I’m Seriously Struggling…

I have a confession to make. I am struggling to manage my fitness goals this year. Around November of last year was the last time that I remember maintaining my fitness regimen. I was committed to four days a week at minimum. I had much more muscle tone and motivation. I was able to ride my bike for one hour or complete a full cardio class without getting tired. Now, I’m barely able to make time to work out two days a week. My size hasn’t changed but my level of fitness is slowly dropping and I know exactly why.

I’m currently addicted to snacks. I find myself consuming extras at night, which is a rarity. I usually keep a very strict diet with a few splurges here and there, but I just can’t get out of snack mode. They’re all whole green snacks, but that really doesn’t matter when they are consumed excessively. I find myself looking to my health crazed friends for inspiration.

Luckily today is National Green Juice Day. I now have a great reason (and a holiday) to reset my habits. I’m celebrating #nationalgreenjuiceday by trying out a recipe from allrecipes.com. I’ll complete my joyous day by visiting the gym and taking my favorite Zumba class.

If you are interested in staying connected for more fitness inspiration or to read about other hip and rad topics, you can subscribe to my blog http://www.latanyaonline.com.

#gotmygreens

Photo by rawpixel via unsplash

The “Ultimate” Holiday Gift Guide

The “Ultimate” Holiday Gift Guide – Gifts for Anyone on your List

I created this little wish list for all of my friends out there looking for gift ideas for the holiday.

Coat

As the cold season officially settles in, you’ll need the perfect coat to fit into your wardrobe. Top trends this year include cardigan coats, peplum coats, and form fitted bubble coats. One of my favorite styles is this belted wrap coat.

bundo-kim-1100348-unsplash

Photo by Bundo Kim on Unsplash

Watch

No matter what time of the year, you can never go wrong with a nice watch. It can serve as a personal jewelry piece but can also help you to stay active and productive throughout the day. I’ve seen a lot of really cute watches out there. I personally like a high-quality two tone watch with a slim bracelet-like wrist band. I also like more of a vintage look with intricate designs on the band.

brigitte-tohm-388996-unsplash

Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash

Belt

Another gift idea is a belt. Who doesn’t need one, right? No wardrobe is complete without a brown and black belt. If you’re lucky you might just find a reversible belt with both colors. It is important to find the right color that matches precisely with your shoes and your handbag.

Towels

I’ve been on the market for some nice towels as well. I know that this is a great gift for anyone. Towels can be used to add to the bathroom as decoration or purchased for regular use. There are endless amounts of towel patterns, textures, and colors available. I’ve had my eyes on a set of blue, white, and cream towels from a major department store.  I’m interested in turning my bathroom into a beachfront getaway and I’m certain I do this with the right accessories.

joshua-hoehne-547369-unsplash (1)

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Chair

The last thing on my list is a sturdy but cozy chair. A living room is not a living room without a comfortable go-to chair that you can sit in comfortably and watch television. I’ve seen some great deals at Target and Ikea. My perfect chair would have arms and a stable design that helps me to sit up, but also allows me to curl into a ball at times. There are many varieties, but a traditional chair seems more appropriate for me.

These items are on the top of my wish list, but I’m certain that they are great gifts that anyone would enjoy as well.  Please, take a look at let me know what you think!

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tanya

Top 3 Pumpkin Carving Hacks

by LaTanya Williams

If you and your family are looking for a creative way to participate in the fall activities before getting all eerie, why not try a good ole’ fashion pumpkin carving? According to Better Homes and Garden, the great jack o’ lantern began as a part of Celtic history. It later made its way into American tradition in the 1800’s and continues to be a popular annual craft today.  Whether you are hoping to spark creativity or ward off goons and goblins, you can try out these top tips for making this spooky harvest time staple.

yulia-chinato-1099861-unsplash

Photo by Yulia Chinato on Unsplash

#1 Ready, Set, Carve

One the fastest ways to create a unique pumpkin is to use a carving tool kit. There are many different kinds of kits available at local hardware, retail, and craft stores. You might get a few weird looking slicers and splicers like a hole punch, a scooper, and a poker wheel. Other sets include sharp tools, hole cutters, electronic carvers, and pencils. Just be certain to find one that is safe and age appropriate for your family.

