{31 days of Jillian Michaels}

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Yep...it's just as scary as it sounds.  I, along with several hundred other women, have committed to 31 days of Jillian Michaels.  Grab the Aleve NOW!!  Haha!!

  My goal??  I just want to be healthier.  I am seriously trying HARD.  I am changing my eating habits, trying to kick soda (down to about 1 per week), and adding some sort of exercise into my daily routine.  I track my meals, water intake, and cardio with MyFitnessPal  <--- Find me on there...I heart new friends.  I'm also part of a phenomenal support group on Facebook with some AMAZING women.  Seriously!!  Love them all, and everyone is a stranger to me...except for Jenn (awesome chick with a great story...check her out).  I feel so accountable to these women.  They are soooo supportive, even over itty bitty victories, and encouraging to the MAX.  Love those Hookstars!!

So as of last night, this is my calendar.  

It hangs on my refrigerator so that I am not only accountable to myself and those fabulous Hookstars, I am accountable to Kayleigh & Matt.  My progress is public knowledge :)  I can't wait to see my accomplishment in 30 days.  

I'll update {and probably bitch, gripe & complain} along the way.  Please pardon my behavior in advance.  I'm sure every diiiirty word said during my 30 days will be well worth the payoff.  

{Do you Meal Plan?}

Image Source 

Meal Planning.  Holy geez...this is a popular little topic.  I see it EVERYWHERE.  It seems as though almost every blog I follow talks about meal planning in some way.  I am an on again, off again meal planner.  I started planning again a couple weeks ago when I was sooo effin' tired of eating out.  I mean really!!  Not only does eating out cost at least double what a home made meals costs (sometimes more), I have NO CLUE what is going into the preparation of the meal.  Nor do I know whose nasty little unwashed, gross, disgusting hands are preparing said meal.  YUCK!!  The saving money aspect of meal planning seals the deal for me (I'm a complete saver and cheap-o)...but the uncleanliness puts it WAYYYY OVER THE EDGE!!!  

Since starting back I've noticed a difference in the amount of our grocery bill (in a good way) just by planning and using what we have on hand for dinner.  No, it may not be everyone's favorite meat/item of choice, but we're saving money and know exactly what is going into our bodies.  

Now, I'm all for fast meals.  Those are the best for a workin' Mama who doesn't get off work until 5:00 and isn't normally home until 5:30-5:45.  Then, there are a million and one chores to be finished before bed.  So, you see, there isn't a lot of time in there to spend making some elaborate meal.  I've been using Pinterest recently as my go-to for new recipes.  Almost everything I have tried is decently quick and easy peasy.  That being said, I don't want to use a lot of processed ingredients either.  So, I must find an equal balance.  I try to prepare anything I can the night before IF I have time.  Which I why I LOVE casseroles.  9 times out of 10 they are simplistic & yummy. Which brings me to my question, and reasoning, for this whole post...  

What easy, peasy, 'yummy in my tummy' recipes do you use during the week?  I appreciate any help, advice, & recipes offered.

Thanks y'all!!

 

{It's Fall Y'all!!}

Kayleigh's fall pic 2011.  I think she's pretty cute...but I am a little biased :)

I LOVE Fall.  The temperature outside slowly cooling down.  The crisp smell of the air.  The beautiful foliage.  Carving/decorating pumpkins.   Halloween.   The fair (cause I'm a foodie fatty & I big.puffy.pink.heart the sweet, delicious, greasy CRAP they pass off as food).  Yes...it happens...I won't lie to y'all.  I guess I'll just run a little harder or maybe do my Jillian Michaels DVD an extra couple times the days prior.  I have a huge love/hate relationship with Jillian.  

Anywho...a few days ago I read through some of the blogs I follow on a daily/semi-daily basis and found this perfect little dessert creation.  Mini Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecakes.  It was in love at first site.  Found the recipe from this cool chick here.  

