Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Celebrations

We have had so much to celebrate lately!  Anniversaries, birthdays, and Brian's recovery!

Brian was completely released from doctor's care yesterday - WHOO-HOO!!!  (or if you saw my facebook post yesterday SHOP-HOO!!!  I got a new phone and was posting from it and didn't realize that it auto-corrects my spelling :)  We came home from Springfield and decided to celebrate - Brian wanted to go to the casino.  We had a nice dinner and had some fun at the casino.  Unfortunately, we didn't win.... but we had a good time!



Madelyn's birthday party was so much fun.  Talk about a crowd.  I didn't count how many people showed up, but the house and deck were both full.  Madelyn looked adorable as usual, got way too many presents and the cake was delicious.






Don't forget about the Workout Challenge that starts tomorrow!  I hope that you will join me, it'd be a great birthday present to me! Oh goody, another celebration!!!!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Fit Club Monday - TurboFire Challenge Edition


Another fresh start this beautiful Monday.  It's a clean slate, what will you do with your week?  I am going to have a full week.  I have Brian's dr. appt today.  This means travel, but we are hoping for a full release today.  Brian so wants to play golf again.  I hope and pray that he will be able to.  My birthday is this week, I will be 45!!  Hard to believe, I remember when I thought 45 was old.  Now, I know that it is means I am just getting started! 

Since my birthday is coming up, I'm going to do a TurboFire Challenge!  I would love for you to join me.  It will be farily simple. Do the workouts, take your measurements and weight, follow the food plan and get in the best shape of our lives.  I'll be taking my before photos as well. We are starting out with the Inferno Plan and then switching over to the food plan from there.  Even if you don't have TurboFire, please feel free to join in the challenge.  You can do whatever workout you like, I don't care, just workout every day and eat clean.  We will be posting on the message boards daily with our progress, any questions you may have and talk about anything and everything.  Check out the thread here.  Daily accountibility will help you get the best results.  We are not going to judge anyone,.  It's just a way to help each other get better results!

Purchase Turbo Fire.

"What positive things have you said to yourself today?  Acknowledge your greatness." - Chalene Johnson

Fit Club Recipe:

Turbo Fire Inferno Plan Sneak Peek:

Turkey Avocado Wrap
3 slices turkey breast (approx 3.5 inches square or 3-4 oz)
1 whole wheat tortilla (approx 70 cals)
1/2 tomato, diced
1/4 avocado, sliced
3 lettuce leaves or a handful of mixed greeens
1 Tbsp. nonfat Italian dressing

directions:  assemble all ingredients on top fo the tortilla and fold into a cone

I would change the turkey breast to either black beans or hummus.  Also, I would change out the dressing, using Annie's goddess dressing YUM!

Hope you will join me in this challenge.  If you have any questions, please contact me:  facebook, twitter or email.  I'll get back to you right away!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Party Day Gratitude

We have had a big weekend, celebrating with family and friends.  But, today is the big party day!  We are having Madelyn's birthday party at our house today.  I have a lot to accomplish before 3 pm and party time. Cleaning and cooking are on the agenda first.  I am making spinach dip and lemonade.  I can't wait to see the cake.  We went out to dinner on Mads' actual birthday and she was a bit cranky and had to leave her own party early!



It's been so nice to have my parents here.  I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like.  We had a good day yesterday just hanging out, getting a little shopping done ( new cell phone Yay!), and visiting.

So today I am so very grateful for my family.  All of them.  I am so blessed!  I'll take a lot of photos and be back to share with you all!

Discussion:  What are you grateful for today?

Friday, August 27, 2010

Happy Birthday Madelyn!!!




I can't believe that it has been a year already.  My sweet baby is 1 today!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Girls Trip!

I know that I have blogged about my trip to San Diego, but I want to look at it from a different angle.  This was an all girls trip and we had a blast, but friendships were made and will not be forgotten. 

