200 situps????

some of you know me personally and know that i'm a little fluffy.  i HATE being fluffy but really quite lazy!  i want change and results but don't want the effort.  i realized the other day that it is the middle of September and jean wearing weather is coming - YUCK! 

SO.......

a friend of mine who lost 100 pounds started her journey using this.  she told me about it oh about a year and a half ago when i was trying to lose my last baby weight but i never did anything.  yesterday i did the introduction test for situps AND pushups.  while i'm not in the best column, i'm not in the worst either thank goodness! 

Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday is going to be push up days (building up to 100 at the end of 6 weeks)

Monday, Wednesday and Friday is going to be my sit up days (building up to 200 at the end of 6 weeks)

I'm SO stinkin nervous but hoping by putting it in my planner and holding myself accountable i should be able to do it!  i'm not posting on my facebook this blog.  i'm hoping though that some of my friends will be able to notice the results.  i'm taking a cue from my lady B and putting myself out there!  hopefully i won't want to repeat too many weeks and be able to complete this within the 6 weeks

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

its that time of year :)  i made this the other day before sharing it with one of my favorite people Myra!

simple.as.this: (enjoy)

1 cup fat free half & half (skim milk works better because the pumpkin will thicken it up significantly)

1/2 cup pumpkin

Truvia or sugar to taste (1-2 tbsp)

1 tbsp vanilla

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

Heat half & half, pumpkin and sugar (or Truvia) over medium heat until bubbling and sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat.  Wisk vanilla and spices into warm mixtures until well blended.

Cool.  Serve.

roasted summer veggies

i LOVE summer and garden fresh veggies, they always taste so much better when they come straight from the earth!  My absolute favorite garden fresh vegetable is zucchini!  it is SO versitile and can be used in many different dishes!

here's one of my new favorite ways to cook it along with a few friends:

2 medium zucchini chopped in medium pieces
4 potatoes peeled and chopped
2 red peppers chopped in big pieces
1 onion chopped
minced garlic
olive oil
salt
pepper
bread crumbs


Preheat oven to 400.  Chop veggies and I place in a large bowl.  I seaon with salt and pepper and add a squirt or two of garlic.  i then drizzle with olive oil and toss all the veggies to coat and mix then around.  place in a glass baking dish or on a cookie sheet uncovered.  sprinkle with bread crumbs.  cook for 45-60 minutes stirring 1/2 way through.

DELICIOUS!

applesauce oatmeal

i HATE prepacked oatmeal!  they are super expensive and 1 package never satisfies my kids - i end up making a whole box and they are still hungry!  we moved onto quick oats a really long time ago!  when i first starting making them i used the stove top method and while i was able to make a large pot for all the kids, they always ate too much.  with a few tweaks, i started making it in the microwave.  they each get 1 bowl full and are satisfied!

last week i brought home an abundance of natural applesauce cups.  my usual piggies did not want to eat them and i did not want to give them away.  i had to find a purpose for them - APPLESAUCE OATMEAL!

here's my recipe for 1 serving:

1/2 cup quick oats
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon sugar
sprinkle cinnamon
dribble of vanilla extract
1/2 of an individual cup of applesauce

i always put the cinnamon and sugar in first then add the oats on top then milk and now applesauce last.  i usually cook for 2 minutes and 15-30 seconds just depending on the consistency.  i let sit for a good 3-5 minutes before serving so it doesn't burn the little mouths.

yesterday was my first day at making it and they begged for it again this morning!  i can't wait to try other variations of this!

ENJOY!

getting back on track

i will admit, i've REALLY slacked with my family.  i am not sure when it happened or how it happened but it did and its MY fault!

thursday we had a family meeting and i relayed family/house rules into place.  today i put a menu back into effect in our home!  while i don't have firm days for everything, this is what we are eating this week and i refuse to stop and get lunchables because i'm LAZY!  I have no reason to be, 3 nights are going to be crockpot meals.  I spent $66 today and i'm hoping for it to stretch and last at least 1 1/2 weeks and that includes a leftover or two day.

so here we go in no certain order my weekly menu:

crockpot country ribs and saurkraut
crockpot ham and bean soup
crockpot chicken and potato tacos
rice and beans
leftover sloppy joe

one step at a time, life is getting back on track!  whats on your menu this week?  inspire me

hello, hello is anyone still following???

i can't believe its almost a year since I stopped blogging.  I can't say that I had any specific reason for stopping, but we're going to try this again!


Just a quick hello to all!  Look for a post or two from me in the next few day and we'll see where life takes me from there :)

I'm a Zumba FREAK!

OK, I know we've all seen the infomercials right?  We all know what Zumba is?  Latin dance and awesome Latin music combined with Aerobics.  It really IS fun!  I've had the Wii version for almost a year and like most things, I can count on 1 hand how many times I used it.  It sits with my Pilates, Yoga and the rest of my exercise DVDs.

I have friends who have invited me for AGES, OK months to go to Zumba class with them since it started back in June.  There was always some excuse or another and with it being Summer, I wasn't giving up my little bit of free time.  Finally about 3 weeks ago I gave in.  I realized winter was coming and I really have nothing that fits me.  I had to do something......ZUMBA!  I was really nervous but some of my 'sisters' went with me.  I started in the back row (and STILL hover there) and was worried about what people will think.  After that first class I felt empowered, rejuvenated, inspired.  I wasn't caring what other women thought, I WAS MAKING MYSELF HEALTHY!  I also found out that I'm not as out of shape as I thought I was.  So I have only been going for 3 weeks and I haven't missed a class yet.  I look forward to Tuesdays when we have our Zumba Class.  Other then Sundays (Church meeting nights) its the bright spot of my week!  I wish that the awesome instructor would teach another day also - I would SO be there!!!  The bonus of it all - THEY OFFER CHILDCARE!!!!  So not only am I getting out, my kids are too and hopefully its helping with Susan's shyness!


WANT TO JOIN THE ZUMBA FUN????  Here's the skinny:

(if you are local)
Where:  GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH (you don't have to be a member to go!)

When:  Tuesday nights Session 1 6:15pm - 7:15pm (HI Impact (but I do hi/lo mix))  WITH CHILDCARE
                                   Session 2 7:30pm - 8:30pm (Hi/Lo mix)  NO CHILDCARE

COST:  $1 for your VERY first session (if you need childcare $3 PER FAMILY)
             every other session is $3 ($5 per family with CHILDCARE)

Instructor:  Carla Henderson

If you want to go and have questions, please contact me OR Carla, you would also inbox her via Facebook to let her know!