February 23, 2012

Krazy Mommy Moment:

This week I had a total Ah-Ha moment! (brought to my attention by my best g friend). I am a total control freak!  I have no desire to control other people.  In fact, I spend all of my time attempting to control myself and my environment.  I think since I have stopped working, I feel a little bit lost.  I'm not so sure about my place in the world anymore.  I was really good at my job, and I loved it!  I miss my  colleagues and all of my kiddos so much.  I think that I have transferred that into my now jobless life by giving myself a rigid schedule of cleaning, eating, and exercising!  Holy Crap!  I don't know if this is healthy!  I spend my days now cleaning, making lists, exercising, and eating a very planned out clean diet.  As my good friends know well, don't mess with my schedule or I get a little crazy!  As soon as the kids come home from school I feel purpose again and the importance of myself and my to do list diminishes.  I get to focus on them again. I am going to work on not being so rigid and inflexible (is that a word?).  I might even stop making lists about what list to conquer first!

Workout Schedule:

This is my last week of the Jaime Eason 30 Day Knockout!  Yea.  I am sooo excited to be done.  I loved the workout don't get me wrong.  I see totally awesome results in the overall tone of my muscles.  I just loose motivation and drive when I do the same routines for an extended period of time.  I did learn that deadlifts are my butt's best friend!  O.K., so after my confession above, this won't surprise you.  I have already planned, printed off, and put in page protectors in my workout binder.........my workouts for the next 12 weeks!  I really am disturbed aren't I?  I am going to try a 12 week workout that I found at bodybuilding.com.  It is called 12 Week LiveFit Trainer by Jaime Eason.  It looks really intense, but I am really excited to start next week.  It is supposed to get you totally competition ready in just 12 weeks.  The diet is included too. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-phase-1.html?page=2 I will keep you posted on my results and progress.  By the way, I will absolutely not be entering into any competitions!  Walking across a stage in a bikini and heels?  My worst nightmare! 

Noodle Let Down:

So my Miracle Noodles finally got here.  I was so excited at the prospect of calorie free noodles, however, Miracle Noodles, not such a miracle after all.  The texture is really weird and they are super stinky!  Not just a slight odor, I mean Smelly Cat smelly!  I ordered a bunch, so I guess I will have to eat them.  I am totally not a waster, so I will have to make the best of them. I did see some tofu noodles at Sprouts yesterday, so I will try those when my Miracles have all disappeared. 

Clean Eating Recipe:

Oh my gosh!  Tried this recipe from Hungry-Girl.com for lunch yesterday. It is so delicious!

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 200 calories, 3.25g fat, 930mg sodium, 33g carbs, 7g fiber, 7g sugars, 17g protein -- PointsPlus® value 5* Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Click to download a printer-friendly version! 1 large low-fat, high-fiber, burrito-size tortilla with about 100 calories (like this kind by La Tortilla Factory) 1/3 cup fat-free ricotta cheese 1 tbsp. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup thinly sliced onion 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/8 tsp. salt, or more to taste Dash black pepper 4 thin slices plum tomato 4 fresh basil leaves Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put tortilla on a baking sheet sprayed lightly with nonstick spray. Bake in the oven until slightly crispy, 3 - 5 minutes per side. Leave oven on. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese with mozzarella cheese. Set aside. Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove. Add onion and, stirring occasionally, cook until softened and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Immediately stir onion into cheese mixture. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Spread cheese-onion mixture evenly on top of the tortilla. Top with tomato slices and basil leaves. If you like, sprinkle with a dash of salt. Return pizza to the oven and bake until hot, about 5 minutes. Slice and enjoy. Pizza for one! MAKES 1 SERVING

February 13, 2012

O.K. so yes, this is really me (still my husbands idea, and still embarrassing).  No Photo Shop, no touch ups, (and obviously no tan either....yuck). These abs didn't show up until I started eating totally clean.  I haven't lost any weight or changed my exercise habits.  I work out hard, but I attribute these babies to eating clean!  Thank you Tosca!

