Billy Blanks Tae Bo PT 24/7 Review: Boot Camp Power (& Random Updates)

Today's Review: Billy Blanks: PT 24/7 Boot Camp Power Review
Billy Blanks, 2011 ***** (4.5 of 5 stars)

Billy leads this upper body focused workout in a nice gym set. There are 5 other backgrounders & Shelly (who looks thoroughly worked out in this one!) You will only need your PT bands & gloves for this workout.

This one doesnt have cardio in it but its a really great upper body workout and I def felt it the next day! Worked my muscles in a different way than typical dumbbell strength training. Exercises include: side toe taps while punching, back toe taps w/ cross punches, military press, tri extensions, power jab & upper cut sets, bi curls, hi push (for the back), and arm circles with arms fully extended.

I would rate this a solid intermediate upper body workout. LOVE that the bands are super easy to adjust- just wrap them around the notch in the glove to make the resistance stronger. Even wrapped the bands are comfortable & don't pinch or pull at all- love that! There is some lag time between moves in this one while Billy demonstrates- but overall I really really like the UB work in this! Billy provides some great form pointers. I received this dvd to review.

Betty Boop Cake: I made these Betty Boop cupcakes for a friends birthday. Chocolate cupcakes, strawberry mousse filling, buttercream icing, and fondant decorations. She was very happy with them.  We went to our fav chicken & waffle house for dinner and then to a winery place for a wine tasting & bday festivities. We had a great time! Heres a pic of us all at the wine place. (custom cakes in Phoenix) I got the tasting with a Living Social deal so it was a great price and we actually go to choose with wines we tasted- so that was cool.

Random Updates: I started another Advocare 24 Day Challenge because of vacation and then being sick I was up 5 lbs. from the 10 I lost on my last challenge. Started last Wed and have already lost that  and am down another couple! YAY. Very happy about that as we have another vacation coming up soon (Vegas with friends)! Oh and we booked a cruise for the beginning of next year- just DH & I. We are super excited! It will be like the honeymoon we never had. We had booked an all inclusive resort in Mexico but there were really bad tornados so they canceled it on us :( we did get all our money back though so thats good. So five years later- we're finally taking our honeymoon LOL.

Today's Tip: Octopus For Health (Tako in Japanese) 
Next time you see octopus on a menu, consider giving it a try. It’s delicious (when cooked properly) and is a great protein. “Octopus is low in saturated fat and contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for cardiovascular health,” Begun says. “It is a good source of iron and contains many other vitamins and minerals, including A, C, B, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and selenium.” Read more on Self.

Today's LOLz:

Two Belles Giveaway: Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa, & Wholly Queso

I am so excited about the Two Belles Fitness delicious Wholly Guacamole, Salsa, & Queso giveaway! We are both HUGE fans of Wholly Guacamole and were excited to try their Wholly Salsa, and Wholly Queso- well no surprise both are FANTASTIC! 

Enter on Two Belles Fitness to win styrofoam cooler  full of a HUGE assortment of Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa, and Wholly Queso products!

The winner of this HUGE Wholly giveaway will receive a HUGE assortment of Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa, and Wholly Queso products in a big ol' styrofoam cooler, along with some fun extras! The Belles are in love with the heart healthy guacamole varieties (Spicy is my favorite!), the chunky fresh tasting salsa, and the cheesy delicious queso!

The first thing I did upon recieving my package was make a big ol' Wholly tostada:
Take 1 tortilla add abig ol' scoop Wholly Queso. Grill in pan until warmed. Top with a big ol' scoop of Wholly Salsa & big ol' scoop of Wholly Guacamole. Eat, enjoy, repeat! Both DH & I LOVED our Wholly tostada's! Fast, convenient, and delicious!

