Trying new things

This week (this week as in yesterday and today;), I've been trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my lifestyle. The fruits aren't so bad, although I've never really been a fruit lover. The veggies on the other hand... UHG. I'd rather eat a... well a cupcake.

There are so many health benefits from eating your daily serving of fruits and veggies. I'm starting to feel like I'm robbing myself if I don't eat the healthy goodness that nature has to offer.

Here are just a few of those benefits:

• Lowers your blood pressure
• Helps your digestion system
  
• Helps your body to burn more calories
• Lowers the risk of several types of cancer
• Reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke
• Reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes and better control of blood glucose

I know it's worth it. I just have to re-train my little taste buds. And my taste buds are snobs, so it might take a little while.

Since I don't want to eat my vegetables in the first place, it's hard for me to find the motivation to actually prepare them. These steamfresh bags have been a lifesaver. You just pop it in the microwave for 5 min. and you have perfectly steamed veggies. They're also the perfect size for the hubs and I to share. But since I love the guy, I give him the majority of the bag. There's no "I" in marriage. Oh wait, there is!

Another little thing I tried this week were brown eggs.
I always thought there was something "special" about brown eggs. They're more expensive, and they're brown...so that has to mean something, right? Apparently not. The only difference between a white egg and a brown egg, is that the white egg comes from a white hen, and the brown comes from a brown/red feathered hen. And that's it. But it was a fun little adventure ;)

THIS is a great article by Paula Deen.com, that explains the difference between healthy eggs, and not so healthy eggs.

P.S. It's my dream in life to own chickens, and a cute little chicken coop.
Chickens are the new dog. So naturally I have to get some.

What new healthy things have you been trying?
Do you love your fruits and veggies?

This doesn't really have much to do with weight loss- A beauty post

Lately I've been obsessed with watching makeup and hair tutorials on youtube. It's so much fun to watch tips and tricks, and to learn the right way to do things. I've enjoyed experimenting with new techniques, and stepping away from my normal (boring) look.

Here are a few of my favorite videos:

I LOVE this video that shows you how to get the Kim Kardashian hair. I learned so much from watching it. Basically that I've been doing it all wrong.

I've already tried these 2 makeup techniques (using a few different products). Love!



I'm scared, but determined to rock this smokey eye:

And yes, if you haven't noticed, I've developed a bit of a girl crush on this girl. She has the best tutorials in my opinion.

Here's 3 ways I can actually tie this into weight loss:

1. I find that feeling pretty on the outside, helps me to stick to my diet. It puts an extra spring in my step, and I want to feel as good as I look. Eating healthy, and slowly getting to my goal weight, definitely helps to do just that.
2. It is so much fun buying new beauty supplies. You can use it as a reward/motivation for you to reach a goal. For me- If I can go two weeks without any big cheats (ex. A Hershey kiss is okay, a big mac is not), then I get to go buy a MAC eyeshadow kit! I'm so there.
3. When I am bored, I eat. Plain and simple. So it's important to keep myself busy. Lately I've been spending a lot of time in the mirror, trying these new techniques. It's been fun, and it has kept my mind off of cupcakes. Which is huge. Cause I'm always thinking about cupcakes.

So there. I guess this did have something to do with weight loss after all. I can pretty much tie anything into weight loss now. I'm like a pro ;)

Do you experiment with your beauty routine?
What's your favorite beauty product?
My new found love is HD green makeup primer (I got it at Sephora). Not only does it help my makeup last all day, but the green combats my red skin that I've been blessed with.

The truth about "healthy" fast food options

I self admittedly go to a fast food restaurant about two times a week.
Sometimes you just need, well, fast food.

Luckily for me, most fast food chains had "healthy" options available. Or so I thought...
Today I took a deeper look.
Brace yourself...

I usually go to Chick-Fil-A to get either a chargrilled chicken sandwich, or a Cesar wrap:
Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich:
Calories: 290. Not shabby at all. That's why I got it. But there's more...
Total fat: 4g
Sodium: 1030. That's the kicker.

Cesar Wrap:
Calories: 460
Total fat: 15
Saturated fat: 6
Sodium: 1510. YIKES!