#2 Cutting Up for Crafts

Stencils might also come in handy while you carve out your next frightful pumpkin face. There are thousands of pumpkin patterns and stencils available online. You can easily search, click, download, and print patterns. You and your family can create silly faces, movie characters, unicorns, and animals or try carve-less pumpkin decorating options.

drew-hays-426434-unsplash

Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash

#3 Fright Free Leftovers

There are also quite a few cool things that you can do with the pumpkin after Halloween. You can make a long list of leftovers, from savory hummus and baked bread to pumpkin spiced latte. If you have furry friends in your family, you can even make pumpkin dog treats. Best of all, according to Terri Coles of  Huffington Post Canada, these leftovers are filled with lots of great vitamins.

cayla1-141039-unsplash

Photo by Cayla1 on Unsplash

Halloween can be lots of fun for families. Pumpkin carving gives everyone time to gather together and practice their artistic gifts. Whether trying out a super goop scooping stainless steel carving kit, using masterful stencil designs, or simply waiting for the post Halloween menu items, pumpkin carving is still a timeless tradition.

Car Review – Ford Focus

emil-vilsek-377013-unsplash

Photo by Emil Vilsek on Unsplash

Few cars match the Ford Focus’s style, space, and affordability. The 2017 Ford focus serves as an exciting addition to the Ford family with the same well known elements.  You can expect to be wowed by this year’s newest version.  It is also well priced at $16,775 and economically convenient with 25/34 standard miles per gallon.

Exterior

You will be immediately taken by the trendy, authentic body style. This new model is somewhat lowered with aerodynamic enhancing accents and a stand out exhaust system. The 18-inch aluminum wheels are also a fancy fit for this model. No matter what impressive colors you choose from Kona Blue, Race Red, Blue Candy Metallic, Stealth Gray or Oxford White, you’ll be easily recognizable when you arrive in this dapper new model. It is the ultimate representation of mod contortion.

Power

There is nothing left to be desired when it comes to power as well. This 2017 Focus screams get up and go. One hard press on the gas petal and you’ll find out just what this model is made of. Design features that cover this area include 350 horsepower, 350 pound feet of torque, and a remarkable all-wheel drive system that makes for a smooth day to day commute.

Engine

The 2.3 L EcoBoost engine is a major contributing factor the models reinforced navigation possibilities. Driving economical doesn’t mean driving without distinction. This well-crafted engine will motivate buyers to make a quick visit to the nearest lot for a test drive.

Performance

You can expect great things regarding performance. Each part has been purposefully aligned to improve speed handling capabilities, tire reliability, and distribution of power. This ride offers several options including normal, sport, and track driving functions that make for a varied driving experience every time you hit the road.

Interior

There’s more quality where that came from. The interior craftsmanship takes the wow factor to another level, unveiling Ford’s sheer finesse. You can expect intricate French seams on the seats, adjustable head rests, carbon fiber accents, and aluminum foot petals. Winters will pass quickly without much discontentment. The heated seats, mirrors, steering wheels will keep you warm. There are also a few dandy functions for the ecofriendly like soy based foam and other recycled materials.

Safety Features

It is safe to say that this is an excellent choice for drivers looking for a modernistic new look with polished additions. It received an impressive 5-star rating from the national highway traffic safety administration, which is the highest possible rating. When it comes to this car’s ability to keep you and your family protected on the road you can expect top level enforcement from multiple angles.

The 2017 Ford Focus offers the perfect mix of accommodating features at an affordable price, giving drivers a reason get excited behind the wheel. You’ll also enjoy dazzling technology features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility, and park assist. It is easy to call this new model quite irresistible, especially if you are already on the market.