It’s that time of the year again…

Summer is ending extremely quickly, and I am sure we have already all shed a little tear over that. School has begun for college goers and is right around the corner for elementary, middle, and high school students.

As a college student myself, this time of the year brings a tremendous amount of stress, anxiety, and anxiousness. It can be overwhelming to think about all the supplies I will need and the amount of work I will have. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who is enrolled at the same university and understands all of the feelings that rush through at the thought of “school.” So as school started this week, I decided to put on my big girl pants and grab a couple cups of coffee.

Honestly, I can say doing those two things really helped get me in the zone for classes. I felt ready and motivated by about day……….3. I felt more ready than I ever had before. Shoot, I was almost excited about starting my last fall semester. Now, you might be thinking what I did to get on board with the whole idea of taking six classes this semester and actually being happy about it. Was there something magic in those cups of coffee? You might even be thinking, where can I get a pair of big girl pants?

Well, there was one thing I did EXTRA this time around. I spent a lot of quality time with a special man in my life (and….it wasn’t my husband). By this point, you probably think I’ve lost my mind. Now don’t worry, I haven’t been unfaithful to my husband if that is what you were beginning to think;

I just dedicated a significant amount of time to getting to know my creator on a more intimate level, focusing on what His word says, and meditating on His promises of prosperity for my life. A huge fault of mine has been never giving God enough time. It can be so easy to divide our time amongst other things such as social media or television. I would always eagerly rush through prayer or reading scripture before bed so I could browse other things on my phone.

Something changed in me quickly as school approached this time. Maybe it was the feeling of things getting out of control or just Jeremy’s relentless prayers at work that one day I would understand or see the importance of giving God more of my time like he had months back. I realized, without much effort, that God needed to be number one on my priority list. If Jesus gave his life for mine, couldn’t I give him my “precious” time? I began to see so clearly that Jesus deserved more than the last five minutes of my day.

You’re probably wondering why I am telling you this. I am telling you all of this so that you too may see how much God can work in your life if given the opportunity; how much can change in such a sort amount of time if you dedicate setting aside more time to reflecting on His word. What really started to drive my desire to seek God more was realizing my worth in Him. God loves each and every one of us and wants us to succeed. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and to give you hope and a future.” I knew that if I gave God more time, he would reveal more of Himself to me and with that give me better clarity on His will for my life after college. All I needed to do was give him the opportunity to speak. I needed to eliminate the distractions, shut up, and listen (for lack of a better word). So when you feel like everything is out of control, that you have too much on your plate, and that you’ll never make it through a semester… simply start asking God to change your heart to desire more time with Him, ask Him for guidance, and begin reading more of your bible.

Realize, where I couldn’t before, that giving God more time allows Him to actually do all that he promised. It allows Him to bless you and guide you in the times in which things feel hectic and crazy. And I can promise, you will instantly feel a weight lifted, more confident, and loved knowing you have a creator who loves, appreciates, and desires your heart.

DIY: 3 Minute Homemade Coconut Honey Lip Scrub!

Hey Ya’ll!

Check out my newest video on my channel! It is a EASY UNDER 3 minute recipe that you most likely already have the ingredients for. All you need is: coconut oil, honey, and course sugar. Essential oils that are food grade or lemon/limes/oranges can be used as a flavoring as well. However, it already tastes delicious on its own!

Click this link below to see all the details!

Surviving Finals Week

I think it’s pretty easy to say that most, if not all, college students are freaking out right about……..now. It is the start of finals week and we’re all scrambling to study for these intense tests. Dare I say, that some college student’s success and completion of a class dangles on the edge of whether or not they pass these very exams?

There is so much anxiety and stress that develops throughout this week each semester. So, I thought it would be fitting to let you in on some of the tips and tricks I used to get through finals.

