Hello there my reading loving friends. Today is the day. I am announcing my e-book reading challenge categories! Now notice I keep saying e-book. There is a real good reason for this. A few weeks ago I opened up my kindle and noticed I had a TON of books. I'm a digital book hoarder folks. The struggle is real. I think I enjoy downloading books more then reading them. Odd. I know. So it got me thinking that there's got to be others out there like me.

Now the original thought was to set up categories and have you pick books out of all the books that are already downloaded to your e-reader. It sounded fun and all, but I can also understand that there are people out there who DO NOT hoard books like me. So in order to make this a fun affair, I want to invite all e-readers into the challenge.

Now here are the rules:

*The challenge will run from March 1st to May 31st. Books you are currently reading are not eligible to be used in this challenge. You must start these books on March 1st.

*All books MUST be available on e-readers. I will check to make sure it is as I am offering a prize at the end of this.

*You must finish all books by the deadline. A no brainer, I know.

* Additional points will be added to those who do pick all books from books already downloaded onto their e-reader. Now we are going with the honor system here folks, so lets be honest.


Now here's the categories:

#1 A book with a one word title - 5 points
#2 A book already downloaded that you have not read - 4 Points
#3 A book you would be embarrassed to admit you read (And tell us why) - 3 points
#4 A book with a color in the title- 4 Points
#5 A non-fiction book that will better your life (Example: The Happiness Project) - 4 points
#6 Pi Day is March 14th- Pick a book with 314 pages (Pi = 3.141592653) - 4 Points
#7 Daylight savings is ending and Spring is coming- Pick a book with the word Spring, Daylight, or Savings in the title. - 4 Points
#8 April Fool's day is coming, read a humorous book - 4 Points
#9 April 22nd is Earth Day. Read a book about Nature, the Earth, or living "Green"- 4 Points
#10 May is the kickoff of Summer and a time where we remember our veterns: Read a book with Summer or Remember in the title.  4 Points

You can accumulate 40 points if you follow this list exactly. If you are able to pick a book from each category that you already had downloaded on your e-reader I will give you an additional 5 points for each book. If you pick all of your books from current downloads your points will double so a total of 80 points. Again please be honest with this. I can not physically see each one of your e-readers to check so please be honest when logging your books.

I will give away a $25 Amazon gift card at the end of the challenge. All participants must be signed up (by linking up to this you are signed up!) to be eligible for the drawing.

Thank you all and good luck! Can't wait to see what everyone will be reading!

I have been doing some much needed soul searching this week. If you follow me on Twitter, you probably saw a few posts about sticking up for yourself. While in my counseling session this week I was talking about how I feel left out in a lot of areas in my life. Whether it's not being invited out  with friends or being completely ignored when I have an idea. I was told that no person has a right to discount my feelings or thoughts no matter what the purpose.

I have always had a hard time sticking up for myself or speaking up. I let people talk over me because it has been happening for so long I just assume anything I have to say doesn't matter. Last week in my yoga class we talked about the Chakra that has to do with the throat and our voice. It was said that we need to let it all out and stop making ourselves a prisoner in our own bodies. 

I started with a post on Facebook, speaking my concerns and was overwhelmed with all of the responses I got. All encouraging and all true. I need to start taking action in my own life. I need to feel empowered in all of the achievements I have reached. I do not deserves to be lied to or made to feel like I do not matter.

And just like that I received a letter in the mail from a dear friend, like she knew I needed cheering up. Sometimes life works in mysterious ways. I think opening up the idea of feeling empowered helps to move into that state of mind. I am hoping from now on I can do that and stop discounting myself. 

I wonder how often this happens. Do you feel this way sometimes? I'm curious to know! Please feel free to share your stories.

Yesterday I posted an Instagram photo of one of my favorite Valentine's day treats. It is super easy and super delicious. You can whip this up in under an hour. Be prepared to get asked a lot for the recipe because it's that good. Now prepare to be wowed at how easy this is.


What you need:
1 box of brownie mix (Choose any kind)
2 Eggs
Oil
Water
Heavy Cream
Baileys Irish Cream
Powdered Sugar

Instructions:
Follow directions on brownie mix. Cut the water measurement in half and add the Irish cream as your other half. Bake brownies an extra 5 to 6 minutes.

While the brownies are baking get out a mixing bowl. Pour half a pint of heavy cream in and mix on low. Add half a cup of Irish Cream and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Whip on high until you have a stiff cream. Chill in refrigerator.

Allow brownies to cool. Once brownies are completely cooled (this is important), cut into squares and set on a baking sheet. Spread a big scoop of the Irish Cream whipped cream onto each brownie. Place the brownies in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Now wasn't that easy? Serve chilled and enjoy!