I decided to whip them up Wednesday night and well...the rest is history!!  Two words: LOVE THEM!!!  They are just the right amount of sweet to satisfy my craving, they require no baking, & their best aspect...they're pretty much GUILT FREE.  Mmmhmm...you read that correctly.  GUILT. FREE.  So, grab your ingredients and get to 'non baking'.  Enjoy!!

Mini Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecakes

Crust

7 graham cracker sheets

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 Tbsp sugar

4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Mixture

8 oz. Cool Whip Free

1 (8 oz) package fat-free cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar (or 6 Splenda packets)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Pumpkin Mixture

1/3 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. allspice

In a food processor, grind up the graham cracker sheets into fine crumbs.  {If you don’t have a food processor or blender, place the graham crackers into a bag and crush them with a rolling pan or a cup.}  Place the graham cracker crumbs into a bowl and add in the ground cinnamon and sugar.  Melt the butter and add it to the graham cracker crumbs.

Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and put one tablespoon of the graham cracker crumb mixture in the bottom of each liner.  Press down the crumbs with your hand.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese, vanilla extract and sugar (or Splenda) for a few minutes until fluffy.  Add the Cool Whip and whip until smooth.  To make the pumpkin mixture, combine the pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger and allspice.  Add 2/3 cup of the cheesecake mixture to the pumpkin mixture.  Stir with a spatula until the two batters are completely combined and there are no lumps.

Using a cookie dough scoop (or spoon), fill each cupcake liner with 1 1/2 scoop fulls of the cheesecake mixture.  Each liner should be filled almost to the top.  Now place three dots of pumpkin batter onto the cheesecake batter in the liner.  I used a 1/4 teaspoon to scoop the pumpkin batter.  Use a toothpick to swirl the two batters.

Once each cheesecake cup is swirled, placed the cupcake pans into the fridge to chill for a few hours (I chose to keep mine in overnight) until firm.  

Want the nutritional skinny on these fabulous little babies???

Servings: 12

Serving Size: 1 mini cheesecake

Calories: 106

Fat: 3.8 g

Carbs: 12.1 g

Fiber: 0.3 g

Protein: 2.8 g

Old Points: 2.4 pts

Points+: 3 pts

I can't wait to make these again later in the season and without the pumpkin for the rest of the seasons :)

{Lacking Presence...that's ME!!}

Mercy! Almost a month since my last post...I suck! Holy moly! I WILL post more often, I WILL post more often! I must start planning some posts in advance. I did say in a previous post I would like all aspects of my life ORGANIZED. I'll put that on my ever growing, 'Sure I hope I get around to this' to-do list (Sigh!). So, enough about my awesomeness and on to this FABULOUS recipe I found on Pinterest.  <----Find me on there!

I often lay in bed at night after reading and subconsciously pin 1000484950583737838 things to my boards. MOST of them being food.  Or, I have a horrible habit of being hungry and getting on to search for new food ideas and recipes. Why, why, why do I torture myself??? I realize I have a small Pinterest addiction. Hi, my name is Lauren and I have a pinning problem. The first step is admitting the problem, right?!?!  Ha! I kid, I kid!!

Anyway...I found this lovely recipe for Jalapeño Popper Chicken. It is so yummy. I LOVE heat & I LOVE Mexican food. But I DISLIKE the calories.  Like, I could eat it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Buuuuuut, I would be a big fat fatty if I did...so I try to resist the urge.  Trust me, it's hard.  Without further rambling, here is the recipe...adapted a little from here. Enjoy!!

Serves 2 (I doubled everything so I would have left overs for lunch)

1/2 cup panko

2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1.5 – 2 tsp. taco seasoning (I used the Fiesta Party dip from Tastefully Simple)

1/4 cup egg substitute

2 oz. reduced fat cream cheese (I chose the whipped kind...makes it a little easier to mix)

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2% or low fat)

1-2 jalapeño peppers, seeds and ribs removed, minced

2 chicken breasts

Preheat the oven to 375 and place an ovenproof rack onto a rimmed baking dish. Spray with cooking oil.

In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the panko with the olive oil. Cook, stirring often, until the panko is golden and crispy. Place in a shallow bowl or dish. To the panko, add the taco seasoning* and stir to combine.