1. Do NOT procrastinate. This is probably the most obvious out of the tips I’ll talk about on this post, however its the one thing we all seem to struggle with the most. Honestly, procrastinating is probably the worst thing you can do in preparation for your exams besides getting completely wasted (let’s be real, a good portion of the college population goes to parties on a regular basis and even more so when the going gets tough.) Try to avoid waiting until the last minute to prepare notes. Gather what you’ve done throughout the semester ahead of time and create study cards. Quizlet.com is a great study tool and is easy to use, so it shouldn’t take up too much of your time to prepare. I usually begin studying about 3 days before the exams. Studying too far out can attribute to you forgetting information and waiting to the last minute to study- well we all know what that results in…lower grades, more stress, panic attacks, etc.
2. Engage in stress relief activities. To eliminate unwanted stress, make sure you are doing things throughout the week that you enjoy. Take a nice warm, relaxing bath after a couple hours of studying. Listen to your favorite music and have a dance session. Go for a walk or exercise. Additionally, right before your exam, practice breathing in and out slowly- this will lower your heart rate and get rid of any butterflies you may have about the exam.
3. Seek a classmates help or even tutoring if your struggling with class material. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help if you need clarification on a certain topic. Study with friends or classmates. Most students want to do well and are willing to meet up for study sessions. If you are really having a hard time understanding class material, seek the professors help; they are there for a reason. The professors know the material better than anyone; I mean they are the ones who write the tests…
4. Limit social media use. This is probably the one thing I am the worst at doing- turning off social media. Undoubtedly, if we could limit the amount of time we spend on Instagram, Facebook, etc- We could spend more time studying and get more done in a shorter amount of time.
5. Pray. If you are religious, try praying during finals week. Sometimes feeling like all the weight is on your shoulders can be difficult. Try to place your worries on God and ask for his guidance and help during this stressful time in your semester. Jesus knows more than anyone what you are going through. Look to your bible for answers if you are struggling with finding peace and comfort.

Good luck on your exams this week. Make sure to share this blogpost with friends and classmates who may be having a hard time this week. Also, follow me on Instagram and my other social media platforms to keep up to date with new blogposts. Links are on the right hand side at the top of my page.

(I did not take the picture above nor do I take credit for it. All credit goes to the photographer mnplatypus on Pixabay)

Who He Is…

Many of you may have wondered onto my blog and noticed the HUGE picture of the black and tan little guy. I’m sure many have wondered who he is, why I chose him to represent and become what I centered my entire blog around. Here is his story….

His name is Chipper Jones Huffman. We grew up together; we did everything together. When I was a little girl, there would only be one word on my Christmas and Birthday Lists- PUPPY! I was relentless for YEARS begging and pleading for my parents to get me a new playmate.

Until finally one day my parents gave in. I will never forget how excited I was the day we got in the car and drove to Doswell, VA to go pick out my first dog. The breeder brought out dozens of sweet little dachshund puppies and I remember getting so discouraged hearing my parents say that none of them seemed to be the right fit for our family. At that moment, my dreams came crashing down. I really believed that I wouldn’t be going home with my new best friend, my new brother or sister. I can recount my parents asking the man if he had absolutely anymore puppies left for us to look at and he quickly said he would go check and let us know. 

I can remember it so clear- The man came out with the smallest dog I had ever laid eyes on. He was black and tan and curled up so sweetly in the mans arms. My eyes grew with excitement as I heard my parents immediately say, “THATS THE ONE!” In my 22 years of living, I have never been as thrilled as I was the moment I heard my parents speak those three words.

Shortly after signing paperwork, we were off to pick Chipper up some food and toys. I sat so alert and anxious in the back seat watching my new brother curl up in a makeshift enclosure we had created in the cab of my dad’s truck.

Chipper and I shared so many wonderful memories. Because I was an only child, he was my brother and my best friend. We did absolutely everything together- went to the beach, slept together, I shared my favorite foods with him; EVERYTHING. Fast forward many years, I moved to Hawaii to support my husband in his service, where we lived for 2 1/2 years. In May of 2014, we finally moved back to my home state of VA where I would spend six months before he passed. During those six months, Chipper would become really close with my newest puppy, Bailey. They were inseparable- racing to see who could go potty the fastest, who would get the first treat, or debating which one would get the doggy bed were just a few of the things they did on a daily basis.

Losing him was equally hard on Bailey as it was on everyone who loved and cherished Chipper. He was more than just a dog, he was human to us. He showed us the true meaning of unconditional love. He was the sweetest, most loving creature I have ever met. Because of the love he showed me over the years, everything I do is centered around him and keeping his memory alive.

I have struggled this past year with the loss of my best friend, my brother, and companion. The grief sometimes seems unbearable and then God’s mercy and His word brings me back. It is so important that when we are coping with the loss of loved ones that we allow ourselves time to grieve and mourn. It is even more important to rely on God for help and comforting when we are hurting so horribly. I am still learning how to live without my everything, but with time, patience, support, love, and prayer; I manage to get through each day.

