Monday, August 30, 2010

I need a Monday

I have to admit I have been lazy this week. Maybe I was taking a mini staycation I don't know but I slacked this week and I have been paying for it ever since. Here was the problem. I needed to go to the grocery store but 1 wasn't feeling it and 2 I have a little girl I babysit so getting to the store isn't as easy on those days. (There I did it I made my excuses). We were out of veggies (that is a good problem to have) and I didn't get to the store to get them, so we didn't eat very well this week. I ordered pizza one day and we ate that for leftovers the next day and we had a hectic weekend. I am proud to say that even though I wasn't making good food choices I didn't over eat. But needless to say I am paying for it today. I FEEL LIKE CRAP. I feel heavy and tired and sluggish and YUCKY! Oh and I forgot to mention the zit factor. I face is broke out today, I know it is the bad food trying to get out of my system

And my Gruve is mad at me too. I forgot it on Friday, then Sat I forgot it about half the day, and Sunday I spend so much time in church I don't get a green. So I haven't had a green day in 3 days. I think this is also contributing to my generally yucky feeling.

But it was a good learning lesson. I think I needed it because with my success in weight loss the last few weeks I felt like it was ok to slack off, but I am paying for it dearly now. I haven't wanted to work out so bad in my life. because I know moving is gonna help me shake off this yucky feeling. And I went grocery shopping this weekend and got some veggies again so this week will get on track.

I am also taking a break from the scale. I loved the mv campaign and the move it and lose it challenge but I don't want to become so obsessed with the numbers and I was getting to that point. I love to get a shout out but I think for now I will just weigh in maybe every other week, or when the urge strikes instead of every week. I am going to focus on healthy eating and being as active as possible. Its been working and I know it will continue to work even if I am not checking my weight every week.

I think I need to win this weeks blogging carnival after the week I had. This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by a protein and detox product. I have tried a few detox kits before but never could tell much difference. Some people swear by them so maybe I just didn't get the right thing. Plus I am notoriously terrible at remembering to do something every day for weeks on end, so remembering to take a bunch of pills is not my thing. Since these are shakes maybe I can actually pull this one off. LOL

So tell me what you like to do when you feel stuck in a fitness rut or not in the mood to cook or go grocery shopping. Maybe with some good tips I won't have another week like I did last week. :)

Congrats to Janice @fitcheerldr I just love her. I have been doing her Walk and Tone workout and I LOVE it! Watch for my review and giveaway soon. ;) ;)

Congrats again to Lisa and Jenny I loved watching you get tortured these last few weeks. HAHAHA No seriously I am extremely proud of you 2 and so happy to have had a chance to watch you transform. I look forward to following the rest of your journey!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Carrot Spaghetti

Carrot Spaghetti

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

3 medium carrots
2 small cloves garlic
1/4 of an onion, diced(I slice mine thin and cut the slices so the make "noodles too")
3 tablespoon olive oil or less or I used 1 tbs coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup of your favorite pasta sauce (I skipped this and opted to top it w/ Parmesan cheese)

Directions:

Wash the carrots well, especially if they are not organic. With a vegetable peeler, peel the carrots into long thing strips and sprinkle with salt. Finely dice the garlic and onion (if desired).

Coat the bottom of a large pan with the olive oil and heat on medium-high heat. When hot, add the carrots. Toss frequently (this works well with tongs). When the carrots start to soften, add the garlic and pepper (add onion here too if you like). Keep tossing for a couple of minutes until some of the carrots get brown around the edges (don't burn!) and the garlic is golden.

Serve with your favorite pasta sauce (tomato based, I really can't vouch for alfredo or other fancy sauces). Again I skipped this step and topped w/ parm cheese.

The nice thing is that it can be twirled with a fork the same way as regular pasta! Great if you're a carrot lover as I am.

Serves: 1

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Recipes to share

Ever want to make hummus but can't find the tahini sauce, well here is a great recipe to try. I love it!

Hummus and baked pita chips


4 pita pockets, each cut into 4 wedges
Olive Oil cooking spray
salt and pepper

1 large clove of garlic (we have the kind already minced... I just use about a tablespoon and adjust from there)
1 can (15.5 oz) of garbanzo (chick peas) beans (I've only used rehydrated dried beans and they are wonderful)
3 tbs. sour cream (KEY INGREDIANT!)
3 tbs. lemon juice (it says fresh.. but I use the old crappy bottled kind)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. ground cumin (another KEY ingredient)
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

Put the pita slices on a cookie sheet, spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes at 400 degrees.

