My Peloton Cycling Hack...

Okay, so the number one & two questions I get on Instagram is : “How much do you love your Peloton bike?” And when I tell them I don’t own one, the next question is: “Then what bike do you have and do you recommend it?”

Lets go back to 2016, when I learned that I actually enjoyed spin classes by buying a cheap stand for my road bike (which I hated, because it was loud and awkward). I highly recommend learning whether or not you like spin classes before you make this investment, because this type of workout isn’t for everyone.

But I’m going to be real with you all, because you know that’s just how I roll. Listen up. If you have the money to invest in a legit Peloton bike & you already know you love spin classes, I will tell you, WITHOUT A DOUBT, invest in that bike. I’m just biding my time until I can afford to buy one of my very own, but this little hack in the meantime has helped me!

Flash forward to 2018, Ryan asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and after just coming off of a full year of breastfeeding Verona, I was ready to tone up, but didn’t want to go back to my makeshift bike stand. To his surprise, I said “Please get me a spin bike. Or a Peloton” In true Ryan fashion, he proceeded to get on Consumer Report, and read everything he could to figure out the most bang for our buck. We only had a couple hundred dollars to spend at the time, and so he bought me a Sunny Health Stationary bike. (They don’t make it anymore, But I have linked one similar).

My View. Notice the top left corner telling me my heart rate and cadence.

The key to success was the add ons: switching out the caged pedals with legit cycling pedals, getting riding shoes, a cadence sensor and heart rate monitor & downloading and paying for the Peloton app. {Which is free for 30 days right now, with a new signup btw}

When using the Peloton App on my iPad, I can connect my heart rate monitor and cadence sensor through bluetooth and it makes it so much easier to follow along with the workouts! I set my iPad on the handle bars, clip in and get to work.

Unfortunately, you won’t know your resistance or output, but a lot of times the instructors will describe how the “road” should be feeling. (ie. Flat road, cycling through mud, steep hill, etc)

I can’t say enough good things about the Peloton app. Not only do I adore the cycling classes, but they also have Treadmill workouts, Vinyasa Style Yoga, Strength classes, bootcamps, Cardio, Outdoor Running Audio, Meditation, stretching and more. I can easily find something to do each day, depending on what level of exertion I want to do.

I love cycling. Especially when the workouts are tough, and the music is loud and amazing. I’m one of those people who is easily motivated by music, but it has been KEY right now for me to tune out the world and do the hard work.

Go to this link : << My Workout Love List on Amazon >>if you want to find my favorite sports bras, preworkout, protein powder, yoga favorites and more. I’m going to do a post later about my health journey, because I think that’s very important as well.

All the images below have links to each item if your interested! And if you have any more questions, please leave me some comments and I’ll try to answer as I go!!

...Because I Love to Share.

I’m coming up on ten years of owning this domain. It started as a photography blog/business, and I used to blog almost every day. Some days it was interesting, and sometimes I was so bored that I wrote a poem about my pumpkin scone. But I have kept this little space here on the inter-webs to come back to every now and again because I will forever have this dream of one day blogging more about my life. I don’t find myself particularly interesting. I’m not famous, and I may never go on to do anything noteworthy to be added to the history books, but I love my family, I love being a mom & I love sharing.

“Are people even reading blogs anymore? Is this still a thing? :Check: :Check: “Is this thing on?”

”

The question always comes up “Why do you post so much online?” And my answer is this. “Because I love to share.” I do. I always have. I love connecting with people and making people feel less alone, especially if it’s by sharing something funny, sad or embarrassing that I’m going through.

I tell myself every couple months “Well once my kids get a little older… once life settles down… once I get the house in order… once I get a better handle on creating content… etc” The truth is, I always have an excuse to not show up here in this space because I think I’m not put together enough for people to find me interesting or actually care. And, well, that may be true. Maybe no one reads this and maybe I spent 20-30 min downloading my thoughts and feelings just to send it out into the void for no one to care, but I’m realizing that I’m okay with that. I want to be able to look back on this time and have a record of how life unfolded.

