Here we are the day before Thanksgiving!!! Statistics say that the average person will gain 12 pounds from Thanksgiving through New Years Day! I for one am hoping to be BELOW average this year!!!!
One thing I would suggest is to look ahead at your recipes that you intend to make for all of the parties and events that happen during this time of year. See what ingredients you can change to make it more healthy. I do this a lot and never tell anyone! Well OK...if you are reading this post and I have cooked something for an event..you now know! :o)
I will substitute fat free, low sodium chicken broth for regular chicken broth. Low fat or fat free cream cheese for regular cream cheese. Fat free Cool Whip for regular Cool Whip. Low fat Cream of chicken, mushroom or celery soups for regular Cream soups.
I try to only eat homemade foods for the holidays (or any other event) because I know that store bought I can get just about any time. But homemade things...sometimes only at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Find ways to get in a little extra movement. Sign up for a Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving morning, or take a walk after your meal instead of taking a nap. Take a nap later in the day.
Just remember the food is not the most important part of the holidays! It is the people that you get to spend time with that are the most important! Make your holidays more about making memories with the people you get to spend it with than about the food! You will always remember the memories you have made with people...but not always remember the food.
I hope each of you have a most wonderful Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow! We have a lot to be thankful for!!
Keep on Keeping on!!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Cran-Orange Relish
One of my friends has made this already and LOVED it!!!
2 cups whole fresh cranberries
1 orange, washed
2 cups Splenda
Wash cranberries and orange. Cut orange into quarters and remove any seeds, leaving skin on. Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend thoroughly. Relish should sit at least 6-8 hours before serving. May be frozen and used at a later date.
serving size: 1/2 cup this makes 6 servings
Calories per serving: 18 Total Fat: 0 Cholesterol: 0 Sodium: 0 Carbohydrates: 14g Fiber 1g, Sugar: 2g. Protein: 0g Points plus: 1
2 cups whole fresh cranberries
1 orange, washed
2 cups Splenda
Wash cranberries and orange. Cut orange into quarters and remove any seeds, leaving skin on. Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend thoroughly. Relish should sit at least 6-8 hours before serving. May be frozen and used at a later date.
serving size: 1/2 cup this makes 6 servings
Calories per serving: 18 Total Fat: 0 Cholesterol: 0 Sodium: 0 Carbohydrates: 14g Fiber 1g, Sugar: 2g. Protein: 0g Points plus: 1
Green Bean Casserole
OK...so the holiday recipes continue!
I know that the green bean casserole is a big deal come the holidays!! It shows up a lot at pot luck gatherings and holiday dinners!
If you change just a few things, it can so help make a recipe more healthy!
2- 14.5 oz. cans green beans, drained
1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. skim milk
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 1/3 c. French fried onions
Mix green beans, soup, milk, pepper, soy sauce and 1/2 c. fried onions. Pour into 8x8 baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot. Stir casserole, top with remaining fried onions. Bake an additional 5 minutes.
3 points plus per serving This makes 6 servings
Enjoy!!
Keep on keeping on!
I know that the green bean casserole is a big deal come the holidays!! It shows up a lot at pot luck gatherings and holiday dinners!
If you change just a few things, it can so help make a recipe more healthy!
2- 14.5 oz. cans green beans, drained
1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. skim milk
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 1/3 c. French fried onions
Mix green beans, soup, milk, pepper, soy sauce and 1/2 c. fried onions. Pour into 8x8 baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot. Stir casserole, top with remaining fried onions. Bake an additional 5 minutes.
3 points plus per serving This makes 6 servings
Enjoy!!
Keep on keeping on!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
This has to be one of my all time favorite Thanksgiving recipes!
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Makes 4 servings!
15 ounces canned pumpkin
1/2 c. egg beaters
1 1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 c. splenda
Mix all the ingredients together. Pour into pie pan sprayed with non stick spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then 375 for 35-45 minutes.
1/4 of the pie is a serving. If you do Weight Watchers, it is 3 points for 1/4 of the PIE!!!!!! WHOOT!!!!!
Enjoy!!!
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Makes 4 servings!
15 ounces canned pumpkin
1/2 c. egg beaters
1 1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 c. splenda
Mix all the ingredients together. Pour into pie pan sprayed with non stick spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then 375 for 35-45 minutes.
1/4 of the pie is a serving. If you do Weight Watchers, it is 3 points for 1/4 of the PIE!!!!!! WHOOT!!!!!
Enjoy!!!
How to Survive the Holiday Traffic!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner!
I have learned over the last few years that the holidays are not permission to eat all that you want and then some! The most important thing about the holidays is the company that you surround yourself with! The most important things are the faces around your table and what they mean to you and making the most of your time with them! You never know if that will be the last chance you get to see them!
I come from a BIG family! I love being around people! I enjoy the times I get to be with my family. I hate not being with them EVERY holiday, but treasure Christmas time when I get to be with them every year! I have some to realize that not everyone is that lucky to always be able to be with family! It is not too late to see if your co-workers, people that you attend church with or your neighbors have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving or Christmas. We are so excited this year to be having 2 families from our church join us for Thanksgiving! We are looking forward to a house full of laughter and yummy food!
If you can't think of neighbors, church people or co-workers, contact a local college and see if they have students that need somewhere to go for Thanksgiving dinner! I know (with having a college student) they would enjoy having a home cooked meal!
We need to get back to reaching out to the people around us and including them in our plans! You may never know what that will mean to people!
I am hoping over the next few days to post some of our favorite, healthy recipes for the holiday dinners coming up! I hope you will give them a try! You don't have to tell people they are healthy!!! I just make them and not tell my kids!! LOL!!
I hope that everyone has a most joyful holiday season and remember it's not about the stuff you get...but making the most of what you get to GIVE!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!!
I have learned over the last few years that the holidays are not permission to eat all that you want and then some! The most important thing about the holidays is the company that you surround yourself with! The most important things are the faces around your table and what they mean to you and making the most of your time with them! You never know if that will be the last chance you get to see them!
I come from a BIG family! I love being around people! I enjoy the times I get to be with my family. I hate not being with them EVERY holiday, but treasure Christmas time when I get to be with them every year! I have some to realize that not everyone is that lucky to always be able to be with family! It is not too late to see if your co-workers, people that you attend church with or your neighbors have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving or Christmas. We are so excited this year to be having 2 families from our church join us for Thanksgiving! We are looking forward to a house full of laughter and yummy food!
If you can't think of neighbors, church people or co-workers, contact a local college and see if they have students that need somewhere to go for Thanksgiving dinner! I know (with having a college student) they would enjoy having a home cooked meal!
We need to get back to reaching out to the people around us and including them in our plans! You may never know what that will mean to people!
I am hoping over the next few days to post some of our favorite, healthy recipes for the holiday dinners coming up! I hope you will give them a try! You don't have to tell people they are healthy!!! I just make them and not tell my kids!! LOL!!
I hope that everyone has a most joyful holiday season and remember it's not about the stuff you get...but making the most of what you get to GIVE!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!!
Friday, November 9, 2012
The results of my 1/2 marathon adventures!!
So on Sunday, I totally stepped out of my comfort zone and did a 1/2 marathon! 13.1 MILES!!!! I was really very proud of myself! That was the most I had ever done in one day!
I had made a personal goal for myself of 4 hours. I really wasn't sure...but I knew that it had taken me 3 hours to do the 10 mile walk during my training. But really wasn't sure what to expect with so many people and a different route around the city!
I have to say that I had the best time!!! I had one of my very dear friends with me the entire 13.1 miles! We would check on each other every so often to make sure we were doing ok. We laughed and talked just about the entire way! We jogged and walked at different intervals. We NEVER QUIT!!!!
We enjoyed the people all around town holding signs, ringing pots and pans, cheering for everyone! Our favorite was an older couple standing out in their yard with a sign that said "Lamest parade ever!" But then they cheered for everyone going by! We met a lady who was standing at the edge of her driveway with a box of tissues and gave anyone that needed a tissue one to blow their nose. Then she had a bucket to toss them in. This brave lady was a cancer survivor and said that she hoped to be doing something like this once day! Touched my heart and caused me to toughen up and do a mile for her!
We also enjoyed different sightings of our families along the routes cheering and ringing cow bells and giving quick hugs to strengthen our spirits!
One thing that I saw that really hit home for me was that I was so very thankful for my running buddy Angela! We came up on a lady near the finish and she was crying a bit. We told her that she had it! That she was going go finish! She was alone and no one to encourage her along the race route! When you do something like this, it is very mentally taxing if you don't have someone cheering you every step of the way! You begin to fight the rough thoughts in your mind, you hear the "Oh you can't do this! and the What were you thinking? Make sure you have someone with you that will encourage you and cheer for you and you do the same for them! Yes, the lady did finish but I am sure that it was a huge struggle to do that alone!