A few things I’ve been doing to cope with the loss of Chipper:

1. PRAY. Praying has been the number one thing I have done to aid in the process of healing. In the bible, it says that Jesus mourned. Jesus went through all of the emotions we go through each and every day. He knows our hearts, our fears, and our worries. Jesus knows everything about you and me. Confiding in him is one of the best ways to seek answers and cope with losing such a big part of your life.

2. JOURNALING. Recently, I have started to journal/ start a prayer book. I went to Walmart and bought a teal and white chevron hardcover journal. By writing you are sometimes able to better communicate your feelings. In mine, I write down things like: how my week is going, how I was feeling, prayers, verses, or anything else that stood out to me in the week. Another really great thing to do is write down your blessings and what you are thankful for. In the hard times, you can go back and see where and how God is working in your life.

3. GO WHERE YOU ARE THE MOST HAPPY. One of my favorite things to do is travel. I love spending time at the beach. When I am able to, I love going to the beach and just relaxing. I love sitting quietly by myself while listening to the ocean. The beach has always been where I feel the most relaxed and the closest to God. It’s that one place that I can go and all of my worries disappear. Where do you like to go to get away?

4. SEEK FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Seek those you are the closest with. You may not feel like it is so, but those who love you will understand and be able to comfort you when you are hurting. Spend time with them doing things that are fun and special. Making memories is so important in having healthy and strong relationships.

Let me know in the comments section below about your pets!

If you have lost a pet, what do you to when you are missing them the most?

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The BEST Headphones for the Gym.

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​If your anything like me, you know how frustrating working out can be when your spending half of your time messing with your phone, headphones, and the cord. Listening to music is an essential part to my workout routine. It keeps me motivated and excited to workout. I have gone through quite a few headphones trying to figure out the best one for me. Guess what? I think I found it.

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​I have had wired headphones; both Bose & Sony. Although those brands have awesome sound qualty and good sweat protection, the cord always managed to get tangled in the weights and my hands during my workout. There were countless times my phone would hit the floor, because the headphone’s  cord got caught on something. I also found it extremely annoying to have a cord hit me in my chest and face everytime I’d try to run on the treadmil or track. Try imaging how stupid that looked…​

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​If that sounds like you, I have a solution! The JAM Mini Transit Buds. These little babies are incredible! They offer a wireless listening experience and a good quality bass. They include ear clips which keep them in your ears for the duration of your workout and are water resistent. They also come with a couple other ear piece sizes so you get the perfect fit. Unlike the Wireless Beats (priced at 199.99), these babies come in at an extremely low price of only $39 at most stores (Walmart and Target). JAM recently came out with this newer version (the Minis) which are made smaller, lighter, and have a longer battery life than the original Transit Earbuds (which are pictured below).

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They also have controls located on the side of one headphone. These controls allow you to turn the music up or down, pause, and skip songs. Although I do not take advantage of this feature, they have an inline microphone which allows you to use them for phone calling. These babies are also waterproof/sweatproof; BONUS!

I would HIGHLY recommend these to ANYONE looking for an awesome, low priced, and great sounding headphones. You simply cannot beat the price of these. Both my husband and I have pairs and have enjoyed every second of owning them. Please feel free to ask me any quesions regarding these headphones. If nothing else, what are you waiting for! Go grab a pair. You won’t regret it.​

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**Stay Tuned for the next blogpost- GYM ESSENTIALS.

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5 Things You Should Be Doing Daily to Maintain Your Health

So, we all know how daunting trying to get healthy can be. Shouldn’t maintaining our health be one of our top priorities since most of us desire a long and prosperous life? Managing your health can be as easy as adding a couple extra steps to your daily routine. Here are a few tips and tricks that I follow:

(Image from Google Images/ I do not take credit for this photo. All credit goes to the photographer.)

1. Drinking a glass of water with an added splash of lemon in the morning.

-Lemons are great at purifying and cleansing the system of all impurities. By incorporating lemon int0 your diet, you are arming your body against bacteria and viruses.

-You might be wondering, “Do I have to drink it in the morning?” The best way to obtain the benefits of drinking lemon water is to drink it with luke warm water in the mornings. Drinking lemon water in the morning will help give you energy and even put you in a better mood throughout your day. Fun fact; just the smell of lemon juice can provide you with a boost of energy.

-Probably one of the most popular and shocking properties of lemon is its ability to aid in weight loss.

