Posts

Showing posts from July, 2023

My Favorite Purchases This Month [July 2023]

Image
I'm sure we can all agree that one of the best feelings in the world is finding something you need (or don't need) at an oh-so-attractive price. Let's just call it the 'Smart Shopper High.' Well, good news! I managed to hit that high repeatedly this month and scored some seriously cool stuff. Keep reading to join me on this joyous journey as I take you through my favorite purchases of the month with some details on why I love each one! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I appreciate your support.

Keep Track of What You're Binge-Watching With These Tools

Image
Remember the good old days of flipping through channels, stumbling upon a captivating TV show, and instantly getting hooked? Ah, those were the times. Sadly, that feels like a distant memory from the cyber stone age.  In today's endless sea of shows, it's a real challenge to keep up with them all. Trust me, I've been there too. You start watching one show, stumble upon another intriguing series, get hooked on that, and before you know it, you've completely forgotten about the others you started. The cycle continues endlessly, and suddenly you find yourself juggling a whopping ten or more unfinished shows!  The key is to stay on top of your favorite shows so you know where you left off and can easily pick them up at your convenience. Lucky for us, there are five incredible websites that make it effortlessly convenient. These sites will keep you in the loop and ensure you never miss a beat. Brace yourself for some awe-inspiring recommendations!

Reigniting Your Spark: How to Get Back into the Swing of Things

Image
So, I've been seeing a regular nuisance at my door lately. That's right! Our uninvited guest - the motivation monster. Fresh from its time off and ready to wreak havoc. But I'm not here just to scare you. On the contrary, we're going into the battlefield to tackle this monster with some cool life hacks and smart tips. Ready for a comeback when motivation goes MIA? Let's do this with a dash of inspiring quotes and useful apps. Hold on tight, 'cause we're giving this monster the scare of its life. On a more personal note, I’ve recently faced a loss in the family. My mother-in-law passed away just a few weeks ago, and to be honest, life has been quite a whirlwind since then. It’s been a tsunami of emotions coupled with one urgent task after another.  My blog and social media took a backseat amidst the chaos (luckily, I had a backlog of posts that I was able to use), and my mailbox is now jam-packed with nearly 2k unread emails. I had to hit pause on my part-tim

Why You Should Avoid Maltodextrin (and Viable Alternatives)

Image
Maltodextrin is an additive commonly found in processed foods. It's made from starch and used as a thickener, filler, and sweetener in various products. However, despite its widespread use, maltodextrin can pose some health risks that we should be aware of. First off, maltodextrin is highly processed , which means it undergoes significant changes before ending up in our food. This processing can remove essential nutrients and fiber , leaving us with empty calories. Not great, right? For individuals like me who have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and struggle with blood sugar issues, maltodextrin can be particularly problematic. This additive can cause spikes in blood sugar levels due to its high glycemic index, potentially worsening PCOS symptoms or affecting your overall well-being. Now, here's the tricky part – avoiding maltodextrin isn't always a piece of cake. It's often hidden among a long list of ingredients, making it necessary to read labels carefully. But tr

25 Fun Games to Play if You're a Sims Fan

Image
Are you hooked on The Sims series and always on the hunt for new ways to indulge in your simulation and roleplay fun? Like me, you might find joy in bouncing back and forth between The Sims 2, The Sims 3, and The Sims 4. Each of them has its appeal. But let's face it, playing the same trio of games can become monotonous, and you might be craving something fresh. So, I've put together a compilation of 25 entertaining games that will surely spark your creativity. You'll discover everything from timeless staples to recent marvels, poised to provide endless entertainment for hours. So, ready your controls or touch-screen devices, and let's kickstart an exhilarating virtual voyage! 1. Stardew Valley Venture into the rural town of Stardew Valley , where you can cultivate your own farm, interact with quirky characters, and forge deep connections. With an enchanting pixel art style and addictive gameplay, this game is perfect for those who enjoy the immersive world-building asp