Healthy choice --> I'd say skip those two, and go for one of Chick-Fil-A salads:

Chargrilled fruit salad:
Calories: 290
Total fat: 6
Saturated fat: 4
Sodium: 640

Chargrilled chicken garden salad:
Calories: 180
Total fat: 6
Saturated fat: 4
Sodium: 650

One of the saddest things I found out about Chick-Fil-A?
The stats on their yummy fruit parfait:

Fruit Parfait with granola:
Calories: 290
Total fat: 6
Saturated fat: 2
Sugar: 39!! I'm like, whoa.

Next up, I checked out some of McDonald's info:I've been hearing a lot about their new oatmeal... I've also heard it has a ton of sugar in it. So I investigated:

Fruit and maple oatmeal:
Calories: 290
Carbohydrates: 57
Total fat: 4.5
Sugar: 32! Remember that a snickers bar has 28 grams of sugar. Insane.

In complete shock, I looked up my next favorite fast-food joint, Wendy's:
My favorite salad, the apple pecan salad:
Calories: 580
Total fat: 27
Saturated fat: 9
Sugar: (brace yourself) 39! For a salad. I triple checked.

Baja Salad:
Calories: 740
Total fat: 47. Straight up crazy.
Saturated fat: 17.

And here I thought I was doing a good thing by getting a salad.
A big-mac's stats are better then that salad!:
Big-Mac:
Calories: 540
Total fat: 29

Salad? Or Big-Mac? I think I'll go with the big-mac.

Healthy choice --> Next time you're at Wendy's, skip the salads, and opt for one of the following:

Baked potato with sour cream and chives:
Calories: 320
Total fat: 4
saturated fat: 2

Chili:
Calories: 220
Total fat: 7
saturated fat: 3
Protein: 18 :)

I thought I was doing good by getting things that seemed healthier then what I really wanted to get (#1 with extra cheese), but now I see how far off I really was. It's all a gimmick if you ask me.

With all that sodium, fat, and sugar, no wonder why the scale wasn't moving!

When I was finally able to pick my jaw up off the floor, I came to this conclusion:
It's honestly best to stay away from fast food all together. Even the "low calorie" items are packed with things that can hinder your weight loss efforts. Pack healthy snacks in your purse instead, to help you stay away from that tempting drive-thru.

Baby Steps

Want to know a key to my success?
Baby steps.

I have baby stepped my way through this entire weight loss journey.
Here, Dr. Marvin, from What About Bob, explains it better then I: "It means setting small, reasonable goals for yourself, one day at a time. One tiny step at a time."

I baby step my way from minute to minute. From meal to meal. I baby step my way to the gym, each and every time I go. I probably wouldn't make it there, if I didn't. When I'm at home, I don't think about everything I need to do to get in the pool, at the gym. I simply think about what I need to do to pack my bag. Then I think about what I need to do to get in the car, and drive. When I get to the gym, I simply focus on getting to the locker room. And then finally, I take baby steps to getting in the pool. Baby steps.

"All I have to do, is take one little baby step at a time, and I can do anything."

Thank you Dr. Marvin.
Dr. Leo Marvin.

Miss Busy Bee. Plus, I Totally Broke Up With Diet Dr. Pepper

My blogging days are Mondays and Thursdays... but these past couple days have just been too busy for me to get around to writing a post...

We're having a good friend stay with us for a couple months. We've been expecting his arrival for about a month now, and we're excited to have him here.

On Sunday, we were asked if the missionaries could live with us for a few months. You know, the young men who ride around on their bikes in a suit and tie. They've probably knocked on your door once or twice :) It's been a neat experience having them here. I have a hole new appreciation for LDS missionaries. Here are two young men who take a huge leap of faith to go on a mission, far away from their home, in an all new state or country. They dedicate themselves for the next 2 years to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It really amazes me...
but it was a lot of work getting ready for them. I had to clear out my craft (junk) room!

I've been doing really well on the diet front!

And guess who hasn't had a single drop of Diet Dr. Pepper since Monday?
That's right, me! Here's proof.This has been in my fridge all week,
without being touched!
Wait a second. Why the heck is it even still in my fridge?
Bye. Bye.I know. I know. I'm awesome.
Stop, you're making me blush! ;D

What did I replace it with? "Fancy water", as Tina suggested.
What do you know, it worked!

And THANK YOU for all your AWESOME tips!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
I'll have a real post on Monday. Psst, it's a yummy recipe!

