Body Helix Knee Compression Sleeve Giveaway!

For those of you that read my recent post about How I Got My Fitness Motivation Back, you would have read that I am now training for the Spartan Trifecta races this year. Which means.... lots of extra running. 

I used to love running a lot and gave it a break to try different things. Now I'm back, but my body is a bit older and needs more support and love. 

I started using the Body Helix knee compression sleeve on longer run days for some extra support on my right knee. My right knee over lots of running (and some aging) seems to seize up a bit sometimes after runs or hurts while I am running. The support from the knee brace has been helping this pain and seizing. So I am able to run longer and with less pain!

So I've teamed up with Body Helix to giveaway a knee brace! You have THREE ways to enter!

1. Comment below with your sport/workout of choice. What do you love and why would the knee brace support that?
2. Head over to Instagram. Follow Bitchinhousewife and Body Helix and tag a friend in the post.
3. Head over to my Facebook page and do the same!

No get out there!

Full Body Home Workout

A free full body workout from home or the park. 

The weather is warmer and you likely don't want to be trapped inside a gym. Take your workout to the backyard or playground with your kids with this full body workout.

You can do as many rounds as you'd like but I recommend three with breaks in between. Warm up with some jogging (actual or on the spot) and/or jumping jacks. If you are a postpartum mom and need less impact (read Why You Pee During Your Workout) take to some bodyweight squats. 

Cool down with some stretching and remember to rehydrate!

• High knees - get your knees up toward your chest. 20 per leg
• Glute bridge raises - lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the ground. Lift the butt off the ground and squeeze the glutes. 
• Pushups - hands on the ground outside of the shoulders. Start from knees and work up to from feet. 
• Squat jumps - squat down, keep the chest up (look forward) and jump up. Option to bodyweight squat instead or grab your toddler/baby on your back.
• Walking lunges - hands can be on the hips for balance. 20 per leg
• Tricep dips - hands on the ground or a bench with fingertips pointing toward your feet. Bend at the elbows, do not swing hips up and down. 

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

The Lonely Mother

As Mothers we say all the time that we are never alone. We can't pee without children knocking on the door or rest on the couch without someone needing something from us. We forever seem to have other humans calling to us or crawling all over us. We can't catch any time to ourselves.

We crave to be alone. The moment we are alone however, we realize how lonely we are. How is it that we are always surrounded by other people and constantly in conversation and busy, but so lonely all the time? How can we stand in a room full or friends or coworkers and be so isolated?

Because what I think it is that we really crave is the honest human connection with another person about things of our interests. We don't NEED girls nights outs because we necessarily need to "let loose" (although that can certainly sometimes help), but because we want to talk to other adults about stuff we are actually interested in. 

We talk about potty training, our children's education, work and our spouses daily to other people. But poop and work life isn't that human connection we crave and need. Ever notice some of the best conversations you've had with someone randomly happen? Like you stop by for coffee and then a whole night has passed and it's 2 a.m? Those conversations that somehow feed some part of you we forget about. These conversations are the ones that help us feel connected to others. 

So how do we create this connection? It can be difficult in our busy lives, but connecting with people is a two way street. I am guilty of assuming maybe should just check on me. Assuming they aren't busy doing their own thing apparently! Reach out. Pick up the phone and ask for a coffee date. Rally some girls (or even just one) and head out for a drink. Try a paint night or a sign making class. 

How do you seek the connection?

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Wear The D@mn Bathing Suit Anyways

I am a straight up advocate for all things loving yourself. Last night I even had the pleasure of speaking at the Xtend Barre screening of the Embrace movie. Which is a powerful movie about loving and embracing the body you have. I, along with my friend Kaye are also screening this movie in June!

Anyways. I preach and practice self love. Key word PRACTICE. I'll get to that point in a moment though. But as a self love advocate, I have my moments of not loving myself so much. 

Last week was Spring Break and on the Monday I decided to take my kids to the mall Waterpark. (Don't do that by the way. Spring break I mean). That morning I had a total melt down. I put on my bathing suit and just couldn't handle it. 

I admit it. I couldn't. I'm human. 

BUT I wasn't going to let it stop me from making memories with my kids. 

So after teaching that morning we headed to the Waterpark. I put on my bathing suit and had a moment in the change room. BUT. BUT then I said to myself. 

