Manda Likes!

Hello, and happy Tuesday!!

First off, I hope everyone had a great week! I haven't done a Manda Likes post in forever, and I want to update everyone on my favorite things I have been obsessed with lately!!

Beauty Likes:

Benefit's Eyeshadow in Pink Fancy

This color is a beautiful base and highlight color. I have been wearing it almost daily! It feels very nice on the eyes, and doesn't crease easily. It gives your eyes the perfect touch of sweetness!!

Mask Of Magnaminty from Lush

This is by far one of the best masks I have used! It is so refreshing, and solves just about any skin problem you might encounter! It is somewhat pricey, but honestly, the small jar will last you forever. I have had the small jar since May, and I really think that it is going to last through this month! I use this mask about twice a week, too. I really reccomend picking this up!

NYX Eyeshadow Base in Skin Color

After running out of my other three eye primers, I wanted to try something new, and more on the affordable side.  When I was in Douglas, I was browsing the NYX section from some lip glosses when I ran across this product. I decided I would give it a whirl! It does come in white, and another color (blanking), but Skin Tone looks the most natural to me. This has really made a difference in the wear of my eyeshadows, and it was really affordable at just 6.95 Euros.


Food Likes:

Kinder Suprise Eggs

One thing I adore about living in Europe is the CHOCOLATE! American chocolate just cannot compare. We literally have some of the finest, most exquisite tasting chocolate here. Kinder is one of my favorite brands. It is so creamy, and melts in your mouth. Kinder makes these Ueberashung (suprise) eggs. It is a hollow chocolate egg with a small yellow capsule inside. Inside of the capsule is a little toy. I have eaten more eggs recently than I would like to admit.. hehe;)

Feta Cheese

I have always loved Feta cheese, but recently, I have been putting it with everything! It is a very different tasting, strong sort of cheese, so this isn't for everyone, but I lalaLOVE it! I put it on salad all the time!

Activia Yogurts

I have been eating Activia daily for a few weeks now, and I am hooked. I know I am consuming a healthy snack, and it tastes SO GOOD! My favorite flavors are cherry and vanilla. I like to add organic granola and shaved almonds for more crunch and flavor!


Random Likes:

The Game of Life app for Ipod

Literally the best 99 cents I have spent in a very long time! I play this game constantly. This app has wonderful graphics, you can play alone or with friends, and offer several different languages! If you like this classic game from Hasbro, I recommend downloading this for hours of fun!

Organizing

I have been organizing the crap out of my life lately. I have been getting myself on track, and organizing has become a bit of an obsession :p

What are your current likes?

X's and O's,
Amanda

Healthy Living: My Diet and Exercise Routine

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

I get alot of questions on my social sites asking me about my diet and exercise. Today I thought I would share my routine! Disclaimer: this is what works for me. This may or may not work for you, and before you make and major changes to your routine, you should always talk to a doctor!


My Diet:

Actually, I hate the word "diet". But I use it to describe what I eat, I don't go on "diets". I eat several small meals throughout the day, normally five or six. I never, ever skip breakfast! For breakfast, I eat oatmeal and a piece of fruit most mornings. A few hours later, I might have a yogurt and granola bar. Then lunch. Lunch is whatever my mother in law makes. She usually cooks pretty healthy, but if she happens to make something that isn't the healthiest, I just eat a smaller portion and add some salad. If I get hungry in the afternoon, I will usually eat veggies with a piece of cheese. Germans don't really eat dinner, so if I happen to get hungry again, I will eat fruit, veggies, any healthy snack. I stick with water as my beverage of choice, and occasionally I will have milk. I drink ice tea sometimes, but I try to avoid too much because of the sugar. When I lived in the States, I drank more milk. But in America, my mom purchased lower fat milk. Here, The milk our family buys is 3.8% fat. This tastes a little thick for my liking. I do drink alcohol on occasion, but never more than a glass or 2 of wine. I have alcohol less than once weekly ( don't worry guys, i'm legal!. Here are some more tips and tricks I have found helpful with food :

~Don't deprive yourself. I know you have probably heard this, but it is so true. If you deprive yourself of a certain food or a larger portion, you will end up caving at some point, and you will probably overeat. If you want a piece of cake, eat it. Just make sure not to eat it on a daily basis.

~Drink lots of water! Water keeps you hydrated, and full. If you tend to overeat at meals, drink a glass or more of water before you eat. This will make you feel full, and you probably won't eat as much.

~ Don't skip breakfast, ever. Even if you don't feel hungry, eat something small anyways. Your metabloism is likely to be quicker when you give yourself some fuel to start the day.

