Oh How I Indulge!

What is your favorite indulgence?  That just perfect lil bite that makes you smile all the way down to your toes.  Can you get it at anytime or is it seasonal?  Well I thought mine was only a holiday one.  But I found out today it is not.

Normally every year at Christmas I stock up on Liberty Orchard fruit and nut candies.  These are lil bite size morsels of fruit gels with nuts in six orchard-fresh varieties: slow-simmered Strawberry-Walnut, marmalade style Orange-Walnut, cool mountain Blueberry-Pecan, sweet island Pineapple-Macadamia, tangy ripe Raspberry-Pecan, and summer-fresh Peach-Walnut.  I adore them.  Stack the boxes on my nightstand and have one every evening as my own special treat.  So much so that I hate to even share.  I know how stingy.  But once they are gone I have to wait a whole year to get them again.

But today I tried out a brand new box of Liberty Orchard fruits.  And I can share them too.  Why?  Well because these are also sugar free.  Yes they are delicious too.  I was wondering if they could hold up to my favorites and they did.  Our Gentleman here is diabetic.  He too can indulge in a lil treat now too.  Top it off that the box has 48 pieces in it.  So I do not feel like I will lose out when I share them.

Now for me can this get any better?  Yes, it can.  I found I don't have to wait to get them in our lil store at the holidays.  No I can order them online.  Wow, why did I not think to look for this before?  So we all know where my few extra dollars are going to be going soon.  Okay, we have a happy woman.  Almost......because they had to do me one better even.  How?  How about a all natural fruit bar that is:

• A Good Source of Protein!
• Made with Heart-Healthy Nuts!
• Rich in Antioxidants, High in Omega 3*
• All-Natural, Non-GMO, and 60% Organic!
• No Preservatives, Trans-Fats, or Cholesterol!
• Vegan & Kosher, Low in Sodium!
• Gluten-Free! & Dairy-Free

  Sounds like it is healthy.  But that translates into flavorless, right?

Orchard Bar blew me away.  Oh the flavors were amazing with fruit, nuts and seeds.  Moist and just the right amount of natural sweetness.  I could throw over a chocolate candy bar for one of these any day.  Of course I will also have to fight off College Girl and Dear Hubby for them too.  Why?  Because when we tried the 3 flavors I had we were fighting for each morsel.  Yeah really!  I cut each up into thirds and did a blind taste test with them.  Not telling them what they were or anything.  Scoffed them right up....all of them.  So now I need to order some of them too.  For just $2.50, they will send you two 1.6 bars… Blueberry Pomegranate & Almond and Strawberry Raspberry & Walnut.  And they will pay the shipping and handling too!  Limit: This special offer is for "First-Timers" only, and is limited to one sample shipment per customer. Sorry, U.S. Shipments only.
They will also send you a "Samplet" of their two most popular brands...a 4 piece package of famous Aplets & Cotlets, and a 4 piece package of popular Fruit Delights for just $2.95 plus FREE SHIPPING!  Limit: This special offer is for "First-Timers" only, and is limited to one sample shipment per customer. Sorry, U.S. shipments only.

I have to say this was a red letter day for me.  Yummy goodness that is all good for me too.  YIPPPPEEEE!  You can get a catalog with coupons in it too.  Thanks so to Liberty Orchard for sending me my treats.  I am a thrilled to know I do not have to ration out these gels one a night to have them.  And more so that they are just a click away.  Yeah as always, non paid.  But did get to eat them.  Well not all of them....some habits are just too hard to break.  Want to have one with me tonight?

Mocha Caffe Latte Love

If I need to have this......

And I must have this too......

But am on a diet?  How?

My Shaklee Shake.

Chocolate & Caffe Latte mixed with ice and milk.

Perfect way to start the day!

100 LBS to Lose

Okay folks, I need your help here.  Accountability is the key and I am making myself accountable to all of y'all.  Now that is 254 people to keep me on my toes.  But I have a reward for you too for the help out.

Let me explain.  I have to lose 100 pounds.  And I am giving myself one year to get it done.  Yes, I am serious.  Here is my plan.  I have ordered a years supply of Cinch by Shaklee.  These are shake meal replacements.  And since I tend to just skip meals and then find myself starving at the end of the day, this will help me get my 3 meals a day.  I ordered vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and cafe latte.  Thus not worried about being bored with the flavors.  Each shake also has 24 grams of protein and 190 calories.  I also have the 3 in  Boost by Shaklee.  This is three supplements in one, for my metabolism, blood sugar and overall health.  Add in my filtered water and get back in my routine of daily exercise at Curves.  This seems to be the idea of how to get back on track.  But honestly I also need everyone here to help me out too.  Ask how I am doing, keep me going and do not let me get off with lame excuses. 

