SHIPPED!

With an estimate of 5-7 business days, you can imagine how impressed I was when I saw the "shipped" notice today on my order!

I am excited.  I am starting with the 2 day Fast (in chocolate- find it under Shop, then Search for Cleanse)

Then, moving on to alternating Chocolate/Greenberry options.  I like that there are recipes given for each of these with varying calorie counts to help you not get bored with just one option.  

I'll be keeping up with my progress on my dashboard here.

It's sort of a big deal...

I have hit some major milestones with my Thirty-One business in the past 2 months.  I have been reshaping my own goals for my journey and how I view myself as a leader in the company.  After December, I shifted some major things around and am THRILLED to see how positively this has impacted my team and personal business.  I believe God is behind these changes 100% and I feel more like ME and that I'm being true to the unique calling I have in front of me.


Motivator #1: My husband has a BIG thing coming up for work at our new station at the end of May.  I want to look great there when I am supporting him and am so proud of all he's done.  

Motivator #2: Thirty-One's National Conference is happening in July!  I've earned it for free GOLD LEVEL BABY!  And I will be watching as 5 of my downline Directors (ALL my Downline Directors!) walk stage for their promotions.  I want to look at the pictures we take together and not feel ashamed of my body.

Motivator #3: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BABY!!!!!  I have earned, through the incredible support of my customers, hostesses and team members, the trip for 2 to the DR in Sept, the same month as a celebration for myself and my spouse.  SO, again, I want to look GREAT and feel GREAT while we make these memories, not ashamed.  

Here's the thing.  I am PROUD of what my body has done- carried our 3 beautiful children to (and PAST) term.  Nursed them.  But it's taken its toll.  I feel better- more confident, happier, more stable emotionally, when I'm taking all the right steps to nuture it and keep it healthy.  And as a result, my weight is lower. Which makes it easier to be more active and a good role model for those 3 awesome kiddos that call me Mom.

I LOVE my Smoothies.  Since going back to 1/day and watching calories, I've lost 9 pounds this month.  Which is awesome!  (I do use Sat as a cheat day, but still...)  That's weight loss I am happy with.

However, we have a LOT of change coming up soon in our family and my blender just isn't going to be available to me all the time.  So what then?

I'd heard of Shakeology before.  Obviously, given my smoothie love, a friend suggested it to me when she too was thinking about dress shopping for conference (she's walking!!!!  SO PROUD OF HER!).  She learned that as military dependents, the enrollment fee is waived!  So, we bit the bullet.  We're doing it together.  Obviously, I was hesitant.  The idea of moving AWAY from whole foods kills me as I have worked HARD to get where I am.  But, I need to find something to use for right now.  I'm praying this is it!


And I want to check in here with the results.  I may post more often at first, but not sure...  So, here's where you can go to check it out. 

What do you want me to post? Pics? Reviews? Recipes?  Am I brave enough to post real numbers?  If you're with the Beach Body site, add me as a buddy!  SkinnyPenguin!

Have a blessed day!!!

Ups and Downs

It's normal in life, right?  Those awesome moments then the set backs?

I lost 2.4 pounds the first week of focusing on my calories and fitness and then gained 2 back for the next week.  *sigh*

So, I'm trying really hard to not let it get me down.  It's only a number.  It takes WEEKS of effort to get the ball rolling.  All that positive self talk... 

I got lots of questions on my smoothies after my last post about what I almost didn't eat.  These are the best way for me to get my nutritional requirements met.  I still have gaps, but this is huge in at least starting somewhere positive.

I use these as my lunch.  I don't eat the same lunch I prepare for my kids for a lot of reasons.  But, I find that it takes me a while to drink my smoothie which occupies time during the day and keeps me from snacking on bad stuff.

I've been adding the Chia Seeds to my smoothies a lot for a couple of reasons- one, they seem to show up on every "make sure you eat these" list from everything to weight loss to avoiding cancer.  Second, they have an interesting property that I can watch happen in my blender- they puff up when they absorb liquid.  Not like popcorn or anything, but you'll notice the mixture turn a little frothy and it simulates yogurt in the drink, almost.