In another shallow bowl or dish, pour your egg substitute. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños.

Using a small utility knife, cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, or horizontally slice the chicken through the center, until it is almost butterflied. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper, and then divide the cream cheese mixture evenly between each chicken breast’s pocket. Use toothpicks to secure, if necessary.

Dip the chicken pieces one at a time first into the egg substitute, and then into the panko mixture, making sure to coat the chicken completely. Place the chicken on the prepared baking rack and cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Here is my finished product served with homemade pico de gallo (I'll post on that soon), and cheesy rice.  Sooooo darn good!!

Not completely sure of the calorie or WW points+ count...but I know it's much better than eating in some random Mexican joint.  At least I know exactly what is going into my body :)

{Ready, Set, Goal!}

I must stay committed!  I must stay committed!  


This will be an on-going post that will continuously be updated with my personal and financial goals.  


1.  Buy a house.
2.  Have enough savings to cover one year's expenses.
3.  Read 1 self-help book per month for one year.
4.  Get organized...completely!!
5.  Read to Kayleigh EVERY night, weekend or not.
6.  Read a devotional every morning.  
7.  Invest, invest, invest
8.  Fully fund a college account for Kayleigh.

{Tasty Tuesday: Bangin' Good Shrimp}

I love, love, love when I find a recipe that tastes so darn good AND it's "skinny". Oh, that just rocks my socks! I found Ms. Gina over at Skinny Taste a while back and fell in love...like big puffy heart LOVE. She takes regular recipes and turns them into wonderful weight friendly creations AND adds the Weight Watchers Points Plus values. That makes her super fab in my book!!  And, if you ask really nice, sometimes she'll take requests to "skinny-ize" (I think I just made a new word) your fav recipe.  Yep, you're welcome for the introduction :)

Anyway...on to the good stuff. I have recently started trying to eat better/cleaner and what better recipe for dinner other than this!

Gina's photo, not mine.  I can only wish my IPhone produced quality like this 

Banging Good Shrimp 

Ingredients:  

• 5 tbsp light mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (found near the soy sauce)
• 1 tsp Sriracha (to taste)

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb large shrimp, shelled and deveined (weight after peeled)
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp canola oil
• 3 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 4 tbsp scallions, chopped

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce and Sriracha. Set aside.
Combine lettuce and cabbage and divide between four plates. Set aside. 

Coat shrimp with cornstarch, mixing well with your hands. Heat a large skillet or wok on high heat, when hot add oil. When oil is hot add the shrimp to hot pan and cook tossing a few times until cooked through, about 3 minutes.  Remove from pan and combine with the sauce coating well.  Place shrimp on lettuce and top with scallions.

Side note: I did not plate my shrimp on a bed of lettuce, nor did I add the scallions.  I grilled green, yellow, and red bell peppers and served with a side of brown rice.  SUPER YUMMY!!

Here is my plate...not near as picture perfect as Gina's, but it totally rocked my taste buds!!

Got any good "skinny" recipes you want to share?  I wanna try them!!

{Starting Now}

I follow several blogs daily, all of different content. Most of them share common interests...improvement, achieving goals, accountability & inspiration. I realized recently that I read these blogs, but that's really all I do. I don't apply the information as I should. I use excuses for not completing a task to make myself feel better for the moment. But in turn, I feel worse by not following through. Starting now...I plan to have weekly and monthly goals for my life, my daughter, and my finances. I am the only one who can make a change and make a difference. Improving my life starts by making a decision and staying accountable. I'm at the starting line and the race is about to begin...

{I'm back!!}

Whew!!  I'm finally back to my normal, routine way of life again...and I'm soooo thankful.  Planning a birthday party for a 6 year old takes a LOT of work.  But every one's hard work paid off and it turned out beautiful.  Fit for a princess I must say =) 

Check out the awesome decorations...





The following shots are probably my absolute favorite of the day...