"You are going to wear that damn bathing suit anyways. You have two choices. You can hate every moment and try to cover and scower, OR you can rock the shit out of it."

I chose to hold my head in high regard and walk out there like Queen Bee herself.

In reality, we are going to go to the event, head to the beach, or whatever else it is anyways, so we may as well just love ourselves and keep going. Own our bodies like we actually love them. 

Back to my point on the practice of self love though. So I head out and I have my head held high. Minutes later I maybe see someone that has a body I don't. I go to my "negative place". But I take a moment (and a breath) and realize I'm still the EXACT SAME person and body I was 5 minutes ago when I loved myself. I can CHOOSE to love myself still. This process happened maybe 20 times that day. It's a PRACTICE. A practice to CHOOSE to love ourselves. 

I can CHOOSE to feel defeated or I can choose LOVE. 

Let me tell you a little secret. Love feels WAAAAAAY better. 

And you know what ladies? Each time we do this we are basically super heros saving the world. Each time we choose to love ourselves and express it in the world, we send that message out. We can feel it from each other. Encourage each other to love ourselves, in turn helping more women enjoy their bodies. The more "real" bodies we see and women loving them it send that message to other women telling them to EMBRACE theirs! Then it catches like WILDFIRE and the world changes.

YOU CAN BE A SUPER HERO!

Just WEAR THE DAMN BATHING SUIT ANYWAYS. 

As my mom's friend gave her the advice. Choose the memory you want your child to have. Of you watching them play in the water or of you playing with them.

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

36 Hours of Sweat and No Stink - Pure Living Deodorant Review

Have you ever tried switching to a all natural deodorant? I made the switch about two years ago after I learned some staggering statistics regarding the harmful things put into our deodorant and the relation to breast cancers. At first it wasn't good. I will admit. There is a couple week phase as your body sort of detoxes from the chemical filled stuff. But after that, life gets better. I promise!

Since switching I have tried MANY natural deodorants. Some good, some just plain bad. I may however have found the ultimate deodorant from Pure Living. I am not even kidding people. I am a busy mama. I get up at 5:30 am to workout, rush kids to school, teach bootcamps and yoga all day and night, and add all the usual life of a mom (laundry, cooking, boo boo kissing and basically everything else am I right?). I have found in the past, about 1/2 way into my day, I start to smell a bit. I either just let myself smell or need to reapply.

Well, let me tell you a little something. I put this deodorant to THE TEST yesterday. Let me set the scene:

Tuesday evening I come home from teaching hot yoga, shower and sleep.

Wednesday morning apply deodorant after being up early with a sick kid and missing the gym.

Teach bootcamp, pickup kids, make lunch, teach yoga, do a fast and hard leg day workout, meditate, teach two more yoga classes, put kids to bed and pass out on the couch.

I do not shower. (sorry hubby)

Thursday morning 5:30 am head to the gym, back day and 30 minutes on the stairmill (or sometimes referred to as the Death Machine) 

Get back home to make breakfast and have coffee.

I DO NOT STINK!!! Yeah re-read that. Seriously guys. I am 100% impressed.

So I think it's safe to safe I 100% recommend this deodorant. And of course another side benefit? They are local to Edmonton! You can support our local city and get a great product. Win - win right? Check out the Pure Living webpage and check back on the blog here for a more reviews of their stuff coming!  

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Refreshing Green Smoothie

I haven't been feeling 100% the last two days and food is no friend of mine, but smoothies are easy to make and drink. I made this one without any protein powder because I needed something more light and refreshing then thick and creamy. Feel free to add protein powder to this one, vanilla or plain would be wonderful!

Ingredient:

• 1/2 cup kale (I cheat and buy the frozen bagged stuff, it's just so easy!)
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1 tbsp fresh grated/thinly chopped ginger
• water to consistency

Super simple and so good for you!

Love, 

Jen the Bitchin' Housewife

What's A Mala Anyways?

Mala’s have become very popular lately. They look gorgeous but they also can serve a function.

What are the made from?

Many different materials are used in the making of mala’s. I’ve seen beads made from animal bone, different stones and rocks.

