27 June 2011

writing things down {a new task for me}


I have decided I have so many ideas. So many things I want to do.  So many things I need to do.  In order to [remember] everything I need to start writing down my thoughts and to dos. 

I can be anywhere, see anything and get inspiration to do so much.  Guess what happens? I get so busy that I forget most of what I was thinking about. Sometimes the ideas will come back to me and somethimes they won't. 

The other night I had a thought; What if I jotted down notes like I type lengthy emails? I just start typing as the words come to me then I make my edits. All of my thoughts are there on the screen just a little mixed up sometimes. For me this is so much easier then sitting in the chair trying to think of what I am going to type. 

So there we have it ... This evening I am writing things down.

(Now only if I can remember everything I have thought about today. :0/)

23 June 2011

playing the day away

Hi Folks ~ today we are linking up to Gussy Sews. Each week she hosts a linky party titled Inspiration Workshop and each week has it's own theme. Pretty cool huh?  Well, last week I didn't quite get it, an well, let's just say I should have read the details first, so I decided to take another stab at it this week and wah la! I think I've got it.

This week's 'inspiration' is spend the day playing. No problem. It's Summer and we love to be outside getting our vitamin d, that's for sure.


We [heart] the pool the most on these hot Summer days.  All of us but little Jeter that is.  He doesn't quite know what to think of that oversized water dish so Daughter is trying to get him used to the water.  Her and her friend did get him to swim the other day. As long as he knows where the steps are, I am ok with it.

My favorite things to do while Hubber and Daughter are playing in the pool is to either be floating on a raft or laying out on a chair.  I am more of a sun tanner then a cannonball do-er.  Don't be fooled, I do get my jump on from time to time and it's normally when they least expect it. :o)

Enjoy your day any kind of way.

22 June 2011

What's on your plate? {goes in a glass}

Do you like smoothies? I do! And I like them a lot.  You can create a tasty smoothie without a recipe.

All you need is: frozen or fresh fruit, plain or flavored yogurt, or ice cream, and ice.

You can mix-n-match, you can have one flavor, you can have yogurt instead of ice cream (probably the healthier of the two) and you can use ice to get your desired thickness.


How do I make my favorite smoothie? Oh it's easy ... I add strawberries, blueberries and bananas to the blender with a little bit of ice and an Activa yogurt.  I blend to my desired texture then drink and enjoy.  mmm ... mmm ... yumma

So simple and perfect for the summer mornings, days and nights!



21 June 2011

Hello Summer!

FINALLY! Summer has arrived, and arrived with 100+ temps to boot.  I am cool with this because I have been waiting and waiting and waiting ... thank you wacky No CA weather. 

One of my favorite things about Summer time is being able to add laps in the pool to my workouts.  I LOVE the water and the sun so bring it all. day. long.  Another is all of the cool, refreshing sweet treats we can make for ourselves to enjoy. 

  [mmm ... mmm ... good!]

Summers are wonderful and all about Daughter.  As long as she is enjoying every moment of every day I am happy. Hubber and I have to work so we rely on family, friends, camps, workbooks and books to keep her occupied.  Thankfully, we are lucky to be surrounded by so much love and awesome-ness.  Thanks Loved Ones

This Summer we only have one trip planned since softball is pretty much dictating our life at the moment.  That trip is softball related. Daughter's team will be playing in the Triple Crown World Series in July. We are pretty excited about this.

Welp, I've gotta run.  Enjoy your first day of Summer! 

16 June 2011

Jeter's Feature {Episode 4}

Oh boy little Jeter has done some growing and a lot of the black on his adorable little face has turned brown.  He is so darn cute though. 

A few updates are ::
  1. Jeter LOVES to be outside. Thing is I am a paranoid puppy momma so I am constantly checking on him.  (I killed a humongous black widow last night that I had been chasing for a few nights, which relieved some of my fears)
  2. Jeter is done with sleeping in his crate and now sleeps on our bed.  We don't mind at all.  He is in his crate when no one is home though.
  3. Jeter enjoys stuffed animals & his rawhide bone over his other toys.  He will chase the squeeky ones, if you squeek them for him.
  4. He is still a little ornery when it comes to chewing on us and unattended shoes.  He takes things he isn't supposed to chew on then hides under our bed. Right smack dab in the center, under our bed. Smart little stinker!
  5. I am happy to report Jeter is mostly potty trained. I'm talking 95%, if I had to put a number on it. He still has an accident here and there but it is much better then where we were a month ago.
See how much he has changed ...

 [2 months old]

[5 months old]

... until next time ...
  




