Things I realized this summer

Disclaimer: This is a complete random post that really serves no purpose.

Today was the last official day of summer for teachers. I love my students and I love teaching, but ooooh do I love summer, too!!

After reflecting on my summer, here's a list of things I've realized:

1.) I've spent wayyyy too much time on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Google, etc. And I'm not even one of those girls that's glued to her phone. Just having extra time had me on it more. I'm pretty sure I posted more things this summer than I did the entire last school year.

2.) I don't think I'll ever grow out of wanting to stay up late and sleep all day. And when I say all day...I mean ALL day! I've always heard that that would change when I became an "adult" with a big girl job. Well. It hasn't.

3.) I love just being a wife. Organizing, cooking, and cleaning are things that typically get put on the  back burner during the school year. I come home late (after volleyball), usually exhausted, and often times still have school work to do...which means take-out and a cluttered house. And take-out and a cluttered house eventually leads to stress and unhappiness. Plus my mostly innocent husband is the one that I end up taking my frustration out on. (Love ya, Tim.) Even though it seems like I say it every year, I have GOT to find a balance this school year.

4.) I LOVE being an aunt! I became an aunt for the first time in June. Buying for baby girls is so much fun!!

5.) I have picked up 2 new hobbies. Experimenting with my Essential Oils from Young Living and becoming an independent distributor for AdvoCare and helping myself and others meet their health and wellness goals. I never had intentions of being a distributor of either one. I started using Essential Oils in April or May, and it's been so much fun. I love trying DIY recipes and learning new ways to use the oils to replace common household products that contain harsh chemicals and are loaded with toxins. I started with purchasing the Premium Starter Kit (which is currently on sale), and  I thought that would probably be it. Boy, was I wrong. I am now buying different oils every month and have a Pinterest board full of different things to try.

The same goes with AdvoCare. I did not have intentions on becoming a Distributor. I just wanted to try the 24 Day Challenge and figured I'd be done with it after that. Halfway through the challenge, I was loving the products and noticed a huge difference in the way they made me feel. That's when I decided that I would want to help others experience the same benefits that I did. I am a big believer in AdvoCare and still use products daily!!

If you're interested in learning more about the 24 Day Challenge, I found this awesome video here! Check it out and let me know what you think!!

AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge Results

I have finished AdvoCare's 24 Day Challenge and am excited to share my results with you!

The Facts:
-Down a total of 10 lbs
-Lost over 5 inches
-Increased energy level
-No bloating
-Improved digestion

I was amazed at the numbers, but I was even more amazed at how much better I felt. And I noticed many of these benefits as little as halfway through the challenge. What's crazy is that I did not follow the recommended diet to a tee (insert blushing emoji), yet I still have great results. Overall, I have completely changed my eating habits - way less fried food, less starches, less sugar, tons of more water, etc. This has taken some serious will power and dedication, but I truly believe that AdvoCare has helped to make the process easier.

I fell in love with the products on the challenge and know that I will continue using them. I have a pretty good feeling that I will be reordering Spark at least once a month when school starts!! Hey - a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! I recently ordered a new flavor of Spark - Watermelon - and it is right up there with the Fruit Punch flavor in my book! They taste just like Kool Aid...but without the sugar!!

Since I love the products and will continue using them, I decided to sign up as a distributor so that I will have 20% off my purchases!! Let me know if you are interested in the challenge, and I will get you hooked up! I was skeptical at first, but trust me, after my own experience I know that you will not regret it!!

Since finishing the challenge, I have purchased AdvoCare's Catalyst. I have heard and read lots of great things about this product, so I'm hoping I'll have great results with this, too. Catalyst is supposed to give you greater benefits if you work out - it preserves lean muscle tissue so that you are burning fat, not muscle, giving you a more toned physique. And who doesn't want that?!

All about the SPARK

Y'all. Please tell me you've tried some of AdvoCare's Spark. If not, this is a MUST if you're like me and could use a little boost of energy every now and then. I started using it about three weeks ago - my last week of school. The end of the school year is very, very, VERY hectic. There's so many things to be done in and out of the classroom to finish out the year and to ensure that the start of the following year goes smoothly. Checking lockers. Stuffing report cards. Labeling furniture. Moving furniture.  Finalizing grades. Packing up and storing items....not to mention managing 102 seventh graders throughout the day who want absolutely nothing to do with school at that point. Although I love the kids -  It's exhausting. By mid-afternoon, right after lunch, I would usually be dragging.

Ahhh... And then there's Spark. Thank you AdvoCare!!!

I tried several times in the past year to stop drinking sodas and to drink nothing but water. It never failed. By day 2 or 3, the caffeine headaches were k i l l e r, and I'd give in. Spark has been my solution to this!! I have not had a soda in a month, and I really don't even miss them. My husband drinks them daily, so for them to be in my fridge and for me to STILL NOT drink them is epic!! Because Spark has caffeine, I have been able to kick those bad habits without feeling like death. And just like the picture above says, there are no jitters!!

Spark comes in the following flavors: Cherry, Fruit Punch, Grape, Green Apple, Mandarin Orange, Mango Strawberry, Pink Lemonade, and Watermelon.