Krazy Mommy Moment:

So, my sweet, loving, easygoing daughter has been abducted from my home and has been replaced with a tween that I'm not so sure I want to keep!  Seriously, hormonal moody 12 year olds should be institutionalized until they are 16!  Or, better yet, maybe their mothers should be shipped away to some tropical location to wait it out.  We had a major meltdown this morning. I mean tears, yelling, pouting, slamming doors, the whole bit.  About what you ask?  I kindly told her that it was 22 degrees outside and she probably should wear a coat.  Yep.  That's it.  Nothing more to tell.  Help me please! I want my baby back.

Fitness Tip:

The overwhelming response to my last blog was (drum roll please)  LEGS!  Yeah, I am not alone in my misery.  Somehow that makes me feel so much better!  I did a little research and found this leg workout at http://fittplan.com.  The awesome thing is that when you click on the exercise, it takes you to a U Tube video with a demonstration and instructions! Free personal trainer.  Score!

Sculpt Your Perfect Legs With A Great Leg Workout

Ladies, are you ready to sculpt long, lean, toned, sexy legs? Legs that look amazing in your favorite skirt or dress? Jaw dropping, tone legs that turn heads? Then it’s time to stop hiding behind those baggy jeans and sweat pants. See workouts below.
As a personal trainer, I realize the importance of developing strong, shapely legs for my female clients, and I have had tremendous success in this area. To build legs that you can be truly proud of, you need a great leg workout. You need a leg workout for women that will burn calories while building lean muscle. A toned and defined appearance is the result of the reduction of body fat combined with the addition of lean muscle. These leg toning exercises will accomplish both of these goals.
To maximize the effectiveness of these leg exercises for women, be sure to follow sound nutritional habits while in a calorie deficit, and perform cardiovascular exercises on a regular basis.
I have organized some of the best leg exercises for women into practical training plans that you can use at home or in the gym. Perform these leg toning exercises 2-3 times per week and get ready to show off your new skirt.
Trainer’s Tip: During your leg toning exercises, challenge yourself with heavier weights as your form improves. Using heavier weights builds lean muscle and lean muscle burns calories. Have a great leg workout!

Great Leg Workouts

Great Leg Workout: Beginner

Stationary Lunge 20 reps each leg.
Body Weight Squat 20 reps.
Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift 20 reps.
Hip Thrust 20 reps each leg.
Plie Squat 20 reps.
Step Up To Balance 20 reps each leg.
Great Leg Workout: Intermediate

Jump Lunge 20 reps each leg.
Barbell Squat 20 reps.
Single Leg Deadlift 20 reps each leg.
Medicine Ball Hip Thrust 20 reps each leg.
Squat Thrust 20 reps.
Side Step Jump 20 reps each leg.
Great Leg Workout: Advanced

Bosu Ball Lunge 20 reps each leg.
Squat Jump 20 reps.
Bosu Ball Single Leg Deadlift 20 reps each leg.
Stability Ball Hip Thrust 20 reps each leg.
Squat Thrust Jump 20 reps.
Mountain Climber 20 reps each leg.




Healthy Eating Tip:

My intention this week was to report on the Miracle Noodles that I talked about on my last blog, but alas, they have not arrived yet.  Instead I want to tell you about an awesome product that I can't live without.  It is called Egg Whites International.  You can check out their website at eggwhitesint.com. These are totally pasturized 100% natural egg whites that come in either a gallon or half gallon container.  I absolutely LOVE them!  They are pasturized, so you can eat them raw.  I put them in shakes, dips, yogurt, anything I can possibly think of!  I use them for cooking, baking and omelets too!  Egg whites are a great way to get more protein into your diet.  I did the math, and they are about 20 cents cheaper an ounce than cartoned egg whites.  I buy mine at Max Muscle maxmuscle.com.