We started off by getting together Thursday night at the Sundeck at the Hotel Del Coranado.  Some of the girls I was good friends with already and others I got to meet for the first time.  We had a blast, hanging out, chatting and getting to know each other better. Even though this was a "working" weekend, we knew we would be having fun!  Thunder Bob was celebrating his mother's life and he joined in our fun and bought us drinks and we enjoyed our time with him.  There was some singing (see my facebook video), a bit of a throwdown (plank challenge) and just lots of laughter.




Friday morning we had small group breakfast and beach time!  What fun that was.  While we were on the beach, we were sharing ideas for our businesses, talking about family, and more fun! We explored the island and shared a great lunch! 



Friday night was the first official meeting.  Monica's mother was kind enough to allow all 25 of us to be in her home (condo on the beach!!!) and the apartment was beautiful, almost as beautiful as Monica's mom, Lisa. She shared a beautiful toast.  I will post it at a later time, it deserves it's on post! We got the most amazing swag bags full of goodies.  We each shared our stories and let me tell you, these women have the most amazing stories, rags to riches, debilitating illnesses to great health and overall beautiful people!

It was a long night, but we enjoyed hearing every one's stories. Those of us not on pacific time were really feeling the time change.  Especially the east coasters.  I'm so glad that they hung in there to the end!

After a short night's sleep, we were up bright and early for yoga in the park with Missy Costello (Tony Horton's personal chef!)  She is such a breath of fresh air!  So sweet and led us in a great workout!





We then had a little beach time and then the big night!  Monica and Melissa arranged for the pavilion on the beach for the meeting!  It was amazing.  The tables were beautiful, we worked on our dream/vision notebooks and had a wonderful meal, danced and got ready to receive more inspiration and a wonderful presentation from Denise Needham.  Talk about an inspiring, beautiful woman!




It was the most awesome evening and I have learned so much on this trip.  I have met so many great leaders and can only inspire to do the same for other people.  I can't wait for the next trip!


I gave my Friendship Stones to my roomies!  Sherri, Tina and Dani! In our busy weekend, I can not believe that we forgot to get a photo with our stones, but we did.  It truly was a busy weekend! We really had a great time and lot of fun when we were so tired and giggly in the room.  Some of the best conversations were had while we were in our beds in the dark trying to go to sleep.  I have so many memories from this trip that I know I will never forget and am so grateful to have been able to spend time with these truly wonderful ladies!

GIVEAWAY:

I have a set of Friendship Stones for you to give to your friends!




To enter:

Head over to Friendship Stone and check out some of the other amazing stories, come back and let me know which one inspires you

Bonus entries:

1)  follow my blog - if you already do, just say so!
2)  follow me on facebook - again if you already do - let me know!
3)  post about this giveaway on facebook or twitter @Danamoritz I hope I win the Friendship Stone giveaway on Feelingfitwithdana.com
4)  follow the friendship stone on facebook

Leave me a note on each entry. You must do the original entry to be eligible to use the bonus entries!!
Pretty easy to enter!  Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.  You will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email or I will do a second chance giveaway!  Winner will be chosen September 6, 2010 by random.org

Good luck!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Oh My Goodness, I'm busy

I am just now getting a moment to get my blog post done today.  It's almost tomorrow already. 

I had Miss Madelyn today and she kept me on my toes all day long.  She is walking now and doesn't want to stop for one second.  I think this might be dangerous :)



We are having Mads' 1 year birthday party on Sunday.  All the family and friends are coming in for the party and it happens to be at our house!  That means, cleaning and a little cooking will have to be done.  I am still pretty tired from my trip and then going out for our anniversary yesterday! 

Married for 26 years now to the love of my life!!



I am going to be starting a Turbo Fire Challenge.  You can check out the message board thread.  Hop on over and let me know if you will be joining in, you can do any workout, but if you want to get TurboFire, get it now.

I hope you'll join in.  It will be a LOT of fun!

