I'm Finally Back To Workout!

Hey Ladies,

After a month of different sicknesses and babysitting other children, I can finally make it to our workouts again. Janay is bringing her 30 day shred so bring your mat and weights today! I will have a new sign-up for child care and a list for whoever wants to sign-up to bring a DVD to share with us. Thanks for being patient and for showing up to workout while I was away!

Hey, I won't be able to attend the next two Tuesday workouts, but I will make sure someone brings their DVD's so you ladies can still work out. Have a wonderful time today, we are still battling colds and I have to babysit another little girl for my husband's co -worker next week. Please let me know how the workout goes today! :)

Slim In Six Workout For Tuesday

Hey Ladies, sorry I couldn't make any of the workout this week. Anadel has been fighting a nasty cold and braking her top back molars in at the same time. I've been getting my workout just getting up 4-5 times each night with her for the past week! I wonder how many calories you burn after midnight??? LOL So I heard the workout was wonderful and there was a great turnout too. Annji Swensen who is new in our ward has offered to bring her Slim In Six video for Tuesday. It is like Janay's DVD so bring weights and a mat. Hope to see you all there! :)

Golden Hills Walk Park Day and Next Tuesday's Workout

Hey for those of you who missed the workout today it was really awesome. Cardio, Kick boxing and a whole bunch of awesome moves at a higher intensity. Thanks Kim for bringing your DVD, I loved it and we will have to do that one again!! We will be walking to Golden Hills Park from Jen's house tomorrow at 10 am. Next Tuesday Janay is brining her 30 Day Shred video again so bring your wights and mats. See you then, thanks again everyone!

You Don't Need Your Mats this week.

Hey ladies, please come and join us for another great workout. Sister Smith is providing our workout this week and I think it was some sort of kick boxing or tie boe. I can't remember because Aubrey and her were both offering to bring a video and I forgot which one it was. It should be fun so please join us and you don't need a mat or weights! Thanks!!

We Missed You!

We missed you ladies! So three of us showed up for the walk and celebration day to Coco Swirl. I have to admit I am starting to get a bit disappointed. I am not sure if the reward system is really going to happen if this is the results. I guess it is spring break weekend but I am not sure why so many of you are dropping out of slim sisters each week and haven't been in weeks. If anyone has any suggestions to re-motivate these sisters please let me know. I don't want to be the only one exercising at the chapel each week. That kinda defeats the purpose of why we started this program. So please let me know if you are in or out to keep this program going. Thanks!

Congratulations to Jessica and Janay!

We are walking to Pleasant Hill Park and Coco Swirl or Jamba Juice to celebrate Jessica and Janay's awesome weight loss during the program so far. Congratulations Ladies! Meet at Jen's house at 10:00 am!

Cardio Day and Last Day To Weigh-In

We will be doing another fun Cardio workout so you don't need your mat. If you couldn't make it last week, then Tuesday is your last chance to weigh in for the month before we announce the winner and go Celebrate during our walk on Thursday. We are walking to Pleasant Hill Park on Thursday. See you tomorrow!

Looks like Thursday will be a Rain Check Day!

Hey Everyone, it looks like rain so we won't be walking tomorrow. For those of you who didn't get to weigh in on Tuesday you will have a second chance this Tuesday before we celebrate during our walk to PH park next week. Sarah is scheduled on Tuesday in the Nursery. Thanks :)

Tuesday workout

Hey ladies don't forget your 3-5 pound hand weights this week and also a mat for our workout. Janay is bringing an awesome workout and we will also be weighing in. Thanks ladies see you there!! :)

Walks, Workouts, Weigh-in And Celebrations :) Durning April 2nd-9th

Hey Girls, Thanks for participating in some awesome Pilaties today and remembering to bring those mats. This Thursday (April 2nd) we will be walking from Jen's house to Roger Smith Park at 10 am. so bring your strollers, sand toys and snacks for the kids. 

Next Tuesday (April 7th) Janay is bringing a great workout video to help sculpt and tone our muscles so if any of you have 3-5 pound hand weights please bring them and if you don't then just bring two bigger soup cans and that will do the trick too. 

