Healthy Holiday

We all want to enjoy the holidays and all the yummy food too. So here are a few tips on how to do that!

1.) Eat lots of veggies with your meals. This fills you up and gives you lots of nutrients. No one gets fat eat veggies!!
2.) Put the dessert on a plate and eat only 1 serving
3.) Remember how it feels to be healthy and say no!!
4.) Drinks LOTS of WATER!! This keeps your system flushed and hydrated. We too often forget to drink water during the cold weather and when we get busy.
5.) Make time to workout: A walk, Jog,Hike, Bike Ride, Lunges as you walk up the stairs, squats on the wall as you fold laundry or brush your teeth, push ups/planks during a commercial break!!
6.) SLEEP!!! it's a busy time of year where we can go-go and go! So get some sleep. It helps us stay mentally and physically healthy
7.) Load up on your proteins... they keep you full longer and continue to give you fuel.
8.) Do your best to live a 90/10... living healthy 90% and 10% is just when life happens : parties, on the go meals ect.....

Let's all choose to be healthy this Holiday Season ~

What motivates you?

It can be hard to find ways to stay motivated. I recently found a quote I just love ~
"Motivation is what gets you started, Habit is what keeps you going" Jim Ryun

We do have to find the motivation to start but once we find the motivation we need to create the habit so the things that motivate us don't just fizzle and go away.

So what are you motivated by? What habits can you form this month to keep you on the road of healthy living?

Some of my habits are making "working out" part of my weekly lifestyle, buying healthy foods, cooking dinner at home, knowing my calories as I eat, having good choices around me to choose, drinking water as my main source of liquid and thinking positive thoughts and attiudes towards life's moments good or bad!

My motivation started as I started to work out my emotional baggage and then finding tools to keep me on track towards my goals, resources on teaching me how to eat, following those who are living healthy, learning to push myself physically and associate with those around me who are positive! Now I can say my motivation has turned into a habit and a lifestyle change. To live healthy and fit, to be positive and to motivate others ~

So what are you motivated by? What habits can you form this month to keep you on the road of healthy living?

Easy chicken

Looking for a way to not cook every night?

Get out that crockpot.... put 1 cup low sodium chicken broth on the bottom. Take a whole chicken ( which is on sale regularly) or around 3-4 lbs of chicken of your choice. Sprinkle a LITTLE Mrs. Dash spices on top. Then turn it on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3.5

Then you will have the most moist chicken for anything you wish. This is a great way to have your protein ready to eat anytime of the day too!

For those with picky eaters... ALL of my kids LOVED it!!

Whoever knew cooking can be so simple. I am in love with my crockpot this week!!

A few side dish ideas:

Veggies & greens

~ Green beans steamed ( melt butter & 1 clove of garlic then pour over grean beans when done & if you wish to sprinkle over a little bit of grated parmesan cheese)

~ A great Salad with spinach lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers and brocolli slaw w/ tsp low cal dressing

Carbs

~ Mashed sweet potatoes or potatoes ( 1/2 cup)

~ Steamed rice ( use broth & it's a little flavor too) Eat 1/2 cup

~ in the mood for Bread... 1 slice.....choose one with high fiber: Like Orowheat Double fiber

OR you can take that chicken and make a list of great easy healthy meals:

Taco's or taco salad

add to your chili

homemade pizza

chicken veggie sandwich

chicken stir fry with rice & veggies!! A love of mine :)

Pasta with chicken & veggies

More ideas to come!!

Have a fun time cooking and having that chicken ready to throw anything with it!!

A Frugal Find giveaway...saving $ is a way to become fit!!

I currently have been spending my time learning how to not just be physically fit but to take those lessons I have learned in my fitness & health and apply them into being "Financially Fit."

More about these changes in a future entry... TODAY, I wanted to share a blog that I currently read daily as it is a tool in my Financially Fit life change.

www.frugalfind.com

Julia is currently having a great giveaway!! What better way to start being financially fit too~

Check it out today ~ How would you like to get $50 worth of Safeway groceries FOR FREE?! Now is your chance , one lucky Frugal Find reader will win a $50 Safeway Gift Card courtesy of MyBlogSpark and Fiber One yogurt. The gift card can also be used at Dominick´s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, Genuardi´s.

