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I've been catching up on watching episodes of the Biggest Loser the past few days. I had been pretty ill since the beginning of October and I haven't been able to get on the treadmill to watch my recorded shows. Today, I got caught up on the second and third episodes.

Like Jillian, I couldn't help but notice that all the women contestants finish in the lower half of the weight loss spectrum. What is up with that? Granted, the men have a lot more weight to lose. But percentage wise, you would think the numbers would be closer.

Sure, it could have something to do with the fact that in general, women store more fat then men. Women need the excess fat to support their reproductive systems. Lucky us.

But perhaps it has more to do with the fact that women just can't accept that they deserve to change themselves for the better. Many women try to be everything to everyone and that can hurt their wellness. To be a happy, healthy person, you need to care for yourself first. The men, knowing that they have been given a gift to get to where they are on that campus, take it and run with it...thinking of no one else but themselves.

It just killed me to listen to Tina say that she wanted to go home. She was ready to quit. I'm more than certain it had nothing to do with the family vacation that she claimed was already planned...rather she looked around that room, at all the others younger than her who were there and though that she didn't deserve to be there. Everyone else comes first. She comes last.


Or perhaps she, as many women, is fearful of who she might become. These women fear that people may not like them anymore, or may not accept them into their "circle" if they change too drastically. Well I have news for them. If that happens, then let it happen. Those people...that "circle" of people...was obviously holding you back. They were keeping you from realizing your potential and reaching your goals. 

I know, that when you do commit to make the change, there will be new people in a new circle that will support you, and will applaud you, and will love the new you. Plus, I'm sure that there will be some in your old circle who will do the same. And perhaps you, yes YOU, will give them the courage to change themselves. The ones that don't? Well, good riddance.


The whole process begins with YOU. You need to accept that you DESERVE good health and happiness. Once you realize that, the sky is the limit.

When you start a life changing journey, it can be hard to force yourself to rest...especially if you are seeing results on a regular basis. Your body becomes re-adjusted to a new lifestyle and taking a break seems foolhardy. But I have learned a few things on my journey west, both literally and figuratively. Many may disagree, but I'm here to tell you that we are all different, and finding the right balance is crucial, and completely personal.

A few weeks prior to our RV vacation, I had been experiencing uncomfortable pelvic pain. It was kind of hard to explain to my doctor, but as soon as I mentioned my workout routine and how and when I was feeling the pain, she asked "Is it P90X?"

"....yes!" I answered, quite surprised.

"Yep, I've seen this before. How long do you break between rounds?"

I was quite embarrassed to admit that I don't. Even though I know I should. I had just completed three rounds of the workout...PLUS an additional few weeks, because I knew this vacation was up and coming. I wanted to get ahead of myself.

I was grateful to find out it wasn't a hernia, or ovarian cysts, but rather a pulled muscle. The one that attaches my "six-pack muscles" to my pubic bone. It isn't a large muscle, and can easily be injured with alot of strenuous exercise.

"I recommend taking a break." my doctor added.

Quite frankly, I got a bit scared. And a bit down. I managed to get the last few workouts in before the trip, struggling through the pain. I packed some workout stuff just incase...a few DVD's, some 5 pound weights, all my Shakeology packets and P90X bars. I figured if all else failed, I'd at least have my magic shakes.

The first day or two was easy. But suddenly the shit hit the fan. I was eating too much, feeling sluggish, and completely guilty for doing nothing but sitting in the passenger seat of a moving RV. I managed to get some walking in that evening, doing some laps in the swimming pools as my kids enjoyed themselves, and began voicing my insecurities to my husband..my wise husband...who always thought I had a bit of an addiction to exercise. Although I wouldn't call it an addiction. Not completely...but close.

He said, "You are on vacation. Take it...enjoy it. You know that when you return, you will be right back in your routine. Sure, you are getting a little behind. But I know you. You will be back to yourself in a month or less. Don't sweat it."

So, I swallowed hard. And after some serious thought, I haven't. I did, however, watch my eating a bit more closely...and didn't sweat it when my sister-in-law made an awesome meal. Instead, I enjoyed the food and the company and reminded myself that I'll be home soon enough. And since I have vowed never to go back to my old ways, returning to my routine will be easy enough.

As for my belly pain, it is completely gone now.

Sometimes the breaks do pay off. Sometimes it helps you to realize how strong of a person you really are. You need to be strong to make the commitment, but you have to be even stronger to admit that you need a break.

And in the end, vacations out west can be a bit of a blessing, taking the time to enjoy the open sky, the fresh air, and the power to be
...or not to be
...for a little while.

15lb Two-arm Tricep Kickbacks? Really? I'm so amazed at what this little 5'4" body can do these days. As I round out Round 3 of P90X Classic, I'd like to share some of my numbers from my feeble beginnings to the present day. Before I started P90X, I did have 6 months of ChaLEAN Extreme under my belt, so I wasn't totally raw. But the changes thus far have been pretty amazing.

Each P90X muscle workout consists of 24 exercises. Some, like Shoulders and Arms, have 12, but they are repeated to make 24 exercises in total.  I just reported one set of numbers here. Also, I have Blowflex Select-Techs which is why my weights are in half-pound increments. In some cases, my weights doubled. In others they increased by up to a third. But all in all, the gains have been tremendous. No, they aren't 20s and 30s like Tony's...but they are pretty good for a girl!

Alternating Shoulder Presses      Week 1               Week 38
                                                 12@12.5 lbs         11@17.5 lbs

In & Out Bicep Curls                 Week 1               Week 38
                                                 12@10 lbs            16@12.5 lbs

Two-Arm Tricep Kickbacks      Week 1               Week 38
                                                 12@7.5  lbs           12@15 lbs

Deep Swimmer's Presses           Week 1               Week 38
                                                  9@10 lbs             11@15 lbs

Full Supination                           Week 1               Week 38
Concentration Curls                   12@10 lbs           12@15 lbs

Chair Dips                                 Week 1               Week 38
                                             13 (bent knees)      25 (Straight leg)

Upright Rows                             Week 1              Week 38
                                                12@12.5 lbs        12@17.5 lbs

Static Arm Curls                         Week 1              Week 38
                                               16@7.5 lbs           16@12.5 lbs

Flip Grip Twist Tricep                Week 1              Week 38
Kickbacks                               10@7.5 lbs         12@12.5 lbs

Two Angle Shoulder Flys           Week 1               Week 38
                                                16@5 lbs            16@10 lbs

Crouching Cohen Curls              Week 1              Week 38
                                                10@10 lbs          12@15 lbs

Lying Down Tricep Extensions   Week 1               Week 38
                                                 10@7.5 lbs        14@10 lbs

In & Out Straight Arm                Week 1               Week 38
Shoulder Flys                             16@5 lbs            16@8 lbs

Congdon Curls                           Week 1               Week 38
                                                  12@10 lbs         10@15 lbs

Side Tri-Rise                              Week 1               Week 38
                                                     14                         22


You see! You can teach an old dog new tricks. Want to try for yourself? E-mail me at Theresa@theresasfitclub.com.