We set out to do something together and we did it! We never left each other! We cheered for each other and was so blessed to have marathon runners coming up behind us cheering us on and telling us "You got this ladies!" "You are going to make it!" Guess what we did!!! We did 13.1 miles in 3:37:18 seconds! Was it the fastest time in the race....oh no, not by any means! But when you look at the obstacles and health issues that we have overcome to get to this point....it was like a Gold Medal performance for us! And it was!!!
God is so very good and blessed me beyond all measure to be able to do that race!!! I'm looking forward to doing other races...and yes I have a 5K here in a few hours. I am looking forward to a fun 3 miles!!! Seems like a piece of cake after 13!!!
Don't ever be afraid to try something new! You just never know...YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!!!
Keep on Keeping on!!!!!
I had made a personal goal for myself of 4 hours. I really wasn't sure...but I knew that it had taken me 3 hours to do the 10 mile walk during my training. But really wasn't sure what to expect with so many people and a different route around the city!
I have to say that I had the best time!!! I had one of my very dear friends with me the entire 13.1 miles! We would check on each other every so often to make sure we were doing ok. We laughed and talked just about the entire way! We jogged and walked at different intervals. We NEVER QUIT!!!!
We enjoyed the people all around town holding signs, ringing pots and pans, cheering for everyone! Our favorite was an older couple standing out in their yard with a sign that said "Lamest parade ever!" But then they cheered for everyone going by! We met a lady who was standing at the edge of her driveway with a box of tissues and gave anyone that needed a tissue one to blow their nose. Then she had a bucket to toss them in. This brave lady was a cancer survivor and said that she hoped to be doing something like this once day! Touched my heart and caused me to toughen up and do a mile for her!
We also enjoyed different sightings of our families along the routes cheering and ringing cow bells and giving quick hugs to strengthen our spirits!
One thing that I saw that really hit home for me was that I was so very thankful for my running buddy Angela! We came up on a lady near the finish and she was crying a bit. We told her that she had it! That she was going go finish! She was alone and no one to encourage her along the race route! When you do something like this, it is very mentally taxing if you don't have someone cheering you every step of the way! You begin to fight the rough thoughts in your mind, you hear the "Oh you can't do this! and the What were you thinking? Make sure you have someone with you that will encourage you and cheer for you and you do the same for them! Yes, the lady did finish but I am sure that it was a huge struggle to do that alone!
We set out to do something together and we did it! We never left each other! We cheered for each other and was so blessed to have marathon runners coming up behind us cheering us on and telling us "You got this ladies!" "You are going to make it!" Guess what we did!!! We did 13.1 miles in 3:37:18 seconds! Was it the fastest time in the race....oh no, not by any means! But when you look at the obstacles and health issues that we have overcome to get to this point....it was like a Gold Medal performance for us! And it was!!!
God is so very good and blessed me beyond all measure to be able to do that race!!! I'm looking forward to doing other races...and yes I have a 5K here in a few hours. I am looking forward to a fun 3 miles!!! Seems like a piece of cake after 13!!!
Don't ever be afraid to try something new! You just never know...YOU MIGHT LIKE IT!!!
Keep on Keeping on!!!!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Going On A New Journey!!!!
This week I have butterflies that are flying crazy in my tummy! Have you ever been so excited to go somewhere or do something that you just get so excited! I remember getting this feeling as a little girl when we would be going on vacation and would be so excited that I couldn't sleep the night before. I got this same feeling as I had both of my boys! I got this feeling as I stood in the courtyard of an orphanage in China! Once again I find myself with this same feeling! Hopefully it will all pass after Sunday!
Why Sunday? On Sunday morning at 7:00 CST I along with my friend Angela and 1598 other people will be participating in the Bass Pro Cohick 1/2 Marathon. I have been doing 5K's for the last 5 years consistently, but totally stepping out of my comfort zone to do this 1/2 marathon. I am very excited because it is doing something totally different and pushing me to reach deep and finish!
I have done 10 mile walk recently...so we will see how this 13.1 miles will go on Sunday! I am truly looking forward to doing this with one of my friends that has traveled this journey with me!
So I will post an update once we are finished on Sunday (AFTER I recover :o)
I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and do something....even if it is walking down your drive way, your street or around your block!!! Help your body by MOVING!!!
Keep on Keeping on!!!
Why Sunday? On Sunday morning at 7:00 CST I along with my friend Angela and 1598 other people will be participating in the Bass Pro Cohick 1/2 Marathon. I have been doing 5K's for the last 5 years consistently, but totally stepping out of my comfort zone to do this 1/2 marathon. I am very excited because it is doing something totally different and pushing me to reach deep and finish!
I have done 10 mile walk recently...so we will see how this 13.1 miles will go on Sunday! I am truly looking forward to doing this with one of my friends that has traveled this journey with me!
So I will post an update once we are finished on Sunday (AFTER I recover :o)
I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and do something....even if it is walking down your drive way, your street or around your block!!! Help your body by MOVING!!!
Keep on Keeping on!!!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Sometimes You Get on a Detour!
Every so often on a journey, you come across the bright yellow sign that says Detour. What do you do in a detour? Do you panic because you are on a road that you are not familiar with or do you learn the route and learn the way to go so you know what to do the next time you come up on this detour?
This past weekend was one of those detour moments for me. It was a CRAZY Saturday and very full day on Sunday! Totally got off on a new road! On Saturday, we started the day off going to a movie premier, then had to get things ready for a homecoming football game and then off to a cookout with friends on a farm. Yes, when I went to the grocery store to get the things needed for said events. Then as we proceeded to go to all of these places...we packed a cooler to go to the cookout and took it to the football game. Once we got to the cookout, I realized that I left my turkey hot dogs in the fridge. I was very hungry at the cookout so yep...at two bratwursts! Although they were good, there were also some very yummy foods there. So it wasn't a good evening food wise...but lessons learned...don't pack so much in a day that you can't take the time to make sure you get the things that you need to be successful!
On Sunday we had friends over for a birthday celebration! Had a great menu planned...except for the appetizers! One of our friends brought those! They were great and with dinner being delayed a bit, with an unexpected "on call" moment. So we munched on appetizers until dinner time. It was a great day celebrating with friends...just not so good on this detour journey!
So on Monday....started back on the right road! Made up a little bit of the gain due to the foods that were consumed. And looking forward to keep on the right road!!!
Just remember...when a detour comes along...don't panic...remain calm and stay focused on the journey!!!
Keep on keeping on!
This past weekend was one of those detour moments for me. It was a CRAZY Saturday and very full day on Sunday! Totally got off on a new road! On Saturday, we started the day off going to a movie premier, then had to get things ready for a homecoming football game and then off to a cookout with friends on a farm. Yes, when I went to the grocery store to get the things needed for said events. Then as we proceeded to go to all of these places...we packed a cooler to go to the cookout and took it to the football game. Once we got to the cookout, I realized that I left my turkey hot dogs in the fridge. I was very hungry at the cookout so yep...at two bratwursts! Although they were good, there were also some very yummy foods there. So it wasn't a good evening food wise...but lessons learned...don't pack so much in a day that you can't take the time to make sure you get the things that you need to be successful!
On Sunday we had friends over for a birthday celebration! Had a great menu planned...except for the appetizers! One of our friends brought those! They were great and with dinner being delayed a bit, with an unexpected "on call" moment. So we munched on appetizers until dinner time. It was a great day celebrating with friends...just not so good on this detour journey!
So on Monday....started back on the right road! Made up a little bit of the gain due to the foods that were consumed. And looking forward to keep on the right road!!!
Just remember...when a detour comes along...don't panic...remain calm and stay focused on the journey!!!
Keep on keeping on!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Antlers Wild Rice Soup
I LOVE LOVE LOVE to try new recipes! Last week one of my dear friends and I went to a cooking class at Silver Dollar City's Culinary and Craft School. I have enjoyed several of these classes over the last several years. All of the things she has prepared are wonderful. Well this class was no different. I did tweak the recipe to eliminate some of the fat and calories from it. So I will put my tweaks in where I substituted so that you can either make it the way she did or you can make some changes like I did to make it a more healthy choice.
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice (I used Uncle Ben's Whole Grain and Wild rice)
3-14 oz cans of chicken broth, divided (I used reduced sodium, fat free chicken broth)
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (I diced mine up)
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt (I used Mrs. Dash Onion and herb blend)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup heavy whipping cream (I used fat free half and half)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
In a 4-qt. pot, combine uncooked wild rice, 2 cans of the broth, carrots, celery, and onion. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 35-40 minutes or until rice is tender but still chewy, adding the mushrooms the last 5 minutes of cooking.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, and black pepper. Add the remaining can of chicken broth.. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute or more; stir in whipping cream. Add this mixture to the rice mixture, stirring constantly. Stir in chicken; heat through. Garnish with chives if you like. Makes 6-8 servings.
Nutrition facts WITHOUT the tweaks:
364 calories, 24 g. fat, 1016 mg. sodium, 20 g. carbs, 2 g. fiber and 20 g. protein
that would be 10 Weight Watchers points plus per serving.
With my tweaks it comes out to 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus per servings.
We really enjoyed it greatly!!!
Hope you enjoy it! It doesn't take really long to prepare!