I Enjoy Being Deliciously Healthy

Hello!(I'm a nerd;)

I'm still being a complete blog slacker aren't I?
I'll do better, I promise ;D

Tuesday was my weigh in (is it Friday already?). It had me at 182. What do you know, I'm down 2 pounds from last weeks weigh in. It's like clock work!! Because of the (crazy) goals I set for myself a while ago, this 2 pound loss every week, may have caused steam to shoot out of my ears by now, but it hasn't (I promise;). I'm happy with it. I'm at peace with it.

This week, I think something finally clicked:
I'm not on a diet!
Seriously. I'm not. LOL!
I'm simply making healthy choices, and living a healthier lifestyle. This week, the majority of my focus has been on putting Deliciously Healthy fuel into my body, and figuring out how I can eat cleaner, by making simple changes. Eating healthy, and being healthy, came way before thinking about calories, and weigh-ins. This week, it's been a lifestyle, NOT a diet! I'm eating Deliciously Healthy, and I'm loving it!

Who knew you could live and be healthy, love what you eat, AND lose weight? Being healthier is gratifying and worth it, all by itself! Losing 2 pounds a week on top of that, feels like a little extra bonus. I'll take that little extra bonus with a smile on my face, and be grateful for it! :)

I'm not saying that this journey isn't hard for me, and that I don't still day dream about cupcakes, and chocolate donuts with pink sprinkles (MMM).
This is my new lifestyle. A lifestyle that is healthy, and has more meaning, then simply the numbers on the scale. I see the bigger picture now, and seeing the big picture, gives me the strength, knowledge and motivation, to eat Deliciously Healthy, and enjoy doing it.

So, that's where I am this week. 182, happy, healthy, grateful, and content!
I'm not making any promises for next week! I kid. I kid ;D

Now, it's time for a Deliciously Healthy recipe!
Are you ready for this? Because it's awesome!

I had a few things in my fridge, that were going to go bad if I didn't use them soon. I had low-fat ricotta cheese left over from my stuffed shells, spinach, mushrooms a friend gave me, and 1lb of turkey my husband put in the fridge for some reason, so I had to cook it soon. Hmmm.... What can I make, that uses all of those ingredients?

(Light bulb moment)

Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna!!It was delish! My husband loved it! My husband always says he doesn't like "diet food". His taste buds are my Deliciously Healthy, gauge. If it's healthy enough for me, and delicious enough for him, it can make it onto my little blog. He licked his plate (it's sad, but I'm not kidding), so it passed the test!

Here's What You Need:

~8 ounce package whole wheat lasagna noodles
~1 pound lean ground turkey
~1 cup chopped onion
~1 1/4 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
~4 egg whites
~1 cup chopped mushrooms
~1 package of spinach, cooked. Or you can use 1 10 ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained.
~3/4 teaspoon salt
~1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
~1 14 ounce jar of low-sodium spaghetti sauce
~3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

This is What You Do:

Heat oven to 35o. Cook noodles according to package. While noodles are cooking, cook turkey, and add the chopped onion to the turkey. Mix together in a bowl, the ricotta cheese, and next 5 ingredients. Pour 1/2 cup of the spaghetti sauce, in a 11X7X1 1/2 baking dish. Lay 4 of the cooked noodles on top, overlapping each other. Spoon out half the mushroom mixture, and spread over noodle layer. Poor half the turkey and onion mixture, over the top. Lay down 3 noodles, to create a new layer. Spoon out remaining mushroom mixture, and spread over the noodles. Pour the remaining turkey and onion over the top. Lay down 3 noodles, and pour the remaining spaghetti sauce over the top. Cover loosely, and bake for 50min. Uncover, and bake for an additional 10min.

Here's What I'm Thinking:
6 servings
~About 390 calories, per serving.

****

Deliciously Healthy Tip:Since I've been cooking healthy, I've noticed that I seem to be getting rid of a lot of egg yolks! It seriously pained me to dump them down the drain! That was until I learned you can give them to your dog! Egg yolks are easy on their stomachs, helps their metabolism and muscles, and it makes their coats nice and shiny! We have 3 dogs: A Cairn terrier, Lab, and a Greyhound. I read that egg yolks are especially good for Greyhounds, so I give the majority of them to her. I would check to make sure that it's okay for your specific breed, but if you have a dog, and hate wasting egg yolks, this can be a great alternative! :D
(Note: It's not healthy however, to give your dog only the egg whites. You either want to give them the egg yolks, or a whole egg.)

I hope you all have a FANTASTIC weekend!!
And remember: It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.
Whoever came up with that phrase, is a genius. Probably a skinny genius ;D