Stress Less with Stressballs

06.14.2019 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Stressballs at Walmart. This conversation has been compensated by P&G and its advertiser. The opinions and text are all mine.

Do you ever just stop in the middle of your day? Stop moving? Stop scrolling social media? Stop trying to get all of your to do list done? Stop all the noise, the chaos, the kids bickering, the endless laundry, and everything else that clutters up our minds on a daily basis? Yeah, me neither! I forget to!! I know that you’re most likely like me, busy 24/7 with everything to do and limited time to do it all in. One of my best friends mentioned recently that everyone comes up with the same excuse, and they seem to reply with “I’m so busy, or I am too busy to do xyz” Its true, isn’t it? Have you heard yourself say it? We are ALL BUSY, and being BUSY is all relative! But………do you ever just stop yourself from whatever it is (except driving, don’t just stop in the middle of the road if you’re driving) and do something for yourself to STRESS LESS?

Stress Less with Stressballs

Well, Stressing Less just got a bit easier! Stress less with Stressballs! Not to sound cliché, but I am a busy, work at home wife/mother to 3 young children. Before you enter parenthood, you can’t even fathom the meaning of “busy”, and what all it really entails. I run my own website/blog, am a sales rep for a well-known foot peel company, run my children to/from sporting activities throughout the year, manage our household(which is full of grocery trips, making sure the house is clean, stocking inventory for household necessities, paying bills, cooking, parenting the kids…..which is um…another job in itself, Dr. visits, birthday party planning 3x’s a year)ok…. you get it, I don’t think I need to go on.

There’s no wonder parents find their full cup of coffee in the microwave ALL THE TIME! My question for you…..is……what do you do to just STOP, and de-stress? What do you do to relax or just do something for YOU that makes you happy and manage your daily stressors? My #1 thing that I have always had a passion for and that gives me that “me time”, is fitness & exercise. It’s what makes me happy, strong and relaxed after I’m finished. It’s at that time that I don’t have to be a mom, answer to anyone, except the weight that I’m about to throw around! haha After figuring out what my schedule looks like each day, my first thought is, when am I going to work out? My days are happier and less anxiety with daily exercise, hands down! My point is, even if you don’t enjoy fitness like me, find something that helps you manage your stress. That may just be grabbing coffee with a friend, seeing a movie, golfing, knitting, having friends over for game night, getting a massage, going on vacation, etc. I am sure you’re like me, and can’t fit those things in, ENOUGH, into your days.

That’s where Stressballs come in to help you. Found only at Walmart & www.walmart.com where you can receive 2-day free shipping (on purchases over $35). Stressballs are specially formulated gummies with natural herbs in them that you can take day & night. Click here to read about the Day Gummies and the Night Gummies here

Focus–Destress–Re-energize

The Stressball Day gummies include Ashwagandha, Lemon Balm, & Ginseng, that are all herbs that help you focus, destress & re-energize, without the effects of caffeine. The Stressball Night gummies are formulated with Ashwagandha, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Valerian Root, & Lavender, which help you relax, de-stress & sleep*. They are both drug free, habit free & naturally flavored. Stressballs night, help keep your stress levels in balance each day and night by providing natural remedies in a drug-free, habit-free naturally flavored herbal blend.

Relax–Destress–Sleep

I’m smiling at my kids giggles more and enjoying life’s little moments. These little gummies help me stay centered so I can manage my daily stressors. Did you know that they even help you focus! When you’ve got a to-do list a mile long but your head is spinning, these are designed to help you stay on track.

Stress Less with Stressballs

Do more of what brings you JOY in life. Live more….Stress Less. Check out Stressballs, available at Walmart and also www.walmart.com.

*This formula has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Mid Century Chair DIY Project

05.21.2019 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

Mid Century Chair DIY Project

This is a very special post for me, because it includes items that were my paternal grandparents. Several years ago, I got to visit my late grandparents home and walk through it, again. Even though I was pretty young when they were alive, I had a bunch of memories that flooded me in that instance.

While walking through their home, my husband and I saw these 2 mid-century, low-profile chairs that swivel and even rocked! My parents said they were ours if we wanted to take them, so at that time, we found someone to reupholster them and stain them the color of our dark floors. They turned out great and matched our decor, however they didn’t add any more cushioning in them, which I really thought they needed to. You could feel the springs a bit.