Mine here is from Mala and Me made from black onyx. "Black Onyx  assists with challenges in life, especially those caused by a drain of energy. This stone can help you to feel comfortable within yourself and in your surroundings. Black Onyx is said to promote self-control helping the wearer to keep excessive emotions and passions under control, while keeping you protected."

What are they used for?

They can be worn with the intention of the stones/gems they are made from protecting/helping you. Traditionally malas have been used in helping meditation. Using the beads on the necklace to help repeat an intention or a point of focus in meditation. 

I had surgery on Monday and since I have been spending time meditating on healing. With each bead I repeat to myself over and over "I am healing and healthy".
 

Why 108 beads?

I've heard many reasons behind the 108 beads. The number 108 comes up in many ways, including even the fact that the suns diameter is exactly 108 times the size of the earth's.

My super sweet bracelete from Eliasz and Ella

What about the bracelets? 

I also love bracelets. I think they look pretty stacked on wrists with different colours, but I use them for quick little reminders. While I'm waiting in the car to pick up my daughters from school or while I'm teaching and people are laying in Savanasa. A moments to align with my intentions for myself and my day. Sometimes I use no mantra and just use it to count a few deep breaths.

The mystery of the mala solved. 

Love

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

March is Endemetriosis Awareness Month

March 1st 2017. How ironic March is Endometriosis Awareness month and here I am two days post surgery from Endometriosis. 

I have suffered from Ovarian Cysts for over 10 years (who knows if it's related or not) and just last Spring I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. I have friends who have had it for years and it looked painful but I never really understood what it was.

To be basic about it, it's the cells of your uterus growing outside of your uterus. Which you can imagine with the wanes and waxes of women's cycle's can wreak havoc on the inside. 

A pretty fair representation of what it can feel like. 

Many women suffer infertility as a result of this disease. Endometriosis itself has no cure and not any particular reason why women have it for the most part. For me, we believe it to be caused by my c-sections. Cells were transferred from my uterus into my abdomen during the process of my daughter(s) being born. I never seemed to have an issue after my first c section, I only noticed after the birth of my second daughter. 

I noticed a small lump on the end of my c-section scar. I sort of noticed it and then it would seem to not bother me. In the heat of the summer it would "flare up" a bit but then be fine. Then last spring it started to really bother me. It would feel like a hot knife being put to my belly and it would radiate up my side, back and across my abdomen. 

According to The Endometriosis Network Canada one in every 10 women have this disease. Now I can only assume some maybe don't feel it as much as others, because by this fall I was in excruciating pain and even the 4 weeks leading up to my surgery I was in pain daily. I believe of course a lot of my pain was exasperated by stress (this is a while other blog post coming for you). But also of course, as the cells grow more through the abdomen, more pain comes. 

This lead to just two days ago me being in a hospital. They removed the lump like scar tissue at the end of my c section scar, Endo growth and my Fallopian tubes. Removal of the tubes reduced chances of cancer later in life. Since I was done having babies, this was of course a no brainer for me. Sad still? Yes of course, but my heart bleeds for those that struggle with the inexplicable infertility that goes hand and hand with Endometriosis.

Again there is no cure. The cells removed have been removed, but they will grow back. Potentially leading to further surgeries. But for me, I am in the process of discovering proper diet to help control what I can in the meantime. Prolong any future surgeries as much as I can.

I can only tell me story of Endometriosis, and it's different for every woman. I encourage you to research and ask friends whom may be suffering to gain a better understanding. It's far more then just "painful periods". I have a friend who tells me the first day of her period she throws up. Every single time. 

Love, 

Jen

Park Show Supporting Local Artists

As a busy mom and yoga teacher/fitness instructor I find I struggle so much with my own personal style. I feel like yoga pnats are my sense of style somedays. EEEk! This weekend I am going to check out the Park Show. It's a local volunteer run organization that supports local entrepreneurs, designers and artisans. 

"PARK is a socially conscious organization that aspires to create opportunities for developing fashion designers and artists to share their work and sustain a profitable business.

We create spaces by hosting annual events that give creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their talents."

This weekend they are hosting a show to support these artists and you can get in on the fun! Grab a girlfriend and spend some time having some fun. (My favourite form of self care!)

You can actually shop some of these designers and artisans during the Showroom Market from 12:00 p.m to 5:00 pm which is free to attend!

Then check out the fashion shows happening in the evening! 

