Thursday, December 30, 2010

Juicer Review

I reviewed a juicer here! Check it out!

Weather

It's 59 degrees outside! Not December weather for Omaha, Nebraska that's for sure!
I just went fast walking around the school. I got all the way around this time; five laps. The last week or so I've been unable to go out, or it was snowy on the backside of the building.

Last year it seemed as though snow and ice were everywhere. Grandma Spiehs got her ankle fused and I broke my foot. It was a horrible winter.!
Snow will be traveling in soon enough I'm sure.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

CSN | Stores Product Review

I was contacted by CSN | Stores once again. I was up for anther product review! I've done a few other reviews and giveaways for them.

CSN | Stores has so much to choose from. I could seriously find just about anything for my house or work at one of their stores.

This time I picked out a bathroom scale. I got the Trimmer Square Glass Digital Bathroom Scale in Chrome.
The price was $42.13 and marked down to $31.60.



Our old scale would not hold its batteries. I had the hardest time figuring out how much weight I've lost with the old scale.

The Trimmer Square Glass Digital Bathroom Scale n Chrome is perfect! It will even weigh my little guy.


My top five favorite features of this scale are:
  1. Weighs up to 330 pounds
  2. It has long lasting lithium batteries {that were included}
  3. The tempered safety glass {that looks stylish}
  4. LCD display
  5. Tap-on technology to start and auto switch off in 6 seconds


Overall dimensions: 3" H x 14" W x 14" D. It fits great in our small bathroom.


Please take some time to visit CSN | Stores! They do have such a great selection.

Disclaimer:
The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.
I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out.
If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Red Gold

Our Kids Mom is hosting a giveaway for Red Gold Tomatoes.

Two winners get a Red Gold Tomatoes Prize Pack! See Our Kids Mom to view a more accurate picture of what you can win!

Do You Like Seafood?

I love it! I've been making salmon. I paint on olive oil mixed with lemon juice. Often times I sprinkle on an herb. What herb I put on depends on my mood. I'm trying to stay away from butter as much as possible.

My oldest child loves salmon, and my younger one won't touch it. They eat pretty good, so I have nothing to complain about. My kids are not the types that will only eat macaroni and cheese.

My Wee View has a pretty sweet giveaway going on right now. Five lucky winners are going to receive coupons for any FREE BlueWater product

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Low Fat Granola

I got this recipe from Jolly Mom.

We sprinkle this granola on this homemade cereal.

Here's the recipe:


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, nuts, flax seeds, wheat germ, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, warm the applesauce, brown sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and oil over low heat.
  3. Add the applesauce mixture to the oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  4. Spread the mixture onto two baking sheets. Make sure you have an even layer and the pans aren't crowded. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the granola is a golden brown color.
  5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before eating or storing in an airtight container. The granola may seem like it's a bit mushy in parts when it comes out of the oven, but once it cools it will harden and develop that wonderful crunch granola is known for.

Additions:

  1. We added dried blueberries and cranberries that I bought from Costco.
  2. You can use other nuts.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Maybe Not So Healthy...

But really good! Cracker Barrel has great salads that I can eat! I also LOVE their shop!

Go Graham Go is hosting a great giveaway! One lucky winner will win $100 gift card to Cracker Barrel as well as a gift basket full of $100 worth of their products!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Roasted Cauliflower

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Spray a 9x12 casserole dish well.

Pour in a large Ziploc the following ingredients and mix:
  1. Garlic
  2. Lemon juice
  3. Olive oil
Add the cut and thawed cauliflower into the bag with the mixture above. Add the cauliflower to sprayed casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake for 20 to 30 min. Bake until it is light brown and a fork can easily go through the cauliflower.

In a small bowl mix the Parmesan cheese and parsley. Sprinkle the mixture on top and broil on low for a few minutes.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

I Want a Juicer for Christmas

I'd like to have a juicer for Christmas. Two of a Kind Working on a Full House is hosting a giveaway were they are giving away a $100 gift card to ATG Stores. Wouldn't this be great to win!

I think if I won, I'd get a juicer. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Bialetti

Jolly Mom is hosting a great giveaway! One of her readers will win Aeternum pans by Bialetti!
We love to cook! 

These are some of the great things about their pans:
  1. Saute pans included: 8", 9.5" & 11"
  2. Stain resistant white nonstick nano-ceramic interior
  3. Allows excellent thermal conductivity
  4. Eco friendly
  5. PFOA free, PTFE free, Cadmium free

Monday, November 15, 2010

I Walked Over Two Miles Without Tennis Shoes On!