~ Eat as soon as you feel hungry. When you feel the first pangs of hunger, eat a small, healthy snack. If you wait til your next meal, etc., you will likely eat alot more, and when you're starving, your body is going to crave a high-fat, high-calorie meal. What's worse? Your body is likely to store the food you eat as fat, in fear of you depriving it again.

My Exercise Routine:

I exercise 4 times a week minimum. Other than the physical appearence of my body, I workout for several reasons: I sleep better, I feel more relaxed, I feel better about my body, I don't feel as much post-injury pain, the list goes on. The benefits of exercise are endless. For cardio, I ride a statinoary bike, and add resistance. As far as time, it varies. If i'm really low on time or energy, I might only ride the bike for 20 minutes. Normally I try to do 30 minutes minimum. I like to vary the time and resistance frequently. It's good to keep your body guessing, so that it has to work! Typically, I will do cardio Monday through Friday, doing strength training some of those days as well. On the weekends, I might do cardio, or just go for a walk with my fiancee, etc. I like to do something fun on the weekends. If I miss a workout during the week, I make it up over the weekend. I try to always go 6 miles minimum when I do cardio. I have been pretty faithful with my workouts, and I feel so much better. Here are some additional tips I have found helpful with exercise:

~ Stop making excuses. The most famous excuse for not working out is "I don't have time". Really? You don't spend any time surfing the web or watching tv? You don't seriously have 10 minutes, even if it isn't consecutive? Contrary to popular belief, your workout doesn't have to last an hour, and it doesn't have to be consecutive. Use absolutely any time you have. Watching tv? Do toning moves and short bursts of cardio on the commercial breaks. Got a break at work? Walk around the building several times. If you prioritize your time, you WILL have time for exercise, even if it's not a lot. Something is better than nothing!

~ Find the RIGHT inspiration. Photos of super fit celebs may inspire you to get started, but you'll end up discouraged. Here's the thing: you will never look like someone else. Your body is different, and you may not ever be able to attain certain assets. Work with what you have. Make YOUR body type look the best it can. Also, don't just focus on appearences. Focus on the other benefits of exercise to help keep you motivated. And don't give up! Alot of people think missing a day (or week!) means you should just throw the towel in. You will have more success if you just keep going. Missed an entire week of exercise? Don't dwell on it, start fresh this week.

~ Push yourself. It's easy to settle into a routine. But if you do the exact same exercise on the exact same days for too long, you'll stop seeing results. When your body knows what to expect, it won't work very hard. Increase time, reps, resistance, weights, vary the type of exercise, workout on a normal "day off", etc. I recommend switiching things up every 2 weeks.

So there you have it, my basic eating and exercise routine. Let me know if you have any other questions. I really hoped this helped some of you! What is your routine? Leave it in the comments, I 'd love to hear!

X's and O's,
Amanda

Hello Summer: My Updated Goals

Hey Beauties,

So, it's summer, and we are officially halfway through 2012! Wow, where has the time gone?!?
Did any of you make New Year's Resolutions? If you didn't, or you're slacking, it's not too late! Get motivated, and start accomplishing your goals TODAY. I wanted to share with you a few of my recent goals.

1. Work out!! I did well with this at the begining of the year, but ended up getting injured in March, and I have been slacking!!! My goal is to workout at least 4 times a week. What better motivation than my new bikini and my upcoming wedding?!?

2.  Be persistant with H2O. I have always been pretty good about staying hydrated, but as of late, I haven't been drinking as much. I need to step up my water intake. Staying hydrated is so key. Your skin will look better, and you'll just feel better all around.

3. Limit Junk...seriously. Um, I will be honest, I am ADDICTED to mint chocolate ice cream. I can't stop eating it. So my new goal is to limit my junk food intake to twice a week. I have been treating myself alot lately, and while I haven't gained weight or anything, it's just not healthy.

4. Give at least 3 compliments everyday. Helping others feel good about themselves is so positive. It will not only lift their spirits, but yours too! Just make sure your compliments are genuine :)

5. When negativity arises, think of three positive thoughts right away. This seems silly, but when negativity presents itself, it's easy to suddenly develop a negative attitude, etc. If you find yourself suddenly feeling pessimistic, offended, or any other ugly emotion overcomes you, quickly think of 3 positive thoughts about your life. You'll instantly feel better.

6. Dedicate 15 minutes to my signifigant other everyday. Only fifteen minutes?!? Hopefully more, but on those days that are just crazy and busy, sometimes even 15 minutes can be a challenge. Spend time talking about your day, snuggling, watching tv together, and only focus on each other. My fiancee and I spend much more time doing this, but with our upcoming crazy schedules, I want to make sure that we have a 15 minute minimum everyday. I think in this busy world it is easy to neglect your loved ones and relationships need nuturing!

