Happy Monday Peoples!

Okay, so its been a while since we've posted on the blog. But that's because the fun has started!! Last week I was able to get my first of 3 facials from Posh Aesthetics as well as my first round of laser teeth whitening from Dallas Laser Dentistry! OH MY GOODNESS! It is soo much fun being pampered! This week I have another round of teeth whitening at Dallas Laser Dentistry, nails & toes and L'Aqua Spa, hair appointment at Ogle, eyebrow threading at Winks, and a fitting at Reuse Denim! Its a very busy week all in preparation for our photo shoot next week. SOOO Exciting!! Workouts are going good with Cross Fit and Dean has been so amazing with positive feedback about my eating and work out schedule. I'm staying positive - women like to see numbers on the scale. I've been a little disappointed because I haven't seen much a difference on the scale. But, my clothes are looser, my muscles are definitely more defined, and I feel better than I have in a long time! So hi-ho hi-ho off to the gym I'll continue to go! LOL Have a great week and I'll post another recipe from Marks Daily Apple this week. The meatloaf was AWESOME!! Steph

Recipe of the Day - Primal Meatloaf

Okay, I got this recipe from Marks Daily Apple. You can find the website at www.marksdailyapple.com. Mark Sisson is the founder of this website which shows you how to take control of your health. You’ll learn exactly what to eat and how to exercise to get the leanest, strongest, healthiest body with the least amount of pain, suffering and sacrifice possible. Check it out today! Primal Meatloaf Ingredients: 2 pounds ground meat (a mix of beef and pork works well) 2 eggs, whisked 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, grated or finely chopped 1 celery rib, finely chopped 2 tablespoons butter Small handful of fresh parsley springs, chopped 1/2 teaspoon dried dill 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Instructions: Preheat oven to 350F Saute garlic, onion, carrots, and celery in butter over medium heat until onions are soft (6-8 minutes) In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together. The best way to mix meatloaf is with your hands. Put half the meat in a loaf pan and smooth and pat it down with your fingers. Put the rest of the meat in the pan and smooth and pat it down until it’s even. It’s good to put foil or a rimmed baking sheet under the loaf pan, in case oil or liquid spills over the top. Bake 1 – 1 1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted into center of meatloaf registers 160°F. To freeze, first take the meatloaf out of the loaf pan and cool completely in the refrigerator. Wrap the loaf or individual slices tightly in freezer paper then put in a sealed freezer bag. Ideally, defrost the meatloaf in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350 F oven. Slices of meatloaf can also be reheated in a microwave.

Monday Monday

I realized at Crossfit on Thursday that I'm actually starting to enjoy my workouts. I'm still having to drag myself to the gym kicking and screaming, but then I enjoy it while I'm there. Hopefully eventually I will even look forward to going.

I'm a mathematician so I do everything in numbers and even though Dean said stay off the scale, I just have to. Well this week I broke a mark, I now have less than 50 lbs to lose. If you go back to the weight I was last May, then I'm now a quarter of the way to my goal. A whole 25%. And I've lost most of that weight in the last few weeks thanks to this wonderful makeover.

The other thing I've been doing is pushing myself to get the mile under 10 minutes. I some reason can't even jog the whole half mile (or sometimes quarter mile) outside on the pavement, but on the treadmill, I've been steadily going faster on the mile. Tonight I "ran" the mile in 11.26 minutes. I started at not even being able to make the mile, and the first time I did it was about 15 minutes. I think I've come a long way in just a few short weeks.

I'm actually amazed also at how much I like this diet. I'm going to turn in my food log tomorrow and see what the trainer at Crossfit has to say about it, but I find it easier and I feel like I'm eating healthy. A lot of diets involve their prepackaged food and you kind of look at the sodium and don't know. Others have these complicated lists of what you can and can't eat. This ones just simple, lean meat, veggies, nuts, and some fruits.

Speaking of diets, I've been reading Loren Cordain's books and I've learned a few things. You should keep nuts under 4oz a day if you're trying to lose weight, but should eat more than that if you're just maintaining weight. No more than 7 eggs a week, but you want lots of eggs because they're packed with viatamins. And free range, grass-fed is not just ethically better but also healthier.