Here are 10 steps to help you kick off summer on a healthy, fitness-forward note. (Thanks to Jorge Cruise for this great article!)

Step #1: Identify Your Goal
All my successful clients share at least one trait: They plan their goals. It's not enough to just say “I want to lose weight.” You need to outline steps to your goal.

So I want you to take out a notepad and write down these two things: How many pounds do you want to lose? By when do you want to lose this weight? (Divide how much you want to lose by two – losing two pounds a week is healthy and recommended by doctors.)

Committing to a date may sound intimidating, but it will set you on the path to change.

Step #2: Believe
Believing in yourself will give you a big advantage. My clients who have lost weight believed failure was not an option for them. They were able to envision a new life filled with health, energy and vitality.

Step #3: Make It a Lifestyle
If you try a new fitness or eating plan that isn't sustainable, you won't see lasting results. You have to think of eating smarter or exercising as part of your way of life – a better life.

Step #4: It's Never Too Late
As we get older, we may think it's too late for us to change our health habits. But it’s never too late! Many of my clients are in their 50s and older.

You can take charge of your health and energy today. It's not about age, but making smart choices. About 80% of your wellness success will come from what you eat and drink. No matter your age or level of fitness, you can make smarter eating choices starting now.

Step #5: Thinking Negative Thoughts? Oops!
As difficult a lesson this is, you must first accept your body – with all its quirks and inconveniences – before you can change it. Take a moment to reflect upon your feelings about your body. Often, when I ask my clients to do this, a slew of negative thoughts crosses their minds.

Nasty thoughts can unravel your best intentions. They erode your self-confidence and motivation to succeed. You must get past them to experience true, lasting results.

So when you find yourself thinking something bad about yourself, just say “oops” out loud. It may sound silly, but it’s a great reminder to stop negative thoughts in their tracks and return to positive thinking.

Remember, your body is a precious gift!

Step #6: Harness the Power of Frustration
Frustration can create a powerful desire for change. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable motivational tools. Think about how being unfit has cost you, whether in your career, intimate relationship or family life. How many activities have you missed because you physically couldn’t do them? How often have you stayed home because you felt too ashamed or embarrassed about your body?

Be honest with yourself. Explore every aspect of your life in which inactivity and overeating has held you back. Then pick up a pen and let your dissatisfaction tumble onto the pages of your journal. (If you don’t already write in a journal, start one!)

Once you’re done, you’ll have the genesis of your success in front of you. Use it to propel you toward your goals.

Step #7: Start Your Day with Sunshine
Open your curtains when you go to bed at night. That way, your room will become gradually lighter as the sun rises, slowly arousing your body and mind out of sleep. You’ll be alert long before your alarm clock sounds – no more waking up to that annoying buzzer! You’ll awaken happy, refreshed and ready to start the day.

Step #8: Cut Back on TV-Watching
All of us have what I call a Loser Zone, where we spend way too much time. You fall into this zone when you do something that produces no significant improvement in your life.

Can you guess what the #1 Loser Zone activity for Americans is? If you said watching television, you’re right!

The average American spends 30 hours a week staring at the boob tube. You may enjoy zoning out to your favorite shows, but think how much you could accomplish with that time. Even if you just cut your daily TV time by one hour, you’d have seven extra hours a week.

Step #9: Hang with the Right Crowd
Surround yourself with happy, successful people whose goals you share. We tend to emulate the behavior of the people around us, either consciously or subconsciously. If you spend time with fit, health-conscious people, you’ll be inspired to adopt their ways. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time with friends whose habits you don’t admire; just wisely choose when and where you socialize with them.

Step #10: You're Not Perfect – So Stop Trying to Be!
Perfection is not only unrealistic, but it’s also a huge burden. Perfectionists may start out with the best intentions – wanting to better themselves or their situation – but they end up as control freaks. When something minor goes wrong, they feel like it’s the end of the world. This creates a level of stress that’ll drive anyone batty!

When it comes to your body, you need to learn to accept your imperfections.

Maybe you compare yourself to glossy photos of supermodels. Guess what? They’re airbrushed to look perfect. In real life, they have imperfections, problem areas and bad hair days just like everyone else. So remember: Nobody’s perfect… and that’s the beauty of it.

Visit jorgecruise.com for more smart choices you can make to start living a healthier life.

Are uncomfortable talking about this subject? Maybe the fact that I'm even discussing it is making you uncomfortable. Maybe you are just plain uncomfortable because you aren't regular. Have you ever thought about it? Have you ever been envious of someone, like your spouse, because they go to the bathroom like clockwork every day? Have you gone to bed bloated and gassed up...just feeling awful? Have you woken up with a pooch over that waistline and wonder what you can do to get rid of it? Do you think you are destined to live like this forever?

I used to think this. I thought that my gassiness and bloating was just part of who I was. I never envisioned myself in low cut jeans or a bikini because I honestly thought that pooch was permanent.

I had discussions with my doctor about my irregularity. I discussed it with my gynecologist. I even discussed it with my mother. My doctor suggested more water (I already drink gallons a day). My gynecologist suggested more fiber. But all fiber did (the grain kind) was gas and bloat me up even more! My mother says most women are irregular because we don't take the time to do our business. We are so busy running around for everyone else that even taking the time to go to the bathroom seems selfish. I'm inclined to believe what mom said has some truth to it. But, to get to the place where you should take the time to go, means that you need to have the urge to go!

It's crazy that all this time, I figured it was just how my system worked. I ate what everyone else did. I was active, but not the way I am now. I sat a lot because I work at a computer. I was lucky to have that bowel movement at all. In fact, sometimes it took 2 or 3 days! It was no wonder I was so cranky. After all, what can't be digested by your body is supposed to come out the other end. It is what your body doesn't need or can't use. It is your body's garbage. Imagine garbage sitting in your intestines for 2-3 days at a time. Imagine how toxic your body becomes. Imagine how sick you could get. Imagine how awful you could feel.

But maybe you do. Is this you?

The workout regimen I began last year seemed to help. I kept it up. Sitting at a computer upwards of 8 hours a day was not helping. Moving an hour or more a day made it better. I started a change in my diet. I ate fresh, cut out the packaged meals, indulged in more fresh fruit and vegetables. I spread out the protein throughout the day instead of eating it all at once. It got better still. Then I found Shakeology and read about the benefits that it offers. I had to try it! Besides, it is mainly fruit extracts which contain natural fiber...not the insoluble ones that are found in packaged and processed foods. For me, my life turned around. I became regular. Everyday ended with less bloat...less gassiness. Every morning started with a flat belly. My mood changed. My energy changed. Getting the toxins out of your body on a daily basis has changed everything!

