Monday, January 31, 2011

Pinky Promise!

Here's the deal: 

Feb Pinky Promise Challenge!




Who is in?

My challenge goals:

1)  do Insanity and/or running 6 days per week
2)  eat a clean diet, avoid refined sugar
3)  read 10 pages personal developement book
4)  listen to 15 mins of personal development audio
5)  post my execise and diet on blog and boards - daily
6)  do something FUN everyday!

Remember, you get to make your rules this time around.  Focus on what YOU need to work on.

get off soda
floss your teeth daily
exercise 5 times per week
eat whole foods
drink your water


Everyone has their own demons to face - let's beat them, learn new, healthy habits and kick those demons to the curb!

BE BOLD!  BE HAPPY!  BE HEALTHY! -this is my mantra for FEB!

I pinky promise you  that I will stick with my goals for all of Feb!

Change Now, Love Now, Live Now - Kris Carr!

Don't wait for someone else to tell you what to do or to give you permission.  They won't!

Smart nutrition, exercise and a positive lifestyle are the keys to health and happiness! Details on the message boards!

Will you pinky promise me?


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Happy Birthday Nick!

It's been 10 days, so that means another Moritz birthday in Jan!  Nick is 22 today!







Again, it seems like it was just yesterday that he was a baby running around asking for a Bwana.

Happy Birthday Nick!

Friday, January 28, 2011

all my taste is in my mouth

OR SO HE SAYS.......

Brian and I have disagreed in the past and I am usually right ;)

This time around it is over the office re-model.  I am trying to get our office organized.  I want a nice place that I want to work in, feel comfortable in and will make me more productive. I do my best work when in cute, comfy places!!!  So, I got the cabinets hung last weekend while Brian was out of town, the boys were so nice to help me out, and this week I told Brian I wanted bulletin boards put up.  Now, I didn't want just any old corkboard bulletin board, I wanted something cute and a little nicer than that.  Brian told me he had just the thing left over from our old office.

Ugly blue burlap bulletin board is NOT what I had in mind....

So, off we went to the local hobby store (Hob Lob) to see what we could find.   They only had smaller ones and they were expensive, cute, but expensive.  Not what I was looking for.  So, Brian said why don't we just cover the "ugly" one with fabric, with a roll of his eyes... he knows that he would HAVE to be involved.

Now, I am NOT a crafty person.  I would love to be a crafty person.  It isn't in me.  I can't sew, I can't knit, I can't paint, I can't even put the bedazzler crystals on my own shirts, right.....  It just isn't there for me as much I wish it was.

So, I thought surely I can cover this board in fabric.  How hard can it be?

We wandered through the store and found the right sized fabric.  I picked out the ones I liked, Brian said he could cut the board in 3 pieces to work like I want. 

Little did I know that I was in the furniture fabric section.  Thank goodness I saved 30%.  This is where Brian told me that we just spent way too much money on a free bulletion board....  AND he told me that all my taste was in my mouth.....  famous last words!

We got to work this morning being crafty.....


The staple gun is a wonderful invention!  Brian is working hard!
Just so you know, I didn't know I was in the photos until Brian told me on the last one.But how cute is this fabric?

I love this one too!

He finally told me I was IN the photo!  Poser!

I love them all!

Looking good on the wall!

Not too shabby!  I think I have pretty good taste, thank you very much!


Discussion:  Are you a crafty person?  What do you do?

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Foam rollers

Here is a quick video on using a foam roller to help with muscle soreness.  I started Insanity on Monday and have been so sore ( mostly my calves!).  This is one way to relieve the pain!



Discussion:  Any good tips for relieving muscle soreness?  Do you get sore when you start a new fitness program?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

hot date tonight!

I have a hot date tonight!  I can NOT wait!

I'll be joining my 3 bff's today:

I've already taken advantage of the ibuprofen and the Vitamin D!  But tonight I get to soak in the tub with the epsom salts.

Since I started Insanity this week, my calves are shredded!  It hurts to walk, it hurts to go from sitting to standing, it hurts to squat  AND I have Madelyn today.  However, if I keep moving, I am pretty good!

I also have found that I hurt more the second day the most.  Then the pain begins to subside - YAY!

What are the best ways to deal with sore muscles:

1)  Ice - use ice packs to help with the inflammation

2)  anti-inflammatory meds  - like ibuprofen will also help with the soreness

3)  massage - get a foam roller and go to town.  This helps to release the lactic acid that builds up in the muscles.  It may be a bit painful to start, but it will help!

