We spent the day at park and visited the stream.
So you have your basic homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, but how about mixing it up for the summer, make a light summer version. Lemon Thyme chicken noodle. not your average chicken noodle a cut above the rest, also the lemon adds a little extra vitamin C. Plus make it that left over chicken from the grocery store. I love the pre-made rotisserie chicken I always buy 2 when every I go to a big box bulk food store.
Here is a printable version of the Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup
So this week I turned 41. Yea I love my 40’s. I think being 40 is about celebrating you..Glitter and Sparkles.. being your true self the diamond you were meant to be. You are smarter, wiser and experience more than in your 20’s. The thing is mind which is at the height of confidence and knowledge does not have the body to match. Your body is older and more stubborn.
It is harder to get and stay fit after 40. I know people always told me until to you get there you don’t understand. So heed my warning if you are unhealthy get fit before you are 40’. The weight I lost in the past came off much easier when I was under 40, or even under 30.
So this week in honor of my birthday I celebrated, not the smartest move (it was a perfect day).
Saturday we when to downtown Philadelphia. My husband was home and I always wanted to eat at Village Whiskey which was on Food Networks “Best Thing I ever ate”- ready to drool
(I am sorry no pictures I was so excited to eat it I forgot the Food “dirty pictures” (I would say the other word but worried I will get ban by Google))
I should have had the burger minus the meat, bread, bacon, and duck confit – Because seriously the onions were to die for.. so going to try to make them this weekend- with a salad and 5-10 duck fat fries (the fries is why I went in the 1st place)
Then I my birthday, went out with the girls Hillary and Liz (after a walk) an impromptu lunch. I had crab dip (yea the bowl), salad, and Cheese Cake Factory Peanut butter Cup cheese cake- which I did take home and proceeded to finish over the few days.
My exercise in hopes to head the food off at the pass:
So back to my bargaining and playing games with myself.. yea bargain and games do not work I of coursed gained back 4 lb 264. I did log everything I ate and was honest. Also looking at the fitbit log I can see that I was more active the week before in less days. I love the Fitbit it really is great at looking at the big picture.
Here is the thing I know I am changing so this week I decided to revisit my measurements as a boost to keep me going:
4/24/2012 | 5/24/2012 | ||
hips | 54 | 52.75 | 1.25 |
waist | 45 | 42.25 | 2.75 |
breast top | 45 | 44.75 | 0.25 |
breast under (the boobs) | 41 | 40.5 | 0.5 |
thigh 6″ above knee | 25 | 24.5 | 0.5 |
calf 6″ below knee | 17.75 | 17.5 | 0.25 |
lower arm | 10.5 | 10 | 0.5 |
upper arm | 14.625 | 14 | 0.625 |
neck | 15.25 | 15.25 | 0 |
total inches lost | 6.625 |
Yea 6 5/8 ” inches – in a month and they don’t lie.
So I will continue, next week more salads less duck fat.
This is the last day to enter my self hosted Giveaway to win $50 gift certicate to Dicks Sport or Juniona.com– I want you to look better feel better in the size you are in.
You’re just steps away from better fitness.
Try Fitbit now.
Wikipedia: Fitbit Inc. is a company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. →
With Memorial day coming here are 2 Crowd pleasing healthy dips; Black Bean and Hummus. Why buy these dips when they are so easy to make and low calorie. Serve with vegies or thin rice chips, they are healthy and a special dip treat. Since I have been watching what I eat I have been coming up with new creative ways to enjoy food. These dips are sure to win over a crowd and keep you weight in check.
Note: I have been keeping 2 things in my fridge to be sure to add them when need to any meal. Roasted Poblano Peppers and roasted garlic.
BLACK BEAN DIP
** How to Roast a Poblano peppers (on the grill) then putting in a bowl , cover with saran wrap and and sweating the skin off. Take skin off and store- Poblanos are mild yet mild heat they add flavor, try them on a sandwich
How to roast Garlic: Cut the tops off an entire clove pour olive oil rapping in tin foil and place in oven for about an hour- roasted garlic is much milder and smoother. Do several at a time keep in fridge to add to anything.
Easy and healthy enjoy!
Inkoo’s so recently I reviewed the Inkoos Blingoos. I love this as a gift for my daughter it allows the child to create a one of a kind stuffed friend. Then wash the inkoo and start all over again. My daughter loved playing with the inkoos. She added different colors then added sparkles. She loved the glitter glue. She really blinged the Inkoo, all up. She has been sleeping with the Inkoos Blingoos every day. It is a win win gift time for independent play and creative process.