Now I do even more. I cut out the dairy. I limit grains and breads to almost nothing. I get my fiber from natural sources, like fruits and vegetables or nuts, even herbal teas. There are other sources out there. So if you suffer from this ghastly (pun on words) phenomenon, I suggest you try these five things:

1. Move!
2. Eat fresh. Limit dairy and grains
3. Fill yourself full of fluids...water and tea is best.
4. Drink Shakeology.
5. Don't accept irregularity as being regular.

And for more information, check out this article about fibrous foods.

It'll change your life!

When you've been sedentary and have a lot of weight to lose, starting an exercise program can seem like a near-impossible goal.

Large folks face some unique challenges when they're trying to be active, ranging from limitations in their movement to finding clothes and equipment for exercising.

Yet the road to a healthier lifestyle must include some kind of physical activity along with a healthy eating plan. It's possible to lose weight by diet alone, but far from ideal. And research shows that people who've managed to lose large amounts of weight and kept it off tend to be regular exercisers.

The answer is to think of these challenges as hurdles, not roadblocks. And remember, the first step is always the hardest.

It's also important to find activities that work for you. You don't need to run marathons to gain the health benefits of physical activity! All you need to do is start moving, and gradually your fitness level will improve. As you lose weight, you'll be able to do more each day.

So take baby steps, and keep in mind that every little bit helps. Most people never regret getting physical activity, but they do regret it when they don't.
Benefits of Fitness

There is no question that regular physical activity is good for you and makes you feel better. Not only does it help you burn calories to lose weight, it reduces the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

Physical activity improves your strength, muscles, bones, and coordination. It improves your quality of life, making it easier to do simple things like walking up a flight of stairs, tying your shoes, or sleeping. Exercise also has many psychological benefits: It helps you feel better about yourself, improves your mood, and allows you to better cope with stress.

Still not convinced? Research shows that the least fit individuals gain the greatest benefits when they improve their fitness levels.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health, especially if you are sedentary.
Activities for Any Size

Walking is one of the best, and simplest, weight-bearing activities you can do. Dancing is an alternate form of walking that kicks it up a notch. Some good non-weight-bearing activities include water aerobics, swimming, riding a stationary bike, lifting hand weights, and doing stretching exercises. And don't discount activities such as house cleaning, gardening, and washing the car, all of which qualify as physical activity. Whatever activity you choose, go slowly, and start by warming up your muscles with simple movements such as marching in place and swinging your arms.
Here are 10 simple tips to help get you going:

1. Attitude is everything: "I think I can, I think I can." Believe in yourself, and know that every little bit will add up to big results over time.
2. Set realistic goals. Start by walking 5-10 minutes a few times per week, then build on your success.
3. Don't think all activity has to take the form of an actual workout. Move more whenever you can. One of our members works more steps into her routine by pacing while she waits for the microwave.
4. If you can tolerate weight-bearing activity, strap on a pedometer and leave it on throughout the day. Strive to take more steps each day.
5. Schedule mini-breaks of 10-15 minutes of physical activity throughout the day.
6. Only do as much as you can handle comfortably. If you have physical limitations, check with your doctor before starting any fitness routine.
7. Try different movements and activities to find things you enjoy.
8. Turn on some tunes. Listening to music can get you going.
9. Enlist the support of a buddy. Being active is always more fun with a friend.
10. Track your activity progress in the notes section of your journal.

No matter what fitness level, feel good about yourself and what you are able to do now. Don't beat yourself up if you cannot do a certain activity, just try again next time -- and be proud of yourself for trying!

Now, brush off that exercise bike gathering cobwebs in the basement and make a commitment to increase your activity level, even if it's only a few minutes a day. Make physical fitness part of your daily routine. And don't forget to have some fun!

This article is from the WebMD  Feature Archive

No one needs to know what goes into these brownies but YOU! The flour is replaced with black beans. No, I'm not crazy. Try them!

1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 heaping tablespoons premium dark chocolate cocoa powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup white sugar
3 eggs or equivalent of egg substitute
1 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
1/2 tsp decaf instant coffee powder, like Starbucks
Optional:
Chocolate chips
Nuts of your choosing

Combine all ingredients except chips and nuts in a blender or food processor until smooth. Place in a greased 8x8 baking pan. Top with chips and nuts if desired and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool (if you can help it!) These turn out fudgy, not cake like. But you'll love them just the same!

From the depths of hunger to a thriving and very large population, the unimaginable has happened. China is reporting that the obesity numbers are rising in their country. Some 30% of China's adults are overweight or obese compared to 25% back in 2004. The reason? Less physical activity and a diet with more fast and processed foods. It is the larger cities, like Shanghai and Beijing, where the problem is more pronounced. There are more cars and the cities are loaded with fast food joints. (By the way, the AMA estimates that in the United States, 68% of it's adult population is overweight.)

All of this will complicate China's plan to overhaul their healthcare system. The sad thing is, they are just trying to provide "basic" healthcare to their population. This wouldn't cover any obesity related illnesses. And more and more chronic diseases linked to obesity are cropping up. 92 million Chinese suffer from Type 2 diabetes because of the more sedentary lifestyle and the doses of high caloric foods. By the year 2030, the International Diabetes Federation estimates that half a billion Chinese will have the disease. The healthcare system will not be able to cover them.

Does all this sound familiar?

The fact of the matter is, our country, and our world is becoming slave to the modern conveniences of everyday life. No one wants to get off their butts anymore and move. No one wants to take the time to prepare fresh, healthy meals for their family. No one understands the importance of getting back to how humans lived generations ago. Yes, there are modern conveniences that will extend our lives...but there are many more that will extinguish it before it's time.

I remember when I was in my 20s, I was determined to be a stay at home mom after I married because I wanted to be the main influence in the lives of my children. I wanted to afford the time to allow them to grow and thrive. I wanted to do the cooking and the cleaning and leave my career behind me. But before you know it, you don't want the inconvenience of being the care taker. You look for options. All you vowed you wouldn't do...feed the kids fast food, allow them to drink pop, prepare meals from a salt-laden boxed good, etc...suddenly you are slipping. The kids start gaining weight. You start gaining weight. It all backfires.

The important thing to realize is that it isn't too late. There is still time to go back to how you intended it to be. In all honesty, is there any reason to take the kids to McDonalds? A treat, you say? Once a month, you say? I'd rather my kids didn't eat at all that night than eat something that will likely make them sick down the road. There are other choices out there if you are looking for convenience. There are other options.

And now, here is a country where for decades, couldn't feed their entire population because it was so huge and the modern conveniences of life were not that easy to come by. Suddenly they are thrust in the "well to do" category and they are facing obesity and it's related diseases.

It's a choice. As much as we don't want to believe that, it is a choice. You choose how to live your life. You choose how to feed your family. You choose how much to get up and move your body. You choose how much convenience you want in your life...and how much inconvenience. Yep, taking the time to feed your family right can be inconvenient. Fitting in that workout can be inconvenient. Taking your kids out to play some catch may be inconvenient. But I know - that YOU know - that a future of obesity will be the biggest inconvenience of all.

