Ring PoPsicles! (and a giveaway!)

Today I was roaming around Ross, looking at all the things I'd love to buy if I had the Doe (Have I ever told you how much I LOVE Ross?).

I saw a stack of Ring Posicle molds that were on hold, and I was told there were none left.

"Nerds!"

"But wait! What's that?"
2 boxes were on some random shelf! 2!(I couldn't get the price sticker off. Don't judge;)
So, I grabbed one for me, and one for you!!

I went home, and made yummy, all natural,
Deliciously Healthy Ring PoPsicles!:
Although you don't need ring popscile molds to make these. You can use any popsicle mold, or make your own with popsical sticks and candy cups like bakerella did!

These were so much fun and simple to make! But most of all, they were fun and yummy to eat!

Here's the scoop! :(the box said to fill them half way, because they would expand, but they didn't expand that much, so I think I could have put more in)
In a blender put 1 cup of sliced strawberries (you can use any fruit you want), 1/2 a tbs of sugar, 1/2 a tsp of fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and blend until smooth.
I put vanilla yogurt at the bottom of some of the molds, then poured the strawberry goodness into the molds.
Into the freezer they went for 4 hours (that part was hard;).
When the 4 hours was up (and not a second later) the hubs and I dug into those ring pops like two 5 year old kids on a hot summer day!
The yogurt and fruit ones were our favorite!
If you would like to enter to win this adorableness, just leave a comment on this post (even if it's your first time. Don't be shy!;) telling me what your favorite flavor Ring Pop is! Mine is grape!
I will announce the winner next Friday (8/06)!"He makes my heart melt, like a popsicle on the 4th of July."
Name that movie! ;D

And the winner is...

Sara!
She said, "Oh those are so fun!
I am so with you....mine is grape too!
-Sara"

CONGRATULATIONS Sara!!

Thank you to everyone who stops by my blog, and entered the giveaway!
xoxo

Cleaning is Totally A Workout.

In case you were ever wondering.(I waited a little too long to take the pic, but I assure you I was pretty sweaty!)
It's awesome, because I'm getting two things that I don't like doing, done at the same time!

I would say it's like killing two birds with one stone. But don't you think that phrase is a bit...sad?
I'm just sayin'.

***

Today's weigh in had me at 169, for a 1 pound gain!
Yikes!

Saturday was my Birthday, and I think I went a little over bored on all the yummy birthday goodness!
TOM is also about to start here in a minute (not literally;), so that's probably playing some kind of role in that pesky 1 pound gain!

But aside from my birthday weekend, and TOM, the real problem is that I haven't been giving it 100% this week. I'm feeling all icky because of it too. I've had heartburn, tummy aches, and I'm feeling all bloated and just plain blah.

This week is going to be different!
Being Deliciously Healthy is my birthday present to myself!

It's Ice Cream Season...

Every time I hear the jingle of the ice cream truck coming down my street, I'm reminded of it.
I swear Mr. Ice Cream Man drives extra slow when driving by my house.
He's saying to himself, "Hmm, wasn't there some chunky girl who would always run out of this house, waving money in the air, as she chased me down the street?"
Yes Mr. Ice cream man, that was me. But "WAS" is the key word there.

The new (and slimmer) me, comes up with Deliciously Healthy ways to enjoy the summer. Like fruit parfaits, in ice cream cones:

Here's what you'll need:

• All natural, low fat vanilla yogurt
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Waffle ice cream cones

This is what you do:

• Wash, and slice strawberries
  
• Wash blueberries
• In waffle cone, add a spoon full of vanilla yogurt, then fruit, another spoonful of yogurt, and top it off with fruit. I wouldn't recommend doing more then 2 layers. It gets kinda messy if you do... trust me ;)
• Put cones in the freezer, just until they're chilled..right before they start to freeze (about an hour) **or you could just eat em' up, and skip the freezer :)
  

Here's What I'm Thinking:

• Calories: About 110 for one cone

Or you can add almonds to the mix:

(Calories: 190)

Or some dark chocolate chips!(Calories: 190)

Or you could buy those little tiny waffle cones, fill them with yogurt and fruit, and serve them as little appetizers at a party!
You with me?! :D

Take that Mr. Ice Cream Man!
I no longer need you, or your fudgesicles!
These are way better!

Blast!

We got back from our vacation Sunday night.
We had a blast!!

We stayed at Moose Creek Ranch, right on the border of Idaho and Wyoming. It is absolutely beautiful there!I was in awe the entire time!

It was SO much fun seeing all my family, and being around so many relatives!
Everyone noticed, and
congratulated me on my weight loss! It felt like my hard work was paying off, and it felt pretty darn good!