I left my tennis shoes in the car, so I could use them this weekend. I forgot to get them out! During my lunch break today I walked over two miles with dress shoes on. Luckily I'm not the type that wears skinny and long heals!

Moms Review 4 You! is giving away to three readers a pair of Reebok EasyTone Shoes!

After walking today in dress shoes I've realized that I need two pairs of tennis shoes. One for work and another pair for home.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Zen Soy

My Baby's Green has a great giveaway going on for TWO lucky winners to receive a t-shirt and free coupons for their choice of either a case of Zen Soy pudding-valued at $46 or a case of Soy on the Go-valued at $23! 

I love these kind's of snacks for my kids!

 

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Healthier Cookie

Tropical Traditions gave me a jar of Gold Label Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to try out.



I have to be honest at first I had never heard of Coconut Oil. I didn't know how to cook with it. I had to figure out if it was even healthy to use in the kitchen.

Luckily I have a sister that works in health and nutrition. She told me that it is healthy. I also read up on Coconut oil before it arrived to me. This is straight from Tropical Traditions website:

As a cooking oil, its chemical structure is kept in tact and therefore is resistant to mutations of fatty acid chains even when used in higher cooking temperatures, unlike most vegetable oils. Research shows that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss. For hundreds of tasty recipes from people who use coconut oil, visit FreeCoconutRecipes.com.

I used it on the boy's skin after a bath. I love how it smells and melts into their skin! Isaak always tries to eat the lotion. This is perfect for him because he can eat it.

I plan on using it to make a stir fry. Tofu is one of my newer loves. I'll post the recipe when I make this!

We also made healthier cookies! I'm a baker. Even though I'm trying to loose weight I still love to bake around this time of year. I've been trying to bake using healthier things in the mix.

The Recipe I Use for Chocolate Chip, Cherry Chip Cookies 

I love that these cookies contain oatmeal! 
Coconut Oil can replace butter!

Start:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees.
Cream the following together:
  1. 1 cup Coconut Oil
  2. 1 cup white sugar
  3. 1 cup brown sugar
Add:
  1. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  2. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  3. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  4. 1 teaspoon baking powder

Blend in:
  1. 2 cups flour
  2. 2 1/2 cups oatmeal
  3. 6 ounces chocolate chips, 6 ounces cherry chips.
  4. 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Finish:

  1. Spray a pan well. 
  2. I used a medium Pampered Chef Scoop. 
  3. Bake until light brown.
  4. Place on a cooling rack when they've hardened up a little.
  5. They taste good warm (straight out of the oven), room temperature and cold (we sometimes freeze them).
  6. This made 55 cookies. We had a few and the rest went in the freezer for Christmas time. They tasted better then with using butter!


Disclaimer:
The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.
I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out.
If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Food Should Taste Good!

Colies Kitchen is giving away a great snack for someone that is trying to loose weight!
I'm allowed one snack a day. This would be a great one!

A case of the winners flavor selection of Food Should Taste Good chips! All their flavors look good, but I think I'd choose multigrain, what about you?

Cash and Fruit For Classrooms

Songberries is hosting a great giveaway. Del Monte is giving one of their readers a $25 gift certificate!

Del Monte is having a contest online in support of teachers. The fruit is for classroom snack and to encourage educational activities about fruit and healthy eating choices. You can read more about the contest here.

Yesturday I Walked and Walked

I've been keeping up on the walking. It's a daily habit now. Yesterday I walked the most that I ever have. 7 laps.

That's over 2 miles, with 5 pounds strapped to my ankles and 6 pounds in my hands. I'm walking way faster then before.

I'm still watching what I eat. I do wish that my family liked Tofu as much as me. It's just yummy in stir fries. I think! They follow most everything else that I eat.

I ordered a new scale through CSN|Stores to review. That should be coming soon to our house. They ship about as fast as I walk. Our scale wasn't keeping it's batteries.

Last Day to Enter a Few Low Entry Giveaway's

  • I have 2 CSN | Stores giveaways that end tonight at 10 pm. They are both for a $35 gift card. You can find them here and here.
  • I have a Snugfits giveaway that also ends tonight at 10 pm. This is to win 2 baby or toddler's tee's. Their choices are awesome! Please enter this giveaway here.
  • This giveaway ends on November 6. It's to win an Energizer smoke alarm and batteries. Right before day light savings hits! You can enter this giveaway here.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Dining Room Table

I wish I had room for a huge dining room table in my house. We only have a space off to the side of our kitchen for a medium sized table.