Check out her creation:
Inkoos can be found at all major retailers. It is a great gift for little girls. Inkoos Blingoos Bear with Markers – White and Blue $24.99
They also have smaller version for 8.99-19.99
Disclosure: I received the inkoos for a product review but the opinions in this post are of my own.
This weeks diet fitness healthy life style journey I feel like things are finally going in the right direction. I am losing and finding the right workout food balance. I would like to say it was my brilliance but it is the fact I am wearing a pedometer and logging my food back to basics. So for weeks I have been saying how I was concerned my body was not loosing because of the calorie intake vs. how much I was working out.
This we it changed, I kept a food log and subtracted it from the activity. How. My awesome friend /walking buddy Hillary has been telling me for weeks about the FitBit and then I won won from Leah at Mamavation. So I started using it. Oh my the gates have opened i was not eating enough. I am a big girl. I need to eat about 2600 calories.. I was eating about 1500. and working out 3500 yea.. not good.
I took the bite-it then write it approach . I tracked everything on Fitbit’s on-line tracker and it told me when I was in the sweet spot for food with the activity I was doing. Water, food, activity so funny it is Technology that is helping me loose weight.
The results 259 (down 5 lb in one week) Started at 271 in January
I finally broke 10lb- I could see changes in my body but not on the scale.
(insert Happy Dance)
I feel like my persistence will prevail… I can do this.
Dont forget to enter win a $50 gift card to look better when you work out. ends 5/26
How are you doing?
You’re just steps away from better fitness.
Try Fitbit now.
Almost everyone knows that performing cardio training a few times per week can result in weight loss, but not everyone knows of the many additional benefits to be gained from this type of exercise. Cardio training not only helps people shed excess pounds, it also helps tone muscle, reduce stress, and offer relief from a variety of health ailments. Here are all of the benefits!
Weight Loss
It is no secret that a good cardio workout will help you shed those pounds, or for those who are already at a healthy weight, it can help with maintenance. Cardiovascular exercise helps to increase the metabolism, which can become sluggish due to bad diet, health issues and age. Excess calories are burned, which when coupled with good nutrition, helps reduce weight the safe and healthy way. There are a number of fad diets out there, and typically they make the claim of fast weight loss without exercise. These diets may initially help shed pounds quickly, but victims of this type of diet usually regain all of the weight, and some even add on a few more pounds. When it comes to weight loss, it is best to stick with a healthy diet and cardio training.
Dangers of Inactivity
Billions are spent on healthcare due to inactivity. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle may lead to a number of health issues, regardless of weight or age. Hypertension and heart disease are often a result of a sedentary lifestyle. Cardio training 3-4 times a week for thirty minutes or more reduces the risk for obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, and it doesn’t take dropping large amounts of weight to notice a difference in your health. Just going for a daily walk continuously or spending 20 minutes a day at the gym can do wonders.
Stronger Muscles
Like weight lifting, cardio strengthens muscles. It affords the body a tone and lean appearance. The heart is also a muscle and benefits immensely from this type of exercise. A cardiovascular workout increases blood flow, which in turn improves organ function. Furthermore, if you’re a weightlifter, pumping iron only does so much for your physique. To make sure you can actually see all that muscle you’ve built, get some cardio in to burn the fat that’s hiding it!
Stress Reduction
Cardio training has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. When we exercise, our bodies release some “feel good hormones” known as endorphins, that make most people feel a bit better about things for a short period of time. In addition to this, cardio can be a great way to work out stress from work, home or elsewhere!
Confidence Booster
Exercise also increases energy and confidence. A surge in these two items may mean clearer thinking, better job performance and even an increased sex drive. Let’s face it, when you look good, you feel good, and there is no better confidence booster than looking and feeling sexy. Feeling good will then make you more likely to work out again, repeating the cycle!
There are many benefits to cardio training. Often, it is ignored in place of core strengthening via weight training, but it should be a normal part of everyone’s daily routine. It helps to shed extra pounds, reduce health related ailments, and tone muscles. Never be afraid to start slow. Always work your way into a new cardio routine – don’t push anything. Let the results come naturally!
Penny Marta writes about fitness, finance
Quick and low in calories flat bread pizza great for my diet when I am craving the Cheesy pizza. I found Flat-out bread at Target it was on sale this week. Normally 3.69 for 6 breads, it was on sale for $1.99. So I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed very tasty and moist. The best part only 100 calories per slice- 6 grams of fiber.
Veggie & meat flat bread pizza
Place on a baking sheet, layer and cook for 10-15 minutes
serve with a nice salad yummy.