My First Mamavation Monday

So what is that exactly? I don't know exactly yet, I will be honest. What I do know is that Mamavation seems to be a great network of women that are supporting each other in their fitness and weigh loss efforts. I need that kind of support and motivation so I have been trying to keep up with them (an effort I am failing miserably at right now) on twitter. But what I do manage catch I can tell these ladies are on a mission to support each other, and that is awesome.

So what is my status. Well, I am on a mission to lose 40 lbs. I can't believe that number actually, where did it all come from. Can I still blame it on my kids, the youngest is 3 1/2 years old? I blame them. Just kidding I did gain most of it during my pregnancies, but I have packed on some of it after as well. But now I am working on ME!

To date I have lost about 3 lbs. I have really been focusing on my eating habits and being more aware of what I am eating. Before I was a snacker, I still am honestly, but now I try to write down what I am eating or at least think about how much I have had already during the day and trying to stay close to a certain amount each day. It is tough but not as tough as I thought it would be. I still occasionally have a doughnut or a McDonald's Frappe, but when I do I know that it means I have to really stick to my plan the rest of the day. And I am losing weight, slow and steady. I am also fitting in more exercise. Not as much as I would like but more than I ever used to do, so that is something. And I like it too, and can tell when I need to do more. Like today, my legs hurt, A LOT, I need to break out a walk at home video or do some yoga stretches.

Some of the mamavation moms have been talking about Earth shoes, those sound really cool. Wish I had some. So here is my shameless plug hoping for a chance to win some. (I am not too proud to beg) They do sound pretty amazing though, and hey you can't win if you don't enter, right. :D

So my goals for this week.

1) Get in at least 4 days of exercise. More would be great and I need to push past 3 days a week, I can do that easily but trying to get in 4 or more days seems to be hard for me. That is my goal.

2) DRINK WATER. I won't say more water because I will be honest, I almost NEVER drink any water at all. My poor kidneys are gonna give up on me one day because of the torture I put them through. I should know I have a BS in Nutrition for goodness sake. I just don't like the plain ole stuff, I have to spruce it up. But my goal this week is to drink at least 2 glasses of water a day. that will be huge for me to accomplish. seriously it is that bad.

3) And this goal will seem silly to some of you, but I hope to figure out this whole twitter thing once and for all. Maybe my brain is just too slow or I am just too impatient but I don't really understand what is going on with all the @--- and #--- stuff. I am trying but I just... well I don't. haha

Hope everyone is ready for a great week. I am!

I've been MIA.... BUT......

I'MMMM BACKKKKK!!! Haha Scared ya didn't I. Well most of you know my life changed A LOT this past year, and well blogging kind of lost its fun for me. Lots of things in life did actually. I am still trying to figure out my place and what brings me joy and happiness. I figured it was time to get back to this, give my blog a mini facelift (it really needs a whole over-haul but I am not equipped for that at the moment)and get back to my blog and my friends who love me.

So what does that mean, I don't know, I am winging this. I hope to get back to sharing some of my favorite recipes, especially some that I have found that are nutritious and delicious and healthy. I am working on shedding some excess weight so I hope to use this as a place to keep myself accountable and brag when I do good.

Of course with three girls in the mix there will also be plenty of silly stories to keep things interesting. And you never know I might get a little insightful sometimes, or emotional or I may just break out in song (thank goodness there isn't a mic hooked up to this).

No matter what I end up writing about I just look forward to moving forward in my journey. I know God is in control of it all and I am just a passenger on this trip. It isn't always fun or easy but no matter what I know God will get me where I am going. :)

Chocolate Eggnog

I haven't made this in a couple years but I am going to dust off this recipe this year and make this yummy goodness, so I figured I should share it with my dearest friends.

Chocolate Egg Nog

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup milk
* 1 1/2 cups chocolate milk
* 5 eggs
* 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
* 1/2 cup whipping cream
* 1/2 cup Kahlua (or strong coffee)
* 1/2 cup dark rum
* 1/2 tsp ground cinammon

PREPARATION:
Combine milk and chocolate milk in a saucepan and scald (do not boil). In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar together until thick. Add about 1/2 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture and mix through. Then stir the egg mixture back into the hot milk, and place over low heat.

