Amber Artisans Amber Teething Necklace Review

Hey ladies! Is your baby going through that dreaded stage of teething yet? If so, this review may be useful to you! I am so happy to be reviewing an amber teething necklace from Amber Artisans.

As you might know, there are tons of companies out there promising real amber jewelry-however, a lot of them tend to become fakes and don't do a thing for your child's teething pain. However, Amber Artisans is 100% authentic and made (and sent from) Lithuania! They also offer a 100% guarantee!

Amber Artisans sells more than just teething necklaces:they sell amber bracelets, amber anklets, necklaces for adults, men's amber jewelry, etc. Everyone can benefit from the power of amber!

They have a huge selection of amber teething necklaces to choose from, here are just a few! I chose a lighter colored amber necklace because I have always heard that the lighter the color, the more or purer the amber!

Here is my son wearing his:

Isn't it adorable?? You will love all of the colors and styles that they offer! We get compliments and questions about ours all the time!

I noticed that when my son wore his necklace, he drooled LESS and was generally, well, HAPPIER! I would say this necklace is a WINNER!

To get your own teething necklace for your baby, visit their main store!

If you have any questions regarding amber necklaces, please contact the owner at: svajunas@amberartisans.com.

Disclaimer: I was given an amber teething necklace to test, at no cost. All opinions are my own.

10 Exercises to Target Your Full Booty

Booty, booty, booty, booty rockin' everywhere.

People are obsessed with their butts and achieving that perfect ass. The fact is that most people know what they have to do in order to get one, but they are not willing to put in the effort and time to attain it.

Perfect asses do not just happen overnight nor do they grow on trees (geez, if only!).

You have heard the same damn thing over and over: Squats, Lunges, Burpees-OH MY!

Well, there is a reason for that: THEY FREAKING WORK!

Got 15 minutes? Try these 5 resistance band moves for an even tighter booty!

Here are 10 of the best exercises to set your glutes on fire and start the process of building up your badonkadonk:

1. Squats

• Plant your feet flat on the ground, about shoulder-width apart.
• Point your feet slightly outward, not straight ahead.
• Never let your knees extend beyond your toes.
• Look straight ahead. Bend at your knees as if you were going to sit back in a chair, keeping your heels on the floor.
• Pull in your abs, and keep your lower back in a near neutral position (a slightly arched back might be unavoidable).
• Tighten your whole body when you perform the squat.
• Lower yourself. In a controlled manner slowly lower yourself down and back so that your upper legs are nearly parallel with the floor. Extend your arms for balance.
• Keep the upper body tight at all times.

2. Plie Squats

• Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart with toes turned out, holding lighter dumbbells vertically in front of thighs.
• Keeping abs tight and torso tall, bend knees 90 degrees; keep knees aligned between second and third toes and weight in heels.
• Press back to start; squeeze your glutes.

3. Donkey Kicks

• Get on all fours on mat (hands under shoulders, knees under hips).
• Keeping right knee bent 90 degrees, flex right foot and lift knee to hip level.
• Lower knee without touching floor; lift again. 
• Switch legs; repeat.

4. Fire Hydrants

1. Place your body on an all-fours position. Elbows should be slightly bent.
2. Back should be parallel to the ground, not arched or swayed downward.
3. Keeping the kneeling position raise left leg out to the side, parallel to the ground. Maintain for a second and slowly return to the initial position.
4. Repeat movement with same leg until set is finished. Repeat the exercise using the right leg.

5. Burpees

• Begin in a standing position. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Now, lower your body into a squatting position, placing your hands on the floor in front of you.
• Kick your feet back so that you are in push-up position. Keep your hands firmly on the ground to support your body.
• Lower your chest to do a push-up. Bring your chest back up.
• Kick your feet back to their original position. Stand up, and then jump into the air while clapping your arms overhead.
• Repeat.

6. Side Lunges

• Stand with your feet set about twice shoulder width apart, your feet facing straight ahead.
• Clasp your hands in front your chest.
• Shift your weight over to your right leg as you push your hips backward and lower your body by dropping your hips and bending your knees.
• Your lower right leg should remain nearly perpendicular to the floor.
• Your left foot should remain flat on the floor.
• Without raising yourself back up to a standing position, reverse the movement to the left. Alternate back and forth.

7. Split Jumps

• To prepare for the split jump, stand with one foot forward and the other foot back in a lunge position.
• Bend your knees slightly. Position your arms in front of your chest, elbows bent and hands in fists and touching.
• Jump up, swinging the back leg forward and the front leg to the back.
• Land with bent knees and come down into a full lunge so your back knee almost touches the floor.
• You may be tempted to lean forward as you do this move, but try to keep yourself as upright as possible.
• Once you've landed, immediately jump up again and alternate legs.