So make the choice. Make the right choice. Make your choice.

You may think it is so easy for me to talk health and fitness all the time because I've made the change to being healthy and fit. It isn't all that easy. Because I wasn't always "miss Fit". But I can tell you that just doing what you can will most likely be enough to get you on the right path to a healthier you.

Fitting it all into your day to day life is a struggle. Realizing that there is usually a full time job involved, plus a household to run, not to mention children and extended families as well; all this needs to be addressed. But realizing that your health and well being will determine how well you handle these day to day hurdles should reiterate the fact that you NEED exercise in your life. Exercise is the cure all and the end all for many health issues. It makes you sleep better at night. It energizes your thinking. It gives you more energy. And it makes YOU a person who can handle more obstacles than you can imagine.

Just recently, I read about a super fit woman who was involved in a car accident. Her physical and mental stamina helped her to heal from her injuries in an amount of time that flabbergasted her doctors. If being in shape can do that for your body, imagine what it can do for your mind and you mood!

Personally, I have developed new reationships with my husband, my children, my family and my friends. Because I feel better about myself, I find that I don't lash out like I used to. I don't have to vent my frustration on others, because, quite frankly, my frustrations are so minimal. What I felt about myself was a reflection of how I treated those I love. Let me repeat that...

WHAT I FELT ABOUT MYSELF WAS A REFLECTION OF HOW I TREATED THOSE I LOVE.

And it wasn't good. It wasn't healthy.

Reach deep and find what works for you. It may mean starting with just 10 minutes a day this week to get in a brisk walk or a 10 minute workout. Next week, you may find that you want to add just a few more minutes because you love how it makes you feel. The following week, you'll seek out 10 minutes more because you are seeing how you are looking better. The week after that, you'll find 40 minutes a day because you see something new in yourself. And so does your family. And you want that to grow.

Do what works for YOU! Make it happen.

Just get up and do something.

To lose one pound this week, you have to burn 3,500 calories. Sound tough? Not if you break it down. To lose a pound a week, do an hour each day of any activity that burns an extra 500 calories.

The number of calories you'll burn during aerobic exercise is affected by your body weight, the intensity of your workout, your conditioning level, and metabolism, so burn rates are only an estimate. But here are ten aerobic activities and exercises that blast about 500 calories per hour, based on the weight of a 130-pound woman.
Nutrition, Fitness and Health

   1. Rowing (vigorous effort): 502
   2. Running 5.2 mph (11.5 minute mile): 531
   3. Ice skating 9 mph: 531
   4. Kickboxing: 590
   5. Rock climbing (ascending): 649
   6. Cross-country skiing (vigorous effort): 531
   7. Swimming laps freestyle (vigorous effort): 590
   8. Bicycling 14 - 15.9 mph (vigorous effort): 590
   9. Walking up stairs: 472
  10. Running up stairs: 885


The more you weigh, the more calories you burn while exercising.

Richard Cotton, chief exercise physiologist with MyExercisePlan.com and an advisor with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a nonprofit organization that certifies fitness professionals, "You may want to try circuit training -- say, 20 minutes on a stationary bicycle, followed by 20 minutes on a treadmill, followed by 20 minutes on a stair climber."

New exercisers should start slowly, advises Cotton. "Anything you're doing will be more than what you were doing, so keep a positive attitude but don't overdo it." He suggests that beginners exercise for half an hour a day with the goal of burning 250 calories, and achieve the remaining 250-calorie deficit through diet.

Those who are acclimated to exercise may face other challenges. "Efficiency is the bane of weight loss," Cotton says. "Muscles naturally work toward efficiency and over time you can hit a weight-loss plateau." When this happens, he advises, circuit training can help you push through. Or try interval training. "While you are going uphill, you are pushing," explains Cotton. "This is followed by recovery time, then, when you're going uphill, you're pushing again." On stationary machines in the gym this pattern looks like "hills" and "valleys."

Circuit training and interval training can be valuable tools in helping you break through a weight-loss plateau.

From CellHealthMakeover.com

Recipe derived from Thatsfit.com

Ingredients:
Filling
1 small bag fresh baby spinach
2 large portabello mushrooms (I added this)
7 oz fat free ricotta (Original recipe calls for 14 oz. I halved it because my kids don't care for ricotta)
1 egg
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup Asiago cheese
1/4 cup Mozzerella Cheese (Used in place of the missing ricotta above)

Raviolis
50 wonton wrappers
1/4 cup cornmeal

Sauce
1 can Hunts NO SUGAR Tomato Sauce mixed with one can NO SALT diced tomatos

For cooking, you'll need olive oil

Combine filling ingredients in a food processor.

Sprinkle a small amount of cornmeal on your workspace. Place a wonton wrapper and press into corn meal. Spoon a tablespoon of spinach mixture into the center of wonton and fold in a triangle, wetting the edges to help it stick together. Press edges to seal. Repeat with remaining wontons.

Be sure to be ready to cook these immediately! Don't let them sit because they start sticking together (I learned the hard way).

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil on a griddle and pan fry the wontons about 8 at a time until golden on each side...takes no more than 3-4 minutes.

Keep warm. Heat sauce and serve!

Enjoy!

I realized last night that I may have lost a few dear friends in the past year. To be honest, I can't blame them for their sudden absence from my life. My entire focus these days has been health and fitness. It seems I have been jamming it down everyone's throats...filling them with information that some may find overwhelming. I guess, in a way, I feel like preacher passing down a sermon that no one wants to hear. I mean, there is really nothing good about being made aware that being overweight and/or out of shape is bad for you. And most people take that very personally. However, it really isn't personal at all. It affects a lot more people than you realize.

Think for a moment about people in your life who you love, or those who are the most important to you. Think about something they did or still do that you wish you and your friends or family could change. Maybe they continued to smoke despite suffering a heart attack. Perhaps they still break the law despite already having already been arrested. Maybe they continue to ask for favors even though they already owe you a boatload. Perhaps they continue to wallow in despair despite all of your attempts to snap them out of it. It is frustrating. It can be infuriating. And eventually, it becomes a waste of your time because unfortunately, you can't save other people - not your spouse, not your parents, not your friends... You can only save yourself. And if you do it quickly enough, then you have the opportunity to save your children as well.

Chalene Johnson, creator of the Turbo series of videos and ChaLEAN Extreme, says that once a person dedicates him or herself to being healthy and fit, that friendships will be broken and that, in fact, it can end relationships between spouses. Living a healthy lifestyle is more desired than conquered. Those who desire it can't grasp the fact that it is in their reach...they have a hard time justifying it to themselves...they fill their lives with excuses as to why they can't attain it. Whereas those who have conquered it have conquered themselves, and their doubts, and their fears, and their misgivings, and their weaknesses. They have seen the light. They have accepted the fact that they were misguided and uneducated. And they acted on it. Then, of course, they feel so strongly about what they have learned, that they wish to share it with those that they love. The stubborn ones will walk away. But, some of the naysayers will feed off the good will of their friends or spouses or partners and join them on the journey.