I'd like one that looks like this:

One important thing to me is eating at home with my family. I love gatherings around a table!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Enter My Giveaways!

I have two CSN|Stores giveaways. Both are for $35. They can be found here and here.
There is a Snugfits giveaway to win 2 baby to toddler tees here.
Then there is a Energizer giveaway to win a smoke alarm and batteries here.

Monday, October 25, 2010

I Went Down a Pant Size!

All the hard work of walking very fast with weights and watching what I eat is starting to pay off!

I went down a pant size! I've lost a lot, but it's all over. It's not for every brand of pants, but I went shopping and got a size smaller then before.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Chicken Bitki


  1. I use a mini food chopper for all the chopping, mincing. You can use a knife. It just takes longer.
  2. Make bread crumbs first. I found that two slices of bread makes a cup. Dump the crumbs in a medium mixing bowl. 
  3. Wash 1/2 a package of mushrooms. Chop them up next. Add to the mixing bowl.
  4. Chop the chicken up last. Add to the mixing bowl.
  5. Beat your eggs in a small bowl. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper. Beat more. Pour into mixing bowl. Mix everything together with clean hands.
  6. I use a Medium Pampered Chef scoop to make 1/2 circles on a plate.
  7. Heat oil in a pan.
  8. Roll the scoops of chicken mix in flour and drop into the pan. Flatten with a spatula. Cook both sides.
They taste good plain, with ketchup or barbecue sauce.
The kids love this! It's a much healthier option to fast food chicken nuggets!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Kid's Need to Stay Fit

I have two boy's ages 2 and 5. It's important that they stay fit. Mica my 5 year old has a program with one of his preschool's (he goes to 2) that is called Stretch and Grow. They teach Mica exercises as well as good nutritional facts.
A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away an 18" hop ball from Aqua Leisure/First Fitness.

This is some information from Aqua Leisure/First Fitness website:

Getting kids up and active is the main goal... and FirstFitness offers a wide variety of products tailored to do just that. Each fitness item target benefits in one or more of these six key areas:
  • Cardio: Increase heart and respiratory health and stamina.
  • Strength: Helps stimulate healthy muscle growth.
  • Agility: Teaches body awareness and balance.
  • Performance: Aids and enhances child's exercise performance.
  • Flexibility: Keeps muscles and joints functional and safe from injury.
  • Skills: Develops the basics needed to do well in sports. 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

They Fit!

A few things have changed in the last few weeks. I have shirts that were too tight in the arms that are now fitting. Before I was too embarrassed to wear these shirts before. Not anymore!

I use my 3 pound weights at my desk to do arm exercises. That must be helping!

I have underwear that would not fit before, now fit too.

I walk and walk at lunch with my 3 pound weights, totaling 6 pounds and my 2.5 pound weights strapped to my ankles, totaling 5 pounds. That too must be helping!

Inspiration


I'm an art teacher. my students sometimes comment when I walk around the school, Golds Gym and a few other businesses during lunch time.

Last week was midterms. I began walking around, and there were a bunch of my students out back. They were drawing with sidewalk chalk. I thought, "Oh a few images to look at." Nope, they had written messages to me. How thoughtful! ;)

When I walked around today; I ran in to get my camera after walking 6 laps. Three extra laps from when I started at the tail end of the summer!



Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Worst Halloween Treats

There's a really great article here about what not to eat for Halloween. Maybe I shall state the better choice to eat for Halloween.

Worst "Fun Size" Candy Bar (my favorite, no more) 
Butterfinger Bar (fun size bar)
100 calories
4 g fat (2 g saturated)
10 g sugars

Eat This, Instead!
3 Musketeers (fun size bar)
63 calories
2 g fat (1.5 g saturated)
10 g sugars

Worst Fruity Candy
Brach’s Airheads (3 pieces)
140 calories
1.5 g fat (1 g saturated)
19 g sugars

Here’s the basic formula for an Airhead: Sugar and filler carbohydrates, artificial colors and flavors, and partially hydrogenated oils—a source of trans fat. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not like our Eat This Instead, Dum Dums, are nutritional paragons, but they do have two noteworthy advantages over Airheads: They have no heart-wrecking oils, and they're hard candy. That means they dissolve slowly on your tongue, letting you enjoy the sweetness over time.