We will also be weighing in on Tuesday as well to find out how well we are doing so far and then on that next Thursday (April 9th) when we walk to Pleasant Hill park, we will go to Coco Swirl, Jamba Juice etc. (to be determined by the sister who has lost the most.) So get excited, we have some fun things to look forward to in our program during the next two weeks. I will remind most of you on Facebook as well. Thanks Ladies! See you Thursday!

Tuesday Will Be Another Pilaties Workout So Bring Your Mats!

Jessica will be providing us with one of her Pilaties DVD's this week so please come prepared with your floor mats. Last Thursday we started our first Slim Sister bike trail walk day and walked to Pleasant Hill park and back. I hope you will all join us for the extra workout day on Thursday's now to walk the trails and paths. 

I went out and bought a new jogger stroller after spending two days in pain after our walk on Thursday. Thanks to Jen's tip about my stroller not cutting it for these walks, I learned my lesson and bought a BOB Jogger Stroller. My husband and I celebrated with our little girl tonight by taking our new BOB on a long walk and noticed the difference instantly. I am in Love with my BOB! Thank you so much Jen, now maybe I can keep up with you ladies this week! :)

We Will Be Working Out Two Times A Week Now

Hey Ladies, thanks for showing up on Tuesday for a great workout. For those of you who couldn't be there, we talked about adding another workout day to the program. We will be meeting on Thursday mornings at 10:00 am in front of Jen Jones' home to walk the bike trails. Please join us!!! 

I hope everyone has had a chance to weigh in once during the program. We will all be weighing in again in two weeks. The sister who has proven to loose the most weight towards her goal will get to select where we take her out for a special celebration. We were thinking of places like Coco Swirl, Jamba Juice and a few other restaurants. Thanks ladies for the great reward idea, I think it is going to be so much fun to go out to celebrate with each of you!

It's Time To Weigh In!

Hey Ladies, it's our 4th week of this program and that means we will be weighing in on Tuesday to see how we are progressing. The sister who has shown the most progress in our health and wellness efforts by loosing weight will be given a special surprise. Not chocolate, but defiantly something to acknowledge how proud we are of that sister!

Last week for those of you who missed it, we did a low intensity cardio DVD twice since it was only 20 min. long.  It was a bit of kick boxing moves with a little cardio added too to the mix which was just the right speed for all of us I believe. Allysa will also be bringing us one of her favorite workout DVD's for our workout this week. So get pumped up! Should be a great session this week so I hope you all make it and don't chicken out because we will be weighing in!

Amy's Creamy Pasta Primavera recipe!

Thank you Amy for donating a recipe idea this week. This one sounds so yummy and I can't wait to try it! 

Creamy Pasta Primavera

 

1/2 jar Classico Sundried Tomato Alfredo Sauce 1 can (15 oz.) Hunts diced tomato 2 small zucchini sliced 1/4 medium onion sliced 2 garlic cloves chopped 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 cups cooked tri-colored fusili

 

Cook pasta according to directions. Heat oil in large pan. Add onion, zucchini, and garlic. Saute til veggies are al dente. Add canned tomato, any seasonings you prefer, and 1/2 jar Sundried tomato Alfredo sauce. Heat through and allow to simmer to combine flavors. 
Top cooked pasta with pasta sauce and add reduced fat parmesan cheese if desired!
1/2 cup pasta per serving.

Number of Servings: 4

• Servings Per Recipe: 4
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 198.9

• Total Fat: 10.6 g
• Cholesterol: 16.9 mg
• Sodium: 714.6 mg
• Total Carbs: 23.7 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3.4 g
• Protein: 2.1 g

Hey Ladies we will be doing the Biggest Looser workout tomorrow. It is a low intensity high fat burn with kick boxing and cardio moves etc. It is a lot slower than the last two workouts but will really tone your muscles and make you work so don't get thrown off by the low intensity part.  I look forward to seeing you all there. The weather says it is going to be a sunny day so those of you who are walking there won't run into rain this week. See you all there and you don't need a mat this week! :)

Today is Pilates Core Challenge day!