So, for my new friends...to the ones I have met on this road...the one's who realized that they are worth the money, the time, and the effort, to you I say thank you. Thank you for your support. I am honored to stand amongst you, knowing how hard the journey has been, yet realizing that the rewards earned go way beyond the effort spent.

I will forever miss my former friends who could not understand the reasons I wanted them to feel the way I feel - why I wanted them to have that sense of self; to wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and be amazed by what they can accomplish...why I wanted them to realize that they are worth the money...worth the time...worth the effort. But, I will continue to wish that for them.

And I want them to know that I haven't really left.

I'm still here.

Who is responsible? Who do we blame when our lives get out of control? Is there anyone we can fire? Who gets the can?

We do! We are responsible for ourselves. We alone are responsible for how happy or how accomplished we choose to be. It works the same way on the opposite end of the spectrum as well. We are responsible for how sad and how lazy we choose to be. It is all in our minds. We control our own destiny with just the tiniest of choices. And yes, they are choices that are made everyday. You can't just make it once and expect the rest of your life to follow. Every action, every re-action begins with a choice. The choice to recognize, then follow through, then commit daily, and finally the choice to succeed.

Today, we are going to write a resignation letter. We are going to resign our lazy, unmotivated self. We are going to leave that life behind us.

Then we are going to write a cover letter to ourselves. This cover letter is going to state that our past actions were unacceptable and that in the future, we plan to meet our challenges head on. Yes, we may fear them incredibly. Yes, we may at this point think that they are completely unattainable goals. But they won't be. These goals, when taken step by step, when faced square in the jaw, are going to start earning us bonuses. We are going to pay ourselves raises everyday. We are going to shower ourselves with praise every time we cross something off our accomplished list. This letter to ourselves will be a letter that we read everyday. It is going to be the letter that changes our lives. It's going to be our new job.

Take out a pen and some paper, and hire yourself to be the best person that you can possibly strive to be, everyday. It is going to take some work. And it isn't always going to  be so easy. Some days, in fact, it may seem downright impossible. But, every day, every step is going to bring you further away from that person who resigned in the first letter and closer to the one that you will hire in the second letter. You will decide to change. You will commit to change. And you will succeed to become the best person you can possibly be.

Please, share your letters with us. Let's see what the future holds for you!

From very humble origins oats now receive top billing with nutritionists. They were the last of the major cereal grains to be domesticated and they originated as weeds that grew within cultivated fields of various other crops. Oats were a lowly horse food for the Romans, even today, less than 5% of the oats now grown commercially are for human consumption. Oats remains mainly, as a pasture and hay crop, especially for horses. Thousands of years have passed and many people still haven’t caught-on!

In the 1980s a study was released that linked oat bran (the hard outer layer of the oat kernel) to lower cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease. This fueled an oat-bran craze and the market became flooded with oat-bran cookies, chips and other products. In the 1990’s this fad came to a simmer when subsequent studies suggested that oat bran's cholesterol-lowering effect was more modest than earlier believed. In the late 1990, the FDA approved the first heart-health claim for all products made from whole oats. Stating that soluble fiber from whole oats (Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain), as part of a diet low in saturated fat & cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Oats contain both insoluble and soluble fiber. In addition to the soluble fiber’s cholesterol-lowering effect, it also causes your stomach to stay fuller longer, making you feel satisfied. Soluble fiber also slows the absorption of glucose into the body, which means sugar spikes and dips will be avoided. The insoluble fiber in oats aids digestion and promotes regularity.

All the emerging research proving that this whole grain is a powerhouse when it comes to health. The USDA now recommends that we substitute whole-wheat or oat flour for at least some of the white flour called for in most recipes. Aside from health factors, oats should be incorporated in recipes because they add a wonderful chewy (or crisp) texture, and a rich, nutty flavorVarieties of Oats
Oat groats, or whole oats: The least processed, only the outer hull is removed. Very nutritious, but need to be cooked and/or soaked for a long period of time. Oat groats are chewy, nutty-tasting grains similar to wheat berries; they make a good substitute for rice in soups and stews
Oat bran: The outer casing that is removed from the groats. The bran is particularly high in soluble fiber. Oat bran is very versatile, and can be used with groats or alone, and as an addition to baking recipes, or even raw in shakes.
Steel-cut oats, or Irish oats: Groats that have been chopped into small pieces. They have a firmer texture than rolled oats. Steel-cut oats have a mild flavor & a starchy texture; and can be substituted for rice in pilaf or risotto or used as a delicious topping for salads
Rolled oats, or old-fashioned oats: Commonly called oatmeal These are oat groats that are steamed and flattened with huge rollers so that they cook quicker, in about 5 to 15 minutes. They are a great binder for meat loaf and can be used in stuffing for chicken or turkey.
Quick oats: These are groats that have been cut into several pieces before being steamed and rolled into thinner flakes, thus reducing the cooking time to 3-5 minutes. While they cook quicker, any oat aficionado will tell you that they lack the hearty texture and nutty flavor of the less-processed varieties.
Instant oats: These are made by chopping groats into tiny pieces, precooking them, drying them, then smashing them with a big roller. They need only be mixed with a hot liquid. They usually have flavorings and salt added. All of this processing removes all traces of the original texture and rich flavor of the groats.
Oat flour: Oat flour is made from groats that have been ground into a powder, and contains no gluten so it does not rise like wheat flour. It can also be made at home by grinding rolled oats into a powder in a blender. It has a delicate texture that will produce moist & tender baked goods.
Note: If purchasing in the bulk section, make sure that the bins containing the oats are covered, free from debris, and that the store has a good product turnover to ensure its freshness. Smelling the oats will tell you if they are fresh. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place where they will keep for approximately two months
(From Food 411.com)

 (From Lifescript.com)

If there’s one word that best describes what you need to reach your goals, it’s perseverance. By definition, perseverance is a steady persistence in a course of action in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. The major reason that most goals and dreams remain unrealized is due to a lack of perseverance. In short, when the going gets tough, a lot of people stop pursuing their goal. If your perseverance tank is low on fuel, I have a suggestion about refueling.

The key to bolstering your perseverance can be found in the following quote from an unknown author: You can't control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. Those who succeed in life are constantly adjusting their sails in response to unexpected events. For that reason, it’s those who learn to make adjustments that reap the fruits of their labor. So find a way to use the winds of change swirling around you; it’ll strengthen your perseverance and keep you moving toward your goal.

Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare

Are you sitting down? May not be a good idea. The average amount of time that we spend seated per day is 8.9 hours. It is no wonder that when we get up, our lower backs ache, we experience tingling or numbness in our rears and lower thighs, and might actually get a little depressed.