Keep on keeping on!
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice (I used Uncle Ben's Whole Grain and Wild rice)
3-14 oz cans of chicken broth, divided (I used reduced sodium, fat free chicken broth)
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (I diced mine up)
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt (I used Mrs. Dash Onion and herb blend)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup heavy whipping cream (I used fat free half and half)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
In a 4-qt. pot, combine uncooked wild rice, 2 cans of the broth, carrots, celery, and onion. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 35-40 minutes or until rice is tender but still chewy, adding the mushrooms the last 5 minutes of cooking.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, and black pepper. Add the remaining can of chicken broth.. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute or more; stir in whipping cream. Add this mixture to the rice mixture, stirring constantly. Stir in chicken; heat through. Garnish with chives if you like. Makes 6-8 servings.
Nutrition facts WITHOUT the tweaks:
364 calories, 24 g. fat, 1016 mg. sodium, 20 g. carbs, 2 g. fiber and 20 g. protein
that would be 10 Weight Watchers points plus per serving.
With my tweaks it comes out to 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus per servings.
We really enjoyed it greatly!!!
Hope you enjoy it! It doesn't take really long to prepare!
Keep on keeping on!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Fall Time is COMING!!!!!
The temperatures are finally getting cooler after a very hot, dry summer. It is so refreshing to be able to get my walks in outside instead of on the treadmill. Don't get me wrong I like my treadmill, but I SOOOOOOO enjoy being able to take my walks outside.
With the cooler temps comes the soups and chili time of the year! Which is really my favorite!!! You can make so many healthy options for soups and chili!!! I LOVE a good vegetable soup and sometimes I will add in some ground turkey or some smoked turkey sausage for a little variety.
I all so love the fall craft shows and fun fall events! Today I went to Silver Dollar City with a dear sister friend of mine. It is their Cowboy festival. Now I have to say that the food at Silver Dollar City is out of this world!!! They have some of the best cooks around for a theme park!! But another reason that I love going to Silver Dollar City is the hills!! I used to just about curse those hills because I would be so winded coming back up them and would just wish that there would be a different way to get out of the park...but alas..NO! Silver Dollar City is set in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. So you start at the top and walk down into the valley to get to the shows and rides... Well...you really get a great workout walking around the park! I usually don't let myself eat a lot at the park. Every so often, we will eat at the park. But they will let you bring in your own coolers!! So it is very easy to pack up your favorite healthy snacks and it can make for a great day! Most amusement parks will also give you free cups of water! Take advantage of that! You don't have to drink the sodas! You will also save money!!!
Look for fun ways to get some walking in! You don't have to go to an amusement park to do it, although it really is fun! Find a nature trail close by and get a friend, your children etc to go walk those trails.
Go to the zoo if you happen to have one near by. Since the temps are cooler, the animals are more likely to be out and be playful! They enjoy the cooler temps too!
Go to the park and play ball or Frisbee with friends or family.
There are always fun things you can find to do, you just have to look for them sometimes!!!
Enjoy the beautiful weather and spending time with family and friends!!!
Keep on keeping on!
With the cooler temps comes the soups and chili time of the year! Which is really my favorite!!! You can make so many healthy options for soups and chili!!! I LOVE a good vegetable soup and sometimes I will add in some ground turkey or some smoked turkey sausage for a little variety.
I all so love the fall craft shows and fun fall events! Today I went to Silver Dollar City with a dear sister friend of mine. It is their Cowboy festival. Now I have to say that the food at Silver Dollar City is out of this world!!! They have some of the best cooks around for a theme park!! But another reason that I love going to Silver Dollar City is the hills!! I used to just about curse those hills because I would be so winded coming back up them and would just wish that there would be a different way to get out of the park...but alas..NO! Silver Dollar City is set in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. So you start at the top and walk down into the valley to get to the shows and rides... Well...you really get a great workout walking around the park! I usually don't let myself eat a lot at the park. Every so often, we will eat at the park. But they will let you bring in your own coolers!! So it is very easy to pack up your favorite healthy snacks and it can make for a great day! Most amusement parks will also give you free cups of water! Take advantage of that! You don't have to drink the sodas! You will also save money!!!
Look for fun ways to get some walking in! You don't have to go to an amusement park to do it, although it really is fun! Find a nature trail close by and get a friend, your children etc to go walk those trails.
Go to the zoo if you happen to have one near by. Since the temps are cooler, the animals are more likely to be out and be playful! They enjoy the cooler temps too!
Go to the park and play ball or Frisbee with friends or family.
There are always fun things you can find to do, you just have to look for them sometimes!!!
Enjoy the beautiful weather and spending time with family and friends!!!
Keep on keeping on!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Finding Joy for the Journey!!!
This past Saturday we participated in a 5K! The Cherished Kids 5K is special to my heart as it is an organization at our church that raises funds to help the foster children in our area and also to help with adoption of children.
I had decided to participate in this since I like doing 5K's. Well then a group of us decided to participate together. That group was an awesome group to participate with. They are all members of our life group from church and have become our family away from family! We had a wonderful time and I am so proud of each of us that participated in this event! We had 3 of our teenagers to participate and they did an awesome job and we had several of us adults that participated!!!
I encourage you to find an activity that you like. Of course you could be like me when I first started and didn't really enjoy much of anything!! LOL!! I enjoyed being the youngest person in a water aerobics class! But then 5 years ago I did my first Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning! That first one was rough because I was severely overweight and it through my body into a sick mess when I was done! But after that, my body does quite well with 5K's. I even jog some now on the Turkey Trot. I have even signed up with a friend of mine to do my first 1/2 marathon this November. We will be walking most of it, but we ARE going to do it!!!
You don't need a gym membership to get healthy! Find walking trails near your home or find a park that may have a walking path and just start walking! Find a fun DVD and do that at home. Find a Zumba class in your neighborhood and try that! Step in place during commercials! That alone would take care of 15 minutes a day!! Park in the farthest parking spot at the store! It would save time because you are not riding all through the parking lot looking for a close parking space. It would also save gas because you are not riding through the parking lot! It will get you some extra steps in! And it's easy to find your car because hardly anyone parks out that far!
Find a way to get in some activity!! Take care of you and...
Keep on keeping on!!!
I had decided to participate in this since I like doing 5K's. Well then a group of us decided to participate together. That group was an awesome group to participate with. They are all members of our life group from church and have become our family away from family! We had a wonderful time and I am so proud of each of us that participated in this event! We had 3 of our teenagers to participate and they did an awesome job and we had several of us adults that participated!!!
I encourage you to find an activity that you like. Of course you could be like me when I first started and didn't really enjoy much of anything!! LOL!! I enjoyed being the youngest person in a water aerobics class! But then 5 years ago I did my first Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning! That first one was rough because I was severely overweight and it through my body into a sick mess when I was done! But after that, my body does quite well with 5K's. I even jog some now on the Turkey Trot. I have even signed up with a friend of mine to do my first 1/2 marathon this November. We will be walking most of it, but we ARE going to do it!!!
You don't need a gym membership to get healthy! Find walking trails near your home or find a park that may have a walking path and just start walking! Find a fun DVD and do that at home. Find a Zumba class in your neighborhood and try that! Step in place during commercials! That alone would take care of 15 minutes a day!! Park in the farthest parking spot at the store! It would save time because you are not riding all through the parking lot looking for a close parking space. It would also save gas because you are not riding through the parking lot! It will get you some extra steps in! And it's easy to find your car because hardly anyone parks out that far!
Find a way to get in some activity!! Take care of you and...
Keep on keeping on!!!
Exciting Adventures on the Road of Life!
This school year is proving to be an exciting one! We have decided to home school the last 2 remaining children that we have! Which means a ninth grader and a third grader! One of my concerns was...oh my..if everyone is home, then we are going to be baking more, eating more etc. because we will be in the house. Well we decided to nip that in the bud really quick. We have been making a weekly menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner so that we aren't so tired that we make bad choices with our food or we just can't think of what to eat for a meal so we just do the easy thing and go to a drive through. Now don't get me wrong, I still love a good french fry every now and then but I am learning more and more I don't like fast food fries. I would just rather make my own fries...by baking them in my oven.
So here we are on week 3 of school and so far the menu planning is working out great! Although we did settle for fast food on Saturday night because 3 out of the 4 of us had participated in a 5K earlier in the day and we were all very tired!
We have only made one batch of chocolate chip cookies since school has been in session and that was while the college student was home, so he ate most of those and we didn't have to worry about them.
So I am once again learning that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! I don't want to fail on this journey. I want to succeed and continue to become more healthy!
It truly is making a difference in my life! Just went to the doctor last week for a yearly blood work check up. I try to keep close tabs on that due to my family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc. Several years ago before I started on this journey, my numbers weren't horrible, but they were slowly creeping up to what I feel were dangerous levels! But when I got the results from this last battery of tests, I was thrilled beyond belief as to what is happening to my system as I improve my health!!!
My fasting blood sugar was 95 the last time I had it checked. This year it has dropped to 88!!! They want it to be between 70-100!
