Role Model and Inspiration

Today I was asked to interview someone that I look up to. I picked my mom. She has always been someone that I look up to and go to for advice. She always has the right words to say, even if I don't like them at the time. Here are the 3 questions that I asked her..

1. What is a quote you live by?  Always treat others the way you want to be treated

2. When given a life challenge, how do you face it?  Leave it at the feet of my Heavenly Father.  He takes care of all.

3. How do you make sure you stick to the "goal"?  Pray about it.

 

 

Cherry Chili Sauce...

So, today we have to write a post on a new/limited time ingredient that we have tried. Yesterday I tried the Cherry Chili Sauce. Here is a pic of my bowl...

Well, we were told to be honest.. haha.. On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being bad), I would give it a 2 or 3. It wasn't that great. It didn't have that much flavor. It was supposed to be spicy, but it wasn't. I would 100% stick with the Khan Pao sauce if you like spicy and FABULOUS!!!

Red Diamond

Yesterday for our order we had to have a big ole glass of Red Diamond tea. :)

WebMD.com has some great research on the benefits of tea. Here is what they had to say...

Here's what some studies have found about the potential health benefits of tea:

• Green tea: Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
• Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
• White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.
• Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science hasn’t backed the claims.
• Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented and aged leaves. Considered a black tea, its leaves are pressed into cakes. One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol.

So, next time you want something to quinch that thirst, have you a glass of Red Diamond tea.

Please vistit Red Diamond

Brown Rice

Today I had to have some brown rice in my bowl, shucks!! :)

Here is the finished "master piece"

 

Did you  know that brown rice is good for you? Here is wha twww.livingstrong.com has to say about it...

1. It Lowers The Risk Of Developing Diabetes

Harvard researchers have discovered that eating at least two servings of brown rice per week can lower the risk of developing diabetes. They found that by eating just 50 grams of brown rice a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 16 percent, while other whole grains, such as barley and whole wheat, can lower the risk by 36 percent.
- See more at: http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/brown-rice-health-benefits/#sthash.crx5KlDv.dpuf

1. It Lowers The Risk Of Developing Diabetes

Harvard researchers have discovered that eating at least two servings of brown rice per week can lower the risk of developing diabetes. They found that by eating just 50 grams of brown rice a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 16 percent, while other whole grains, such as barley and whole wheat, can lower the risk by 36 percent.
- See more at: http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/brown-rice-health-benefits/#sthash.crx5KlDv.dpuf

 Brown rice is a source of many beneficial nutrients, including fiber, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B-6. White rice, which is refined brown rice, has smaller amounts of these nutrients than whole-grain brown rice. Brown rice makes for a nutritious side dish or an excellent accompaniment for stir-fries. Alternatively, mix brown rice with beans, and use for tacos or burritos.

Fiber

Fiber is an important nutrient for promoting healthy digestion and preventing constipation and diverticulosis, a condition in which small pouches form in the large intestine. Fiber also helps with blood sugar regulation. The daily requirement for fiber for adults up to age 50 is 38 g for men and 25 g for women. One cup of brown rice provides 3.5 g of fiber.

Magnesium

One cup of brown rice provides 86 mg of magnesium, while the daily requirement is 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women over age 30. Magnesium is essential for producing energy from the food you eat. It also makes up the mineral content of bone, along with calcium.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that acts as an antioxidant through its role as part of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which neutralizes free radicals that could otherwise damage your body. Zinc is also important for wound healing and keeping the immune system functioning properly. One cup of brown rice provides 1.2 mg of zinc. The daily requirement for zinc for adults is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women.

Vitamin B-6

One cup of brown rice provides 0.3 mg of vitamin B-6, while the daily requirement is 1.3 mg for adult men and women up to age 50. This serving of brown rice provides 23 percent of your daily vitamin B-6 requirement. Vitamin B-6 is involved in diverse processes in the body, including the formation of the neurotransmitter serotonin, red blood cell synthesis and the production of DNA, which contains genetic information for all the cells of your body.