I am looking to add to my beachbody coaching team.  If you love fitness and would like to add a second income or a first, then please let me know.  Things are getting exciting and now is the time to get involved!  Remember, you get a 25% discount as a coach as well as getting to help others get healthy!  It's a win-win situation!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

P90X One on One - Ab Ripper X 2

You love it and you hate it - Ab Ripper.  Well, here is another one to love and hate all at the same time!



"Abs are made in the kitchen" - Tony Horton

So, let's do our ab and core workouts, but we have to clean up our diets or we will not see the desired results!

Eat fruits and vegetables, clean proteins and drink a LOT of water.  If you have any questions, please let me know!!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Fit Club Monday - Traveling again

I am up getting ready to head to the airport.  It truly has been a life-changing weekend for me.  I can't wait to get home and implement all this into my life!  Not to mention the fact that I can NOT wait to see Brian.  I have missed him!!

Since I will be traveling today, there will not be a fit club tonight. 

We made our dream notebooks while we were here.  I took a photo of mine.  I love the way it turned out. I know that some people are skeptic of dream or vision boards, but several of the things I put on mine from the beginning of the year have already happened.  Put your wish, dream or vision out there for the world to see and hear and think positively about it and it will happen!



I hope that you have a extraordinary day!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Attitude of Gratitude - Coranado Edition

I am in my hotel room, feeling oh so tired, but so full of gratitude.  How can you not be filled with appreciation with the beauty around us??



 I am very thankful to Monica Ward, our fearless leader and my friend.


 I am grateful for Denise Needham.  She is an amazing woman and very inspirational. 



 I am also very thankful for all the wonderful women I have met and been able to spend some time with this weekend.  We have bonded, shared, laughed and cried together.  It has been an amazing journey and I am so glad that I came on this trip and that I first stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to be a Beachbody coach.



Over the course of the last 3+ years, my life has changed. It is all for the better (of course there are always ups and downs along the way).  I have grown as a person tremendously, I am fit and healthier, I have learned so much and I have made the most amazing friends. 

Today is all about gratitude, positivity and friendship! 

As we were talking last night, Angie mentioned that  she loved to pop people's bubbles.  Of course I was trying to figure out what she meant by that, and she explained that we live in our own worlds.  Connected to our cell phones, not wanting to interact with other people.  I thought about this and realized that it is sad, but true.  We are so involved in our own lives that we forget to look up and see the beauty in the people around us.  We are truly missing out on getting to know other people and making new friends.  But, even better than that, we are missing out on just a few acts of kindness.  A smile, when you are having a bad day, someone saying that they love your shirt, that you look nice, saying hello, it's nice to meet you.

We need to disconnect from the electronic world and join in our real worlds.  Make connections with people, look them in the eye, tell them hello, smile as we pass.  You never know, you could make their day. 

I know that I will be more aware of my surroundings, the people around me and I will at the very least, share a smile!

Discussion:  are you guilty of staying in the electronic world?

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Leadership Trip

I am so loving San Deigo! I could really see myself living here.  Coranado is perfect!

Here's a few shots from all the fun we had on the beach yesterday!






Last night we had our SWAG party!  Got some great stuff and had the best time listening to how each of these women got started with Beachbody.  It was so moving and there are some amazing stories!





Off to the meeting on the beach.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday Challenge - Play Date!



Blogging from San Diego today!  It is beautiful here and we are going to the beach this morning and I am thinking I'll learn how to surf!!

Have a great day!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

traveling and stress

I am traveling to San Diego today!  YAY!  I can't wait to get there, but geez, traveling can be so stressful.  I am packed and ready to go.  I have my healthy snacks, plan to get a HUGE bottle of water after going through security and a good book.  I am  hoping to get to meet some cool people this weekend!   So, what do you do to try and alleviate stress when traveling?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Carb Lover's Diet

Today is a busy day, got my sweet baby, packing and getting some last minute work done before I hop on a plane tomorrow.  I'm so excited for my trip.  Girlfriends, learning and sharings ideas and info for our business, working out, eating healthy and having fun!  Doesn't get much better than that, oh, but wait, throw in the beach and it does!!!  It's a rough life, but someone has to do it!!