Eat This, Instead!
Spangler Dum Dum Pops (3 pops)
77 calories
0 g fat
105 g sugars

Worst Novelty Candy (another past favorite of mine)
Reese’s Pumpkin
170 calories
10 g fat (3 g saturated)
16 g sugars

This one should send your gimmick radar into the red zone. It’s simply an oversized peanut butter cup shaped like a pumpkin. What price novelty? Nearly two-thirds more calories than a regular Reese’s peanut butter cup! Grab two bite-size Reese's instead—you'll save more than half the calories, fat, and sugar. 

Eat This, Instead!
Reese's Bite Size Peanut Butter Cups (2 pieces)
72 calories
4 g fat (3 g saturated)
6 g sugars

  • Three miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—the kind you find in office candy bowls and trick-or-treat-bags—fill your belly with more sugar than a glazed doughnut.
  • Half a pack of Skittles has more sugar than a scoop of Haagen-Dazs Cookies and Cream Ice Cream. 
  • Nine Twizzlers carry as many calories as a Wendy’s Double Stack Burger.
These are some spooky treats. And Halloween is only the beginning of the eating season: Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner.

Survival Tip 1: Toss the candy bowl
Alabama researchers found that people who have snacks within reach when they're watching TV consume more calories per day overall. But instead of simply relocating the bowl to another table, limit the potential for mindless munching by keeping the candy bagged and in the cupboard.

Survival Tip 2: Consume drinks before treats
Drinking 16 ounces of water before a meal fills the stomach, quells hunger, and helps you lose weight, according to a study presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Use this strategy to help tamp your candy cravings. Just don't substitute a sugary beverage for the water or this strategy will backfire: A can of soda has more sugar than two Hershey’s Take 5 bars.

Survival Tip 3: Work out on Halloween morning
Lifting weights reduces levels of blood sugar by 15 percent for more than 12 hours after you’ve left the gym, according to research from Syracuse University. Why does that matter? Some of the sugar you consume will stay in your blood stream, providing energy to your cells, instead of pitching a tent in your belly.

Survival Tip 4: Switch to dark chocolate
It won’t necessarily save you calories, but dark chocolate boasts a bevy of health benefits that milk chocolate can’t claim.

Survival Tip 5: Chew gum
Sort through any trick-or-treat bag and you’ll undoubtedly discover a handful of Super or Dubble Bubble—those small pink cubes wrapped in old-fashioned, end-twisted candy papers. Instead of plowing through the chocolates and taffies, throw a big gob of the gum in your mouth. The chewing suppresses cravings, and each piece has only about 15 calories.

Survival Tip 6: Don't hand out your favorite candy (I'll remember this for next year)
If your favorite candy is Milk Duds, and you’re handing out Milk Duds all night, doesn’t it seem likely that you’re going to wind up with a pound of chocolate and caramel in your stomach by night’s end? Of course! And that’s not even factoring in how many Duds you’ll plow through as they sit on the counter in the days leading up to Halloween. Choose something less tempting. 

Survival Tip 7: Keep your candy calorie load to 400
The fewer calories you take in during candy season, the better off you’ll be heading into turkey season. So if you worry that you risk overindulgence, set a caloric limit and hold yourself to it. Four hundred is a good number—indulgent yet not overly destructive. That means you could eat every “Eat This Instead” on our list, and have 65 calories left for one of your personal favorites.  

Survival Tip 8: Don't skip dinner
A healthy dinner will take the edge off your candy craving, not to mention temper the blood-sugar rush that converts your body into a flab factory and puts you at risk for diabetes.

Survival Tip 9: Take it outside
The worst thing you can do on Halloween night, after most of the trick-or-treaters have cleared off the street, is set your candy bowl by the door where you can grab a handful every day on your way out. Noshing 300 extra candy calories a day will add a pound of flab to your frame in less than two weeks. Instead, set the bowl on the porch before you go to bed. The leftover candy will be gone by morning, guaranteed.  

Survival Tip 10: Remember Halloween is a one time event
A study in the journal of Nature Neuroscience found that eating junk food doesn’t just satisfy cravings—it creates them. That’s right; junk food is addictive. Limit your sugar splurging to October 31. If you start a week early, you’re going to have a serious candy habit to break after Halloween. You might find it to be frightfully difficult.  

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Southwestern Burger

I made a great burger this last weekend!