Hey Sisters, we will be doing a fun Pilates Core workout today so make sure you bring your mats. Our Pilates instructor is a lady by the name of Ana Caban who used to be a dancer. After dancing for many years her back gave out on her and she went to physical therapy and chiropractors to help her get better. One of her chiropractors told her about Pilates and that they would be useful in her recovery and all around fitness. 

Pilates originated by a man by the name of Joseph Pilates who was an avid athlete and used different sports moves and stretches to tone and strengthen the body. You will see lots of ballet dancers and athletes use these exercises to get those beautiful long lean and toned muscles. I look forward to working out with all of you today!

Thank you for showing up!

Thank You ladies for showing up to our first workout!  I was really pleased with how many were able to come in the end.  Work outs are so much more fun when there are a lot of you there as a motivator to keep exercising and not give up. I don't know about you but my abs feel good just from laughing with you! I am excited to tone our core mucles without tricky dance moves next week using Pilaties exercise. See you all there and Don't forget your mats! :)

10 Creative Ways To Kick Food Cravings!

1. Brush your teeth-I know it sounds funny but you are less likely to go and eat something when you have clean fresh breath. Keeps your teeth healthy too!

2. Eat an apple before you eat anything else. Some people even suggest before larger meals of the day too. The apple will fill you up and give you the sweet craving you are seeking without over indulging on large meals. Good for your health too and gives you a serving of fruit you need for a well balance diet.

3. Drink a glass of water. Chances are you are more dehydrated than anything else when you get sweet or food cravings. So start with a glass of water or flavored sugar free water first. 

4. Put those temptation foods on the highest shelf in your kitchen. If they are out of your sight and too high for you to reach you will be lest tempted to climb up and get them down before you find something healthier to snack on.

5. Eat healthy snacks between larger meal times. Snacks with a little substance and texture to them like vegetables (Carrot sticks, Celery etc.) as well as small portions of protein and complex carbohydrates like nuts, peanut butter, hummus, etc. Avoid  snacks that contain sugar like white bread, white pasta, etc. Proteins and complex carbohydrates will fill you up a bit better and keep your energy going till your next meal.

6. Avoid soft drinks. Not just because they are unhealthy but are loaded with sugar and increase your cravings for simple carbohydrates. Again try water and flavored waters if you can't stand the favor of plain water. They make on the go flavor packets now that you can dump into a water bottle and carry with you while you are on the go.

7. When you crave something sweet, try using alternative flavors (Vanilla, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Anise, Lemon or Spearmint.) These are great sugar substitutes and appetite suppressants that won't raise your blood sugar or store extra fat on you.

8. Don't beat yourself up when you get cravings. When you do treat yourself occasionally to small pieces of Chocolate etc. after dinner, slow down and savor each bite remembering that you just have eaten a healthy meal before it.

9. Reward yourself when you fight unhealthy cravings. If you don't think about the food then the cravings will go away. Take a bubble bath, Phone a friend, go for a nice walk outside, go to the gym, etc.

10. Always have nutritious foods with you in the car, at home or work. Remember to get snacks and foods that are able to adjust to different temperatures.

A Caesar Salad that Rules!

Healthy Chicken Caesar salad and dressing

2 servings

2 Chicken breasts

3 Cups torn romaine lettuce

1/2 red bell pepper strips

Vinaigrette:

1 tbs canola oil

1 tbs fresh lemon juice

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/8 tsp sugar or equal

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 garlic clove, crushed(optional)

dash of fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Broil chicken breasts, rubbed with a bit of garlic powder for about 6 min each side. Cut into cubes or shred. Combine chicken, lettuce and bell pepper in large bowl.

Combine the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small bowl, stirring well with a wisk. Pour over salad, and toss well. Sprinke lightly with Parmesan cheese, and toss gently.

Add some melon as a side dish for a complete protein and carb. meal. Great for lunch or dinner! No more plain chicken!!!