2. Getting a goodnight’s rest.

-I can not stress how important getting good quality sleep is. How much sleep we get affects our mental health and  physical health. It isn’t neccesarily how long you sleep, it’s how well you sleep. Getting six hours of uninterrupted, deep sleep is obviously much better than ten hours of sleep filled with nightmares and rolling around.

-Getting a consistently goodnight’s sleep can aid in avoiding depression, it can keep us more attentive and focused throughout our day.

-TIP: Start with your bedroom. Is your bedroom cluttered or a place of sanctuary? If you feel stressed and scattered brained when you enter your bedroom, you might want to consider reorganizing or decorating your bedroom to look and feel more spa-like. By doing so, you will feel more relaxed and ready to engage in a wonderful night’s rest. If you have a hard time falling asleep, get rid of distractions. Put away the cell phone and computer, and pull out a book (try to dim the lights too). Start reading it and eventually you will get tired enough to fall asleep on your own.

3. Eliminate the Carbonated Beverages.

-I know the negative effects soft drinks can have on your health from personal experience. About two years ago, I made the decision to cut soda out of my diet “almost” completely. I say almost because I am human and I do enjoy the occasional Mountain Dew. After making the decision to cut it from my diet, I lost 10 lbs in a matter of a couple months. 

-If weight loss isn’t enough to encourage you to cut soda out of your diet, try googling the picture of the sugar content in water/soda/juice, etc… It’ll make you rethink drinking another 12 pack. 

-TRICK: If you have a hard time switching out water for soda, the next time you go grocery shopping invest in the water flavoring packets that contain 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar. My favorites are pink lemonaid and regular lemonaid. 

(Image from Google Images/ I do not take credit for this photo. All credit goes to the photographer.)

4. Eat More Fruit and Less Junk Food.

-You have probably heard this countless times, but the truth is- choosing healthy snacks over a bag of potato chips is vital to maintaining a health weight and balanced diet. I struggle a lot with how much and of what to eat. Honestly, when you’re craving that Herseys Bar- try to reach for something sweet, but that can provide your body with nutrition and energy instead. (Honey can also be used as a natural sweetner. Try substituting sugar with honey.)

-TIP: When I’m craving something I know I shouldn’t eat (cupcakes, cake, donuts, chocolate, chips, etc) I reach for strawberries or pineapples! They are some of the sweetest fruits available and will be sure to kick that sweettooth craving. This tip is especially helpful late at night when you are looking for that midnight snack. 

5. Be Patient with Yourself.

-No one ever said any of this would be easy, and if they did; they lied! However, don’t beat yourself up over that “cheat meal” you may of had or that day you didn’t exercise. Your fitness journey is a JOURNEY. You are human and will make mistakes just like the other millions of people who have embarked on the process of becoming healthier or more fit. 

-Treat yourself every now and then. You are less likely to be successful if you deprive yourself of all your most loved foods. Start out with small changes and eventually encorporate it into a lifestyle change. Starting off small will help you ease your way into fitness and will encourage you to keep going. 

-It takes time! Don’t expect changes overnight. This is where I still struggle constantly. Do not expect to do these few tips for a week and look like a supermodel. We are all unique and all of our stories and bodies are different. Confide in those who love and support you and you will see success and changes with time and patience. 

Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional or a doctor. I have obtained this information from personal experiences. My intentions are to help those aiming to better themselves and create a healthier lifestyle. All opinions are my own and I am not being paid to say anything listed above. 

Welcome to Fitness, Faith, and Functionality

Welcome to my blog! My name is Samantha Davis and I am a 22 year-old college student majoring in Human Services. With that said, I love helping others and that drive is what lead me to creating this blog. No matter how you got here, thank you for stopping by! You may have previously followed me from my older blog, Samantha Davis Fitness or formally known as Samantha Davis Beauty.

This blog is primarily going to be used to encourage, inspire, and help those desiring to create a healthier, more fit lifestyle. From personal experience, I completely understand how hard making changes in your life can be. It has taken me years to get where I am today ( and don’t get me wrong; I have a lonnnng ways to go). However, I am absolutely positive that with the right amount of will power and dedication anyone can achieve their personal fitness and health goals.

 Hopefully, I can offer unique and fun ways to motivate you into taking the first steps or even maintaining a fitness routine. I plan on sharing health recipes, fun fitness ideas, reviews on health related products, and outfit ideas for the gym. If this sounds like something you are interested in, please follow me on my social media platforms! I am so excited to start this journey with you all!

 Thank you for reading and I look forward to our next post!