8. Speed Skaters

• Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms by sides.
• Hop to right, landing on right foot while sweeping left foot diagonally behind right leg and swinging left arm across body and right arm behind back.
• Jump to left, switching legs and arms to complete 1 rep.

9. Glute Bridges

• Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
• Raise your hips so your body forms as straight line from your shoulders to your knees.
• Pause in the up position, then lower your body back to the starting position.

10. Lunge Kicks

• Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms by sides, elbows bent.
• Lunge forward with left leg while swinging right arm forward and left arm back.
• This completes one rep. Alternate sides.

Want to build a better body in just 12 weeks? Check out my Fit Mommy Workout Bundle!

Buy now

Bundle & Save BIG!

In this bundle, you will receive:

-Butt & Thigh Blaster 4 Week Home Workout Program

-Armed & Fabulous 4 Week Home Program 

-Ab & Core Attach 4 Week Home Program

-Eat Clean, Get Lean 4 Week Meal Plan

All programs are bodyweight exercises only-NO GYM REQUIRED! You can simply do these at home within the comfort of your own home. 

Features 4 weeks of high-resolution step-by-step pictures and an exercise directory.

*The Armed & Fabulous program does require one set of dumbbells only.

Jumpstart your weightloss with this 4 week clean eating meal plan! With over 60 easy-to-make recipes, you are sure to enjoy the world of clean eating while losing those few extra pounds.

"Can I do all 3 workout programs together?" Absolutely! You can actually alternate them and do your butt program one day, arms the next, and then abs. Then start over! 

5 Resistance Band Moves to Lean Legs

A resistance band is one of my favorite workout tools available. One costs anywhere between $10-$20-highly affordable-and it is easy to pack one on the go. I simply will throw mine in my purse and use it during my lunch breaks! One of the main reasons why I love resistance band training so much is that there are endless moves that you can do. The band uses your own body weight as resistance against your body as you are completing each move. All you need is a band and YOU!

Here are 5 moves to leaner legs with a resistance band:

1. Front Squat

• Stand on a tube band with the feet slightly wider than your shoulders and center of the band between the feet.
• Holding a handle in each hand, bring the top of the band over each shoulder, securing the band in place by crossing your arms at your chest.
• Sit straight down, chest up, abs firm, pressing your knees out over your toes.
• Rise back up to start position and repeat for 8-12 reps.

2. Glute Bridge

• Tie a band around your legs right above your knees.
• Lie on your back with your feet on the floor, bending your knees to 90 degrees.
• Rise up with your hips until your shoulders, hips and knees align, contracting your glutes through the entire movement.
• Slowly lower down and bridge back up for 15-20 bridges.

3. Standing Adductor

• Anchor your loop band at ankle height to a support and stand with your left side facing the support, wrapping the free end around your right (outer) ankle.
• Stand perpendicular to the band and step away from the support to create some tension (the good kind, of course).
• From a wide stance, get into a quarter squat or an athletic stance, and then sweep your working ankle across your body past your standing leg, squeezing your thighs together.
• Slowly return to starting position and repeat for 12-15 reps before switching sides.

4. Leg Extension

• Anchor the loop band in a low position on a support, looping the other end around your ankle with the band positioned behind you.
• Step away from the anchor to create tension on the band, and position feet hip-width apart.
• Shift your weight to the left foot, and lift the right leg from the floor.
• Extend the knee until it straightens out in front of you.
• Slowly return your leg to starting position and repeat for 8-12 reps before switching legs.

5. Glute Kickback

• Wrap the resistance band around the right foot and hold onto the other side with of the band with your hands.
• Drop down onto your hands and knees.
• Holding the band tight kickback with your right foot that is in the band. Your leg should go from bent to locked out in a straight line.
• Do the desired amount of repetitions and then switch legs and repeat the steps.

Total Thigh Toner

I want to share my favorite move (besides weighted squats) to tone and tighten your inner and outer thighs!

This is one swift move and all you need is a resistance band. A resistance band costs around $10-$15-pretty cheap-and you can do countless exercises with one. They are also super easy to pack or take with you on the go.

Standing Leg Lift with Resistance Band

1. Begin with your right foot on one end of the band.
2. Place your left foot on the middle of the band, firmly flat on the floor.
3. In a slow, controlled manner, lift your left leg upward as far as you can. The band will act as resistance by using your body as a weight and forcing you to push harder.
4. Return to starting position and complete 3 sets of 12 reps.
5. Switch legs.