Oh my word has it been a week.  I was so happy to see Friday rolling around, and H54F to save my sorry butt for having NOTHING prepared. I'm not 100% sure why this week was such a disaster. Maybe it was the fact that it snowed EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Or the fact that every one at work was in just as great a mood as me and that didn't mesh well for anyone. No matter what the reason was, I am just so glad we made it to today. I am sure I have 5 positive things somewhere in this week to talk about.

#1. Influenster. That website just makes my whole week. I won a challenge a few months back and it promised me into a VoxBox soon. They put me into the XO box and I couldn't be happier! It's even more exciting because I just wrapped up the Frosty VoxBox, which was a lot of fun! If you are not on Influenster you are missing out folks! Seriously the link is right here----> Join Influenster


#2. I am participating in the online baby shower through Sampler. I participated back in October when they did it and it had such a great response they are doing it again. You are able to participate if you are pregnant, are an aunt/uncle, or grandparent. There are flash giveaways daily as well as sampling events. It's a pretty cool event. Make sure you like "Sampler" online to get involved in the next one as this one ends today.

#3 I am hanging out on Anne from Love the Here and Now's side bar for the next 30 days! I am so excited because I love Anne's blog and her approach to supporting her sponsors. She is a promoting machine! I love that. I can only hope to be as awesome as Anne when and if I decide to offer sponsorships on this blog.

#4.  I keep talking about this reading challenge. Now I suppose I need to get the word out. The challenge is going to start on Sunday, March 1st and run through Sunday, May 31st. This is going to be an e-reader challenge. I will post the categories and sign ups on Friday February 20th. This will give you all enough time to decide on books and all that jazz before the challenge begins. Can't wait!


 #5. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! Whether you celebrate or not I have some pretty great last minute budget date ideas for tomorrow. Take a peek and see if you can bring out the romantic in you.

I hope you all have a great week! See you back here on Monday! :P

Hello lovelies! Today I wanted to bring you an update on my Thrive 8 week experience. I spoke about Thrive a few weeks ago and got asked a lot of questions, so I figured it would be easiest to do an update on my own experience and answer questions. Let's to questions first.

What is Thrive?

Thrive is a 3 step lifestyle experience. It is not a diet. The three steps are done when you get up every morning. It starts with 2 vitamin supplements. 20-40 minutes later you have a shake loaded with probiotics and B vitamins. Once you are done with your shake you pop on your DFT patch and you are done! Nothing else needs to be done for the next 24 hours.

Is Thrive a diet?

Thrive is NOT a diet. It is a lifestyle supplement. Many people find Thrive helps them lose weight and feel better. This is mostly because it is so jam packed with good vitamins you feel more alert and full of energy.

Why should I take the 8 Week Experience?

You need to experience this product in its entirety to see how it effects you. You can take a 4 day sample but that may not be enough time for your to really get the full benefit of the products. Taking the 8 week experience lets you fully benefit from all the products.

I can't afford Thrive. Now what?

Thrive is fully attainable. Becoming a promoter definitely helps.  As a promoter if you have 2 customers on autoship your product is FREE every month. Most people claim using Thrive has saved them money because they are no longer eating out for breakfast and buying all the junk foods they used to throw in their carts. The average Thriver saves $14 - $28 a day.

 What benefits to do I get by becoming a Promoter?

Becoming a promoter is absolutely free. You are not required to make any purchases or meet any goals if you do not want to. If you decide to purchase the products or have customer orders you start a 2 week bonus time where you can make over $1000 in your first 2 weeks. Again this doesn't start until you become active and purchase and/or have customer orders. Promoting the experience allows you to qualify for things like i-Pad minis, lifestyle trips, and a CAR!

Thrive Overview

Thrive is for anybody and any body. Doesn't matter your age, your weight, your eating habits. Thrive is a different experience for everyone. Sign up as a customer today (it's free) or promoter today and stay up to date with all the exciting happenings of Thrive. I promote this product because I believe in this product. This is not about the earnings for me. It makes me feel amazing.

My Thrive Experience

I have been on the experience now for about 9 weeks. I have noticed my energy has gone through the roof. I don't feel as sluggish in the mornings and I have managed to ward off a lot of the sicknesses going around lately (Colds, flu, and stomach bugs to name a few). The other day I was at the gym and I got on the elliptical (my nemesis) and I couldn't believe when I looked down at my time and I had been on it for well over 30 minutes without and leg fatigue. I felt like I could go forever. I was also to the doctor for my 6 month check and I actually lost weight! I had been gaining weight each time they weighed me at the doctors. I was so excited to finally see a change. This stuff is pretty amazing and I can't imagine this wellness journey without it.

If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me. Thanks again for taking the time to read about this. Have a great day!