My cholesterol has dropped from 155 to 145!
My HDL needed to be above 40 and came in at 51!
My LDL needed to be below 130 and they came in at 76!
My triglycerides needed to be below 150 and that came in at 91.
My blood pressure was 108/over 60!
I can't tell you how much better I feel now that I have realized that taking care of me is just as important or more so than taking care of the other people in my life that I take care of. The one thing I am remembering is that If I don't take care of me, who will take care of those that I take care of?
If you want to do something special for yourself, please take care of you!
Keep on keeping on!!!
So here we are on week 3 of school and so far the menu planning is working out great! Although we did settle for fast food on Saturday night because 3 out of the 4 of us had participated in a 5K earlier in the day and we were all very tired!
We have only made one batch of chocolate chip cookies since school has been in session and that was while the college student was home, so he ate most of those and we didn't have to worry about them.
So I am once again learning that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! I don't want to fail on this journey. I want to succeed and continue to become more healthy!
It truly is making a difference in my life! Just went to the doctor last week for a yearly blood work check up. I try to keep close tabs on that due to my family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc. Several years ago before I started on this journey, my numbers weren't horrible, but they were slowly creeping up to what I feel were dangerous levels! But when I got the results from this last battery of tests, I was thrilled beyond belief as to what is happening to my system as I improve my health!!!
My fasting blood sugar was 95 the last time I had it checked. This year it has dropped to 88!!! They want it to be between 70-100!
My cholesterol has dropped from 155 to 145!
My HDL needed to be above 40 and came in at 51!
My LDL needed to be below 130 and they came in at 76!
My triglycerides needed to be below 150 and that came in at 91.
My blood pressure was 108/over 60!
I can't tell you how much better I feel now that I have realized that taking care of me is just as important or more so than taking care of the other people in my life that I take care of. The one thing I am remembering is that If I don't take care of me, who will take care of those that I take care of?
If you want to do something special for yourself, please take care of you!
Keep on keeping on!!!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Summer Time Coming To An End....
Well here we are as we see all of the back to school sales, school supply lists that summer is coming to an end and students are getting ready to go back to school. School starts here next week!
That usually means getting back into a "normal" routine, what ever normal is! It means earlier bed times and earlier wake up times.
As your students prepare to go back to school, lets try not to do a breakfast of convenience! It is really easy to get into the pop tart, toaster strudel, cold cereal and milk kind of thing. But try starting the day with less sugar and more protein! Try making breakfast burritos made with eggs and turkey sausage and shredded cheese on a whole wheat tortilla. It really doesn't take that long to make. Get the kids involved too! Try oatmeal with fruit in it. Children need that extra in the morning to keep their brains working solid until lunch time.
Lunch time is another thing. After working in the school district for a few years, I observed a few things. Usually your children don't eat what they buy for a school lunch. Most students throw away over half their lunch. I always made a point to make lunches for my children. We always made it the night before to save time in the morning. Lunches usually consisted of a sandwich on sandwich thins, carrot sticks and ranch, and a fruit cup in its on juice (less sugar that way.) Every now and then we would do baked chips and maybe if we made homemade cookies etc at home, we would put a couple of those in there. We have done salads in the lunch box, etc. Plan those healthy lunches and that will help them until they get home in the afternoon. Also make sure to put an ICE PACK of some sort in their lunch box. I saw several students with gogurts (which is another yummy option) or sandwiches with mayo on them, cheese etc with no refrigeration at all!!! That will cause food to spoil and in turn cause tummy problems.
I remember getting home in the afternoon from school wanting a snack. Make sure you have healthy options for after school snacks. Apple slices with peanut butter is a yummy option especially with a nice cold glass of milk! String cheese and grapes is another yummy option.
Make an effort to help your students this school year to do the best that they can do at school. Healthy foods will help make a huge difference in their day!!
Make sure that your students get to sleep at a good time. Make sure that backpacks are ready the night before and that will help save time in the morning and homework put in after it is completed that way there is no risk of leaving it at home.
Have a wonderful school year!!
Keep on Keeping on!!
That usually means getting back into a "normal" routine, what ever normal is! It means earlier bed times and earlier wake up times.
As your students prepare to go back to school, lets try not to do a breakfast of convenience! It is really easy to get into the pop tart, toaster strudel, cold cereal and milk kind of thing. But try starting the day with less sugar and more protein! Try making breakfast burritos made with eggs and turkey sausage and shredded cheese on a whole wheat tortilla. It really doesn't take that long to make. Get the kids involved too! Try oatmeal with fruit in it. Children need that extra in the morning to keep their brains working solid until lunch time.
Lunch time is another thing. After working in the school district for a few years, I observed a few things. Usually your children don't eat what they buy for a school lunch. Most students throw away over half their lunch. I always made a point to make lunches for my children. We always made it the night before to save time in the morning. Lunches usually consisted of a sandwich on sandwich thins, carrot sticks and ranch, and a fruit cup in its on juice (less sugar that way.) Every now and then we would do baked chips and maybe if we made homemade cookies etc at home, we would put a couple of those in there. We have done salads in the lunch box, etc. Plan those healthy lunches and that will help them until they get home in the afternoon. Also make sure to put an ICE PACK of some sort in their lunch box. I saw several students with gogurts (which is another yummy option) or sandwiches with mayo on them, cheese etc with no refrigeration at all!!! That will cause food to spoil and in turn cause tummy problems.
I remember getting home in the afternoon from school wanting a snack. Make sure you have healthy options for after school snacks. Apple slices with peanut butter is a yummy option especially with a nice cold glass of milk! String cheese and grapes is another yummy option.
Make an effort to help your students this school year to do the best that they can do at school. Healthy foods will help make a huge difference in their day!!
Make sure that your students get to sleep at a good time. Make sure that backpacks are ready the night before and that will help save time in the morning and homework put in after it is completed that way there is no risk of leaving it at home.
Have a wonderful school year!!
Keep on Keeping on!!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Arguments on the journey....
On road trips there always seems to be arguing along the way! "Mom...they are looking at me!" "Don't touch me...mom they are touching me!!" etc...
The same thing happens in life as well. It became very noticeable to be on Saturday as I was doing my half-marathon training. The training for Saturday-5 miles!!! I haven't done that distance except for a March of Dimes walk over 23 years ago! That was just walking....this on Saturday had jogging in it!!!!! Well in my mind, I started going...well I can make it for sure to do a 5K but not so sure about the 5 miles! Well ok..I made it to 3.2 miles and said...well ok..you made it this far you can make it to 4 miles You have done that before. Yep...got to 4 miles...and said..You know what...you have gotten this far you might as well go ahead and finish up the 5 miles! So I did. It was an argument in my mind...part of me wanted to talk myself out of it...part of me was fighting to finish the 5 miles!
When the arguments come...push yourself to finish what you set out to do! Don't quit!!! Keep going! You will feel better because you finished! Don't let the "stinkin thinkin" get the best of you!!! The more you beat the "stinkin thinkin" the easier it will be to complete your goals!
Keep on keeping on....
The same thing happens in life as well. It became very noticeable to be on Saturday as I was doing my half-marathon training. The training for Saturday-5 miles!!! I haven't done that distance except for a March of Dimes walk over 23 years ago! That was just walking....this on Saturday had jogging in it!!!!! Well in my mind, I started going...well I can make it for sure to do a 5K but not so sure about the 5 miles! Well ok..I made it to 3.2 miles and said...well ok..you made it this far you can make it to 4 miles You have done that before. Yep...got to 4 miles...and said..You know what...you have gotten this far you might as well go ahead and finish up the 5 miles! So I did. It was an argument in my mind...part of me wanted to talk myself out of it...part of me was fighting to finish the 5 miles!
When the arguments come...push yourself to finish what you set out to do! Don't quit!!! Keep going! You will feel better because you finished! Don't let the "stinkin thinkin" get the best of you!!! The more you beat the "stinkin thinkin" the easier it will be to complete your goals!
Keep on keeping on....
Sunday, July 1, 2012
It is HOT outside and Vacation fun!!
So summer has arrived in great force!!!! The outside temperatures have been AWFUL!! I have moved my workouts indoors just to not be in the heat...even early in the mornings have been difficult!
One thing I want to encourage you is to DRINK WATER!!! You need to stay hydrated!!! Especially if you do a lot of exercise, working out in the yard or spending a lot of time outside!
Vacations are also in full swing! Lots of people are on the road going from place to place! You can still make healthy choices while on vacation!!! Shocking I know!!! If you are driving...take healthy snacks with you in the car. Don't load up on all junk foods! Take fresh fruits with you, cheese sticks, water bottles, baby carrots, chopped celery, almonds etc.. Make healthy choices while traveling. It is ok to splurge and enjoy yourself, but don't make it 24/7 for the entire time you are on vacation! Your body will not enjoy that! One thing I have learned is that if you plan ahead, you can still maintain or even lose weight on vacation!!! Plan some activity...swimming, walking...so something!!!
