Baking Wizards Silicone Baking Mat

If you know me then you know that I really like Earth-friendly products. 

And if you Really know me then you know that I love baked goodies!

But I hate the clean-up. 

Like a lot.

And the perfectionist in me hates stains on my pans. 

And I try to save money whenever and wherever I can.

I used to line my pans with parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil every time I used a pan.
That's not only bad for the environment, but those pennies add up.

Then Baking Wizards sent me their silicone baking mats to try out.

Oh my Word!!!

Why did I not get these sooner!?!

They have completely changed my world.

I use them for everything now.

I not only use them to make my sweet treats, but pretty much everything that I stick in the oven. 

They have worked for everything I've put on them. 

And the clean-up is wickedly fast and easy.

I don't ever have to scrub. I just run them under the water and wipe them off. This is a lifesaver because I don't have a dishwasher. Any elbow grease I can save helps.

I was literally dancing in the kitchen the first time I used them and cleaned them.

They are FDA and LFGB approved. And they are high quality and BPA free which is extremely important when applying heat. So I know that they are safe to use for my family.

Here are a couple of the foods I have made with my Baking Wizards Silicone Baking Mats:

If you want to give them a go for yourself you can check them out on Amazon.
Here is the link:
Baking Wizards Silicone Baking Mats
And if you doubt their abilities, then no worries - they have a LIFETIME GUARANTEE!

Try a recipe and let me know which one is your favorite!

You can check out my Youtube review as well, but it's not as enjoyable as these cookies.
I received these mats complimentary so that I could test them out.

10 Benefits of Using a Massage Body Stick Roller

Have you ever been sore?

I'm guessing that's a resounding "Yes!" I hear out there.

I know that I have been sore a lot. Sometimes on a regular basis. Between 5k's, half-marathons, full-marathons, Ragnar, bikini competition prep, weightlifting, bike-riding, hiking, swimming, roller-blading, skating, at-home workout videos, playing at the park, and just being a Mom I get sore a lot. I mean the list is endless. I've even gotten sore just from sitting in a car on a road trip.

The first time I ever saw a massage body stick roller was when I ran my first Ragnar. One of the other girls had brought one with her. It was a lifesaver! After each one of us ran our leg we took a turn with the stick. If you plan on running Ragnar this massage roller is a must! Running 3-8 miles and then immediately having to hop in a van and sit for the next few hours until your next turn is not good for your muscles. A lot of people end up with injuries because they do not stretch enough during Ragnar. But we were able to stretch while sitting in the car because we had a stick roller. 

A lot of people tried bringing foam rollers to use while running Ragnar, but you can't use them while riding in a vehicle. And they are huge! Six people sharing one vehicle for 2 days and needing 4-5 outfits and plenty of fluids and food means that you don't have a lot of room for a huge foam roller. And most pit stops are only long enough to get out of the vehicle and hop back in. You don't have time to lay on the ground and roll out all your muscles.

Even if you're not a crazy athlete, a stick roller can be very beneficial for your body. 

You may not think you have sore muscles, but you do. Try rolling them out with a stick and you'll notice immediate relief. It is amazing how much better you feel after using one even when you don't think you need to.

How it works:

You press the stick against a body part, like the thigh, and add pressure. You then run it along the muscle. The stick is comprised of a bar with rollers about 1 inch thick attached. This allows it to glide smoothly across your body while conforming to shape slightly. It stretches the muscles and ligaments. You can use it on any relaxed muscle.

Benefits of using a Massage Body Stick Roller:

1. Flexibility - The stick rolls out and stretches the muscle fibers, tendons, and ligaments. If you stretch the muscles while they are still warm after a workout they are less likely to get tight and shorten.

2. Circulation - As pressure is applied and rolled forward it creates a suction in the veins. Which helps to draw in more blood that is fresh and full of oxygen and nutrients. 

3. Pain Reduction - You can pinpoint knots, and sore muscles with the stick. By rolling out these sore areas pain is relieved.

4. Sleep Improvement - Massage has been known to improve the quality and quantity of sleep a person can achieve. Relaxation is crucial for REM sleep.