So, next time you are in Genghis Grill, pass on the white and go with the brown. :)

 It Lowers The Risk Of Developing Diabetes

Harvard researchers have discovered that eating at least two servings of brown rice per week can lower the risk of developing diabetes. They found that by eating just 50 grams of brown rice a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 16 percent, while other whole grains, such as barley and whole wheat, can lower the risk by 36 percent.
- See more at: http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/brown-rice-health-benefits/#sthash.crx5KlDv.dpuf

1. It Lowers The Risk Of Developing Diabetes

Harvard researchers have discovered that eating at least two servings of brown rice per week can lower the risk of developing diabetes. They found that by eating just 50 grams of brown rice a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 16 percent, while other whole grains, such as barley and whole wheat, can lower the risk by 36 percent.
- See more at: http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/brown-rice-health-benefits/#sthash.crx5KlDv.dpuf

1. It Lowers The Risk Of Developing Diabetes

Harvard researchers have discovered that eating at least two servings of brown rice per week can lower the risk of developing diabetes. They found that by eating just 50 grams of brown rice a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 16 percent, while other whole grains, such as barley and whole wheat, can lower the risk by 36 percent.
- See more at: http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/brown-rice-health-benefits/#sthash.crx5KlDv.dpuf

It's Official...

It's Official, it's March. That means we are more than 1/4 of the way through our 60 day challenge. Am I stressed, nah, am I worried, maybe, anxiety, absolutely!

I try not to stress about what my body is doing. I am doing my best and hopefully I get the best results.

Worried, maybe. I did my order for yesterday, checking in at Genghis Grill, but forgot to upload the "proof" onto the site we have to log on. It was only 1 point, but I'm worried that 1 point might make or break me. What if someone loses the same % of weight as me and does ALL of the orders. I lost by that 1 POINT!! It's all good. If I'm meant to win, I'm gonna win!

Anxiety, ABSOLUTELY!! I'm anxious to get to the end. I'm counting down the days, not because I'm tired of the food, but because I'm ready to see results. I'm ready to see if I win. I'm ready to get back to normal schedule.

So, I guess I'm doing alright. I will keep going, doing my best. Please keep encouraging me, leaving me comments, and being my little cheerleaders, because I know I'm going to need it the next 3/4 of the way. :)

Here is quote that Genghis Grill gave to us and I thought everyone could use this.

-April

Wine-o

Today is wine day!! Woohoo! Well, actually yesterday was "wine day" where I "had" to have a glass of One Hope Wine with my meal. It was so YUMMY! Here is a pic of my bowl and wine from yesterday.

 

Okay, so today's order is to inform you about the benefits of red wine. 

This is what www.fittoday.com has to say about it.

1) Red Wine is Good for Your Heart

Red wine contains resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant compound. Resveratrol also protects your heart and arteries against the effects of saturated fat in your diet, so drinking one or two glasses of red wine a day can help protect your heart and prevent cardiovascular disease.
The flavonoids and sapponins in red wine also help to protect your heart against cardiovascular disease. The alcohol in red wine, when consumed in moderation, raises your levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, helps prevent the formation of blood clots and can help to protect your arteries from the damage caused by "bad" LDL cholesterol.

2) Red Wine Contains Antioxidants

In addition to resveratrol, red wine contains a number of other antioxidants, which can slow the signs of aging and prevent a number of degenerative illnesses like type 2 diabetes. Drinking one or two glasses of red wine each day can help protect you from many of the diseases of the elderly, such as osteoporosis.

3) Red Wine Prevents Cancer

Mounting evidence suggests that drinking red wine in moderation can help prevent cancer. The many antioxidants in red wine can help prevent the oxidative damage responsible for the process of aging and for many degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Guercetin, one of the many antioxidants in red wine, may help prevent lung cancer. Research has shown that resveratrol, the same red wine antioxidant that helps protect your heart, can also kill cancerous cells.
Scientists have found that resveratrol, when used in conjunction with radiation therapy, can penetrate cancerous cells and induce apoptosis. Apoptosis is a type of cell death that occurs when the cell dies, dissolves and is removed by the white cells of your immune system. Cancer researchers have been looking for a way to induce apoptosis in cancerous cells, because it's the safest way to remove unwanted cells from the body.
Resveratrol also inhibits cancerous cells' ability to remove irradiated particles, making radiation therapy more effective against cancer. Resveratrol also attacks cancerous cells and inhibits their ability to function.

4) Red Wine Prevents Tooth Decay

Red wine, even non alcoholic red wine, hardens your enamel to prevent tooth decay. Hardened enamel is more resistant to Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria which lives on your teeth and is responsible for tooth decay. The polyphenols in red wine can also prevent gum disease, and even help to treat it by reducing inflammation in the gums.

Me personally I love the charity aspect behind One Hope Wine. They give 50% of their profits to charity.
The wine that I chose last night was the California Chardonnay. They give 50% of their profits to benefit breast cancer!!