Are you a Cheesecake, Cobbler or Chocolate and Fruit kind of girl?

Absolutely Fabulous Cheescake (almost)

1 serving

1 left over baked sweet potato

1/2 c cottage cheese

cinnamon (to taste)

splenda or other no calorie sweetener (to taste)

apple pie spice (to taste)

pinch ginger

Betty Crocker also makes a sugar free graham cracker crust or you can just sprinkle some sugar free graham crackers blended in a blender on top if you love the graham part to a cheese cake and don't want to make the crust with a non-fat butter.

Blend together on high (w/ a hand blender)

Eat, or chill and then eat! This tastes exactly like cheesecake. 

I suppose you could also substitute canned pumpkin for the sweet potato as long as it’s just pumkin and not the pie filling. Also if you can afford the extra carbs (i can’t) you could add raisins! Yummy! 

TIP: Always keep a container of blended cottage cheese on hand. It’s uses are endless. You can use it on a sandwich in leau of mayo or on top of a Whole Wheat tortilla with tomato sauce baked up like a pizza. etc.

Fruity Crunchy Cobbler

1 serving

This can be a snack or a dessert.

3/4 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup granola (I prefer Trader Joe’s Mango Passion flavor)

1 Tblspn. Smucker’s Sugar free jelly ( I prefer strawberry)

Mix it all up and it tastes just like cheesecake, or a fruity cobbler.

Jello Chocolate Fruit Dip

15-20 Servings

1 large container plain fat-free yogurt

2 small boxes jello sugar-free instant pudding (any flavor, I prefer white chocolate or vanilla)

Mix both ingredients together, be sure it mixes well. Serve with bananas, apples, any fruit; it is delicious.

Come Party With Us On Tuesday The 24th at 10:00

Hey Ladies, we will be  kicking off our Slim Sister Program with a Hip Hop Cardio Party this next Tuesday in the Cultural Hall. Our first exercise routine will be to dance off those inches with just ten simple Hip Hop steps that any of us can follow. 

Our dance leader is Jennifer Galardi who has put together some really fun and funky dance moves to help melt away the pounds and tone your abs without having to do those painful crunches. You don't need to bring a Yoga mat this week!

 So get ready to Party with us and loose weight at the same time!    

              

                                                                       

Jack Sprat Could Eat No Fat and His Wife Could Eat No Lean....

After more than two years of marriage, I have realized that I can't eat the same food that my husband does and get away with it. He is 6' 2" Italian stock with a very high metabolism and 4 % body fat. He needs extra carbs and protein to keep his energy going. I on the other hand am on the other side of the spectrum. 5' 2" English stock with a very Low metabolism and can't tell you my body fat % because I lost count. No, really I did!! 

Cooking meals in our home has been a challenge for me and at one point I just gave in and ate what he ate because it was easier. Well, it may have worked if I cut down on the portion size of carbs and lean protein but I didn't! Realizing my folly now I am finding new recipes that both of us can enjoy and give our bodies what we need. This is one of my husband's favorites we tried the other day.   Enjoy!!!

Ben's Favorite Chicken with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto Dinner

2 boneless chicken breasts

2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (2 oz)

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

2 Tbls. fresh lemon juice

1 to 2 tsp. grated lemon peel1/3 cup plus 2 tsp. olive oil

Salt 

Freshly ground black pepper 

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan

Heat Grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 min. per side.

In a food processor, combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peal. Lightly pulse. With the machine running. gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put 1/2 the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.

Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the parmesan. Season the pesto with salt an pepper to task and spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.

I love "Weeds" now!

When I refer to "Weeds," I mean salad! Growing up I thought salad was just Iceberg lettuce, slices of tomatoes, and Ranch Dressing. Well, that is what I was fed at each dinner! I came to the realization that I really hated Salad and refused to eat if for several years, insisting that it tasted like weeds. It wasn't until my sister- in- law introduced our family to salad again that I realized that there are Salads other than Iceberg and Ranch Dressing out there and I was missing some wonderful yummy food. 