I also have Top Trainers from Healthy Fit Bodies to help me out.  This is a 10 DVD set that covers it all for the home workout program.  We have a DVD to help every area.  Ready for it?

• Cardio
• Thighs
• Core
• Abs
• Buns
• Yoga
• Ballet
• Pilates
• Latin Dance
• Plyometrics
• Interval Training
• Kickboxing

Now if that is not some list1  I am looking forward to the Shed Five Fast as a 30 minute workout.  There is also Yogini which is a blend of yoga and pilates for body-sculpting.  I wonder if I can get through the 6 minute Quick Blast for cardio and deep toning.  Eventually I hope to be able to do the kick boxing.  But my knees may not make that.  Dear Hubby will not mind me adding in the Latin Dancing and moving my curves for him too!  All of this includes a fitness guide, wall calendar and a free month with ediets.com too. 

I am serious enough to even give you my weight right now.  Yeah, we know a lady never tells her age or weight.  But at 265 pounds I am killing myself.  My start date is August 1st, 2011.  That gives me til Monday to get everything in gear.

Now here comes the good part for you.  I am going to give away 2 books to one of my readers.  The first is Sloan Barnett of former NBC's Today Show (and wife to Roger Barnett the CEO of Shaklee).  I have my AUTOGRAPHED copy of Green goes with Everything by Sloan Barnett.  This gives you her background as to why Green is so important.  As well as simple steps to living a healthier life.    And I also have The Gorgeously Green Diet by Sophie Uliano.  Here we have nearly 100 recipes, exercises and ways to save money and stay Green.  These are two of my books that I am willing to share in this giveaway.  They are valued at $45.90 as a set. 

How to win?  Simple....first be one of my GFC friends (mandatory).  Second, leave me a comment with a tip to lose weight or stay on my diet or stick to my plan.  What ever advice you think will help me through this next year.  Make sure I have your email so I can notify you as a winner too.  Wish me luck....and please do not give up on me!  BTW, these are my books and my plan.  This is NOT a sponsored post.  But Shaklee is helping me out by sending me the Cinch I have asked for.  They are good like that!  I also received the 10 DVDs from KMR Communications Inc.

Sneaky Sneaky Woman

I thought that I would be child free today, but alas, no! And it is so so so cold here. We can not go outside to play. Not even on the front porch. And cabin fever sets in oh, oh, oh so quick. You know how it goes.

Well since I do not wish to have the kiddos hollering and running around like lil rug rats. Instead we are going to do the "Sneaky Fitness" way of running off steam. And while doing so help these kiddos get a lil exercise too.

Marching Band may be a lil loud but such fun to see the kiddos making music.

You don't need seventy-six trombones to lead a big parade. All you need are some willing band members and some imagination. The music you make may not hit the top of the charts, but the exercise you're sneaking in is solid gold.

What you'll need:

• Musical instruments, or make your own with pots and pans
• beans in a coffee can
• a plastic container with water, or upside-down buckets

Who's playing: Preschoolers
How many: 2 or more
Prime time: Any Day, Weekends, Playdates, Parties

Lead your "band" around the house and/or outside, and up and down stairs, reminding them to march by bringing their knees up high as they go.

Fitness Factor: Cardiovascular Endurance, Coordination, Mood Booster!
Covert Calories: Marching will burn 53 calories in 20 minutes.
Sneaky Supercharge: Have them step side-to-side for one minute, skip for one minute, walk backward for one minute, and jump for one minute as you make your way through the parade route. You'll tack on an extra 72 calories.

And for another way to get in a lil goodness lunch will be served via the "Sneaky Fitness" chef.

Mac 'n' Cheese Pizza

Makes: 8 servings

When you can combine three of your kid's top favorite foods (in this case, pizza, pasta ,and cheese) together with healthy ingredients, you know you have a winning recipe. The pizza sauce is already a healthy food because of its lycopene-laden tomatoes, and it also offers an ideal hiding spot for pureed white and orange vegetables. This is also the one way Missy gets some kids to eat whole-grain pasta because it's blanketed with the melted cheese, so they can't tell it's not their usual white noodles.

