We are about to start our 2nd Advocare 24 Day Challenge. Aboy and I are already getting into mental readiness mode.
The challenge starts on April 6th.
For the first 10 days, we will do the cleanse portion. It's not a violent or volatile type cleanse... it's more of a gentle scrubbing of the flora in our digestive track. This helps prepare the body for the "Max" phase which is high in nutritional intake and absorption.
Monday, March 30, 2015
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Friday, March 27, 2015
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It's a lifestyle: CocoNUTS!
You already know the mantra:
New Year - New Me
I say it all the time and I am living it every day.
I'm owning this shit.
I have to. I owe it to myself and my family to be the best person I can be. That includes my physical well being.
Somewhere in time when I crossed the "40's" threshold, I began to see wrinkles. Laugh lines around my mouth, some crinkles across my forehead, some bagginess on my eyelids.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
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It's a Lifestyle: Better than Mom's Cooking!
We went to NY this past weekend for our Niece's wedding. It was so much fun to go and enjoy family time.
The trip was short but well worth it!
We took lots of pictures with our new #selfiestick.
We really had a lot of fun!
Part of the requisite of visiting home is to indulge on phenomenal food.
We spent more time in the car than we did visiting and doing stuff - but, we did eat!!
Since January we drastically changed our eating habits - but going home is a treat and we definitely "treated" ourselves to some awesome food. We stuck with our #Advocare regimen while we traveled and got right back on the meal plan wagon when we got home (I did have some leftover Rice & Beans for lunch on Monday tongue emoticon ).
The trip was short but well worth it!
We took lots of pictures with our new #selfiestick.
We really had a lot of fun!
*****
Part of the requisite of visiting home is to indulge on phenomenal food.
We spent more time in the car than we did visiting and doing stuff - but, we did eat!!
- I had a slice of Pizza and an Eggplant Parmesan hero
- I had Zeppoles
- I had Rice & Beans with Steak
- I had an Empenada
- I had Fried Chicken Wings
- I had a Leggios Hero
- I had a Cinnamon & Raisin Bagel w/ Cream Cheese
- I had a couple hunks of Italian Bread
- Not to mention, Subway and Zaxby's on the ride up.
I weighed myself today...
I lost 2 lbs this week.
Since January we drastically changed our eating habits - but going home is a treat and we definitely "treated" ourselves to some awesome food. We stuck with our #Advocare regimen while we traveled and got right back on the meal plan wagon when we got home (I did have some leftover Rice & Beans for lunch on Monday tongue emoticon ).
Friday, March 13, 2015
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Green Acres: Spring is near!
Every year I put together a mental list of major purchases for things I would like to have. Sometimes I'm due for some new electronic devices. Sometimes I have plans for a large kitchen appliance. Maybe a new furniture set or TV.
One of my major purchase plans for this year was to pick up a rototiller. I would prefer to have a donkey and a plow, but given the age we live in and some of the conveniences that are available - at this point a rototiller is more practical and less time consuming.
I have to tell you though - the fucking thing is heavy as a shitload of bricks! It wasn't so bad getting it loaded on the back of the truck because "Bubba" did most of the heavy lifting and pushing.
I was "Bubba" when I got to the house.
My hours at the gym are paying off though and I didn't drop it... and only cursed a couple times - out loud. I did get dirty... which is some bullshit because I wasn't in my "get dirty" clothes.
So, I got her off the truck and this is where she'll sit until Aboy comes home so WE can start with the flower beds!
One of my major purchase plans for this year was to pick up a rototiller. I would prefer to have a donkey and a plow, but given the age we live in and some of the conveniences that are available - at this point a rototiller is more practical and less time consuming.
Not to mention - WE (get it? WE!!!) only plan on tilling a maximum of 100 feet to garden - for this year <insert devilish chuckle here>.
The weather is starting to break and the growing season starts a little earlier in North Carolina than it does in New York (my Grandfather would not plant anything until just before Memorial Day).
I plan on getting stuff in the ground by the end of April.
But, one does not just put stuff in the ground! Not if you're a seasoned farmer, like me!!
NOOO!!! I have to fertilize the soil. It has to be tilled a couple times and then fertilized again. Then WE till it some more!!