• Did you know that Wholly Guacamole is made of only hand-scooped Haas avocado's? And it contains healthy fats that our hearts, bodies, & skin need! It's all natural with 20 vitamins and minerals, and contains With just the right amount of spice and garlic. Available in Spicy, Organic, Guacasalsa, Pico de Gallo style, Double Dip, & more!


• Did you know that Wholly Queso is a delicious blend of premium ingredients and a flavorful mix of cheddar cheese, fresh-tasting veggies, and just the right amount spice? Oh and did I mention it tastes AMAZING! Available in Classic & Blanco!


• Did you know that Wholly Salsa is low in fat, high in flavor and packed with vitamins and antioxidants.


• Did you know that the Wholly products come in convenient 100 calorie packs and single serve snack packs? Perfect for on the go and for portion control!!! Available in Mild or Hot.


• Did we mention that we are IN LOVE with all the Wholly products we tried? We know you will be too!


• PS get off the ranch an onto the Wholly!

Want to win your own cooler FULL of Wholly products? Enter on Two Belles Fitness!

We received samples of these products to review. We were in no other way compensated for our honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are oury own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. We can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.

WINNER: Billy Blanks PT 24/7 System

 

HUGE congrats to the winner of the ENTIRE Billy Blanks Tae Bo PT 24/7 Workout System:  Running, Loving, Living who said...PT 24/7 is a physical training program where you will "feel" the difference in 24 hours, and "see" the difference in 7 days.

Thank you to everyone who entered and a huge thanks to the sponsor for donating this fabulous prize! The winner has been notified and has 48 hours to respond & claim her fabulous prize.

Two Belles Giveaway: Kashi, CalNaturale, & Sun-Maid!

Back-to-School time has arrived and along with it comes the need for healthy and nutritious guilt-free snacks to throw in the kids' lunches. And for us grown-ups we could always use ideas and suggestions for healthy go-to snacks! Treat your brown bag lunch to the following guilt-free goodies for your next snack attack. Enter to win this fantastic guilt free snack pack on Two Belles Fitness!

Sun-Maid Raisins:

Nothing says "snack" quite like Sun-Maid raisins. Sun-Maid has been providing premium quality raisins and dried fruits to homes around the world since 1912. Sun-Maid Growers of California is owned by family farmers who grow raisin grapes all located within 100 miles of each other in the Great Central Valley of California. With a wide array of products from dried fruit and raisins to muffins ad cooie mix, Sun-Maid has something to satisfy everyone's mid-day hunger. Sun-Maid's mini snack packs, at only 45 calories per box and zero fat, make for a perfect grab-and-go snack. They are a healthy option for young kids and the kid in you. Perfect to include in lunches, carry in backpacks, or anywhere on the go, Sun-Maid's six-packs are the perfect way to enjoy this guilt-free snack.

CalNaturale Svelte Sustained Energy Protein Drink:
CalNaturale is a third-generation family business farming in Northern California. Their goal is to improve health and wellness with the best-tasting, most nourishing foods possible. By combining the finest all-natural ingredients, they have created drinks that are both nutritious and delicious. CalNaturale Svelte all-natural protein shake provides you with the lasting nutrition and sustained energy you need to navigate through your active and busy day. Perfect to keep in the fridge at work, in your pantry, or to toss in your gym bag. Each rich, creamy flavor is created with 16g of protein from fresh organic ingredients, along with complex carbs for sustained energy. Available in chocolate, vanilla, cappuccino, and spiced chai, CalNaturale is certified organic, filling, shelf stable, convenient, and taste awesome! They are good as is or for a healthy but decadent treat- I blended the cappuccino Svelte with ice for a rich frothy coffee treat! CalNaturale Svelte are dairy, lactose, gluten, and cholesterol free! They contain only 9 grams of sugar and 20% of your daily value of fiber and are naturally sweetened with stevia so you can enjoy this tasty drink without the guilt.