This weekend my girlfriend had one of the best "date days" we have had in a long time. We went to the farmers market and spent several hours picking out veggies and fruits, planning our meals, comparing prices, and barganing. We also got some grass-fed steak and porkchops. The steak was really good and I don't even like beef! I can't wait to try the pork chops, you should have seen how nicely they cooked. Cantelope is definitly not a good breakfast food for work, too juicy. I eat mini cucumbers like they're candy. (Can you eat too many mini cucumbers? And why do the mini ones taste so much better than the regular ones?) Anyways, after the farmers market we came home and my girlfriend cooked on the grill while I cut up fruits and veggies and we had a wonderful relaxful dinner. Oh yeah and it was healthy too!

The fun is just beginning!!

Happy Monday! Its been a long day! But, I made it through a 45 minute workout on the elliptical at lunch and most importantly through one of our reps bringing in McDonald's fries for an afternoon snack! OH MY GOODNESS!!! Lol I attempted to start my morning off with yoga, but that 5am alarm came way too early. I'll try again for tomorrow. So, we got our results back from Dean, and while I still am not 100% sure what they all mean (he's going to have to explain a few things for me), I decided to take a positive spin instead of being like "wow, I'm a fatty!"! The good thing about the results is they can all be lowered! It's going to be nice to look great, but even more important I want to be healthy so I can be here for my kids and to continue to fulfill my destiny on this earth! Okay, so here's the really fun girly stuff! The "beauty" part of the makeover is starting to happen! Dallas Laser Dentistry is cleaning and whitening our teeth! I think Tonia and I go next Wednesday and Jennifer on the 20th. And we get a personal fitting with Reuse Denim (www.reusejeans.com), hair by Ogle, and mani/pedi's by L'Acqua Spa (http://www.lacquaspa.com/cms/). The photo shoot has been scheduled AND we are getting professional make up the day of the shoot. Seriously! I am soo stoked! And its all happening the week of my birthday! Its going to be the best birthday ever!! My motivation has definitely increased! I've enjoyed working out and feel a million percent better. But seriously, I checked out some of the jeans, skirts and shorts they have a Reuse.. I wanna rock a pair of those shorts and some heels! LOL I'm just saying.. Have a great day!

Tonia Clark - American Heart Association Contestant

I recently received the American Heart Association’s “Lifestyle Change Award.” The award recognizes people who have made positive changes in order to live longer, healthier lives – such as starting an exercise program, making healthier food choices and/or becoming tobacco free. I’ve always been one of those people who hates going to the doctor, because what’s the first thing they make you do? You guessed it, step on the scales. It’s easy to ignore the fact that you’re overweight and unhealthy until that dreaded doctor’s appointment. After months of my heart racing for no reason and just feeling generally lousy, I knew I had to suck it up and go. Deep down, I knew something was wrong. In July 2009, at the ripe old age of 40, I was told by my doctor that not only did I have diabetes, but that I also had an increased risk of heart disease. I was devastated by the news. Sure I was overweight and didn’t really exercise, but I never really considered myself as being unhealthy. As it turned out, the news was really a blessing in disguise because it gave me the motivation I needed to make a change. I was determined to get healthier, not just for me, but for my family. I started by making small changes. I walked a little every day and tried to make better food choices. Eventually I was able to increase my physical activity, started riding a bike and even joined a health club. I never considered my food choices as a diet, just a new way of eating. I lost a total of 90 pounds by exercising and eating real, non-processed foods. Best of all, my doctor gave me a clean bill of health and said she wishes all of her patients were like me. Of course she also told me that I could start eating anything I wanted as long as my numbers stayed the same. I laughed at her and said thanks, but if I eat anything I want my numbers won’t stay the same. She gave me that knowing smile. Did I mention I’m not a big fan of doctors? Just kidding, my doctor rocks and I actually see her on an annual basis now. There’s really no secret to losing weight and getting healthier. I think most people are capable of making small changes in their daily routines in order to live longer, healthier lives. My motto is “If I can do it, so can you!”