And when I say fertilizer... I don't mean some chemicals you buy in a bag... I mean with shit. Lots of shit! Horse shit, cow shit, llama shit... plus the compost that we've been building all winter long. In case you missed it, WE till the soil - I fertilize the soil. Aboy don't fuck with the shit.
Yessir! We are going to have a garden of abundance this year!!
Tonight I scratched Tiller off the major purchase list.
I went to the Tractor Supply in Rural Hall.
Now you KNOW I live in the country if I have to go to a store in a town called Rural Hall! Oh and the 2010 census has the population of Rural Hall listed at 2,937 residents. Pretty rural considering it's only 10 minutes out of Winston Salem!
I walked around a little bit and eyed some chicks. They weren't sexed yet and my Aunt Lori told me I don't want to buy chicks that aren't sexed because I could end up with a bunch of roosters... but that's more for a later post!
So yeah, back to the Tiller... isn't she a beaut?
I'm not sure what this means - but apparently (according to the sales guy), "it's got good horses for the money!" He also told me to "put Hi-Test Petrol in it"...
I just widened my eyes and watched his lips move to make sure I was hearing him correctly. His southern drawl was a little thick.
Just think "Bubba".
I have to tell you though - the fucking thing is heavy as a shitload of bricks! It wasn't so bad getting it loaded on the back of the truck because "Bubba" did most of the heavy lifting and pushing.
I was "Bubba" when I got to the house.
My hours at the gym are paying off though and I didn't drop it... and only cursed a couple times - out loud. I did get dirty... which is some bullshit because I wasn't in my "get dirty" clothes.
So, I got her off the truck and this is where she'll sit until Aboy comes home so WE can start with the flower beds!
Have a good night Yaw'll!!
Time for me to fetch some vittles!
It's a Lifestyle: Is that Bacon?
If you've been following along, you know that we did the Advocare 24 Day Challenge that began on January 7th.
Basically what the challenge does is it acts as a "Lifestyle Adjustment Tool".
IT IS NOT A DIET. Like, I can't reiterate that enough. We are NOT ON A DIET.
Change is derived from the word chaLLEnge (in Terri-Town) and we took the 24 Day Challenge to start the path for a lifestyle change. The food, tools and supplements that you use during the challenge prepare you for living a healthier lifestyle; to prepare your body to accept the nutrients you receive from real food. There are supplements to help keep you on the path. Think of them as tools to help build your foundation.
Make sense?
We were almost 2 weeks into the challenge. Literally the no dairy, no unhealthy fats, and definitely no bacon part of the challenge. We were on our Saturday shopping trip to Trader Joe's and then to Whole Foods to pick up our weekly food supplies.
Trader Joe's went great. We picked up our fresh fruits and vegetables. Aboy picked up organic coconut water and some healthy chips and other things for the road. I like their Brown Rice Pasta selection and also picked up some frozen fish.
On to Whole Foods.
So, before I take you through that experience... let me set the stage a little clearer. We usually go on our shopping adventure right after we leave the gym. We have a piece of fruit or a healthy snack before shopping so we don't go in the store "starved"... and then have a nice lunch when we get back from shopping.
Well, it was a Saturday morning and Whole Foods parking lot was jam packed. The Whole Foods we go to has an extensive deli type setting with seating and food to order. We walked in and were overcome by the smell of bacon. Like yummy, fuck the challenge - smell of bacon!! And the closer we walked to the restaurant area - the stronger the smell.
We needed some coconut milk and yogurt - so, that brought us to the perimeter of the restaurant area.
I wish I could show you the look on Aboy's face as we got closer to the smells perpetuating through the air. I have to admit - it was very enticing!
We could have succumbed to the pressure, but to that point had really stuck to meal plan and decided once we got through with the challenge we could have some bacon as a treat.
So, we won that challenge!
In the world of nutrition and daily eating, bacon will be our treat. It tastes great but offers very little in the way of nutritional value.
North Carolina is famous for it's bacon. We will always eat bacon.
We just choose to use it as a treat and not a staple in our meal plan.
Basically what the challenge does is it acts as a "Lifestyle Adjustment Tool".