15 June 2011

if you can't buy it {make it!}

Recently, I have been wanting something new. Actually, I have been wanting lots of new things but truth is, I can't go out and just buy what I want right now. I decided the next best thing would be to make stuff.  The first thing was the wine cork recipe board - check it out here.  That was fun and got my mind working on other ideas.  I've got a few of those ideas stored away in my crafty tank. :o) 

Last night I decided I wanted to do something with mason jars - we had a few laying around. I have seen so many cute mason jar ideas lately which sparked my interest in doing this quick little project. I didn't want to spend money on supplies so I had to use what we had around the house. Thankfully, I've got a few things.

[cute huh!]

I took the center of the lids out and left the rest. I like the way they look with the outer part of the lid. The material is from a shirt that I had in the 'throw away' pile. The taller jar is tied with the collar, the smaller jar is wrapped with the front strip of buttons and the flowers are from our yard. I love the way they turned out.



From start to finish this only took about 20 minutes. Just 20 minutes to satisfy my urge for something new, put a smile on my face and it was free!  

13 June 2011

Body & Soul Week :: Setting Goals; Making A Plan

Welcome to Body & Soul week. I thought this would be a perfect time to start a new feature, being pre-summer (if we ever see summer) and all. This is the other time, besides New Years, that we start thinking of ways to get our bodies looking great. Part of looking great is feeling great which means you must also adjust your diet. It’s a big deal people. We all need a little encouragement and/or motivation to get our booties back to the rhythm, no matter how in shape we [think] we are, right? Right!

Hi Friends, I hope you have enjoyed this week's posts. My goal with this was simply to share how I am doing it. I am a busy momma and wife with 1.5 jobs, so I had to come up with something that worked with our schedule and also did not take away from family time. After receiving many comments on my weight loss and body changes I thought, 'hot damn, I need to share this because it's actually working!'


Day 5 :: Setting Goals; Making A Plan
A big part of my start was creating a routine of eating less and better and exercising. I had 2 goals; one was to stick to my routine [this time] and the second was to commit to my routine 5 days a week.  Committing was the challenge on the days I felt really tired.  I kept telling myself that I had to do something even if it was just for 15 minutes. I had to get up and do something.  This worked for me and now I am to the point where I feel guilty if I don't shake my groove thang 5 days a week.  Most importantly though, I LOVE it and I'm excited to keep toning. I don't want to be buff, just want to be tight and toned.  This is a work in progress ...
 
One thing I hear a lot is eating healthy is more expensive.  Yes, it can be but it doesn't have to be. You can change where you shop. Go to a farmer's market for your fruit and veggies or go to one of the discount grocery stores where you bag your own items. You save a lot there - trust me, I know this. One thing about the discount stores is you do have to spend a little more time in the produce section checking, feeling, squeezing until you find the good stuff. It's worth it though.
 
Another thing, I was not in a hurry when I started my quest to be a fine momma :o) so this, I feel, lifted the pressure of feeling like I had too instead of I want too.  Makes a big difference when you want too.  I am motivated.
 
I know some people keep daily journals of what they eat and drink. Although I think this is a great idea, it never was something I could get into doing. I used to weigh myself every day until our scale broke. Now I just look at myself in the mirror every morning and every night. I also have hung onto clothes that didn't fit for ... heh hemm ... a while. I try them on when I feel like they will fit-some do and some are not quite there. HA!  Yep, that's what I do. This works for me.   
 
isn't that the truth!
   
I say be patient and stick to your routine, set the goals and be honest about it.  GOOD LUCK on your personal journey!

P.S. If you have a routine, goals, success story, etc, I would love to hear it. Please email me. You can be a guest blogger.  Thanks!

09 June 2011

Body & Soul Week :: The Booty

Welcome to Body & Soul week. I thought this would be a perfect time to start a new feature, being pre-summer (if we ever see summer) and all. This is the other time, besides New Years, that we start thinking of ways to get our bodies looking great. Part of looking great is feeling great which means you must also adjust your diet. It’s a big deal people. We all need a little encouragement and/or motivation to get our booties back to the rhythm, no matter how in shape we [think] we are, right? Right!

Day 4 :: The Booty {EEK! Yep we're going there today.}
Ok ladies let's be real. How many of us have stood in front of the mirror flexing our booty cheeks to see how many dimples appear? ME! Well folks, I'm tired of looking at those large golf balls attached to my backside, so I'm doing something about it.  You know what, it has been easy too.

I have started with lunges and squats - 2 reps of 15 right now, with a 7lb weight in each hand the entire time, 5 days a week.  I even do squats while I am blowdrying my hair (without the weights of course).  

Now I am ready to add more to my routine and I have found & learned so much while researching for this week's posts.  Check out this 15 minute Bootylicious Butt Workout. I picked this one because I love the name and a few of the moves could pose a challenge.  Bring it!