You should be able to feel the burn on your inner and outer thighs immediately.

The No-Squats Killer Booty Workout

Let's face it.

Not everyone can perform the ever so popular squat whether it's due to an injury or weak knees.

So here are 6 alternatives that will get you one step closer to a killer booty-possibly better than squats ever would!

1. Glute Kickback

• Get into a quadruped position with all four limbs on the floor.
• Your hands should be lined up directly under your shoulders and your knees should be directly under your hips.
• While keeping your knee bent, lift up one knee off the floor and drive your leg up toward the ceiling until your thighs become aligned with your torso.
• Lower your knee back toward the floor, and immediately move onto the next repetition. 
• Perform all repetitions on one leg before switching to the opposite leg.

2. Step Up

• Stand in front of a plyo box or a large step with either a barbell positioned on your upper back shoulders or dumbbells in your hands and down by your sides.
• Place one foot completely atop the box or step.
• Drive off that lead foot to lift your entire body up onto the box or step, driving the knee of your trail leg up to your chest.
• Keep your initial foot atop the box or step and lower your body back to the floor.
• Perform all repetitions on one leg before switching to the opposite leg.

3. Glute Circles

• Get on hands and knees and extend one leg, bent at roughly a 90-degree angle.
• Now draw a circle with the foot of the leg that is lifted.
• You will feel this in your glutes – this is a butt lifting workout as it targets and tones the glutes from multiple angles.
• Do 7 circles in each direction, on each leg.

 

4. Alternating Bridge Extensions

• Lie on your back with your knees bent so that your feet are flat on the ground.
• Press up through the feet to go into a “bridge” so that your bodyweight rests in your feet and shoulders.
• While in this position, extend one leg completely before placing it back down on the floor while lowering your body from the bridge.
• Alternate which leg extends each time you go up into the bridge.
• The backs of thighs (hamstrings) and glutes are the main targets during the bridge, while you will feel the leg extension in your quadriceps.

5. Swinging Bridges

• Go back into the bridge position described above.
• Here is where the “swinging” comes in; press upwards and to one side of the “bridge”, before dipping back down towards the mat while moving to press upwards at the opposite side.
• This one is a great no squat workout for the lower body.

6. Knee Tuck Extensions

• On all fours, lift one leg straight out behind you into the air so that you feel the burn in your glutes.
• Then, bring that same leg up and in so that your knee almost touches the elbow of the same side of the body.
• You will feel this in your glutes, thighs, obliques, lower back and even a bit in your arms and shoulders.

Want to build a better body in just 12 weeks? Check out my Fit Mommy Workout Bundle!

Buy now

Bundle & Save BIG!

In this bundle, you will receive:

-Butt & Thigh Blaster 4 Week Home Workout Program

-Armed & Fabulous 4 Week Home Program 

-Ab & Core Attach 4 Week Home Program

-Eat Clean, Get Lean 4 Week Meal Plan

All programs are bodyweight exercises only-NO GYM REQUIRED! You can simply do these at home within the comfort of your own home. 

Features 4 weeks of high-resolution step-by-step pictures and an exercise directory.

*The Armed & Fabulous program does require one set of dumbbells only.

Jumpstart your weightloss with this 4 week clean eating meal plan! With over 60 easy-to-make recipes, you are sure to enjoy the world of clean eating while losing those few extra pounds.

"Can I do all 3 workout programs together?" Absolutely! You can actually alternate them and do your butt program one day, arms the next, and then abs. Then start over! 

Diary of a Fit Mommy's Total Body Stroller Workout

Hey ladies! 

For those of us who stay at home with a baby on our hands all day, it can be a tedious task trying to sneak a workout in-especially when baby does not nap on schedule-or altogether! I have created a very basic and simple stroller workout for stay at home moms, and working moms alike, to complete each morning or evening-or when you get the chance! It combines 9 key moved and takes about 20 minutes to complete. Best of all? You get to spend time with your little one and get them out & about while keeping your body in check!

Begin workout with a 5 minute warm up jog.

1. Decline Push-Ups

• Kneel on floor with bench or elevation behind body. 
• Position hands on floor slightly wider than shoulder width. 
• Place feet on the footrest of the stroller. 
• Raise body body in plank position with body straight and arms extended.
• Keeping body straight, lower upper body to floor by bending arms. 
• Push body up until arms are extended. 
• Repeat for 3 sets of 10 reps.