IT IS NOT A DIET. Like, I can't reiterate that enough. We are NOT ON A DIET.
Change is derived from the word chaLLEnge (in Terri-Town) and we took the 24 Day Challenge to start the path for a lifestyle change. The food, tools and supplements that you use during the challenge prepare you for living a healthier lifestyle; to prepare your body to accept the nutrients you receive from real food. There are supplements to help keep you on the path. Think of them as tools to help build your foundation.
Make sense?
++++++
We were almost 2 weeks into the challenge. Literally the no dairy, no unhealthy fats, and definitely no bacon part of the challenge. We were on our Saturday shopping trip to Trader Joe's and then to Whole Foods to pick up our weekly food supplies.
Trader Joe's went great. We picked up our fresh fruits and vegetables. Aboy picked up organic coconut water and some healthy chips and other things for the road. I like their Brown Rice Pasta selection and also picked up some frozen fish.
On to Whole Foods.
So, before I take you through that experience... let me set the stage a little clearer. We usually go on our shopping adventure right after we leave the gym. We have a piece of fruit or a healthy snack before shopping so we don't go in the store "starved"... and then have a nice lunch when we get back from shopping.
Well, it was a Saturday morning and Whole Foods parking lot was jam packed. The Whole Foods we go to has an extensive deli type setting with seating and food to order. We walked in and were overcome by the smell of bacon. Like yummy, fuck the challenge - smell of bacon!! And the closer we walked to the restaurant area - the stronger the smell.
We needed some coconut milk and yogurt - so, that brought us to the perimeter of the restaurant area.
I wish I could show you the look on Aboy's face as we got closer to the smells perpetuating through the air. I have to admit - it was very enticing!
We could have succumbed to the pressure, but to that point had really stuck to meal plan and decided once we got through with the challenge we could have some bacon as a treat.
So, we won that challenge!
++++++
In the world of nutrition and daily eating, bacon will be our treat. It tastes great but offers very little in the way of nutritional value.
North Carolina is famous for it's bacon. We will always eat bacon.
We just choose to use it as a treat and not a staple in our meal plan.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
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Journal Entry: Zumba - Aye Carumba!
Some of yous may have forgotten (or maybe yous didn't even know)... I took dance lessons with Ms. Kay and Mrs. Cousins from Kindergarten until 9th grade. My specialty was Tap Dancing and then later, I started doing Tap, Ballet and tried Toe Dancing, too.
I'm also married to a black man. That means there is a lot of pressure on me to show my rhythmic side. Every major family event (BBQ's, Reunions, etc...) includes some form of music and alcohol, which we all know = get up and dance!
My hey-day of the club scene was in the 80's. We did a lot of drinking and a lot of dancing in the 80's. I enjoyed every bit of it. We had great dance music and a bevvy of styles to choose from.
And here we are today.
Now, I Zumba.
They offer Zumba classes at the YMCA I go to. I mostly make the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes because of my work schedule. It's a lot of fun and it's really helping me with my general overall body toning.
I laugh a lot. I make up my own moves when they do shit I physically can't do (remember the trick hip?). I've made some "gym friends". It's a great time. I guess you could call it the modern day club scene for middle-aged women!
The other night, we had a substitute instructor.
Have you ever watched the movie "Bring it on"? Basically, it's about 2 cheerleading squads. One squad has been stealing the other's routine for years and once it has been brought to the attention of the Captain that their routine was stolen, she goes out and hires a consultant to help them construct a new routine.
It's a Teeny-Bopper type movie - but, if you're bored, it's cute.
So anyways, the consultant tells them to use Spirit Fingers throughout the entire routine and SMILE!
The squad gets to Nationals and realizes this consultant has been instructing other squads with the same exact routine.
I told you that to tell you this.....
I mentioned the other night we had a substitute instructor. I swear on all things holy - she is the Consultant from Bring it On.
I am compelled throughout the entire Zumba work out to use my spirit fingers. None of her routines flow - so we all look like we're doing our own thing. She smiles and stares into space as if she's making the shit up as she goes along.
I'm not being mean because it is a great class in the fact there is a lot of jumping around, my heart rate stays elevated and I sweat... but I cannot for the life of me get the Spirit Fingers image out of my head!
