Adventures in Product Testing: Karuna Hydrating Treatment Mask

I began receiving my Birchbox about eight months ago, and I realized that I have quite a few products that I have yet to try. Skin products seem most likely to have fallen to the wayside, though I also have a black eyeshadow crayon that mocks me from my makeup collection. So, I've decided to mosey on through some of these products and review them because I like to look up reviews for products I haven't tried but am thinking of purchasing.

Karuna Hydrating Treatment Mask

Full Size: $28/4 masks

This Natto-based treatment promises to help "retain skin's natural moisture levels as it exfoliates to boost the look and feel of dehydrated skin". The mask contains no parabens (hooray!), various flower extracts, aloe, and plenty of Xanthan Gum.

The mask came folded and, with only a little difficulty, came undone to reveal holes for my eyes, nose, and lips. My first thought, as the mask made contact with my skin: "AH! Cold!" (Truth: My apartment stays at a brisk 65, which makes room temperature a little cooler than skin temperature.)

As directed, I adjusted the mask and removed the paper backing to reveal the Phantom of the Opera's child. I adjusted again, and I found the task a little easier without the paper backing. Then, the package instructed, relax for 10–20 minutes.

So I had a dance party. With myself. In a face mask.

Winning.

I waited only 15 minutes before I removed the mask because I had to sneeze. The remaining treatment residue did not need rinsing, but it felt sticky (very much like using too much lotion), so I wiped my face with a dry towel.

The package instructed to use the remaining product, left at the bottom of the packet on my face and neck. I did, again with the sticky results. With a little patience, though, this went away.

Now, the skin on both my hands and face feels very soft, which I think the Karuna people had in mind when creating this product. My hands usually get very dry in the winter, but they feel well hydrated. Another win.

Overall, I will definitely keep this face mask in mind when I search for products to hydrate and exfoliate my skin, though I cannot promise I will ever purchase the Karuna mask. Though much cheaper than a facial in a salon, $7 per mask is a little high for me.

Cheater, Cheater Pumpkin Eater...

The biggest conflict I have as a healthy eater are my "cheat days". On one hand, I can understand the need for a cheat day so viscerally, it's physical and emotional. It's more than a craving, it's a voice in the back of your head crying out for just one of those foods you used to love. Whining, cajoling, pleading in a little voice that you almost recognize.

On the other hand, those cheat days are the last thing you want to do, even if they're planned. They're a worry that if you cheat once, you'll never go back. You'll have one cheat day that will lead to a cheat week to a cheat month to an I'll eat better tomorrow.

And cheat days aren't even as good as you imagine. Not worth the worry. Pizza tastes like cardboard instead of magic. Sugar turns the roof of your mouth into a raw, sore, angry place.

I don't always like cheat days. But I have them. They're usually associated with awesome memories, too. Birthdays filled with tiramisu and best-friend date nights to see epic movies and first dates.

And I love these memories. Memories where I could care less about what I ate. I don't remember the food, but I do remember the laughter.

And so I have to wonder about cheat days and their purpose in any diet. Are they a necessary evil? Are they a means to a great night? A night without worry--without being "on" and reminding your friends that you are what you eat.

Here's to the cheat day, whatever you make of it.

Lean, Mean Smoothie Machine

Just in case you were wondering, I make really good smoothies. Fruity, cold, healthy smoothies that are far better for you that most of what you will get when you go to a restaurant. Seriously—a smoothie at certain places can be up to 800 calories with over 100 grams of sugar, some of which is added. Ridiculous.

Lately, I've been a convert to the "green smoothie" movement. A handful of spinach or kale in each smoothie adds a ton of nutritional value and little or no taste. Plus, every smoothie ends up my favorite color!

My suggestions on making any smoothies are this:

• Always use fruit you love. If you don't enjoy your base fruits, you won't enjoy your smoothie.
• Add water to help it blend. Juices or yogurt may taste really good but almost always add unnecessary sugar and calories. I will say that a little juice is all right, especially if you have a fresh orange or lemon that really wants to be squeezed.
• Get a good blender. I really like super smooth smoothies, and I am very lucky to work somewhere that has a Blendtec. The one I have at home does not do my tasties justice.
• Bananas. An inexpensive way to add texture and taste to your smoothies. YUMMY.
• If you like it, don't listen to anyone else! I can give you all the suggestions I want..but it's your smoothie.

Now, for a recipe suggestion of sorts:

Green Pineapple Smoothie

• 1 medium banana
• 1 c pineapple
• 1 mango, massacred
• 1 c spinach
• ice and water

BLEND

DRINK

ENJOY

74.5/730

A Post Brought to You By Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This post is brought to you by the kids behind me eating Broccoli Cheddar Soup in bread bowls. I know that I might be flogged for this thought, but I have never really liked this soup or the concept of cheese soup<, and I think it smells like b.o.

This post, then, is all about what I don't like about my fitness adventure. Wait, what? A post about how there are things I don't like about this journey? Blasphemy.

Though I try to keep this blog filled with over-the-top, unicorns-pooping-rainbows energy and optimism, I want to take a moment to highlight that every journey is filled with positives and negatives. So I do have a few things that I dislike about my weight loss journey, and I want to share those with everyone reading this blog.