The symptoms are normal...if you are seated for long periods of time during the day, and of course, this can't be good. Sitting is a public health risk. "People need to understand that the qualitative mechanisms of sitting are completely different from walking or exercising." This is according to University of Missouri's Marc Hamilton, a microbiologist.

Studies by the Mayo Clinic found that people are naturally attracted to sit. This is fascinating, because 1.5 million years ago, it was all about staying on your feet...hunting or being hunted. And just 150 years ago 90% of humans were agriculturally employed. Somehow, over this short period of time, we have become addicted to the chair.

If you are standing around, just mulling around, you are using muscles designed for support that never tire. They utilize neurons in the nervous system  which are needed for low intensity activity. These muscles are rich  in enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase, which grabs fat and cholesterol from the blood. It helps to burn the fat and shift the cholesterol from the bad kind (LDL) to the good kind (HDL). When you are seated, your muscles relax, and enzyme activity drops some 90-95%! Within just a few hours, healthy cholesterol levels in your system falls some 20%.

And the data backs up the findings. Older people who live less than sedentary lives have half the mortality rate of their peers. Couch potatoes have higher rates of hypertension, obesity, high blood sugar, and low HDL Cholesterol. On average, lean people stand 2 hours longer than obese people. And the obesity rate of children continues to rise as they are entertained by electronics, computers and video games instead of playing in the great outdoors.

So, the moral of the story? Get up! Walk around. Use your lunch hour for a workout or a brisk walk. Invest in a higher desk where you can stand at your computer! Take frequent breaks and invest in a good chair. When you get home from a day behind the desk, do all you can in your power to not sit down again! Stay on your feet and move. It could save your life.

Don't become a victim of the chair. Learn to conquer it.

You should be reading this book. The numbers and statistics are staggering, yet the advice is solid. You MUST maintain your body with proper nutrition and exercise in order to enjoy your life to the fullest! There is a misconception in the weight loss community that one can lose weight, and keep it off by diet alone. This is NOT true! Your body needs heart pumping exercise to sustain itself. It breaks itself down and builds itself up over and over again with a 6-7 day a week exercise program. Don't be fooled by 1200 calorie diets. They DON'T work. And they WON'T make you healthy.

Here is an excerpt from the Woman's version which I felt compelled to share. Most women fear the wrong fate. Their worst fears of breast cancer or ovarian cancer are not worth fearing. It is the heart that matters.

"...the number one killer of women, by a huge margin, is heart disease.  Fear of specific illnesses is universal, based on our individual life experiences, but it's important to plan--and live--your life based on what is most likely to kill you, rather than on what you're most afraid of.
     More women die of heart disease each year than all cancers combined. Ten times as many wimen die of heart disease as breast cancer. In fact, cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke) kill more women than the next seven causes of death combined!
...But, the extraordinarily good news is that most cardiovascular disease is preventable....70-80% of heart attacks and strokes are caused by lifestyle. By the long-term sum of all the choices we make every day. Which means that making different choices --- starting with exercise --- will change your life." - Dr. Henry S. Lodge, M.D.

Get the book...read the book...live the book.

I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post this because it was gobbled up tonight and I just had to share! I found these cute little eggplants at Sam's Club. They come 5 to a package. Instead of frying the eggplant, I baked it prior to putting the dish together. I also used my noggin and came up some easy ways to make it healthy. Here is the recipe!

5 mini eggplants, peeled and sliced thin lengthwise (about 1/4 inch slices)
1/2 cup Egg Beaters egg whites
8 slices Pepperidge Farms Light Style Extra Fiber bread, toasted and cooled, then processed into fine crumbs with 1 tsp. dried parley
1 and 1/2 jar of Ragu Light 'No Sugar' Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce
12 oz shredded mozzerella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 additional tsp. dried parsley 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dip eggplant slices in egg whites, then coat in the breadcrumbs. Lay in a single layer on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake 5 minutes. Turn slices and bake 5 more minutes. Remove from oven.

In a 9 1/2 x11 baking dish, coat the bottom with a thin layer of pasta sauce. Layer the eggplant on top of the sauce. Then sprinkle 1/3 of the cheeses on top. Repeat with 1 cup of sauce, eggplant slices, and cheeses. Keep layering, if necessary, and end with the cheeses. Sprinkle with an additional tsp. of parsley. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Enjoy!

Yesterday, as I prepared to go to an Active Wear party hosted by a dear, new friend, my husband said something that made me think twice. He looked at my Before and After photos on my flyer and said "You doctored this Before photo."

Of course, I did NOT. But he was so sure of it. He said that he can NOT remember me looking the way I did.

He sees me everyday. And everyday, he has something to say about the way I am shaping up. It is always positive, yet back then, he never said anything. Probably because there was nothing to say. It is amazing how much you take for granted. And how little you may know about your own body and just how unhealthy you may be.

Looking back on the before photos, you never would have guessed that I was just 2% away from being considered "obese". Maybe not "obese" in the fat sense, but "obese" in the BMI sense. At 30% BMI, you are at risk of so many more health issues than you are with a BMI of below 24%. Your body starts to wear down because it has to work harder to keep itself moving and healthy. It literally begins to deteriorate, shortening your life expectancy, and increasing your risks of various health issues...mainly heart disease...which I may add is the number #1 killer of women in menopausal age. And you don't have to be "fat". There are many obese skinny people out there. They ones who may look thin, but are just as unfit as the obese people. Their risks are just as great.

I remember my last visit to the doctor, and him saying that I was gaining a pound of weight each year. Normally, it wouldn't be a concern if you are in your 20s...but get into your 40s and that pound a year becomes a risk. I'm so glad I did something about it. In less than a years time, I may have only dropped 10 or 12 pounds, but I have decreased my BMI from 28% to almost 19%. I moved out if the "risk" arena and into the "healthy" arena.

I can assure you that I didn't doctor my Before photo, although I do work in Photoshop, and I could have done so...and looking at it now, I think if I did ANYTHING, I would have made myself look thinner! Who wants to see where you have been? It is more important to see where you are going.

The most amazing thing is I took control of my life and my habits, and in less than a year, I became someone completely different. My husband, who sees me everyday, still can't believe the change. So what does it mean? Even for the most obese, there is life at the end of the workout...everyday is a step that makes you proud of who you are and who you will become.

...and those you love, and those who love you, will take notice.

They are getting it. And they are starting to appreciate what it is I am doing for them. Yesterday, my husband thanked me for not buying anymore crap. He has realized that the biggest reason he could not drop the 30 pounds that has crept on the past few years is the mindless eating that he does all day. And, yes, I'm partly to blame for that. Why? Because I was a "provider". I bought the food. I kept it in the house. I allowed for it to be eaten. I, myself, tried to stay away from it. I like to sneak myself a cookie now and then, but when the package was empty after a few days, I'd get angry and buy another package. It seemed I never got that cookie. Now I know why...the mindless eating by the rest of my family. "Provide it and they will eat it."

