May be a good reason to do Valentines at home?

The following article from Everyday Health shows some of the really caloric intake found in your favorite restaurant foods.  Kinda Gross if you ask me?

Click Here to read the article. 

Begin With The End In Mind

This was originally posted by Pam in out 30 Day Challenge back in November.  I strongly encourage you to do it honestly.



See yourself going to a funeral. You walk inside the building to see friends, family and you feel the sorrow of losing, the joy of having known, that radiates from the hearts of people there.



As you walk down to the front of the room and look inside the casket, you suddenly come face to face with yourself. This is your funeral, three years from today. All these people have come to honor you, to express feelings of love and appreciation for your life.
As you take a seat and wait for the services to begin, you look at the program in your hand. There are to be four speakers. The first from your family (immediate or extended) – children, brothers, sisters, parents, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. The second speaker is one of your friends, someone who can give a sense of who you were as a person. The third speaker is from your work or your profession. And the fourth is from your church or some community organization where you’ve been involved service.
Now think deeply. What would you like each other these speakers to say about you and your life? What kind of husband, wife, father, mother, daughter or son would you like their words to reflect? Grandchild? Cousin? What kind of friend? What kind of working associate?
What character would you like them to have seen in you? What contributions, what achievements would you want them to remember? Look carefully at the people around you. What difference would you have liked to make in their lives?


If you participated seriously in the above visualization you touched for a moment some of your deep, fundamental values.

“Beginning with the end in mind” is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.


Take the time to record the impressions you had in the funeral visualization. What did family say about your character, contributions, achievements? What did friends, colleagues, or someone from your church/community express about the same three things?


Now take a few moments and write down your roles as you now see them. Are you satisfied with that mirror image of your life?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change – Stephen R. Covey

When I did this the first time my Grandmother had just been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, and this hit way too close to home.  After a visit with her and hearing some of her wise words,  I can home and really did the exercise.  Was I the person I wanted to be, how would my loved ones remember me?  It is very powerful to think of your life this way.  I hope you take the time to do this, it really makes you think about what is truly important in your life,

PYHO - What Yoga is doing for me....

I come to you today from Shell's PYHO again.  I hope you will take the time to check her and all the other great blog post out at her site.

"When you are in the flow of what you are meant to be doing,
i.e. your purpose... it all falls together
at the speed of light and arrives at your doorstep
without even having to look for it."

2011 was a year of great highs and great lows for me.  I started the year feeling on top of the world.  I was turning 30, and had great plans as to who I was going to be and what my life was going to be like.

I went into the year with a positive attitude and a happy heart. 

But life had other plans, as I celebrated one up of reaching my goals to finally drop my "baby Fat" by the time I was 30, my Grandfather would become very ill and pass away just 10 days later. 

The year followed this pattern, as one good thing would come my way, another one would leave.

I would create new and wonderful friendships, only to feel like others were slipping away.

The year ended for me on December 10th when I learned that my Grandmother had passed away after a very short battle with cancer, then watched a good friend lose his mother that same weekend.

I wanted to crawl in a hole and wake up in 2012, I did not want anymore of this year. 

I felt the heaviness of the past year weighing on me, my heart and the people around me that I love so much. 

The weight of it all seemed unbearable, and I was not sure what I was going to do.  There are still times when I really am not sure how to go on with my Grandparents, and I am sure there always will be. 

I wanted 2012 to be better, but I wasn't putting these grand expectations on my life, and I wasn't going to set myself up for disappointment this time. 

Here enters Yoga. 

It was not until finally relaxation at our 3rd class that I realized what Yoga was doing for me, and how much of the heaviness was lifting. 

Our instructor read the following prayer to us. 

It was in that moment of silence that I realized that I really needed the quiet meditation of Yoga to reconnect me to ME, and to be ok with how I feel about everything I have gone through this past year.  It is what is making me into the person I want to be.

"Never a bother,



you are a blessing.






Not a hindrance,


you are hope.






Impossible to be a nuisance;


you are a necessary, needed,


integral part of life.






You're not a drain, a drag, a deficit;


you are a divine delight,


daring to dream of dancing free.






You're not your body;


you are a being of light,


beautifully bright to see.






You are Love, expressing,


growing, healing, knowing,


showing the way home.






You are Love."



Guest Post - Diane on Vitamins

No matter how hard I try I don't always eat a balanced food day.  I am a firm believer in taking your vitamins.  I do, my kids do, my hubby does.  I feel confident knowing that even on those days that I don't eat the greatest I still have gotten my required Vitamins, Minerals and Omegas.