Fast forward almost 7 years–we have recently taken on a flooring project in our home and gone from dark to white oak floors. A complete spin on our colors from before! So that meant the wood on the arms & legs of both chairs needed to be stripped and sanded down. I had never tackled such a project, but anyone who knows me, knows that I love a good DIY project.

I put together a video of the process, which you can watch below. In a nutshell, I applied the stripper, and left it on overnight. It literally lifted right off the wood, very easily. There was some sanding to be done afterwards, to get the wood as light as I wanted it to match our new floors that we were going to install. That meant I also got to try out the electric sander(of which I had never used). Yep, total newbie to this type of thing!!!!

We were getting new living room furniture, so I thought the upholstery would look great in the grey velvet that our accent pillows would be in. Before sending it off to a different, and amazing upholsterer, I started the job of refinishing the arms/legs. My upholsterer gave me a great product tip of what I should use to strip it with, and let me tell you, this made my job so much easier! It hands down, was the easiest part of it. The product was Ready Strip, which you can purchase here.

After sanding the arms and legs down with 120 grit sandpaper, I wiped them down with mineral spirits to clean them well. I used a small bristle brush to clean out the areas around the bolts, so I could then spray them down with a clear polyurethane, or so I thought. I didn’t do my research and used the spray polyurethane on one of the chairs, and quickly found out that since it was oil-based, it turned the light wood a yellowish tint. After lightly re-sanding it down again, I went back to the store and then purchased clear polycrylic spray. This is what you’ll need to get the appearance of white oak and not have that yellowing effect, like the other spray.

I allowed the first coat to dry overnight, then sprayed it down a second time. My timing was perfect, because my upholsterer then called and said she was ready for the arms/legs, because she had the main body finished on the chairs. A few days later, she called saying they were all finished! To lay eyes on them in the first moments of seeing them, they looked simply amazing!! Better than I had even pictured in my head. She also found that the chairs had original horse hair in the cushions! She did add some padding, which made them so much more comfortable than before!

They turned out gorgeous, and they look incredible with our new floors. What do you guys think? To top it off, I taught myself how to strip(insert joke here…lol) and sand furniture! I am someone who loves learning new things, and it is very satisfying to take something old and redo it/and give it new life! I think Grandma & Grandpa would be so proud!!!

Mid Century Chair DIY Project

In case you’re looking for chairs similar to these, I have found them on this site and also here, are similar ones. Two of my favorite sites, besides this place! I’ve listed all of the items I used for this project, below. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask away!!!

2019 Vikara Fitness and Yoga Retreat

04.27.2019 by awellpacedlife // Leave a Comment

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to the first ever Vikara Fitness and Yoga Retreat in Scottsdale, AZ! It was some of the best 3 days of my life, and certainly the healthiest. I’ve gotten so many questions about the event and what all it entailed, so I thought I would break it down for you!

2019 Vikara Fitness and Yoga Retreat

I received my itinerary a few days in advance and it listed all of the fitness & yoga class options for each day I would be there, and that there would be chef made meals provided at breakfast, lunch & dinner. A vacation where I get to workout multiple times throughout the day, and eat healthy, chef prepared meal 3 x’s a day=HELLO AM I DREAMING? I can’t think of anything more up my alley! Did I mention yet that it was hosted in the beautiful land of Scottsdale, AZ where it’s always warm and sunny? It couldn’t have come at a better time, since Missouri was getting one of its worst and longest winters EVER!!! To top it off, one of my best friends (who happens to be a certified Health Coach), and loves fitness and health as much as I do, got to come along with me to the event! If you’re interested in any coaching, check out her site here. She will get you onto the right track!!!

Hotel Adeline

Let me start with telling you that packing for a trip was never easier. When all you need to pack for a trip is workout gear, a swimsuit, and a yoga mat, you know its going to be great!!! I hopped on the plane to Phoenix where I couldn’t wait to step off into the warm/sunshine! I took a 15 minute Uber ride to Hotel Adeline, located in Old Town Scottsdale. VERY COOL! Immediately stepping out of the Uber, I noticed a modern, bohemian and fun vibe of the hotel. It was light, airy and very cool elements in the boutique-style hotel. When I first walked into the hotel, I immediately noticed the oh-so gorgeous white oak flooring throughout. The front desk was designed with gorgeous tiling, a 3D background with the saying “Home is where the heart is” on it. You couldn’t help but, well, feel at home! The lobby was spacious and had plenty of comfy seating with several live plants and the neatest modern fireplace with bohemian decor above it. You can find out all the details of their hotel and book a stay here!