I'd say my eating was about 50/50.
I did excellent on the road trip there! (THANK YOU for all your helpful tips!!) The snacks I brought were perfect, and kept me satisfied from Colorado to Idaho (which was a 10 hour drive),
I didn't eat "healthy" while I was there, but I kept an eye on my portions most of the time. There were times I passed up yummy goodies, and times I joined in on the fun!(moi eating an all natural chocolate ice cream cone)
I felt good about my choices, and most of all, I felt in control. When I made the decision that I needed to pass something up, I would, and I wouldn't think of it again. When I decided to partake in the unhealthy goodness, I didn't obsess over it, and enjoyed myself! I drank lots of water, and I felt like I was being pretty active. The ranch was big, with cabins, a club house, one large cabin, and horse stables, all spread out across the ranch. There was a lot of walking going on, between all the places. I felt like I was burning a ton of calories, walking around looking for my husband! Next time we go, I think we're going to have walkie talkies on us (we didn't have phone service), so I don't have to walk around the entire place looking for him, lol!

The road trip back on the other hand, wasn't so good. I was slightly annoyed that the healthy snacks I had saved for the trip back, were being eaten up by someone else. So, I ate what my husband was eating, which were chips, and M&Ms. Now I realize I could have worked harder to pick up new healthy snacks, but at the time I was annoyed, and I threw my hands in the air. BUT, I stayed away from the soda in the ice cooler, and drank water instead. For lunch I got a salad at McDonald's, instead of the big mac like I wanted!
I wish I had done better, but I could have done a lot worse!

All in all, it was an awesome vacation!
It was so nice to feel in control, and not obsess over calories the entire time!
What was even better, was not worrying about my weight the entire time! I wasn't embarrassed to have family see me, and
no energy or time was wasted worrying about my weight!
Instead, I was simply focused on visiting with family, and having a good time!(Moi riding a horse for the first time!)
***

"Blast!"
Was what I yelled out, when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw 168.
I gained 1 pound since last weeks weigh in....

But you know what? That pound is going to be lost, along with many others. It's not the end of the world. I had fun on my vacation, built lots of fun memories... and I gained a pound. It could have been 3. Heck, there have been times I came back from a vacation 7 pounds heavier!
I'm still pretty proud of myself!

Deliciously Healthy Road Trip

We're leaving in a few days for our family reunion!

The family reunion is in Driggs Idaho. I think it's about an 8 hour drive from Colorado.

I absolutely LOVE taking road trips!
I love being in the car with my husband and family, and all the laughing and playing around that goes on, on the open road. I love the music, and the scenery. I love the excitement, and counting down the miles left until you get to your destination!
One of the biggest things I used to love about road trips, was the food! I loved going to the store, and stalking up on lots and lots of snacks! I loved going into the gas stations, on a hunt to see what goodies I could find (it would seriously excite me). And I absolutely loved eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
My goodness that's a lot of unhealthiness!

Eating those things hardly sound fun to me anymore
(high 5 to me;)
It gives me a tummy ache just thinking about it!

This road trip is going to be completely different from all the road trips I've taken!
It's going to be deliciously healthy!

I went to the store to load up on snacks, as I usually do before a road trip, but this time the hunt was on for yummy, light, healthy snacks!
Here's what I came up with :

• Grapes
• Cherries
• Carrots and snap peas
• WW string cheese
• Berry granola bars
• Wheat Thins
• And water to fill up my water bottle!

I think I'm going to pick up 1 or 2 more things.

What's your favorite part about road trips?
What do you like to bring on a road trip?

When we stop for fast food, I'm going to get a fruit parfait at either McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, and a salad or wrap for lunch at wherever we stop at.

I'm not sure how healthy I'm going to be able to eat while I'm there. I'm going to put a lot of my focus on my portions, like not eating my weight in my dad's mac-n-cheese :) Other then that, I'm going to make healthy meals when I can, drink lots of water, and it's my goal to go on a little hike each morning with the hubs!

I feel good about this.
Real good :D

***

Today's weigh in had me at 167, for a 1 pound loss!
I'm 1 pound away from losing 40 pounds!
WooHoo!

Psst... Scroll down to see my blog award post!

Bloggy Blog Award!

Amy, over at Lite and Fit, awarded me the Versatile Blog Award!
Yippee!

The rules for this award are as follows:

1.Thank the person who gave you the award.

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs.