Meanwhile, mince garlic (if you use fresh) in the food processor. Add everythign else... but save the olive oil. Process until ALMOST smooth. With machine still running add the olive oil until mixture is smooth. Serve with the pita chips still warm...

This enchilada has become a favorite in our house.
Veggie Chicken Enchilada

1 large onion, chopped
1 med bell pepper chopped
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
1 1/2 c red enchilada sauce
1 8 oz can of no salt tomato sauce
8 corn tortillas
2/3 c shredded lowfat Monterey jack cheese

Preheat oven to 375.
Spray nonstick skillet w/ cooking spray. Add onion and cook 5 min over Med heat. Add pepper and zucchini and cook 5 more min. Stir in chicken, set aside. in a small bowl combine enchilada sauce and tomato sauce. Soften tortillas in the microwave or on a warm skillet. Dip tortillas in sauce then place 2 tablespoons of mixture on one side. Roll up and place in 9x13 baking pan. Repeat w/ all tortillas. Pour remaining sauce over rolls. cover loosely w/ foil and back 20-25 min. remove cover and sprinkle w/ cheese, bake 5 more min to melt cheese.

Nutritional infor Cal 305, Carb 43, Protein 21g, Total Fat 7 g, Dietary fiber 7 g.

** I didn't have red enchilada sauce when I made this, I just used the green I had and didn't add the extra can or tomato sauce. And I used flour tortillas because that is what we like. VERY YUMMY!!

I had this last year at a church chili cookoff and it was great.
Veggie Chili

Ingredients

* 2 tablespoons canola oil
* 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
* 1 cup chopped red bell peppers
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 2 to 3 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced, depending upon taste
* 1 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed and cut into small dice
* 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears)
* 1 1/2 pounds portobello mushrooms (about 5 large), stemmed, wiped clean and cubed
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 1 tablespooon ground cumin
* 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
* 4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
* 3 cups cooked black beans, or canned beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 cup vegetable stock, or water
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
* Cooked brown rice, accompaniment
* Sour cream or strained plain yogurt, garnish
* Diced avocado, garnish
* Essence, recipe follows, garnish
* Chopped green onions, garnish

Directions

In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and serrano peppers, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, corn, and mushrooms, and cook, stirring, until soft and the vegetables give off their liquid and start to brown around the edges, about 6 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and stir well. Add the beans, tomato sauce, and vegetable stock, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.
To serve, place 1/4 cup of brown rice in the bottom of each bowl. Ladle the chili into the bowls over the rice. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and spoonful of avocado. Sprinkle with Essence and green onions and serve.
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

* 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons salt
* 2 tablespoons garlic powder
* 1 tablespoon black pepper
* 1 tablespoon onion powder
* 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Having a positive attitude! Monday

Being and staying positive is something I struggle with, but something I KNOW is very important. A positive attitude can totally change how a situation turns out. Trust me I know. After my husband left me last year I could have (and did for a while) sunk into a deep depression leaving my kids without a stable parent (Lord knows there dad wasn't being very stable for them at the time). But I knew that I had to keep it together for my kids and for myself if we were going to make it through such a bad situation. The days when I don't think positively are hard nasty days, but I have learned that I am in control of how my days feel by how I feel. As I lose weight I am finding that the same positive attitude that got me through my dark days last year is helping me shed major pounds this year.

When I first started my weight loss journey I did a lot of negative self talk. "I am not a self motivator," "I don't have much stamina for long workouts," "this exercise is too hard for me," etc. You get the picture and you have probably said some of those same things too from time to time. But as I saw that I could do (or almost do) some of the things I thought were too hard and the weight started coming off (and staying off) I became more positive about it. And you know what happened I LOST MORE WEIGHT! and it GOT EASIER!!!

I have been following Pete Cohen's program since he was on a few weeks ago and something he said clicked. Not because I hadn't heard it before but because I realized it was why I have finally been succeeding!
The most important thing to remember is that you get what you focus on. So focus on feeling good for no reason at all. Look for the positive things that you’re doing and give yourself some credit and you will achieve more.