Add whipping cream and Kahlua. Cook and stir until mixture thickens. Do not boil. Remove from heat and add rum and cinnamon. Let cool and refrigerate until chilled. Serve with a sprinkling of grated chocolate and nutmeg.

Facebook and Hellmann's have teamed up to Feed America

How? might you ask. Facebook and Hellmann's Mayonnaise have created an application on facebook where you can create your perfect sammie to share with all your friends. For every sandwich created Hellmann's will donate 7 lunches to the Feed America program.

AND....

If that isn't enough to get you to click over right now, you just might win something, too! Each sandwich created will automatically enter you for a chance to win a $250 grocery store gift certificate.[2] And for every friend on Facebook®[3] that you share your sandwich with, Hellmann's® and Best Foods® will donate an additional 7 lunches to the charity.

So head over to facebook.com/hellmanns create a sandwich, share it w/ your friends, encourage them to do the same, and get a chance to win $250 in free groceries. And you get the extra feel good of knowing you are helping to feed people right here, in the US, who need our help.

Here is a chance to when a Wii

Yes you heard me right, but the giveaway isn't here so listen up.

Wow, what a great giveaway that is going on over at Christian Personal Finance. It is their 2 year anniversary and they are celebrating it in big style. Not only can you win a Wii you can also win an Ipod. So head over there and check it out. And while you are there be sure to check all the other great info too.

Be sure to register soon, the contest ends Today (yikes I just realized that)!!! Thursday June 4th at 11:59pm CST.

Amazing and Delicious dinner courtesy of Hillbilly Housewife.

Tonight's dinner was fabulous, so I had to be sure to share. I was checking out the Hillbilly Housewife site the other day and found that she actually has a "healthy" site too, Healthy Hillbilly Housewife. I had no idea this site existed, so I am sorry if you already knew. If you did, why didn't you tell me. lol
So, I had to give some of her recipes a try, after all I am attempting to lose some extra weight and always in search of low cost healthy recipes. This one will go in my list of favorites, but probably won't get cooked much if the girls don't show more interest (unfortunate for me, because I am truly excited about this recipe, can you tell).

So here it is. No longer a hidden secret.

Brazilian Coconut Chicken, Brown Rice
Yogurt, Sliced Cucumbers and Tomato Wedges
Iced Lemon Zinger Tea
336 Calories

6 servings

1teaspoon EACH salt, ground cumin, red pepper, tumeric and coriander
(I used 1 tsp curry powder for the tumeric and coriander)
1/2 teaspoon EACH ground ginger and garlic powder
1lb boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut into strips
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 c thin sliced onions
1 EACH red, yellow and green pepper, thinly sliced (I only used a yellow, it was all I had)
14 oz can of light coconut milk
3 tablespoosn minced jalapeno peppers (I didn't use these) or others as desired
2 teaspoon honey
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

(Be sure to start brown rice early as it take approximately 45 min to cook).

1. Place seasoning in large ziploc bag or other large sealable container. Mix to combine. Add sliced chicken pieces and toss to coat. Heat oil in large skillet, add onions and allow to cook briefly. Add chicken and sauté until no longer pink, approximately 5-10 minutes. Add the sliced pepper strips and fry briefly. Add the coconut milk. Stir. Add the minced peppers and honey. Simmer gently for about 5 min to blend flavors. Add cilantro or parsley and serve over rice.

To serve according to nutritional suggestions, serve 1/3 c brown rice with 1/6 of the chicken mixture. Scoop 1/3 c plain yogurt on to plate and arrange with 1 c sliced cucumbers and 1 medium sliced tomato.

Wanna Win some super cute kids books, I do that is why I am blogging today!

Brandy over at Not So Average Mama is hosting a give-away for some super cute kids books. Not only are the books cute but they are about animals who are sick w/ common kids illnesses. So your child can read about animals that are sick when they are sick too. I could so use this right now as all 3 of my girls are dealing with strep throat this week.

So be sure to head over to Brandy's blog and sign up for the give-away. But if you don't that is ok, makes my chances of winning even better. But if you do, be sure to sign up by May 27, 2009.