I was sent this book to review and I have to say, the recipes are amazing.  Of course, I am a carb lover.  Hello, my name is Dana and I am a carb lover!  I have tried the low-carb and no-carb thing and it just doesn't work for me.  After about 3 days, I start getting crabby and mouthy and looking for anything starchy to eat.  So, this book really intrigued me.

The Carb Lovers Diet is from the Editors of Health magazine.  Written by Ellen Kunes, Editor in Chief, and Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, Health Magazine.

The book talks about resistant starches and how it helps to suppress your appetite, boost your metabolism, improve your mood, reduce your stress level and make you thin for life. 

One of the things I really liked about the book was that the success stories were real people.  These people were not losing 100 lbs in a short period of time.  They are losing 10 - 20 lbs in 21 days.  That is what works.  The weight will stay off.  It's a healthy way to lose weight. 

The Carb Lovers Diet contains a workout plan at the back of the book, the meal plan and the recipes and shopping tips.  It is do-able and it isn't something that you do for a while and then go back to your regular way of eating.  It is a lifestyle change and we all know that if you "diet", you probably will lose some weight, but it will come back as soon as you stop dieting. 

I really like the book and think that as soon as I finish the Turbo Fire plan, then I'll be trying this out for the full 21 days.  It is my kind of eating!  (there is meat and dairy in some of the recipes). 

I think if you are a carb lover like me, then you will like the book also!

Discussion:  Have you tried some of the crazy diets out there?  What were your results?

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ask Me Anything - alcohol???


I want to be sure that your questions get answered, so please email me any questions that you may have or you can also hit me up on facebook or twitter!

One question that I get frequently is what alcoholic beverage can I drink while trying to lose weight?

The best answer is to avoid alcohol when you are trying to lose weight.  It is empty calories and there are a LOT of calories in the drinks.  But, I know that we all live in the real world and occasionally we are at a party or just want a drink.  So, here is my opinion on what to drink when out:

First of all drink in moderation always.  Keep your mind about you so that you don't eat mindlessly.  We all know at parties there is food in abundance, it is too easy to stand there and continually put
food in your mouth without thinking about it!

So, on to the alcohol!

I think that you should drink the clear alcohol.  It has less calories and is easier on your body.  Vodka, is the best choice of them all,  it is the purest of all the hard alcohols.

Brian's cousin, David, has his own vodka.  Here's a little information about his brand - Vision Vodka.  It is really smooth and very tasty!


The better the quality, the less impurities. Drink it straight or with water.  Of course, vodka in a bloody mary is always tasty!  I like to drink tequila when I drink.  I usually drink it straight.  Patrone Silver is my favorite.   I call it a skinny margarita! 

Red Wine is another good choice.  I am not a wine drinker, so I can't recommend a good red wine, but it does have a high anti-oxidant levels. 

Beer is another choice.  There are all kinds of low-calorie, low carb beers on the market.  Just choose the one you like best.

The best advice I can give you is that for every alcoholic beverage you drink, drink a FULL glass of water.  This will help you to slow down a little, stay hydrated (will help to reduce your chance of a hangover) and keep you fuller and not snacking as much!

I have been told by a customer that Shakeology is a hangover cure, so you may want to have a little shake the morning after!

Be sure to get your questions in to me and I'll get them answered.  Danny - the chicken came first!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Fit Club Monday - X Edition

Good Monday Morning!  I have a busy week ahead. I'll be traveling this week to San Diego for a Beachbody Leadership training conference.  I haven't been to San Diego before and I am really looking forward to it.  This is a girls only trip and I know that not only will I be learning so much, but it will be great fun to see my friends!