 

08 June 2011

Body & Soul Week :: What's on your plate? {Featuring a guest}

Welcome to Body & Soul week. I thought this would be a perfect time to start a new feature, being pre-summer (if we ever see summer) and all. This is the other time, besides New Years, that we start thinking of ways to get our bodies looking great. Part of looking great is feeling great which means you must also adjust your diet. It’s a big deal people. We all need a little encouragement and/or motivation to get our booties back to the rhythm, no matter how in shape we [think] we are, right? Right!

Day 3 :: What's on your plate? {by Deidra Wood}

The last letter of the alphabet already? Sheesh! Where has the time gone?  Welp, I think I have definitely saved the best for last but I'll let you be the judge of that.

Our dear friend Deidra is a super gardener. Seriously. I think that should be on her license plate frame or something.  When she isn't gardening, cooking, or being a great mom she is the most amazing softball coach.  True story.

Anyhoo, she told me about this yumma zucchini lasagna a while ago.  People, I stopped by her house when she was cooking this and it smelt SO DELICIOUS!  Now, run to your kitchens and do the following: 

Zucchini Lasagna, from Deidra's kitchen to yours
[super gardener, cook, mom, teacher,
softball coach ... phew my fingers are tired]

I usually make this lasagna in a round casserole glass dish.

Ingredients:
2 zucchini - sliced lengthwise in thin ribbons
1 lb ground turkey - browned
1 small container low fat cottage cheese
1-2 cups low fat mozzarella cheese - shredded
2-3 cups spaghetti sauce - homemade or your favorite jar

Spoon spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom and sides of the dish. Cover the sauce on the bottom and sides with zucchini ribbons. Add a thin layer of: turkey, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, sauce. Repeat the zucchini and other items for 2-3 more layers until the dish is near full. The last layer should be a layer of zucchini. Cover with more spaghetti sauce and sprinkle with the last of the mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 30-40 mins. It should get bubbly, gooey, and yummy looking. --> I LOVE her description!

The lasagna will be a little watery from the moisture of the zucchini. You can try to slightly pre-cook the zucchini before layering it in the lasagna. Doing this will make the end lasagna a little less watery, but some of the zucchini will fall apart if you pre-cook it too much.

** Make sure you use lots of herbs and seasonings! I used some basil, oregano, and garlic when I browned the turkey. I also added them in every layer of the spaghetti sauce.

ENJOY!

I am sure we will Deidra! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your healthy delicious-ness with others!

07 June 2011

Body & Soul Week :: Tone Those Arms

Welcome to Body & Soul week. I thought this would be a perfect time to start a new feature, being pre-summer (if we ever see summer) and all. This is the other time, besides New Years, that we start thinking of ways to get our bodies looking great. Part of looking great is feeling great which means you must also adjust your diet. It’s a big deal people. We all need a little encouragement and/or motivation to get our booties back to the rhythm, no matter how in shape we [think] we are, right? Right!

Day 2 :: Tone Those Arms

Alright Peeps, how often have you grabbed the pepper shaker or spice container and while sprinkling that little kick on your food you notice that your arm fat is shaking more then the container you are holding? Oh too often I'm sure.  I will grab said shaker and make the motion just to see how my arms are toning.  Seriously.  It works.

One of my insecurities lately has been my arms.  I had been focusing on my core, legs and butt for a while that I forgot about my arms.  Until I saw a picture of me in a tank top that is.  'WHOA! Where's the muscle?', is what immediately crossed my mind.  At first I tried to tell myself the camera does add 5lbs. BLAH! Really? Momma needed to step it up a notch ... like yesterday.  So I got to it ...

Arm circles: I stand with my core tight, my legs spread shoulder length apart and my arms extended like an airplane and holding my little dumbells.  Then I rotate my arms, from the shoulder, 15 times forward and 15 times backwards.

Shoulder Press:  My core and legs are the same as above and my arms, with my dumbells, are extended straight up, palms facing forward. Then I bend my elbows bringing my dumbells to my shoulders 15 times.

Triceps: My core and legs are spread the same as above but this time my knees are bent a little I'm holding a dumbbell in each hand, arms straight down at sides, palms facing back.  Then I lift arms straight back about 2 feet behind me 15 times.

Curls: My core and legs are the same as above and I have a dumbell in each hand.  I curl one dumbell at a time, 15 times for each arm.

Overhead:  My core and legs are the same as above and I have a dumbell in each hand, palms facing inward (toward my head).  I lift my arm straight up then bend my elbow bringing my dumbell to the back of my shoulder. Each arm 15 times.

I don't know the technical names, if there are any, for these exercises but I think I described them pretty well.  I started at 11 times per arm and am up to 15.  I move up when my current number becomes less of a challenge.

I am not an expert in any way but everything I am sharing with you this week works for me. I am hoping to relay the good-ness in a way that is easy to understand so you don't get discouraged or bored.  These moves are not hard. 

Remember, the hardest part to changing your lifestyle is creating the habit.  Once you have that the rest is easy breezy!







