This week has been challenging. I started a new full time job. I believed that it is what going to be a 9 to 5 job, but actually I have been working for 12 hours a day. I think that I need to organize my schedule to try to see how exercise fits into my day.

I have been wearing my pedometer everyday and I have 12000 plus steps every day however I have not been able to really workout. I guess I could wake up really early, but I am pretty tired. Yes, I know I am using a excuse, but I think I need to adapt to the new schedule.  I hope that with time my hours will be less each day, but right now, I am trying to learn the office and I need to put all those hours with the hope that later I can have an easier schedule.

I guess the good news I did not gain weight and the bad news I have not lost any weight. I wish I had some weight lost, but at least I have not seen the scale going up.

I do not want to feel down, so I am keeping a positive attitude. I am a tired but optimistic that I can organize my time better.

Summer swimming fun!

This week was challenging. I was sick. Probably a combination of a mild cold with strep. I had fever, sore throat and all my muscles were in pain. I just wanted to stay in bed and no move at all. I have to say that I did not moved as much as I should, but I did found strength to move, just to walk for a few miles and ride the bike for 30 minutes.

However I did not use the elliptical or work on the abs. I did not feel good about it, but I really needed to take a little break to make sure I was rested and ready to start my full time job this week.

Weight lost this week 1 pound

Total weight lost so far 6 pounds

Talking about the upcoming week, now that presents itself with another challenge. I will be working full time, and because of the training, long hours. I am working on my schedule to make sure that either early in the morning or late at night I am able to squeeze some exercise. I guess that there is not perfect time for the topic of this week blogging carnival. What qualities do you look for in a healthy breakfast? Any go-to breakfast recommendations for a busy mom?

This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Quaker Oats. And since I will be starting to work very early in the morning, I have to think about something that will be easy to prepare, good taste and not too heavy to eat at 5 am in the morning. While browsing the Quaker Oats website I found the different options for my breakfast and I went to the store to buy products so I can assure that I will start the week with a healthy breakfast.

I bought the Quaker Weight Control Instant Oatmeal - Maple & Brown Sugar it does not only look good but the fact that it is already designed to help with weight control, called my attention

I also got the cereal Oatmeal Squares - Brown Sugar  Last week I got a container that is designed to carry the milk and keep it cold and carry the cereal. I think that the cereal would be great to take and eat while I am in the office if I did not have time to eat at home. I need to be sure I will not be skipping breakfast and I did on the past.

I was not aware that they had some snacks as well. From what I knew about Quaker Oats in Colombia it was about the oatmeal, so it was a nice surprise to see the snacks and I got the Quaker Rice Cakes - Caramel Corn Oh my, I had some after I got back from the store, and they are great.

I think that the great options that Quaker Oats offers are great for busy moms. I will not have an excuse now for not having breakfast. I have healthy and yummy options. I will try the other cereals and flavors or rice cakes as well.

This post is sponsored by Quaker Oats and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation and sponsored by Quaker Oats

According to their website Shellac™, is a UV cured ‘hybrid’ nail color that brushes on like polish but holds up like a gel—so its natural, glossy ‘wet look’ finish can last up to 2 weeks without smudging or chipping (and doesn’t require power tools for removal). It’s perfect pre-vacation, pre-honeymoon, or pre-anything. Your dazzling, durable digits will leave you ‘shellac’-shocked!

I heard about shellac the first time from the amazing blogger @RobynsWorld and I got interested about the concept of a manicure that was going to last for 2 weeks without chipping.

I love having manicures and pedicures done. It is the treat I give myself every two weeks, however the color on my manicure always gets chipped two days after and I have to apply a clear polish at home until it is time to go again, or stop just for a color change which increases the cost quite a bit.

I found some local places that offered the service and I decided to try it out. I had a normal pedicure, which felt great as usual, however the process for the manicure was different to what I am used to.

The initial process was the same, soaking hands on warm water, excess of cuticle removal, hand massage, oil warm towel and nail buffering. What happened next was different.

The manicurist paid close and crucial attention to my cuticles for this manicure removing any excess with cuticle eraser, and she gently removed my cuticles and got each finger as clean and neat as could be.  Apparently prepping the nails is essential in the process. Then she applied a Shellac base coat and asked me to put the hands under a UV light to cure the polish. Each hand goes under the lamp for45 seconds. Then she applied the Shellac UV color. I choose the French manicure. She applied the pink shade, hands under the lamp, then white tips, hands under the lamp, and then another coat of pink and hands under the lamp. The final step is application of top coat and hands under the lamp. Then what happens is unbelievable:  the manicurist gets a cotton ball with alcohol to remove the top film and polish the nails to a mirror shine. I could not believe she was going to touch my just painted nails with cotton ball, but the polish stayed and my hands were completely DRY!!

Yes, dry! You can take money out of your wallet to pay, and get in your car and drive away... No chips, no dings, nada.

I usually chip my manicure while getting in the car, and I never get a French manicure because I know that when I do dishes that night the polish is going to get peeled, but I am really happy. I have been shopping, playing, cleaning, doing dishes and my nails are perfect.

The Shellac manicure looks and feels just like regular nail polish, not thick and heavy like gels or acrylics

The procedure costs about $30 to 45 in my area (Ventura, CA) -not so much more than a nice manicure!

There are still a limited number of colors Shellac; however the shellac color doesn’t stop at just the color you see on the bottle. Layering makes ALL the difference and you can create more colors.

For removal they recommend the Shellac nail polish remover wraps that help you remove the color yourself with their special nail wraps and 99% acetone – but according to the manicurist Shellac SHOULD be removed by a nail professional in a salon for the best results.

I will write a blog update in two weeks to let you know how long it lasted and about the removal process.