I can't say thank you enough to my friend Cindy for the AWESOME decor...my friend Che' for the gorgeous photography...and last but not least, my mom who always seems to pull me, and the event, through when my anxiety kicks into overdrive.

{Apologies}

Oh My Goodness!!  Where has the week gone?!?!  I have been so busy between preparing for Kayleigh's birthday party this weekend, attending birthday parties last weekend, helping a new recruit on my Mary Kay team get started, the normal 40 hour work week, being a Mommy, and keeping the house in some sort of order.  I seriously NEED a few extra hours each day...or a clone =)  With that being said, I realize I haven't posted lately and the above stated is my reasoning.  Sorry about that.  I am crossing my fingers my life will return to some sort of normalcy after this weekend and I can get back to blogging.  Hope y'all are enjoying your week and having a Happy Leap Year Day!!
 

{Whatcha' Eatin' Wednesday :: Fourth Edition}

Sorry, I took a small vacation last week from posting.  I was quite feeling up to par.  But now that I am...let's get started!

My Breakfast:

I started my morning off with a plain Arnold Sandwich Thin toasted and smeared with 1 Laughing Cow Light Cream Cheese wedge.  It was super quick, easy, and o-so-yummy!  What's even better is that my breakfast was only 4 points+.  Woohoo!

My Lunch:

Lunch was catered in from Longhorn by a pharmaceutical rep. I THOUGHT I chose a decently healthy lunch...but much to my surprise it was far from it.  I ordered the half strawberry and chicken salad and half potato soup.  I didn't bother to calculate my points until after I consumed them (big mistake), I realized I had eaten almost 14 points for lunch.  OH MY!!  I only receive 26 points+ a day.  Therefore I have 8 points+ to last me through dinner. 

My Dinner:

We had already planned to eat pizza with my Daddy tonight and I'm sure 8 points+ isn't going to go far.  Guess I'll take some fruit and fill up on good stuff instead of empty calories =)

{Happy Fat Tuesday}

According to Wikipedia, Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday.  Wow!!  And to think...some people celebrate this day consuming alcohol, partying it up, and trying their hardest to obtain the most beads.  We've commercialized this holiday (along with many others) and put our own little spin on it, don't ya think?

I honestly didn't realize Lent started the day after Fat Tuesday.  Being raised in a Baptist denomination church, I don't really remember observing the season of Lent.  I do remember learning the basics on Lent while in school, such as it consisting of the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday and that most people "fast" something in their everyday life. 

I have always wondered if I could "fast" something for 40 days.  Honestly, it doesn't seem like an extremely long period of time, but I'm sure it's longer than I realize when it's something I do, use, or consume daily.  So, here comes my challenge..."CAN I fast something for 40 days??"  Of course I can!!  With a little determination, I can do anything I set my mind to!!  Now...what would I like to abstain from for the next 40 days?  Oh geez!!  Decisions, decisions!!  I might as well go big or go home with this soooooo......I will "fast" my FAVORITE soft drink, SunDrop.  I don't drink near as much SunDrop as I used to, but I do have my days where I just crave the sweet citrus taste.  You may want to pray for those around me =)  Just kidding.  I'm sure it will be difficult in the beginning; but like anything else, I'll learn to adapt. 

What are you "fasting" for Lent?



{Just. Press. Play}

To say that I ♥ music is a HUGE understatement.  The only time my brain isn't bouncing to music is when my pretty little eyeballs are getting some shut eye.  Music is a MUST in the car...especially in the morning!  It's my lyrical coffee =)  I am constantly listening to the radio or my iPhone at work.  Music glides me through the work day, and normally before I know it...it's time to go!