Tough Tuesday!!

Wow. Todays workout was killer for me. Tonia was the cheerleader tonight after Cross Fit. I was so disapppinted in myself! I felt like I could have pushed harder. I was so frustrated with the dang jump rope! I am NOT coordinated for the jump rope. She reminded me to not be afraid to ask for the modified versions of work outs. She was BEAST tonight. She killed those sets! Super super proud of her. A friend reminded me on the way home that its the past, forget about it and move on. So, I'm moving on. Determined topush harder on Thursday night! Im off to rest these achy bones & muscles! Have a great night!!

Recipe of the Day - Chicken & Spiced Apples

Here is a great, healthy recipe that Tonia shared with us this week. Its on our meal schedule for Wednesday this week! Let me know if you try it and what you think!

Chicken & Spiced Apples

6 servings | Active Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 apples, preferably Braeburn, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 1/8 teaspoons herbes de Provence, (see Note), divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

Preparation

1. Toss apple slices with lemon juice and cinnamon in a small bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Keep warm.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence, salt and pepper. Place chicken between sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or the bottom of a small saucepan to a 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with the seasoning mixture.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken and cook until no longer pink in the center, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a platter and keep warm. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter to the pan; heat over high heat. Cook the remaining chicken in the same manner.
4. Add broth, lemon zest, the remaining 1/8 teaspoon herbes and any accumulated juices from the chicken to the pan. Cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits, until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve with the sautéed apples.

Tips & Notes

• Ingredient note:
• Herbes de Provence is a mixture of dried herbs commonly used in the south of France. You can find commercial mixtures in specialty stores, but it is easy to make your own. Mix 1 tablespoon each (or equal proportions) dried thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram and savory in a small jar. If desired, add a pinch of dried lavender and crushed aniseed.

Nutrition Profile

Diabetes appropriate | Low calorie | Low carbohydrate | Low saturated fat | Low sodium | Heart healthy | Healthy weight | Gluten free | View Complete Nutrition Guidelines»

Nutrition
Per serving:
191 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 72 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 1 g fiber; 292 mg sodium; 342 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Niacin (65% daily value), Selenium (29% dv).
1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 3 1/2 lean meat, 1 fat

Today's news

I started my food log today, and made it through a latin heat arobic class and then a nice calming yoga. Third day into the week and still on tract for my goal of working out every day this week! Tomorrow is Cross Fit for Fitness Elements workout. I've got my gym bag packed and ready.

I've been laying out my gym clothes the night before so that I change into them as soon as I get home, before I loose my momentum that I have at work. If I'm going to work out every day, I'm definitly going to need to get some more gym clothes. I really love yoga pants but they're like $30/pair at Target and Walmart. Then I found them for $5/pair at family dollar. Wahoo. Now if only I could do that with my sports bras. I found some CG ones that I'm just in love with because they're really supporting, but geesh they're expensive. Guess I'll have to shop around this weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions on places with cheap but good sports bras?

Today was Weds. which means that the company catered lunch and our options were really limited. I haven't quite gotten to where I'm one of these two or three people that pass up the free lunch to bring their own strict diet, especially when they're serving my favorite Kaui. I was really proud of myself though because I loaded my plate up with salad (well mainly just big leafy spinach there was like 3 cucumbers slices and that was it). Then because I felt like I had so much food I only got a little bit of Thair chicken and the broccilli from the terriaki chicken. I skipped the rice, salad dressings, cookies, rice crispy treats, and dumplings altogether. Tomorrow we're having a lunch meeting at a very nice restaraunt that is buffet style. Lets see how I survive.

What are some good ways to prepare veggies that don't take a lot of time?

Let's Get This Party Started!