I hate being bony. I am not, by any means, thin. I am, however, starting to notice that I can feel the bones underneath my skin, especially when I exercise. Sit-ups are the worst because, where I used to have a lovely cushion to protect my tailbone, I can now feel the ground rubbing against the bone there. My joints are also places that my bones seem to protrude a little extra, elbows feeling uncomfortable as they rest against a counter, knees knocking together.

I hate feeling guilty on rest days. I know, intellectually, that rest days are just as important as my days of physical activity. That does not mean I have to like my rest days. Days off from work at the same time are even worse because I feel like I should just do something active instead of pinning exercises and healthy recipes.

Ugh. Money. I want to attend too many fitness classes and get too many fitness gadgets. I love yoga, group classes, and I would love a personal trainer, plus Nike Fuel Band, cool water bottles, fitness apps. My wants are only limited by technology...and my wallet. I probably would never have lusted after this other really cool water bottle without my love for fitness. Thanks, fitness. You're a real pal.

And that's it. Truly, this adventure has been so amazing and filled with energy and optimism. How can I complain too much about looking great, feeling even better, and getting healthy?

74.5/730

My Favorite Guac

I love guacamole. I would eat guac by the bucket if society would allow for it, but I know that society is fill with guacamole-hating neanderthals.

Tsk tsk.

On my Whole30, I started making my own guacamole. This stuff doesn't last long—I usually eat it, or it turns brown by the next evening—but usually is the perfect amount for two people.

I almost always cook for one, but, on top of being simple in general, the recipe is easy to double or triple or quintuple. Whole30 party? Okay.

I think I am safe to assume that you're jealous of my mad skills. A note: I usually eyeball my spices, then add more to taste, but I wanted to give approximations for anyone who really likes to use recipes. I respect your recipe use. The cayenne is optional, but I like everything spicy, so I occasionally add extra. You, too, can possess this tasty guacamole in your repertoire. If you dare.

Whole30-Approved Guacamole

2 Servings

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 T lemon juice (approx. 1/4 fresh lemon)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 t chili powder
• 1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/4 yellow onion, minced (approx. 2 T)
• 2 T garlic, minced 
• 1/2 roma tomato, diced (approx. 1/4 c.)

Add all ingredients EXCEPT tomato to bowl and mash together until your guacamole is to your preferred consistency. Fold in tomato. Eat.

74.5/730

The Magic Number: 730

My goal for 2013 is simple: Run 730 miles by the end of the year.

So far, I have run 72.5, which is a little behind (I suppose "little" is relative here), but I blame the weather. Running outside, with the sun shining on my luminescent, sunburn-loving skin, is so much easier than running on a treadmill. I run farther faster outside because I have so many things to distract me!

But I hate the cold. HATE IT. Nothing good ever comes of being cold and running, my mind focused on which limb will fall off first and whether my snot and tears will freeze to my face. Attractive.

So, with our winter actually being winter, I have not run nearly as much as I should have. This whole snow business has truly thrown a slip in my stride. When spring comes, though, I fully intend to run until I can't stop.

At the end of every post, too, I will post a number/730 to let you keep track of my progress with me!

I know, you cannot wait. Neither can my Underarmours.

72.5/730

The Vanishing Girl...Returns!

I keep getting yelled at to blog about my progress and the recipes that pop out of my brain. Plus, I have this nifty blog all set up, so I wonder why the two have yet to combine.

This post is just a summary of the last year as a vanishing girl, and the next posts will be both about current events and flashbacks to where I have come from.

I turned twenty-five on Sunday. For those of you keeping track, that’s St. Patrick’s day. In other words, I have the best birthday on the face of the planet. And it just keeps getting better. Not only do I keep getting more privileges (I mean, no more young driver fee when I rent a car—bring it on!), but I keep getting healthier and getting to better know who I am.

In 2012, I lost 60 pounds. Crazy. I have to admit, I absolutely love when people ask me if I’ve lost weight and tell me that they didn’t recognize me because 60 pounds is a huge deal. 60 pounds is an eight-year-old boy with and eating problem. 60 pounds is a lot of milestones and confidence and smoothies and vegetables and miles.

Oh em gee—the miles. I can confidently say that I logged a good 800 miles last year. Walking, running, biking, skipping. When you walk everywhere and your work is a mile away, 800 miles is easy. Add to that the running I did...

I also participated in Run for Your Lives, a zombie-infested 5K/obstacle course. IT WAS AWESOME.

This year, I also participated in my first Whole30 (yes, there will be another). The Whole30 was life-changing and helped me realize that I do not need sugar, that I might actually be a little crazier that I thought, and that I might have a gluten allergy.

I also created some of my favorite recipes of all time while on Whole30. Recipes that used whole food, that tasted phenomenal, and that left me feeling great about what I was consuming. Brilliant.

Then, I fit into my goal dress. I fit into my goal dress. And it looks phenomenal.

From now on, I will continue to fight for my health and make good food and slip up a little because I do love cake. I want to take you guys with me, invade your pockets and your keyboards, and hopefully inspire you with my words and my choices and my imperfections.

Ready?