The summer heat means I end up with my hair in a ponytail half the time. Wearing my hair up so much gives it that nasty split-end, unhealthy look much faster than normal. So, I gave my locks a little bit of TLC today with a trip to the salon.

I wanted something different and fresh, but not a drastic change. My hair dresser, Angela, did a great job by shortening up the length a tad and giving me a few more face framing layers and a bit more of a side bang.

I feel like a brand new woman! I can’t wait to show it all off….at my nephew’s birthday party. So there’s no hot date for this hair, but at least its healthy again. And its time for this healthy head of hair to go eat some cake. Happy Saturday and enjoy the FFF Features of the Week!

Featured Post of the Week: A Healthy Living “Facade”

This post brought some great discussion on what we share as bloggers and how its okay to not be 100% ON all the time.

Featured Workout Post of the Week: It’s Up To You

My first successful speed work session! Runner Up: My 10 Favorite Plyo Drills – this post will make you beg for mercy!

Featured Meal Post of the Week: “Apple Pie a la Mode” Yogurt Bowl

A light, yet filling, and healthy, yet scrumptious, breakfast/snack/dessert! Runner up: Mexican Breakfast Quesadilla – deliciosa!!!

Featured Fun Post of the Week: On Why Bloggers Rock

Bloggers rock for many, many reasons.

Featured Cuteness of the Week: You Gotta See This!

A video of Braedon shaking his groove thang AND little M nabbbing a photo of her green smoothie? Cuteness overload!

Featured Reading of the Week: Jane @ Broccolini and Cheese

Jane is a recent blog discovery of mine and I already love her and her blog so much. She doesn’t fear putting her true thoughts, emotions, and challenges out there. She has a sense of humor that never fails to amuse me.  And she shares her life in that relatable way I adore in a blog. Jane is headed out of town for a bit, so give her some love before she goes, then add her to your reader to keep up with her when she gets back. You won’t be disappointed!

• How often do you get a hair cut?
• What is a great blog you have recently discovered?

In case you haven’t guessed, this post will talk about gas. Farts. Toots. Stench bombs. Whatever you want to call them. If you have more class than I do and want to skip over, that’s just fine. If you have your own musical qualities in which to relate or share, let’s bond. It will be a grand ole time!

Did you realize that the month of July had five Saturdays. I did. Not because I’m some freak of nature who can mentally figure out dates in her head. Although, that’s true too. I mainly paid attention to the five Saturdays in the month of July because it meant I had to spread our monthly grocery budget across five weeks instead of the usual four. Say what, kemosabe?!

After our grocery bill rang up last week and I realized we still managed to come in under budget, I patted myself on the back as I left the store. Then I learned that my budget meal shopping could end my marriage. Let’s just say when looking for cheap meals many of my favorites involve beans. We had lots and lots of beans this past week.

White Bean Salad

Breakfast for Dinner Quesadilla with Black Beans

Veggie Pot Pie with Black Eyed Peas (inspired by Meghann’s recipe)

Even the night I planned to resort to clear out items we have stocked in our freezer, I ended up with beans…

Morning Star Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger…with hummus (extra beans!)

Peter wouldn’t touch me with a ten-foot pole for fear of me intoxicating his nostrils after all of those meals. I won the budget game, but certainly didn’t win the digestive game. Oh, yes. I’m going there. Beans truly are a musical fruit with me. And I have such difficulty keeping tabs on it! I get incredibly bad stomach cramps if I try to hold in the “bombs of stench” as Peter so kindly has called them.

I amaze myself sometimes, so I really do feel bad when things just slip. Okay, I don’t feel so bad when things slip around Peter. He knew what he got himself into when he chose to marry me. But around others….EEEK! I usually just succumb to suffering gas pains for fear of people avoiding me forever. Yet, I cannot lie. It happens sometimes.

Like this past week. In spin class. During a climb. Those poor souls behind me. It must have been like a missile! Then, at the grocery store. Only myself and one other person in the aisle. And I know she knows I did it, yet I still walked away nonchalantly. Then avoided contact the remainder of my shopping. Oh, how embarrassing! Hey…I know I’m not alone. Right? Right?!?! 

• What staple foods do you use when shopping super cheap?
• Do you ever have to “let one rip” in public? What do you do?