No Time To Hit The Gym? DeskCycle Can Help!

I have been working from home for several years now, and home schooling my little one for two years. I find myself at my desk, dining table, or any table for that matter, most of the day. I own gym equipment and even have a gym membership, but guess what? I either don't use it or say, "I'll work out tomorrow". When I got the opportunity to review the DeskCycle, I jumped all over it. The unit comes in a box complete with the tools needed for assembly. The process took me under 20 minutes and was super simple. I didn't even have to ask my husband for help. 

What exactly is the DeskCycle and how does it work?

The DeskCycle is a simple piece of exercise equipment like a stationary bike without the handles, made especially for those who are pressed for time. Whether you can't always make it to the gym, weather conditions aren't the greatest for a walk/jog/run, or you're stuck at your desk working for hours a day, DeskCycle is made for YOU! I have been having some foot issues that have caused me a lot of pain and I can't even go 1/2 mile on the treadmill. I have been using the DeskCycle for over a week now and like how easy it is on my feet since I'm not actually standing. I feel so much better than I am moving when I am sitting. It actually helps me to stay a lot more focused since I am one of those who can't always stay on task.

You can adjust the resistance according to your own goals. It's definitely important to start off slowly and work your way to a more challenging resistance setting. I am liking how my legs are looking and feeling! I am in desperate need of toning and DeskCycle is helping me to get closer to that goal. There is a gauge that  tracks time and miles, but I honestly don't use it. I wear a fitness tracker that monitors my steps and calories burned, so I just use that.

My husband has been begging to let him take it down to his office. I told him to get his own! The DeskCycle is not limited to using while working. You can use it while you're sitting on the couch watching a movie.

So far I am noticing my legs, butt, and abs feel firmer. My energy is higher as well and my stress levels are lower. I normally get a bit turned off when people post about fitness online and say, "no excuses", but I have to say, it's the truth with the DeskCycle! I mean if you are sitting around, why not get a little exercise in at the same time? Even my son is enjoying it. It helps a lot with strengthening his legs to enable him to perform better in martial arts class.

Where can I buy one?

The DeskCycle is so easy to use and when you are pedaling, it's super quiet.  It is well made and super sturdy, so you can feel confident giving it your all. You can purchase your very own unit from Mini Pedalers for $159 or on Amazon  also for $159 with FREE shipping if you have a Prime account.

The DeskCycle makes a great gift for anyone on your list and I am very sure the recipient will love it! Learn more about DeskCycle here. 

Thank you DeskCycle for the complimentary sample and all opinions stated are 100% mine as always.

$100 Summer Giveaway- PayPal Or Amazon

Hi, everyone! How is your Summer coming along? It seems to be passing very quickly for us. Before you know it, back-to-school time will be here. I've teamed up with a group of groovy bloggers to bring you the perfect Summer giveaway. One lucky person will win the choice of $100 Amazon GC or PayPal cash. I'm sure $100 can help with groceries, clothing or school supplies. The possibilities are endless! See details below about entering and good luck!  

How to enter: There are 10 Twitter accounts. Each account is worth one entry. Follow all 10 accounts for 10 entries into this giveaway. If you’re already a follower of an account, claim that entry! This giveaway starts July 19 at midnight EST and ends August 2 at 11:59 PM EST. Entrants must be USA residents and at least 18 years old. One winner will be randomly selected from all qualifying entries and contacted via the email they provide. The email will come from joannegreco at gmail. The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The prize is $100 in Paypal or Amazon online gift card, winner’s choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TYLT Energi Power Case: A Clean, Stylish Solution To Protecting And Charging Your Phone

TYLT is revolutionizing the way that people can keep their electronic devices charged.  Its products include everything from charging cases for cell phones to a universal portable wireless battery charger.  TYLT even makes a charging backpack so you can charge your phone while commuting or hiking.

Of course, the most convenient way to charge a phone is with the phone’s own charging case.  The right charging case can keep your phone charged for a whole day, no matter how many apps you open.  The Energi Sliding Power case from TYLT is a handsome, efficient phone charging case.  Here are some Energi Power case benefits:

Versatility

The Energi Power case can keep your phone charged for many hours, or it can just be a phone case.  It consists of an inner case that slides onto your phone, and also a charging power sleeve.  If you only want to protect your phone but not charge it, you can just use the inner case.  You can always connect it back to the charging component later.  Just using the inner case is a convenient option if you have to keep your phone in a tiny purse during a wedding.