4)  WATER - flush out the lactic acid build up.  Drink up!

5)  epsom salt baths - soak in the tub (don't get the water too hot) and just relax.  Make it enjoyable, music, candles or a good book can help!  Sip on your water while you are in the tub!

6)  Stretching - stretching and yoga will help relieve the pain and soreness too!

7)  keep exercising - don't skip your workouts just because you are sore,  once you get moving, the soreness will get better! You may want to take it a little easier on your body, but keep moving!

8)  therma-care wraps/heat pads - these can be helpful to increase blood flow to the muscles

These are just a few of the things I do to help ease the soreness.  I almost always get sore when starting a new program.  I kinda like it, I know that the workouts are working, but if it is too painful, take it easy for a few days.  You should still be able to function.  So, if it is more than that, please consult your Dr!

I am waiting on a new mircophone for my computer.  I am hoping it will be here today and when I get it, I'll make a video that shows you how to use a foam roller!  I love mine.  It really helps!

I'll be enjoying that soak in the tub tonight for sure!


Discussion:  Do you have a good remedy for muscle soreness?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

turbofied Fit club!

Fit Club Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week!  Tonight's workout is TurboFire!!

LOVE this workout!

TurboFire is the intense new cardio conditioning program from fitness innovator Chalene Johnson. She'll help you get leaner with exercises that burn up to 9x more fat and calories than regular cardio does. And with more than 20 smoking-hot music remixes, TurboFire will pick you up and push you past your limits.


Chalene's New to Class option also gives you the breakdown on how to do each move with the right form.

So forget the excuses. Forget the gym. Now the hottest classes in Southern California come to you.

We are going to do Fire 30 and Stretch 10.   Can Not Wait!



Hope to see you there!

CJ Community Center - 7 PM

Oh yeah, by the way, It's FREE!  Nothing to lose!  Come and have some fun while we get healthy together!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Never use it with BEAR feet!

So many random things to talk about today!

First of all, I got my herstyler and I am loving it.  My hair looks good (straight) and I have decided that I don't think I'll be giving up my "day" job to be a hairstylist.  HA!  Meredith and I tried to make the curls like they did, but it didn't quite work out....  I need a lesson or two.  Lauren says she can help there.  Thank goodness!  I don't think Meredith will be having me curl her hair again anytime soon.

I did love the instructions:

NEVER use the device with BEAR Feet!  LOVE IT!

Over the weekend, I committed to do a 5K in March.  As long as it isn't scheduled when we are planning on going on vacay (Savannah GA, Baby!) then I will be running.  I am NOT a runner.  I don't know what came over me, but I am going to do it!  So, to get in shape for it, I am doing Insanity and running.  I was in the best cardiovascular shape when I did Insanity last time.  Today was Day 2.  I did Plyo Cardio Circuit.  41 mins of pure hell.  But, I did it!  My calves will be screaming tomorrow and Wed.

Insanity is also the #1 rated infomercial.  Remember if you want to purchase it, go through my website, you'll get a bonus workout you do not get from the infomercial!

I am going to try and follow the meal plan as closely as possible ( avoiding all the meat and dairy and subbing in tofu, beans and eggs, almond milk and daiya).  It's hard when you don't eat meat and dairy, but I'm going to do my best.  I'll be blogging about my experience as much as I can and as much as you guys want to read about it!

Lauren, Kathie (Lauren's mom) and I went to the bridal show yesterday.  This was my first visit to a bridal show!  I didn't really know what to expect, we walked around, looked at all the booths and tasted more cupcakes.  I think a decision has been made on the cake!  It will be yummy!

Laren will be a beautiful bride!



Being a bride is tiring......

Saturday, January 22, 2011

keep calm and eat a cupcake!


I LOVE this sign!

Lauren invited me to cake taste for the wedding (Yes, Nick and Lauren are getting married in Sept!!).  Of course, I had to go!!!  How could you turn down cake?

Funny, how this post is also about cake after yesterday's cake disaster post......   Maybe I just have cake on the brain.

The cake was wonderful and the irony of it all is that we all loved the LEMON cake.  It didn't taste anything like my cake, thank goodness...

She didn't make a decision YET.  We are going to a bridal show on Sunday to taste even more.  I may have to do an extra workout to make up for all the cake I've been eating lately.