Here's a recipe that includes the Chia Seeds and all the nutritional info on it as well.  I'll be honest, I really didn't want to drink this today.  I wanted to go to Starbucks and get a latte and a cookie. :P  But, I'll drink my Smoothie and then head to RIPPED and hopefully be much happier with myself on weigh-in day.

If you are someone who "must eat something", try a cheese stick, nuts, something else with it.  Popcorn maybe.  I get it...

Here's a good breakfast Smoothie or even afternoon pick me up if you like coffee:

Source: fitisthenewblack.me via Amy on Pinterest

Have a blessed day!

What I Almost Didn't Eat

If you know me personally or have been following my blog, you know that I hate fruits and vegetables.  I don't eat them in my regular diet, not even applesauce.  I got introduced to Green Smoothies almost a year ago and loved the concept behind it- can't eat your fruits/veg?  Blend them!

Since I've been doing the smoothies again, here's a glimpse at what I wouldn't have eaten this week without it:

Contents of 4 Lunch Smoothies

1 Tbs Flax Meal
1 cup Strawberries
3 Bananas
4 c Fresh Spinach
1 Tbs Almonds
Juice of 4 lemons

1 small zucchini

1.5 cups Yogurt

1/2 Tbs Chia Seeds

1 cup Mango

1/3 Avocado

1 cup OJ

4 baby carrots

1/3 c Pineapple

I plugged this in to a nutritional online tool and got the following commentary. 

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Very low in cholesterol
• Low in sodium
• High in dietary fiber
• High in manganese
• High in potassium
• Very high in vitamin A
• High in vitamin B6
• Very high in vitamin C

Is there room to improve?  Of course.  But, it's WAY better than where I was!  Want to see what I was drinking?  Here are the recipes:

Mango Smoothie Plus

Mango Avocado Smoothie

Banana less Green Monster

Cleanse Smoothie with Strawberries

Do you Green Monster????  

Scrappity Scrap Scrap

I was doing some scrapping this week!

Here's my latest page.  I created this to submit to Britt from Britt Ish Designs so I can get a new item from her for her Friday Show Offs!  Just have to remember to email it in...

Am I the only one who scraps after the fact?  I can't seem to scrap as things are happening more of the time!

Using a ScrappingwithLiz template and Britt-ish Designs Happiest Season of All kit

Stitched border by Chelle's Creations- Tea for Two elements at Scrap Orchard

Have a good one!!!

A Good Challenge

Nothing gets me scrapping like a good challenge.

So, I played on the Make It Snappy Challenge on ScrapOrchard tonight... And here's what I came up with. I don't usually make 2 pagers, but this template seemed to be called for it!

 

Using papers, elements, frames from Chelle's Apple of my Eye Kit

Chalked Cards as well

What I love about digi scrapping is that I can easily swap photos and journaling and have a page for another child's album too!

 

One more kid and I'm good!  What's your favorite part about digital scrapping???

Pinterest Inspired

I hesitated to get on to Pinterest for a long time.  
I didn't want to increase the guilt I felt over projects that I just never got around to doing.
It's created some of that for me (a goal in 2013 is to shed that!) but it has inspired me with some simple tips and tricks that do make life a little easier.

I found a pin about keeping your yarn in one spot while working on a project and I liked the idea, but it was shown on a glass bowl.  Not portable or kid friendly.  I needed both of those...  

So, I grabbed one of my Littles Carry All Caddies and stuck some binder clips on the edge of that and boom!  I even have a little pocket for some safety scissors (will work to cut yarn but is safe just in case a kiddo gets it).  I love that there's a handle which means I can grab it and go room to room.  It keeps the yarn in one spot which is great for travel or relocating in the house as well as fits inside other bags I tend to carry (like my Organizing Utility Tote for example).  This would also be super cute personalized with #1 Mom, Best Nana, etc for Mother's Day or even as a little gift for a craft college student in need of a winter pick-me-up!  At just $12, they're a very afforable gift!  You can buy the totes here through my website.  

You wouldn't like the chance to WIN one of these for free, would you???  Hmmm...   Be sure to comment if you do and I'll see what I can come up with!

Happy Hooking! ;)

Some Gifts I Love...

I have to say, I have a couple items that are topping my "best gift" list from Christmas.  What topped your list???