Now my motto has changed.
My new motto? "Provide it and they will eat it."

What? But, Theresa, that is the same motto!
Why, yes it is!

But instead of providing the crap, I'm providing the healthy. I make a big fruit salad twice a week. I fill the fridge with carrot sticks, celery sticks (which I cut myself to save money), nut butters, hummus made from scratch, hard cheeses, Shakeology, mixed and ready to shake and drink. You won't find chips, or cookies, or candy anymore. Even my step-son noticed when he came home from college last week. "There is no more junk food in this house", he said.

Yep...no more junk food.
"Provide it and they will eat it."

You see, you've started this incredible new way of life. Your fitness habits and eating habits have changed. You are seeing the light! SHARE it with the family. Why deny them? Why start an individualized weight loss program? If you have young children, imagine the good that you are doing for them. Imagine their little minds reaping the benefit of fresh foods. They are looking up to you. Feed their brains! Feed their bodies with the stuff you are now feeding yourself. They will adjust. They will get used to it. They will start to crave it.
I'm not saying the kid (or you, for that matter) can't have a cookie once in a while. But look to make them yourself. Use whole wheat flour, use natural sweeteners, make it a family project to find the healthiest ingredients, and then make them together! Quit buying the boxed stuff. Home made from scratch says there is love involved. Show it!

And the significant other? Maybe he or she could stand to lose a few pounds. After all, the two of you are in this together. It is not a crime to want him or her to be around just as long as you will be, now that you know what you are doing. Make the adjustment. Do it for the ones you love.

Sure, it sounds easier than it is. I know that. I started my journey a year ago, and since the new year, I have realized that this has to be a family affair. There were mumblings and grumblings and lots of half eaten plates at the end of meals. But slowly, the mindset has changed. The children ask for fruit salad to bring in for their school snack. So I invested in some mini thermos containers for them to do that. The big healthy salads I make for dinner are now being scarfed down. They ask for Shakeology when they get home from school. Why should I deny them healthy foods? In the long run, it may cost a little more...but the money I'm saving from not buying the crap is starting to show. And everyone is learning lessons that will last a lifetime.

Here is a great recipe for the shrimp lover. I used Market Pantry Extra Large Raw shrimp, 16-21 per pound. I also doubled the amount of shrimp since we are shrimpaholics in this household. The original recipe called for couscous, but I substituted quinoa since it has become a staple here. Plus, I made a few changes to the original recipe.

Citrus Shrimp with Asparagus
2 cups water
1 cup Quinoa
Juice of 1/2 lemon

2 packages of jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
Black pepper to taste
Juice of a whole lemon
2 Tbls Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

Juice of a whole lime
2 Tbls Olive Oil or Avocado Oil or combination
2 Tbls Water
1 tsp honey
3 Tbls Chopped Chives

1 bunch asparagus spears (About 3/4 pound)

Prepare quinoa as directed. Squeeze lemon juice into water before adding Quinoa.

Toss shrimp and next 4 ingredients and let sit to marinate about 5-10 minutes. Preheat saute pan, or grill and cook shrimp turning once, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and keep warm allowing shrimp to cook through.

Whisk together next 4 ingredients.

Quickly saute Asparagus in saute pan, lightly coated with cooking spray, until it turns bright green, about 3-4 minutes.

Serve in a large serving dish. Layer quinoa on bottom, then shrimp, then asparagus, then drizzle with the honey lime dressing.

Makes about 5 servings.

Yep. I may be the exception to the rule. I love Mondays. To me, Monday marks the start of a brand new week. It is the day of the week where you get the opportunity to start over. It represents another opportunity to get things right. It is the day when the weekend play ends and the serious work week begins. It is resolution day.

I'm a fan of fresh. I love fresh things. Fresh flowers, fresh spring rains, fresh foods, fresh sheets and linens, fresh fruits, fresh starts, and fresh weeks. Every Monday, I try to change something I wasn't pleased about the previous week. Sometimes it is showing more patience toward my kids or toward my husband. Sometimes it is putting a little more "umph" in my workout. Sometimes I concentrate on the foods I'm eating. Some Mondays, I begin a Shakeology cleanse. Sometimes, I try to focus more on where I'm going rather than where I have been. Some Mondays, I just try to freshen my thoughts. I try to be more open minded. I vow to learn something new.

My Monday might include coming up with brand new dinner ideas for the week. Sometimes it is just the day where I intend to begin ridding of a bad habit, or pick up a good habit. Monday is a day for new to-do lists. It is the day when schedules begin again. It is a return to school for the children, and the return for some quality "me" time. Mondays mean planning ahead, and leaving the past behind.

I have a challenge for you. I want you to start looking differently at Monday. Imagine it as the day that you do something small to turn your life around. If you aren't a to-do list maker, make this Monday the day you start. If you have been meaning to cut the Cola habit, plan to start that this Monday. In fact, write down your plans for the next 4 Mondays. Start with small goals, then work up to the big ones. Look forward to that day as you would a Friday. This will only help you to enjoy your weekend all the more knowing that you have accomplished what you set out to do this week.

Share your goals right here. Tell us what you intend to do to make this Monday not so manic.Make Monday a day to look forward to.

Make it a magic Monday!

 Jump in for the rest of your life!
- Gail Sheehy (from the Foreward of this amazing book)

If you only read one book this year, read this!
                                                                                                                                                                           Are you looking for the fountain of youth? It is in front of you right now. All you have to do is be willing to grab it. This book doesn't teach you how to age gracefully. It teaches you how to live with gusto! Forget aging...aging is for those who think it is their destiny to experience a slow and steady decline in their final third. Change your attitude! Look at it as your NEXT third and enjoy it to the maximum extent! The lesson? Simple rules change your life. In fact, it is a lesson my friend Tony Horton shares in his P90X videos. "Simple rules change your life."

You won't be able to put this book down. In fact, if you are struggling with anything in your life right now, ANYTHING, you will gain inspiration from this bible. Read it. You have nothing to lose for just $10.00...

What is your main priority these days? Where is your focus? Are you struggling with your job, your kids, or your relationship? Is your workout a struggle? Have you not been able to even start a workout yet? Is it all of the above?

Where are you on your list? I have news for you. You should be on top. No, your spouse doesn't come first. No, your children do not come first. No, your job does not come first. You cannot expect to give 100% of yourself to anything if you don't give 100% to yourself first.

In nature, God provides for all creatures by making them provide for themselves first. Lions who do the killing eat first. Then they share with their mates, then their offspring, and if there is anything left, the remainder of the pride. It is important for the one doing the nurturing, the teaching, and the parenting to nurture, educate, and in a sense, parent themselves first. We cannot teach or motivate if we aren't following our own rules for success.