06 June 2011

Body & Soul Week :: The Dreaded Muffin Top

Welcome to Body & Soul week.  I thought this would be a perfect time to start a new feature, being pre-summer (if we ever see summer) and all. This is the other time, besides New Years, that we start thinking of ways to get our bodies looking great.  Part of looking great is feeling great which means you must also adjust your diet.  It’s a big deal people.  We all need a little encouragement and/or motivation to get our booties back to the rhythm, no matter how in shape we [think] we are, right?  Right!

Day 1 :: The Dreaded Muffin Top {insert long sigh here}

Ohhh boy! The dreaded Muffin Top.  EEEK!  Everyone, even boys, know what this is and most of us can't stand it. I am one of those who knows what it is and can't stand it AND unfortunately, I have a small one that appears at random. :o)  My goal is to get my muffin top to disappear forever.  I know I can do this as long as I do it the right way.  I am definitely on the right track.  Same with you, right?

While doing my research for the good tips I found out that crunchies can actually be more harmful than you think. Spinal experts believe that the abdominal crunch can affect the spine and lower back in a negative way, leading to back pain in the future. I used to do crunchies and thought I was doing something good for myself.  Guess not. 

Some exercises that are more effective for diminishing the muffin top are: squats, lunges, planks, side planks, mountain climbers, exercise ball roll outs, pilates & pushups.  I also combine a couple pilates and yoga moves with regular stretching and I like to use my 7lb weights whenever possible.  I love my 7lb weights.  :o) 

I have a routine that I have created by mixing the exercises that I enjoy doing and at the pace that I like.  I am currently doing 2 reps of 13 and I do my routine 5 days a week.  My max time, without cardio, is 35 minutes.  That's nothing and when I am in front of the t.v. the time seems like it flies by!  This is totally doable for anyone.  How much time do you spend on your tush watching t.v.?  Thought so.  See, problem solved.  Now get up and move! {said in my drill sergeant voice}

Some foods you can eat that help burn fat are: oatmeal, nuts, olive oil, berries, eggs, peanut butter, whole grains and green veggies.  Perfect!

Now, what's for dinner?



   



02 June 2011

back on the wagon

WHOA! I [accidentally] took a month long hiatus from my exercise
regimen.  It was only supposed to be 1 day off. HA!

Next thing I knew I was struggling to stay awake in the afternoons. 
Baffled for a minute? Yes. Then I quickly realized not only had
I fallen off of the exercise wagon but I had also slipped on my snacking too.
No, not slipped away from it, unfortunately. Instead
I was snacking on straight crap. Yep! chips, candy,
cupcakes (damn those co-workers), and
anything else that was sweet or totally not healthy. 

Buh-bye energy!
Well that didn't take long.
 
It's true what they say; 'your body is your temple.' 
Geesh darn it, my 'temple' must have been pissed at me! Rightfully
so I suppose.

Finally I stepped up and said, 'say no more you body temple thingy of mine. 
I'm back!'  All I needed was some self motivation and the drive
to get off my arse and just do it. Even if it was for only 15 minutes, I still
did it. And you know what? I am still doing it at least 5 days a week. WOOT!


That's it. My motivation was simply this: I didn't feel good being tired all of
the time.  I didn't feel as pretty.  My skin, my body, my attitude all
feels and looks great (in my opinion) when I am on the wagon and I wanted needed to get back to that confident, high on life feeling that I love so much.

So I did it. One day I came home and got straight to it - In my work clothes.
I did change my shoes for safety reasons. :O) Seriously though,
I could not sit down. I could not take the time to go change. I was
already trying to talk myself out of it on my way home from work
so I knew I had to make the move and make it quick.

Remember once you make something a habit it's easier to return to it
after a break.  The hardest part was creating
my habit: eating better and exercising

My advise is to just stick with the routine you have set for yourself. You have to do it over and over and over again, multiple times a week.
Even if you are tired you should at least do 15 minutes.

I have posted before about not being a gym or a video person.
That stuff does not motivate me.  I prefer to do the moves I have learned
from all of those visits to the gym and the purchased videos in the comfort of my own home in front of the t.v. watching the shows on the dvr.
That is works for me and because it works I am motivated to do it.

MOTIVATIONiswhat
getsYOUstarted.HABIT
iswhatkeepsYOUgoing.
                          - jim ryun




01 June 2011

June 1st ... Really?

Is it really June 1st already?  Time is passing right before our eyes and very rapidly I might add. 

Today has been a soggy one in Sacramento - very unusual for this time of year.  Frankly, I am ready for the sunshining, sun bathing, pool floating, lounge chair lounging, patio dinner weather. Mother nature are you hearing me?  I want to know if we are going to have a mild summer or if the 100+ days are going to jump out of know where.  Hmmm ... it's a mystery.

For now though I would like to trade these in...
[via]


for these ...
[via]

STAT!
Who's with me?