In a mixing bowl dump in one pound of ground beef or ground turkey.

I used my mini food chopper to finely chop 1/2 cup oat meal. Dump it into the mixing bowl. Open a can of black beans, rinse them, and add 1/2 the beans to the mini food chopper. Chop them up roughly. Add the beans to the mixing bowl.

Cut up 1/4 cup cilantro. I got a batch of cilantro from the store, and just cut up 1/2 of it (that was 1/4 cup). Dice 1/2 a Roma tomato, 1/3 cup white onion, 1/3 cup bell pepper (any color). Add them all to the mixing bowl.


Sprinkle feta cheese in the mixing bowl. I start to mix everything at this point. I add enough feta until I can see it in the mix.


Add in an egg. This will help hold your burger together.

Start forming them in patties. Broil or cook on the grill.


Optional, slice avocado to put on your burger. It has so much flavor that no additional sauces or cheese is necessary. I used wheat buns.


I used the remainder black beans on a salad for the next day.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Power Juicer

Two of a Kind is giving away a Power Juicer Express. They come in several colors for $99.99.

I really want one of these:

Fiber Plus Cereal? Nope Homemade Cereal


I made the boy's and I some cereal this morning.
They love it! ;)

This served my two boys (ages 5 and 2) and myself.

  1. Plain oatmeal (one serving). I made it on the stove. I sprinkled flaxseed in with the oatmeal. To cook oatmeal you pour in one cup of water. Bring it to a boil. Add in 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Stir while on the heat for five minutes. Make sure it doesn't boil over. Stir every once in awhile. Take off the heat, and let it set for 2 minutes.
  2. Divide. It doesn't look like much, but once you add the other things it will be a full meal.
  3. Added berries. The first time I made this I added blueberries and strawberries. The second time I made this I added just blueberries. You can use frozen fruit. Costco sells berries year round.
  4. Add in plain yogurt.
  5. Sprinkled granola on the top. It's just a sprinkle, so I don't use a lot of this. I'm trying to use up my store bought granola. Once I do this, I'm going to make my own. I will be putting up a new recipe for that. When it happens.
It is done. Very good, very healthy!

Now for the funny part:

My 5 year old son, Mica sits down and says, "Yes! I love Fiber Plus Blueberry Cereal!"
I explained how I made the cereal, and that it isn't Fiber Plus.
Too cute! I love this kid!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Apple Pork

Pour a little olive oil in a medium pan. Add in peeled, cored, sliced apples. Cook until they start to brown slightly. Add them to the Crock Pot.

Use the same pan to cook the onions. You may have to add a little more olive oil. Cook until they start to brown slightly. Add them to the Crock Pot.

Use the same pan to cook the pork. Cook through. Add them to the Crock Pot.

Next mix up the sauce. Mix all the rest of the ingredients and pour over everything in the Crock Pot. Cook on high for a few hours, or cook on low for half a day.

Alissa is Sick :(

I have no voice and I feel weak.

I went walking during lunch anyhow. I figured that I'll be sitting on my bum the whole rest of the day. I needed to get some walking done.

Three laps went by, and I felt pooped out. I still went two more. Now I'm done. I going to do some arm curls after I'm done posting this.

The question of the day is, do you still exercise when you feel like crap?

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Pumpkin Bread

We grow pumpkins, so I used a pumpkin from our backyard. I cooked it, and ground it up with a mini food processor. You can use canned pumpkin.

I also peeled, sliced and ground up apple in a mini food processor. I didn't worry about cooking it because I knew it would cook when the bread cooked. You can use apple sauce like the recipe states.

I mixed everything in my mixer. If you do not have a mixer a good rule of thumb is to mix all the wet ingredients together. Mix the dry ingredients together. Slowly add the wet into the dry.

Use two bread pans. Spray the bottoms with Pam's Olive Spray. Sprinkle with flour.

Cook at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, or until a tooth pick can be inserted in the thickest part of the bread, and comes out clean.

*I'm not too keen on the sugar. I'm trying to figure out how to reduce sugar. It's hard when it's in most every recipe I looked up for pumpkins. One good thing is that you do not eat the amount above in one setting.  There is no butter, which is good!

For Fall I Heart Split Pea Soup

Wash 1 bag (16 ounces) of split peas very well. I chop and put everything in the crock pot.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours.
Easy and healthy for you.