Today's Guest post comes from Diane and her Husband Paul over at HEALTHY LIVING 4 U! ENJOY!



 



Five Things You Should Really Look for In a Multivitamin





Choosing a quality multivitamin is easier with a few guidelines

Choosing a multivitamin-mineral supplement can be puzzling. Conflicting messages abound in the marketplace, especially on the Internet. And, as expected, the confusion is not helped by reports from the media that tend to overemphasize observational studies that confirm bias against supplementation. The reality is that the quality of multivitamin-mineral supplements ranges widely.



The highest quality dietary supplements are those designed according to current science and technologies—they use the most stable and efficacious forms of vitamins and minerals, have optimal solubility rates, are third-party tested for potency and shelf life, and provide optimal vitamin-and-mineral dosages that are divided over the course of the day for best absorption.



On the other end of the quality spectrum are the popular “one-a-day” supplements, which claim to provide all that the body needs in a single tablet; they may provide adequate amounts of many nutrients, but severely neglect others. Other supplements use synthetic vitamins when science demonstrates the body’s preference for the natural forms. Finally, some supplement companies claim higher absorption or bioavailability because their nutrients come directly from, or are paired with, “whole foods”; such claims are misleading because they are not presented with data. These vitamins do not actually come from whole foods, but are simply combined with botanicals that may even inhibit absorption.



Far be it for all marketers to paint a clear picture of the science, or for the media to do a little homework before lumping all dietary supplements in the same category of low quality and worthless. The fact is though, that there have been well-designed studies showing clear benefits from taking supplements in forms appropriate and in dosages that assist in meeting dietary recommendations for optimal health. If this weren’t true, or if multivitamins were somehow “dangerous”, then why do most medical doctors continue prescribing prenatal multivitamins to women who are expecting?



A proper review and critique of multivitamin-mineral supplements should be based on how well it reflects positions of scientific consensus on dosage, forms, and delivery. A few of the things to look for in a supplement are these:



Quality – According to a recent Consumer Labs report, one in three supplements either contained fewer nutrients than promised on the label, provided far more nutrients than claimed, had incorrect labeling of ingredients, or simply failed to disintegrate in the allotted time for proper absorption. If uncertain about whether or not a supplement really provides what it claims to, it’s probably a supplement to avoid. Take a multivitamin-mineral only if it comes from a reputable company that tests label claims through an independent laboratory.

Efficacy – It’s well-known that some forms of vitamins or minerals are more stable, or more bioavailable, than others. For example, natural vitamin D3 exhibits greater retention in the body compared to synthetic vitamin D2 (1). Likewise, vitamin E in its natural form of d-alpha tocopherol provides greater activity than its synthetic mixture counterpart, dl-alpha tocopherol, which contains only a small percentage of the natural form (2). Another example is vitamin B12 as cyanocobalamin, which is more stable than other forms of vitamin B12, thus allowing for greater shelf life.

Optimal dosages – Multivitamin-mineral supplement makers will often add a mineral such as calcium or an antioxidant such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to help it sell better in the marketplace, but not in high enough doses to really strengthen bones or support the heart. Such supplements should be avoided in favor of others that actually supply enough of each nutrient to truly be effective. Similarly, should a supplement contain omega-3 fatty acids, it should contain a high enough concentration of both DHA and EPA for heart health. In short, dosages should reflect the latest that science has to offer as recommendations for health and longevity.

Solubility – Have you heard of “bed pan bullets”? That’s what doctors used to call tableted multivitamin pills that passed through the body unabsorbed. Science has come a long way to provide technologies for better solubility, but there still are a few multivitamins on the market that don’t disintegrate appropriately enough to be absorbed properly. The standard for a quality multivitamin-mineral tablet is to disintegrate within 60 minutes or less in an acidic solution mimicking the environment in the stomach—even better is if it can disintegrate easily in plain water or rice vinegar.

Absorption and bioavailability – Companies make misleading claims when they market their supplements as more highly absorbed or bioavailable because they are from, or combined with, “whole food” or “vegetable components.” For one thing, the source of their vitamins is really not different than anyone else’s, which is obtained through yeast fermentation. The “whole-food” source supplements also seldom meet label claims or stability for shelf life. In addition, they don’t account for anti-nutrient components; for example, a supplement containing leafy green vegetables such as spinach may also contain anti-nutrient compounds called oxalates that inhibit absorption of other minerals in the supplement through chelation (that’s not to say people should avoid eating spinach, but that improved absorption and bioavailability from a spinach supplement is false) (3). There are also supplements on the market (obviously not designed by nutritionists familiar with the science) that completely disregard well-known absorption problems when dosages of minerals such as calcium are too high, or when mineral competitiveness occurs between iron, calcium, zinc, and copper (3 & 4). A quality supplement will use forms of minerals without absorption-inhibiting anti-nutrients and have an appropriate amount of minerals in each tablet to be taken in divided doses over the course of the day.

