Stays Fit what she recommends because some of the other products she’s liked are in-line with what I would buy. She raved about Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash and the moisturizer below and now I see why. I love how creamy and frothy this face wash is. It does an awesome job of washing off my makeup, and I love the refreshing smell it has.

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer

I am picky about my moisturizer. I want something that is light-weight, absorbs quickly, and smells pleasant, and this Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer meets all of these things. Both Origins products had great reviews online, and I honestly look forward to washing my face now.

I was seriously crying while reading this blog post out loud to Craig the other night: The One-Upper Parents

Parent 1: “I cook very healthy and wholesome meals for me and my family.”

One-Upper Parent: “My family and I have set up a large protest tent outside of our local Taco Bell. We frown, boo, and throw organic rocks at anyone who goes in while I demonstrate what real food is. I cook a stew using Icelandic spring water, kale, more kale, kale, kale, and kale. I simmer it in a pot I made out of bark and stir it with raw chard stalks.”

Little Green Pouch

Cullen loves eating pureed foods from pouches like this, but I hated the idea of spending $1.50 – $2.00 per pouch, so when I discovered these Little Green Pouches, I was sold. Cullen loves them, and I love that they are reusable. Some people complained they were hard to clean, but I don’t think they are that difficult. (I use my bottle brush, which works perfect.) They stand up on their own when you are filling them, and the zip-lock seal at the top is strong enough that your child won’t be able to open it.

Brooks Greenlight 3-inch Running Short Tight

You guys, I have searched high and low for a pair of compression shorts (or at least a compression-style shorts) for years, and I finally (FINALLY!) found a pair that does not ride up! I bought the Brooks Greenlight 3-inch Running Short Tight kind of on a whim. I didn’t necessarily need another black pair of shorts, but they were on super-sale, and I was still on the hunt for a pair that would not ride up.

I have seriously tried many, many styles including these: New Balance Premium Performance Short, Oiselle Mini Fancy Stride Shorts, Oiselle KG Shorts, Oiselle Portman Shorts, Nike Pro Compression Shorts. Nothing was cutting it and everything was riding up. I can’t guarantee these Brooks shorts won’t ride up for you, but for me they worked great. They have the slightest gap on the bottom only when I raise my leg (not sure if that makes sense), which seems to help and prevent them from riding up. I wore them during the Her Tern Half Marathon, and I never had to adjust them once.

Sweet Potato Pizza Crust

Pinch of Yum blog is my new favorite blog for finding recipes. I am smitten with everything I’ve made from her site. This 3 Ingredient Sweet Potato Crust Pizza was actually really easy. I thought I was going to have to bake the sweet potato, but you actually just food process the raw sweet potato with a few other ingredients. I topped it with her recommendation of BBQ sauce, chicken, red onions, and cheese, which was an excellent decision. I will definitely be making this again.

Things I’m Not Loving

Halo Ice Cream

I’ve seen a handful of social media posts about this low-fat, higher protein ice cream, but I’m not sold. Since it lacks the fat, it wasn’t very creamy and had more of an icy-flavor. I’ll stick to my full-fat ice cream.

Before I purchased the Origins cleanser above, I bought this No. 7 Foaming Cleanser at Target. From the first time I tried it I wasn’t impressed. I didn’t care for the foaming action, and I didn’t love the scent. I also didn’t feel like it did a great job of cleansing my skin.

Not Your Mother’s

The only dry shampoo I have loved is Living Proof–all of the other brands I have tried I haven’t been very impressed with. To be honest, my hair pretty much needs to be washed every day otherwise it gets really greasy. My hair is fairly thin, which for whatever reason seems to not do well with second-day hair. Occasionally I will decide to use a dry shampoo, but this Not Your Mother’s dry shampoo didn’t cut it for me. I didn’t absorb the oil like the Living Proof did, so I guess if I want something that works, I’ll have to be okay with paying five times as much.