5. Energy Conservation - Most stretching to warm up the muscles is done by light exercise. This means that you have to use valuable energy stores prior to the race. If you use a body stick to warm up your muscles then you will have more glucose readily available in the blood. That means you will be less likely to break down your muscles to provide energy.

6. Fewer Injuries - Using a stick before exercising allows the muscles to warm up and prevent injury. Think about your muscles like a rubber band. Leave it in your warm car and it can stretch and bend easily. Then go out on a cold morning and try yanking on it and it is most likely going to be tight and snap.

7. Muscle Growth and Repair - Greater circulation provides more nutrients to the muscles. In order for muscles to grow or repair they need glycogen. Blood flow can be restricted post-exercise due to trigger points and tight muscles. Fresh blood provides necessary glycogen to the muscles. Try taking a nutrient-dense drink 20-30 minutes before massaging to provide the most amount of nutrients possible to your muscles.

8. Lactic Acid Removal - Using a stick to roll out your muscles after exercise encourages lactic acid removal. The lactic acid is then sent to your liver and turned into glucose.

9. Breaks Down Soft Tissue Adhesion - When you do a lot of training, competing or do intense sessions sometimes it leads to the development of adhesions - where muscle, fascia, and other tissues stick together. Massaging and rolling out these areas can help correct this issue.

10. Better Mood -  Let's face it, when your body feels good you feel good. Relieving stress, aches, and pains, and adding in better sleep and more oxygen means you will most likely experience a better mood. Which is better for everyone.

There are so many benefits from using a Massage Body Stick Roller. 

It is great for athletes, those with desk jobs, and people with muscular injuries. 

The stick roller is amazing because it is small, light, and portable. You can throw it in your gym bag, carry-on,  or keep it at your desk.

And you can use it practically anywhere. It's only 19 inches long and 2 inches thick. 

You can do it yourself or have someone do it to you (unlike foam rollers).

You can use it while standing, crouching, kneeling, sitting, or laying down.

It is small enough to do all of your body parts without it being awkward.

When you're not using it, it is not a huge eyesore taking up space. 

It will last forever. Foam rollers tend to compress and break down after awhile. Not to mention they can start to collect dirt and sweat. You can easily wash off your stick roller if necessary.

If you want to check out the one that I use then you can find it on Amazon.

It is made by a company called Styles II fitness. I have been thoroughly impressed with their product and trust this company.

If you want to increase your strength, speed, and endurance as an athlete then I highly suggest investing in a Massage Body Stick Roller for yourself.

I was given this product in return for my honest and unbiased review.

Bella Organics Vanilla Mint Deodorant Creme

Have you heard the claim that antiperspirants cause cancer?

Have you heard the claim that it's just a rumor and is false?

As of right now they're both just rumors. It has not been proven one way or the other. The government is standing in neutral territory right now. They cannot say that they cause cancer and hurt businesses that bring in revenue without enough solid evidence. And they cannot say that they pose no cancer risk unless they are 100% sure because of the backlash they would receive from society if this was proven wrong one day. So, they will do what they do best in this situation.... nothing.

It is up to you as the consumer to educate yourself and make your own decision until the facts are in. Most of us might be dead or really old by the time that happens. So, it's up to you to decide for yourself right now.

This post is a little hard to do because I don't want to step on any toes or create any false impressions. This is just what I have concluded on my own. It's purely my own understanding of the topic. 

Do you know what the largest organ is in the human body?

Technically, I should probably say "on the human body" because it is the skin. Yes, your skin is an organ! Just like your heart, lungs, and brain serve a purpose so does your skin. Probably one of the most neglected and abused organs overall. But also one of the most important.

The skin is a shield. It protects the other delicate organs from infection, abrasion, and ultraviolet radiation. It is also holds us together and keeps us from evaporating. It protects us from extreme temperatures and holds us together. It connects us to the outside world with its nerves that allow us to sense and feel. But it also has a very important role - sweating.