Alissa is a Guest

  • Felicia from Go Graham Go just had a baby boy!
  • She mentioned that she needed some people to write some posts, and I've written three.
  • Felicia posted one of my posts today. It's about playing with your food. Yes I did say playing with your food. I included a recipe and pictures. Please go check it out.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Alissa Lost 20 Pounds

I'm on a weight mission. I've done pretty good walking with ankle weights and hand weights during lunch at work. Many days I try and walk one more lap then my body wants too. Then I've been trying to go somewhere during the weekend that requires walking. It can be hard with naps in the mix. I have two little ones.

This sounds odd, but seeing the smokers outside in the same spot day after day outside of work motivates me. I think in my mind, "I don't want to be like them." No offense to anyone that smokes. I just don't want to be unhealthy. Most people that I know that smokes wants to quit. They know the habit is bad. I want the same with eating. I don't want to quit eating; just want to eat right.

Then there is a gym on the other side of the building I walk around. I can usually hear someone in there cheering everyone on for some aerobic class, which pushes me to walk faster.

I've been eating healthier too.

I stepped on the scale yesterday, and I've lost 20 pounds since the tail end of the summer. It's hard for me to tell. I feel just the same. In fact I've felt kind of blah since allergy season started. I think I've just been losing it all over, and not just in one spot.

    Thursday, September 2, 2010

    877 My Juicer.com

    Organic Girl is hosting a giveaway for 877 My Juicer.com.
    Juice's that you buy in the store are loaded with sugar. We really water ours down.

    877 My Juicer.com is giving away a useful juicer that will turn any fruit or veggie into juice.

    Friday, August 27, 2010

    Fun Follow Friday!

    My Wee View

    Thursday, August 26, 2010

    Alissa Took Two More Laps

    I'm stepping it up again! I really want to be more active, and it's hard! I do laps around the school that I work for during my hour lunch break, which is more like 40 minutes by the time I eat.

    I put on ankle weights, and walked around 5 laps. Today I pushed it to 7 laps. My legs tingle and my face is red and hot.

    I'm going to add arm weights next.

    It's hard doing this when I'm at home. After working all day, and being a full time mom, my body is pooped. All the more reason to be active I suppose. Added on to this, is allergy season. Yay I can't wait, NOT! The time of year I can barely push myself out of bed!

    Monday, August 23, 2010

    Alissa's Scale Review


    I have my csn | stores review written and posted!

    Included in the review is some info on a food scale I got from them! Please take some time to read my review here


    Thursday, August 19, 2010

    Alissa Feels Good

    I feel good today! I put on my pants that were tight three weeks ago, and now they fit just right!

    I've also been having issues with my tummy. I have IBS, and it's been acting up since school started. Stress triggers my tummy issues! Today I'm free of the symptoms. I don't feel bloated. I feel good.

    Healthier Mashed Potatoes

    This is Alissa here. When I make mashed potatoes I add an ingredient to the mix. I boil cut up carrots for 10 minutes then add in the cut up potatoes.  My 5 year old Mica love this version of potatoes because they are his favorite color, orange.

    Veggies are the thing that we have to eat more of in out house, so it's great to sneak in the veggies with every opportunity I get.

    I often serve a green veggie too.

    Wednesday, August 18, 2010

    Alissa Wants to Win 10 Coupons For Dole Frozen Fruit! You Should Enter To!

    Dole has offered 2 of J. Leigh Designz Readers TEN coupons toward Free Frozen Fruit! This is a $50 value EACH!

    I learned that frozen fruit and veggies are just as good for you as fresh.

    Monday, August 16, 2010

    Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles

    I read that 1 waffle from the standard mixes from the store have more salt in them then a bag of potato chips.

    This waffle recipe I got from Go Graham Go is so good that you really do not need any syrup.
    I make 1/2 a batch for our family of 4, and have two waffles left over. I do have a 2 and 5 year old, so they don't eat a lot. I've been eating less as well.

    Directions:

    Mix the dry ingredients together.
    Mix the wet ingredients together.
    Pour the wet in the dry and mix.
    It's that easy!

    With banana's, I microwave them if they are green or yellow to make them mushy. This works well!

    Couscous Salad

    This recipe was a hit at Mica's birthday party. We got the recipe from a friend in Kansas City.