2. Glute Bridges

• Lie on your back on the floor with your feet firmly resting on the footrest of the stroller.
• Gently contract your abdominal muscles to flatten your low back into the floor.
• Attempt to maintain this gentle muscle contraction throughout the exercise.
•  Gently exhale, keeping the abdominals engaged and lift your hips up off the floor.
• Inhale and slowly lower yourself back to your starting position.
• Repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.

3. Stroller Crunches

• Lie on your back on the floor. 
• Bend your knees and rest your feet on the stroller's footrest. 
• Place your hands behind your neck or head.
• Lift your shoulders towards the ceiling using your abdominal muscles and pause at the peak.
• When your shoulders are off the ground, pause and hold that position for a full second (or more).
• Ease back down slowly as you inhale. Don’t just “plop” back down. Your control on the way down works your ab muscles as well.
• Repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.

4. Stroller Sit-Ups

• Have your knees bent slightly and your feet resting on the stroller's footrest.
• Place your hands on opposing shoulders, so that your arms are crossed over your chest, or behind your head. This allows you a central rising point.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles gently by drawing in your belly button to your spine
• Slowly and gently lift your head first, followed by your shoulder blades. Focus your eyes on your knees, all the while gently contracting the abdominal muscles.
• Pull up from the floor until you’re at a ninety-degree angle.
• Hold the position for a second. Slowly bring the torso back to the floor but try to keep it slightly elevated off the ground. This means not to place your back flat to the ground but to keep a slight, yet relaxed, arch.
• Repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.

5. Stroller Squats

• Plant your feet flat on the ground, about shoulder-width apart.
• Point your feet slightly outward, not straight ahead.
• Look straight ahead. Bend at your knees as if you were going to sit back in a chair, keeping your heels on the floor.
• Pull in your abs, and keep your lower back in a near neutral position.
• Tighten your whole body when you perform the squat.
• In a controlled manner slowly lower yourself down and back so that your upper legs are nearly parallel with the floor. Extend your arms for balance.
• Keep the upper body tight at all times.
• Slowly lift yourself back up to starting position.
• Repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.

6. Stroller Lunges

• Stand up straight, with your legs hip-width apart. Place your hands on the stroller bar. Flex your abdominal muscles inward and upward.
• Step forward with your right foot approximately 2 or 3 feet. Keep your back straight as your body moves forward.
• Lift your left foot up slightly, so that the toe is in contact with the floor, but your heel is not.
• Bend both of your knees at the same time.
• Pause in this position for 1 to 5 seconds. Stopping your forward momentum will help you to put more effort into rising from the lunge.
• Push off of your right heel to rise. Return your right leg to its starting position.
• Repeat with the left leg for 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.

7. Squat & Roll

• Just as with the previous squat exercise, plant your feet flat on the ground, about shoulder-width apart.
• Point your feet slightly outward, not straight ahead.
• Look straight ahead. Bend at your knees as if you were going to sit back in a chair, keeping your heels on the floor.
• Pull in your abs, and keep your lower back in a near neutral position.
• Tighten your whole body when you perform the squat.
• In a controlled manner slowly lower yourself down and back so that your upper legs are nearly parallel with the floor. Extend your arms for balance.
• Keep the upper body tight at all times.
• Now, you are going to roll your stroller 2 or 3 feet ahead of you while you remain firmly in the squat position. Hold this position for 5 seconds.
• Slowly lift yourself back up to starting position, pulling the stroller back inward with you as you rise.
• Repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.

8. Standing Stroller Leg Lifts

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding the stroller bar with both hands.
• Shift weight to right leg and extend left to the side for 5 seconds, holding this position. To make things more challenging, try holding for 10 seconds.
• Slowly, lower your leg leg back downward and repeat on the opposite leg.
• Do  3 sets of 15 reps, on each side.

9. Stroller Plank

• Start off  in the pushup position.
• Lower both your forearms to the ground so that both your elbows and fists are flat to the ground. Your palms should be balled up, and directly underneath your shoulders.
• Curl your toes under and engage your abs by tilting your pelvis and pulling your belly button toward your spine.
• Straighten your body but keep your neck and spine neutral. Imagine that you’re a plank of wood, and that you’re straight as an arrow.
• Flex your abdominals and squeeze your glutes. These are the two major muscle groups you’ll be working out in this exercise.
• Hold this position, also known as the plank, until after the burning begins-usually 5 to 10 seconds. I like to look up at my son, who is sitting in the stroller, and talk to him to help time pass.
• Repeat 10 times for 5-10 seconds (or as long as you can) per plank.