The Details
Date:
Saturday March 4, 2017

Location:
Epcor Tower - 16th Floor
10423 101 St NW
Edmonton, AB

Event Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm - SHOWROOM Market
7:00pm - PARKSHOW Opening Reception
9:00pm - PARKSHOW Runway Show

Pop-Up Shops available throughout the evening

Get your tickets HERE

I Have a Cleaner and Feel No Guilt About It

After my first babe was born for a while I had a cleaner. It was glorious. Leave and do grocery shopping and errands and come back to a nice clean home. Then spend time with my daughter rather then cleaning!

A few months later I had this awful guilt about being a stay at home mom and spending money on someone cleaning my home for me. (That mom guilt is a real jerk isn't it?) So I stopped having her come. Despite my husbands advice and support on having her come.

Fast forward to a few years, a bigger house and an extra daughter later.......

I've learned my lesson. My lesson in being cheap and my lesson in mom guilt. 

I always thought (wait let me rephrase that I always STILL think sometimes) that I can do it all. I can be the super mom that does it all. I can have a clean house and happy kids and work and blah blah blah. And I realize you know what? I DONT HAVE TO BE!

One of the moms in my bootcamp said something so perfectly in relation to this last week. She's a mom of 4 kids and said " I feel bad for you with only 2 kids. With 2 you feel like you can still do it all and everything still be perfect. With four you realize it's impossible and relax on things a bit."

WOAH. Truth bomb. 

Anyways...... a few months ago I came to this conclusion that if I ask for help rather then trying to do ALL THE THINGS I can actually be more relaxed, spend more time with my kids and husband and quality time working on my blog and business. Just from having someone come into my house every second week to clean takes enough pressure off me. 

I feel not a single inch of guilt or remorse about receiving this help and honestly way more relaxed. It's not another thing on m "to do list" and clears my space and time for things that are far more important then cleaning my baseboards!

And since I know I am going to be asked...... I use the amazing Pernickety Services who not only do cleaning but grocery shopping and errands of all kinds. So really, you can get your help in any form. 

Take care of yourself by asking for help. It's not a weakness but a sign of strength. Honestly. 

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Spring Green Smoothie

We had some warmer whether here in Edmonton last week and now I'm on spring mode! Check out my smoothie from this morning. I'm all about the ginger kick lately!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup kale (I used frozen chopped kale)
• 1/2 cup avocado (I recently discovered the frozen stuff from PC)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger
• 1 scoop vanilla protein
• Water to desired consistency. 

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife.

Digestive Smoothie

It's said that the mix of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and coriander are a powerful digestion stimulator. Although I kept the corainder out of the smoothie (that I think would be too weird...) this smoothie has antioxidants, digestive aids and healthy fats great for hormone function. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup kale (I used frozen chopped kale)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger
• teaspoon cardamom
• teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 scoop vanilla protein
• Water to desired consistency. (I like this one a little more on the watery side)

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife.

Why You Pee During Your Workout

I am a mom. I understand. Sometimes (particularly while jumping) we pee a little during our workouts. And anyone reading this who isn't a mother.. well...... sorry to say it's true most of the time for women after having babies. This is not my areas of expertise BUT I thought it would be great to bring in the wonderful (and gorgeous) Kaye Burrows from Core Love Fitness who DOES specialize in this area to talk about WHY we pee! Read on below for Kaye's amazing advice!

Why are you peeing during your workout?  And how to stop!

I remember leaving my first Stroller Boot camp class after my daughter was born and thinking “Is my vagina just sweating a lot or did I totally pee my pants?”  Hint: no, vaginas don’t sweat a lot.  

There is a major misconception that if you are experiencing urinary incontinence (leaking pee) after having babies it is because your pelvic floor is stretched, loose and weak.  Another misconception is that doing 100’s of kegals a day will solve all of your pelvic floor problems.   

In my experience, many women experiencing leaking have a hypertonic (tight) pelvic floor and thus have a really hard time strengthening the muscles because they cannot first get them to relax.  Your pelvic floor is made up of muscles that, just like any other muscle, work best when they can both fully relax and fully contract!  If this is your pelvic floor, kegal-ing away all day is not going to solve the problem.  