Log on to frugalfind.com to sign up today!!

Motivated Monday

Monday seems to always be a day we need to get motivated. We come off a weekend full of activities, events and too much food! So we want to jump back into a good fresh start on Monday.

I recently was asked "how do I stay motivated." Well.. I believe it's in the way we speak out loud and to ourselves. The way we speak and think effects the choices we make. Motivation can be as simple as talking to ourselves... the next time you wake up, think about what you say to yourself.

Some of us speak to ourselves like this: " I am so tired, I don't want to get up, I am going back to bed once I get the kids off to school, I am going to lay on the couch today, I don't have time for the gym/exercise today, I am so stressed out, I don't care, Oh great another day, Monday uhhg!,... you get the picture"

Or we can speak to ourselves like this: " today is a great day, I love mornings/ today, I am up and going to the gym, I am going to make good choices, I am worth it, I am loved, I am beautiful, I am going to change today, I am going to give more then I have today, I love the fog, I am so blessed to be me, Today is a new day and I am loving it, his mercy's are new every morning.... or I may feel tired but I am going to get up, smile and make today great!!"

I learned at a young age from my dad that our self talk is so important. I do my best to fill myself with positive things so that it can spill out of me throughout my day. I am not great at this everyday but I do believe it to be key to our motivation.

We have the choice to change. Change, is in no way easy but, I do believe if we ask for the strength to change... God will present us with it. If you don't know how to ask and receive... don't be afraid to do that today. I have welcomed change in my life since my teen years. I have since then continually asked to be change, renewed and filled up by my Jesus. He fills my cup and it overflows when I connect and ask. He wants to give to you today. As God changed Saul to Paul in the book of Acts... He can change us to!

May your Monday be full of Motivation to live life to the fullest today~

John 10:10 A thief (our negative thoughts/speech) is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came so they (You & I) can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (Jesus wants it for us and is offering it to us daily... moment by moment) from : the message

Friday food recipe

Hello All,

I have to share this awesome recipe with you all!!

go to :

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/08/cooking-with-pastor-ryan-delicious-mexican-lasagna/

it makes at least 3 meals for our family. You can 1/2 the recipe if you don't want to make such a huge batch. I love it!!

I just made some and will be freezing the other 1/2 for another meal. I cooked them in the foil casserole pans. Let's save ourselves a night of cooking :) If your looking for an alternative to christmas dinner with a mexican twist... this is an awesome alternative!!

ENJOY!!

Fabulous Friday Tip

Hey My friends,

As the holiday's are here... let's not forget about Your health ~ Mental, physical and spiritual is so important. We can get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of all the demands we get in this busy season but we all still have the choice to say yes.. or NO! To choose where we can spend our time as much or as little that we have.

We have to not forget about talking a walk, a hot bath, a warm cup of tea and a good healthy meal. While we spend time daily with the one who can fill us up. ~ Jesus~

The average person puts on 15 pounds during the holiday season. Let's not be the one's to join that average. Let's be the one's who can be confident and say no to... too much... junk food & commitments and YES... to healthy foods and good exersise. Those are the places we can spend a few hours a week. If you need motivation!!

HERE IS MY ADVICE TO YOU~ Look at the person in the mirror and tell yourself you are worthy and loved so much by your creator, the lover of your soul, ~Jesus~, that you deserve to take time to care for you. Give to those we love and don't love, but not so much that they only get the least of us. I don't say this to be selfish but to give in the right area's. We can only give so much from ourselves... we need to refuel! So we can be the best in all that we do daily.

This joyous season let us Rejoice !! Rejoice in our choices :)

This month Cody and I are reading through the book of Philipians in his bible. As I read with him I am reminded to Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS and to share that with you ~

Philippians 2:18
You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Have a Joyous weekend ~

Fun, Easy & Good Tasting Recipes

Wow... time flies ! I have not posted in awhile but I have some great things to put up today:)

Her are some of my favorite simple recipes that are for us all who run out of time to put large amounts of time into our food. I believe we can all do these! These meet all calorie intake levels of a healthy snack 200-300 calories... ENJOY!!