- 3/4 cup store-bought pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup White or Orange Puree (See Make-Ahead Recipe #4, p. 260, or #2, p. 258)
- 1 large (about 12-inch) store-bought pizza crust, ideally whole grain (like Boboli® whole grain)
- 1 cup cooked elbow pasta, ideally whole grain
- 1 1/2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

> Preheat oven to 450 degrees and preheat a pizza stone, if using one, or spray a baking sheet with oil.

> In a mixing bowl, combine pizza sauce with White or Orange Puree. Mix well. Spread sauce evenly over pizza crust. Scatter cooked pasta evenly over the sauce, then top with shredded cheese. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

> Allow to cool a few minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.

I wish to thanks Missy Chase Lapine and Larysa Didio for providing me with the "Sneaky Chef". This book is coming in quite handy with all the kiddos that seem to pass through my home. I appreciate the chance to review their book.

Jolly Diet Joy

I have another new item to enjoy with my diet plan. And it is also a wonderful treat on a warm afternoon. I am enjoying the Jolly Llama Sorbets.

These are single servings of delicious fruit ices. And also low in calories and lil if no fat at all. At 70-80 calories each and 0-1 gram of fat, you can not beat this treat.

Since I am not in a large city area my Jolly Llama Sorbets arrived through the mail for me. Thanks to Jolly Llama for sending them to me. Packed in dry ice and ready to pop into my freezer. Of course I had to try out the Acai Berry one first. I was amazed at the strong full flavor that was packed inside from these sun-ripened whole fruit sorbets. And for only $1.50 per tube it is not an expensive treat. But there is over 150 stores, including most Whole Foods Stores (California), Oliver’s (Sonoma County), Nugget Markets (Sacramento area), New Leaf Markets (Santa Cruz County), Berkeley Bowls (Berkeley), Mother’s Markets (Los Angeles), Basha’s and Sprouts (Phoenix), and numerous others in Washington and Arizona now carry the squeezable single-serve tubes.

Jolly Llama Squeezable Whole Fruit Sorbets:

	Four flavors: Strawberry, Blueberry, Mango, Acai Berry
	Fun to eat in individually-packaged 3 oz. squeeze tubes
	Dairy-free, gluten-free, allergen-free
	Low in fat and calories
	Fortified with Vitamin A & C, and fiber
	Naturally sweetened, containing no genetically-modified corn sweeteners

The Method that Works

I have been working on losing weight for 9 months now. And it is hard....very hard. Now I can handle the exercise I am doing. Actually ready to add more of it on. Diets are something I can do but not loving. Not too hard to cut out somethings but miss others. Most of all I suck at control. It is so hard to feel that I have to always be in control of everything I do. And my weight loss is showing that I am wearing down. Getting really tired and want to revive myself so I do not lose momentum. So I was happy to read The Anderson Method. This is not a diet book. This is not a book of exercise. This is a book that works as a companion to your weight loss. William Anderson a Licensed Mental Health Counselor shares with us how to reprogram addictive habits. And eating is a necessary habit yet quite addictive at that. William Anderson lost 140 pounds (wow!) and has kept it off for over two decades now. He shares from experience and from what he has learned in years of counseling others.

In reading this book I have found ways to gain control over habits and compulsions. What sets up craving. And how to change what we crave. Also ways to adopt new habits and to stop using food for pleasure and comfort which is something I have always done.
Now I am better at conscious eating and planning ahead. Stop using DIETS and work at having a lifestyle change and stop buying those goodies that are not good for me.
I am learning to use tools for a better self image. It is has been hard for me to see the changes in my body even though everyone else sees them. With the Anderson Method I am working on written goals and self talk. I am also learning aversive conditioning which I think will help me focus on what I am doing better. Many overweight people have tried all other diets, fads and programs only to fail. But using this method of reprogramming their thought process they have won and learned the secret to permanent weight loss.

From Fat to Fit Give Away!