Excellent Charging Capacity

The Energi Power case increases the amount of time your phone stays charged twofold. You can press a button on the case to see how much charge your phone has at any moment.  The same button will show you how much charge the Energi Power case has. You can charge your phone and the case at the same time.  When you plug the phone with its case into a power source, they will both charge.  You can even charge the phone and case with a wireless phone charger.

July 17-23 Is National Hotdog Week

Todays' conversation is sponsored by Circle K and all thoughts are my own

I don't know about you, but one of the things that remind me of summer is the all-American hot dog! Hot dogs are the convenient hot food for people on the go. No need for utensils or even a table and chair. The hot dog is the most portable summertime food and it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

Starting July 17-23 (In Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina only), Circle K Southeast stores are celebrating National Hot dog Week by offering $1 hot dogs to their customers. As a matter of fact, all foods from their rollers will be $1 all week long as well. So while you are getting fueled up, you can step in and grab an icy cold beverage and a couple hot dogs to get that perfect bite of summer! National Hotdog Day is on July 19th. It would be fun to grab your family or friends and celebrate this delicious day for a low price.

Nothing pairs better than and ice cold fountain coke and a juicy hot dog! 

You can top a hot dog in so many ways. What will you put in yours? Cheese, chips, onions, salsa or chili? Grab your $1 dog while you can! If you do, be sure to use the tag #NationalHotDogDay across your social channels. Follow Circle K Southeast on Facebook and Instagram
 

Garden Chat- Let's Talk About Summer Plants

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about plants and share some of the things I have learned over the years. First of all, you can have a full and colorful garden for a very low cost. We have been getting what I like to call "second hand plants" for years now. We have family members who share clippings, small plants, bulbs, and seeds with us and we trade with some of what we have existing in our garden. 

If you are looking for vibrant pops of color that are low maintenance, a lantana is the way to go. They come in quite a few colors and can grow in even the hottest and driest of conditions. We have more than a half dozen of these in various parts of our yard and they get so big that we have to cut them back a few times each season. The best part is they come back year after year. Lantanas also attract butterflies. We have some right off of our back patio near one of our bird feeding stations, and it is so pretty to watch the butterflies flutter around. 

Lantana

If you would like to attract hummingbirds, pentas are a great choice. Every evening we watch the hummers go to war so they can dominate this plant I got for Mother's Day. I keep it in a pot under a tree so it doesn't get too much sun although it claims it can take full sun. Nope. Not in the South Carolina sun! 

Penta

Something I learned about my delicate herbs and peppers is that the South Carolina heat will hinder growth. I actually brought some of my plants inside of my patio door in order to save them. When I noticed the leaves were yellowing, I figured the elements outside were just too harsh. Since doing that, all of my edibles have flourished. I take them outside periodically when we are having a rain shower. The plants tend to get an extra boost from the rain water. 

Hot pepper, broad leaf thyme, lavender, Rosemary, and spearmint

Another great trick I learned from my husband's uncle is to not throw away your potted flower plants at the end of their growing season. Instead, you can clip the old growth off and take it inside until the Winter frost is gone. Once you bring it back outside in the Spring, it will re-grow and you can enjoy your blooms again and again. Geraniums are one flower that fare very well indoors during the winter, and this geranium care guide by Gilmour will show you everything you need to know about planting, growing and caring for geraniums. The flower plant below cost us about $15 and it came back beautifully this year! I have it growing on the side of my home in a semi-shaded spot along a trellis, and it blooms all summer long. I get so many compliments about it and many ask of they can take it home.  

This year we decided to get some mosquito repelling plants since they are usually really bad every summer. We planted some marigolds in hanging baskets at the bottom of our back deck and have a few pots of citronella (mosquito plant) on the patio area. Let me tell you, those mosquito plants really work! We take a leaf or two and press it to release the oils and rub it on our exposed skin when we are hanging outside. The scent is very lemony and we really love it. I have yet to get a single mosquito bite when I do this. 

One of out larger plants broke from a storm we had a couple months ago and my husband took the broken part and put it into an old pot with dirt. I figured it would simply die, but it turns out that his experiment worked and the plant survived and grew in nicely. As a matter of fact, he has done this with a few other plants and trees and they are all growing. 

Citronella, also known as the mosquito plant

We will be bringing in all of our potted plants before the winter and keep them alive for next year. With all that we have done over the course of a few years, I anticipate we will not have to spend any money on plants or trees next year. 

What are you growing this year?