What Jean Likes

Despair

Words seem empty when our world has gotten so twisted and evil that a child cannot go to school without the fear of death at the hand of a mad man.

There were posts I had written and planned that I just can't bring myself to post just yet. The needless death of 28 people, 20 of them children. Little children between the ages of 5 and 10 brutally shot and slain for what? I can't wrap my mind around this and how anyone could be so evil that he would shoot an innocent child.

As a mother of a 10 year old and an aunt to a 5 & 2 year old, my heart just breaks for the parents and families of these murdered children. When I heard the news of the tragedy that occurred on Friday, I had just dropped my son off at school. My heart dropped as I watched the children being evacuated and the families sobbing in fear and heartbreak. I can't even begin to imagine how it must feel to lose your baby so unexpectedly and in such a way. I must confess that I called the school to make sure they were taking precautions just because I wanted to make sure my boy was okay. When I got him home I hugged him tightly and explained to him what had happened and how much I love him.

I feel so helpless and wish there was something that could be done to make it better, to comfort those families suffering the loss of their loved ones. All we can do is pray for the families of all those who were murdered or injured. I read a very beautiful prayer on another blog that I will share now.

simplyheavenlyfood:

Our dear Heavenly Father we lift up all of the families who lost their precious little children and other family members in the shooting at the elementary school today. Our hearts are broken for the children and adults who were killed this morning in the Connecticut shooting. Our heart aches for those parents, teachers, children and families. They said on the news that this is the worst school shooting in American history. Lord we know You were present with each and every one of them as their lives were savagely taken too soon. Lord we pray for the kids who were there today who saw the shooting, had friends killed, heard the gun shots. God please hold their hearts. Please comfort them. Lord, I pray for the teachers and adults please show them Your love. That You’re in their midst, You are a Refuge and in Your presence there is no fear. Lord may You be glorified in this situation. Please bring people to You, restore, comfort, save, hold, uplift, and be ever present now. We ask that you comfort the members of the families that are left behind to mourn their loss. Let your words “I am with you” comfort each family member and keep them from falling into the depths of despair over this unimaginable loss. Having the comfort of knowing that someday very soon they will see their loved ones again. Lord we pray that the police are given Your wisdom as they handle this terrible tragedy so that justice will be served swiftly. In Jesus name we pray, Amen and Amen. God bless you all.

All my love and aloha goes out to those families and all of you who are saddened by this tragic and needless loss.

Aloha,

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, by WhatJeanLikes

aloha

Aloha Friday Blog Hop... Come celebrate the weekend with us!

Hosted by:

What Jean Likes & A Cat-Like Curiosity

Love, The Skinnys

One Haole Girl

A Little Bit of Brandy

Simply Heavenly Food

Hope & Sugar

PonderWonders

Grab our button!!

(If this button is too small or too big, click HERE to view all the different sized buttons you can use instead! )

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/search/label/aloha" title="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee419/whatjeanlikes/AlohaFridayBlogHopbutton.jpg" alt="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

The Aloha Friday Blog Hop is more than a "Friday" hop, it's a way to share aloha and friendship to our fellow bloggers all weekend long!! I consider this particular blog hop to be more of a weekend hop because Fridays are so hectic that a lot of people function on what we like to call "Hawaiian Time" here in Hawai'i which means they link up on Saturday or sometimes even Sunday which is just fine and dandy with me! That's why I keep it open from Friday through Monday because I sincerely believe, the more the merrier!!

If you're interested in co-hosting next month's Aloha Friday Blog Hop, please email Jean@whatjeanlikes.com for more info.

This week we wanted to add a little something extra special to our lovely hop. It's an oh-so-easy opportunity for you lovely participants of the Aloha Friday Blog hop to get some exposure to your blogs!! What do you have to do to enter? Just link up to the Aloha Friday Blog Hop Below!! It's that easy!! No extra forms or hassle, just link up! Each week we will pick a linker to featured at random and invite you all to say ...

Grab a button if you were featured this week!

Aloha Hoapili translates as Hello Close Friend. So, without further ado let me introduce you to this week's featured friend ...

Judy from Judy HJ's Thoughts - A Twinless Twin.

Judy blogs all about her struggles with losing her twin as well as some creative and inspirational ideas for everyday life. Want a little taste of her blog? Check out these posts to find out what you've been missing: Yummy Peppered Steak. Delicious Jamaican Patties. Jamaica Skyscape. If you're not already a follower than you definitely should be! Now, let's link up and start spreading that Aloha shall we?

Just A Few Simple Requests:

Follow your Aloha Friday Hop hosts and team members.