Since Brian is out of town hunting, I went out with friends.  I mean, I can't sit around and cry all day long because he is gone...   I try to keep that to a minimum.

We had a lot of fun:


the girls


Brian wasn't there, so I did my here we are in Memphis shot with Allen and Danny!



Today I am re-organizing the office and then lunch and a movie with a girlfriend and then home to just chill out.  Wish me luck on the office!

Friday, January 21, 2011

ugliest cake ever????

I tend to think that I am a pretty good cook, baker or whatever you want to call it.  I make it and it usually tastes darned good.

That was NOT the case for Chase's birthday.  I missed the mark BIG TIME.  Not only was the cake I made, the UGLIEST cake ever (no lie... just wait, you'll see....), but I didn't make enough food to feed the starving army.




For the kids' birthdays, they get to pick whatever they want me to make them for the meal and the cake of their choice.

Chase chose a roast beef ring.  It's not healthy, but one of his favorites.  I got the roast beef, the croissants, the swiss cheese and the onions.  I put it all together, looked at it and wondered if it would be enough, made another half.  Added a big salad, had to get something healthy in them, It wasn't enough.  Jake looked at me and told me that was a great appetizer, but where was the rest of it.....  just a reminder of my day all over again....

 For the last few years, each boy has picked a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and cherry pie filling poured over the top.  It's yummy, easy and I have that one down.

Chase decided to go a different route this time and wanted a lemon cake.  I get online and found a HEALTHIER option and decide to roll with it. I'm feeling so good about it, excited to try a new recipe however....

Something went wrong, VERY WRONG.......

The cakes didn't rise correctly, they had hard edges, they weighed a TON!  But, Brian tasted it and said it was really yummy.  I went with it.....  BIG MISTAKE.

I made the lemon curd to go between the layers.  It didn't set up correctly, was a little runny, I put too much on it, it caused the top layer to slide all over the bottom layer, it ran out the sides.....  a TOTAL MESS!

Still I rolled with it, I'm beginning to question my judgment here...

So, I made the frosting.  It tasted good, looked good, no problems here that I can see.  I start putting it on the cake.  UH, Houston....  we have a problem.

The icing wouldn't go on anywhere the lemon curd was.  I mean really, it was just falling off.  So, I now have a flat cake that weighs 20 lbs, with lemon curd all around the sides and frosting somewhat on top, but not really on the sides.  WHAT THE HECK????


I wasn't going to take a picture, but decided to at the last minute.  This really doesn't do it justice :)

I bundled up Miss Madelyn and Brian and we took off for the store and a box cake mix.  Oh hell, let's just get the frosting and the cherry pie filling too.. But, since we are being different, let's go for a different flavor.....


The funniest part of all is that the cake tasted good. Chase preferred it over the box cake, the other kids did not prefer it... I don't blame them,  I felt like a rock was sitting in my gut all night long. Another lapse in judgment on my part.....

Happy Birthday Chase, next year I'll stick with the chocolate cake.....  or maybe I'll find a HEALTHIER version......

How did I miss getting a photo with Brian P?  We get to do it all again in 10 days.....  We have TOTAL Birthday domination in January!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Another Moritz Birthday!

It's the 19th, that means it is Chase's birthday!  I can not believe that he is 26.  I know I just said that about Jake too and I'll be saying it again in 10 days when it's Nick's birthday too! Just be ready for it!


Happy Birthday Chase!!!









Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Fit Club Tuesday!

It's Tuesday AGAIN!  Gosh these weeks are just flying by already! 



Fit Club Workout:

Brazil Butt Lift again tonight.  We are focusing on one workout per month.  So, tonight we will be doing Cardio Axe and Bum Bum Rapido.  These are fun workouts and we laugh and giggle through the whole thing each week.  I love having fun and getting healthy at the same time!!



Did you know that if you order your workouts from a Team Beachbody Coach (me!!! for one!!) you get extra bonuses?

If you order Brazil Butt Lift through my website, or your team beachbody account, you get:

Leandro's Secret Weapon Workout!

That just sounds scary :)

Additional bonus workouts are available with P90X ( 2 free workouts) , Body Gospel, 10 minute trainer, Insanity, Turbo Fire, Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs, and Turbo Jam.  So, if you want to purchase any of these workouts, be sure to go through a coach!



Also, one of my FAVORITE workouts - CHALEAN EXTREME is ON SALE!  whoo!!!  It is $30 off.  the discount will show up when you add it to your cart!  If you are a club member, you will still get your 10% discount and coaches still get the 25% discount!



