EmpowerMoms

Last week I purchased this BRAND NEW Leslie Sansone dvd from Amazon. I did the entire DVD plus bonus this past Thursday night with some friends so I could post my review and pictures for you.

This is what the main menu looks like. You can pick and choose what mile you want to do. Mile 1 includes the warm up and Mile 3 includes the cool down.

Breakdown of the DVD minutes:
0-3:00 Warm up
3:00-15:05 Mile 1
15:05-28:40 Mile 2
28:40-42:15 Mile 3
42:15-46:45 Cool down and Stretch

-There are no mile markers indicating mile 1, 2 and 3 transitions. Leslie tells you when you are done with each mile.

-Music is good and upbeat, no words. I recognized one or two songs from previous dvds.

-Typical fun cast including some new people!

-Movements include 8 small steps, 4 beats jogging/4 beats walking, 4 kicks then 4 knees, cha cha, squat then kick.

-There really isn’t anything different about this workout except it’s a newer DVD to add to your exercise rotation. I really like it though and did mile 3 and cool down again this morning.

BONUS section called Healthy Abs and Back:

0-9:00 On the floor and on your back pilates style ab movements
9:00-12:08 Flip around onto your knees for movements
12:08-13:45 Flip back around onto your back for some last stretching

She recommends doing this bonus section three times a week. I do not recommend this segment if you have a hard time laying on your back for ab exercises or if you have any lower back/hip problems.

According to her heart rate monitor, my friend burned 450 calories in the 61 mins that we did this entire DVD workout!

Keep reading to see some SNEAK PEEK VIDEOS on the bottom of this post!

DVD Description:
Are you ready to start walking off the pounds? This is the easy way to do it!

CHOOSE TO WALK 1, 2 OR 3 FITNESS MILES!

In mile one you’ll start with an easy warm up walk and then quickly progress to our classic Walk at Home moves. If you want a lean, flat tummy, this is your mile. You will learn how easy it is to engage your core and get your “middle” muscles working while you walk!

Mile number two starts out brisk and keeps the speed you need for a higher burn. Plus you’ll learn moves that sculpt the “walking” muscles of the lower body.

In mile three, you will love the added energy that short “boosts” give the workout! Just walk for a few beats, then BOOST for a few beats and repeat. It’s a great way to increase your fitness level and speed up your results! In addition, you’ll learn some upper body moves that are a simple but effective way to tone up your arms, back and chest muscles.

This Walking Off the Pounds workout is TOTAL BODY FITNESS WALKING!

THE BONUS HEALTHY ABS & BACK SEGMENT is to help you to slim down even more—featuring easy to follow moves selected specifically to help shape the waistline, flatten the tummy and strengthen the back. It’s the perfect strength training session for after your walk!

After the workout don’t miss the INSPIRING STORIES OF THOSE WHO WALKED OFF THE POUNDS! Bobbi Jo, a Mom of eight, WALKED OFF 65 LBS! Kim, a Coach and Teacher, WALKED OFF 100 LBS! Annette, a Wife and Mother, WALKED OFF 100+ LBS!

You can buy the DVD from Amazon here:

Sneak Peek Videos:

This is my second medical suspense book that I’ve read by this author and I really enjoy them! The drama and suspense start right away in the beginning chapters and continue on during the entire story. There is also some romance but this book is clean of language and immodest scenes.

Dr. Josh must decide who to keep alive longer-the former President of the United States or his girlfriend, a well loved nurse. They both catch a deadly disease while traveling together out of the country and its up to Dr. Josh and his team to determine what the disease is and how to treat it before its too late.

I loved the fast pace of this story and learning about the (fictitious) disease and medical terms. Dr. Josh doesn’t know who to trust to get an illegal drug that may save lives, and why people keep getting killed.

Very well written-enjoyed every chapter!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the Book
The infection wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn’t. Dr. Josh Pearson must get his hands on a particular experimental drug for his patients, which include the President of the United States, for them to have a chance against this different strain of the original virus. But Josh learns that the manufacturer may have already discarded the only supply of the drug. Without it the President and Josh’s other patients will most certainly die. And then Josh is hit with more devastating news: Rachel Moore, a nurse with whom he is falling in love, becomes ill making Josh even more desperate to find the medication. Overcoming these odds will take more than a miracle drug—it will take

You can purchase it here:

About the Author
Richard L. Mabry, M.D. is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards. He and his wife live in Central Texas. You can follow Richard online at RMabry.com, as well as on Twitter (@RichardMabry), and Facebook at RMabryBooks.

Did you know that Home Depot offers FREE monthly workshops for adults, kids, and specifically for ladies?

I have been taking my kids to their monthly kids workshops for years but hadn’t noticed they did ladies classes! I am so bummed I’ve been missing out all these years…

So this past Thursday, a friend of mine and I went to our local Home Depot workshop to learn how to build a mosaic tile mirror with shelf.

I had gotten an email earlier in the week that stated due to cost and time restraint, we would not be able to build the mirror individually; but that we would be able to learn HOW to make one AND make our own small mosaic tile trivet. I was totally okay with that! The email also gave me the option to reply back if I was interested in purchasing the supplies for the large mirror and that they would gather them up and help me, which I thought was really nice.

They started the workshop right at 6:30 and Susan, the Do-it-herself Captain, showed us how to make the large mosaic tile mirror and what material and tools we would use. It took about an hour to watch her make some of the mirror. She also had one fully done to use as a giveaway.