PMS Trail mix

1/4 C Almonds

1/4 C mixed dried berries ( Trader Joe's)

2 squares dark chocolate, broken into small pieces

1/8 C no salt added peanuts ( if you like to add these)

Lettuce Turkey veggie wrap

2 red/green leaf or romaine leaves of lettuce

1 tbsp tomatoe & basil hummus (trader Joe's)

2-4 oz Sliced chicken or turkey meat

1/2 cucumber, red/yellow/orange/green pepper, or a roma tomatoe

spread the hummus on each leaf evenly, lay veggie's inside ( one's of your choice), lay one slice or evenly distribute the turkey/chicken inside lettuce... roll up and put a paper towel around to hold... place in your fridge for tomorrow's snack or in a baggie for snack on the go!!

I hope you enjoy these snack and add them to your fitness, weightloss, maintance diets, or even for my prego friends. They really give us NO EXCUSE not to choose healthy, plus have an amazing taste too!!

To healthy choices and enjoying it!!

food journal

How to use a food journal:

Now that you have all your I am goals down we can start the daily writing and accountability!!

1st page: Daily write about your struggles, your mood, your thoughts ect...

~ this is a place you can see what triggers you have for certain food habits, when your weak, when your emotions control your food choices, and to look back on your success !

Then on your next page write what you ate... Why?

Writing down what you eat keeps you accountable to what you choose to eat.( especially when no one else is around ) When I started a journal it helped me to stay on track as I was getting closer to my goal. I also used it to keep calories, protein grams and utilize that for future meals.

Now... many of you say " i don't count calories. It's to much work or you don't know how"

I have found a few tools to make that simple. Go to your google search and enter " calories in _____" You name it you can find it. If you don't have a label to read don't let that discourage you from knowing what your eating. If your eating out go to that restaurant website and look at the nutritional facts sheet. We can make good choices even when eating out!!

For me I simply used this format below:

Breakfast: 7:00am

2 egg whites/1 egg calories:112 protein grams:13.2

1 slice of bread Cal: 70 g: 5

1 tsp almond butter cal: 31.7 g: 2.5

2 tbsp salsa cal: 10 g: 2

Water: 16oz.

Total: cal- 223.7 g-22.5

Snack: 9:20am

Meal details

c: g:

H2O:

Gym: 9:30 am / water 24oz-48-oz

lunch: 12:00

Meal details:

cal: g:

H2O:

snack:2:30

Meal details:

H2O:

Dinner:5:30

Meal details:

cal: g:

H2O:

Snack: 7:30

H2O

Daily Totals:

Cal: G: H2O:

I would write down how much water I drank, all the foods, calories, grams of protein and the time I ate. Time is a way to see your eating schedule. The best way to speed up your metabolism and utilize your food is to eat every 2.5-3 hours.

I also, tracked my protein because I was training hard. I had lost 40lbs. and was not gaining much muscle or definition. I learned that protein is so important. I found what my ideal protein intake needed to be and the journal help me stay on track. I did my best to consume 24 grams each meal/snack.

Writing water intake, I believe, is so important. So, you can really see how much you are drinking. We sometimes think we are really drinking enough but the truth is we usually aren't drinking enough for what our bodies need daily.

I always wrote everything down!! It's a tool to stay accountable to yourself. If you eat a cookie or a bag of snack food... WRITE IT DOWN!

I believe that you need a purpose behind why your loosing weight. Mine was to be healthy, to feel good about my body, to set an example to my kids and to love myself enough to care and change!! A Journal can help keep you focused on your purpose and your goals.

I hope this tool can be one that helps you

TODAY

to make healthy changes

1st steps

Whenever we start thinking of losing weight or wanting to change the way we eat. It can be an overwhelming start.

So let's make it simple instead of overwhelming!!

1st, get a journal

2nd, write 3 goals

EX: My goals

I am an inspiration

(by being healthy with my food choices, my thinking, my attitude choices, my physical activity

and pushing through the tough times by not letting them keep me down)

I am physically fit

(I can do push up's on my hands, I can run and feel good, being a healthy weight/size for my build)

I am confident

(I can look in the mirror and not be depressed but PROUD & beautiful!)

