I'm Back!!! With a New Outlook and Attitude!

Happy 2017!!  We're now officially 2 weeks into the new year.  How are you doing with meeting your resolutions, or do you even make them?  Personally, while I do certainly set goals for myself, I rarely make "resolutions." In fact, I cringe at the thought.  It seems that resolutions hold such high expectations of reaching goals without the possibility of failure. Once faced with failure, discouragement often hinders success, resulting in one putting of their "resolutions" until it's time to try again the following year. My current goal, however, is to focus on weight loss, and my overall health and wellness.

When I originally started this blog, my intention was to document my journey as I worked to re-claim my lost self-esteem, lose weight, find a successful path in life, overcome obstacles women often face in their 30's, 40's and beyond, etc.  However, somewhere along the line, I lost my focus and this turned into a review blog.  Don't get me wrong.... I actually love reviewing products.  However, it consumed so much of my time, and only a small fraction of the products I was reviewing were actually worthy of blogging about.  With that said, it was only another factor that ultimately held me back on focusing on myself and my needs, or, in other words, facing my struggles head-on; A diversion of sorts, I would say.

Well, here I am... 2 1/2 years after my very first blog post, still tired, exhausted, XX pounds heavier; Still searching for that "successful path".  In fact, over the last couple of years, I've struggled with symptoms of early menopause, depression, weight gain, a lack of motivation, loss of concentration, and overall feeling of helplessness.  But.... despite all of that, as cracked as they may be, I still put on my favorite pair of rose colored glasses every day and am focused on riding out the storm... hence the blog title "Rose Colored Raindrops."

You know, I read a blog post discussing the challenges of losing weight earlier today. In the comments to the post, a lot of people (the majority being women) were venting about their struggles with weight gain as they age, many stating that they constantly feel exhausted, struggling with happiness, loss of focus, etc.  A kind, outspoken gentleman decided it was his duty to tell all of the "complainers" that the solution to their problem was simply drinking a lot of water and getting off their "lazy" butts and getting into the gym.

This guy OBVIOUSLY has it all figured out, doesn't he?

Sure, its no secret that drinking plenty of water along with exercise will contribute to a healthier lifestyle.  However, there are far more factors existing in our world today that may contribute to physical and/or mental decline and possibly unhealthy lifestyles, including some which cannot be predicted nor controlled, such as certain chronic illnesses, aging factors, accidents, etc. Once you get to the point that your body is tired and you've lost your sense of self-worth and motivation, while it's not impossible to bounce back, it can be a challenge.

Ten years ago, I would have never uttered that last sentence.  In fact, I was more like the uninformed gentleman mentioned previously.  I was one who didn't tolerate "excuses" from people who didn't appear to be pushing themselves towards success.  I failed to look beyond the surface.  There was no excuse for failure or struggles, you simply suck it up and move forward... that was the way I saw it.  Until I was slapped in the face with a huge dose of reality.

I would say that my decline began at the age of 36.  I was a mother of 4, working 10-12 hour days at a job that required an hour drive to and from work every day.  I made good money, but didn't necessarily budget it well, so I thought I was struggling (though I really didn't know what a financial struggle truly was at that point, to be honest).  Therefore, I was stressed to the max every day, making every effort to work every single minute of overtime that was offered.  I was wearing myself out.  At one point, I had packed on nearly 100 pounds of unwanted weight that I had once lost as a result of taking the prescription drug Adipex.  Since I was successful losing weight on the drug once before, I decided to give it a shot once again.  My doctor refused to prescribe it, saying that if a patient gains the weight back after taking the drug, he will not prescribe it a second time.  "I'll show him," I thought.  I simply found another doctor who would.  She knew nothing about me, my history, my health, etc.  However, she had no hesitations in writing me a prescription.  After a couple of months of taking the drug, I noticed no change in my weight.  I did notice, however, that it was keeping me awake on my long drive to work, and throughout the long day, so I figured there would be no harm in slipping an extra 1/2 pill in each morning, and sometimes mid-day.

I woke up the morning of November 25, 2009, with severe stomach pain and my left arm throbbing.  The feeling was quite uncomfortable, but I decided to ignore it.  I went downstairs to prepare to leave for work, when I broke out in a cold sweat all over my body.  Exhausted, as if I had just finished a vigorous workout, I laid down on the couch to rest for a moment, then felt my second wind.  I got back up and headed to work.  After getting to work and telling a few co-workers about the events of the morning, I was urged to just head to the ER to get checked out.  About 45 minutes after arriving and having some labs drawn, a nurse walked in and informed me that I had a mild heart attack and would not be leaving that day.

