Friday Favorites: Week of 1/15

Hi there and Happy Friday to you!

It has felt like several busy days in a row over here, and I can’t believe that we have already come to the end of the week. I guess that is what happens when you pack any free time outside of parenting with to-dos.

I have been really big on intentional goal setting this week, and it has been so great to have a clear vision for the year in place with a plan on how to get there!

I shared the strategy I am using to set and hit my goals this year here, and I would love to hear all about your last want (the big goal) and root you on!

And speaking of seeing clearly, one favorite that I have been loving lately are these clear Waylaid frames you see pictured above from my friends over at eyebobs. I have something fun in the works with them, but for now, peep their site and get 10% off your order using the code lifenleggings through 2/10. They have a great selection of cute and sleek looking glasses, sunnies, accessories, and more.

Today’s Friday Favorites post highlights more things on my recent faves list, a new workout, and inspiration on safer-for-you swaps all over your home. Thank you for checking in today!

FRIDAY FAVORITES: WEEK OF 1/15

• theKidsTown — Park Slope, Brooklyn

Ever since the YMCA shut down their childcare services and indoor play gym times (understandably with with this pandemic!), Skyler has been itching to get back to some indoor gym play time. We used to go at least twice a week, so it’s been something we have all been missing as I would also complete my solo workouts during his time to socialize in the childcare room.

We have been on a search to find a local indoor play gym just for kids, and we had a very pleasant and safe experience at our local Kids Town on 5th Avenue.

We booked our 1.5 hour session a few hours before going, as they cap how many children and adults can be in the space at once. Masks were required for all adults, and kids has masks on for the most part, too.

Skyler had so much fun playing in all of the different areas! There was a huge ladder to climb and slide down, a rock climbing wall, trucks, and play stores and dress up areas like a grocery store, a restaurant, and doctor’s office and firefighter station.

It was so great to see the joy from these simple things come out of our visit, so we will definitely be back and will most likely explore other indoor play gyms to change it up for him, too.

Also, he discovered the lego table on the way out and now I know that he could spend another whole hour just doing that. This was such a great way for him to explore and change up his day-to-day environment!

• Stability Ball Strength Workout With Dumbbells

I shared a glimpse of this workout back in my stories a few weeks ago, but I wanted to break it down here in case you needed more direction to give it a try. In case you haven’t noticed, I have been all about the stability ball and dumbbell workouts lately, because I can complete them in a corner of my gym tucked away from everyone and everything at any time of the day. And that feels good and safe right now.

All you need for this one is a stability ball and a light, medium, and maybe medium-heavy set of dumbbells. The workout is separated into two circuits, so complete each exercise in the first group for 12-15 reps for three total rounds before moving on to the second one. The whole thing took me about 40-45 minutes!⁣

As always, listen to your body and take options, drop the weights, modify, and rest when needed. There are only eight exercises, but they pack a punch … especially that final one on the legs. Let me know if you give it a try!⁣

EXERCISE BREAKDOWNS

ball plank roll outs

single arm dumbbell snatches

glute bridges on ball (option to add weight)

dumbbell chest presses on ball

sumo squat to upright rows

dumbbell reverse lunges to biceps curls (right, left, curl is one rep)

ball dumbbell skull crushers

dumbbell alternating curtsey lunges

As always, reach out with any questions and don’t forget to drink water, take options and rest when needed.⁣ Let me know if you give it a try!

• This Vegan Quinoa Chili recipe

I’ll explain more about it later, but Scott is on a strict 21-day fast that limits him to drinking water and eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and not much more. It’s called the Daniel’s Fast, and it’s Bible-based with the goal of improving spiritual health. (Here is a great resource and explanation.)

I am supporting it by cooking a lot of Vegan recipes that also exclude anything processed. It’s been a challenge, but a good one that has cleaned up our pantry and opened our eyes to creating great dishes without the extra ingredients that we often turn to. I’ve also learned to play with flavors and new spices! It’s been a cool experience.

We aren’t going Vegan, but I have a feeling that I will be trying and sharing more Vegan-friendly recipes as time goes on. And, you need to try this vegan quinoa chili recipe! It’s fantastic and makes enough for 6-8 adult servings. I’m shocked that we still have some left over from earlier this week, but I’m not complaining. Yum!

