What I'm Lovin'

My friend "The Treat Girl" has struck again!! A while back she featured an Aerolatte on her blog. I thought "Oh... I think I would like one of those!" She bought it at Williams and Sonoma. I never get to a "real" mall. So, when I was Christmas shopping an Aerolatte went into "my Christmas bag"! Yay for me! Seriously...this little thing is super!! You need to get one.

And this is why...

I have vanilla protein in my coffee every morning. Sometimes it's smooth, sometimes I chew the last bit of my coffee. Not pleasant! This is what I do now...1 scoop of vanilla protein, 1/4 tsp of pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk, mix in my blender bottle and pour into my coffee mug. I then take my aerolatte and whip the protein mixture nice and frothy, add my coffee...Wa La! Perfect!

It does wonders on hot chocolate for my boys too!!! And speaking of hot chocolate...I had a craving for a peppermint hot chocolate...(Damn McDonald's commercials!) This is what I did to quench my taste buds...

1 cup unsweetened almond milk heated
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
2 packets Stevia
1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Add all together and using the aerolatte blend until the appropriate amount of froth. Oh My Goodness! What a treat! 75 calories, 3.5g fat, 7g carbs, and 3g protein! Yes that is correct, SEVENTY-FIVE calories!! I may make my coffee in the morning with chocolate protein and peppermint!

"It's good to know life has a lot to offer you, but even better to know that you have a lot to offer life!"

Turkey Meatballs

So you know what I am eating all this week....Chicken ,Turkey, spinach and Broccoli!

Here is a recipe that I use a ton! Turkey meatballs. Use them for an appetizer, in sauce, in wedding soup, for sandwiches, or as a main course for dinner! I make a double batch and freeze them in the freezer for whenever I need them. Quick and Delicious! That's what it's all about!

2 pounds 99% lean ground turkey
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup Ian's whole wheat Panko bread crumbs
4 Tbsp Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic minced
1 small onion minced
Sea salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 425. Mix all in a large bowl. Roll into 1 inch balls (or whatever size you desire). Place on a baking stone, or cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

Calories per 1 inch ball 26, carbs g, fat 0g, protein 5g.
Makes approximately 48 balls.

"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts." ~Marcus Antonius

The Danger of Diet Soda

The typical diet beverage is artificially sweetened with aspartame and has a few other synthetic chemicals, usually for flavor and color.
You wont get fat, and you won't struggle to lose weight, if you avoid these diet drinks. Get that inside your head very firmly. Nobody ever failed a weight loss plan because he or she avoided those sugar free, artificially sweetened drinks.
Diet beverages are bad for you, and this was clearly shown in two studies, the conclusions having been presented not too long ago at a meeting in San Diego that was for the American Diabetes Association.
In one study, over 400 drinkers of diet soda were tracked for 10 years. Their waist sizes ballooned 70 percent more than non-diet soda drinkers. "They may be free of calories but not of consequences," says Dr. Helen Hazuda, professor of medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
The second study looked at two groups of mice: One group ate food tainted with artificial sweeteners, and the other group ate normal food. The artificial-sweetener group had higher blood sugar levels.
Chronically high blood sugar (but not high enough to be considered diabetes) is a precursor to diabetes. "Artificial sweeteners could have the effect of triggering appetite, but unlike regular sugars, they don't deliver something that will squelch the appetite." explains Sharon Fowler, co-author of both studies.
Healthy drink options include water, herbal teas, and juiced fruits and vegetables. Skim organic milk, kefir, and pomegranate juice are also better options.

Source: On Fitness Journal, January 2012

"One person with passion is better than 40 who are merely interested." ~Tom Connellan

Exercise!

I love the kettlebell! As I sit here typing, my glutes are on fire! I LOVE the kettlebell :o

This was yesterdays workout:
30 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on the treadmill.
5 minute warm up
1 minute sprints
2 minute recovery
for 20 minutes
5 minute cool down.

7 Rounds
20 35# kettlebell swings
10 Jump Squats
10 Jump lunges

3 Rounds
10 35# kettlebell crunches
10 reverse crunches, holding onto the kettlebell behind the head
20 V-sits

Sufficiently toasted! Come on...give it a try!!

Attitude is the master to life's little locks.

Oh My Goodness!!

I do love the holidays! This year I LOVED the holidays a bit too much! Between  the cocktails on the beach daily on  vacation over Thanksgiving and Christmas...(the cookies, cookies, cookies, I made for the neighbors and had to sample and sample!) I gained a good solid 5 pounds! I know that it doesn't sound like much! But I feel awful!

My husband jumped on the scale Saturday, and made a horrible noise! "Holy ____!! I've gained 7 pounds!" Oh...but not to worry...after a few trips to the bathroom and eating normally today he has lost 5 pounds! The Jack-Wagon!!! (I love him, But he pisses me off when he does that!!)

It never fails! Men always lose weight faster than women!

