{Ideal shape} review

Ideal Shape

Does losing 20 lbs in a month sound good to you? How about doing it pretty easily and without losing out on much?

We received this package in the mail. It contained 4 CDs of hypnosis on Deep Sleep, Healthy Eating Habits,  and other weight loss support, an actual Blender Bottle (which I have wanted to try for a while), 2 shake mix containers (chocolate and vanilla), and a bottle of Resvera Shape supplements. 
I like that it encourages you to eat 5 times a day. Even with the meal replacement shakes, you are to drink 8 ozs of  water after you drink your shake- think of it as your meal and drink separately. The Resvera Shape pills have some caffeine to it so they encourage you to only take one at breakfast and once at lunch. Then eat a sensible dinner. In between your shakes, you should eat healthy snacks. 

Ok so here is our take on it and how it actually went down in our home. I had my hubby try this out and I have questioned him about it daily. I just delivered a baby and am breastfeeding so I don't want to throw off my milk production and I am already down lower than my pre-pregnancy weight. So hubby's weight at the start of this plan was 241 lbs. He started it on a Monday.
First off- Blender Bottle is AWESOME. Mixes things up like you would not believe. I am totally in awe of this bottle- weird, yes I know, but I will be ordering another of those bottles so we both have one. :-)
The Hypnosis CDs- I wish there was a digital option or MP3 of these. We had to go find a portable CD player for hubby to listen to these. You are told not to listen to them while driving or doing anything that you need to pay full attention to- so my welding hubby couldn't do it at work. Bedtime was his best bet- and he has a iPhone dock type alarm clock. No worries- I grabbed a portable CD player from Goodwill for $2. He did not feel or know if he really was hypnotized but he did say that he found himself repeating phrases from them through out his day- at bedtime he would repeat Deep Sleep, at meals he would repeat- small bites, take your time, you don't need that much, stay hydrated. From my perspective- I didn't listen to the CDs. He is pretty controlling about them lol, and we only have the one CD player so he listens to it and changes up with CD he listens to, but in the 10 years we have been married- he has to sleep with a TV on for noise or he hears everything and wakes up. Well he hasn't had to sleep with the TV on since he started these CDs. This is HUGE for me. I cannot sleep with a TV on. I usually had to wait til he fell asleep and then I would turn the TV off, down, or change it to a boring channel.
The Resvera Shape pills he took and was also drinking Monster- that didn't work too well. He got shaky from all the caffeine combined. He would not give up his Monster drinks- and he does do the more natural ones, so he gave up the pills. Heck- I may give the pills a try myself for the extra energy needed to chase 3 kids and keep up the housework - can I get an AMEN?
Ok so the taste- I tasted each of them myself so I could describe it to you, we all know men are not necessarily good at describing flavors. I figured I would like the chocolate flavor the best since it is my favorite flavor, but really I was surprised to find I like the vanilla best. The chocolate had a bit of a chalky taste to it. Hubby said the same thing, but after drinking them alternating over a month now, he says he has become accustomed to the taste and enjoys it. The vanilla tastes light and not an overpowering vanilla flavor, probably more like a cake mix. I would assume I could add it to orange juice and it would taste like an Orange Julius. I felt I could add things to change the flavor or supplement the vanilla easier, but it also was more enjoyable to me as it was. I am not a fan of adding a lot of stuff to meal replacement shakes to taste better. I feel that defeats the point as you end up adding more calories that way. 
Anyway, so we already eat fairly healthy meals in our house since my son has a lot of food allergies- corn being the worst one since it is in everything. We mainly keep to fruits, veggies, and meats/proteins. So our dinner meals were pretty basic and sensible. I know most of his snacks at work between shakes were carrots, some granola bars, some days he would even grab breakfast at a nearby cafe-that breakfast would consist of bacon or sausage, grits or hash browns, and pancakes. It was a pretty big breakfast. He works 4 days a week, and would only do the shakes on work days, so weekends - Fri, Sat, and Sun- he would eat what he wanted. 
We tried to only weigh in once a week- and he didn't even want to do it then, but I wanted to track progress- and to be honest there was a week that he didn't do any shakes- that would be week 2. He wasn't accustomed to the taste, or starting the habit of packing it to take to work. I harped on him that it was my reputation for the review on the line- nothing like a little guilt lol. Also- full disclosure- he does not exercise. He works on his feet doing heavy lifting for 12 hours, then takes care of feeding up our animals. He is pretty beat by the end of the day. So there has been no exercise except a few days of walking to his parents house from ours a couple days each week.
So after a month, we still have shake mix left because he only does 2 shakes 4 days a week. He has lost 23 lbs. His weight after a month was 218. He is now used to the routine of it all, and has felt better since losing that weight with little change to his normal routine. That breaks down to just over 5lbs a week. I like to attribute some of this to drinking more water vs other drinks. He has cut out the soda, we do drink sweet tea though. Also to actually eating throughout the day. Many days it is so hot in his work shop that he doesn't feel up to eating a meal. In these cases the shakes make an easy fix. They actually hold his appetite and fill him up, and he is not starving himself. I think not eating throughout most days really killed his metabolism and this boosted it back up. 