FIT CLUB MONDAY



P90X is the leading Beachbody workout!  I have done the X 3 times and it is a great workout and I did get very good results.  I like the fact that you do a different workout every day, good for those that get bored easily.  P90X is a 90 day program.  It consists of weight workouts, cardio workouts, yoga, an ab workout and stretch.  You do a combination of these each day for 30 days and then the combination switches up. This creates muscle confusion and will help you to get the best results possible.
In order to get the best results you will need a couple of things.  Weights or bands, a pull-up bar and a yoga mat.  I also LOVE Tony Horton!  He makes the workouts fun! I got to meet him on a coupld of occasions.  He's very nice!



I really like the Beachbody P90X pull-up bar.  It fits in your door frame and works perfectly.  I had the tension-spring kind and ended up in the emergency room when I did my first round of the workouts.  So, be sure to get a good, stable bar!



If you have wanted to try P90X, here is your chance (if you live in my area!!).  Tonight, we will have Fit Club at 7 PM and we will be doing Cardio X.  This is a great way to try out the cardio and yoga workouts.  I love this routine!!

FIT CLUB RECIPE

Today's Recipe comes from The carb Lovers Diet book (review this week!!) by Ellen Kunes editor in chief and Frances Largeman-Roth, RD Health Magazine

WHITE BEAN SALSA & CHIPS

This easy snack gets you almost a third of your way to your resistant starch goal for the day.  It serves four, so make up a batch and store leftovers covered in the fridge.

Prep:  10 mins  Total Time - 10 mins  Makes:  4 servings

1 (15.5 oz) can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 TBP ffresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
1 plum tomato, diced
2 scallions, finely diced
20 corn chips

1.  Combine beans, juice and salt in a bowl.  Mash with a potato masher until semismooth.
2.  Add tomato and scallions, stir to blend. Serve with chips.

Serving size:  1/4 cup salsa and 5 chips - Calories 170

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday the 13th

Does that date scare you?  I don't have any problem with it and I think attitude has a LOT to do with it!  Have a good outlook and good things will happen!  So don't be skeered today!

Friday Challenge

It's another Friday Challenge!!  I'm beginning to think it's a challenge to come up with these challenges :)

Do you like these to be really challenging?  I'd love to have some feedback on these to let me know if you like them and what you want to see.

Today's challenge is about the negative self talk that I think we all have at some point.  Today I want you all to talk to yourself in only a positive manner


I am beautiful
I am an athlete
I am doing a good job
I am a good mom, wife, sister, daughter, whatever the case may be

Write it on your mirror and look at it several times per day!  What you think is what you become!  You can do it!



check out this book from a fellow blogger: 


Discussion:  Do you talk negatively to yourself?  What do you think is the best way to change that habit?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

do you have those kind of days?

I really don't have much to talk about today.  Isn't that strange?  I usually have plenty to say and I can't believe that I am struggling with what to chat about today.

It's been a couple of really HOT days at our house and I think it's taken it's toll on me!

In order to beat the heat of the house (air conditioner quit working on Sunday), we have been out of the house a lot.  Casino - wasn't the most profitable choice :), movie (saw The Other Guys - funny but stupid at points), eating out (made mostly good choices), shopping (didn't overbuy or overspend!  Yay me!) and got a pedicure with a friend :) Spent a LOT of time in the pool!



Drinking a LOT of water too.  This is a great way to get some flavor as well!



We have Madelyn today and we are doing what we can to stay as cool as possible.  The a/c guys are here and working like crazy to get this place cool again.  Thanks so much to them!!!



Discussion:  What do you do to beat the heat? 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Homesteader's Kitchen


I am in love with this cookbook!  The Homesteader's Kitchen - Recipes From Farm To Table by Robin Burnside.  Talk about wonderful, fresh recipes.

I have made the hummus, several of the smoothies (cherry peach and hemp seed was yummy!) and the kiwi vingrette just to name a few of the ones I have tried. 