4. Let your nominees know about the award.

**

7 Things about me:

*I once had a tic in my belly button! I think I was 7 :)

*I talk to my dogs WAY too much! (I can't help it, I love them so:)

*I've recently decided that I don't think I can eat pig of any kind. I just can't bring myself to eat something I could possibly love... which is probably stemming from the fact that I've been having little day dreams of owning me a cute little piggy.

*I read my husbands ex-girlfriends blog. I don't know why... I just think it's interesting, and I think I actually like it! I'm a total blog stalker!

*I like to see the look on peoples faces when I tell them that I'm 22, and have almost been married for 5 years (I got married 1mo after my b-day)! You can see them doing the math in their head, and it's hilarious! Yes, I got married when I was 18, and proud of it! (although I wouldn't recommend it, lol;)

*I'm afraid of the dark. It's just so... dark! My husband laughs at my little night light! :D (somehow this has turned into a confessional)

*I heart blogging, and all of you! I've almost lost 40 pounds, and honestly, I don't think I could have done it without this blog, all of your blogs, and all of your sweet comments!
Thank you!

I Pass the award onto these, newly discovered blogs! :

Journey Beyond Survival
See How She Runs
Slimming Down For The Gown
My Weight Is Over
Getting Healthy
Hungry For Living
For Real This Time
My Motivation
Believe In Yourself
All About the Bottom Line
Less Is More
Project Little Black Dress
Healthy Stride

Thank you Amy!!

A New Size + A Switcheroo!

Today I went shopping with my Sister-in-Law, to get ready for our family reunion!
I was absolutely itching to get in the store, so I could try on a size 14 pants!

I walked into Kohl's, went straight to the ladies department, and started my hunt for size 14 pants! I draped each cute pair I came across, on my arm, to take into the fitting room.
It was weird.
It seemed like I was shopping in la la land.
"Is this really happening? Surely these aren't going to fit."

Once I had a decent pile of pants hanging over my arm, I took a deep breath, and decided it was time to head to the fitting room.

That's when my heart started racing.
And I think I even started to sweat.

I took forever to find a stall I wanted, even though the fitting room was completely empty. I was nervous, and I was stalling. Finally, I picked one. I locked the door, took another deep breath, and selected the first pair of pants I wanted to try on, which were capris. These were a little less intimidating then jeans. I held them up, and let out a chuckle. "You're not going to fit into these Brittany. It'll be okay if you don't"

I was surprised they made it up my legs. Even more surprised when they made it past the junk in my trunk, and I totally couldn't believe it when I comfortably buttoned them!
They fit!I was ecstatic!
Next, I tried on size 14 jeans, that created a bit of a muffin top.It was a little discouraging, but then I tried on another size 14 jeans, and they fit perfectly!WooHoo!

I've gone from a size 18 to a 14!!
I'm so stinkin' proud of myself!

These are the moments in this weight loss journey, that make everything
so worth it!
I wish I could capture that feeling in a jar, and eat it up each and everyday!

Next stop: size 12!

**

After all that shopping, I had an infusion appointment at my doctor's office.
I was on Enbrel, a once weekly home injection, but I've switched back to Remicade. Remicade is a light form of chemotherapy, given through an IV. The infusion lasts 2 hours, and I have to get it every two months. I was on these infusions for a couple years, but stopped last December, due to the fact that I knew we were going to start trying to get pregnant in a few months. In December I switched to the injections, thinking it would be safer if I got pregnant. As it turns out, studies have shown that Remicade isn't harmful during a pregnancy! Which is great, because I like the infusions way more then the injections! I would have an allergic reaction every time my husband gave me the injection, they hurt A LOT, and I just didn't like being poked every week! I'm going to stop the infusions when I get pregnant, just to be on the safe side, but at least I know that getting pregnant on Remicade, won't hurt the baby!They gave me the ever so fabulous, Strawberry Shortcake band aid! ;)
The infusion days themselves are hard though. You can get sick during the infusion. The side effects can range from having a fever, the shakes, headaches, vomiting, and all sorts of other unpleasant stuff! They're also guaranteed to make you
super-de-duper tired! Because of the fact that I haven't had the infusion in a long time, they had to give it to me ultra slow, to reduce the chances of me having side affects. Instead of taking 2 hours, it took 3 1/2!! I had a few moments there where I thought I was going to puke, but I kept my mind off it, by reading all of your blogs on my iphone! So thanks for getting me through it! ;)
The medicine also seems to put my mind in a fog. I took 3 wrong turns getting home from my appointment, on a route I've been taking for over 2 years!

Although today was a little rough, I'm super excited to start feeling the medicine working! These past few days I've felt like the tin man from Wizard of Oz! Now that I've been "oiled up" hopefully I'll be all set!