When you go out to eat, look up the nutrition information on the web and make your choices before you get there...and STICK to your decision! I like to order first when we are on vacation because that way my decision is less likely to change. I have also noticed that when I make better choices, my family tends to make better choices in what they choose to eat.
Then another thing I will add....choose a diet or lifestyle change that you can stick with for the rest of your life! There are many options to choose from! I go to Weight Watchers because I truly enjoy the meetings, getting encouragement and help and the accountability.
There is also myfitnesspal.com It is free and online. You enter your food items for the day and it will hep you keep a journal of exercise and foods.
Healthy eating has to be a part of your everyday life forever!!! If you can't or won't eat cottage cheese or fat free cheese for the rest of your life...then make those changes in other ways! Cut out or cut back on sodas and add more water. Use reduced fat cheese etc...instead of high fat choices.
One thing you need to know, is that it is ok to splurge every once and awile! If you are at an amusement park and feel the need for a carmel apple or even a funnel cake, then do that...but might I suggest to split the funnel cake with SEVERAL people!! Moderation goes a long way!!!
Make healthy changes for no other person but yourself! You are the only you there is!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!
One thing I want to encourage you is to DRINK WATER!!! You need to stay hydrated!!! Especially if you do a lot of exercise, working out in the yard or spending a lot of time outside!
Vacations are also in full swing! Lots of people are on the road going from place to place! You can still make healthy choices while on vacation!!! Shocking I know!!! If you are driving...take healthy snacks with you in the car. Don't load up on all junk foods! Take fresh fruits with you, cheese sticks, water bottles, baby carrots, chopped celery, almonds etc.. Make healthy choices while traveling. It is ok to splurge and enjoy yourself, but don't make it 24/7 for the entire time you are on vacation! Your body will not enjoy that! One thing I have learned is that if you plan ahead, you can still maintain or even lose weight on vacation!!! Plan some activity...swimming, walking...so something!!!
When you go out to eat, look up the nutrition information on the web and make your choices before you get there...and STICK to your decision! I like to order first when we are on vacation because that way my decision is less likely to change. I have also noticed that when I make better choices, my family tends to make better choices in what they choose to eat.
Then another thing I will add....choose a diet or lifestyle change that you can stick with for the rest of your life! There are many options to choose from! I go to Weight Watchers because I truly enjoy the meetings, getting encouragement and help and the accountability.
There is also myfitnesspal.com It is free and online. You enter your food items for the day and it will hep you keep a journal of exercise and foods.
Healthy eating has to be a part of your everyday life forever!!! If you can't or won't eat cottage cheese or fat free cheese for the rest of your life...then make those changes in other ways! Cut out or cut back on sodas and add more water. Use reduced fat cheese etc...instead of high fat choices.
One thing you need to know, is that it is ok to splurge every once and awile! If you are at an amusement park and feel the need for a carmel apple or even a funnel cake, then do that...but might I suggest to split the funnel cake with SEVERAL people!! Moderation goes a long way!!!
Make healthy changes for no other person but yourself! You are the only you there is!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Charles Barkley's Tips to Working Out Like a Pro!
I love getting information that will help me along my journey! I can either apply it to my journey or not...I came across these tips yesterday and thought I would share! There are a few things that I may add from my journey too.. :o)
Rule 1. Success isn't just about eating! Sure, eating is he most important thing when you're trying to lose weight. But you're gonna have to do something to speed up your metabolism if you're going to comsistently lose weight--it doesn't matter whether you ride a bike, do the elliptical, or go on the treadmill. (It's me :o) You don't have to spend money on a gym membership to exercise! Find something you enjoy doing...walking at the park or around your neighborhood..swimming etc. but have fun!)
Rule 2. Change it up! If you want to lose weight, you have to change your worou all the time because your body is so smart, it adjusts to what you are doing. Trainers I've worked with say "every week, do something different" And they're right. One of the big reasons people can't lose weight is that they're doing the same thing all the time. Try a different piece of equipment or at least go at a different intensity or for longer than usual. (It's me again... this can be as simple as going the opposite direction on the walking path or trail that you are walking on or pick a different walk to take. If you are on the treadmill..try a different incline.)
Rule 3. Do what you can! Right now, I'm not at the point where I think I can run yet, so I'm doing the elliptical and the bike. But when I lose another 20 pounds, I would like to run. When I played basketball, I loved to run because being outside frees you up. You get sick of the gym. (Yep...me again...One neat app that I have on my phone is runkeeper. It is free and it will keep track of your distance, miles..etc.. It will also let you know when you have set a new record for yourself such as distance, speed, or consistency! Set a goal for yourself and do it!)
Rule 4. Do what gives you juice! When I'm working out, I listen to music or turn on the TV. When I put on a TV show or sporting event, and I'm on the elliptical or the bike, i could go all day and never even look at the time. I go for at least an hour, hour and a half.
For Music, I'm a hip hop guy. When I played basketball, I would always listen to hip hop on the way to the gae just to get myself juiced up. I wouldn't say I have a favorite rapper, but if i did, I would say Tupac Shakur. I love Jay-Z, love Eminem, love T.I.,love Kanye. Hip hop just gives me energy when I want to workout. (Yep me again...I don't really like hip hop or rap...but I do find music that has a good, steady beat that will keep my pace up..especially when I do my 5K's! It really does help pass the time away to have music going or you get to watching a show or even a movie on TV!)
Rule 5. Work with your schedule! I don't get to do kettlebells or cross training a lot when I'm traveling all the time. But when the playoffs are on, and I'm in the same city for something like two months, i can do those two or three times a week. That's an exciting part of my workout, but I can't always get into that routine when I'm traveling so I do other things. (Yep...me again...I have really had to learn how to incorporate exercise in my traveling!! If you have a favorite DVD and a lap top that plays DVD's..take those with you when you travel and do those in your room! If at all possible, see if the hotel you are staying in has a fitness room and use it! If not, go out and walk in the parking lot or take the stairs in the hotel. If they have a pool, that is a fun way to get some exercise in!!..just use what you have!)
Rule 6. Get in the game. There's only two type of guys: Those who play sport, and those who want to play sports. And if you can't play it you want to watch it because sports are really cool. But it's even cooler to play. ( Yes..me again...do something fun..playing volleyball with your friends or kids outside. Play frisbee with your family....just get some activity in!)
Rule 7. Work it. What made me get to the top of my game? Well, I think number one is just having God-given ability. But you have to work hard. There's no way you can be lazy and play sports. (yep me...I spent a lot of my time saying there is no way I couldn't do anything athletic. So I would sit and watch or just not participate! Then I would be upset with myself that I couldn't lose weight. I have, in the last year or so since I have become more active in my walking, jogging and other exercise that I am losing weight more consistently! So just get moving and do something for yourself!)
Keep on keeping on!!!
Rule 1. Success isn't just about eating! Sure, eating is he most important thing when you're trying to lose weight. But you're gonna have to do something to speed up your metabolism if you're going to comsistently lose weight--it doesn't matter whether you ride a bike, do the elliptical, or go on the treadmill. (It's me :o) You don't have to spend money on a gym membership to exercise! Find something you enjoy doing...walking at the park or around your neighborhood..swimming etc. but have fun!)
Rule 2. Change it up! If you want to lose weight, you have to change your worou all the time because your body is so smart, it adjusts to what you are doing. Trainers I've worked with say "every week, do something different" And they're right. One of the big reasons people can't lose weight is that they're doing the same thing all the time. Try a different piece of equipment or at least go at a different intensity or for longer than usual. (It's me again... this can be as simple as going the opposite direction on the walking path or trail that you are walking on or pick a different walk to take. If you are on the treadmill..try a different incline.)
Rule 3. Do what you can! Right now, I'm not at the point where I think I can run yet, so I'm doing the elliptical and the bike. But when I lose another 20 pounds, I would like to run. When I played basketball, I loved to run because being outside frees you up. You get sick of the gym. (Yep...me again...One neat app that I have on my phone is runkeeper. It is free and it will keep track of your distance, miles..etc.. It will also let you know when you have set a new record for yourself such as distance, speed, or consistency! Set a goal for yourself and do it!)
Rule 4. Do what gives you juice! When I'm working out, I listen to music or turn on the TV. When I put on a TV show or sporting event, and I'm on the elliptical or the bike, i could go all day and never even look at the time. I go for at least an hour, hour and a half.
For Music, I'm a hip hop guy. When I played basketball, I would always listen to hip hop on the way to the gae just to get myself juiced up. I wouldn't say I have a favorite rapper, but if i did, I would say Tupac Shakur. I love Jay-Z, love Eminem, love T.I.,love Kanye. Hip hop just gives me energy when I want to workout. (Yep me again...I don't really like hip hop or rap...but I do find music that has a good, steady beat that will keep my pace up..especially when I do my 5K's! It really does help pass the time away to have music going or you get to watching a show or even a movie on TV!)