• The Clean Deo is HERE

Something major launched this week, and it is very exciting.

The Clean Deo launch has been a long time coming, as it is a product that has been tested and perfected for the past five years. I have been using it since September, (I’m on my second stick and have been applying it 1-2 times per day, every day), and I really am in love.

⁣⁣The Clean Deo is deodorant, and there’s a big difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant. Even if you don’t try this one, I encourage you to look at the label of your deodorant to make sure it’s not an antiperspirant.⁣⁣

WHY?

⁣⁣Our bodies need to sweat in order to regulate our temperatures! An antiperspirant uses chemicals like aluminum to plug your sweat-glands and block your body from sweating. But sweating is a natural detoxification process, and it’s necessary to shed heavy metals from the body. ⁣A deodorant (especially a clean one) is a much safer, healthier choice.⁣⁣

THOUGHTS

I have sampled all of them and I think my favorite is Clean Rose. Fresh Coconut is nice, but is probably my least favorite of the three. Soft Lavender is very fresh and calming! ⁣⁣I haven’t loved the clean deodorants that I have tried in the past, so it took me a long time to switch over from my go-to clinical strength brand loaded with who knows what. Well, after an initial transition detox period (just a few days for me), I have never been happier with the results, and it feels amazing to know that I have a good, clean, effective deo to turn to. It glides on smooth and clear and DOES NOT stain clothes. This is major! It works all day to neutralize odor and absorb wetness.

And, the best part, they are refillable, which means that Beautycounter has cut its water, fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions by almost 50 percent for this product. Once you finish a deodorant, pull out the empty refill and recycle it. Pretty cool, right?

Read more about this launch and why you should be using a deodorant versus an antiperspirant in my latest newsletter.

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If you’re new to Beautycounter, browse the site and use the code CLEANFORALL20 to get 20% off of your first order through the end of January!

(You can always catch the latest scoop on the Life In Leggings – Beautycounter page or .)

As always, thank you for your continuous support and for shopping with me. I truly enjoy what I do every day and appreciate you so much.

• #CleanUpChallenge2021

To piggy back off of the need for clean above, and in excitement over the launch of The Clean Deo, I created a challenge for myself and for any of you that want to join me in a goal to clean up my household this year.

I’m not talking about tidying up, although this is something Scott and I are focusing on as well, but I am challenging you to take a look at the products you are using to clean your home, how you purify your rooms, how you are prepping and storing your food, how you can make your house more eco-friendly and more.

The challenge is hosted here, and I am inviting you to join the community that I have opened up for everyone to share their tips, too! There has already been two giveaways and more are on the way soon.

Just like anything, cleaning up the products you use in your home can take some time, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be done little by little!

• silicone wedding rings

I have been wanting to get a set of silicon bands to wear on a day-to-day basis to replace my wedding band and engagement ring. I love both of them very dearly, but I don’t always feel like I should be wearing them when I spend a lot of time in my days cleaning up messes, handling makeup and skincare, lifting weights, or just bumming it around my house.

I usually leave my bands at home when I head to the gym because I have previous lost diamonds to my bands when I wear them to pick up dumbbells and use machines. Not good!

Well, this has been on my mind lately, and Santa brought me a set in my stocking this year! You can find them everywhere (here, here, here), and mine are from Walmart. So “Santa” says.

• favorite LIL posts

» Top Beautycounter Safe Swaps

If you’re looking to start switching over to non-toxic products this year, this post will point you in the right direction. You can totally start switching over to safer a little at a time!

» Easy, Cheesy Tex-Mex Cabbage Casserole

This recipe is light and loaded with vegetables, yet filling enough to substitute for your next Taco Tuesday that the whole family will love. This is not your typical low-carb cabbage casserole, and it’s extremely easy, flavorful and cheesy. I hope you like it!

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All right, it’s time for me to get moving and invite you to follow along with all the other updates and faves on Instagram until we meet again.

I hope you all have a great day and weekend ahead. Stay safe out there!

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*Disclaimer: Friday Favorites posts may contain affiliate links. Also, I am a Beautycounter consultant and love what I do with the company. By using the links provided in this post to order products, you are supporting my business. I always appreciate you!