I would love to post of pic of his before and after but he refused to do that. There is only so much guilt can get a girl. I will say that I didn't think this would really last long around here, but it has surprised me. I couldn't see how a shake could replace meals for a man. I can see it for women, but men and their eating habits are a different beast.  Pricing for this is very competitive, in fact, cheaper than some other options we have priced, like Visalus. For a 2 a day meal replacement plan you receive the following:  2 Meal Replacement Shake Tubs +FREE Bonuses for $89.99 

 

 

• Your Choice Chocolate or Vanilla
• 60 Day Supply
• FREE Blender Bottle
• FREE IdealShape for Life Book

The Hypnosis CDs are $19.99 each There are some kits that include the CDs, so check out the different options. I hope this has answered your questions about Ideal Shape products. You can find Ideal Shape here: Idealshape.comon Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/idealshape:Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/@ideal_cooking 

{New Coupons}

$0.75 off 2 Yoplait Kid products

$0.90 off 1 JELL-O Temptations or Mousse

$1.50 off 2 Scotch-Brite Botanical Wipes

$3.00 off two (2) Ensure Clear 4-packs

$1.00 off any Welch's Sparkling Juice Cocktail

$1.00 off Organic Root Stimulator No-Lye Relaxer

$1.00 off Purex Crystals laundry enhancer item

$2.00 off one GARNIER MOISTURIZER Product

$5.00 off THE BIG C: SECOND SEASON dvd

{Flower card tutorial}

Ok If you downloaded the last 2 weeks worth of Freebie Friday images.....then Here is FINALLY the tutorial on how to use it. Big Shout-Out to MyMemories for their help in providing these images and directions. These are easy, I just had trouble putting the post together.....mama-brain I guess. So here it is, really super simple!

Flower Card Tutorial
How to Assemble your Flower Card

1.  Print your file on cardstock.


2.  Take your card template page and fold at all fold lines.  A bone folder helps make the creases nie and crisp to help your finished card to look nicer.



3.  There should be a total of 9 folds when you are done.



4.  Cut out your card.

                                                           

 

5.  Turn your card over so that the printed side is down and

 pinch the sides of each petal together until all 6 petals are

standing straight up.

6.  Gently push all the petals in one direction until they lay flat.

7.  You now have a flower card.

8.  Tie a ribbon (not included) or something equivalent
around the card to hold it closed.

9.  Embellish as desired.  This card was embellished with a

circle cut out from a piece of background paper.

{New Coupons}

There are a few coupons for some great ingredients to use for Mother's day meals! I can't wait to use the Indulgence Cream Cheese coupon. We can never have enough Ziploc's at our house. Reser's salads make easy, light side dishes for a Mother's Day meal!

$0.55 off PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE Cream Cheese

$1.00 off any THREE Keebler Products

$1.00 off two Ziploc Brand bags

$3.00 off The Rebound on DVD or Blu-ray

$3.00 off LOVE'S EVERLASTING COURAGE dvd

$3.00 off Mama I Want to Sing on dvd

$2.00 off twelve Mighty Dog cans or pack

$0.55 off HOT POCKETS brand Snackers

$1.00 off two HOT POCKETS brand Snackers

$1.50 off any TWO Kashi steam meals

$0.50 off May Issue of All You

$1.00 off Reser's American Classics 3 lb Salad

$0.55 off any Reser's Deli Salad

   

{X-box Kinect Giveaway}

Techy Tribe and Mom to Bed by 8 is proud to present the Techy Summer Xbox Kinect Bundle Event from July 8 to July 22. This is a free blogger event and accepting signups now.