    Directions:
    1 . Make couscous according to package directions, scrape into a large bowl, fluff with fork, cover, and put in the freezer.
    2 . Toast the pine nuts in a skillet with olive oil and set aside.
    3 . Chop the cucumber (not too fine) and green onions.
    4 . Make the dressing. Mix the ingredients except olive oil, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil, while whisking.
    5 . Take out the couscous, fold in the cucumber, onions, feta, parsley, red bell pepper, pine nuts, and dressing.
    6 . Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

    Temptation is Going Bye Bye for Alissa

    Do you see this cute little robot cake my husband and I made for our son Mica's birthday party?
    I'm proud to say that I didn't eat any of it! I didn't drink any of my favorite drink root beer either! YAY

    Sugar is like a drug to me. When I have some, I want more, more often. I've gotten over this a bit. The cravings are starting to go away.

    Thursday, August 12, 2010

    Measure Your Own Steps


    Thousands of local health workers walk miles each week to check on newborns and treat children with life threatening illnesses. Check out more about this cause here.

    This is me Alissa. My 5 year old had serious staph infection when he was only 7 months old and my 2 year old had a serious meningitis infection when he was only 2 months old. I know what it's like having sick children. I'm sharing info about this organization to help get the word out about them.

    You can win a Pedometer for you to measure your own steps from Save the Children and then See Where Good Goes Campaign! This is sponsored by Crazy House!

    This serves as reminder that you are just one step away from supporting local health workers.

    Tuesday, August 10, 2010

    Alissa's Weighted Down

    I forgot that we have ankle weights. I added those to my ankles this week. I don't even notice a difference until they're taken off.

    Yogurt

    Alissa here. I learned from the dietician that I went to that my Activia yogurt is considered a carbohydrate because of the added sugar and fruit. I've been using plain yogurt and adding in freash berries.

    It is a bit more sour, but now it counts as a protein. There are plant based sugar substitutes that can be added. I'm fine without adding them though.

    Then to make sour cream the dietician said that I could use plain yogurt and mix lemon juice in it.

    Alissa's Using Kid Dishes

    I've began reducing my serving sizes at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  My vegetable serving's went up in size.

    For breakfast I started using one of the kid's cups for juice, and one of their bowls for cereal (if that is one of the things we are having). Their bowls and cups are more the size of what I should be eating and drinking.

    My two year old Isaak points at my cup and bowl (which are really both his brother Mica and his) and says, "That's not hyour's (your's) that's mine!" He shakes his head and smiles while he's saying it. ;)

      Sunday, August 8, 2010

      Going Out to Eat Was Indeed a Challenge for Alissa

      Our family of four went on vacation this last few days. We were all very active! We went to the Great Wolf Lodge, a children's museum and a dinosaur museum. With a two and almost five year old; we were all over the place! I lost 2 1/2 pounds this week.

      I got home and had a nice package waiting for me. The food scale I'm reviewing for csn | stores! We went to Costco, and bought a lot of meat that I'll need to get into the practice of weighing.

      I knew that I needed to watch what I ate all weekend!

      The best restaurant on my list for eating healthy is Applebees. They had the calories listed and have worked with Weight Watchers. It's all labeled on the menu.

      My least favorite place we went to was Perkins. Even their salad's had bacon, eggs and cheese on them. They had one low calorie wrap that was still high in calorie's. It had swiss cheese in it, so I asked for that wrap without the cheese. It had spinach in it. Well they neglected to drain the spinach, and my wrap was sitting in a pile of green water. The bottom was soggy. I barely ate my meal.

      As far as fast food goes McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway and Arby's  all try to have nutritional facts and have options too. I give them all a thumbs up over Perkins.

      Wednesday, August 4, 2010

      Jessie Here

      I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written on this blog. It has been crazy busy here. The bright side? Forgetting unnecessary snacking and not having to worry about over eating during the day. Breakfast consists of Kashi cereal, lunch consists of a sandwhich (whole grain bread and fat free lunch meat), dinner usually consists of some form of meat and a veggie :) Keepin' it simple these days!

      Tuesday, August 3, 2010

      A Wonderful Website!

      This is me Alissa writing. I learned a few weeks ago that Spark People Dot Com is the place to go to record what you eat. It's free too!

      They also give you exercising tips.

      If you are someone struggling with weight, I strongly recommend you checking out their site.