 My favorite salad at the moment can be found at a restaurant called Buckhorn Grill. The "Crispy Chicken" they call it and it is heavenly goodness, but unfortunately not figure friendly. I do however have a second favorite and this one is just as heavenly and healthy at the same time. You will love it too!

                                                                  Laurie's Healthy Salad

Ingredients for Dressing:

4 Tbls. Red Wine Vinegar 

4 Tbls. Splenda Sweetener Substitute-(don't use sugar it is too grainy and Splenda is healthier)

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

*Mix these 3 ingredients together and you are done with the dressing. Make sure you save the extra dressing in an air tight container in the fridge for future salads!

Salad Ingredients:

Gourmet Mixed Salad Greens-(Not Iceberg, thankfully!)

Crumbled Feta Cheese

Craisins-(the dried cranberries that are like raisins)

Pealed and Diced Cucumber

Diced Tomatos

Diced Mandrin Oranges

Pealed and Diced apple

Chopped Nuts: You can use any one of these (Walnuts, Pecans, Cashews or Almonds)

 

Toss these ingredients together in a bowl and lightly drizzle with the dressing. Easy and sooo good! This salad also goes great with grilled chicken or as a side salad for dinner! If you don't like one of the above ingredients, that is fine you can add almost anything to this salad just make sure it is good for you!  Enjoy!!!

Make Sure You Fill Out One Of These To Track Your Progress Each Week!

Welcome To The Confessions Of An Un-Fit Mother!

I want to welcome all of you RS ladies who have made the decision to support me in this health and wellness program for the Pleasant Hill First Ward. After having my little girl (Anadel) who is a year now, it has been quite a struggle for me to get back into shape. I am sure most of you can sympathies with me because you yourself have been there or are there right now! It isn't that I haven't tried! A month after she was born I purchased two Pilaties video's and was determined to loose the "Mommy Fat", but it wasn't that simple. With the demands of my babies' schedule and my husband in school and then working full time, I couldn't find enough ME TIME in order to do this without my little one demanding my full attention. I was also exhausted by the end of the day when she went down at 11 p.m. every night and up at least 4 times during the night. I just didn't have the energy to do it and kept telling myself that I would start as soon as she was on a better schedule! Did I mention she is a year now, so embarrassing that it has taken this long for me to get going!!!

Well, a few weeks ago I remembered that my mother used to have an exercise time with all the Pleasant Hill Ward ladies at the chapel each month when I was a little girl and that is when the light bulb of opportunity went off in my tired mommy brain. I want this program to be fun and inspiring to each of us. I was hoping to turn it into something more than just showing up to exercise on Tuesday mornings as a group. Most of you have heard of the "Biggest Looser" exercise reality show and I was thinking that this could be our own "Slim Sister" program in which we weigh in at the end of the month to track our progress, and motivate each other along the way.  I will have a reward for the sister who has proven herself each month so we can stay motivated.

I plan to use fun up to date workout DVD's that involve great workouts like Cardio's with Hip Hop Dance, Retro Dance Moves (Swing, latin, Disco etc.), Pilaties and Yoga exercises to lengthen and tone our core bodies and for those of us with little babies I have included a Mommy and Baby Yoga workout that I love. Don't worry I won't torture you with the 80's Jane Fonda and tights and leggings video's. This will be hip and energetic for us 2009 girls to relate to! You can still ware the leggings, wrist and head bands if you so choose, I won't stop you! LOL I would like everyone to bring a mat on those days we have Pilaties, Yoga and floor workouts though.  I will have an extra mat with me if one of you should forget, but please try to be prepared. I am hoping that you can use this blog as a reminder as to what we will be doing and also a resource as we do this program.  I will also be including healthy snacks and meal tips as well as highlight those who achieve their goals during this program.

I am so excited and thrilled that so many of you have expressed interest in this program. We will have lots of fun and I am always open to new workouts and healthy meal ideas from anyone. Thanks again Ladies and I will see you at the Ward Building in the Gym at 10 am sharp on Tuesdays starting the 24th! See you all there and come motivated with a smile on your face! :)