7. Be the best person I can be everyday. Be kind, caring, and happy!

So these are my half-way-throught-the year-resolutions. It's never too late. Accomplish your goals TODAY and stop waiting for tomorrow.

What are YOUR goals?
X's and O's,
Amanda

Food Love: Unexpected, Easy, Yummy!

Hey Everyone!
I came across these foods since I have been here in Germany, and while they sounded weird at first, they ended up being delicious! The best part? They're extremely easy! So introducing: Orange Juice and Ice Cream, and Ketchup and Noodles.

Orange Juice and Ice Cream:

This unexpected treat is truly yummy. I tried it at a local restaurant here, and was hesitant because it sounded really weird. But once I tasted it, I couldn't get enough! All you need is some OJ, and Vanilla Ice Cream. Fill a glass up with some OJ about half way or so, then add a scoop(or a few, teehee) of vanilla ice cream! A perfect treat for the upcoming warm weather!

Ketchup and Noodles:

Again, this sounded bizarre. In fact, the first time it was ever presented to me, I declined it. I finally tried it though, and YUM! It's genious because it's so easy. All you need is pasta of your choosing, and ketchup. Cook pasta accoring to packaging directions, and serve the desired amout, then put as much or as little ketchup as you'd like over the top, and mix. Voila'! You just made a quick fix dinner. I think this would be a good idea to keep in mind for those times when you're broke. Both ingridients are inexpensive!

I hope you guys give these a try! Let me know what you think! Do you have any "strange"  recipies? Comment below!
X's and O's,
Amanda

A German/American Compare and Contrast:)

Hello Sunshines!
Today, I wanted to make a breif post about some differences I have noticed between America and Germany. This is just a fun little post, I will post again later today! :)

Food:
Germans do some weird things with their food. For example, they eat their hashbrowns with applesauce. In America, most people use ketchup. Mac and cheese, anything mexican, and maple syrup are practically unheard of here. There are no twinkies. No pancake mixes, and no Cool Whip! NO COOL WHIP! In fact, whipped cream in a container is a very new concept here, and you usually have to just make it yourself. When in an American grocery store and you want pasta sauce, you will find tons of options, both red and white sauces. After searching in grocery stores everywhere, I am going out on a limb to say they dont have alfredo, etc. If they do, you probably have to craft that yourself. There are also very few premade cake mixes. Almost all cakes are made from scratch, and they don't really sell cake mixes like you would find at an American store. I also have yet to see frosting. Cakes simply aren't the same here. They do have brownie mix, but it just doesn't taste the same.

Drinking:
As you may be aware, the legal age for alcohol consumption in the states is 21. Here in Germany, you can legally drink beer and wine at 16, and hard liqour with 18. I like this better than the American law. My reasoning is that when people under 21 get together to drink, they do so to get wasted and it gets out of control. They have to hide it from their parents, and hide from the law. Here in Germany, when young people get together, it's mainly to chill while having a few drinks. It's not too overdone here because it is not forbidden.

Driving:
Alright, both countries have some mad-crazy drivers! The cars here in Germany are so much smaller as a whole. I have litterally seen 1 pickup, and the average car is about Prius size. The gas prices here are MUCH higher than in the states. Because Germany doesn't have natural oil resources, ALL fuel is imported, and very expensive. Because the Euro is stronger than the dollar, and gas is sold by the liter, not gallon, when you convert liters to gallons then dollars to Euros, the gas price here works out to about $9.00 a gallon! Here, you also need to be muc older to drive(about 18), and driver's education is very expensive. One thing I like here is the lack of drunk driving. Drivers here are severely punished when they drive intoxicated, much more so than the states, so they don't risk it. Most people I know here won't get behind the wheel if they've had a beer within the last few hours. Also, the majority of cars here are stick shift, few automatics!

Other General Things:
Germans seem much unfriendlier than Americans. In alot of places in America, it is common to recognize people with a smile, nod, something! Here, people come off as extremely cold. Recycling is much more common than in the States. You actually have to seperate your garbage, recycle glass, and there's a .25 Euro cent reward at the stores for every plastic bottle you bring in. I love all the recylcing. Also, alot of towns I have been to have a recycling bin for old clothes, which they donate to the needy. All in all, Both countries have wonderful things about them. It's such a priveledge to be able to experience a new way of life.

Have you been to other countries? Tell me about them!

Adjustments, Adjustments.

Hey everyone:)
I am sorry I did not update all weekend, Saturday was busy, and Sunday was lazy. I have been here in Germany for nearly a week now, and there have been many many things to get used to! I thought i'd share.