Another great thing - There is a CLEARANCE sale on P90X Bars and P90X Results and Recovery Formula..

Some absolute great deals if you are looking for great products!

I am at the hospital with a friend, so I'll post the Fit Club recipe tomorrow.  I don't have all my wonderful cookbooks with me today!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Avoiding the winter blahs!

When the weather gets cold, we have a tendency to hunker down, eat comfort food, and do nothing!  Let's fight this urge and get off our rear-ends.

Many people get a little depressed during the winter months, it's hard to get outside, get the fresh air and sunshine isn't available all the time.  I know that I NEED the SUN to keep my sanity!



So, what are some ideas for working out in your home?  Of course, Beachbody workout DVD's are always an option, walking/running on the treadmill, yoga/stretching, dancing, you can even do some of the cool new video games that require you to move!

Our eating habits change as well, be sure that you are still getting your fruits and veggies.  Eat seasonally.


Winter fruits:

Oranges  I am in love with cuties, they go quick in our house!
Grapefruits
Kumquats
Satsumas - this is a citrus fruit, similar to an orange
Pomegranates - these are great thrown in a salad
Pears



Winter vegetables:

Celery
Pumpkins
Winter squash
Mushrooms
Beets
Parsnips
Daikon radishes
Cabbage
Red Cabbage
Cauliflower
Turnips
Sprouts
Jerusalem Artichoke
Kale
Kholrabi

Try a new food, a new recipe! Explore a little!

Tips to avoid the winter blahs:

1)  exercise - do something every day.  Go to the mall and walk, put on fun music and dance around, play an exercise dvd or video game - just move!  You body releases feel good endorphins!




2)  eat healthy  - try one of the seasonal foods listed above, make some good, satisfying soups,  eat a salad!



3) get some light/sun - get outside for a walk if it isn't too cloudy or icy.  If you can't get outdoors, check out the indoor lights that mimic the sun, grab a little extra vitamin D!



4)  go out and play - you can't change the weather, so enjoy it.  Go sledding with your kids, make snow angels, go for a brisk walk, build a snowman!  Have fun!



Discussion:  What do you do to beat the winter blahs?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Brian, you should always listen to me!

I had a BLAST yesterday hanging out with the girls!  We went to eat at Ruby Tuesdays ( I love that place, the salad bar is VERY fresh!) and then went to the mall.   We had fun trying on a few hats, looking at all the goodies and I left without buying a thing!  YAY ME!



More fun hat photos on my Feeling Fit with Dana page on facebook! Be sure to click like to see them!


 Denisa wanted to get her hair curled at the kiosk and see if it really worked.  They claim the curls will last 24-48 hours.  This would be good since I have the same type of hair, straight, straight and even straighter.....    Her hair looked great.  Curly and cute!


Time will tell if the iron works.  It is too expensive to purchase without testing their theory.  Last night, Dee let me know that she still had her curls AND she found the exact same iron on amazon (LURVE!!!!) for a MUCH cheaper price!



I hate to put anyone out of a sale, but when they are selling the exact same product at the mall kiosk for over $100 and amazon has it for $34, I have to share the good news.

I ordered one, so I will tell you if it works just like the other one, but I don't know why it wouldn't!

If you want one, just click here!





After shopping around, I came home and rested a little, had some dinner and then Brian and I went out for a new blanket for the family room.  Brian is a bit picky here, it is quite surprising to me.  He must have 100% cotton, and because he is so tall (over 6 ft.) it has to be long enough for napping!  We found one at Target and he was happy!

Then we went to Cupcakes by Liz.  We don't go often, they are pricey, they are full of sugar and dairy (two things I try to avoid), but we went last night!  If you get them to go, they come in a pretty  little package:


so pretty, death by chocolate and lemon in paris


YUM!

We split one in half for last night and saved one for today!

Funny story about last night:  we have a headlight out on the Honda.  As we were getting in the car, I mentioned to Brian that the headlight was out, asked if we should take the Jeep so we don't get pulled over.  Famous last words out of Brian's mouth - it's fine, we won't get pulled over.   BUT, on the way home, on main street right in front of 609, we got pulled over.....  no ticket, thank goodness, but Brian, you should ALWAYS listen to me!!!  BWAA HAA HA!

Discussion:  This was GREAT day for me, fun time with friends and Brian!  Share with me your GREAT day!