You choose one's that speak about you. Take sometime to write "I am's" that you WANT to be and that you can envision yourself being. I believe that one of the ways to true healthy living starts in our mindset. I thank my personal trainer/friend Lori & my Loving husband, for speaking positivity and constant encouragement to me. I learned that the way I think of myself and what I say to myself on a daily basis is what can keep you going!!

So spend today thinking about your "I am" goals. Then we can move on to what you can put in your journal next!!

~We have to start with our "mental" as we move into

making the "physical" changes we desire ~

till the next post... why & how to journal?

Granola Mix

Sorry... I forgot to post this too!

For a cereal or a granola mix to add to yogurts.

Granola cereal/Mix

1 canister 5 grain Oatmeal (trader joe's)

1 small box of grape nuts

1/2 bag flaxseed meal (red mill brand... find in baking section/tJ's/ natural foods)

Nature's Best Granola w/ flaxseed OR.. w/peanuts

** If you can't find Nature's best... use trader joe's granola w/ blueberry's OR Red mill muselix

2/3 cup serving for cereal w/ 1 cup light vanilla say, rice milk, Nonfat milk, almond milk

1/8-1/4 cup for granola mix serving

** cereal add 1/4 cup raisins ~ calories: 130 or blueberries ~ calories: 20

** Banana 72 calories in a 6" banana to 135 in a 9" banana

Calories:

2/3 cup ~ 130 calories

1/4 ~ 90 calories

1/8 cup ~ 45 calories

Treats

Let's think of treating ourselves to a reward in a new way. As I began loosing weight I decided that I was no longer going to tell myself I deserved a "treat" "a special food or meal" for a reward of working hard or eating the right foods.

I believe we so often work hard and see ourselves making changes to our diet or eating a certain way for a few days or a week. Then we tell ourselves we are going to treat ourselves to a TREAT! That in my house usually meant Ice Cream... ben & jerry's mint cookie or a high calorie, high fat meal... a in & out burger with fries + a shake.

I have learned that those "treats" are not helping us make changes... they just help us stay in those same bad habits. Lets look at a new way to treat ourselves. For example: As I moved through my weight loss I decided to set goals where I got to "treat myself". When I reached a new size and my old clothes were getting to big and baggy. I went out and bought myself a new shirt or pants or panties... you get the picture.

I believe treating ourselves and telling ourselves "I have worked hard" "I deserve a treat" gets us in the mind set we can now go out and eat whatever we want. I think if we start turning that around and saying " I have a goal to reach and when I get there I deserve to feel good with a ..... pedicure, a new clothing item, a new hair cut/color, a nice necklace, a quiet bath, a walk with your spouse or kids, go out with friends to a movie ( no goodies)." My point being lets give ourselves rewards that don't make us feel guilty later. Life is one we can enjoy so many other things that we don't have to feel guilty about.

Simple Recipes

I am in love with these few recipes. They are simple and easy to make on the go or ahead of time! They have all the food elements for a balanced meal and taste great

Lunch/snack:

TUNA SALAD WITH A TWIST

1 4oz.can NSA added tuna 120 cal.( I use tongal tuna from trader joe's)

1 cup baby spinach leaves 5 cal

1.5 tbsp Kraft Olive oil Mayo 67.5 cal

1-2 tsp mustard 5 cal

1/2 cup cucumber chopped 8 cal

1 roma tomato chopped/ 12 grape tomatoes 35 cal

1/2 cup cooked, basmati organic white rice ( trader joes) 50 cal

**substitute small apple for cucumber/tomato 55 cal

Drain tuna and add mayo/ mustard. Mix well so it's moist but not overwhelmed with condiments. Take 1/2 mix ( 2oz) of tuna. Chopped veggies and mix into tuna. Last mix in rice

** if you need an afternoon snack don't add the rice. Or you can substitute a small apple chopped for the cucumbers & tomatoes.