Rule 5. Work with your schedule! I don't get to do kettlebells or cross training a lot when I'm traveling all the time. But when the playoffs are on, and I'm in the same city for something like two months, i can do those two or three times a week. That's an exciting part of my workout, but I can't always get into that routine when I'm traveling so I do other things. (Yep...me again...I have really had to learn how to incorporate exercise in my traveling!! If you have a favorite DVD and a lap top that plays DVD's..take those with you when you travel and do those in your room! If at all possible, see if the hotel you are staying in has a fitness room and use it! If not, go out and walk in the parking lot or take the stairs in the hotel. If they have a pool, that is a fun way to get some exercise in!!..just use what you have!)
Rule 6. Get in the game. There's only two type of guys: Those who play sport, and those who want to play sports. And if you can't play it you want to watch it because sports are really cool. But it's even cooler to play. ( Yes..me again...do something fun..playing volleyball with your friends or kids outside. Play frisbee with your family....just get some activity in!)
Rule 7. Work it. What made me get to the top of my game? Well, I think number one is just having God-given ability. But you have to work hard. There's no way you can be lazy and play sports. (yep me...I spent a lot of my time saying there is no way I couldn't do anything athletic. So I would sit and watch or just not participate! Then I would be upset with myself that I couldn't lose weight. I have, in the last year or so since I have become more active in my walking, jogging and other exercise that I am losing weight more consistently! So just get moving and do something for yourself!)
Keep on keeping on!!!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Summer Time! Summer Time!!!
I have to say that I love summer time a lot!!! Seems like you want to do more things!!! One question I have though is this: Do you change the types of food that you keep in your house when your children are home on summer break from school?
I was attending my weight watchers meeting yesterday and we were discussing the difficulties of summer. Vacations, wedding, camping, kids home from school, etc... One of the people there stated that she was having a difficult time because her kids were home so she had to buy all of the sugary drinks and junk food snacks. So it was very difficult to eat healthy! I made the comment to the group that I don't change the types of food that I keep in my home when my kids are home...and this person said "Your poor kids!" I want to teach my children to make better choices while they are younger because I don't want them to struggle with the problems that I have struggled with just about my entire life! For that reason we don't keep soda, chips, cookies, candy etc...in our home. We try to keep fruits and veggies just about all of the time! We also don't have a buffett going at our house! When we fix meals, we fix 1 meal...not 5!!!
If you yourself are struggling with making healthy choices, why not try to incorporate healthy eating habits with in your entire household. Summer time is one of the best times ever to get AMAZING fruits and veggies!!! Look up local farmer's markets in your area or in the area that you happen to be vacationing in and go shop there. You will be supporting the local farmers as well as getting WONDERFUL fresh fruits and veggies! Find a berry patch that has "Pick your Own" and spend time one day picking fresh berries!!
One thing I might suggest is that when you come home with your fruits and veggies, wash them and that way they will be ready to dive into when you are ready for a snack!
Take time this summer to let your children see what types of wonderful fruits and veggies that they can enjoy this summer! It is ok to have an occassional treat but not restock your entire pantry or freezer with junk food just because the children are out of school. You are not only hurting yourself by having those foods in your house, but you are also hurting your children by enabling them to have things that aren't really good for them. If they aren't good for you, then why in the world would you stock your house full because your children are home?
Take time to enjoy all the wonderful fresh fruits and veggies this summer!!
I was attending my weight watchers meeting yesterday and we were discussing the difficulties of summer. Vacations, wedding, camping, kids home from school, etc... One of the people there stated that she was having a difficult time because her kids were home so she had to buy all of the sugary drinks and junk food snacks. So it was very difficult to eat healthy! I made the comment to the group that I don't change the types of food that I keep in my home when my kids are home...and this person said "Your poor kids!" I want to teach my children to make better choices while they are younger because I don't want them to struggle with the problems that I have struggled with just about my entire life! For that reason we don't keep soda, chips, cookies, candy etc...in our home. We try to keep fruits and veggies just about all of the time! We also don't have a buffett going at our house! When we fix meals, we fix 1 meal...not 5!!!
If you yourself are struggling with making healthy choices, why not try to incorporate healthy eating habits with in your entire household. Summer time is one of the best times ever to get AMAZING fruits and veggies!!! Look up local farmer's markets in your area or in the area that you happen to be vacationing in and go shop there. You will be supporting the local farmers as well as getting WONDERFUL fresh fruits and veggies! Find a berry patch that has "Pick your Own" and spend time one day picking fresh berries!!
One thing I might suggest is that when you come home with your fruits and veggies, wash them and that way they will be ready to dive into when you are ready for a snack!
Take time this summer to let your children see what types of wonderful fruits and veggies that they can enjoy this summer! It is ok to have an occassional treat but not restock your entire pantry or freezer with junk food just because the children are out of school. You are not only hurting yourself by having those foods in your house, but you are also hurting your children by enabling them to have things that aren't really good for them. If they aren't good for you, then why in the world would you stock your house full because your children are home?
Take time to enjoy all the wonderful fresh fruits and veggies this summer!!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Summer Time is usually full of fun adventures!! Swimming pools, Amusement Parks, cookouts and just fun in general! I LOVE drinking lemonade with friends and family sitting around talking!
In looking for more healthy options to sweets, I found this yummy recipe on one of my new favorite websites! www.skinnytaste.com It is a fun website with lots of wonderful ideas for all kinds of recipes! Hope you enjoy!
Pink Lemonade Confetti Cupcakes
You will need: 1 box confetti cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
2 1/2 tsp powdered sugar-free pink lemonade mix
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
lemon zest from half of a lemon
2 drops pink food coloring (optional)
confetti Sprinkles,(optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with paper liners. Stir together the water and pink lemonade powder. Combine the cake mix, pink lemonade mixture, applesauce, lemon zest, food coloring and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pout the batter into the prepared cupcake pans. Add sprinkles if using and bake in the oven for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before serving. We didn't use any icing.
Nutrition Info: Servings: 24 1 cupcake Weight Watchers Points Plus: 3 Calories: 97.4 Fat: 2.3g Carbs 17.3g Fiber: 0g Protein: 1.0 g. Sugar 9.8 Sodium 103.7
In looking for more healthy options to sweets, I found this yummy recipe on one of my new favorite websites! www.skinnytaste.com It is a fun website with lots of wonderful ideas for all kinds of recipes! Hope you enjoy!
Pink Lemonade Confetti Cupcakes
You will need: 1 box confetti cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
2 1/2 tsp powdered sugar-free pink lemonade mix
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
lemon zest from half of a lemon
2 drops pink food coloring (optional)
confetti Sprinkles,(optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with paper liners. Stir together the water and pink lemonade powder. Combine the cake mix, pink lemonade mixture, applesauce, lemon zest, food coloring and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pout the batter into the prepared cupcake pans. Add sprinkles if using and bake in the oven for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before serving. We didn't use any icing.
Nutrition Info: Servings: 24 1 cupcake Weight Watchers Points Plus: 3 Calories: 97.4 Fat: 2.3g Carbs 17.3g Fiber: 0g Protein: 1.0 g. Sugar 9.8 Sodium 103.7
Motivation along the Way!
I know for myself that there are days that I just need a "booster shot" to my motivation.
I may fall off the exercise wagon or have a blackout and not make healthy food choices and will have to get my focus back into view! Just so you know, it is OK to treat yourself every once and awhile---it keeps you from having an uncontrollable binge!
For instance, my daughter had a free coupon for one of our local ice cream places for reading so many books during the school year....so off we went after dinner and I enjoyed a wonderful scoop of Snickerdoodle ice cream! Did I feel guilty? No...why? Because I had planned for that in my day! I knew we were planning to go get ice cream after dinner so I planned throughout the day to make better choices so that I wouldn't feel guilty about having ice cream with my family.
How'w the working out going? Make sure you are doing some type of movement each day! It can be a walk outside around the block or at a park, a bike ride, a swim or any type of activity that gets your heart rate up.
Weight Watchers is doing a Life Life Active Challenge for the next 6 weeks and each week if you have logged activity they will send you different things to help motivate you to keep going! Week 2 has been my favorite so far!!! Lots of great information in there! So I thought I would share it with you....just in case your desire to exercise was lacking some umph!
Top 10 Reasons to Work Out Today!:
Today's workout can:
1. Make me feel great, and leave me feeling more energized and happier than the recliner ever does.
2. Earn Activity Points (Weight Watcher term for more points) -Basically saying-Good Bye too tight pants!
3. Reduce the risk of major diseases. That includes diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer and breast cancer.
4. Makes me smarter! Cardio boosts memory and the ability to focus. Plus at the office, fit people do more work with less effort than their peers!
5. Help me feel more confident! Workouts boost self-esteem and so do their results!
6. Make me strong, and keep my bones in good shape.
7. Help me fall asleep faster.
8. Stop ______________________ (fill in name or thing) from getting under my skin. Workouts relieve stress fast.
9. Prevent "What Fits Today?" stress. When my clothes fit better, my day starts better.
10. Get me what I want. Working out is worth it to me because I want my mind/body/energy to be ________________ (fill in the blank)
EXERCISE BUSTERS!!!! The Next time your inner couch potato is telling you to take a load off, silence that slacker with these simple truths:
1. By the time I get through complaining about my workout, I could be done and showered!
2. I don't have to run a marathon in sub-arctic temperatures. I just have to do a short workout!
3. I don't have to love brushing my teeth in order to do it. Same with exercise! I just need to get it done!
4. If I have time to post facebook updates and add to my "Vacation Ideas" Pintrest board, I have time to do my workout!
I hope these help you! They really have encouraged me this week!!!