Clean Eating Recipe:

As you well know, I have a MAJOR sweet tooth!  This can be hard when you are trying to eat clean.  I just made these this afternoon, and WOW, they are awesome!!!!  I ate 2 right out of the oven! 

Protein Peanut Butter Cookies



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray cookie sheet with PAM.

Ingredients:

1 C. natural peanut butter
2 egg whites
3/4  C. no calorie sweetener
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 Tbs. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients well.  Form into 1 in. balls (I used the small Pampered Chef scoop). Make a criss cross pattern with a fork.  Bake them for 12  minutes.  Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes.  Enjoy! 

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February 6, 2012

"Life is not merely being alive, but being well."   Marcus Valerius Martialis

My Body Issues: 

OK, so I go to the gym and work out HARD 5 days a week.  I eat clean (almost) always.  I live a very healthy and active life style. I am at my target weight and fat %.  So why do I still have body issues?  My body idol is Jamie Easton.  (I know, I know, I shouldn't compare myself to a fitness model). She is so strong and has the body that I can only dream about.  I follow her work out plans religiously, so  when I look in the mirror why don't I see her staring back at me? My stubborn body parts are my legs!  No matter how many squats, lunges, presses, curls, deadlifts and stair climbing I do, I just can't get the definition that I want.  I am just wondering how many of you feel the same way?  Do you have a certain body part that you would like to change?  Leave me a comment and let me know what yours is.  I will collect all of the data and find research on how to tone the most stubborn body part! 

Fitness Tip:

This one comes from one of my my favorite fitness roll models, (and Clean Eating founder) Tosca Reno. "I have discovered the ridiculously effective secret of chasing away fat and cellulite, "she says.  "Jumping on a trampoline for 15 minutes, three times a week."  I don't know about you, but I'm trying this one!!!!!

Nutrition Tip:

I was searching the Internet for some good info to blog about and found a website called miraclenoodle.com.  This looks too good to be true!  I ordered the starter pack, so when I get them I will let you know what I think. 

 

About Miracle Noodle

Customer Email of the Week

I just wanted to let you know I received my first package of noodles and I absolutely loved them. I have been on a limited diet of carbs and protein since January. I love pasta being my husband is full Italian and I am half. I have missed pasta big time. I tried the angle hair, and the dark kind (can't think of the name) they were delicious and he loved them too. I just ordered the sample package and I am excited to receive them as well. Thank you for having a site that offers an alternative to all the pasta that is full of carbs. I just wish people would post more recipes to try out. If I come up with a new one I will gladly share with everyone out there.
Thanks again your product is delectable!
Dawn P.
More Customer Testimonials

The Miracle Noodle Low Down

* made of naturally water soluble fiber with no fat, sugar, or starch.
* contain zero net carbohydrates and zero calories, no gluten -made of a healthy natural fiber called Glucomannan.
* wheat & gluten free and kosher.
* Easily absorbs the flavors of any soup, dish, or sauce.
* are instant and come in a variety of styles
* have shown beneficial effects backed by medical studies for Type II Diabetes, Constipation, Obesity, and Cholesterol!

Clean Eating Recipe:

This is another recipe from Jamie Easton.  I made it this week and felt like I was being VERY naughty!  It is seriously delicious!

Cinnamon Swirl Protein Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a loaf pan with PAM.

In a small bowl combine:(set aside)
1/4 Cup calorie free sweetener
2 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl combine: (whisk together)
1 1/2 Cups oat flour
2 scoops vanilla whey protein
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup no calorie sweetener

In a medium bowl combine: (whisk together and add to large bowl)
2 egg whites
1 Cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup low sugar vanilla yogurt
1 cup raisins (optional)

Pour a shallow layer of batter into the loaf pan (about 1/4 of the batter).  Sprinkle heavily with half of the cinnamon/sweetener mixture.  Repeat with remaining batter and cinnamon.  Draw a knife through the batter to marble.

Bake for 24 - 28 minutes.  Let cool for 10 minutes.  Bread will be dense (and yummy)!

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