I reviewed the book From Fat to Fit recently and loved it. It has a great story of how we can all take off a few or a lot of pounds when we put our mind to it. You might also enjoy Carole's story. She has documented her weight loss and how she achieved it in a weekly diary form. Carole shares how she lost 41 lbs and 66 " in just 4 months all at the age of 59. Yes, as a senior citizen (we all are getting there) Carole made some life changes and came out all the better for it. She then shared this with others in her community, then wider in the state and finally nationwide. She even host an AARP site of Fat2Fit. I know that there is a host of stories of how others have also made the wonderful changes by accepting their own personal challenges. And I also joined the AARP web site to be part of the Fat2Fit group there too. Luckily I won an extra copy of the book From Fat to Fit by Carole Carson. And I would like to share the book with you. So I am going to give it away.

Easy to win!
Just comment that you too want to get a jump on losing weight or getting fit. Make sure I have your email somehow to contact you and your in.
Now if you want extra turns to win then do a few more lil tricks.
You can twitter about this give away and book and put the links on my comments.
Or you can put it on your facebook page with a link on my comments.
I will go along with notices you are a follower, have my button or even sharing my giveaway with others on your blog.

You know what? I will even give you an extra chance to win if you just tell me too on my comments. How easy is that.

So if you wish to jump right in, find some helpful advice in losing weight and win a free book----then comment!

Dear So and So . . .

Dear Lazy Body . . .

Why did you let me forget the new diet class I was to start last night? As a matter of fact, I do not understand how come you have effected me so badly here lately. Due to your attitude, I am now having a very hard time dealing with so many things. Like you have not paid all the bills. Nor have you been exercising as well as you should. And the diet is very important.
I think it is time that you get your act in gear. And off the lazy patoooohhtiee! I feel that your apathy is going to be the death of me yet. So, take some meds and go exercise before I have to kick your patooohhtiee!

Dear Brain Dead . . .

Why in the world did you let me embarrass myself last night. I know I needed to take dinner to Dear Hubby at the store he was working at. And it was great to see people I know there. But you could have told me I was in my NIGHTGOWN before I left the house. Not after I was standing out in public did you remind me of that lil fact............DANG IT!

I need more WAT-AAH!

I need to drink more water. It is important to my diet to do this. It is even more important to my body that I keep drinking water. Well it is a habit I am not use to. But I am trying. And in doing so I have learned not all water is the same.
Nope not at all.
Some taste yucky, some is very expensive, some is just perfect too!
I have found water that is just that.
Perfect!
WAT-AAH!


This is the call for me. Ice cold it can replenish all the water that I am losing with all this summer heat. And I can get WAT-AAH! that also helps me with my body, brain and energy. But there is not sugars added, flavorings or preservatives. But that is not all. Nope, of course not.
This water is also geared to talk to kids.
Why? Well because kids are targeted to drink sodas, energy drinks and lots and lots of sugar. This is not what they need. Yet! It is what they are enticed to drink.
SO, here is WAT-AAH! that is kid perfect too. Why?
It is packaged to appeal to kids, has their own language on it (thus WAT-AAH!) and has kids in mind. Moms want their kids to be healthy and it is not always easy to get them to do what is best for them. Now we have a way to show them water is, well, cool.

Check out WAT-AAH! and see if your kids get as excited about it as College Girl did. She loved that it tasted like water, not minerals or muddy. (We have lake water for our city supply--yuck!) Dear Hubby tried the energy WAT-AAH! instead of a energy shot and he said it worked great. Remember he works two jobs every day. Most I heard that they felt refreshed and replenished. That is what we all need.

• Product Review - Wat-Aah! Functional Water for Kids

  Review and taste test of Wat-Aah! premium water designed especially for kids, with no artificial flavors, colors, additives, or sugar and packaged in a ...
  http://familyfitness.about.com/od/nutrition/gr/review_wataah.htm

• Let Water Be Water, LLC, Launches WAT-AAH!(TM), First Premium ...

  22 May 2008 ... WAT-AAH! Aims to Help Combat Childhood and Teen Obesity Epidemic b... Offering First Healthy Drink Alternative With Attitude Not Sugar/p.
  http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Let-Water-Be-Water--LLC--Launches-WAT-AAH-21-28TM-29--First-Premium-Brand-of-Pure-Water-with-Function-Specially-Targeted-to-Kids-and-Teens-20114-1/

• WAT-AAH! CHALLENGE!

  Most kids think water is boring... WAT-AAH! is here to prove that water can be cool. A new Challenge to prove kids will choose water over soda.
  http://www.wat-aahchallenge.blogspot.com/

NOT Time to Make the Donuts

Yes, I am awake and wanting donuts as usual.
Of course I can not go and get any.
SO, lucky me still has some Holey Donuts in the freezer.