Before ever venturing out to choose a multivitamin-mineral, each of the five points presented above should be considered by those looking to achieve the greatest value from their supplements. All things considered, our choice is Ageless Essentials Daily Pack, which comes in convenient A.M. and P.M. packets. Over the course of the day, the pack provides optimal dosages of essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D3 (2000 IU), calcium (800 mg for men, 900 mg for women), vitamin E as mixed tocopherols and d-alpha tocopheryl succinate (90 IU), and vitamin K2 (80 mcg).

The pack also includes a potent combination of bioactive compounds that support optimal health and longevity. These include patented, lipid-soluble CoQ10 (100 mg) backed by studies showing eight times greater bioavailability, maximum concentrations of ultra-purified DHAand EPA omega-3 fatty acids (600 mg EPA, 440 mg DHA), trans-resveratrol (250 mg), and more.

Add in Product B to the order—Ageless Essentials with Product B—and as clearly displayed on every box, “Imagine adding life to your years with an increased feeling of youth, health and vitality.”





References



Food and Nutrition Board. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference intakes. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000, pp. 186-283.

Heaney R et al. Vitamin D3 is More Potent Than Vitamin D2 in Humans. J Clin Endocrin & Metab. 2011;96(3):E477 doi: 10.1210/jc.2010-2230

Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff JL. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2009.

Hoffman H et al. Zinc-induced copper deficiency. Gastroenterology 1988; 94:508-12.

I Challenge You to "Pay It Forward"...

Such A Simple Concept.

Wikihow offers this tip on the concept of paying it forward; 

 "Practicing the "pay it forward" principle will make you alert to unexpected kindness from strangers toward you, and you may find yourself becoming more grateful for everyday kindness and consideration from people you don't even know." 

Think about it.  When was the last time you did something for someone else without expecting ANYTHING in return?  Or perhaps the last time you decided to put the needs of a complete stranger over yours? 

During this 30 day Challenge we are making the time to DO for ourselves and make ourselves feel better.  Which is very important don't get me wrong!  But at this stage in the Challenge you should be starting to see and feel the benefits of your hard work, you feel good, you look good, and your energy is increasing.  You are well on your way to reaching your goals on your vision board right? 

So why not use some the positive energy and put it to good use?  The concept is simple.  Just follow these simple steps; (as outlined on Wikihow)

1. Be attentive wherever you are for opportunities to help someone. Perhaps you have an elderly or disabled neighbor who is too proud to ask for help with their yard work or maybe you're in a restaurant and see someone who looks like they could use some kind stranger to pay for their meal. You can change people's attitudes about the world through your unobtrusive acts of kindness.
2. Do something nice for someone you don't know (or don't know very well). It should be something significant, and not for a person from whom you expect a good deed -- or anything at all, for that matter -- in return.
3. Spread the word. If the person thanks you and wants to "repay" you (that is, pay it "back"), let them know that what you'd really like is for them to pay it "forward" -- you'd like them to do something nice for three people they don't know, and ask those three people to do something nice for three more people. The idea is to consciously increase the goodness of the world.
4. Pay it forward. When you notice that somebody has done something nice for you, make a note in your mind to practice three acts of kindness towards other people, as described in Step 3.

It is so simple right?  Yet you won't believe how great you will feel seeing that you have brightened someone Else's day.  It doesn't have to be a monetary gift, it can me anything.  Just remember, when you have been blessed by kindness, PAY IT FORWARD!

What ACTS have you done??

Nothing to Say Monday - You Really ARE!

Believe it!

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

This Ones For The Ladies

Trust me when I say this one is for the ladies!  If your not a lady, pass it on to someone who is and stop reading here!  Men often get sqeamish when you say the word PERIOD! I warned you!

I need one of these,
so every time I wear it people know NOT TO PISS ME OFF!!

You are well into your cleanse, you feel great and WOW, have you seen how great your pants look?  Then you wake up one morning, your pants are tight, your exhausted, YOUR STARVING, and you really want a giant bowl of chocolate ice cream!  You have your PERIOD!! If you are anything like me this will be THE HARDEST week of your challenge.  All you want to do is EAT, SLEEP, and BITCH!  You may feel like there is no way you are going to get to the end of your period and still have the lost numbers on the scale!  This week is hard, but NOT IMPOSSIBLE!!  There are lots of ways to curb your cravings and get you through.  I know that you have worked so hard already, and the last thing you want to do is sabotage yourself right now.  I am going to give you my "Coping Strategies".