(Please leave a comment with a link to your site and we will be sure to follow you back)

Link up your family friendly blogs

(Or other sites and projects you'd like to share)

Share this hop so that others might join in.

(If you'd like, you are welcome to post this hop on your site and/or add our button to your site!)

Visit at least three other blogs and let them know you've come to share aloha.

(How lucky are we to start our wonderful weekends together, let's have fun with this)

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, by WhatJeanLikes

family

Oh the Hustle and Bustle of it all...

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Awana via HNN

The holidays are an especially hectic time of year. It seems like more people are out on the road, in the malls and at the stores. I often wonder when and if anyone works anymore and if not, where they find the money to burn... I personally have little time to do the things I want because I'm busy either working at the "day job", attending work related meetings/outings or being a mom which is my #1 priority. It's an endless juggling act where I have about 10 balls up in the air at a time and I can't let any of them drop because if one did, the rest of the balls would drop too. Well I'm sure that if one dropped, I'd figure out a way to keep juggling the rest, but being the perfectionist I am, I try to keep it all in order although it doesn't always end up the way I'd hope.

Isn't that just the way life is sometimes? It seems like when you have everything mapped out the way you think you want it, life throws you a curve ball or puts a wrench in your plans that leads you down a road you never imagined being on. It's so easy to lose track of the plans and goals you set out for yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Being a single working mom presents quite the challenge to me on a daily basis because I have to map out all of my "day job" tasks and how to efficiently complete them while also making sure that my son is at school on time, ready for the day and then picked up on time and off to his respective sports and activities.

Whether you're a "working" mom or a stay at home mom, doesn't it seem like the "to-do's" list grows longer and longer each day? Sometimes I feel like no matter how many of those items I complete, there are still many more waiting in the wings. My mom was a stay at home mom and boy oh boy, did she work her butt off taking care of my brother and I. We were not the easiest children to take care of although I like to pretend I was an angelic daughter not giving my dear mom a moment of worry or trouble. My mom worked her butt off to make sure we were well taken care of, that the house was clean and that we always kept busy with music or sports. Were it not for her diligence and hard work, I would not be the well-rounded individual I am today. Thanks mom!

I think stay at home moms work harder and longer than "working" moms because not only do they get no time off, but their "job" is so much more important. Raising children is the most rewarding and challenging job a person could ever have. It's the only job I've ever had that I truly loved doing. Being a mom (or a dad) so important because though there are no bonuses, vacation pay, progress reports or board meetings, the end result of parenthood is having a balanced and happy young adult that you let out into the world to do good for him/herself and others. Being a single mom can be so hard because I have to be both a "working" mom and a "stay at home" mom at the same time and sometimes I feel like I have no time to breathe.

I think that sometimes the things I worry about for my "day job" and the "important" to-do's are actually the lesser of the true priorities in life. As a parent you find it's the quiet moments and the little things that add up to make the bigger picture. Spending time with my son this weekend working on a diorama and a report for Indian in the Cupboard project he had for school was one of those quiet moments that will last a lifetime in my memory. I had tons of "day job" paperwork to do and tons of people to follow back from the Aloha Friday Blog Hop (which is still going on so link up if you haven't yet) but my Alaka'i asked me to help him with ideas for his diorama so I took the time I didn't have to spend helping him brainstorm. I dropped so many balls yesterday for the "day job" but none of it mattered because my son was more important. I had the privilege of helping my son discover ideas he never considered as his imagination soared cloud high. With a little direction and a few glides of the paintbrush to show him how, I helped my boy create something spectacular that he was so proud to take to school this morning. Seeing the look of pride knowing he did a good job all by himself was worth more to me than all the money in the world.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that Monday is being kind to you.

xoxo,

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, by WhatJeanLikes

health

Are You a Sugar Addict?

Do you crave sweets or carbs? You may not know it, but you could be a sugar addict. It's a dangerous addiction to have because there is sugar in nearly everything we consume. It's not just found in the candies and sugary sweets we eat either. Carbohydrates turn into sugar once they reach our bloodstream so if you're a carb lover and/or a sugar lover like me, you need to read this in-depth article on how to know if you're addicted to sugar and how to cut the cravings and detox so you can get healthy.

Overconsumption of processed sugar can contribute to a number of conditions, including tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, hormonal imbalances, overgrowth of candida yeast, chronic fatigue, more severe PMS symptoms, anxiety—and yep, even wrinkles. On the other hand, if you start to cut sugar out of your diet, you can shed excess weight, increase your energy, improve your concentration, improve your moods, and possibly steer clear of diabetes. Ready to kick-start your sugar detox? To help you out, I'll let you in on some reasons why we get addicted, and how to read food labels for hidden sugars. I'll also give you some tips on how to start your sugar detox so you'll have a much better chance at living a long, vibrant, and disease-free life.