  If you would like to learn more about One Hope Wine please visit One Hope Wine!!

 

 

Dublin Devil!!!

I AM motivated, but distractions are all around me!

This weekend Greg and I went to Dublin, TX for a "get away" without kids. We stopped at Genghis Grill on our way out of town on Friday so that I could make sure to get it in. The contestants are allowed to miss 3 times during the 60 days and not be disqualified, so Saturday we didn't eat at GG (there wasn't one around). Friday night we had to get something for dinner. We asked the owner of the B&B where a good place to eat was and she said "Granny Clark's." Okay sweet. We WALKED, because she said it was only 3 blocks. Well, 1 mile later we got to Granny Clark's (btw, it was the ONLY place to eat in town). We walked in and the smell of FRIED FOOD hit you in the face like a frying pan. BLAH! So, we walked the 3 blocks mile back to the B&B, got in the car and headed to Stephenville. Cotton Patch Cafe was the restaurant of choice. I was going to be good. I got the turkey melt. I WAS NOT going to get the french fries. I was going to the GOOD. Oh, but their mac and cheese is sooooo good. I should get their apples. Oh, but the Mac and Cheese!!! I went with the MAC AND CHEESE!! 156 calories for their mac and cheese and 517 for the Turkey Melt. Not too too bad. Well, then the devil was yelling in my ear from my right shoulder and I could no longer hear the angel on my left shoulder saying "You don't need dessert!" The devil won! We got a

Praline Pecan Bread Puddin’ to split. Well, the whole whopping thing is 520 calories!!! Well, we only ate about 1/2 of it (because there was mac and cheese on it, don't ask, we didn't pay for it or finish it) So I guess 1/4 of the Puddin' was 130 Calories!!! I had a grand total of 803 calories for DINNER!!! Okay, I can walk that off. No big deal. Then comes SATURDAY (aka Devil Day)!!!

 

We woke up to 2 crapes filled with strawberries and bananas with a dollop of cool whip on top. Not too too bad. More than my average 160 breakfast. No biggie though. Then came lunch. The ONLY reason I'm telling on myself is because I have a point (will get to at end of blog). We went to Pizza Hut. I had 3 slices of pizza at 310 EACH! Oh, and I had a DP!! I hadn't had a Dr. Pepper in over a month and thought it was a good idea. It wasn't and it cost me 200 calories!!! 830 calories for lunch! Blah! Okay so now we are miserable, sluggish, but, hey, we did it to ourselves! We went and walked the flea market and tried to walk off some of the damage we had just done. Dinner was even worse. I don't know WHAT we were thinking!! We went to Chilis. We were stupid bc they have a "light" menu!! Did we do that, NO! Here was the breakdown. We did the 2 for $35. We started out with cheese sticks! The cheese sticks were 94 calories EACH! We had 3 1/2 each. 329 for appetizer!!! Then I had the chicken fajitas. 840 for fajitas (I thought I was doing good getting them!!). Then we did dessert! 1090 for the whole Chocolate Molten cake!!! Take on another 545 calories! You would think that 1714 for dinner would be enough, right? Well, NO. We had a margarita too. :( 168 more calories!! 1882 calories just for dinner!!!!

 

So, here is my lesson. 

 

1: That is disgusting!

 

2: I use to eat like this ALL THE TIME! (No wonder I look the way I do)

 

3: My dinner was more than my regular daily allotment!!

 

I think I have learned a lesson. Yes, the devil keeps telling me that I can't do this, but I CAN and I WILL! I get full on my 1000-1200 calories a day and I fill full, energized, and happy. Why would I want to put that CRAP in my body ever again? I am back in full swing today and gonna make this happen!

 

Plans for today:

 

Breakfast: Oatmeal and Fiber Bar: 220 calories

Snack: 1 Cup Grapes: 62 calories

Lunch: Turkey Sandwich with 1 piece of bread, Weight Watchers colby jack cheese stick, 8 baby carrots, 13 Special K Southwest Cracker/Chips, and 1 Black Cherry Jello: 265 calories   

Snack: Keebler - Right Bites Fudge Shoppe Fudge Grahams: 100 calories

Dinner: Genghis Grill Bowl (2 helpings ham, cilantro, 2 servings spinach, 3 ladles of Roasted Tomato Sauce and Brown Rice: 340 calories

 

Total: 987 calories

 

If I'm still hungry I can still have a little snack after dinner. This is so much more filling and far less calories! Eating healthy is easy, you just have to make the decision that you WANT it!

 

AND I WANT IT!!!