• Your Exhausted - Allow yourself time to sleep.  Seriously!!  If you just feel worn out and completely lacking in energy, give yourself the permission to have a nap, go to bed early, and hit the snooze button!  Your body is in overdrive right now, you are cleaning out ALL your systems!  It IS exhausting! If you just can't do the 30 min work out, then don't!! aim for 10 mins!  Just don't sit in front of the TV with a bowl of ice cream!
• Pass the salt! - You are craving some salty chips, but do you really want to do that to yourself?  You know you will regret it later.  Most of the time you are craving salt because you are dehydrated, so start by making yourself a BIG glass of Energenix water.  If that still hasn't stopped the cravings roast a handful of almonds with a sprinkle of sea salt. 
• CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE NOW!! - So if you haven't already tried these, you need too!! ISADELIGHT PLUS Chocolates, they are now available in milk, and dark chocolate.  They are the guilt free way to have your chocolate, because they have green tea in them.  When I crave chocolate it is usually in the form of ice cream so this is what I do.  I blend about 5 ice cubes in my bullet until they are like snow, add 2 scoops of Chocolate Isalean Shake, 2 tbsp water, blend until creamy like ice cream, them top with crushed Isadelight!  HOLY GOOD BATMAN!!
• Your pants are tight!  Don't get discouraged, your pants get tight every month!  I know it is hard to look at the tight pants and not get upset after working so hard the last couple weeks, but don't.  Come this time next week you will be feeling great again, so no worries!
• Your Sweet Tooth is aching! - There are a lot of us that crave cookies, cakes and all things sweet and sugary!  When I NEEEEEDDDD a cookie I grab a SlimCake "with only 90 calories, 5 grams of filling fiber from whole oats, inulin and flaxseed and a delicious blend of antioxidant-rich berries, SlimCakes are healthy and delicious snacks."  Sometimes I will crumble one over a 1/3 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt and a handful of berries.  So good, and will totally curb the cravings!

Those are the ways that I get through my "bloated, crabby, I NEED CHOCOLATE" week. 

How about you?  Any tips for the rest of us?

PYHO (Challenge) Letting Go of the Negative

I started participating in Shell's Pour Your Heart Out a while a go.  I found a place where I could get it out, and it felt so good.  I realized that doing this PYHO was a great way to put on the screen the things that were eating away at me that week, and I encourage all of you to do the same.  Your Challenge today is to check her out and join up.  Write down anywhere (even here in the comments area if you like)  something you need to Pour Your Heart Out about.  

Letting Go Of The Negative

For a long time I allowed negative comments and attitudes to define who and what I was.  I was negative towards others and myself.  I allowed others belief in who I should be cloud who I wanted me to be. It was very hard for me to look for the good in people and in my situation, when I myself felt like people were always thinking negative about me.  It is still something I struggle with a lot.

When I first started this blog I had every intention of looking forward and being positive.  I wanted to start a new lifestyle, a more positive one.  I had tried different angles and approaches for the blog this past year, but it always came back to the fact that I wanted to be a more positive person.  I wanted to share things with others things that would encourage them, make them feel better both on the inside and the outside.  I wanted to share that everyday IS "The First Day.... Of The Rest of Your Life."  That you can have a new beginnings everyday, that what you did yesterday does not have to define who you are today.  Just because I had a bad day yesterday and was moody and grumpy, does not mean I have to continue it into today.  The choice is mine, I decide who I am today, not anyone else.

photo credit

I found this little check List while I was doing some searching on the Web, and thought it had some good points.   A lot of it is what I have been trying to do in my life. 

How to be positive:

• Focus on what you want, not on what you do not want.
• Focus your mind on the good things you already have in your life. If you focus on them, these good things will increase in your life.
• Do not fill your mind with thoughts of lack. Think and believe that you already have abundance, success, love and happiness.
• Learn to feel, think and even act, as if you are already living the life you visualize. If you can feel, think and act consistently in this way, you will become happier, and will attract new opportunities into your life.
• Think about what you want, create a picture of it in your mind, and make it very clear and precise. Hold it there and focus on it in a positive way, until it becomes a reality in your life.
• Always tell yourself, "I can", "I am able", "I can do it", "I am a positive person".
• Often, during the day, repeat positive affirmations about what you want. Do so with faith, feelings, intention and focus.
• Look for the good in every situation. There is always something good, or at least something useful to learn, even in difficult or unpleasant situations.
• Follow your positive thoughts with positive actions.
• Always focus your mind on the full half of the cup, not on the empty half.
• Do your best to reject negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts.
• Be aware of your company. Choose to be around positive people.
• Read about other people's success. Read things that inspire you and make you feel good.
• Focus your mind on how to be positive and you will discover more ways to be so.
• We get what we expect to get, therefore, begin right now to expect the very best of everything that this world has to offer - and wish the same for everyone else. There is plenty of everything in the Universe for everyone, and the Universe can create more of the good things for everyone. Don't think lack, think abundance, for you and for everyone.

"Just because I am not who you want me to be

doesn't mean I am not who I want me to be"

Guest Post - Roberta on Yoga

Welcome Roberta to the blog.  I asked her to help us understand why so many people love Yoga, and what it means to her personally.  I think she did a great job.

Photo Credit

"I instantly fell in love with yoga. It made my back pain go away when I was pregnant. I was hooked on the physical benefits of the practice. It wasn’t until I had children that I began to experience the personal well-being of yoga. After a busy day of momming, it felt great to give up control to a wonderful teacher who would guide me through postures that would work out the kinks in my body but also quiet my mind. The decadence of final relaxation – to lay on my back with no one waiting for me to open their granola bar or asking me if they can run with scissors, or any of the other 600 demands I field in an average day – well, it felt like 5 minutes of heaven! It is because I love my children that I keep a regular yoga practice. I can be a better mom if I can live each day with peace in my heart.


For some, yoga is strictly a physical practice, another way to work out. There is also a philosophical side to yoga. And one of the basic principles is to be present. As a chronic worrier – living in the present has really helped me see life more clearly. Worrying assumes that something will happen in the future. The future has not been created yet. Living in the moment allows your mind to be more peaceful. And worrying never affects the outcome, worrying just clutters up the present. When you focus on problems – you get more problems. When you focus on possibilities, you get more opportunities. The physical aspect of yoga is amazing, but ultimately, it is a path to a better you. Through yoga I am finding my path to being the person I want to be. I may not be there yet – but I am closer than I was yesterday.


Yoga is amazing for its ability to create space in our bodies – but it can also create more space in our hearts to love unconditionally, to trust without suspicions and to live each day with gratitude."

You can find out more information about Roberta and her Yoga practice on her Website: http://www.amamayoga.com/

Resharing a Great Video - Jamie Oliver

I know that I have shared this video before, but I just had to do it again.  The reason I wanted to share this video is because Jamie Oliver talks about something that is very dear to my heart.  During this Challenge it is all about YOU and YOUR goals.  You are going to create the person you want to be Inside and Out.  Which is great, and I am so thankful to be able to share with you things that have helped me and encourage you along the way.  However all to often we take the time to do this for oursleves, then pass our kids their DS, a bowl of goldfish Crackers and a Jammers juice box.  They sit there, lazy, over weight and lacking in so many nutrients that they are constantly sick.  Please don't think I am judging, because trust me my boys have there fair share of DS time and I have given them junk to eat.  What is important is that we take the time to educate them on the proper foods to eat, and fill their bellies with as much whole foods as we can. 
So take a couple minutes to watch the Video
 
Please Click HERE to watch the video.

What's the Special Today - 400 to 600 Calorie Clean Meals

So we start the Challenge MONDAY!! Are you ready?  Do you have your vision board hung where you can see it? Your pantry cleaned out and restocked with lots of great foods?  Have you planned your meals? 

I wanted to talk about great ways to create low calorie, full nutrition meals, because who wants to live on salad and TUNA!?!  NOT ME!  Low calorie meals that really fill you up are all about balancing your proteins, fats and complex carbs.  Now before you say, HOW THE HECK AM I TO DO THAT?  I am going to give you a list of meals and some great resources to help you out.  Lets get Started!

There are SO MANY Possiblities!

400 - 600 Cal.  Meal Resources

• Even if you aren't doing the 30 day system with me check out the Isagenix recipe page Here, and check out the "Low Cal Entrees" on the right hand side of the page.
• Create an account on a calorie counting web site.  I like My Everyday Health.  I use it to see how much of my favorite foods add up the calorie limit I set for myself.
• I am a huge fan of Tosca Reno and her site The Eat Clean Diet.  Take for example this recipe for Autumn Beef Stew that is only 406 Cals per serving!!  Who doesn't love a stew on a winters day.  Just be smart about it and leave the butter loaded crusty bread for the others, and try a 1/4 of a whole wheat Nan bread to keep the cals under 600 if you need to have a bread.
• Try some vegetarian and vegan meals.  You would be surprised how many great foods you can have and awesome recipes there are that are under the 400 to 600 cal mark.  My two favorite sites are Pea's and Thank You, and the Happy Herbivore.  Check them out! 