 
  OPI Nail Envy, Natural Nail Strengthener, 0.5-Ounce 
I have really, really brittle/weak nails which I also tend to bite.  When they grow, they are pretty, but getting them to grow is the struggle.  I'm always looking for something.  I've tried it all- Sally Hansen, and all the others.  This works!



BEARPAW Women's Abigail Boot 
I have been LOVING these boots ever since I got them.  We had a fluke- I'd been wanting a pair of Uggs and my mom, bless her heart, found a website with a great price and ordered them.  Christmas afternoon, I opened them and tried them on, immediately suspecting something was wrong.  These weren't the comfy cozy boots I heard everyone loving on!  I started checking around and sure enough, they were knock offs.  Her bank refunded her money no problem and I decided a little more affordable option was more my speed.  So, I went with these.



Kiwi Boot Protector, 12 Ounce 
I also protected them with a spray since we've been getting dumped on with snow so far in Ohio this holiday season.  Makes the kiddos happy!

Finally, my top gift was a Brighton charm awesome bracelet from my family.  My husband took all 3 children to the store to pick it out for me.  They each picked a charm and then together picked one out.  I love it.  I can't wait to add a beachy bead to it when I officially earn the trip to the Dominican Republic for myself and my husband for free this fall!  I love my job!!!!!

Goal Setting for 2013

I dislike the term "new year's resolution".

About 4 years ago, we were in the same position as we are now.  We knew we had a move coming up and we didn't want to get to the end of the year and say "huh, what did we do?".  At that time, we had a whole year left in the city/state we were in, so we focused goals around what we wanted to do before we left.

This year, we have about 5-6 months left before we move...  where?!?  We have an idea, but not an official word, so we can't say anything.  A few close friends know, but you know who you are...  ;)

So, here's what I do instead of making resolutions.

I look at a few key areas of my life:
Family
Marriage
Crafting
Business
Faith
Financial
Fitness

And I write some goals.  About 5-6 goals per category and see where that leads me.  What are your key areas of focus?  Do you set goals?  Resolutions?  Pick a word?  I'm curious!

I have found a wonderful series by Julie Anne Jones targeted for Direct Sellers called Cracking the January Code.  It's a great way to start thinking about your goals strategically if this is something you haven't done before.  

Source: special.julieannejones.com via Amy on Pinterest

Grab & Go Breakfast & Lunch Ideas

I am working on the "no gain" goal this holiday season.  To be honest, I'd be loving it if I lost, but that's a lofty goal this time of year, I realize.

I happened upon a Pin about cost friendly meals and discovered a great tip in her suggestion of freezing breakfast and lunch "wraps" or basically, way better for you hot pockets.
 

Source: smithlive.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Here are the two recipes that my family has tried and will be keeping stocked in our fridge all the time.

WW Breakfast Taco - quadruple recipe, prep/cook, wrap in foil, freeze

Ingredients:

Non stick cooking spray

1 whole egg

3 egg whites

6 slices "Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Shaved - Smoked Ham", chopped- replaced with breakfast sausage from a local farmer

2 (8 inch) whole wheat flour tortillas

1/4 cup 2% shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Beat whole egg, egg whites and ham until well blended. Heat a nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium high heat. Add egg mixture; cook 3 minutes or until set, stirring occasionally.

2. Spoon egg mixture down centers of tortillas; top with cheese. Fold in opposite sides of each tortilla, then roll up burrito style.

Yield: 2 Burritos

Serving Size = 1 Per Serving.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus+ = 6 Per Serving

Nutrition Information:

Calories 230, Carbs 19g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 19g

 

WW Chicken Burrito Wrap - quadruple recipe, prep/cook, wrap in foil, freeze

Ingredients:

1 oz ranch salad dressing mix, dry 

7 ozs picante sauce 

8 ozs chicken breast skinless

11 pcs fat-free flour tortillas, warmed 

8 ozs light sour cream

Directions:

Dump first 3 ingredients in crock pot and cook 6-8 hours on low.  Shred chicken and then mix wiht sour cream.   Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup chicken mixture.

Nutritional Info Per Serving: (1 Chicken Wrap)

Calories 143; Carbs 22g; Protein 9g; Fat 4g; Fiber 0.8g

 

I'd love to see what you've Pinned & tried lately!