After the demo of the big mirror, she showed us how to make the trivet, and then it was time for us to build our own mosiac tile trivets! Susan already had our tile trivet kits all pre-cut and sorted for us (AWESOME!) so we were ready to go!

The first thing we did was to use a nail gun to attach 4 pieces of wood together to make a frame. It was my first time using a nail gun and I was scared to death! But after I used it successfully, I was really proud of myself and can’t wait to use it again next month on another project!

Next we painted the frame and bottom wood piece with an off white color. I painted mine too thick so it took a while to dry.

After the paint dried, I applied an adhesive to the bottom wood piece, and then attached the tile blocks.

Then I applied grout to the top of the tile making sure it went in between the tiles and around the sides. After making sure all the spaces were filled in, I used a sponge to wipe off all the extra grout. I scrubbed a little too much, so I ended up having to repaint some of my wood frame again.

While my trivet was drying, Susan did the giveaway of the big mirror and provided us with snacks. Which was SO YUMMY and unexpected! They had cold bottles of water, a fruit bowl, and a homemade desert bar.

I had SUCH a good time with all the ladies laughing and working on my trivet. I got to use new tools and learn about some of the Home Depot tile products which was really awesome! And it’s really fun if you go with a friend!

I’m really pleased with how my trivet turned out! I love the little shimmery colors and details that you can see close up. Everyone’s trivet looked a little different because of the tile pieces. They even thought to give us little feet for the bottom. and did I mention the entire night was **FREE**!!!

I’m already planning on going to 2 more workshops next month! I was really impressed with Susan and her teaching style, enthusiasm, and how prepared she was for the workshop. That takes alot of effort and I could tell she loves what she does! Catherine, the store manager, was also there to help and she was really nice as well.

I would highly recommend my local Roanoke (Hershberger) VA store to anyone in the area wanting to go to workshops. Like I said earlier, I’ve been taking my son to the kids workshops for at least a couple of years and we have alot of fun at them and they are always very well prepared.

What to see if your local Home Depot store does any workshops?

Do it herself workshops:
http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/do-it-herself-workshops

Do it yourself workshops:
http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/do-it-yourself-workshops

Kids workshops:
http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops

NEXT MONTH-November Do it herself workshop will be a wooden stocking hanger! It looks super cute! I can’t wait to build this and use the nail gun again! 🙂

You can register at your store here:
http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/workshop/1349/build-a-wooden-stocking-hanger

If you are local to me, here’s the Store Manager for the Roanoke, VA Home Depot Twitter account to get updates:
https://twitter.com/Catherine_Trott

You can follow Home Depot on Instagram here:
https://instagram.com/homedepot/

Have you ever been to a free Home Depot workshop? What did you learn about or make?

My friend Sarah told me about a free 15 day nutrition and fitness challenge that starts this coming Monday Oct 24th. I signed up, got my 74 page challenge ebook, read thru it, and now I’m ready to go!

Although I haven’t done this challenge yet, I wanted to share the specifics with all of you in case you are interested in starting it with me on Monday as well.

FREE 15 Day Fit Body Challenge with Trainer Lindsey Mathews
Sign up here:
http://idealfit.com/insider-challenge

Some things that I like about this challenge after going thru her ebook:

-She provides 15 days of exercises with specific reps and circuits. You take 2 rest days (Sundays). Workouts are 20 mins each with cardio and strength training. You will need hand weights-light and heavy.

-She provides 4 meal plans with recipes that you rotate during the 15 days. “The Fit Body Challenge (FBC) nutrition program is based on a
revolutionary carb cycling method that will help you shed excess water and fat.”
The low carb meal plan is used on days 1, 2, 14 and 15.
The other 3 moderate carb meal plans are used the other 11 days.

-She has 3 categories for women to choose from for the challenge:
Women under 135 pounds
Women between 135-165 pounds
Women over 165 pounds

-You get to eat 6 meals a day! Clean, good foods! No starving.
I will not be using the protein powder suggested in this meal plan. I personally use the brand “Naturade” since its dairy and gluten free, and not whey protein.

-She promises that if you follow her nutrition and fitness plan exactly for 15 days, you could lose 4-8 pounds!

I am SUPER excited about this plan! I will be starting it on Monday and will be posting about my results and opinions during and after the challenge.

I have never used this trainer before or heard of this plan, but I like what I read which is why I will be doing it along with my friend. It always helps to have accountability! Will you be joining us too??

Here’s the trainer’s info:
https://twitter.com/TrainerLindsey

https://www.facebook.com/trainerlindsey

Deadlock (FBI: Houston #3)by DiAnn Mills

I can’t remember if I’ve read other books in the FBI:Houston series, but it must not matter because I had no problem following this story line and characters. The story line is fast paced, dramatic, and intriguing.

Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who was transferred from civil rights division to violent crimes, is thrown into a serial killer case on her first day on the job with her new partner Special Agent Thatcher Graves. Things start to heat up as more dead bodies appear and Bethany continues to get more and more threatening texts. Thatcher and Bethany have a hard time at first working along side each other but eventually figure out how to work peacefully together. They both try to work thru family and work problems as their faith and patience are greatly tested.

I really enjoyed this book! It had alot of mystery and intrigue. It is a clean, religious, fiction book; but it has adult content due to the nature of the crimes.

I received a copy of this book complimentary from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

Book Description:
Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

You can purchase it here:

Biography
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

DiAnn shares about her new novel Deadlock, in this extended interview

What inspired DiAnn Mills to write her new novel, Deadlock

GIVEAWAY! Ends 11/02/2015
Enter here:
https://crazy4fiction.leadpages.co/diann-mills-deadlock-final/