Join the Techy Summer Xbox Kinect Bundle Giveaway event today, grow your readership and offer a gamers must have giveaway!

Let her know Begin To Craft sent you!

{Freebie Friday}

Last weeks Freebie was just like this one just in different color scheme. So cute and cheerful.

All of the Friday Freebies will now be MyMemories Suite Compatible.  What does that mean??? It means that you can now load the freebies directly into your MyMemories Suite Software, and then completely customize them with any paper and embellishments that you have. Sweet, huh?

You have one week to download this freebie. Click here to get it now

Flower Card Tutorial
Using MyMemories Software to Customize your Flower Card
 

1. Download template file and install it into your software
2. Using MyMemories Suite, choose Create Album From Designer Template and find your project
3. Now you can print and enjoy the provided template, or customize it with your own papers and embellishments.

TIP:
You can right-click on the white guide and lock it in place to keep it from moving while you are working. Make sure this is the top layer of your project before printing.

Instead of adding the paper as a background paper, you can add it as an embellishment so that you can move the paper around.  This is especially useful when using papers with stripes or circles, so you can decide which part of the paper you want to use.

Once it is added as an embellishment, you can now select the paper and move it into the position you want it. 




Just SAVE and PRINT on cardstock!


This post is already long, a tutorial on making the flower will post shortly.

Remember, I will be sharing a new freebie every week.

If you have not purchased the software yet, you can do so here:

http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software

Use my code for a discount:

CODE: STMMMS72256

(I do get compensated if you use this)

They have a great social media presence and support group:

Blog- http://blog.mymemories.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/MyMemories/140359372717593

Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

Tutorials on how to use the software and tips can be found here.

Father's Day giveaway

Great Father's Day Giveaway for Bloggers from Bella Savvy

This is all her information. She gave me the ok to share what she wrote. You will find this same information on her blog.

This Father’s Day, Black & Decker wants to help one special dad get his backyard prepped and turned into an oasis for summer-long grilling and entertainment — without the added expense. Of course it can also be a special place to call his own, if he wants.

Black & Decker, as I’m sure you already know, is an iconic global manufacturer of quality power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products that are sold in more than 100 countries. They provide consumers with products that help make every day living and working easier and more efficient.

What dad wouldn’t want that?

GRAND PRIZE:

One grand prize winner will receive each of the following:

• 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver
• 2-speed Quick Clean Sprayer
• 36V Lithium High Performance String Trimmer with Power Command
• Garden IQ Hand Tools Series — including pruners, hedge shears, steel trowel, culti-hoe, heavy duty hose nozzle, water hand hose attachment, miscellaneous safety items AND work gloves
• Total value of $500

WHEN: 

The event will begin on May 20, 2012 at 12:01 pm. EST and will end on June 3, 2012 11:59 pm.

Cost: FREE in exchange for your participation and event publishing

Event sign up is limited to the first 200 blogs on a first come, first serve basis.

What is required?

• Post an announcement on your blog by May 18, 2012 11:59 pm. EST.
• You must publish the html in full provided to you concerning this giveaway on May 20 12:01 AM (I will check posts as of around 9am est that morning and will start deleting those who have not done so).
• You must agree to mention the giveaway on Twitter and Facebook at least once after the giveaway has started!

Ready to join?

Fill out the Sign Up form with your information. If you have any questions, please email Dee at bellasosavvy@gmail.com.

{New Coupons}

New Coupons for the first of the month

$1.00 off ONE MorningStar Farms Veggie Foods

$0.75 off ONE package of KRAFT Fresh Take

$5.00 off Non-Drowsy Claritin Allergy Product

$0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product 

$3.00 off Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman or Renee Zellweger 4 - Film Collections

$1.00 off ALMAY Cosmetics & Makeup Removers

$1.00 off Coppertone Suncare Product

$0.50 off Betty Crocker Cookie Mix 

(i am compensated if you click the links above)

{Antique Shops}

It took me a long time to figure out my home style. When I was single and living in my townhome, my style was sleek and feminine and somewhat cottage-y. When I got married we had to compromise some style, and then when we built our house on family land we planned it based on what we liked at the time with our townhouse. If I had stopped and taken our time to think about how we would have lived here long-term it would have probably saved us money and changes now. We didn't have any kids so couldn't imagine life would be so different with them. 