I really wish I could have worn a body camera. Everyone at different points ended up doing what came natural.
On a serious note - if you are looking for a way to get out of the house, move your body and make new friends - find a Zumba class. You don't necessarily need rhythm - you just have to have a good sense of humor!
And my Latino/a friends and family will be proud of how I hold us down with my Merenque, Salsa, Rumba and Mambo moves!!!
I'm also married to a black man. That means there is a lot of pressure on me to show my rhythmic side. Every major family event (BBQ's, Reunions, etc...) includes some form of music and alcohol, which we all know = get up and dance!
My hey-day of the club scene was in the 80's. We did a lot of drinking and a lot of dancing in the 80's. I enjoyed every bit of it. We had great dance music and a bevvy of styles to choose from.
And here we are today.
Now, I Zumba.
They offer Zumba classes at the YMCA I go to. I mostly make the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday classes because of my work schedule. It's a lot of fun and it's really helping me with my general overall body toning.
I laugh a lot. I make up my own moves when they do shit I physically can't do (remember the trick hip?). I've made some "gym friends". It's a great time. I guess you could call it the modern day club scene for middle-aged women!
******
The other night, we had a substitute instructor.
Have you ever watched the movie "Bring it on"? Basically, it's about 2 cheerleading squads. One squad has been stealing the other's routine for years and once it has been brought to the attention of the Captain that their routine was stolen, she goes out and hires a consultant to help them construct a new routine.
It's a Teeny-Bopper type movie - but, if you're bored, it's cute.
So anyways, the consultant tells them to use Spirit Fingers throughout the entire routine and SMILE!
The squad gets to Nationals and realizes this consultant has been instructing other squads with the same exact routine.
I told you that to tell you this.....
I mentioned the other night we had a substitute instructor. I swear on all things holy - she is the Consultant from Bring it On.
I am compelled throughout the entire Zumba work out to use my spirit fingers. None of her routines flow - so we all look like we're doing our own thing. She smiles and stares into space as if she's making the shit up as she goes along.
I just do a lot of this:
I'm not being mean because it is a great class in the fact there is a lot of jumping around, my heart rate stays elevated and I sweat... but I cannot for the life of me get the Spirit Fingers image out of my head!
I really wish I could have worn a body camera. Everyone at different points ended up doing what came natural.
*****
On a serious note - if you are looking for a way to get out of the house, move your body and make new friends - find a Zumba class. You don't necessarily need rhythm - you just have to have a good sense of humor!
And my Latino/a friends and family will be proud of how I hold us down with my Merenque, Salsa, Rumba and Mambo moves!!!
Andale, Andale! Arriba, Arriba!
Saturday, March 7, 2015
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It's a Lifestyle: 60 Day Check-In
What's up Party People??
J/K! I am just so amped about how great I feel. Plus, I did my measurements this morning and it's all good in the 'hood!
Woop! Woop!
If you've been following along with my dysfunctional life - you know that I made a few New Year's commitments. Part of the New Year, New Me determination was to lose #50poundsBy50years and I am happy to report that it is March and I am on a great path to achieve that goal.
On January 7th, I began that journey doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. I lost 11 pounds in 24 days. Well, today is day 60. I continued to use the Advocare products and I'm happy to report my total weight loss to date is 17 pounds.
Now, that number may not sound like much - so let me explain why.
As part of the New Year, New Me initiative, I also joined a gym. I have yo-yo dieted most of my life and over the years have not just lost weight but a lot of muscle mass as I put my body through different starvation methods to drop some pounds.
So, 17 pounds lost would probably equate to 30 pounds lost if I wasn't building all this lean muscle.
The truth is in the measuring tape. I have lost 33 inches off my body. Notably 6.5" off my waist and 4.25" off my chest. My thighs are losing their saddlebags, sag and old lady dents.
I think what is the most phenomenal change... and I'll have to give you some history before I disclose what I am witnessing...
As yous know, I claim Caucasian on the "what race do you identify with" surveys. I have been afflicted by a genetic deficiency... most specific to white women (although I have seen other races / ethnicities that suffer as well)...