You can see from this diagram of the pelvic region that your pelvic floor is supporting some pretty important stuff!  I know that you may be desperate to get your ‘body back’ after having babies and so you turn to crunches/sit-ups, planks and running.  For the sake of your pelvic floor, I actually recommend you don’t do any of those, if you are experiencing incontinence.  Just for now, not for forever, I promise!

What to do:

1) First off,

I can’t recommend a pelvic health physiotherapist enough.  I would never have healed my own pelvic floor without one!  Here is a helpful link from Pelvienne Wellness that can help you find one.  If you want help locating one in Edmonton contact me here and I can share my recommendations.  

Next, you need to figure out if the way you breathe and stand is supporting your core and pelvic floor.  

2) Breathing

Start lying on your back, and place one hand on your ribs and one hand on your belly.  As you inhale, intentionally bring your breath into your ribs and into your belly instead of lifting your shoulders and breathing into your chest.  This encourages your diaphragm to move through its full range of motion and supports the deep core and pelvic floor muscles.  As you exhale, feel both your ribs and your belly sink towards your spine.  Try to breathe right into your pelvic floor.  Repeat 10 times (or more- relax and breathe Mamas!).

3) Standing.  

The two cues I say most often are:

• “Leave your behind (bum) behind you”

• “Keep your headlights (breasts) shining forward”

In the above photo my hips have shifted forward and my ribs have lifted up and shifted back.   This is a really common posture for moms because it takes some of the load of carrying babies (all day long!) off of the arms and into our spine and pelvis.  

In this photo, I have brought my bum behind me and rotated my ribs down and forward so that my “headlights” are shining forward.  This is a much better alignment to support my core and pelvic floor.

4) Be smart about your workouts.

Find an expert that you trust to guide you.  Burpees, jumping jacks, crunches and other high intensity exercises that are creating a ton of intra-abdominal pressure are not for a body that is repairing the core and pelvic floor.  If your class instructor or trainer doesn’t have a lot of knowledge about diastasis recti, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic floor healing, incontinence and hormone levels in nursing moms, look elsewhere.  You don’t want to move backwards in terms of healing and strengthening.  If you are looking for a fantastic online program that you can follow along at home, go here.  And if you need more help, please reach out!  I am so passionate about helping women feel connected, strong and at home in their bodies.  I would love to help you get there!  You can find me at corelove.ca, on Facebook and Instagram.     

Surprise Day 8 of Giveaways New Pants

Surprise! a 8th day added to the 7 days of Self Care Giveaways!

Who doesn't love a great pair of yoga pants. Whether its from yoga, working out or grocery shopping really?

This giveaway is to be one of the first people to get their hands on these awesome new lace pants from Keylime Athletic Wear!! Run by a local to Alberta kick butt chick, Keylime always has some great stuff! Go to the Keylime Facebook page and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 7 of Giveaways Pampering

Welcome  to Day 7 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

It wouldnt be a self care giveaway without some traditional pampering now would it?

This giveaway is for a gift card of $95 from Pamper and Play Salon! Get a haircut, maybe a massage, have your kids in the child minding area and relax! Go to the Pamper And Play page and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 5 of Giveaways Do Some Yoga

Welcome to Day 5 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

I don't think it's much of a surprise that I think doing some yoga is a self care is it? Being a yoga teacher and all..... I even wrote a blog post a little while ago about how to treat it as a self care in THIS post. 

This giveaway is for a Half Moon yoga mat from Aurora Yoga Spa! Aurora is a newer studio in the city right in the heart of downtown on Jasper Ave! This yoga mat also comes with a carrying strap so you can just roll up, toss it over your shoulder and come to class! So go over to the Aurora Yoga Spa page  and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 4 of Giveaways Tea Time

Welcome to Day 4 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

A little while back when I was writing weekly Self Care Sunday posts I wrote this one on Tea Time. I love tea. Anytime of day. 

This giveaway is for two packages of Acquired Taste teas! We  picked out a lovely herbal "Relaxation Sensation" and a yummy vanilla scented, caffeinated "Lord Grey".  Head over to the Acquired Taste Tea Facebook Page and go to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Orange Theory Fitness Review

 

I'm sure you've seen or heard about Orange Theory Fitness. They seem to be popping up everywhere lately. But just what is it all about? I went on Tuesday to the Jasper Gates location off Stony Plain road and 149 street and checked out a class.