Unveiling The Mystery: Staying Fit With PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Image
Whether you've just heard of PCOS and Insulin Resistance or you're already familiar with them, I've got you covered. Today, we're diving headfirst into the world of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and insulin resistance, and exploring how to stay fit while dealing with these troublesome partners.  It's important to know that you're not alone in this journey. Esteemed sources like the CDC, NHS, and Office on Women's Health suggest that PCOS affects anywhere between 5-12% of reproductive-age women in the US, approximately 1 in 10 women in the UK, and an estimated 5 million women in the US alone . So, buckle up, and let's dive in! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I appreciate your support. 1. Understanding PCOS and Insulin Resistance Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (aka PCOS) is this big-worded beast that's keeping numerous women, including me, on their feet, or rather, weighing scales. T

15 Amazing Low-Carb Fast-Food Options to Keep Your Lifestyle Intact

Image
I'm going to let you in on a not-so-well-kept secret: low-carb diets aren't that hard. Yeah, I can already hear some snorts and skeptical ”Sure Jan” comments. But what if I told you that even in the most unlikely of places – fast food chains – there's still a banquet of options to choose from? Let's take a break from the home-grown zucchini spaghetti and explore these 15 low-carb options at popular fast food joints that won't get you in trouble.  Sidenote: These days, you'll find that many fast food joints are pretty accommodating if you want to ditch the bun from your sandwich. So, don't be afraid to ask! McDonald's - Go for the Grilled Chicken Sandwich Sans Bun The Mighty M offers some fantastic low-carb options – enjoy the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with no bun. Well, hello, 2 grams of carbs.

15 Delicious and Easy Dinner Recipes for Lazy Days

Image
After working all day long, the last thing I want to do is spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. And let's face it, my husband feels the same way too. We both crave evenings filled with relaxation and good food. So, I've gathered a collection of 15 dinner recipes that are not only incredibly delicious but also require minimal effort.  These recipes are perfect for those days when cooking feels like an impossible mission. Say goodbye to expensive and unhealthy takeout and hello to effortless, homemade dinners that will satisfy your taste buds without draining your energy. 1. Baked Eggs and Avocado This dish is not only easy to make but also low-carb and high-protein. Simply halve an avocado, remove the pit, and crack an egg in each half. Bake in the oven until the egg is cooked to your liking. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, and serve with toast.

Decoding the Scripture: The NLT Student Life Application Study Bible Delivers

Image
There's a new player on the biblical block: the NLT Student Life Application Study Bible, Filament-Enabled Edition . It's pretty awesome because it combines both beautiful artwork and intelligent insights. Trust me, it's a game changer when it comes to how easy it is to understand and how visually appealing it is. Let's take a deeper dive at the Bible you'll definitely want to add to your Bible Study arsenal! Unveiling a Unique Bible Like No Other This Bible is like no other! It's a powerful combination of rigorous scholarship, breathtaking design, and an unmatched dedication to making Scripture applicable to your everyday life. With the New Living Translation (NLT) as its foundation, the Student Life Application Study Bible takes your understanding of the Bible to a whole new level.  It's packed with over 27,000 notes that you can find right on the page or access through the amazing Filament Bible app ( Android , iOS ). This app helps you dive deeper into y

Recalling the Internet's Golden Days from Late 90s to Early 2000s

Image
When I think back to the late 90s and early 2000s, it feels like reminiscing about those cringe-worthy teenage years of digital technology. Picture this: no cell phones until the end of my senior year in 1999 (can you believe it?). And even then, hardly anyone had them in school, and adults with cell phones were a rare sight. It was a different era (it almost seems ancient now). Instead of cell phones, we relied on pagers and beepers to stay connected. They weren't really all that popular in my high school, though. I mean, who needed a pager when you could just pass notes in class, right (and boy, did I pass a ton of those)? It's funny to think about now, but back then, we were pretty content with face-to-face interactions and the occasional landline phone call. So, that's how it was in the early days of digital life. We were just starting to dip our toes into the vast ocean of the internet, and little did we know how it would shape the world we live in today. It may have