Are you unmotivated? Do your children come home from school to see you parked in front of the television watching Oprah? Do you send them outside on the weekends without participating in their play time? Do you cry when life doesn't go your way? Do you give up on the simplest tasks because you have lost your patience or motivation? These are all learned processes. No one teaches this to your children except you. You are the one that your children look up to. You are the one your spouse looks too when their day was bad. You are the one expected to take on the extra work when your boss comes to you in desperation. Can you honestly do all this if you don't have belief in yourself? You know what I'm talking about. Do you believe you can do the impossible? Do you live it? Do you put yourself first?

Selfishness is not for pussies. It isn't easy to put yourself first. Why? Most likely because we weren't taught to live that way. We were told to always do for others. And that is fine! Just do if AFTER you do for yourself. You don't need a huge ego, and you don't need to make the doorways in your home larger just to fit the big head you may be thinking that you need. You just need to re-prioritize your life. There are many around you who don't and I bet you could pick all of them out. And I bet you could pick out the ones who do! They have amazing attitudes. They practice what they preach. They look like a million bucks. They have learned how to say "no". They have figured out the key to success and happiness. They put themselves first but they ensure that there is room for the spouse and the children. And everything else comes last. Sacrifices are made, don't get me wrong, but great things come from that. Great things!

One of the first things you hear when you board an airplane is "If a drop in cabin pressure occurs, oxygen masks will release from above you. Secure your oxygen mask first and then assist those next to you." Read that over and over. Read it a few times. Allow it to sink in.

Make yourself the priority. Secure yourself. And I promise that everything else will fall into place.

Today is my one year anniversary. On April 19th of 2009, I started this incredible journey. A journey to find myself. A journey to figure out what it was that I was doing wrong. The journey that literally changed my life. I was getting sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time. I was exhausted from not sleeping. I was beginning to look older, and my weight was creeping up.

A dear friend and colleague suggested I try ChaLEAN Extreme. She was doing the workout and seeing amazing results. I thought, if she could do this, for sure I could. Don't challenge me...I'm always up for a challenge, especially one that will change my life. (Thanks, Jan!)

After just one week, I saw changes. Sure, I was sore. Probably the most sore I have ever been after working out. But the workouts knocked me out at night. I was sleeping! I was feeling more energetic during the day. I was waking up ready to tackle everything handed to me. After one month, the weight was literally dropping off. My clothes were looser, my face looked less swollen. The bloat in my belly was dissipating. I took the next step and started a Shakeology regimen daily. Suddenly, I was regular and off of all of the medication I took for irregularity. The skies were clearing, and I was right out there with my chin up, and my expectations high.

Two months later, my stepdaughter was married and my goal of wearing a size 4 dress was a reality. I had reached my first milestone and there was no turning back. Determination had me seeing myself at 118 pounds, and I had no time frame to reach that number. I was just going to keep moving.

All this started a year ago today. If anyone had told me that I'd be here right now, at that 118 goal, boasting about these amazing Beachbody programs, I'd be hard pressed to believe it. I'd also be hard pressed to believe that just by getting up off your ass and eating the right foods at the right time, and adding a healthy, delicious, chocolate shake to my diet would have me now at a size 2, feeling great, turning heads, and finding out who I truly am, and what I am capable of accomplishing.

We are capable of amazing things. The thing is, we just have to start doing them. Because they won't start up themselves. And there is not one person on God's green earth that can convince us otherwise. YOU hold the key to your own success. Get out there and go for it!

Happy Anniversary to me!

Here is a fun recipe that is super easy to make. I had a leftover Honey Baked ham bone with ham on it from Christmas that was still sitting in the freezer. I thawed it in the refrigerator for 24 hours and used it for the base of my soup. There is no need to cut the meat off the bone, because eventually it will all fall off. Just remove the bones and shred the ham before serving. This is yet another recipe in which the kids could NOT get enough.

• 1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas, rinsed
• 1 meaty hambone, 2 ham hocks, or 2 cups diced ham
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 ribs of celery plus leaves, chopped
• 1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 tbsp. seasoned salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. fresh pepper
• 1 1/2 qts. hot water

 Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given; pour in water. Do not stir ingredients. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off bone. Remove bones and bay leaf. Mash peas to thicken more, if desired. Serve garnished with croutons. Freezes well.
Serves 8.

This blog post is the third of a three-part post started April 12, 2010. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Stretching the Almighty Dollar

OK, so maybe fruit wouldn't be the stock you'd invest in on Wall Street, but take stock of the fruit that you keep in your fridge. Eating it within a few days is recommended...but not always possible. Especially if you pick up the larger packages at the discount warehouse. Invest wisely, and keep that fruit fresher longer.

I recently found these "green" containers at Target. Sure, I'm skeptical, but I'll try anything. And I have been pleased as punch with these containers. How do they work? I'm not completely sure, but here is the description from Amazon.

Always Fresh containers locks in freshness so food lasts up to 50 days longer than ordinary plastic storage containers. Save money as food stays fresher longer, so you throw away less. Made with nanotechnology, containers include silver nanoparticles which are naturally antibacterial and help prevent the growth of mold and fungus. Great for fruits, vegetables, herbs, cheeses, soups, sauces, meats and more. Keeps bread soft and cookies and crackers crisp. Ten piece set plus lids. Plastic.

I'm not quite sure what a nanoparticle is, but it seems to work. The trick is to keep everything that goes into them as dry as possible. This can be a hassle with cut fruit, but I have found a pretty decent solution.

Line the bottom of your green container with a paper towel

Take a paper towel and fold it in half and line the bottom of the largest container with it. Then, after washing your berries with the Veggie Wash, let them air dry in the strainer for about 10 minutes. For this salad, I used blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. I like to cut my strawberries first, then wash them with the Veggie Wash and allow them to air dry separately.

Cut strawberries before washing

While the berries are air drying, I cut any additional fruit I may want to add. Kiwi is a great choice. I always have Mangos on hand and use my favorite Oxo Good Grips Mango Splitter to remove the pit. Some other great choices are clementines, peeled and separated, red or green grapes, and pineapple. I do store my pineapple separately, however, because it is the first fruit to start to brown. To core my pineapple, I use the Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer. Then I add it as needed to the fruit salad if desired.

Once all my fruit is sliced and the berries air dried, I put it into my lined Green Containter, toss, and store in the fridge. I find that on the second day it is good idea to change the paper towel. Also, by this time, you may need to switch the contents into a smaller container, depending on how much is remaining. My fruit salad will last through the week, if it isn't all eaten by then. Take a look at the finished product and tell me this isn't the prettiest fruit salad you ever saw! Like I said previously, put this out at breakfast or snack time, and watch the ravens come flying in. You can even put some aside and freeze it for smoothies, or defrost it later for the toppings on some vanilla ice cream.

My Fruit Salad

So, with a few quick tips and tricks, I'm hoping you will second guess the cookie purchase and head straight for your produce section. Small changes like these in your eating habits will pave the way to a much brighter, and healthier future for you and your family!