My Favorite 400 to 600 Cal. Meals

• 1 cup steamed Broccoli with 1 tsp olive oil drizzled on top, 6 Steamed Jumbo Shrimp, 1/2 cup Quinoa cooked with green onion, crushed chili peppers and garlic 
• Tomato and Leek Soup (find the recipe on the new RECIpage) with 4 large homemade Whole Grain croutons
• Vegan Stuffed Green Peppers
• 1/2 cup brown rice, 2 cups roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts and firm tofu.
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta with a homemade roasted cherry tomatoe and garlic sauce

Those are just a few of the MANY 400 to 600 Cal. meal ideas. 

You are only as limited as your imagination.

What are your favorite Meal Ideas?

Getting Ready Day 4 - MY FAVORITE!

This is my favourite day, FOOD PREP!! Get out your Tupperware, your knives, your celery stalks, your carrots, your zip locks, your meats, and LETS GET STARTED!!

I love this part :)

When you have all your foods right at hand it is so much easier to stay on track. Think about it, you’re hungry; it is snack time are you going to reach for the carrots, peel them, chop them then eat then? Or are you going to grab a cookie with the kids, or a muffin at the office?

This is what I do;

• Clean, peel and chop my carrots, celery, peppers, cucumbers, arrange them in a container ( I use the Rubbermaid Produce Savers) and place them in the fridge

• Clean, prep, and chop my berries and grapes and place them in the produce savers

• Break up my family packs of meat / fish into portion size freezer zipper bags and put them in the freezer.

• Create little snack bags of almonds. Count out 12 almonds and place them in the small snack zipper bags (I reuse these bags each week, less waist!)

• Hard boil a package of eggs

• Pre blend and freeze my cubes for the berry smoothies, and the Lean Green Smoothies

• Ensure my pantry is stocked with my Isgagreens, IsaFruits, Energenix, Isadelights, vitamins, and Omega oils!

• Ensure that all the kids snacky thingys that I am NOT allowed to eat are in their cupboard!

• Print and hang my menu on the Fridge, now I am READY!

What I do is prepare myself until I know I can do what I have to do. ~ Joe Namath

Getting Ready Day 3!

So today we are going to do the easiest (not EASY!) one. I want to go through some steps to help you prepare physically.

Fill your bags with all the GOOD STUFF!

To get started, make a list of healthy snacks and foods you’ll need to have on hand to help you reach those goals of increasing your energy, feeling better in your skin and getting rid of your Christmas weight. For those of you doing the Cleanse with me this is VERY important.   Pre plan your meals.  Make sure that you will have on hand all the foods that you need for your family dinners.It is so much easier to stay on target when you know what you supposed to be eating!

Here’s an example:

Essential for All Days

Pure water (bottled or purified with a filter),

Non caffeinated herbal teas



Meals (for Shake Days if doing the Isagenix with me, or just in general to get healthy!)

Lean protein (chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef, pork tenderloin, elk, bison), fish or organic tofu

Eggs

Chickpeas, and other canned beans, and tomatoes (no salt added)

Greek low fat plain yogurt

Organic vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, lettuce and tomatoes, celery, cucumber, raw carrots

Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa and barley


Snacks

Natural almonds, and walnuts

Organic (preferred if available) fruits and vegtables, such as apples, grapes, berries, lemons, celery, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks, mushrooms, ect.

Isagenix Snacks!™

IsaDelight Plus™

IsaLean® Bars (not on Cleanse Days)

SlimCakes® (not on Cleanse Days)

Now that you know what you should have, let’s raid your pantry, fridge and freezer for any food you shouldn’t have. I suggest if you are like me and need to have other foods for the kids on hand create a kids only cupboard. Remove all the foods that you know are going to tempt you from the house, and I don’t mean hurry and eat them all BEFORE the challenge starts either! If they are non perishables donate them to your food bank, at least you won’t feel like you are waisting your money, but putting it to good use! Now is a good time to clean your fridge too, well if you are like me it is.

Now with a clean slate, and clean cupboards hit your grocery store with your list in hand! Hit the “real food” areas ONLY! Pick up things from the “outside isles” not the easy foods!

Ready SET GO!!