Calories: w/ rice 290.5 w/o rice 245.5 w/small apple 302.5cal w/apple w/o rice 252.5cal

Snack:

Turkey Rolls ups

2 slices Columbo Low sodium turkey meat (from costco) 70cal 13 g

2 leaves red leaf lettuce 2 cal

1 slice provolone cheese 70 cal 5g

1 slice cheddar cheese 80 cal 5g

Lay your turkey meat out flat. Place one leaf of lettuce and one cheese slice. Roll up !! Now you have a nutritious snack you can take anywhere. Place both rolls in a ziplock bag. Ready to go

Calories: 222cal 165grams (protein)

Snack:

Granola yogurt treat

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (I use trader joe's brand oz container) 60 cal 11g

1.5 tsp peanut butter (I use jiff natural) 47.5 cal 3.5 g

3 stalks of celery, sliced 8 cal

**or 1 small apple , sliced 55 cal

1/8 c granola mix ~ read below for recipe 45 cal 2g

Mix yogurt & peanut butter together till creamy. Add granola and mix well. Slice celery or apple. Ready to go~ Dip and eat

Calories: w/ celery 160.5 cal 16.5 g *w/apple 207.5 cal 16.5g

I recently have been praying over an idea that I am not sure if I am prepared for but... I am willing.

I started this blog with a desire to share my life, experiences, pictures and my thoughts. I have been really thinking over why I chose the name.. Fit, fun and fabulous. Over the last few months I have thought how I can help those I come in contact with and around me to have those words ring true in their own lives... well this has led me to the thoughts of how to take this blog and turn it into less of what I have been using it for and use it for what I believe God has been working in me to share more of.

Life is a road that we constantly are learning new things, growing, being challanged, getting hurt, healing, and learning. So, I am working on seeing how I can incorporate what I have learned in my journey of weightloss and all that this last year and half had taught me. I am not sure what it's going to look like but I am hoping to share tips, recipes, encouragement, workouts, fitness tips, positive thoughts and a blog with a deeper purpose.

I shared with a wonderful friend yesterday about how I know God has brought be through this time in my life not just for me to stand taller and cheer myself on but to share, inspire and encourage those around me who too, have desires deep in themselves to change and live more fit, have more fun and to feel Fabulous.

So I share this in hopes that you who know me and feel led to pray with me what this will look like and where I will find the time to do this. I love you all and thank each of you for sharing this with me!!

Love to you all... my fit, fun and fabulous friends!!

A summer of fun

Summer around our house involves water, a boat, some camping and lots of fun!! As our summer has so quickly come to an end. I was so thankful for all our fun moments.

The rock jumping, the kids laughing on the tube, Frog Beach... thats what it was named after the kids found many frogs around the rocks and shore and the laid back relaxing family time we get when we are camping.

This july we went on our annual 5 day camping trip. We had a blast because it was at our favorite lake... now I would tell you the name but it's a secret... so you will just have to enjoy the pictures...

The first one is of dries & cody jumping off a large rock waterfall we found hidden back in one of the coves. I enjoyed seeing my boys love the adventure.

Summer has come to an end but the good times live on till the next trip....

a birthday wish

Annalyse is now 3 years old. Our little baby girl is growing out of the baby stage of life. She celebrated her birthday this year On June 20th... on a big bus... and great friends & family. Annalyse decided that day to participate in all the activities. It was so wonderful to see her enjoy this fun day! She is truely a bundle of joy and brings so much laughter to our daily lives:)

We love our little baby girl... she will always be the baby eventhough she is growing up into a little lady~

Lyse just busted out her strattle roll down the cheese

licking the icing... because that's her favorite... and only part she eats

down the tunnel she goes!!

Hawaiian Adventure

here we are in Godzilla's foot print. This was at the ranch we went ATV riding   

a sea voyage out to see sea turtles and china man's hat island. 

You can walk out to the island when the tide is out. 

this is the boat we went on out to the ocean. We made some friends with a couple who is from the mainland but now lives in Oahu. We learned a lot of neat things about the culture from them. We love meeting strangers on our trips~LOL

We went ATV riding through the hills and roads on a ranch on the island. The ranch has been a location for many movies like Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Pearl Harbor, 50 1st dates and the tv series: Lost. 

This is one of our stops we made on our ride. The view of the ocean was amazing. 

More Hawaii Pictures

The view of one of the ocean off the roadside

I love the sun peaking over the mountain 

Blowhole : The water pushes up in the hole and sprays all over. In representation of the blowhole whales have. This area of Oahu is where you can often see whales.. but we didn't see any this time~

This is our hotel from Wakiki beach.. you walked right out on the beach 

SURPRISE!!