Why we crave sugar. According to AskDrSears.com, "Sweets trigger an increase in the hormone serotonin—a mood-elevating hormone. The body and brain get used to this higher level of serotonin and even depend on it for a sense of well-being. So when our serotonin level dips, (we dip) into the (sweets) to 'correct' the situation." According to the Web site, sweets also "trigger the release of endorphins . . . the brain's natural narcotics, helping you to relax when stressed."

You've probably noticed that although sugar gives you an initial high (a rapid spike in your blood sugar), you crash several hours later, leaving you wanting more. It's because sugar takes away more energy than it gives. Eventually, you find yourself exhausted, anxious, and moody. I know I've definitely experienced this crash too many times.

Is the sweet taste worth the unpleasant effects? Think gaining weight is the only negative effect of consuming too much sugar? Nancy Appleton, PhD, author of Lick the Sugar Habit, describes some surprising ways sugar intake can negatively affect your health:

Suppresses the immune system's defenses against bacterial infections

Increases the risk of blood clots and strokes

Contributes to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating

Can lead to hypoglycemia, kidney damage, an elevation in harmful cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and tooth decay

Helps speed the aging process, including wrinkles and gray hair

The list goes on . . .
Read more here: http://teambeachbody.com/about/newsletters/-/nli/203#87688777

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, by WhatJeanLikes

beauty

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum Gives New Meaning to Age Smart

I'm 30, almost 31 actually and I was taught all my life by my mother that it's quite important to take good care of your skin and that prevention is better than correction. Living in a place like Hawai'i has it's advantages and it's disadvantages when it comes to taking care of your skin. The perpetual summer and high humidity are generally kinder to skin than drier climates. In Hawai'i we don't have to adjust for changing seasons, dry summers and blistering cold winters. For the most part, the climate only slightly changes which makes it a lot easier to effectively care for your skin. Sounds great right... well, the heat and hot sun can take it's toll on your skin, especially if you like the outdoors like I did growing up. I used to bake myself in the sun at the beach every day after I graduated high school. It didn't do that much damage, but it did enough.

In the last several years I started actually listening to my mother's sage advice (imagine that) and I started taking better care of my skin. It doesn't take a lot of money to do so. A good moisturizer, age appropriate eye cream and a good SPF are pretty much all you need to maintain good looking, healthy skin. I have acne prone combination skin and in recent years have found that using gentler products actually eliminates my acne far more effectively than the creams marketed specifically for acne. I prefer to use products that are gentle and made with natural ingredients without artificial colors or fragrances. With my sensitive, acne prone skin, I need something that works well without irritating my skin causing breakouts or further damage. The funny thing is that I swore by acne products in the past and thought that the only way to clear my skin up was to use as many of them as possible. Acne products serve their purpose but if you use too harsh a cream or don't replenish the moisture that they strip from your skin, it not only causes irritation but also leads to dryness that can start the aging process prematurely.

I also use a multivitamin serum made by one of my favorite brands, Dermalogica. It's a serum that I put on my skin before applying moisturizer that not only gives my skin a smoother feel and texture, but it helps to heal my skin and even out the color and texture without causing any irritation. Though this product is marketed for aging/mature skin, it works quite well for me (remember prevention is better than correction). It's in a slender 0.75 FL. oz / 22 ml silver tube (much like the Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer that I use) that retails for $65 (US). All you need is a small amount (less than a pea sized drop of the serum) to spread all over your face. Follow that with your regular moisturizer and eye cream and you're ready for the day.

Here is what Dermalogica says about the Multivitamin Power Serum:

An age-fighting serum containing micro encapsulated vitamins A, C and E to help increase skin recovery, decrease fine lines and age spots while defending against skin aging. Boost elasticity levels with a skin-strengthening protein peptide that overrides biochemical triggers that lead to skin aging. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors.

It helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles
It helps stimulate collagen synthesis
It enhances cell turnover and cell renewal
It provides antioxidant protection
It helps control pigmentation
It can be worn during the day and/or at night
It is not suitable for use during pregnancy due to the high concentration of Vitamin A
This product replaces MultiVitamin Power Concentrate
It was developed to target mature or prematurely-aging skin, however the vitamins and nutrients will benefit all skin conditions.