Getting Ready Day 2

Now that we have set our goals out, it is important to decide what things we want around us to get us to those goals. There is a simple exercise I have done a couple different times in my life to help me visually see what those things are. It is called a vision board. I am sure you have heard of them, lots of life couches, TV shows, ECT advocates the use of them. Pam had us do one last time too, to be honest I didn’t do one, but I am doing one this time!

photo credit

Here’s what you need to do!

• What is a Vision Board?

A vision board is typically a poster board on which you paste or collage images that you’ve torn out from various magazines. It’s simple.

The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires.

The Five Steps of Creating a Vision Board:



Step 1: Go through your magazines and tear the images from them. No gluing yet! Just let yourself have lots of fun looking through magazines and pulling out pictures or words or headlines that strike your fancy. Have fun with it. Make a big pile of images and phrases and words.

Step 2: Go through the images and begin to lay your favourites on the board. Eliminate any images that no longer feel right. This step is where your intuition comes in. As you lay the pictures on the board, you’ll get a sense how the board should be laid out. For instance, you might assign a theme to each corner of the board. Health, Job, Spirituality, Relationships, for instance. Or it may just be that the images want to go all over the place. Or you might want to fold the board into a book that tells a story.

Step 3: Glue everything onto the board. Add writing if you want. You can paint on it, or write words with markers.

Step 4: (optional, but powerful) Leave space in the very center of the vision board for a fantastic photo of yourself where you look radiant and happy. Paste yourself in the center of your board.

Step 5: Hang your vision board in a place where you will see it often.

Let's Get CRAFTING!!

Getting Ready For the Challenge.

Getting Ready Day 1



It is so important to get yourself prepared for the challenge physically, emotionally and mentally.

Today we are going to focus on getting mentally ready. Deciding the WHY? And the For what reason? Wrap your head around what we are doing kinda day today. Ya know get Clarity on What we are really doing here. When I did the 30 day Challenge with Pam Fountas she had some great excersices to help wth this that I would like to share with you.

This was her post. I thought it best to share it with you just the way she wrote it in hopes you will find it just as helpful as I did.

“I’d like you to answer the following questions:


What was your reason for placing your Isagenix order and taking on this 30 day challenge? What results are you looking to gain?


**Now write down ANYTHING that comes up for you.

Most often when my clients are meeting with me for the first time, their reasons for wanting to eat healthier, become more active and commit to their health are what I call “surface reasons.”


Did any of these “surface answers” come up for you from the above questions?


- I want more energy


- I want to lose weight and shed inches


- I want to increase muscle


- I want my workouts to improve


- I want a decrease in my stress levels


- I just want to feel better


These answers are a great starting point, but now we have to dig deeper. We need to get CLEAR on WHY we want to achieve any of those goals.


Ex. Why is it you want to lose weight? What will losing weight do for you and how will it change your life? Is the reason important enough to keep you committed to this challenge?


Often my clients pick a goal because they feel they “should” be after that result. Their goal isn’t grounded to something they are really after – in turn their commitment to making change suffers.


So I ask you now to take your answers and start digging a little deeper. That is homework piece #1. My clients that take the time to get clear on what they want and why they want it are those that achieve their goals with much less stress and wasted energy.”

-Pam Fountas

Great post isn’t it? It really got me thinking about the reason why I really want to finally and for good get back in the wagon. For me I have set a goal to be “x” amount of pounds. Which is great, I will get to my goal, but then what? Why did I want to be that size? When I really think about it, it really isn’t about the number. I want ME back. I want to be the energetic, happy, positive person, I know I can be. The last time I was that person was when I was a certain number on the scale. So I have altered my goal. I want to reach the weight that I feel best in my skin at to allow me to be the person I know I really am. I am not putting a number on it, just a feeling!

"A person with a clear purpose will make progress on even the toughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress on even the smoothest road." -Thomas Carlyle

My New Year Starts Next Week...

So, I am not really still on holidays anymore, but I just can't seem to get my but back on the wagon yet.  I have all these great and wonderful ideas for the New Year.  I just need this week to get them organized.

I have spent every free moment this week purging my life and home of the last years binge (and by free moment I mean the seconds between crafts with the kids, sledding with the boys, baking cookies with my new "Mix MASTER K" - Kitchenaid stand mixter!, and discovering new ways to build LEGO.)  Like I said before 2011 was a rough year.  I seemed to have even given up on my house!  I had clutter in every hidden corner imaginable.  I ended up with 2 industrial size bags of garbage, 2 giant Rubbermaid bins for Goodwill, and an over sized bag of clothes that really weren't fit for anyone in my house!  It felt great!  I knew that if I wanted to be able to focus on being a better me, I had to start by cleaning the clutter.  For me, when I look at clutter I get overwhelmed, stressed and I panic at the thought of all the time and effort it takes to get rid of it.  How are you supposed to find time to work out when you are stuffing the clutter back in the dark corner it came from?  I wasn't finding the time and that was the problem! 

