Get a chemical peel..or 4?  After two back-to-back pregnancies my face was an uneven, blotchy mess so I decided to try a chemical peel.  At first, I was a little nervous because I didn’t want to look like a molting monster and scare the kiddos.  As it turns out, the peeling process was relatively uneventful and very easy to cover-up with some heavy duty moisturizer.  For maximum results, the docs will push for the series of peels.  I opted for just a single treatment ($125) because, well, I thought $400 was a tad too much for just rubbing a cotton swab all over my face a few times.  The peel really did even out my skin and took about 5 years off my mug.  Okay, maybe not 5 but at least 2.  I get one, just one, every 6 months or so.

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Cinco de Mayo has always been one of my favorite drinking holidays.  Pre-kids, it was celebrated with unabated enthusiasm.  This year, though, it’s on a school night and frankly I’m too whipped to go out.  Instead, I will be commemorating Mexico’s victory over the French army, family style.  Viva Mexico!

Fiesta Fajitas (Tip – skip the tortilla wrap for a lower-carb version)

Fire-Roasted Salsa (Tip - buy the colored chips.  The presentation is better and the kids love ‘em)

The Classic Margarita (or this skinny version).

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I am absolutely in love with these seksi yellow heels.  I want to wear them everywhere but  for some reason I don’t think they are the best idea for the preschool pick-up line. To maximize effect pair with a neutral or solid color outfit. If you are feeling especially sassy, add this yellow clutch.

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

Truthfully, I am not a huge fan of exercising.   I don’t enjoy running or doing lunges or (god forbid) squats but I do love the finished product.  About a year ago, I started doing interval workouts on the treadmill 3 to 4 times a week.  I tend to get very bored during cardio and I needed something new to keep me from quitting all together.  Wow.  Everything you read about the benefits of interval training is absolutely spot on.   I finally dropped the last 7 pounds of baby weight that was stubbornly hanging on and I am in a size smaller jean than before both of my babies  (I am rather proud of that fact and will tell you every chance I get).  You can do it on any of the cardio machines at the gym or outside if that’s your thing.  Interval training is basically a workout that consists of periods of activity at high intensity, followed by periods of low intensity. These ‘sets’ are than repeated over a 20-minute workout.  Yes, only 20 minutes and then it’s all over.  Just be careful if you are a beginner.  I wouldn’t want you to do a face plant on the treadmill.

Standard

The following is a typical interval workout. You alternate the same period of low intensity with the same period of higher intensity.

3 – 5 minutes warm-up (light jog, low intensity, gradually increasing at the end    of the warm-up period)

1 minute moderate or high intensity followed by 1 minute low intensity (repeat 6 – 8 times)

3 – 5 minutes cool down (light jog, low intensity, gradually decreasing by the end of the cool down period)

Pyramid

This pyramid structure allows you to start with short bursts of speed, and then you’ll peak at the longest surge of energy in the middle of your workout before coming back down.

3 – 5 minutes warm-up

30 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

45 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

60 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

90 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

60 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

45 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

30 seconds high intensity

3 – 5 minutes cool down

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