So as I was running my C25K the other day, and jamming out to my workout play list on my iPhone, I was wondering what genre of music others listen to when they work out.  Or if they listen at all??  I read a lady's blog a while back that said she ran to classical music.  Interesting!  I would never make it a quarter of a mile running to classical music, but hey...to each their own!!  I personally HAVE TO HAVE upbeat, rockin' songs.  Otherwise...this chick might as well not even get on the treadmill.  Not even to walk!  So...I give you my workout play list: 

~Bad Girlfriend - Theory of a Deadman
~Boom Boom Pow - BEP **Love, love, love this song.  I could hit repeat and run to nothing else!!
~I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
~Fergalicious - Fergie
~Poker Face - Lady GaGa
~Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO
~Hypnotized - Notorious BIG ** LOVE the beginning of this song...it's just one of those mood changer songs.
~Footloose - Kenny Loggins **Another mood changing, can't sit still song =)
~3 - Britney Spears
~Toxic - Britney Spears

I realize it's not very long and needs some TLC.  That's where you fabulous people of the interwebs come in...Yay!!  I would LOOOOOOVE to expand my list and find out what everyone listens to.  Got any great "get up and move your booty" songs?  Send them my way!! =)

{Happy Valentine's Day}

I hate the fact that Valentine's Day has turned into such a ridiculously expensive commercial holiday.  I too am guilty for participating in buying gifts for Kayleigh and Matt...but isn't it really ALL about Love??  Why do we "need" tangible items to declare our love for others?  Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't make an extra effort to express your love for someone today.  But then again, shouldn't you do this every day?  You don't necessarily have to present your loved one/significant with some kind of gift, but maybe instead, just a quick note or a nice card with something from the heart.  That would mean more to me than a gift, honestly.  I think we all get lost in the Valentine's hype and forget that sometimes the little things in life really mean the most. 

With that being said...I can't wait to spend the evening with Kayleigh, Matt, and Matt's family eating dinner and enjoying each other's company.

I ♥ both of my lovies :)

{Whatcha' Eatin' Wednesday :: Third Edition}

My Breakfast:

 

I have been alternating between my Chobani yogurts and these fabulous Atkins Shakes.  Normally, I am not a huge fan of the meal replacement shakes.  I've tried several brands and flavors and they all normally taste like yuck.  I was very reluctant to try the shakes a few weeks ago, but a friend of mine recommended them AND I got them at a super price.  So I'm not really out anything.  But much to my surprise, they are actually good.  The shakes are packed with 15g of protein and only 1g of sugar, so that means they keep me full :)  And weighing in at only 5 points+ they are a great choice for breakfast on the fly!

My Lunch:

Lunch was catered in by a pharmaceutical rep.  She brought some yummy sandwiches, wraps, salad, and soup.  I had a half of a ham, cheese, and tomato wrap on a sun dried wrap.  I had a small cup of tomato basil soup that was soooooo yummy!  I'm not exactly sure how many points I consumed for lunch, because we weren't provided any nutritional information, but I would guess no more than 7.

My Dinner:

Matt, Kayleigh, and I ate dinner at a local Japanese joint.  Kayleigh and I shared the teriyaki shrimp with mushrooms and it was devine!  Again, I'm not sure of my points accumulation, put I haven't been too terribly bad today. 

I haven't been as strict as I should be today, but that's all part of learning the lifestyle of a diet.  There will be good days, bad days, and at times REALLY bad days.  The only thing I can do is clean it up tomorrow and start clean...and that's what I plan to do. 

{100 Days of School}

Yesterday marked the 100th day of the school year here in Gaston County.  Now when I was in school this was a BIG day.  This was the "beginning of the end".  Since Kayleigh is only 5 she hasn't quite caught a case of summer-itis, but I'm sure her day will come.  So for now, the 100th day of school just means dressing up for a fun day.  The elementary school she attends gave each student 3 options of participation. 

You could: 

1. Dress as though you were 100 years old,

2. Create a shirt with 100 items, or

3. Create a shirt with the number 100.

As you can see below, we opted for creating a shirt that represented her style oh so well :)  Kayleigh is just like me...if it's pink and blings, I must have it!!  Her hot pink shirt with silver sequined numbers and a sequined crown fit her personality perfectly.  I wish my phone had captured a better picture...either way, she's a cutie in my book :)



{National Wear Red Day}

Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23

Today is the American Heart Association National Wear Red Day.

For more information about National Wear Red Day, please visit the American Heart Association.