Keep on keeping on and stay hydrated!!!
I may fall off the exercise wagon or have a blackout and not make healthy food choices and will have to get my focus back into view! Just so you know, it is OK to treat yourself every once and awhile---it keeps you from having an uncontrollable binge!
For instance, my daughter had a free coupon for one of our local ice cream places for reading so many books during the school year....so off we went after dinner and I enjoyed a wonderful scoop of Snickerdoodle ice cream! Did I feel guilty? No...why? Because I had planned for that in my day! I knew we were planning to go get ice cream after dinner so I planned throughout the day to make better choices so that I wouldn't feel guilty about having ice cream with my family.
How'w the working out going? Make sure you are doing some type of movement each day! It can be a walk outside around the block or at a park, a bike ride, a swim or any type of activity that gets your heart rate up.
Weight Watchers is doing a Life Life Active Challenge for the next 6 weeks and each week if you have logged activity they will send you different things to help motivate you to keep going! Week 2 has been my favorite so far!!! Lots of great information in there! So I thought I would share it with you....just in case your desire to exercise was lacking some umph!
Top 10 Reasons to Work Out Today!:
Today's workout can:
1. Make me feel great, and leave me feeling more energized and happier than the recliner ever does.
2. Earn Activity Points (Weight Watcher term for more points) -Basically saying-Good Bye too tight pants!
3. Reduce the risk of major diseases. That includes diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer and breast cancer.
4. Makes me smarter! Cardio boosts memory and the ability to focus. Plus at the office, fit people do more work with less effort than their peers!
5. Help me feel more confident! Workouts boost self-esteem and so do their results!
6. Make me strong, and keep my bones in good shape.
7. Help me fall asleep faster.
8. Stop ______________________ (fill in name or thing) from getting under my skin. Workouts relieve stress fast.
9. Prevent "What Fits Today?" stress. When my clothes fit better, my day starts better.
10. Get me what I want. Working out is worth it to me because I want my mind/body/energy to be ________________ (fill in the blank)
EXERCISE BUSTERS!!!! The Next time your inner couch potato is telling you to take a load off, silence that slacker with these simple truths:
1. By the time I get through complaining about my workout, I could be done and showered!
2. I don't have to run a marathon in sub-arctic temperatures. I just have to do a short workout!
3. I don't have to love brushing my teeth in order to do it. Same with exercise! I just need to get it done!
4. If I have time to post facebook updates and add to my "Vacation Ideas" Pintrest board, I have time to do my workout!
I hope these help you! They really have encouraged me this week!!!
Keep on keeping on and stay hydrated!!!
Friday, May 25, 2012
What Kind of Adventures Are You Headed on This Summer?
Well here we are one of the most exciting times of the year: SUM SUM SUM SUMMER TIME!!! The time when cookouts and time spent with family and friends abound! Vacations and staycations are on the calendars!
This summer for me is a little... OK a LOT slower for me than last summer! Last summer was 6 straight weeks on the road!This summer...not so much travel.
Traveling can be a hazard to your eating habits! There are the infamous fast food stops because a sit down place takes up to much time and we just have to get there like yesterday! Can I challenge to you make wise choices in your stops along the way? A couple of our favorite places to stop on our journeys are Chick Fil A and Cracker Barrel. Cracker Barrel always has a WIDE variety of choices and plenty of veggies to choose from. Chick Fil A offers a great grilled chicken sandwich and a wonderful fresh fruit option for your side instead of fries (although..I do splurge at times and get the fries)
When you make stops at rest areas make sure you give your body a break as well as your bladder! Take a little bit of time and walk around. There are times that we will "race" back to the car with the kids. It gives your body a little bit of movement after riding for so long in the car!
Make sure that the hotels that you are staying in have a pool and a fitness room! The pool is a great way to get some wonderful low impact exercise in!! I love to get in the pool and do water walking, swim some laps. If you happen to have a noodle...those are great to do crunches with and a wide variety of exercises with.
Every summer the girls in my family go on a vacation together. When we arrive at our condo, there are a few of us that will look and see if the complex that we are staying at has a water aerobics group. We have at times been the youngest ones there...but really enjoy getting our exercise in!!! This year, I plan on taking my exercise DVD's, hand weights, and yoga mat with me and exercise first thing in the mornings.
Make sure to get your water in as well! That will help keep you hydrated!
Do your best to get some exercise in and make wise choices with your food so that you can either maintain or surprise yourself and loose weight on vacation!
Just remember...it is OK to splurge every so often while on vacation...but not EVERY meal EVERY day!
Have a wonderful summer...Take care of yourself..because you are the only you there is!
Keep on keeping on!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Routine Maintenance Along the Way!
Every one knows (or at least I hope that everyone knows) when driving a vehicle, you have to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle to make sure that it is running in proper order! The same goes for your body as well! That means going and having regularly scheduled checkups/physicals etc.
Well I have started the annual checkups and have heard that all of the lifestyle changes that I am making are really making a difference! Recently I went for my yearly vision test. I told my eye doctor that my newer glasses just hadn't been working right and that I could see better out of glasses that were a few years old. She ran all of the tests and was excited to tell me that my vision had improved! That is something that NEVER happens with me! My eyesight has progressively gotten worse over the years to where we were going to have to consider bi-focal lenses soon. I wasn't too happy about that thought. So I was able to go back to a prescription from like 3-4 years ago which was amazing to me!
Today I went for my annual mammogram. One of the ladies in the room asked if there had been any changes in my weight in the last year. The other lady in the room, Susan, smiled when I said yes. Because Susan has seen a majority of my transformation to getting healthy because she has been assisting with my mammograms the last three years. I was able to talk with them about how much better I'm feeling and how much weight that I had lost etc. It was the most enjoyable visit (if a mammogram can be enjoyable :o) )that I had! As I was leaving, the lady told me that I was truly an inspiration to her and that I was just an inspiration. That was hard for me to hear because this was the Breast Cancer Center and I see people there that are battling breast cancer every time that I am there. She then told me to keep on going and continue to keep getting healthy!
No matter if you are just thinking about trying to get healthy or you have been, like me, on this journey for several years, make sure that you are having regular doctor visits. That is a huge indicator and such an exciting thing to see as numbers that were once border line high or high dropping down into the normal ranges!
Make sure you are taking care of yourself! You are the only you there is and this world would be lonely without you!
Keep on keeping on!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Delicious Oreo Cheesecake
OK...so now I have a working computer...makes like a little easier!!! For meals sometimes, I like to encourage my children to take part in helping plan and prepare what we will be eating. My middle son (14) LOVES to cook and help in the kitchen was very eager to jump on the Easter dinner bandwagon!! He wanted to make the dessert!! So this is the recipe that he used. He had gotten this recipe from a fellow student at his school doing a "How To" speech in English. I did ask him ways that he could modify the ingredients to make it a bit more healthy! So he was up for the challenge!!!
2 cups Cool-Whip Free
1 package of Jell-0 Oreo pudding mix
1 bar of fat free cream cheese
2 cups of skim milk
12 individual graham cracker mini tart pans
Mix cool whip and cream cheese in a blender. Add whole box of pudding and milk to the blender. Blend ingredients in blender until desired look. Pour mixture in to pie crusts. Place in refrigerator for at least an hour.
For those that are doing Weight Watchers= 5 points plus
Enjoy!!!!
2 cups Cool-Whip Free
1 package of Jell-0 Oreo pudding mix
1 bar of fat free cream cheese
2 cups of skim milk
12 individual graham cracker mini tart pans
Mix cool whip and cream cheese in a blender. Add whole box of pudding and milk to the blender. Blend ingredients in blender until desired look. Pour mixture in to pie crusts. Place in refrigerator for at least an hour.
For those that are doing Weight Watchers= 5 points plus
Enjoy!!!!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
What makes you want to keep going?
What makes you want to keep going when you want to stop? This question was asked to me this Friday by my Weight Watcher leader Vicki. I had hit another milestone along this journey: 70 pounds gone!!
I had to think about it...because everyone else's question that had a weight loss was "What is your favorite snack?" I could answer that question easy!!! But I have several....celery with laughing cow cheese, apples and peanut butter, apples and laughing cow cheese and celery with peanut butter....to name a few!
My answer: Because I finally realized I'm worth it! And if I don't take care of me...there won't be a me to take care of. Over the years I have and will always be my children's biggest cheerleader! Now they are becoming mine! I am now stepping out of my comfort zone and no longer hiding behind the weight and doing things I thought I would NEVER do!! Like train for a 1/2 marathon in November!!!
