You Ate It!

You Ate It, Negate It!

No, you don’t have to work off every morsel you eat.  But before you indulge, consider how much effort it would take to cancel out the calories.  One handful of candy corn (about 20 pieces, 150 calories) = 37 minutes of walking.

SHAPE Magazine October 2012

Game On,
Pam

Stats!

73% of moms who have eaten their child’s snack in a pinch.

ACHOO!  10-20% of Americans are allergic to ragweek, a plant that usually peaks in the fall.

STRESS LESS- for 56% percent of Americans, running is more soothing than therapy.

SHAPE Magazine October 2012


Game On,
Pam

SMACK!!!!

OK......I love to encourage.  I love to play "Jillian" and I even kind of secretly love it when Tara calls me "Jill".  I love to boost people up and push them.  I love to leave message on Facebook.  I want to see people succeed.  I want to see people out and pushing themselves to accomplish things that they thought that they could not do. 

I got smacked today.  I mean literally hit upside the head.  I have this wonderful sweet friend named Amy on Facebook.  She is working ever so hard on the "Couch to 5K" program and I am so excited and so very proud of her.  She had no idea that what she typed today on Facebook would literally smack me and wake me up.  "Are you still running where you are? Don't see many posts- that's how I follow you!"  I read that and thought.....OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

Facebook is great!  I love it!!!!!  For many reasons.  At the same time when we lived in Greensboro I would always post if I had gone for a run in Country Park or even at The Rush or whatever I had been doing or where I had been running.  My goal in that was to encourage others.  At the same time in the back of my head, I didn't want to come across as bragging.  That is one thing I didn't want someone to misinterpret.  In this instance, Facebook was what Amy had been following and I had not been posting.

Confession Time!!!!!!-- I could give you a million reasons why I have been a Slacker.
We moved
I was sick
We had company coming
We have been so busy
I had to much to do
I was tired because I had to much to do
I am just not motivated
I don't want to (sounds like a 2 year old)
So, when she posted this statement, I decided I can't stop.  It is NOT an option!  So, to Amy.......THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
I have now been back on Map My Run and have mapped out about 3-4 runs for me around town.  I know where to go and how to make a huge loop or 2 to make up my mileage.  I have a gym to work out at which will be somewhere I plan on visiting for weights.  I don't have a Whole Foods or Earth Fare and my Wal-Mart is not very "Organic" but they have nutritious choices that I have not been doing.  We have a grill that we can cook plenty of veggies on. 

All of this being said........If you follow me on Facebook and I haven't posted something.......SAY SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!  Don't hold back.  I have set my goal.  I actually got on a scale the other day while Kaleb was at Karate.  I was in shock so Amy's comment was right on time! 
Here's the deal...........You keep me accountable....I'll write and encourage you and keep you accountable. 
What are your goals?  What do you want to do?  I think I will make a poster............I'll share it when I am done. 

Game On,
Pam

Cambodian Gazpacho

Cambodian Gazpacho

Serves 4        
Prep-10minutes
Cook Time-2 minutes

1 carrot shredded

4 tablespoons white vinegar

Pinch of salt

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 16 oz. can low-sodium tomato juice
2 Kirby cucumbers, roughly chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeds and stems removed
3 vine ripened tomatoes, halved
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
½ jalapeno, seeds removed
10 Thai basil leaves, stems removed
4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
Fresh ground black pepper
20 cilantro leaves, stems removed

1.       In a small bowl, combine carrot, white vinegar, sugar and salt.  Set aside for 1 hour.

2.       Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a small, shallow pan for 2 to 3 minutes or until sizzling.  Carefully drop shallot slices in the pan and cook for about 1 minute or until crisp and golden.  Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on a paper towel-lined plate, and season to taste with salt.  Set aside to cool.

3.       In a blender, combine, tomato juice, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno, basil, and rice wine vinegar.  Pulse until slightly pureed, but leave a few large chunks.  Add salt and pepper to taste and additional vinegar if desired. 

4.       Divide gazpacho evenly among four bowls or serving glasses.  Top with pickled carrot, shallot slices and cilantro.  Serve immediately.

220 calories, 14g fat, 22g carbs, 4g protein, 5g fiber, 68mg calcium, 2mg iron, 214mg sodium.

Shape Magazine September 2012

NEW FAVORITE!!!!

I have watched people cook with it for a while on TV.  I finally bit the bullet the other day and decided to give it a try.  It looks very intimidating but I figured it can't be that hard.  So I did it.  My new favorite.......  Butternut Squash.  IT IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!

I will admit though, I do cheat and by it when I can already peeled and cubed in the produce section.  Just price what is available.  Either way, I promise you will NOT be sorry.  Once cubed it looks like this.....

I typically take it and toss with a small amount of olive oil, very small amount of salt and pepper and the other night I sprinkled a little cinnamon on it.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake on 400 for about 20 minutes until tender.

It looks very much like sweet potatoes.  They are a little sweet and just wonderful!!!!!!!  You can buy the whole squash and cut them like french fries and cook them.  They taste and look like sweet potato fries and they don't have the carbs and they don't have the fat from frying.......It's a win-win food!!!!!!!

Let's compare quickly....
Butternut Squash- per cup (data)
82 calories
22 carbs
Sweet Potatoes-per cup(data)
181 calories
41 carbs.
Granted the butternut squash don't have the fiber that the potato does (you will need to eat other fiber rich foods), it satisfies that desire for a french fry or a sweet potato. 
YUMMY!!!!!!!!
Game On,
Pam

Muffin Monday.......

I was sharing those incredible chocolate muffins with my parents this weekend.  My Mom had an incredible idea.....