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Kashi TLC Layered Granola Bar:
The Belles are thrilled to review another fabulous Kashi product. Kashi is a company we have all come to know, trust and LOVE! With so many healthy natural options- whats not to love! We were fortunate to have the opportunity to sample Kashi's TLC Layered Granola Bar. Made with whole grain goodness and layers of tasty ingredients, these bars are a delicious indulgence you won't feel guilty about. Kashi put lots of tasty ingredients in their bars, like sweet fruits, rich dark chocolate, and crunchy nuts. Plus, you get real nutrition, nothing artificial, and a feel-good snack (that tastes wonderful!). Kashi bars are full of good-for-you fiber & protein making this the perfect go-to snack! With flavors like Cranberry Walnut, Peanutty Dark Chocoalte, Pumpkin Pecan, Dark Chocolate Coconut how can you resist? The bars are a perfect substitute for unhealthy candy bars too.  In fact, Kashi has teamed up with Dom enica Catelli, chef/author of Mom-a-licious: Fresh, Fast, Family Food for the Hot Mama in You!, who says, “The foods that kids eat when they’re younger may affect their taste preferences as they grow up; so by introducing them to healthful yet deliciously prepared foods at an early age, parents have an opportunity to help shape their choices.  As a mom myself, I support parents’ efforts to give their kids the nutrition they need and want to show them that these foods can taste just as good, if not better, than the junk foods children might prefer.”

Enter to win this fantastic snack pack on Two Belles Fitness!

We received samples of these products to review. We were in no other way compensated for our honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are oury own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. We can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.

Win, Lose, or Blog Now Accepting Season Six Applications!

We are now accepting applications (here) for Season six contestents on Win, Lose, or Blog! Last season our 8 contestants lost 90.8 pounds in 7 weeks! Win, Lose, or Blog is a Big Loser inspired weight loss challenge for the blogging world. Health & Fitness are my passions in life and I hope this competition will inspire others to lead healthier lifes too! I have been working with four fabulous ladies to create this fun and exciting new blog. 

What does Win, Lose, or Blog have to offer you?

Want to be a contestant? Apply here.

Each season of the challenge (lasting 7 weeks) we will choose eight contestants. This is your chance to win some MAJOR prizes! The "big loser" (based on percentage of body weight lost) will win one big AWESOME prize. Second and third place contestants will also win some great prizes. And everyone else will get something just for participating.

Want to Play along?
Want to lose weight right along with our contestants? Post your weekly loss each week on our Tuesday Update post and you're in the running for some fantastic prizes! Last season TWO of our mini-contestants won fabulous prizes and lost a TON of weight in the process.

Just want to follow along?
We have multiple health and fitness gurus on our team who are going to be posting information, recipes, tips, inspiration and more. So come follow and get a little help living a healthier lifestyle. Also, at the end of each season followers will win awesome prizes just for leaving comments throughout the season. And you know it will be fun to watch the competition play out and cheer on the contestants :)

Go check it out!!! And spread the word!

Remember each comment you leave all season long counts as an entry for great prizes! Want to get a head start on those comments? Head on over to Win, Lose, or Blog, grab our button, and leave three comments for displaying our button on your blog and five comments for writing an exciting post announcing us to your blog friends. We want you to invite others to join the the fun and gain some motivation to live a healthier lifestyle.

Billy Blanks PT 24/7 Review: Combo Sculpt

Today's Review: Billy Blanks Tae Bo PT 24/7: Combo Sculpt
Billy Blanks, 2011 **** (4 of 5 stars)

Billy leads this 32 minute cardio & strength min workout with Shelly & 6ish other background exercisers. They work out in a nice gym set. You will need your PT gloves & bands for this workout.

 Exercises include: side kick, side punch & side leg lift, lunge & punch down, speed bag w/ butterfly jog, wide step up w/ military press, burpees, fast knee pulls, military press & static pliet, front & back kicks, fast punches w/ static squat, and static lunge & speed bag. Mostly cardio with some light strength work. You perform each exercise or combo and then up the pace to a "cardio pace."