I cannot describe the myriad of emotions I felt at that very moment:  Fear, devastation, helplessness, depression, doom....

After a heart catheterization, it was determined that I had no long-lasting damage done to my heart, and was in a mere 1% category of people who have heart attacks with no substantiated basis, though the Adipex and stress was certainly suspect. I was definitely one of the lucky ones.

Nevertheless, after being released from the hospital, I went through another phase of exploring emotions... but this phase has not quite ended.  I will go into detail about some of the different events and experiences following the heart attack in later posts.  But, one major challenge that I have continued to face in the years following the heart attack is weight gain.  I am now at the heaviest that I have been at in my entire life.  In January, 2016, I decided I was going to get up and do something about it, and I purchased a gym membership.  I purchased it.  That's all I did with it.  Nothing else.  I didn't step foot in the door of that gym one single time after purchasing.  That's my own fault, right?  Sure, it is.  I won't deny that.  However, along with the weight gain, my body has experienced so many other changes that I haven't quite learned how to deal with:

• Depression... While there are certainly factors that have contributed to this, there are certainly times when I tell myself "I have no reason to be depressed, snap out of it."  But, it just hasn't happened.  
• I've lost my ability to focus.  For the first time in my adult life, I allowed my inability to concentrate to interfere with my performance at work, nearly costing me my job.  While I worked hard to overcome this obstacle, the fact that it happened seem to contribute to my depression.  
• I have little to no energy.  I work from home.  If I had to leave my home to get to work, I fear I would be late every day, as it takes everything in me to pull myself out of bed and get dressed... and that's all I do.  I have completely given up on doing my hair and makeup every day, as it just takes too much out of me.
• Sleep - What's that?  I'm tired, but my body doesn't know how to sleep anymore.  I would give anything just to get a solid 4 hours of sleep... Yes, just four solid, uninterrupted hours would be like a dream.  If only I could then work up to 8.

I've constantly thought, this can't be it.  All this time, I've been looking for some type of "path," and this is not where I imagined I would end up.  So, since 2010, I've been searching for some type of answer.  My body needs some type of supplement, I know this.  As you age, there are simply certain nutritional needs that your body requires in order to thrive.  Luckily, there's many different options available these days... Good, healthy, natural options, unlike the prescription that could have cost me my life.  I've pondered many of the options, one in particular, but have hesitated due to the multitude of steps necessary to succeed.  Don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with following a well-structured plan, but it's not for everyone.  I have never been a person who leads a perfectly structured life, and honestly, have no desire to.  Therefore, I fear I would be wasting my money on those products that require strict structure in order to succeed.

In late 2016, however, I accidentally stumbled upon a Facebook post where a friend of a friend was talking about a product she promotes, touting it as simple and effective.  Of course, there is a certain level of structure involved if one wants to succeed, but with this product, it's all done at the beginning of one's day, and is so extremely simple.  I would be lying if I said I weren't skeptical, however.  I was initially ready to begin my own experience with the product in December, when I suddenly pushed back, and decided to wait.  Over the next month, I followed the many testimonials posted on the product's fanpage on Facebook, I researched reviews online, I researched the product itself, and I decided that, ultimately, I'm not going to know if this is the answer for me until I try it.

However, the positive reviews are phenomenal.  Many of the people who have succeeded have faced the same challenges that I have faced in regard to zapped energy, weight gain, depression, etc.  However, after filling their nutritional gaps through their experience, so many people report to have found a weight lifted off their shoulders, a renewed outlook on life, increased energy and motivation, and so much more.  With all of that, those who have struggled with depression have found themselves happier, those struggling with weight gain have found the energy to shed pounds, those struggling with exhaustion are reportedly no longer feeling that same sense of fatigue.  I am one who relies strongly on word-of-mouth, so these testimonials are definitely selling points, as far as I'm concerned.  Furthermore, as I research the positive reviews more and more, I'm finding that people aren't just trying this product and moving on, they're sticking with it!  On the contrary, there are, of course, some critical reviews.  The common theme I seem to be finding, however, when it comes to critical reviews, are that those who are blogging negatively about the product aren't really trying it.  Sure, there seem to be a handful of people who have tried the experience to no avail, but there is not a single product out there made to work for everybody... and if you find one that claims it does... RUN!

