weight loss Tip #6

Give yourself a break
your body will hit platues. Something that will help is a “free day” or meal. It's a day that you allow yourself to go over you daily calorie budget (this doesn't mean pig out). Have a meal that you love that is normally out of your calorie budget. This not only confuses your body (which is a good thing), but it will also help you stay on track, because you will feel less deprived. I allow myself a “free day” once a week.

St. Patty's Day

I realized that I don't post pictures on here very often, so here are some from today and the recent past.
We haven't had any family pictures, well not any nice one's sense Brig was born, I thought I better start taking a few even in they are just random snapshots. this is us in our St. Patty's day green.

I normally make some Irish food for St. Patrick's day, but this year I just didn't feel like it so we just made our dinner green. we had green eggs with sausage, green milk and green blueberry muffins.

I had to put a picture of my cute baby, he is growing so fast. I have been wanting one of these chairs and finally found one, I love it and he does too.

Can you believe we had snow only a week and a half ago. Then today it was so nice I went without a jacket. Got to love Utah weather.

Where the Wild Things Are.

so we rented the movie "Where the Wild Things Are" last night for FHE. I have wanted to see this ever sense I heard it was coming to theaters. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't it. It was cute and the wild things were amazingly like the book, but I kept expecting some lesson or something learned, but it never came, or at least I didn't catch it. Dean liked it, but did get a little scared at some points and had to sit on Daddy's lap. I'm not sure I would buy it, but it wasn't a bad movie.

Rob and I went to see "Old Dogs" last Thursday for our date night. It was very funny. I love Robin Williams and John Travolta, they are two of my favorite actors. It was great to get some laughs in.

I'm planning on using my free Redbox code tomorrow to rent "The Time Traveler's Wife". It looks good.

What's on the Menu?

I know I haven't been on top of this. Mainly because i have been have things I've already posted on here before. I have tried a few new recipies, but nothing I've been really impressed with. In other words I would not make again.

I am excited this week because I've got a new cook book by Devin Alexander called "I can't believe it's not Fattening! over 150 ridiculously easy recipes for the super busy"

Monday- penne pasta with veggie and rotisserie chicken
Tuesday- Bacon cheese burger and apple salad
Wednesday- green eggs, bacon and muffins
Thursday- eat out (I'm going to try the grilled cheese burger at Carl's Jr.)
Friday- Taco salad
Saturday- chicken pesto pizza
Sunday- Mandarin chicken on rice with a side of zucchini and mushrooms.

Bacon cheeseburger (by Devin Alexander)
4 ounces 96% lean ground beef
1 1/2 T 50% reduced-fat real bacon pieces
1 tsp. dried minced onion
Salt to taste
1 whole wheat bun
1/2 ounce light Swiss cheese slivers
1 small leaf green lettuce
391/4-inch-thick) slices plum tomato1 T Ketchup or BBQ sauce

Preheat grill to high.
In a small bowl mix the beef bacon, and onion until well combined. Shape the beef into a patty about 1/2 inch diameter then the bun. lightly sprinkle both sides with salt. Grill burger on both sides until desired done-ness is reached.Just before the burger is done place buns inside down on rack. put cheese on burger to melt. 15 to 30 sec. Put it all together and serve immediately.

Taco salad
brown ground hamburger 1/2 to 1lb. and season with taco seasoning. (optional)
1 bag of pre-made salad greens (your choice)
1 can of black beans (Drained and rinsed)
1 can of kidney beans (Drained and rinsed)
1 can of Garbanzo beans also known and chick peas(Drained and rinsed)
1 cup for grated cheese
1 avocado diced (optional)
2-3 Roma tomatoes diced (optional)
tortilla chips
mix all but the tortillas chips in a large bowl. when served top with desired amount of crumbled tortillas chips and favorite salad dressing.

Chicken Pesto Pizza
pizza crust
Pesto
rotisserie chicken
mozzarella cheese
Parmesan Cheese
sun dried tomatoes

top in order listed. bake according to crust instructions.

Mandarin chicken on rice.
Grill chicken breast diced into bite size pieces. When done add Panda Express Mandarin sauce and simmer until warm. top onto rice and serve with a side of veggies. They also have Orange sauce out there, but not at the store I went too. That is what I really wanted to try.

weight loss tip #5

Get Moving
We all know exercise is important. You should not just do cardio. You need to do weight/ resistance training. (Don't worry ladies it would have to take a lot of training to get over-sized muscles) Cardio helps you burn calories, but muscles helps you keep the calories burning because muscle burns more calories than fat. Remember to give your muscles at least a day in between trainings to rest so it has time to rebuild it self.
Not only should we exercise, but we just need to get active more. Start planning vacations with physical activities involved, start going outside with your kids more often. Get involved with 5K's (even if you just walk them like me), this will also help motivate you because you have something to work towards.
I do cardio 3-4 times a week and resistance training 2-3 times a week.