made my list

And I've checked it fifty times.  We are leaving in the morning for a much needed get-away!  Jake is staying behind to take care of things at home, so never fear ( I think I'm more afraid of leaving him here....)

So, at early-thirty in the morning, we are hitting the road and heading east.....  OCEAN, here I come!!!  This makes me jump with joy!!!  I need the sun, and the sand.... and maybe a fruity drink with an umbrella - oh cabana boy!!!

I told Brian I didn't care where we went as long as it was warm, sunny, sandy and friendly.

Can you guess where we are going??????

There might be  historic tours, moss-draped oaks, a very famous restaurant and of course, the ocean!  We haven't ever been here, but it is on my bucket list.  I'll be back tomorrow with an update and a few more clues.....

Discussion:  What is your favorite vacation destination?

It's no joke!

It's a Fit Club Tuesday again! Yippee Skippee!! 
We are focusing on Rev Abs this month, so all is good!  These workouts are no joke!!

Trainer Brett Hoebel is one of the newest  trainers on The Biggest Loser!  He is so cute and the workouts are so effective!  I hope you will join us if you are local.  Fit Club is now being held at my house, so email, facebook or twitter me for an address!  7 PM and it's free to attend!!

If you have been wanting to try Shakeology, please let me know.  I have Chocolate samples available to mail out.  I only request that you sign up for a free account on my website!  This is amazing stuff.  Check it out on my shakeology website and let me know if you want a sample!  YUMMY GOODNESS!!!

Fit Club Recipe:
We are getting ready to go on a little vacay, so I have been busy getting things ready.  One of the things I can not do without is HOT MUSTARD.  I LOVE mustard!  I can eat it on anything :)  I love making my own so I know that I am getting good ingredients!!!

HOT MUSTARD:
from my mother-in-law, Judy!

4 oz. dry mustard (Coleman's brand is best)
1 cup vinegar  ( I use apple cider vinegar)

Mix together and let stand overnight

Next day:

2 whole eggs (whisked)
dash salt
1 c sugar (I use sucanat)

Add to the mustard/vinegar mix and cook in a double boiler until it thickens (about 10 mins).

Let cool and then refigerate.

ENJOY! 

Oh and be sure to check out my amazon store - you can find all my favorite products there!!  Please give me some feedback so that I can add any other products you have seen me talk about!  I LOVE feedback and comments!!  I didn't know I could do that, it is pretty cool!

Discussion:  Is there a food you can't live without?

whirlwind week!

It was another whirlwind weekend!  We had a blast, but I was glad for a little downtime yesterday!

Saturday was spent cleaning the lakehouse (again!!) and then we went to dinner with friends and to the local Dancing with the Joplin Stars! 

Hot tea in an elephant pitcher, why yes please!

Love the light fixtures!

Brian was thrilled to go to Dancing with the Joplin Stars!

We were a little more happy about it!

Sunday was a little less rushed.  Still did some cleaning at home, Brian and I went for a long, glorious walk and then the kids came over for a pizza dinner!  YUM!

TASTY!!

Veggie Pizza and spinach salad!

Today, is back to routine!  I am finally feeling better.  I will be working out this evening.  I had so much to get done first thing this morning, that I will be working out later.  I'm hoping that Brian and I can get in another walk.  Supposed to rain tomorrow, want to enjoy the nice weather while we can.

Don't forget to check out our lakehouse rental!  We are starting to get some bookings for this summer.  Have your own lake get-away!!  Talk about some downtime!!  Fun family time, swimming, boating, para-sailing.  All the fun stuff is there!

Great view on the boat!

Brian and I taking off!

Brian's BIG catch!

Discussion:  Do your weekends just fly by and you are glad for the week to start again or do you savor the weekends!

are you on track?

Having trouble staying on track?  What is your weakness? 



Dessert?
Snacking?
Eating out?
Eating too much while cooking?
Portion control?
Too many drinks with dinner?
Not working out?

Whatever your trouble area is, there is a way to stay on track!  You are not alone either!  Many of us have issues with each and every one of these problems. 

Mine right now is Dessert!  I never used to crave sweets, now I can't get enough and I am not kicking the sugar to the curb....

Dessert:  Stick to one dessert per week.  Make it rich and decadent.  When you plan for one GREAT sweet treat per week, you can indulge and know that you are going to get that craving out of the way!  This gives you something to look forward to!  In the meantime, try fruit instead,  how about some berries with a drizzle of agave, or berries with greek yogurt if you eat dairy products.

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Snacking:  Munching non-stop will pack on the pounds quickly, so if snacking is your problem try to keep busy, keep your hands busy.  Most cravings last about 15 mins.  So, do something else for those 15 mins.  Call a friend, do needlework or a crossword puzzle, go for a walk, drink a glass of water.  If you can't kick that craving go for a healthy snack.  Fruit or fresh veggies, try the Pirate's Veggie Booty, graham crackers. Be aware of what you are putting in your mouth.  Brush your teeth right after you finish dinner.  This signals the brain you are done eating for the night!

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Eating out:   This is a tricky one.  So many hidden calories in our meals.  So, be picky when you order.  Get your protein grilled without extra butter or oils. Skip the bread basket and the butter.  Tell them to not even bring it. It's too tempting.  Ask for a box when you get your meal.  You can put half to-go and save a ton of calories.  We are all guilty of eating too much when we are visiting with friends and not paying attention to when we are truly full.  Check out the menu online and choose what you are going to order and STICK WITH IT!   Skip dessert.  Order a cup of tea or decaf coffee instead.  This keeps you social, but avoids the calories of that  cheesecake.