Bottom line is, this company gives you the tools to learn about the product.  They provide a website where you can explore the product offerings, which also provides you with a list of the ingredients as you browse the products.  Many of the ingredients are well known to promote good health, fill nutritional gaps, and if the need is present, promote weight loss.  However, the unique quality of the product is that (1) everything you need to succeed is done in the first hour of your day, and (2) the inclusion of  a unique step that sets this product apart from its competitors gives it he potential to increase the effectiveness of the product substantially.


With all of that said, I have decided that NOW is MY time to experience this product, and I'm going in with a positive attitude.  After all, it's marketed (implied) as a unique experience, one which can only be explained by the active user... In short, something you won't know until you take the chance, and based on the multitude of positive reviews, it is expected that you'll be glad you did.  I know I am ecstatic about the journey that is ahead of me, about finding myself again... at the prospect of LIVING again....

I will be sharing my journey here, and I hope you'll follow along.  Better yet, I hope to see some of you inquiring and participating with me! The good news is, if your interest is piqued, you can join an exclusive network of potential customers and explore their products free of charge... You only pay when you order.  Joining opens the door to a wealth of information that will educate you about the product offerings, pricing structure, promoter opportunities and more.  Speaking of promoting opportunities, unlike many other programs out there, this company offers the opportunity for promoters to join for free, where you can earn commissions, substantial bonuses, vehicles, trips and more.  In addition to that, both promoters AND customers have the opportunity to earn FREE products... The same opportunity for free products monthly exists for customers and promoters alike, promoters simply have the opportunity to earn monetary awards in addition to the product.

I'm really excited about this opportunity I'm embarking upon, and would be even more excited to have fellow readers join me on my journey.  If you're interested in joining the free network and learning more, please leave your e-mail address below, or send a message requesting more information to momica8@yahoo.com.

Until next time...

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Small Bamboo Cutting Board and Serving Tray ~~~REVIEW~~~

As you may recall me previously mentioning, I am the proud owner of 9 different cutting boards of varying shapes and sizes.  While my large cutting boards are reserved for tasks like cutting pork roast, whole chickens, lots of vegetables (we do have a large family, after all), and other big jobs, I don't like to dirty them up for smaller jobs that only need a little bit of space.  With that said, when I received the opportunity to review Practico Kitchen's Small Bamboo Cutting Board and Serving Tray with Juice Groove for free in exchange for my honest review, I was happy to oblige.

To begin, this little board is adorable.  Aesthetics aside, however, how it works is what matters, right? I found this cutting board to be beyond perfection.  It is the perfect size for slicing and serving cheese, cutting tomatoes, slicing potatoes, and other small cutting jobs.  It's made of bamboo, like my favorite large cutting board, which is known for it's long-lasting qualities, and is heavy and durable. The deep groove around the edges is fantastic for catching liquid, and keeping it from spilling onto my counter top.  When I'm finished using it, I don't have to stress about where I'm going to store it, as it is so small, it slides easily into a drawer until I'm ready to use it again!

Sunsella Vegetable Steamer ~~REVIEW~~

Every year, I vow to learn how to garden.  I would love to grow my own fresh veggies (especially juicy, delicious tomatoes) as well as bright, colorful blooming flowers.  Every year, however, I fail. With that said, I once again, did not achieve my goal in 2015.  Nevertheless, there's always next year.  This year, however, my neighbor decided to come to my door and introduce herself, along with a huge gift from her garden.  She brought a big bag filled with cucumbers and tomatoes.  She also brought a bag full of long beans.  

Prior to this, I had actually never heard of long beans.  As I searched for ways to cook them, I learned they can also be referred to as "snake beans" and "asparagus beans".  I'll stick with "long beans"; Chinese long beans to be exact.  Lucky for me, she brought them over just in time, as I had just received my Sunsella Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer that I recently received the opportunity to try for free in exchange for my honest review.  What a perfect way to put it to use!  While I still really didn't know how to cook them, there was no time like the present to learn!

If you've never tried long beans, you're missing out on quite a treat.  They have a delicious flavor, with or without a lot of seasoning.  We love heavy seasonings in my home, so needless to say, we used them.  However, I tried the long beans prior to seasoning and was quite amazed by their taste.  They cooked up quickly in my new vegetable steamer, which conveniently, is designed to fit inside a variety of different sized pots. When I removed them after about 10 to 15 minutes of steaming, my veggies were perfectly cooked and again, amazingly delicious!  When I was done with my steamer, I was able to throw it into a drawer until I use it again, as it collapses to the size of a small bowl for easy storage.  