First off, our kitchen countertops would not be the dark colored granite. Wood cutting board maybe, sleek stainless steel maybe, or white Corian like the Petersiks (Young House Love).  Anyway,  my point is that our style really is more of a Farmhouse chic. Hubby and I love old and vintage items, especially farm ones. He is a sucker for old bottles, any shape, size and color. He has also found old 8mm player. I have some old hats, vintage postage scale, flour mill cabinet. So our taste has changed and suits us more. 

I went to this sweet little antique shop in downtown Lincolnton- Treasures on Main and found some things I LOVE, and some ideas I want to copy. I am always looking for new places to find vintage and antique items- cheap. What are the places you like to check out?

This sweet little metal urn.

 Love this vintage metal cake stand. So adorable!

 Close- up of another cake stand

Vintage Alarm clock

 Love this Kate McCall mason jar wrapped in chicken wire with a handle.

 These card catalog drawers were $16 ea. I like them but don't know what we would use them for.

 These 2 jars I am really hoping are still there when I go back. Especially the little ink jar!

 This one cracks me up. There were actually several of them, in various sizes and some cooking pots. These are vintage enamelware in either black, or red trim. This one hubby and I were cracking up at because it reminds us of the phrase- "don't have a pot to piss in" that's because a lot of people did have pots like this that were their night time potty that was dumped in the morning, but if they were really poor, they didn't even have this and had to go outside to do their business. Thus the phrase.

 I think this was a neat idea. If you can't tell these books were painted completely white- pages and all. not the interior though. I personally like the aged look, but it was a cool idea.

Oh This----candle sticks with stacked thread on it- wouldn't this be neat at Christmas!

This was a bed post hanging near the register- but could also work on old fence panel. They took Christmas lights and tied scraps of fabric around it. It looks even better in person.
What ideas and sweet items do you find in antique stores?What is your personal style?Do you have a favorite antique store I should check out?

{Great Outdoor Updates}

It has been so nice out that I cannot help but spend my time working out there. So I had some good feedback on my Front Porch Updates so I wanted to share with you what my garden beds look like. Now I took these pictures from the front porch looking down.You will notice that there is a significant difference in how much light each side gets. 

My Begonias and yellow daylily in their new home. on the right side of my porch- towards the animals.

One of my ferns on the animal side- most daylight.

 The left side of the porch holds another fern and a hanging basket

 Close-up of the hanging basket has more Begonias and pink pansies

 This is at 10 in the morning and you can see there is already a good bit of shade towards the back where the ivy is growing. Does anything else grow in this much shade? I am going to try to get a few bushes or something to bring in some color and height back here. Everything we have only really is out during the spring/summer. I need some things to carry us into fall and winter.

 Up from there in the front of the porch on the left side of the steps are mostly hostas and a few other flowering plants. This section gets a bit more sunlight but not much after noon.

 Another shot of that front left side. The planter holds some strawberries. And there is a small bush behind it.

 Standing at the steps looking to the left this is what you see.

Now from the steps looking on the front right side is again mostly hostas, some flowers, a grapevine that sprung up on its own. We will be putting some lattice to close off under the steps.

 Looking further to the right of the steps. It doesn't look too bad. It will look better once it starts flowering but again. Need something for fall/winter. This side gets almost full sun all day. The sun rises on this side and goes diagonally over the house from here.

 Directly to the right here is some periwinkle which is doing very well. The window here is to our bedroom. I would love to open our windows some nights but hubby is afraid someone will climb in. So I am thinking of some prickly shrubbery. Any ideas?

 Directly beside the porch is our blueberry bush and some flowering plants.

 Then back in front of that

And finally the front right side again.
So, did I lose you on that nice little tour. I know I should snap a pic facing the house so you can see how it is laid out in one piece. I will try to get that up and posted too. I would love your ideas and feedback on plants in this area.