Then the thoughts kept coming through out Friday and today! What has kept me from giving up when there have been several times that I have wanted to throw in the towel?
Family medical history: diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc...I don't want to be another one from my family added to that list! I want to be healthy!
I also want to accomplish a big goal and get back to normal "Healthy" weight for me!
I want to be here on this earth living a productive life enjoying it with my amazing family and friends that God has so richly blessed me with for as long as God allows me to be. I don't want to cut that short because I want to load up on all kinds of junk because I like it. Don't get me wrong...I still eat some sweets but nearly not as much as I used to.
I have also gotten out of my comfort zone and started doing things that I haven't done in YEARS!! I now go ice skating with Hope! I love it and it is a fun way to get some exercise in and quite a few laughs!!!
I have now started jogging more..not running...but jogging and really enjoying it!
I have more energy throughout the day..but I also know when I'm done and yes..some days...I am getting ready to go to sleep at 8:30 at night! But it truly does help!
I catch myself fussing at myself on the treadmill when I really want to stop...but I say..(sometimes out loud if I'm home alone) it is not time to stop...you keep going because you are going to finish this! You didn't start out to quit!!! Now finish up! Maybe I watch too much Biggest Loser or something!! LOL..But I don't have the swear words in there...I might make myself cry if I did!
So if you are wanting to make those changes in your life...don't wait until tomorrow...which is another blog for another time...but it is late and I need my sleep...because all good athletes need their rest...and yes....even though I still have a way to go in my weight loss journey...I am still an athlete!!!
So good night, get your rest, drink your water and get to moving!!!
I had to think about it...because everyone else's question that had a weight loss was "What is your favorite snack?" I could answer that question easy!!! But I have several....celery with laughing cow cheese, apples and peanut butter, apples and laughing cow cheese and celery with peanut butter....to name a few!
My answer: Because I finally realized I'm worth it! And if I don't take care of me...there won't be a me to take care of. Over the years I have and will always be my children's biggest cheerleader! Now they are becoming mine! I am now stepping out of my comfort zone and no longer hiding behind the weight and doing things I thought I would NEVER do!! Like train for a 1/2 marathon in November!!!
Then the thoughts kept coming through out Friday and today! What has kept me from giving up when there have been several times that I have wanted to throw in the towel?
Family medical history: diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc...I don't want to be another one from my family added to that list! I want to be healthy!
I also want to accomplish a big goal and get back to normal "Healthy" weight for me!
I want to be here on this earth living a productive life enjoying it with my amazing family and friends that God has so richly blessed me with for as long as God allows me to be. I don't want to cut that short because I want to load up on all kinds of junk because I like it. Don't get me wrong...I still eat some sweets but nearly not as much as I used to.
I have also gotten out of my comfort zone and started doing things that I haven't done in YEARS!! I now go ice skating with Hope! I love it and it is a fun way to get some exercise in and quite a few laughs!!!
I have now started jogging more..not running...but jogging and really enjoying it!
I have more energy throughout the day..but I also know when I'm done and yes..some days...I am getting ready to go to sleep at 8:30 at night! But it truly does help!
I catch myself fussing at myself on the treadmill when I really want to stop...but I say..(sometimes out loud if I'm home alone) it is not time to stop...you keep going because you are going to finish this! You didn't start out to quit!!! Now finish up! Maybe I watch too much Biggest Loser or something!! LOL..But I don't have the swear words in there...I might make myself cry if I did!
So if you are wanting to make those changes in your life...don't wait until tomorrow...which is another blog for another time...but it is late and I need my sleep...because all good athletes need their rest...and yes....even though I still have a way to go in my weight loss journey...I am still an athlete!!!
So good night, get your rest, drink your water and get to moving!!!
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Sweet Spot Along the Way!!
Found a wonderful list full of a variety of cupcakes!!!
The main ingredient: Angel Food Cake!!!!
1 box (1 step) angel food cake
Mix the angel food cake mix and desired flavor ingredients together and beat by hand until blended. Pour into a greased cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Lemon: 1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons water, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Orange Citrus: 1 cup water, 1/4 cup orange juice and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Cherry: 1 (20 ounce) can light cherry pie filling
Black Forest: 1 (20 ounce can light cherry pie filling and 1/2 cup cocoa.
Cotton Candy: 1 (3.4 ounce) box sugar free flavored gelatin, any flavor, and 1 1/4 cup water.
Margarita: 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind.
Pineapple: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice.
Pina Colada: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, 1 tablespoon coconut extract and (1 tablespoon rum extract, if desired)
Pumpkin: 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin, 3/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice.
Spice Cake: 1 1/4 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
If you are doing Weight Watchers:
Serving size 12
WW Points 3 (that means you can have 2 cupcakes!)
We have only tried the Cotton Candy ones...but are excited to try more!!!
Enjoy!
The main ingredient: Angel Food Cake!!!!
1 box (1 step) angel food cake
Mix the angel food cake mix and desired flavor ingredients together and beat by hand until blended. Pour into a greased cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Lemon: 1 cup plus 3 Tablespoons water, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Orange Citrus: 1 cup water, 1/4 cup orange juice and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
Cherry: 1 (20 ounce) can light cherry pie filling
Black Forest: 1 (20 ounce can light cherry pie filling and 1/2 cup cocoa.
Cotton Candy: 1 (3.4 ounce) box sugar free flavored gelatin, any flavor, and 1 1/4 cup water.
Margarita: 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime rind.
Pineapple: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice.
Pina Colada: 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, 1 tablespoon coconut extract and (1 tablespoon rum extract, if desired)
Pumpkin: 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin, 3/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice.
Spice Cake: 1 1/4 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
If you are doing Weight Watchers:
Serving size 12
WW Points 3 (that means you can have 2 cupcakes!)
We have only tried the Cotton Candy ones...but are excited to try more!!!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
Here is the new recipe that we tried for dinner today!!!! My son said that it was a keeper!!
I found it on the website: www.skinnytaste.com That is an awesome website to find great healthy recipes!!!
Enjoy!
1 onion, chopped
1 16 oz can black beans
1 16 oz can kidney beans
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5 oz cans of rotel tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
24 oz skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in . Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream. The cheese and sour cream will change the Calorie counts
Serving size: 1 1/4 cups Calories: 203.7 Fat: 1.4g Carbs: 33.3 g Fiber 10.0 g Protein 16.9 g Weight Watchers Points Plus: 5
I found it on the website: www.skinnytaste.com That is an awesome website to find great healthy recipes!!!
Enjoy!
1 onion, chopped
1 16 oz can black beans
1 16 oz can kidney beans
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5 oz cans of rotel tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
24 oz skinless chicken breasts
chili peppers chopped (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in . Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream. The cheese and sour cream will change the Calorie counts
Serving size: 1 1/4 cups Calories: 203.7 Fat: 1.4g Carbs: 33.3 g Fiber 10.0 g Protein 16.9 g Weight Watchers Points Plus: 5
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Evaluating The Progress Along The Way!
So here we are 10 days into the new year!!! How is it going so far? Have you already fallen off the resolution wagon? Are you on target with the goals that you have set for yourself?
One goal that I have for the year is to not get into a food rut! When food gets boring, I tend to look to not so healthy choices for myself. So I have started looking for different websites that are healthy options!!! One that I really like so far and have found some really good recipes on is www.skinnytaste.com
They have a lot of recipes to choose from. We haven't found a bad one yet that we have tried! We have several coming up the next several days and weeks to come that we are going to try.
How's the exercise going? Try your best to move at least 15 minutes a day. The more you do that you will be able to increase your time exercising and in my own experience I have noticed that I have more energy! Even if it is walking in place during commercials you will almost get 15 minutes during a 30 minute show on television! I have also noticed that by the time bed time rolls around I am not wanting to stay up and piddle around on the computer or watch TV. My body tells me it is time to call it a day...if it is 8:30 or 10:00.
One thing to remember is that you have to have a plan!!! As Sir Winston Churchill said "He who fails to plan is planning to fail." Get a plan a follow through! Let 2012 be the year of change for the better!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!
One goal that I have for the year is to not get into a food rut! When food gets boring, I tend to look to not so healthy choices for myself. So I have started looking for different websites that are healthy options!!! One that I really like so far and have found some really good recipes on is www.skinnytaste.com
They have a lot of recipes to choose from. We haven't found a bad one yet that we have tried! We have several coming up the next several days and weeks to come that we are going to try.
How's the exercise going? Try your best to move at least 15 minutes a day. The more you do that you will be able to increase your time exercising and in my own experience I have noticed that I have more energy! Even if it is walking in place during commercials you will almost get 15 minutes during a 30 minute show on television! I have also noticed that by the time bed time rolls around I am not wanting to stay up and piddle around on the computer or watch TV. My body tells me it is time to call it a day...if it is 8:30 or 10:00.
One thing to remember is that you have to have a plan!!! As Sir Winston Churchill said "He who fails to plan is planning to fail." Get a plan a follow through! Let 2012 be the year of change for the better!!!
Keep on keeping on!!!
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