I rate this a solid intermediate workout.  The pace in this one is good- not as many breaks as the Cardio dvd. Billy's cuing is good as is his demeanor. I worked up a nice sweat. I received this dvd to review.

Photo Shoot Photos: My sister did these photos for us. She's a photographer (Sweet Confections Photography) in Olympia WA- if anyones local- she rocks!!! Here is her Sweet Confections Photography Facebook page as well....Heres a few of my fav photos!!!!

Today's Tip: Wakame for Health
wakame is a sea vegetable. It’s an excellent source of iodine (good for thyroid health) and vitamin K (fab for proper blood clotting and bone health). “Vitamin K also plays a role in cardiovascular health,” Begun says. “Sea vegetables are also a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. They also contain the antioxidant vitamins C and E and the antioxidant minerals manganese and zinc.” Read more on Self.


Today's LOL:

Introducing IT Cosmetics!

IT Cosmetics Innovative Technology Cosmetics by Jackie Kern is created with the help of leading plastic surgeons to infuse medical grade makeup with healing skin loving ingredients with cutting edge technology.  The Result- fabulous, flawless makeup & beauty solutions for everyone's skin needs! Regularly featured on QVC IT Cosmetics has quickly become MY makeup brand. With such fabulous products that are GOOD for me, I made the switch fast. IT Cosmetics has a huge variety of fabulous cosmetics, brushes, and beauty solutions!

IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush:
IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Brush is ultra-plush and delivers a flawless, airbrushed look. the Heavenly Luxe Brush is 100% cruelty-free, high quality and feels luxurious on your skin. The soft-touch rubberized jumbo handle is comfortable in your hand making application easy! The brush ensures even distribution of your powder- no more dark spots and uneven distribution! The Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush is perfect for all your powders; I use mine with my mineral powder foundation and my IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores. 

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Heavenly Luxe Dual Shadow Brush:
The "No-Tug" Heavenly Luxe Dual Eyeshadow Brush is ultra-plush and ultra-addicting! You will never go back to your other makeup brushes after experiencing the luxurious Luxe Dual Shadow Brush! One brush- two brush ends for all your application needs- broad sweeps or fine highlights. The real genius in this brush is the "no-tug" application will leave your skin elastic in tact - making this the first ever anti-aging & age preventative shadow brush! Continuous tugging & pulling on our sensitive eyelids promotes collogan breakdown and eventual sag. This brush is 100% cruelty free, high quality and has a soft-touch rubberized handle for ultimate comfort while applying. I love the dual tip- save space with just one brush for all your application needs! The feel of the brush on your lids is amazing and the application is superb!

Luxe Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Trios:
Luxe waterproof high performance eyeshadows with age reverse & prevent complex in a convenient eyeshadow trio. The shades go perfectly with each other and come in a variety of trio colors to suit every taste and style. I love the matte and the pearl and mixing and matching is fun too. Love the space saving design- all three of my colors in one convenient trio- and the beauty of it: contains a mirror and brush set right in the bottom of the trio! The shadows go on smooth and the colors stay gorgeous all day! The colors in each Luxe Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Trios are hand-selected to go together, bring out your eye color, sparkle and make you look your natural best! The Trios are packed with hydrating ingredients (hydrolyzed collagen, green tea, acai, and vitamins A, C, & E), are tal free, and the high performance color lasts ALL DAY (even in this heat!)