It is called "NoAssAtAll"....
Yup! I admit it - I have a pretty extensive "back".
No ass; just back.
The conversation generally goes like this:
Me: "Aboy - how does my ass look in these jeans?"
Aboy: "You mean your back?"
Yeah. Like that.
Well, guess what Exercise + Advocare = ???
ASS!!!
J/K! I am just so amped about how great I feel. Plus, I did my measurements this morning and it's all good in the 'hood!
Woop! Woop!
If you've been following along with my dysfunctional life - you know that I made a few New Year's commitments. Part of the New Year, New Me determination was to lose #50poundsBy50years and I am happy to report that it is March and I am on a great path to achieve that goal.
On January 7th, I began that journey doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. I lost 11 pounds in 24 days. Well, today is day 60. I continued to use the Advocare products and I'm happy to report my total weight loss to date is 17 pounds.
Now, that number may not sound like much - so let me explain why.
As part of the New Year, New Me initiative, I also joined a gym. I have yo-yo dieted most of my life and over the years have not just lost weight but a lot of muscle mass as I put my body through different starvation methods to drop some pounds.
So, 17 pounds lost would probably equate to 30 pounds lost if I wasn't building all this lean muscle.
The truth is in the measuring tape. I have lost 33 inches off my body. Notably 6.5" off my waist and 4.25" off my chest. My thighs are losing their saddlebags, sag and old lady dents.
I think what is the most phenomenal change... and I'll have to give you some history before I disclose what I am witnessing...
As yous know, I claim Caucasian on the "what race do you identify with" surveys. I have been afflicted by a genetic deficiency... most specific to white women (although I have seen other races / ethnicities that suffer as well)...
It is called "NoAssAtAll"....
Yup! I admit it - I have a pretty extensive "back".
No ass; just back.
The conversation generally goes like this:
Me: "Aboy - how does my ass look in these jeans?"
Aboy: "You mean your back?"
Yeah. Like that.
Well, guess what Exercise + Advocare = ???
ASS!!!
I texted this pic to my Cousin Kathy the other day. She didn't believe it was my ass! I had to send her the full picture for her to believe me! Even then - she thought it was a butt pad!
This is 100+ squats a week. I started off slow, but hard work is paying off! I am lifting and separating - all over my body!
So - now you know why I've only lost 17 pounds! I'm building muscles YO!!
I am not prepared to show you my total before and after pics. I want to get a little closer to my weight loss goal before I do that.
I have another blog post to follow on how I stay on my meal plan and motivation to work out.
In saying that, I have to wrap up this post because my Line Dancing Class & Zumba Class are starting shortly and I don't want to miss it!
Make it a great one!
Monday, March 2, 2015
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It's a lifestyle: One Pot Zucchini Mushroom Pasta
I'm all for easy. One pot easy is an even bigger win.
I found this recipe on Pinterest last week and told Aboy I was going to make it this weekend.
I picked up the fresh ingredients after we left the gym yesterday.
Yous know we prep the week of food the day before Aboy has to go back out - so, this seemed like a nice dinner (meatless), plus given the amount of ingredients, some extra for the rest of the week.
It was simple, but I tweaked the recipe a little bit because Aboy is not a huge fan of peas.
The original recipe is here
I beat to my own drum - so this is what I did...
In the pot:
About 6 cups of water (because there was so much food in the pot)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 lb of Spaghetti (I used brown rice pasta - I think the next time I will use wheat)
8 oz container of cremini mushrooms (sliced)
2 sprigs of thyme
1 lb chopped spinach (frozen)
2 large zucchinis
Salt & Pepper and a couple shakes of Sazonador Total (which, BTW - is my new favorite seasoning)
Sauce:
Parmesan Cheese (I didn't measure this - I'm Italian... we don't measure Parmesan)
1/4 cup of heavy cream
Just like the instructions said - I threw it all into the pot - let it boil down until it had reduced to hardly any liquid.
Then I added the cheese and cream, stirred it up - let it cook for another 2 minutes and turned off the heat.
We took out Mahi Mahi earlier, so I baked that (with a pesto glaze) and Waa-Laa!!! Sunday Dinner!
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