I have the best husband :) He listens and knows me well. Tuesday May 19th he surprised me (my kids were in on the surprise too). That on Thursday Morning we would be leaving for Hawaii for 5 days... without our kids for my Birthday!! 

Yes my friends, he gave me 24 hours notice... but you know me and I did fine. I pulled it all together... well not my house. I watched my daughter Alayna graduate from Preschool in the morning, went to my bootcamp class, then shopped and packed for 6 people... all in one day. It was crazy but soooo fun !! 

I told Dries that I couldn't believe we were going to Hawaii! 

It honestly didn't feel real till we landed and got on the beach in Wakiki.  We had an amazing time and every minute of each day was so refreshing, special and fun... You know it had to include fun somewhere in there~~

When we were on the plane to Hawaii. I told Dries that we should go all out while we were in Hawaii... well we did just that !! What an amazing Birthday Surprise and special gift. 

I got the adventure I wanted for my birthday plus a trip to Hawaii which is what I  have talked about for over a year now and special time with my husband.

Below are some pictures of our last night in Hawaii as we caught a sunset behind the clouds. We climbed out to some lava rocks out in the ocean. Watched the waves crash over the rocks and watched the sun lower. It was a beautiful end to an amazing trip!!

A Journey of change

Recently I was asked to post some pictures of what I look like now after losing 54 lbs. I have wanted to make this post for sometime. I am excited to post today. I feel amazing !!

This long journey of weightloss and health along with discovering who I can be and what I am worth started a year ago back in February 2008.

Little did I know what the Lord was about to help me uncover. It started with a trip to tennessee, a book and my heart being open to what the Lord was going to say to me.

I read ... yes friends, I read a book and finished it!! Whoo hoo

Any who... back to my story. As I opened the pages of this book, that were about to open a new door inside my soul. I realize now it was the beginning of a new freedom. I have for so long struggled with my weight. I have been having babies for the last 12 years and have been on a constance roller coaster of weight gain & weightloss.

As I read "captivating" I pondered a lot, cried, looked deep inside, and did a lot of praying. I discovered through these pages that who I was, was not, who I was fully embracing. I wanted change but wasn't fully aware how I was going to get there. Dries prayed with me and encouraged me to find the way. As the months passed I started to reveal and heal wounds. As September approached I received an amazing freedom that I have never experienced before. The grace that covered me in that time was one of being set free from a dark place inside me that I thought was done being healed many years before. A place I had just seen as who I once was.

In my new freedom I experienced and have discovered a new way that I am loved, beautiful, filled with purpose, worthy of loving myself and have been designed to love. This weightloss has been more then eating the right foods and working out. It has been about searching and having God heal my soul. I have learned so much and believe it has changed me forever!!

The pictures below are me once I lost 12 lbs and weighed in at 210lbs a size 18 to my weightloss to now, weighing in at 166 and a size 8/10. Thank you to all who have supported me through this amazing change and continue to cheer me on!! I hope to be an inspiration to anyone who wants to discover that inside ourselves there is so much more to who they may see in the mirror. Weightloss is not the only battle I have but I do believe it's a change that can be made to become more of who I am designed to be. I am not at my complete physical goal but I have passed my 1st 2 goals and now making new ones. That feels so rewarding. The right choices, educating myself, listening, say no, working hard and being free has brought me to a fit, fun & fabulous, feeling inside myself!!

Thank you to my amazing Savior who has set me free by his grace and deep love for me. My husband who loves me so deeply to pour God's grace over me. The support of Dries has been one of words I can't describe in how they have made this change so rewarding!!

May 16th 09: I am wearing a size medium tank (jr's size), a size 8 pair of capri's, and weigh in at 166lbs. I feel good in my skin. I do have a little more to go till I reach my goal but I am in the midst of achieving it!! It is possible and it's happening~

Cabo June 08 with my hubby... weighing 210lbs, a size 18. I had lost 12lbs before the cruise... but new there was so much more... I wanted to do this!! I look at this picture and can't believe how far I have come. I felt soooo uncomfortable taking this picture. I am glad I have it now~ It is rewarding to see how far I have come. I still have "awe" moments that I don't feel or look that way anymore!! I am a new women~