Though this serum is not "all natural" like many of the other products I use on my skin, I gave it a chance because I love so many of the other products that Dermalogica has to offer. I got it a couple months ago and wanted to give it a real try so I put off reviewing until now. It was the only thing I added to my current regimen that has worked for me for quite some time. I changed nothing else. Over the two months, I noticed that my skin was instantly smoother and my pores appeared smaller. In the course of one week, the redness in certain areas of my face was reduced and the dry spots around my nose and mouth were more supple and the dry areas were gone. After about a month and a half, my skin tone was more even and the dark spots I had from previous sun damage and acne scarring were lighter and less noticeable.

So down to the point. It's $65 for 0.75FL oz (22 ml) of product. It's expensive for the amount of product you're buying. At first glance, one might be instantly turned off by the price and I totally understand that. I wish it were cheaper. If you try the product, however, you'll realize it's worth every penny. I've tried EVERY single other skin tone correcting cream and this is by far the best I've used, plus it has vitamins and helps to prevent and correct premature aging. Do you have to be a certain age to use it? No. Remember, prevention is better than correction. It will work as well on younger skin as it will on aging skin. I'd say anyone over the age of 25 would benefit from this product. I don't think people younger than that would really need it although it does help with skin evenness and texture so it's worth trying if you have problems in that department.

Positives:

Instantly improves the look and feel of skin.
Creates smoother skin texture and evens skin tone.
Lightens acne scarring.
Helps prevent premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles.
Helps makeup apply more evenly because your skin is smoother.

Negatives:

At $65 for 0.75 FL oz, it's kind of pricey.
Availability limited to specific salons which makes it more difficult to find than other products.

I think in this case, the positives far outweigh the negatives. If you can afford it, I suggest you try it or go to a store that carries it and sample it. I have tried products from so many other brands to even out my skin tone and remove acne scarring and though some have worked, none have come close to delivering me the results that this product has. What makes this product special is that it's not even specifically marketed as a product that evens skin tone. Dermalogica does say that it will help with age spots and premature aging but it does so much more. It will be something that remains in my beauty arsenal for years to come.

Availability: Dermalogica

Disclosure: This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by the brand or its PR firm. Our priority is to you, and we honor that commitment by being honest! We don't do paid reviews or guarantee reviews. We're going to give you the truth and nothing but! For more information, please read our disclosures & policies page. This specific product was sent by the brand for me to try and review on their website. I really like this product so I decided to do an additional review of it on my website as well.

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, by WhatJeanLikes

life

A Day That Will Live in Infamy...

No comments

, by WhatJeanLikes

aloha

It's Aloha Friday ..All Weekend Long..Blog Hop Time!! #33

Hosted by:

What Jean Likes & A Cat-Like Curiosity

Love, The Skinnys

One Haole Girl

A Little Bit of Brandy

Simply Heavenly Food

Hope & Sugar

PonderWonders

Grab our button!!

(If this button is too small or too big, click HERE to view all the different sized buttons you can use instead! )

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/search/label/aloha" title="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee419/whatjeanlikes/AlohaFridayBlogHopbutton.jpg" alt="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

If you're interested in co-hosting next month's Aloha Friday Blog Hop, please email Jean@whatjeanlikes.com for more info.

Grab a button if you were featured this week!

Aloha Hoapili translates as Hello Close Friend. So, without further ado let me introduce you to this week's featured friend ...

Emma from Mommy Has a Headache.

Emma is an expat stranded in a foreign country! She blogs about re-modelling her house (and all it's attendant stresses and strains) plus Hello Kitty and all things funny. Want a little taste of her blog? Check out these posts to find out what you've been missing: The Wacky World of Hello Kitty - I had to include this one. Read it and you'll know exactly why :) Raising Global Nomads - very, very funny! If Guinea Pigs Could Tweet. If you're not already a follower than you definitely should be!

Now, let's link up and start spreading that Aloha shall we?

Just A Few Simple Requests:

Follow your Aloha Friday Hop hosts and team members.

(Please leave a comment with a link to your site and we will be sure to follow you back)

Link up your family friendly blogs

(Or other sites and projects you'd like to share)

Share this hop so that others might join in.

(If you'd like, you are welcome to post this hop on your site and/or add our button to your site!)

Visit at least three other blogs and let them know you've come to share aloha.

(How lucky are we to start our wonderful weekends together, let's have fun with this)

No comments

, by WhatJeanLikes

Pages

Despair

Aloha Friday Blog Hop... Come celebrate the weekend with us!

Oh the Hustle and Bustle of it all...

Are You a Sugar Addict?

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum Gives New Meaning to Age Smart

A Day That Will Live in Infamy...

It's Aloha Friday ..All Weekend Long..Blog Hop Time!! #33

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