After your planks, end your workout routine by cooling down for a 5 minute walk. 

Then you are done!

YAY!!

Now, here are some pinnable AND printable charts to save for quick reference:

Blast Your Tummy Pouch In One Simple Move

Lots of questions rolling in regarding the dreaded tummy pooch. This is primarily caused by underworked lower abdominal muscles-and this tends to store fat right there! Having a baby does not make it any easier! 

Here's my favorite move to help blast your "pooch" to nonexistence! 

This workout will tap into your deep abdominal core layers that pulls your waistline in like a corset.

Perform 3 sets of 12 reps daily.

5 Awesome Couples Workouts to Do Right Now!

Have you ever heard that couples who workout together, stay together?

Since my husband and I began workout out together, I have noticed that it has brought us closer together. 

We are each other's cheerleaders. 

We coach each other to keep going, never giving up.

We keep each other motivated when we want to skip a workout. 

Your partner in your love life can actually be the best workout partner in your fitness life as well!

Family fitness does not stop there, you can even include your baby in this 5 minute mommy & baby workout!

Here are 5 routines that you and your partner can enjoy together!

1. Partner Planks

• Lie on your stomach, facing your partner.
• Keep elbows under shoulders, palms flat on floor, and toes tucked under.
• Using your abdominals, elevate your torso and reach forward with your right hand to touch your partner’s right hand.
• Switch arms.
• Gently lower your body back to the ground.
• That’s one repetition; complete 12 total.

2. Manual Resisted Push-Ups

• Get in the standard push-up position: back straight, abs tight, hands shoulder-width apart, up on your toes. Your partner faces the same direction and straddles your back, pressing on your shoulders.
• Bend your elbows to lower your upper body while your partner applies just enough pressure to force you to resist the downward motion.
• When you come to an inch or so away from the floor, press back up to the start. Your partner continues to press your shoulders downward, resisting your upward movement.
• Repeat for 10 reps with 3 sets.

3. Medicine Ball Partner Pass

• Kneel on the floor back-to-back, and slowly twist to one side to hand the ball off to your partner (who should be turning toward you).
• Then twist to the other side as they turn to hand the ball back to you.
• Continue passing the ball in that direction for 60-90 seconds, and then repeat the exercise in reverse.

4. Assisted Pistol Squats

• Stand 2 feet from your partner, facing each other.
• Hold each other's wrists.
• Lift and extend opposite legs.
• Support & lower each other into a one legged squat.
• Return to start and repeat for 12 reps.

5. Double Lunge

• Stand facing your partner, about an arm’s length apart, and hold each other’s hands.
• Lunge forward with your right leg as your partner lunges backward with their left leg.
• Reverse the motion, lunging backward with your right leg as your partner lunges forward with their left.
• Complete 10-12 reps, then switch sides.

Here is a killer couple routine that is definitely NOT for beginners, but pretty entertaining to watch.

Now grab your partner and get to work!

Photo source: Tumblr

5 Minute Mommy & Baby Workout

3 simple exercises that you can do at home with your baby-especially when you cannot make it to the gym!

Vicore Core Ab Bench Review

Hi ladies! To those of you who were interested in building your own gym, I have a stellar piece of equipment to show you! I would like to introduce you to Vicore Fitness.

Vicore Fitness supplies elite gym equipment to work your entire core!

I specifically had the chance to review the Core Ab Bench. This bench is freaking phenomenal. When I hear the term "ab bench" I think just a plan flat bench that you lay on to do your crunches. However, this is not your ordinary ab bench-not even by a longshot! This bench inclines to work every single muscle in your whole entire core section. I also noticed that my quads, hips, and my obliques were sore as hell! The incline actually forces you to use your ENTIRE body to literally pull yourself UP to complete the sit up or crunch. It is also easy to roll around the room. The seat is also INFLATABLE! This eases tailbone and back pain by cushioning your body and reducing impact when you come down.

In my professional opinion, this is probably one of the best benches around.

If you are interested in purchasing your own ab bench or any other product from their incredible line, you can certainly do so! Vicore is actually in the process of adding a shopping cart to the site where we offer great deals on demo equipment. Vicore is a Commercial Line, meaning that they usually distribute through dealers. But, this does not mean that we will not sell to a home user, you just need to contact them to get a quote if they want to purchase brand new equipment.
To get a quote on a particular Vicore product, please contact: daina@vicorefitness.com. 

To check out the rest of Vicore Fitness' inventory or to learn more about Vicore, visit their:

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Disclaimer: I was given an ab bench to test, at no cost. All opinions are my own.