**

I also just found out that I've been given The Versatile Blogger Award, by Amy at Lite and Fit!!!Thank you so much Amy!!

I'm going to work on it this weekend, and be back on Monday to share!

Thank you again!
xoxo

I'm Rockin' It!

My husband was worried guys would try to pick me up at the gym...
I think you're good honey ;D

My bathing suit is FINALLY here! I'm rockin' the swimwear, and I'm ready to get in the pool!!
...Even though I might look a little nerdy ;D

I also rocked my weigh in today!
168 baby!
That's a 2 pound loss this week!

Movie Night, With Deliciously Healthy Popcorn!

Tomorrow night, I'm surprising my husband with a
movie date!
(I got this super cute idea from Love, Actually!)(Believe it or not, my husband has actually wanted to see this movie since it came out, but we've never got around to watching it!:)

I made up the movie ticket for him on the computer, and tonight I taped it to his steering wheel, so he'll see it as he's leaving for work tomorrow morning!
SHHHH! ;D


Today I had to figure out what movie type snacks we would have on our date!!
I may want to have a date with my sweetheart, but I don't want to gain any love pounds! So I've been in the kitchen experimenting with
Deliciously Healthy popcorn ideas!

Here's what I came up with:

Cheesy Popcorn:

Here's What You Need:

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
• salt

This is What You Do:

• Add 3-4 popcorn kernels to 2 TBLS oil.
  
• Heat on stove top with pot covered
• Wait for those 3-4 kernels to pop (The reason for the test kernels is to have your oil hot enough to pop all the kernels. This method helps to reduce the chance of burning your popcorn.)
• Pour 1/3 cup kernels in the pot
• Once you pour the 1/3 cup kernels in the pot, cover pot again and shake the pot so the popcorn doesn't burn. I shook the pot about every 5-10 seconds. The kernels will soon start popping all at once. Be sure to leave lid on! Those things pop pretty high with out it!
• When the popping starts slowing down, remove from heat.
• Gently stir in cheese and salt.
  

Here's what I'm thinking:

• Servings: 8
• Serving size: 1 cup
• Calories per serving: 109
  

Coconut Popcorn:

Here's What You Need:

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 2 TBS coconut oil
• Salt
  

**Note: I haven't tried this yet, but I think it would be super good if you added shreds of coconut to the mix, to add a little more coconut flavor.

This is what you Do:

• Add 3-4 popcorn kernels to 2 TBLS coconut oil.
  
• Heat on stove top with pot covered
• Wait for those 3-4 kernels to pop (The reason for the test kernels is to have your oil hot enough to pop all the kernels. This method helps to reduce the chance of burning your popcorn.)
• Pour 1/3 cup kernels in the pot
• Once you pour the 1/3 cup kernels in the pot, cover pot again and shake the pot so the popcorn doesn't burn. I shook the pot about every 5-10 seconds. The kernels will soon start popping all at once. Be sure to leave lid on! Those things pop pretty high with out it!
• When the popping starts slowing down, remove from heat
• Add salt to taste
  

Here's What I'm Thinking:

• Servings: 8
• Serving size: 1 cup
• Calories per serving: 59

Kettle Corn:

Here's What You Need:

• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• 4 TBS sugar
• Salt

This is What You do:

• Add 3-4 popcorn kernels to 2 TBLS oil.
  
• Heat on stove top with pot covered
• Wait for those 3-4 kernels to pop (The reason for the test kernels is to have your oil hot enough to pop all the kernels. This method helps to reduce the chance of burning your popcorn.)
• Pour 1/3 cup kernels in the pot, and the 1/2 cup of sugar.
  
• Once you pour the 1/3 cup kernels and the sugar in the pot, cover pot again and shake the pot so the popcorn doesn't burn. I shook the pot about every 5-10 seconds. The kernels will soon start popping all at once. Be sure to leave lid on! Those things pop pretty high with out it!
• When the popping starts slowing down, remove from heat.

Here's What I'm Thinking:

• Servings: 8
• Serving size: 1 cup
• Calories per serving: 81

Making the popcorn is really quite fun!! It would be a great activity to do together, or a fun family activity!

Along with the popcorn, I also got some candy that you might see at the theater!
Mike and Ike for the hubs, and Junior Mints for Moi! I know, I know, not the healthiest thing in the world. Out of the all the (chocolate) candy that's out there, I think York Peppermint Patties, and Junior Mints, are a couple of the lower calorie options. I'm excited!

Psst... If there are any guys out there reading this post, you will simply melt your lady's heart if you do this for her, and she'll love you for ever and ever!
I guarantee it! ;D