I went in the week before to check their schedule and sign up for a class and she told me I had to be there 30 minutes before class for orientation. Since I was in a time crunch she let me fill out the form ahead of time and only come 15 minutes earlier then class. 

I got a walk through of the space and quick meet up with the trainer before class. They went over everything I would need to know in order to be effective without stopping the workout to much, which is great to be able to just do my thing!

The space

The workout room is kind of cool with the orange lights. Definetly a different experience from a traditional gym light. The music was upbeat and fun and the trainer was that hard to find balance of perky, motivating and not irritating. (As someone who instructs fitness it's really a hard balance to find!)

The workout

It was a great workout for sure. I enjoyed that it was a group thing but you were able to really individually push yourself, especially since you wear a heart rate monitor. The monitor is then put on the screen and you can see what zone you are at any given time. The idea being you spend most of your time in the hard work but not dying "orange zone" or recovery "green zone. That's the THEORY anyways..... see what I did there?

K kidding aside though. We did some strength training and rowing and then switched and did cardio on the treadmills half way through.  The strength training was a tad easy for me, but you can add more weights to moves making them harder for sure. I suppose you want to reserve some energy for the rest of class too!

The cardio was good. I like they give variations for those who wish to be more power walkers and those more into running. I noticed they even had a few bikes and an eliptical for those who have knee/ankles issues or whatever. 

The workout was great. Since you wear a monitor it racks your calories burned which I love. I use my MyZone Heart rate monitor all the time, so knowing my caloric range I was in to compare to a normal workout of mine was great. The workout gets emailed to you after so you can keep track as well. Only thing I wish they did in the email was tell you who was the teacher. I wish I remembered her name for in case I wanted to go again. She was pretty awesome. 

The sell

They certainly have got their sales plan down on working with you after the workout. Not to much pressure, but they get to the point. I've heard people say it's expensive and some say it's not bad. The pricing seemed a bit awkward to me with basing it off working out twice a week for the month. My three thoughts on this:

• Interval training (which this is) should really only be done every second or third day, so makes sense to sell it that way. 
• It misses the fact that maybe you need to run or have weight in between and you either still need a membership or something else to supplement. For people new to fitness, likely not so much, but since I like to workout 6 days a week I would. 
• Considering the fact there are only so many people allowed per class and you don't have to think about making your own workout AT ALL, paying the price is similar to as if working with a trainer at a gym anyways. 

So with that info you can decide if it's pricey for you and your lifestyle. 

The good

• GREAT workout
• I love the heart rate tracking and caloric tracking
• The place has certainly got a fun vibe. 
• You don't have to plan your workouts. You just go and do it! Great for beginners.

The not so good:

• It may seem pricey
• You might have to supplement workouts still
• No childcare

Have you tried out a class yet?

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 2 of Giveaways Aromatherapy

Welcome back to Day 2 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

I LOVE essential oils! I have diffusers in my kitchen and bedroom along with some jewelry. I can;t get enough of aromatherapy. There are oils for calming, energizing, health and so on. 

This giveaway is for a 16 slot essential oils storage box FILLED with 16 different essential oils!!!!! LucyLoo essential oils is run by a local to Alberta couple and we love them. The name comes from their precious angel that passed away 5 years ago and they use the name to honour her. (Insert tears) So go over to the LucyLoo Facebook Page and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 1 of Giveways Let's Meditate

Welcome to Day 1 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! Each day for the next 7 days we will be giving away items meant for a little bit of self care. 

I haven't spoken much about meditation on my blog, but it's something I enjoy a lot. I actually recently took my 40 hour meditation teacher training this past fall and have learned a lot. 

BUT that's not available to everyone, so there is a wonderful place that opened up here in our wonderful city called Lifestyle Meditation. Offering a place for you to discover meditation with a trained teacher. A place safe to sort of explore what meditation needs to you and a place to slow down for a little while. 

Perfect self care. Spending some time on yourself, with thoughts all to yourself.

This giveaway is for for one entire month of unlimited classes at the Lifestyle Meditation Studio! So go on over and like the Lifestyle Meditation Facebook page, Like the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the Lifestyle Mediation and Bitchin' Housewife Instagram pages!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife