Nelson Argan Oil 7 in 1 Non-Foaming Shampoo

"Nelson J Argan Oil Non-Foaming Shampoo is a revolutionary product for hair care.  A 7-in-7 formula, this one product replaces your shampoo, conditioner, detangler, shine spray, smoothing serum, color protector, and pre-styling lotion.  It is the first non-foaming shampoo that cleanses hair thoroughly but without the harsh ingredients that may be found in ordinary shampoos.  It is designed so it won't strip hair and scalp of their natural oils.  Your hair is left with shine, moisture, manageability, and better color retention."

I received this produce from one of my subscription boxes.  I was subscribing to Beauty Army, Glossybox, and Pop Sugar at the time.  I had a bad habit of ripping them open and not writing a review in my blog about them, because I didn't have the blog ready yet.  I am going to work on writing on the box as a whole once I am back home, and not all over the place again.  This product is suppose to be a Shampoo, Conditioner, Detangler, Argan Oil Shine, Color Sealer, Smoother Serum and Pre-styling Lotion.  Pretty cool right?  The product also smells like citrus mint.  I was rather excited to try this.  The product has little blue beads in it.  When I used it, this was the only way I was able to tell where the product was in my hair.  I rinsed it out, for a while to make sure there was nothing left.  The next day I was finding little blue beads on my pillow, and I had missed an area in my hair.  Granted the areas that I had covered were so soft and amazing, but I hadn't washed all my hair.  I still had some left, since my boyfriend melt my hair and had given me a compliment (which is rare for a compliment to be dished out), I gave the rest to him.  I asked him later if he liked it, and he did.  He said the didn't know how to tell where it was, but his hair is short so it was easy to wash.

Analysis

Rating: 2/10

Granted it did work really well, but I don't want to wake up in the morning risking parts of my hair not being washed.  I wasn't too fond of the fact that I also was finding little blue beads on my pillow and in my area the next day.  

Purchase:  No

I wouldn't purchase it for me, but maybe for my boyfriend.  

Cost:  $22.00 for 8oz, Product sent by box $2.75

Baked Cinnamon Apples with Blueberries

Today is a Cleanse Phase 2 day, and for a snack I made Baked Cinnamon Apples with Blueberries.  You want to preheat the oven to 350.  During the time it preheats, the prep will be done.  I used an apple and sliced it up into pieces.  Afterwards, I drizzled honey, and sprinkled cinnamon on top.   I used a loaf pan to bake it in, and you bake the apples for 15 minutes.  After I placed the apples on the plate, I microwave the blueberries until they are warm and bubbly.  This is typically between 15-30 seconds for me.  

Warm Avocado and Blueberry Salad with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle

    I have been on a desire to be healthier, and my boyfriend has been bringing it up lately too.  I have decided to start a cleanse that TeamTaralynn is doing.  Since I am constantly in between Indy, Bloomington, and Terre Haute right now I haven't been able to start the "full kick butt" mode yet.  Sunday night I will be home, and things will get serious!!!  I will even have time to work out, and hopefully when IU starts back up, I will be able to continue the routine.

     I am currently on "Phase 2" (Please note I haven't been sticking to everything 100% this week).  This Phase consists on 3 days of all fruit.  You can choose from grapefruit, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, lemons, limes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cherries, pomegranate, kiwi, pear, mandarin, apricot, peach, plum, dates, prunes, figs, tomatoes, and avocados.

Now, what you all have been waiting for my breakfast!  Warm Avocado and Blueberry Salad with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle!  I got the it from the UndressedSkeleton Blog.  She is also the one behind the cleanse.

She grilled hers, but I baked mine.  You slice an avocado longwise.  I placed them in a loaf pan, and baked for 5 minutes, and then flipped them over.  Afterwards, I baked for 7 minutes.  After I removed the Avocado and placed them on the plate, you warm up the blueberries, by placing them in a bowl, and microwaving.  This will depend on the microwave.  The one that I used the spinner is rotating.  I microwaved for 30 seconds.  You should only need 15.  Microwave the blueberries until they are hot and bubbly.  (I could eat the blueberries by themselves, lasted just like a warm pie!)  Place the blueberries on top of avocado.

    Time for the finishing touches, use some honey and drizzle it over the salad then sprinkle with cinnamon.

   I had a glass of hot lemon water (half of a squeezed lemon and boiled water) and this salad for breakfast.  At first I thought that it wasn't enough, until I finish my water, but it was just enough to hold me to the mid-morning snack!  I didn't really start to like avocado until I gave it after try until this summer, and now I believe I could it eat here or there, in a house or with a mouse, in a box or with a fox!  If you are wondering why that sounds familiar, yes I did just use Green Eggs and Ham from Dr. Seuss.  I am going to be a teacher you know.  ;)

Dr. Scholl's For Her Ball of Foot

Ahhh!  It's like a Spa for my feet, instead of getting beat with a baseball bat blindfolded!  I hate wearing heels for the fact that my feet will hurt, in lets say oh THIRTY SECONDS!  Although now with Dr. Scholl's this does make this pain happen so fast.  I usually am not out in heels long enough to find out how long it takes with the inserts for them to hurt, but I'd rather have the inserts!  Guess what, they can be taken from one shoe and put into another!  Exciting right?  You don't have to buy 50 million for all the shoes in your closet, just a few for the pairs that you wear a lot, so that we aren't constantly switching the inserts.  :)  

Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Crockpot Style

So, as I stated before I am working on eating healthier.  I am CONSTANTLY on the go.  The quicker I can get breakfast made, or have it pre-prepared the better!  That is what is great about this recipe.  Although it made a bunch, and I am just one person.  I forgot it was in the crockpot after I came home, and I only ended up with one more serving, because it ended up burning from setting too long.  

You could most likely freeze the excess amount in serving sizes.  I am still new to the freezing concepts.  I would imagine the night before take out a serving and let it thaw in the refrigerator.  I used old-fashioned oats this time, next time I want to try steel-cut oats.  I might even add chia seed just to add some extra health benefits.  Chia seed health benefits  gives information about the various benefits provided.  

Anywho you're probably tired of my rambling and waiting for the recipe.  Oh, try using ziplist.com to save your recipes.  In the end its a HUGE time saver!  It has a meal planner, creates shopping lists off your recipes, and stores your recipes.  AMAZING!

Apple Cranberry Oatmeal (Crockpot Style)

6 cups of water

3 cups of old-fashioned oats

2 apples (chop and peel them)  (This is going to seem like a lot of apples, trust me)

3/4 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Brown Sugar or Honey to taste (Added prior to serving)

1.  I haven't tried the liners by Reyonds yet, but you could use these, or just spray the crockpot with a cooking spray.  This avoids oatmeal sticking.

2.  Mix the ingredients from the water-salt.   Place the lid on the crockpot, and place on a low setting for 6-8 hours.  (I did 8 hours)

3.  Serve.  (Plain it didn't taste good, but the first time I added brown sugar, and the second I tried honey.  The honey was my favorite.  

One serving has about 250 calories.  

Next time I make it, I'll try and get pictures.  

Balancing Act

Finding time to get everything done that I want to do in one day is tough.  I want to work on cooking/eating healthy, exercising (or at least a plan for when school starts), keeping up with my homework, working more with makeup/hair, and DIY activities.  There are just not enough hours in the day!  I think I need to start setting myself on a schedule for when school starts.

At the same time, I want to be able to be spontaneous, and be able to take time to enjoy the pretty trees.  Granted I took this picture a while back, but I have always loved fall!

How am I supposed to balance all of this?

LUSTER Premium Whitening Toothpaste

I received Luster from Influenster.  I really loved the product, especially the taste, and the fact the it actually whitens!  I had received Colgate Optic White in a previous box, it was a good product that I bought again, but I definitely like Luster more.  Will I buy Luster?  Yes definitely.  I do still use my optic white powered toothbrush though.  A regular brush doesn't feel like my teeth are clean anymore! 

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine

I received this product from Influenster.  I liked the gloss, although I wish it had more of a staying power.  The company offers colors that I enjoyed, and the color sent to me went well with my skin tone.  This lipgloss due to the shine has a Pop effect with the lips.  The gloss has a smooth vanilla smell, but it comes off on my boyfriend.  I have to make sure that I take it off before I see him if I want a kiss.  Is there a way to make it a permanent color without the transfer effects, but still make the lips pop!

EBOOST

I recieved this product from Influenster.  EBOOST is supposed to taste great, and support your immune system while giving you energy that keeps you from crashing,  What more can you ask for?  It is advertised as being Natural Energy with ingredients such as Vitamins C, D B6, B12, as well as 5-HTP, Resveratrol, Green Tea and Green Coffee.  Most energy drinks honestly taste disgusting but these have Fruity Flavors that sound good, and they come in travel size packets.  You can carry a weeks worth in your pencil bag for school, and then just put EBOOST in your water when you need energy!  I have had my sample in my pencil bag for awhile!  I forget it's there all the time.  That's why I haven't tried it yet, I usually open my pencil bag in class.  I don't to be pouring powder into a bottle in class.  I get messy sometimes.    

Goody QuikStyle Hair brush

I recieved this product from influenster.  I really love this hair brush!  It became my daily brush.  My other brush is the brush I keep at my boyfriends for after motorcycle rides.  The benefit of the brush is that it starts to dry your hair faster.  I am one of those people who tend not to blow dry, or towel dry their hair too much.  I intend on buying another when school starts back up, and keeping it in my gym bag, as a new goal is to start working out more.  This brush will most definitely help prevent going to class with wet hair!  They even have a round one, which I might get, to help style my hair!  

Kiss Nail Dress

I recieved this product from Influenster.  I really enjoyed this product.  It was so much easier to apply than nail polish!  Sometimes when I paint my nails the polish actually pops off a few days later, as in the WHOLE nail polish comes off in a solid piece.  This wasn't the case.  It started to chip minorly after a few days...but I am rough my hands!  The process at first seems to take forever, but the next time that you paint your nails, you remember how much quicker you got the nail dress on, and want to smack yourself in the face for not using it again!  The first nail or so takes a bit longer, but once you figure out, you get in a rhythm.

I actually ended up being one of the Badge winners for the Kiss line.  I was sent another Nail Dress.  I plan on using it in a few weeks.  I currently have my Annual Training for the Army for a total of 15 days, and I can't have on nail polish.  (Is anyone picking up on the fact of why I have trouble with the whole how to be a girl thing?)  I can't wait to try my new one!  I think once I finally run out of polish, I might use Nail Dress.  The only thing is, the price adds up.  

Wantable March 2013 Jewelry Box

This month I discovered a blog called Glamorable.  It has amazing posts about all of these subscription boxes.  I have been trying to be more "girly" as of late.  Almost 6 years in the military, being raised around all boys, and having mainly guy friends- I missed the "How to be a girl" lesson.  I figured I would start with jewelry as of now, since my collection is ummm lets just say not that appealing.  I was so excited when I ordered my first box, and it came quick!  I ordered it on the 23rd and had it the 28th!

Wantable will send you 4 to 5 jewelry items (I got 5).  These items are hand selected by Bjorn Nasett, and new items are chosen each month.  In the mail, you will get a paper that tells you how to pair each item with an outfit, if you are like me this will come in handy while you learn!  These items are customized to you, because of a jewelry profile quiz you take.  The shipping is free, and you can subscribe for $36 monthly or a one time purchase of $40 whenever you want.  The items in the box will range in total from $80-$100.

1. Rosebud Ring $15.00

Wantable Styling this ring is a playful addition
to a classic chic look.

I am not really into the huge ring kinda thing, but a lot of times, I have to be forced to try something and I end up loving it!  Kinda like jeggings, I was unsure about the concept, and skinny jeans before that!  This rosebud ring is rather large if you look at it on my finger.  It's gold, with diamonds on the sides.  I am more of a silver person, but this ring would probably looks best gold.















2.  Cream Teardrop Necklace  $24.00

This piece and one other I was torn between choosing as

Wantable styling Little Black Dress,
 and this necklace, Thank you
Uptown  Girls you thought of everything.

favorites.  I chose the other only because, I don't know how often I will get to wear this lovely piece.  The necklace has 7 teardrops on it with strands on gold chain hanging around them.  Once again, I like silver but this piece looks best in gold.  I don't believe the silver would have balanced well with the Cream Teardrop stones.  I believe this piece is from Uptown Girls.














3,  Whimsical Elephant Ring $15.00

This item is my least favorite.  Its super big, and well there is a lot going on in the design of the ring.  There are 15 different materials (stones, beads) on the ring.  It's just not me.

Wantable Styling this ring is a delight to wear.

4.  Maverick Crystal Earring $18.00

These earrings ended up being my favorite piece.  I rarely wear earrings, but I believe it I keep getting cute things like this that may change!  I really love how it has different colors that I can try and match my outfits with.  The earring isn't super heavy either!

Wantable Styling earrings with a Maxi dress
 for a romantic evening.  

Gold yet again, but I love it!

5.Starlet Pave Ring $12.00

I like this ring, I just wish it wasn't so big.  I feel like if I bunched someone they would be knocked out!  The ring is sturdy, made of a metal material, and has several crystals.

Wantable styling wear with a bold spring polish
for a show stopping look.

.

SURPRISE ITEM!!

I was sent some illuminating lip gloss that has a mirror, and a light in the cap!!  Its a cool plumping gloss in which you feel the effects right away..The gloss is made by beautyforreal.com  The color I received was starlust.  The image does not do the gloss justice.  The lighting in my room is awful.  It is a beautiful, natural shine!

About Me!

Hi!  My name is Dacia Sachtjen, and I am from Bloomington, Indiana!  Go HOOSIERS!  I am a student at IU for elementary education, and I hold 2 jobs, while I have been in the Army National Guard.  I have mainly grown up with all boys in my family, and have spent the last 5 years in the army.  I have 2 months until my six year contract is up.  Being girly never came easy with the hair, makeup, clothes, jewelry, and cooking.  I am now starting to find my inner girl.

                                                                                                           

Five years ago I was burning cookies, and now my boyfriend Jerome has called me Betty Crocker.  Its easier to find time to cook, because I need to eat, but for makeup I wake up so early for work, and school I almost don't want to mess with it.

I used to dye my hair constantly but have stopped to allow my hair to become healthy again, and cut off a total of 16 inches!  This is making it easiest to get ready in the morning, and hopefully will allow me a chance to better learn how to do my hair.

I really want to learn more about how to do my makeup and hair, and start doing it more often.
I want to begin dressing up more, and get out of my jeans and a T-shirt mode.
I want to learn how to pair different outfits and jewelry.
Even for being in the Army, I didn't work out as much as I should, my goal is to find workout that I ENJOY, and start doing them on a regular basis.
I want to begin cooking more types of foods, and gather recipes.
I want to start making crafts, and homemade items.

Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal

This product is a tasty oatmeal that you can take to go, which is less expensive than the McDonalds Oatmeal.  I tried the Oatmeal that had apples in it, it was pretty good and I am not a fan of apples.  This is  a good product for when you don't have time to prepare your own Breakfast.  

Here is an option that is healthy for when you have time to make your own breakfast. 

• 1/2 Cup Dried Oatmeal
• 1/2 Cup Skim Milk
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1/2 Cup Strawberry Halves
• 1/4 Cup Raisins
• 10 Almonds
• 1 Packet of Truvia!

This recipe is found at http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/post/21641698679.  Taralynn Mcnitt is the blogger, and she has a truly inspirational story that I hope to keep using her blog for tips and inspiration to keep my fitness and health goals in mind!

Tip:  Don't like cutting up strawberries, they have strawberry slicers at cooking stores and you can do a weeks worth of strawberries and keep in a Tupperware container!  

Recipes

When I was in high school I was involved in tons of school activities, and had a job at the local Dairy Queen.  I wasn't exactly eating healthy.  My mom passed away when I was 17, and well the home cooked meals stopped and it was fast food and meals from the freezer.   For the last few months I have been learning to cook, and lately I have been trying to cook healthier

My cousin and I cooking for family a few years ago.  

.

This journey has been a tough one, I was known for burning 300 cookies during one session.  This actually did happen once.  I had made the kitchen smell of smoke from boiling water.  

I now can manage to cook well enough that during the first month that my boyfriend and I had been dating he called me Betty Crocker (AND WAS SERIOUS).  I went from the girl who could burn water to Betty Crocker!  Little does he know, I just have him tricked!  ;)  

The key to my success as weird as this is going to sound, has been pinterest.  This is how I found most of the items that I made, or was led to them.  I gained an interest in cooking through pinterest.