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lid Lines:
This anti-aging and age reverse crease proof eye shadow primer is THE solution to eliminate those shadow creases! There is nothing worse than having huge eye shadow creases messing up your eye makeup. Bye Bye Lid Lines goes on smooth and blends perfectly & invisibly with any skin tone. Simply apply to eyelids before your eye shadow and get long lasting crease free eye makeup! Bye Bye Lid Lines contains high concentrations of vitamins A, C, E, & K which have been proven to ward off free radicals and reduce discoloration. And the added hydrolyzed collagen works to smooth out fine lines & wrinkles. Finally we can say bye bye to those pesky eye shadow creases with one quick & easy step.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores:
This fabulous light weight anti-aging micro finishing powder is the perfect addition to everyone makeup regime- simply dust this translucent powder on to eliminate the visibility of pores, fine lines, blemishes, and other imperfections. You can now easily achieve that fabulous airbrushed look! IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores is infused with hydrolyzed collagen, vitamins A, C, E, & K, antioxidants and pure silk. Bye Bye Pores is talc-free and utilizes silica which is a round particle designed to float on the skin and blur out all imperfections! PLUS it absorbs oil & sweat to give you that beautiful matte airbrushed finish all day long! I love how smooth my skin looks and feels with Bye Bye Pores!

IT Cosmetics Brow Power:
I have sparse eyebrows and must use a brow pencil so I was beyond thrilled with the opportunity to try IT Cosmetics Brow Power- not only is this pencil a universal transforming shade that adjusts to all hair colors- from blonde, sliver, brown, or black, it also has a fantastic spooley brush on the opposite end to really finish and polish your brow look. Simply press softly for lighter hair shades or firmer for darker hair colors. This anti-aging pencil has an oval shaped tip to create the most natural looking, brow- perfect for thin or thick brows. The exclusive GrowLuxe techonology ingredients target brow hair loss and restore your brow hair follicles and promote healthy brow growth (my sparse brows LOVE THIS). The long-wear formula is waterporrf and smudge resistant!

IT Cosmetics Brow Power Lift:
This illuminating, lifting pencil is infused with hydrolyzed collagen and vitamins A, C, & E to instantly brighten your eyes, lift & illuminate your features, lift brows, and open up your eyes. The micronized pigments of light in the Brow Power Lift pencil instantly lift the look of any feature you choose- perfect for the brow, cheek bone, or any feature you want to highlight! I was amazed at how well this pencil really did brighten my eyes- really made them pop! Brow Power Lift matte illuminator and pearl illuminator are talc & paraben-free and infused anti-aging ingredients. Non-comedogenic & hypo-allergenic, the Brow Power Lift is perfect for all skin colors & types. Use the Brow Power Lift to wake up tired or poofy eyes, lift the corners of your moth, and erase fine lines & wrinkles.

Bye Bye Under Eye:
This full coverage waterproof concealer is perfect for covering under eye bags & discoloration and all skin imperfections! Full of collagen, vitamins K, A, C it is clinically proven to reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while at the same time strengthening delicate under eye skin. Bye Bye Under Eye is a delicate formula that stays put all day long! It is being used to conceal facial bruising and swelling on the face and body of surgery patients-wow! Bye Bye Under Eye is available in a variety of shades- so everyone can find their perfect match. And is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic!

Nail Love:
Nail Love Cutilcle & Nail Oil Pen is an innovative multi-solution beauty product. The hydolized collagen in this anti-yellowing nail oil is combined with healing eucalyptus leaf oil that will really nourish your skin, nails, and cuticles. Its super simple to use- simply twist the base of the pen, and apply the oil with the brush to your cuticles. Then use the firm but soft rubber cuticle pusher on the cap top to gently push your cuticles back. PERFECT way to start your at-home manicure. I use my Nail Love pen on my fingers & toes before every single paint to really nourish & strengthen my nails. Nail Love includes so many beneficial ingredients: pro-collagen blend, vitamins A, C, E and pro-vitamin B5, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed and more. I love the way the Nail Love pen smells and of course how it works to heal hangnails and torn cuticles!

For more information about IT Cosmetics:

Visit the IT Cosmetics website

Follow IT Cosmetics on Twitter

Like IT Cosmetics on Facebook

Visit the IT Cosmetics YouTube Channel

Check out the IT Cosmetics store locator to find a distributor near you

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.