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Alpha Grillers Instant Read Thermometer ****REVIEW****

I recently received my Alpha Grillers Instant Read Thermometer for free in exchange for my honest review. We are a family who rarely eats out, and cooks at home 99 percent of the time. With that said, without a thermometer, food can easily end up under-cooked, over-cooked, or spoiled. The first thing I noticed about the thermometer after it arrived was that it is very lightweight. My first thought was, "This thing is NOT going to work." I can admit when I'm wrong... and I was wrong. It actually works great! While I would enjoy an illuminated display (as one's eyes just aren't as great at age 22 the second time around), the display is large and easy-to-read. The speed of the results is amazing. I was able to get an accurate reading within seconds! The fact that the probe can be folded into the base when not in use makes it really easy to store the thermometer. Furthermore, it can easily be stored in the box that it came in, which can easily slide into a drawer or small space. For those (like me) who really don't know what temperature different meats should be, there is also a handy temperature guide that accompanies the thermometer, which I now have affixed to my fridge. This thermometer is definitely a great value, and would also make a great gift for the upcoming holidays, should you know someone who spends an abundance of time in their kitchen!

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Extra Large Bamboo Wooden Cutting Board REVIEW

I have 9 different cutting boards.  I have one for fruits, one for veggies, a board especially for seafood and a separate board for chicken, and one for beef.  My favorite cutting board(s), however, have always been my extra-large wooden cutting boards.  Sadly, the first two wooden boards I purchased split in half soon after buying them.  I didn't do anything specific to cause them to break, but they just weren't that durable.  Soon after losing my last wooden cutting as a result of splitting in half, I received the opportunity to review an
Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board at a discount from Alton Bay Bamboo.

I was really impressed with this cutting board.  The first thing I noticed was how heavy it was.  I could instantly tell that I would get so much more longevity out of this board than the ones I have owned in the past.  I don't expect this board to split any time soon.  This board also has a nice-sized groove embedded into the outer edges of the board, designed to catch any liquids before they run off of the board.

Cleaning my wooden cutting board is easy.  In addition to wiping it down with a warm, soapy cloth and rinsing with water, I like to scrub it with a fresh lemon and course sea salt mixture, which will keep it fresh.

#WonderVeg Slicer - Tri-Blade Vegetable Spiral Slicer Review

Vegetable spaghetti... have you heard of it?  I admit, I actually had never heard of vegetable spaghetti until a few weeks ago when a friend asked me if I had tried it yet.  Basically, it looks like spaghetti, but is really made from... you guessed it... Veggies!  As I've since scoured the Internet looking for various vegetable spaghetti recipes, I've found a ton, ranging from this delightful salad style dish made with carrots to zucchini pasta.  The best part is, it's an awesome low-carb, gluten-free option for pasta lovers looking for healthy choices.

As I became more and more interested in creating my own vegetable spaghetti recipes, I also found myself more and more intrigued with the little gadgets being used to create the spiralized veggies. Eventually, I found myself presented with the opportunity to try the WonderVeg Spiralizer at a discounted rate in exchange for my honest review. On that note, I don't want to waste another minute without saying that this is probably the very best kitchen accessory purchase I've made this year, hands down.

My family and I have had a blast creating delicious recipes packed with nutritious veggies using our new little kitchen toy.  The WonderVeg Spiralizer comes fully assembled and is so amazingly easy to use!  Admittedly, not all of our recipes have been "healthy," per se, but perhaps healthier than we have made in the past.  For example, instead of fries, we've used the "straight blade" to make fried spiraled potatoes on several occasions.  Seasoned with pepper, garlic and onion powder, there's no need for ketchup!  In the video below, we were preparing some spaghetti-style potatoes using the "shredder" blade, in an effort to make the most delicious breakfast casserole I've ever had!  I'll never make it using fried hash browns again!

As you can see, the spiralizer is extremely easy to use... and clean up afterwards couldn't be easier! The pieces simply slide out, allowing you to clean everything off quickly and then store away until you're ready for the next use, which in my case, has been daily.  It also comes with a handy cleaning brush, which helps clean the harder-to-reach areas as well as the blades.  If you love vegetables, or are trying to find fun, unique ways to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, then the WonderVeg Spiralizer is a MUST-HAVE kitchen tool!