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Eating too much while cooking: If you are starving when you start cooking, you are going to nibble here and there and before you know it, 500 calories have been consumed.  Try having a little snack before starting - a handful of almonds, small salad or better yet, drink a big glass of water.  Wear your snug clothing instead of sweats.  Be aware of your waistline.  Make all your food over the weekend, freeze it and then you can just pop it in the oven and no noshing while cooking!

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Portion control:  I have issues with portion control.  If it tastes good, I always want more.  So what to do?  Dish up your food on your plate and put the rest away.  This will stop going back for seconds.  Remember a serving size, get used to eye-balling it. 

This is from webmd.com:

Vegetables or fruit is about the size of your fist.

Pasta is about the size of one scoop of ice cream.
Meat, fish, or poultry is the size of a deck of cards or the size of your palm (minus the fingers).
Snacks such as pretzels and chips is about the size of a cupped handful.
Apple is the size of a baseball.
Potato is the size of a computer mouse.
Bagel is the size of a hockey puck.
Pancake is the size of a compact disc.
Steamed rice is the size of a cupcake wrapper.
Cheese is the size of a pair of dice or the size of your whole thumb (from the tip to the base).

source

Too many drinks with dinner:  Drinking adds many extra calories.  Having a strawberry margarita before dinner and a beer with dinner adds 400 extra calories.  I'm sure it won't come as a surprise to you that people that drink with their dinner eat more calories than those people that do not.  Stick to one glass of wine with dinner - order it to come with your meal.   If you feel left out try a club soda with lime, sparkling water or get your water in a wine glass. 

Not working out:  This one is tough.  If you don't love working out, you probably haven't found your DREAM workout!  I say keep looking.  There is something out there that you will LOVE!  It may be walking with a friend, running, dvd's at home or going to the gym. You may love the elliptical, the latest, cool class at the gym.  Find one you love and you will be excited to get moving!  Get a workout buddy.  You will be held accountable and know that someone else is counting on you to be there ( I am happy to be that buddy for you!!)  My dream workout is Turbo Jam.  I didn't like to workout, only did it because I knew that I needed to.  Dreaded it every, single day.  Now, I LOVE Turbo!  I do many other workouts and don't mind it as much, but I always add in Turbo!!    Working out will give you more energy, the endorphins will make you happy and that is so important, plus you will meet so many GREAT people!


Discussion:  What is your downfall and how do you cope with it?

Rollin' with Plan B

It's been a day.  I had planned to be in the office working all morning, a conference call and then heading to the lakehouse to finish up the cleaning.  My day did not go that way at all.  Best laid plans, right?

Instead, I had the pleasure of having Miss Mads today (her babysitter was sick), was on for MOST of the conference call, had lunch with a friend for her birthday, met friends at the casino and just now am getting to the lakehouse!

I totally broke out the flip flops yesterday and this morning, now it is too cold.  BUMMER!

Jake is going to hold down the fort at home and we will be busy beavers tomorrow.  That is if everything goes according to plan!  I'm not going to hold my breath!

Discussion:  How do you handle plan B, roll with it or get stressed?

to work out or not to work out?

I haven't been feeling so great since the weekend.  I want to address working out when you are sick.

Should you or shouldn't you?

I feel that you should listen to your body.  Obviously, if you are in bed sick running a fever, the answer is no!  Rest is so important to healing our bodies.  But, what if you just don't feel good.  I've been nauseous all week.  I'm able to be up and functioning, but do I want to work out? 

I haven't been, I just didn't feel like I could work out and push my body to the limits.  Other people think it is okay to work out. I think it is a personal decision, but you really don't want to push it too much.  You need to heal the body first and foremost!

source

The rule of thumb seems to be if it is above the neck - you can workout.  If it is below the neck - skip it!

Some studies show that working out while you are sick may prolong the illness.   If you just have the sniffles or milder symptoms of a cold, then you can work out.  I don't think I'd be doing Insanity, but keep moving.

If you have a stomach ache, it is probably going to make you feel worse.  At least that is what I have found.

If you work out in a public setting, please think about your friends in the gym.  Don't go spreading your illness.  Stay home!

Since I haven't felt great for several days, I skipped my workout.  Yesterday, I went for a walk.  I am starting back, but slowly.  I don't want a relapse.  Since I had Madelyn, I loaded her up in the wagon and off we went.  We made it about a mile.  She was ready to get out and move around. I sure wish I had her energy!!

What about your diet?  When you are feeling bad, how should you eat?  I try to keep it light and on the "clear" side.  I never drink soda, but this week, ginger ale and 7up have been my friends.  For some strange reason, water makes me feel even more nauseated.  

All I know is that I miss my workouts and am ready to get back to it. 

Discussion:  Do you workout when you are sick?

read it again, peas

It's a Madelyn day at our house today.  She is napping right now, so I am getting a few things accomplished.  How can you get anything done when that cute little face is looking at you, wanting to play,eat or just sit on your lap.  Nothing is more important in that moment!

The look of our house changes quite a bit when she is here:

Today Mads is into her new book DOG!

She has been slow to love this book, but it has happened.  Now it is all she wants to do, read it again, peas......

Her favorite page:

The tongue on the last dog is sticky, she loves to put her finger on it and say ewwwww

My favoite page, all dogs poop, all dogs pee.....  really do we need this in our books?

BUT, this is her very favorite part and we just found it today!  Kitty Cat!

One more time, peas????

How could I possibly say no?

Discussion:  do you have a favorite book from your childhood?