So here is my plan:
Breakfast: 4 Egg white omelet with onions, peppers, and 1 cup fresh broccoli
Snack: 4oz Chicken breast 2Tblsp gluten free BBQ sauce
Lunch: 4oz turkey burger, onions, peppers, portobello mushroom, and 1 cup fresh spinach. Sauteed.
Snack: 4oz Chicken breast 2Tblsp gluten free BBQ sauce
Dinner: 4 oz Turkey burger, onions, peppers, portpbello mushroom, and 1 cup fresh Broccoli. Sauteed.
Water, Water, WATER!!!

Repeat after me: Food is my body's FUEL. Food is my body's FUEL!
I have been telling myself that all day.. and you know what? It works :)

Come back next Monday to see how I did!

"I think in terms of the DAY'S resolution, not the YEAR'S!~ Henry Moore

Monday Motivation

I just had a wonderful afternoon with some great friends! My dear friend, "The Treat Girl" through me a "Good-buy/Good-Luck" luncheon! It was full of laughter and good conversation! In a time of crazy Christmas preparation, people stopped and relaxed and shared their time with me! For that I am greatful! Thank you! Thank you! And here's to new places and better things! You just have to BELIEVE! I do!!

Motivation Monday!

What inspires you?

I just watched GMA this morning and saw a girl who lost 1/2 her body weight! 500 pounds to 250 pounds in three years! And she is still going! Her goal weight is 168! She will accomplish her goal, I'm sure!

That, to me, is inspiring! People who make a decision to change themselves for the better. They get a plan, they make small attainable goals for them selves and they embark on a road that sometimes can be long and daunting! Perserver! Anything is attainable! But, only YOU can decide to make a change for the positive! You are worth being healthy! You are worth being happy in your own skin! You are worth the love you give to everyone else..give some back to yourself!

You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance.

What I'm lovin'!

Remember a few months ago when I posted about my favorite Pure Protein bars? Well, let me tell you I have changed my mind! The reason why, is because these little babies have 8 to 10 ingredients! AND they taste great! Our favorites are Peanut Butter Supreme, Vanilla Almond Crunch, and Chocolate Brownie! If you microwave them for 25 seconds (especially the brownie!) they are like a warm cookie! What a treat!!

If you go on to their website you can order 2 free! Now it does take a while to arrive from California, but definitely worth it. Or you can go to my favorite supplement site bodybuilding.com and order single bars or a whole case of 12! Super fast shipping! Come on check it out...;)

"I believe that you are even better than you think you are.  But only you can prove me right." 

Egg Muffins!

I came across this recipe in the October issue of  Oxygen Magazine. I changed a few things from the original recipe. I love the muffins for a quick grab and go breakfast!

Preheat oven to 375

Misto Spray
1/4 cup onions diced small
1/4 cup bell peppers diced small
1 large portobella mushroom diced small
Saute all in a pan over medium heat

1 1/2 cups fresh chopped broccoli
1 tomato diced small
Add to the onion, pepper and mushroom and heat through

10 egg whites
4 whole eggs
1/2 tsp Mrs Dash tomato basil and garlic
1/2 tsp  Mrs Dash garlic and herb
1/2 ground pepper
Whip together with a whisk and add vegetables to the bowl

Using a small ladle, fill each muffin cup to the brim. Bake for 30 minutes.

Calories per serving: 47, 2 carbs, 2 fat, and 6 protein.
They keep in the refrigerator for 1 week or you can freeze them, just let them thaw out over night in the refrigerator.

Grab 2 and you are out the door with a great breakfast!

"If you don't work, nothing will."

Make Time for Exercise!

I hear from so many of you that during the holidays your exercise time is compromised. The kids school parties, gift shopping, grocery shopping, baking, friends and family in from out of town, adult parties...I could go on and on with excuses as to why we don't take care of ourselves over the holiday season! This is the precisely THE time to make sure we get to the gym or a good home workout!

Not only does exercise make us feel better about ourselves, it makes us happier! Have you been shopping yet? People are mean! They spend all of their time rushing around doing things for everyone else and they don't take the time for themselves. They get to the end of the day and not only have they not exercised, but they either did not eat anything or they ate on the run, usually bad drive thru food! They are mad at themselves! Which in turn, makes them down right cranky towards everyone else, from family to strangers!

So do yourself a favor...start the day out right!  Get up a bit early and crank out a good workout before you begin your day of rushing around! As Oprah use to say "Put something in your cup, because you cannot give anything to anyone from an empty one!"  Give yourself the gift of internal happiness! ;)

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

I'm Bbaaacccckkkkkkk :)

I am back from a wonderfully relaxing vacation from Punta Cana! 7 Days with out anything electronic...my boys went through withdrawal! I was totally great...my hubby was sneaking texts! But, he has employees to keep track of...so all was good!

I had prepared my posts before I left...however my old PC was a bit pissy and did not post any and I cannot retrieve them form PC jail! Sorry ;(  I sent out the word to Santa that I wanted a new Apple for Christmas...and a new camera, since mine broke on vacation! Too much sand in the automatic lens! Crap! So much for the diamond earrings that I wanted!!

My motivation...To get my butt in gear! Not only with Christmas preparation, but I gained a bit on my relaxing vacation! Who knew lounging around eating and drinking could pack on weight!?!

Lets get this party started!!

 

"Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change."