I really like that all the ingredients are fresh, whole foods.  There are some meat and dairy recipes included as well, but most of the recipes are just good, fresh foods!   I'm thinking that I'll be using the Smoked Turkey with Maple-herb brine for Thanksgiving.  The book also has great info on preparing some of our favorites as well.  Want to know about sprouting, it's in there!  Lots of info on salads.  I thought I knew everything I needed to know, then I read about lettuces in the book.  Edible flowers are also covered!

I haven't ever prepared artichokes.  I think I'll be making Granny's Stuffed Artichokes soon as well.  That just sounds good!

This is going to be one of the cookbooks I turn to often.  It will have a prominent spot on my shelf!

Homesteader's Kitchen, The: Recipes from Farm to Table - pick up your copy today from your favorite bookstore or use the link provided to order from amazon.com today!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Fit Club Monday - Old Skool Edition!

It's Monday again - another fresh slate and clean start.  Give it your all and you will be glad you did!

FIT CLUB MONDAY!!!

I got to meet Shaun T at the Beachbody Coaches Summit a few years ago!  He was so nice and he's soooo cute!



I'm gonna go a little old skool today and do some Hip Hop Abs at tonight's workout!  Those are fun workouts and they do get your heart rate up!  I love to dance and these workouts are like a little dance party!  So, if you are in the area, let me know if you'll be attending tonight's workout!



Hip Hop Abs® purchase now

Dance your way to hot, sexy abs and burn the fat off your entire body with Shaun T's fun, exciting dance program! Using Shaun's revolutionary Absolute Engagement™ technique, you'll "Tilt, Tuck, & Tighten" your way to 6-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch.

Get ready to lose weight, burn fat, and sculpt flat, sexy abs!


4 amazing routines!

Secrets to Flat Abs

Shaun's exclusive training techniques target your upper abs, lower abs, and obliques while you burn fat. (13 minutes)

Fat Burning Cardio

Burn calories and shed fat with hip dance moves and hot music. (30 minutes)

Ab Sculpt

More signature moves to get you the six-pack you've always wanted without a single sit-up or crunch. (25 minutes)

Total Body Burn

A head-to-toe workout that combines cardio and total body sculpting with even more ab-defining moves. (45 minutes)

Tools to maximize your results!
Step-by-Step Nutrition Guide

Choose the right foods to help you lose weight faster!

30-Day Workout Calendar

Freestyle your Hip Hop Abs workouts, or follow this schedule to get jaw-dropping abs and tone your entire body FAST!

24/7 Online Support

Access live chats with Shaun and an amazing online community to help you succeed.

Amazing bonuses!

Hips, Buns, and Thighs

Lift and firm those stubborn problem areas. No more boring squats and lunges—get back into your skinny jeans FAST! (25 minutes)

Results on the Run diet guide

You can still eat at your favorite fast food restaurants, guilt free!

6-Day SlimDown

Lose up to 6 pounds in your first week!

Measurement card & tape measure

Plus, Learn to Dance with Shaun T—3 more fun-filled workouts!

Take It to the Dance Floor

Hip Hop Groove

Last Minute Dance

And get 2 more workouts—Last Minute Abs and Last Minute Buns!

Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

FIT CLUB RECIPE!!

Our air conditioner isn't working today.  We have a heat advisory for today and it is really hot in the house!  Trust me, you will want to drink plenty of water, especially if you are sweating like crazy in your own house!  Look for a full review of this cookbook tomorrow!



Agua Fresca - The Homesteader's Kitchen Recipes: From Farm to Table by Robin Burnside

Makes 3 quats

3 quarts water
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced and peeled if not organic

Place all ingredients into a gallon jar.  cover and cool for at least an hour to bring out the subtle flavors.  Pour over ice if desired.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Attitude of Gratitude

It's an attitude of gratitude today!  Happy Spirit Sunday!

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” Brian Tracy



I am blessed in so many ways.  Great family, good friends, wonderful job that allows me to travel and meet new people. 






I hope that you will count your blessing today and develop an attitude of gratitude for yourself!