So, I'm cracking up because Tonia officially named the me "cheerleader" of the group last night. I have no clue why!  We had such a great time at Cross Fit last night. Dean rocked it out with some healthy nutrition facts that I'm gonna share when I get in tonight. We also did weigh in and before pictures with Danny from the Observer. He better of got my good side. Dean told us NOT to get on the scale again for another 4 weeks. That's gonna be super hard for me, but I can do it!

Our goal/assignment for the next two weeks is to work out as much as possible, get rid of dairy and grains from our diet, start a food journal, read the Paleo Diet book, and get down to eating healthy 80% of the time. Yeah, who woulda known I'd have HOMEWORK! LOL, But it is totally doable. So, to get my assignment started, I had to do some shopping! Today I went to Target at lunch and grabbed a magnetic calendar for the fridge so I can plan out my meals for the week and be more efficient with my grocery shopping. Another helpful hint from Dean. :) I also purchased a journal to log my food intake. Oh,  and I got a new Yoga video so I can start my mornings right. I"m not sure if I'm pushing myself too much with the working out, but I really want to take full advantage of this! I want ya'll to see a difference before those "before shots" even make it to print!

So I don't get tired of eating fish and veggies, tell me what your favorite healthy meal is! 

The beggining

We've started down a wonderful journey towards getting fit. This competition is just a truly amazing motivation and opportunity.

The first week:
We started with the crossfit gym on Saturday, which kicked all of our butts, but we did it, stayed the whole workout. Then went once during the week. If it hadn't been for this competition and the great support of the others girls, I normally would probably have not gone back for the second time. It was that hard of a workout. Someone mentioned that it takes about 6 times to get used to the workout, so I've set that as my goal, to go 6 times.

I believe the others have their own gym where they work out. I hadn't yet joined a gym but I really wanted to see if I could do this Paleothic diet, so I cut all processed foods out of my diet (thats all I really knew about the diet). I pretty much ate salad and chicken breasts for the whole week. My major accomplisment of the week came when my boss took us upstairs for a four course meal. I survived. I had a shot glass of fruit for an apetizer. I skipped the dressing and cheese on the salad. Then since it was seafood Friday I went for the only non-fried fish, the baked salmon with grilled green beans. For dessert I had another shot glass of fruit. It was only one meal, but I felt like if I could get through that meal without breaking my diet that I could really do this.

Now we're on week 2:
It didn't start that well for me. I bought all the ingredients for salad, some frozen salmon, and was going to make a quiche from a paleo diet recipe I found. Well, the salmon needs to thaw for several hours so my idea of going home and cooking the Salmon to take for lunches for the rest of the week, didn't work out so well since I had no time to cook except that night. The quiche called for a cup and a half of spinach, so I put the whole 10oz bag in there thininking I was shorting the spinach a little. Yeah, so I now think they meant to put in a physical measuring cup of spinach because there was so much spinach the egg didn't cook until the whole thing was burnt mess. So I didn't have the lunches (salmon salad) or the dinners (quiche) I had counted on.

Monday. I did sushi and then what was advertised as a healthy tofu and veggie chinese dinner. I knew I wasn't being perfect but I avoided the fried sushi and went for a fairly healthy veggie meal. Also, my girlfriend and I went and joined LA Fitness which is just a minute up the street from us. It's good encouragement for her because she is still conditioning and building back up after heart surgery and good for me because now I can work out even if I'm not able to make the Crossfit class times or not up to that grueling of a work out. I even went and did a Yoga class. I forgot how much I love yoga and the class was easy and relaxing rather that a real hard workout.

Today is Tuesday (we've caught up to present time), my girlfriend was really sweet and cooked my Salmon for me so the rest of the week I'll be able to eat that. Tonia, Stephanie, and I went to Crossfit to workout, but we ended up doing a nutrition class and learning about the Paleo diet instead. I found it really interesting and learned some of things I was doing wrong. I'll have to post later more informtaion about it. Afterwards, I thought I was going to go home and just go to sleep, but I ended up calling my girlfriend and went and got on the treadmill for 15 minutes and bikes for 15 minutes. I'm setting a goal to work out every day this week, and here I go posting it so I better do it. I'm going to get my money's worth out of this gym membership. I used to have a gym membership years ago but after a month or so I never went and I was under a year contract so I really was cautious about getting this one. LA Fitness has gone to month to month though, and with being able to go with my girlfriend I really think we're going to motivate each other to keep going.