Obviously, one of the biggest things has been the whole learning a new language thing.I know quite a bit, and have learned some this week, but I realize I still have much to learn. German is a difficult language, and I am intimidated by it. Somedays I feel confident that I will learn enough to get a job in 3 months, other times, I feel like it is near impossible. It is frustrating to watch tv, because I cannot understand it. It is also difficult to sit with the family. Don't get me wrong, I love them. But it is hard to have a conversation with people when you only understand a few words out of every sentence. I am praying that I start picking up more, and that I get more comfortable speaking it. Honestly, I feel like a huge dork whenever I say something in german :)

Another big adjustment is food and eating times. In the states, we generally eat 3 meals a day, dinner being the meal that is usually cooked and the whole family is present. Here, you eat a light breakfast, sometimes a second breakfast( or light snack), and lunch. Lunch here is the main event. My boyfriends mother cooks a lovely meal around noon, and that is our big meal of the day. She cooks even when the whole fmaily is not present. Whomever is home eats when it's hot, and the rest is left on the table for the others to heat up whenever they arrive home from school or work. They also leave alot of things at room temperature. For example, yesterday's lunch is sitting on the stove...not in the refridgerator. This seemed odd to me at first, but it isn't bad, and I haven't gotten sick or anything from it. They eat ALOT of bread here as well. We are talking a good 3 times daily. I am trying to get into a healthy pattern, because my body is a little overwhelemed by all of the bread. Every beverage here is carbonated, too. All of the water as well. I mean, you can get 'stilles wasser' (uncarbonated water), but when you ask for it, people look at you like you are nuts. That's fine by me, I hate carbonation :p

Other things I miss are my dog, my family, mexican food, and the familiarity of my old home. But, I am also loving my new home and trying to adapt. Speaking of my new home...

My boyfriend and I bought living room furniture last week. It was so exciting! We bought a black leather couch, a matching leather chair, and a glass coffee table. We are thinking maybe white walls? We want to go with a  modern theme. Any suggestions for walls and carpet?
X's and O's,
Amanda

Counting My Blessings

Hello Beautiful Ones,
Today, I suddenly felt inspired to write this post. It probably sounds a little sappy, and Thanksgiving may be over, but I am feeling overwhelemed by how blessed I am. I have so much to be thankful for, and I feel that I don't express it enough sometimes. So, I thought what better place to do so than here?

I am so beyond thankful for my new life. As many of you know(or should), I just moved to Germany from the United States. While some aspects of moving here have been a little intimidating( learning a new language anyone?), I can never express how grateful I am to have a fresh start. I am in a place where I have no history. Nobody can hold my past mistakes against me. I have a chance to completely be myself without anyone ruining it, because not many know me here. I have needed a fresh start for a long time in my life. What a gift.

I am thankful for my friends and family. I couldn't have asked for a better family, or set of friends. They are all such wonderful people. They have pulled me through alot, and probably five me more credit than I deserve. I am surrouded by such loving people.

I am thankful for my health. I have wasted too many years loathing my body wishing for it to be better, etc. But I have often forgotten to be thankful that I am a healthy person. I have taken my body for granted, and been blind to all of the amazing things it can do. All of the times I have been down about my body, I have forgotten that it could be much worse. So many others in this world suffer from deadly illnesses, deformations, accidents, and many health issues. I realize that I have it pretty good, and I will never forget that again.

I am thankful for all that I have. Such a blessing to have clean water, enough food, and a warm roof over my head. We all wish for finer things, but so many others in the world are hungry, drinking contaminated water, etc. I know how lucky I am to be in the position I am today.

This sounds weird, but I am thankful for all of my mistakes and unfortunate events in my life. Especially last year, I went through alot of things that were difficult to deal with. I have made so many mistakes in the past. But all of these trying times and mistakes helped get me to the wonderful place I am in today. They made me realize how strong of a person I am. I wouldn't take any of it back.

I am SO blessed that I met the love of my life. Many people search for a very long time, or forever to find their soulmate. The One. I am so beyond lucky to have found the love of my life. Andre has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Everyday, I am reminded how lucky I am to have such a beautiful person by my side. He truly sees my heart, and understands me. He makes me laugh, he makes me think. He showed me what is was to really trust someone and let them in. He deals with me even when I am being a total pain. He has showed me what it means to love someone so much that it hurts. He has a big heart, and an award-winning smile. Andre came into my life at a very low point in my life. He changed everything for the better. I am thankful that we are finally living our fairytale together, and I am excited for the years to come. Thanks for eveything, Andre. I love you forever<3

I know, I know. Sappy, right? But I had to get it out. Instead of focusing on the negatives, we should always remember all of the things we have, and be thankful. What are YOU thankful for?
X's and O's,
Amanda