Life is messy. Life isn’t perfect, and not every photo is going to be perfectly curated, and I’m okay with that. I just want to be able to show up. Put together or not. So, here you go, here are some photos of our life lately… Happy Tuesday!

Funfetti Unicorn Cookies

In lieu of having a party with all our families, this year I asked Verona how she wanted to celebrate, her response warmed my heart. “I want a unicorn cake at our house, and bring cookies to my family and friends.” So thats what we did, baked and delivered some to her grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins… and now I’m sharing the recipe so you all can make them as well!

Yield: 30-36 cookies

Author: Jordanne Marie

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Funfetti Unicorn Cookies

Prep time: 5 MCook time: 9 MTotal time: 14 M

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Butter softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 box sprinkle cake mix (15.25oz)
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1-2 cups of Toll House Unicorn Morsels (I'm not going to tell you how much to do, you do you) 

Instructions:

1. Preheat over to 350º
2. In a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar for 1 min.
3. Scrape sides of  bowl, add eggs & vanilla. Mix until Combined.
4.  Add cake mix & flour and mix until dough comes together.
5. Add unicorn morsels. (you do you) 
6. Scoop dough into 1-2 inch balls. I usually use my small pampered chef scoop, and then gently flatten.
7. Bake 9-10 min, until VERY lightly browned.
8.  Allow to cool 1-2 min after taking out of oven before transferring to cooling rack.
9. Store at room temperature in air tight container. I apologize in advance for your new addiction. 

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @jordanne__marie on instagram and hashtag it #jordannemarielovessharing

Created using The Recipes Generator

Teach-It Tuesday: Gel Nails

One of the number one questions I get asked about is how my nails are always so cute and nicely painted, while having three kids. And the number one reason I never share is because I feel like I am not an expert on this subject. I am not a trained nail technician, and the way I apply my gel polish may not be entirely correct so I don’t want to hear criticism if it’s incorrect.

The truth is: I own a gel nail light. My mom is a hair dresser and I have access to stores that only certified cosmetologists are allowed into. (which is where a good portion of my colors are from). As a mom of three, there isn’t much time to go to the nail salon, so I make sure I can do my own at home!

SUPPLIES:

• Cuticle Remover

• Cuticle Pusher & Nipper

• Nail File & File Block

• Nail Clippers

• Gelish pH Bond, Foundation, Top Coat & Nourish gel

• Rubbing Alcohol & absorbent Stripes (I actually get waxing sheets and cut them into small strips)

The Process:

1. Begin by using the cuticle remover, and apply it to the base of your nails. Using the cuticle pusher, gently push back the cuticles. Use the cuticle nipper very carefully and clear away the excess dead cuticle. The idea is not to remove the healthy cuticle, mainly because it will hurt and make you bleed.

2. Use a nail file and block to create the desired nail shape. [Fun Fact: when filing the tip of your nail, it is not a good idea to saw back and forth at the nail. Only go in one direction.]

3. Using the same file and block, rough up the surface of the nail. This will help to ensure your manicure lasts longer and has a good surface to adhere to {but don’t go too hard or deep}.

4. Apply a layer of the pH bond. Let cure in the gel light for 5-10 sec.

5. Apply a very fine layer of the Gelish Foundation, making sure to have it completely cover the nail and also the tip top of the nail. Then let cure in the gel light for 30 sec. It’s important to note that if you make a mistake and get color or the base or top coat on your skin, a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol can clean it up quick.

6. Now comes the color. Depending on desired pigment apply 1-3 light coats of your color and let cure for 30 secs for each coat.

7. Finally apply the top coat. Let cure for 30 sec under the gel Light.

8. Once it is all set, using the stripe and some rubbing alcohol, remove the access and polish each nail. They should be all set and you can touch them immediately.

It’s important to note that if you make a mistake and get color or the base or top coat on your skin, a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol can clean it up quick.

So, as I said, I’m not an expert on this. This is merely what I do, and I’m sure there are things I do wrong. I have pretty oily nail beds, so my manicures only last about a week-week & a half before they start to peel up.

I have set up links to all my favorite products on Amazon! Just click on the photos below! And also linked a quick hyperlapse of me painting my nails. :) Hope this helps and please let me know if you have any questions!