In visiting my room, it was the cutest, modern designed and newly renovated(the entire hotel had been renovated), along with one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in, at a hotel. I literally had to check the mattress and it was a Simmons Beautyrest(for those looking for a comfy mattress)! The room had a quaint bathroom with a beautifully tiled shower and glass front. All of the rooms facing the inside of the pool overlooked the pool and gorgeous palm trees. We also had a picture-worthy view of camelback mountain!

Menu Options

It was the coolest thing that Vikara Events had actually reserved the ENTIRE HOTEL specifically for the event! That just put a personal touch on the whole event! Each day we would get up, eat breakfast from the OH SO DELICIOUS buffet that they had, freshly squeezed juices, coffee or freshly infused water. Every meal was a special menu planned just for the event, which made us all feel so special! I have to mention that the staff from the hotel was incredibly “on it” and so sweet, always checking on us. Swipe left, below, to see a sample of the menus we had to choose from. Everything was so good, I have to say. After working out multiples times each day, my appetite was huge! Each meal was very health conscious, clean eating and nutrient dense foods. It really motivated me to stick to eating clean after I got home.

Class Schedules

Typically while we were having breakfast we would figure out which classes we wanted to take each day. In the front of the hotel, outside they had a H.I.I.T area set up in the parking lot for classes throughout the day. Covering a portion of the pool they had an actual stage set up over the water for all sorts of classes, ranging from Buti Yoga(which was new for me), Hip Hop Vinyasa, Core power, just to name a few). Think of Buti Yoga like; African dance meets yoga!!! They had spinning classes, Aerial yoga, Acrobatic yoga near the pool as well, and inside the main ballroom were more of your Aroma Flow, Restorative Yoga, Goddess Workshop and classes you could sit in on. Each night they would have a night-time yoga class to wind you down for the night. One of the classes I especially loved was the Ayurvedic medicine and holistic healing system. I found it so interesting!

They had top-notch trainers there that were so friendly and definitely motivational! The amazing sound system in each workout area, pretty much made everyone want to dance! The vibe was incredible and I have to say it is such an awesome feeling being around a bunch of HEALTHY people. Everyone was happy and the whole mood those few days was just electrifying! The hardest part of those 3 days was deciding how many and classes could we fit into each day!

It was just such a casual, relaxed setting. If you wanted to just hang out by the pool and relax, you could. It was a very relaxed environment, helping you feel free to decide for yourself what you wanted to do. They even had vendors set up poolside so you could shop. Also, we watched true yogis for a couple of hours, do out of this world poses that they made look easy. I would have just fallen in the pool and embarrassed myself! Each day there were cooking demonstrations and different speakers came in and speak about nutrition, mindful eating, etc.

Camelback Mountain

On my last morning there, we decided to take a 5 minute Uber ride to hike Camelback Mountain. This was so beautiful and a must do, if you are visiting Scottsdale. It certainly was not like any hiking trail Missouri has to offer! To see the view when you get up on top of the mountain was just beautiful. I can certainly see why people move there!!! An exhilarating, sunny hike is just what we needed before we flew back to snow on the ground. P.S. Bring your water bottle with you and possibly a backpack that includes a first aid kit(you never know if you’ll get scraped up, etc. because it’s pretty steep). To read more about the mountain, visit here.

If you’ve always wanted to go on a healthy/fitness vacation, my 2 words would be “DO IT“. It would be one of the best trips you’ll ever take. This would also be a great couples trip, to reconnect or celebrate a birthday/anniversary! There were couples, friends, siblings there, etc. It’s such a great way to learn some new styles of fitness, reset your fitness routine, get in tune with your mind/body, and most importantly—DESTRESS yourself.

The top 4 things I would bring to a Fitness & Yoga retreat are:

1)Yoga Mat- Here are some foldable options that go in your suitcase easily!

2)Water Bottle

3) Sunscreen & your swimsuit!

4) workout clothes

Easy enough, right?

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions on the event, please email me at heather@awellpacedlife.com. The next Vikara Fitness & Yoga retreat is being held in San Diego-August 22-25th. Visit here to sign up, you wont regret it!!!