So if you are stuggling yourself take Pete's advice:
We’re all human so we’ll all have challenges from time to time. So the next time you start to give yourself a hard time:* stop it.* talk politely to yourself….be gentle…..be nice.* give yourself some encouragement.* be kind to yourself.* be your own best friend.
Congrats to Shawnee @ShawneeH! Being Sista of the week is such an honor and you totally deserves it!


Another special thanks to Earth Footwear for sponsoring this weeks blogging carnival. You have been truely amazing to mamavation and we all love you!

This is the last week of the Move it and Lose it challenge and I am proud to finish strong! I started this challenge at 163.5 (166 the day I applied for M Mom)and today I am at 155! That is another 3 lbs down from last week. I am not even sure how that happened but I am happy to see it!


AFTER



BEFORE



Measure 6/28 Measure 8/9 Measure 8/23
Waist --38.5--- 37.5 ---38
Chest --39--- 37.5 ---38
Hips-- 44--- 43 ---43.5
thigh R --26--- 25.5--- 25.25
Thigh L --26.5--- 26--- 25.25
Calf R --15.5 ---15 ---15.25
Calf L-- 15.5--- 15.25 ---15.25
Bicep R --13--- 12.5 ---12.75
Bicep L --12.5 ---13--- 12.75

Weight --163.5 ---160 ---155

I am not sure how my measurements are bigger but my weight is smaller. I am gonna blame it on pre-Aunt Flo bloat as she is due any moment now. But I still am shocked at the weight loss, I truly had only hoped to maintain this week.

Sorry for such a long post today, I try not to get too windy but today just feels good.

I hope everyone makes this week the best it can be. Stay positive and find the good in every day! Mwah!

Monday, August 16, 2010

First day of school Monday


I feel like I am doing good to start this post today. 2 out of 3 kiddos started back to school today. It was a busy morning but I was able to get up and weigh in before they woke up. Then I spent the morning convincing B (my 5 yo kindergartner) that she does want to go to school and riding the bus will be fun (afterall she will be w/ sis on the bus and she has been so excited until today). Even S, the oldest, had a few butterflies this morning. I felt like the worst mom ever after I put them on the bus. Should I have taken them? It doesn't really matter now, they need to get used to riding the bus, they are gonna do fine. (I keep repeating that to myself in hopes that I will soon believe it, lol). Later G, the little one, and I will be heading out to find her some new clothes because I was again worst mom ever when she realized she had no new clothes for her first day of school (cuz I would just let her have the new stuff as I bought it not thinking she would want a new outfit, blah can't win for losing w/ these kids, hehe)

And apparently losing is something I am getting good at!! :D Cuz the pics don't lie, I am down another 2 lbs from last week!!!!! I totally didn't expect it because last week seemed like a bust, I didn't get to the gym and I wasn't making very good food choices. We were busy with back to school nights and gearing up for back to school. What I did do right was watch my portions and kept water with me all the time. Honestly I had hoped to just maintain this week so I was SHOCKED to see 158 on the scale, which mean I am to my next mini goal of being into the 150's!!!!!!! For those keeping track I started my weight loss journey at 171 so I am down 13 lbs (I started the Move It and Lose it Challenge at 163.5--down 5.5 lbs since then).

Thank you all for your encouragement.

Congrats to @Christlikemommy (Kimberly). I am slowly getting to know her better and she seems like such an awesome person, you deserve this girl!!

Thank you @boogiemom of for sponsoring the blogging carnival this week. I haven't had a chance to try these yet but I did share a pack with my cousin who just had a baby. I can't wait to get more and keep for G because she always seems to have the crusties (darn allergies), I am sure she will appreciate them and so will her nose.

If you want to learn more about Mamavation and how it is helping moms everywhere get up and move and get healthy be sure to check out mamavation.com. Pledge our sistahood and receive the wonderful support of moms like you and me!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

More fav recipes-- For the Lunchbox

I realized the other day that most of the recipes on the blog are yummy and well not so healthy. So I decided I need to pull out some of my faves and start posting again.

This one I love, the girls love, great for at home or lunch boxes.