Instead of using chocolate cake mix, why not try Spice Cake Mix........OH MY GOODNESS!!!!  How good would that be?  Sounds like an incredible idea.  I have some pumpkin.  I think I may be picking up some Spice Cake Mix........YUMMY!!!!!!!

Game On,
Pam

Can You Say CHOCOLATE!!!!!!

You may have already tried this.  If you have, I would love to hear from you.  If not, I challenge you to give it a shot.  I PROMISE you will NOT be sorry!!!!!!!  I saw this on Hungry Girl the other day.  It seemed simple enough so I thought I would try it.  I mean 2 ingredients.  Really?  It just had to be good!!!!!! 
Let's get going!!!!!!

Chocolate Muffins- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
First-

Second-

Third- Stir the 2 together.  NO ADDING WATER, EGGS, MILK, OIL....NOTHING!!!!!!!!!  Should look like brownie batter.

Fourth- Scoop into either a regular muffin pan or a mini muffin pan and bake.  Regular muffins will bake for 20 minutes.  The mini muffin pan will back for approx. 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

THEY ARE FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!  The regular muffin only has 180 calories per muffin.  So much better than the ones you buy in the store!!!!!!!!

I made these the other day and Hubby took them to work.  EVERYONE LOVED THEM!!!!  Of course, I didn't tell what I made them with!!!!!!!

Let me know what you think!!!!!!!!!

Game On,
Pam

Do you like magazines?

I love my magazines.  I have a very weird assortment at times.  You could find......

Runners World
Fitness
SELF
Quilting
Better Homes and Gardens
Food Network
Womens' Health
Shape

You never know what you can find.  Sometimes I keep the entire magazine and sometimes just a page or two and sometimes, nothing at all.  I was a keeper of magazines until I was getting ready to move one time and I couldn't lift the box.  Well, let's just say I don't do that anymore....hahahaaha

Of course if you know me at all, Jillian Michaels is one that I love to watch on Biggest Loser as well as Dolvett and Bob.  I'm a die-hard Biggest Loser person.  Anytime that I see Bob or Jillian on the front of a magazine, I will always buy it.  Of course, I want to see if they have any new ideas or if they have any new recipes or moves that I need to consider or add.  So, here are my new thoughts from the September issue of SHAPE Magazine.  Hope it gives you something to consider. 

Did you know…..

Hitting the park for some alfresco cardio? Cut your run in half and use that extra time for abs exercises on the monkey bars or push-ups on the slide-then skip the gym tomorrow.  In a study from McMaster University in Canada, people saw similar results whether they biked for 40 minutes, did 8 sets of weight exercises, or followed 20 minutes of cycling with 4 sets of resistance moves.  “Doing different workouts back-to-back increases muscle strength and aerobic efficiency simultaneously.” Says researcher Stuart Phillips, Ph.D. Visit shape.com/playground for our top jungle gym-based toners.

Crush Cravings….

Next time you have a hankering for a doughnut or French fries, tell yourself you can eat them after working out and you may not want them at all.  A new study from California Polytechnic State University found that an hour-long sweat session halts activity in the area of the brain that usually fires up at the sight of high-fat treats.  “Exercise decreases blood flow to your gray matter-especially the frontal region, which helps control food intake,” explains lead researcher Todd Hagobian, Ph.D.  Combine that with its calorie-burning benefits and that speedy slim-down just got a whole lot easier.

 Power of Two

To take it up a notch at the gym, bring along a super-fit friend.  Women who partner with a more advanced exerciser work out for twice as long as those who sweat it out solo, according to a recent Michigan State University study.  “Being active with another person may make you feel competitive prompting you to push harder,” says lead researcher Brandon Irwin, Ph.D.  Don’t worry about your buddy on-upping you: The ability to bond and burn calories puts everyone in the winner’s circle.- Amy Schlinger

These were just some of the highlights!!!!!!!  ENJOY!!!!!! 

Game On,
Pam

Fun News and WANT YOUR INPUT!!!!!!

I have found someone that post some great inspirations.  Her Facebook Name is Recipes for Gals in Figure and Bodybuilding .  If you will type it in, you can find her.  She is wonderful with quotes, ideas and just basic encouragement for those that are on a journey.  Her site is great!!!!! 
Yes, I did ask if I could put her information on here so that was cleared before I did it!!!!!

Her name is Jenny Grothre.  Her journey is on her web-page here.  She has exercise information, food information, and just so much I can't really even list it all.  If you go here, you can read her story.  There are Facebooks links on all of her information so you can find her that was as well!!!!!!!! 

I'm thinking about asking her to write an article for me to post on here.  Just something helpful and encouraging to those that are on this awesome journey!!!!!! 

How are you doing?
Are you signed up for a race?
Are you still going to the gym?
How is your diet?
What are your long term plans?

PLEASE DO SHARE!!!!!!  Of course, I can't expect you to share if I don't so ......I'll go first.
1. I'm doing OK.  I could always do better.  Moving has really rocked my world a bit.  Not a lot of runners here but to my advantage, IT'S ALL FLAT!!!!! 
2. Not at present due to trying to find one that is not a far distance off.  Considering one that you do on your own and then go in and log your time but that's not the same as signing up and being in the midst of a huge crowd.
3. Yes, typically 2 days a week but need to up that to about 4 or 5.  We have a great place to workout.  Great Gym!!!!!  No excuses!!!!!
4. Still picky most of the times.  Still no red meat.  Just can't do it.  I can actually live without the meat but Hubby would not be to happy!!!!!! 
5- Down about 20 pounds.  Run a real race. Build some muscle. Gain more confidence!!!!!!!

OK.......GO......Your turn!!!!!!!

Game On,
Pam