Now that my house s uncluttered, here is what I have in store;

New Blog Features

• "Nothin' to Say Monday!".  It will be a linky day, where we can link up a picture or two from our past week.  It gives you a chance to share some photos, and gives me a break from writing.  Cause lets face it, MONDAYS SUCK, and I usually can barely get outta bed, let alone write a BLOG POST! 
• Reci"PAGE" - I am working on organizing the recipes on the blog into one easy to read page.  That way when you are looking for something to make, bake, cook, or shake, they will all be right there in front of your eyes. This may not be up and running by next week, but I am working on getting it ASAP!
• WORK IT GURL! - I often post about workouts, and fun ways to train and get fit.  It is something I LOVE to DO!  (Even though I seem to have forgotten how lately.)  When I am working out I am a happier, nicer me (remember my new years resolution??), and I want to continue to share what I learn with all of you.  So I will have a section on the blog devoted to this, and every month I will be updating it with a new move, strategy, or idea.  So make sure you check it out!
• And last but CERTAINLY not LEAST (drum roll please,,,,)  I want to Challenge YOU!  That is right YOU!!  I did an amazing 30 day Challenge that Started in November of 2011.  It was a Challenge to dig deep into who you are, to drop some extra weight and, to make yourself a better you, and to reach THOSE goals.  It was run by an amazing lady who is also an Isagenix Rep.  Now before you say "O great another push to sell something"  That is NOT what this is.  I will of course recommend the products that I love, but if you prefer something else, than go for it!  It is NOT about the products, it is about YOU!!  It is about reaching a goal you set out for yourself.  I personally will be doing the 30 day Isagenix Cleanse, and if you are interested in placing an order to follow along please email me (vlefebre@hotmail.com).  If you are just wanting to read the posts, try the menus, recipes and workouts, than do that.  There is no pressure.  Do it the way you need to, but I will say one thing.  If you really want to Challenge yourself to feel like a million dollars in 2012, place an order!  Even just doing the Isalean Shakes will make a huge change in how you feel.  The Challenge will start on MONDAY JANUARY 16th, which gives you lots of time to place your order, get rid of the candy and junk that is in your cupbords from the holidays (and I mean toss it out, NOT eat it all, :) ), and commit to joining me!

So, there you have it folks!  I most likely will not be back until next week. I am excited for what this year will bring.  I hope you are too!

It is all part of my plan.......

Wow, is it already Thursday? This blog post has been sitting om my phone since MONDAY! I guess I have just been too busy working out and eating right to get on here and finish this post. Plus I finally got out forvavrun last night! I only did a short 5 but it only took me 20 mins, which is good considering I haven't run in over a week!

Here is the post......

So like I told you, NO MORE EXCUSES!
I started getting ready this weekend. Making things easier so I can stay on track. I need a plan,things prepared, and a goal!
What is the plan? Well I posted that last week. 3 days on my Wii, 3 days running

How did I prepare? I preblended all the fruits and veggies that go in my Lean Green, then froze them in my ice cube trays. Now in the morning all I have to do is get out 4 cubes, 1/2 a banana, a scoop of my Isalean, a scoop of my Greens! And VOILA! BLENDED TO PEEFECTION! I also thought of 5 healthy meals for dinner, and made sure we are all stocked up on carrots, celery, berries, and apples (I love apples!). It is so kuch easier to grab something healthy whenbit is right in front of you. I also made sure my "Isapantry" (as I like to call it) was stocked up with shakes, greens, fruits, want more energy, and cleanse drink.

What is my goal? Well Hubbies Christmas party is one month away. So my goal is to be back to where I feel comfortable by then. I know I can get there, last time I did a 30 day cleanse I had amazing results, and I had pretty much stopped working out as I did it (don't as why it is a long story!). So this time I will be even better. I have been using my Wii fit to calculate my weight and BMI, and that way I can track it as well.

What is different this time? Will I yoyo again? Honestly I can't tell the future, but I know that I have learned so much this past year, and just 3 days in to being back at it, I can't believe how much better I am feeling. My hubby even said to me last night that he was so happy to see "ME" back!

You never know how far you can go, if you never take the first step!

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