I don't know if people are able to comment on this blog, but if you are. What sort of diets have you tried and what did you find worked and didn't work? What did you like and not like?

Jennifer Owens – Resource Center Dallas Contestant

I am representing the Resource Center Dallas in this wonderful competition. I have been volunteering with the Center for over 4 years. The Center operates the Nelson-Tebedo Community Clinic, the Nutrition Center (food pantry), and the John Thomas Community Center. Through these the Center helps to provide hot meals, groceries, and health care including dental services to people living with HIV/AIDS, medical care to the transgender community, and programs to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. They also have the one of the largest LGBT and HIV/AIDS libraries in the state of Texas. There is something at the Center for everyone in the LGBT community and I encourage you to check out http://www.rcddallas.org/ for more information. I know that through my volunteering the Center has become a second family and home to me.

Five years ago I wanted so much to be a part of a LGBT community and meet other women like me, I moved to Dallas where I didn’t know anyone and had no idea how to meet other people. I was here for two days when I went to my first Gay Bingo and knew that I had found my new home. Over the next two years, I started performing with Gay Bingo, answering phones at the front desk (the Center hotline is a great way to get any information you need about the GLBT community by the way), served on the steering committees of GEAR, the Center’s transgender program, and JEWEL, the Center’s women’s program. Now a days, I still perform with Gay Bingo and I coordinate JEWEL. 

GayBingo is a fundraiser for the Center, every third Saturday that if you’ve never been to you have to try. There is nothing more fun than 15 rounds of bingo led by two drag queens with microphones. Not to mention the performance during intermission by Something Fabulous. JEWEL has several monthly events including the Lesbian Fiction Book Club, Writing Discussion and Exchange, Wine and Dine, and Socialite Event.

I am excited about this competition and will give it my all both for my pride for all the good that the Center does and because I would love to see myself made over.

Stephanie Marsh - March of Dimes Contestant

Name: Stephanie Marsh
   Age: 31
 From: Frisco

Hi Everyone! My name is Stephanie Marsh and I am the contestant chosen by the March of Dimes for the Making a Difference in Dallas makeover by the Dallas Observer. I'm a single mom of two beautiful children, Nathaniel, 11 and Jacee, 6.We currently live in beautiful Frisco, TX - the fastest growing city in the US!

The March of Dimes organization and their annual March for Babies walk/fundraiser have been apart of our lives since 2006. I was 26 weeks pregnant when I developed  pre-eclampsia and was placed in the hospital on bed rest. I was allowed to go home on Friday, and on Sunday morning I was back in the hospital with my blood pressure through the roof. After performing an ultra sound, I was told that Jacee had stopped growing at 24 weeks and in order to save us both, she had to come out. She was born 27 weeks, 1lb 9oz and 12.5 inches long. She spent 2.5 months in the NICU at Baylor Dallas and is now a happy, healthy 6 year old Kindergartener!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Our family supports that mission because we are living proof that what they are doing works! I have been a member of their Family Teams Committee for 3 years and a Family Team Captain since 2006. I've attended two of their Capitol days where I've been able to travel to Austin with other volunteers and speak with our state leaders on the importance of the March of Dimes and what they are doing to fight for our most precious resource - our children. Each year my family walks so that one day, all babies will be born healthy!To find out more about the March for Babies Walk, March of Dimes, and our family team, Team Jacee, visit our family team website at www.marchforbabies.org/team/teamjacee.


I am completely excited and honored to be a part of this make over. For me, just to be recognized as a woman who makes a difference in her community is an honor. There are so many women in our communities who day in and day out give of their time and talents and to be nominated out of all of them for this is humbling. I am looking forward to making new friendships with the women who are on this journey with me and to transforming myself into a new, healthier me so I continue what I was put here to do!

Thanks for reading!