I had the Jumbo Reduced Fat Cinnamon Buns today.
Oh my word, Yummy is not good enough for me.
Now one was filling enough and at 340 calories it was a meal.
But that sure beats the 1100 calories of a Cinnabon Cinnamon roll.
And 5 grams of fat compared to 56 grams of fat is a difference.

The other day I was fussing cause I was hungry and yet did not eat.
I know, I know, silly me!
But it was due to feeling guilty for eating if it was filling.
I equate filling with fattening in my head.
I am glad I have a good alternative in the donut department to stop that thought.

So for me it is not time to "make the donuts" but time to enjoy the donuts!

Hungry Hungry Hippo

OK help me out here folks.

What do you eat when your hungry but on a diet?

No not the answers of carrot sticks and celery either.

I am hungry and am finding that I am hungry all the time.

Thus I keep saying, don't eat.

Dumb I know.

BUT I do.

In return I feel guilty about anything I do eat.

And so I feel I should not eat.

Thus the vicious cycle starts.

Hungry, don't eat, get hungrier, finally eat and feel bad about it, go longer before I eat again.

I do not want a salad. Tired of them.

I do not want to eat steamed veggies.

I want to eat something filling....but not feel guilty for it.

Tonight we are having a cook out and I know I will eat then.

So, I feel I am suppose to wait and not eat all day since I can eat later.

Not right. I know!

Not logical. Understand.

But, how do you change that internal dialoge?

National Donut Day

It's National Doughnut Day, and you know what that means -- FREE DOUGHNUTS!The Salvation Army created the holiday, which is always celebrated on the first Friday in June, in 1917 to boost the morale of troops fighting in WWI. According to holidayinsights.com, those doughnuts were fried in oil inside an American soldier's metal helmet.Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme outlets both are commemorating the holiday by giving out free doughnuts.To get your freebee at Dunkin' Donuts, you'll need to buy a drink. But there are no strings attached at Krispy Kreme.

Here i am on a DIET and my all time favorite food is out there being celebrated

WITHOUT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAAAAA!

Whooopie!

Well here is my weigh in update.

As of today going by Curves scales,
I am now 14 lbs lighter then I was 10 days ago.

So guess it is all working together.

Diet, Exercise, Alli and Symlin!

Symlin and Alli Information

OK Ladies, today I am going to share a little about my thoughts on

Symlin and Alli.


I started on Symlin yesterday at my doctor's suggestion. This is a "helper hormone" that was created to for diabetics. It helps regulate the amount of glucose and insulin that is released by the pancreas and liver when one eats. When doing the studies it was found that it the people also lost weight. WHY? Well it slows down your digestion to about double the time. In doing so you feel fuller sooner than before and for longer periods of time. I have found this to be so! Last night I had half a piece of beef liver, about the size of a deck of cards and 1/4 a cup of grilled onions (yes I like liver), 1/2 a cup of cooked carrots and 1/2 a cup of lettuce. Also a glass of cold water.
I was so full. This all could fit on a small bread plate. This meal was only 130 calories too! Now not all my meals have such a low calorie count.
Anyway, back to the effects. I was very full and did not wish to eat again even when I normally want a bedtime "snack". If you eat too many carbs while taking Symlin then you will have a nauseated effect. Now Symlin is in a shot form. That scared the tick out of me. But the needle on the pen is very very tiny. Both short and thin. I have not even felt a stick when I have done my shots. You take the shot 45 min to 15 min before your two largest meals. By doing this you will be able to eat much less than normal.


Alli is my other new product I am using. This you take about 15 min before meals that will have much fat in them. Alli works by helping your body not absorb all of the fat you take in. If you eat a lot of fat in a meal then you may have a "gassy" effect. I have not had any issues at all. I don't notice any side effects from taking Alli.

Now it is way way way to soon for me to tell you any results in weight loss. But I know that I have been working out at Curves for 3 months and have gained weight. Yeah, they tell me it is muscle mass that I am creating. I have been eating under 1730 calories a day for only 2 weeks also. I had a 2 lb loss during that time according to my doctors scales. Alli is suppose to help double the amount of weight you lose. So we will find out. And Symlin is supposed to help me eat less. I will be thrilled to find that this combined effort works. I am well over 100 lbs overweight with a bmi over 40. So I must do something and do it now.