Sweating isn't just a side-effect of having a body. It's more than a nuisance we have to deal with. It is purposeful. We sweat to keep our bodies temperate and in a homeostatic state. We also sweat to excrete waste products and create scent. Let me hurry and break it down for you...
There are two types of sweat glands located on the body. The one type serves to keep your body at a safe and normal temperature. It pretty much just secretes salty water.
The other kind does not develop until puberty. They are the reason we have to be subjected to those humiliating maturation classes in fifth grade. They excrete waste products and smell. The stink comes from bacteria breaking down the compounds in sweat rather than the sweat itself. So what you're actually excreting is probably more like pheromones.

And do you know how important pheromones are?! They are insane! I once read a study about how the smell of sad tears from women actually reduced the testosterone levels in men. They instinctively know that if the wife isn't happy then they aren't getting any (and by "any" I mean you know what).

That's why I blame antiperspirants for high divorce rates. Jkjk. 

But if you think about it your antiperspirant is probably hindering you more than it is helping you. How is your perfect mate supposed to smell you and find you? You also have apocrine sweat glands in your nether regions, but unless you have a lot of guys sniffing your crotch then good luck! That's why it is so hard to find Mr. Right. We all use antiperspirants and so we're left to find him using our brains and that's why you're going to get divorced if you use deodorant. Hahaha! Ok, I hope you know that was all in jest.

If it's not safe to use when you're sick then should you really be using it when you're healthy?

But here's what I do know - anything that prevents an organ from functioning properly is no bueno. 

We do have vestigial (useless) body parts, but the skin is not one of them. And stopping it from performing correctly could be dangerous. 

There is a difference between antiperspirants and deodorants. Antiperspirants stop you from sweating. Deodorants just cover up or remove the smell. Whether or not you are sweating, there is always substance found in your apocrine glands. And if you don't let it out every once in awhile it's probably going to do what a sweaty gym sock does when it is forgotten in a gym bag for a few months.... It is going to kill the first person that opens the bag and gets a whiff of it! And it will destroy that gym bag forever!  That might be a slight exaggeration. But if it's a waste product trapped inside your body then you're going to have repercussions. Your body needs to get rid of it. That's why if you must choose between the two then choose deodorant. 

Most deodorants you purchase at the store are made from chemicals though. And slathering yourself in man-made yuck isn't very smart either. That's why I was thrilled to try a natural deodorant made from Bella Organics. They use natural, chemical-free, organic ingredients.

You can actually recognize the names of the ingredients listed on their label. Try and do that with your AXE, Dove, or Secret! In the sample I received they used:

• Organic arrowroot powder to absorb wetness naturally.
• Organic shea butter to soothe and moisturize your skin.
• Organic virgin coconut oil to soothe and condition the skin, as well as for its natural antibacterial properties.
• Organic peppermint oil for its scent, and antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
• Organic tea tree oil for its germ-killing antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Just reading those safe and healthy ingredients makes me feel all warm and cozy inside!

Since they are all natural and earth friendly ingredients there is a shelf life. It is good for one year. I'm pretty sure we all use a stick of deodorant in less than a year though. 

If you have razor burn don't apply this directly afterwards either. I made that mistake. It's the same way with normal deodorant as well though.

I wish it rolled on easy like the bad stuff, but it's not that big of a deal.

And it does come with a warning - you might stink upon initial use if your body hasn't already been detoxed. I stopped using antiperspirant a long time ago because of its negative side effects and so I didn't have any issues with detoxing or odor. It's that dirty gym sock thing I was telling you about! 

So if you're ready to let your armpits go free and try the all natural way here is a great brand that I've thoroughly enjoyed - Bella Organics. I tried the Vanilla Mint Deodorant and absolutely loved it! I smelled like a candycane you just want to lick! Almost. Please don't lick my armpits... But they have other flavors (yes, flavors. Not scents. jkjk) that you can try out as well. You can see them all here. I want to try the Iced Lemonade next. I doubt it will be better than my Vanilla Mint though. I lOVE mint scented and flavored things. But lemon is usually right up there on the list of favorites next to mint. I'll try it out and let you know which one wins the battle. I have a feeling that mint will be a better deodorant though. 

Go to my contest page for your chance to win a sample for yourself!