Finger Lickin' Chicken Salad
1/2 c cubed roasted chicken
1/2 rib of celery (bite size pieces)
1/4 c mandarin orange segments
1/4 c seedless grapes
(apple chunks are also good)

Dip
2 tbls lemon yogurt
1 tbls reduce fat mayo
1/4 tsp soy sauce
1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon

toss together chicken, celery and fruit.

Combine dip ingredients.
If sending in lunchbox, besure to keep chilled w/ ice pack.

Peanut butter Apple wraps

3/4 cu peanut butter (or similar nut butter)
4 whole wheat tortillas
3/4 c finely chopped apple
1/3 c shredded carrot
1/3 c lowfat granola w/ raisins
1 tbls wheat germ.

spread peanut butter on tortillas. Sprinkle each with the remaining ingredients. Roll up tightly. Cut in half to serve. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. We put an ice pack in the lunchbox w/ these.

Monday, August 9, 2010

What a great WEEK!!!! Monday

Maybe being sick is my good luck charm?!?!!!! lol Well I wasn't very sick, just a head cold/sinus whatever junk. But something was going my way this week. Monday night on Mamavation TV I won a Gruve (and it arrived Friday how great!!)Then you all honored me by making me Sista of the Week which was truly a shock and an honor, you don't even know how great that made me feel. And then this morning I wake up and find this...



Yes that is a 2 pound weight loss this week!!! Last week my Wii photo was at 162 this week the TV and Wii were already occupied by my lovely children so I decided to use the other scale (that isn't always as kind as the Wii) so I was extra shocked to see that number. This also means I have passed my first mini goal of 10 lbs down (officially down 11 total and 3.5 since starting the Move It and Lose it challenge)

I have also started noticing my clothes are looser, which of course is a good thing. I was hoping to be down a pant size w/ 10 pounds gone but that hasn't happened YET. But I rechecked my measurements and here is what I found.
Measure 6/28 Measure 8/9
Waist 38.5 ---37.5
Chest 39 ---37.5
Hips 44 ---43
thigh R 26 ---25.5
Thigh L 26.5 ---26
Calf R 15.5 ---15
Calf L 15.5 ---15.25
Bicep R 13 ---12.5
Bicep L 12.5 ---13

Once again I am super excited about Mamavation TV, I can't wait to hear from @Pete_Cohen since I missed him the last time he was on. I am so proud of Lisa (@Ljenator) for being picked to be the NEW Mamavation Mom, she is my inspiration so much of the time. And I want to thank Lori (@gutimom) for sponsoring the Blogging carnival and Mamavation TV this week. Be sure to check out her Avon site.

And thank you all again for your love and support and for allowing me to the Sista of the Week. It has been such an honor! Thank you EA Sports Active for sponsoring the Mamavation Sista of the Week by giving each of us a copy of EASports Active More Workouts.

These are the reasons I do what I do (and our Fur baby who was missing her buddy last night because she spent the night at my mom's hehe)




~~Julie (@jamnsfld76

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Mamavation Monday Aug 2

Woot! Am I really posting a day early, YES I AM!! ;D

Congrats to Rachel Steffan @RachelSteffen for being chosen as Sista of the Week. Rachel is phenomenal support and I have loved getting to know her. She is a true Sista!!

Well since Aunt Flo left town this week my numbers are back and looking better. I am down 1.5 lbs (that is a total of 9 lbs since starting Mamavation and .5 lbs since the start of the Move it Lose it challenge). I am glad to get past the lb I gain the past 2 weeks and be back moving in the right direction again. I am at 162 and I am super excited to be inching closer to the 150's.



I need to get back to my goals sooooo..........

1 MORE WATER!! I have been slacking again, too easy for me to get out of the habit since it isn't my favorite thing to drink. I am trying. Work toward 60-80 a day.

2 Try to get in 5 cardio days and 3 strength training days. And figure out why my stability ball isn't holding air, (hope it is the valve not a real leak).

3 Get a menu plan in action again this week. Food has been good but is better when I menu plan.


This week's blogging carnival is sponsored by Gruve Solution. I have had my eye on one of these handy gadgets for a while now but they are a bit out of my price range at the moment, one day I will get one. Maybe I will get lucky and win one this week. :D A girl can dream right!

I hope everyone has a good week. My head is plugged and my throat hurts but I am getting water ready to do a neti rinse, hope that helps. :-/

Julie :)