      Alissa's Daily Calorie Intake

      I saw a diabetes nutritionist this morning. This is my eating plan:

      Daily Totals:
      Carbohydrates 12
      Protein 8 ounces
      Fat 4
      Calories 1650

      Breakfast:
      3 Carbohydrates = 45 grams
      (starch, fruit, milk, sweets)
      0-1 Protein (ounces)
      (meat, eggs, cheese)
      1 Fat
      1-2 servings non-starchy free vegetables

      Lunch:
      4 Carbohydrates = 60 grams
      3 Protein (ounces)
      1 Fat
      1-2 servings non-starchy free vegetables

      Dinner:
      4 Carbohydrates = 60 grams
      5 Protein (ounces)
      1-2 Fat
      1-2 servings non-starchy free vegetables

      1 Snack:
      1 Carbohydrate = 15 grams

      She gave me a book to help me determine what each food fits in category wise. This is helpful because I would have never guessed that yogurt is a carbohydrate. I'm now moving to eat plain yogurt and add fruit myself. Cottage cheese is a protein. Honey is just as bad as sugar. Lots to learn!

      I am to exercise at least 30 min. a day.

      Monday, August 2, 2010

      Alissa Walked the Kids

      My four year old wanted to watch a movie and I said, "No, we're going for a long walk!" We walked to the park that's pretty far. I pushed my 2 year old in the stroller, and the four year old walked. They had fun playing at the park.

      Everything was good until I realized at home that my cell phone had fallen out of the stroller. The kids were already down for a nap, so I couldn't just drive or walk back up there to find it. My husband saved my day by leaving work, and found it for me. My hero! ;)

      Spicy Fried Tofu

      There are a lot of recipe's online for tofu. Tofu is a curd made from mashed soybeans, used chiefly in Asian and vegetarian cooking.

      It's really pretty good when you mix it in with other things.

      This weekend I was looking for something fast to make. We had a family gathering. Everyone was pitching in and buying Pizza Hut Pizza. I knew this was something I shouldn't have. Instead I brought my own dinner: Spicy Fried Tofu, watermelon and cantaloupe mixed, carrots, celery and water to drink.


      Here's the recipe I used: 


      Cut the extra firm tofu into small cubes. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a skillet or wok on high heat. Add tofu and saute for 5 minutes, turning with a spatula. Remove any excess liquid.

      Mix the spices in a small bowl while you are letting the tofu cook. Don't forget to turn it though.

      Reduce heat to medium, add the spices. Add the garlic and 2 more tablespoons oil to prevent the tofu from sticking. Increase heat and add soy sauce, stirring constantly. Finally add Parmesan and mix well; sauteing until golden brown or until cheese melts. Add a bit more soy sauce while it browns, if desired. Good hot or cold. Serves 4 to 8.

      Can serve over Asian noodles, or rice. Some people add cooked veggies with it too.

      Jessie's Recipes

      Sorry it's taken me so long to check in!! Ah, it's been so busy here. But not too busy for an all natural fruit smoothie.

      Check out some recipes below:

      Strawberry Banana Smoothie
      Strawberry Smoothie
      Orange Julius

      Friday, July 30, 2010

      Alissa Skips Out on the Skippy

      I've now listened to my father and decided to skip out a little on the peanut butter. I was eating All Natural Skippy. I'm not going to totally take this out of my diet, but I'm skipping out on the Skippy some.

      Instead we bought Almond Butter at Costco. My boys really do love Almond Butter. It is a little more pricey, but healthier for you.

      Alissa - Glucose Tolerance Test

      My glucose tolerance test came back normal! :) I still am meeting with a diabetic nutritionist on Tuesday to push losing weight further. I want to lose weight and be healthy.

      New Balance Shoes

      Alissa here. Does anyone want to win a pair of New Balance Shoes? I do!



      Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous is giving away a pair of New Balance 759 Running Shoes.

      Fun Follow Friday


      My Wee View

      Fun Follow Friday is a great way to get to know what's out there in the blogging world. It's hosted by Simply Stacie and My Wee View. The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow!

      I hope you enjoy our new blog. It's a journey about two women tring to lose weight.

      Alissa - Fasting, Fasting, Fasting

      Once again I'm fasting for a glucose testing. I had to fast for 12 hours. No breakfast for me today. This lab stuff will take two hours. Having this done in the morning is no big deal. Right now I'm drinking my orange drink. It brings back memories of being pregnant with my two boys.
      Only this time I'm just fat, not pregnant.

      I wonder how this happened, me getting fat. I was skinny up through grad school. I've gone though two pregnancies, this winter I broke my foot, and I just got into bad habits of sitting on the couch too much.

      On Monday I fasted all day, came in to get my lab work at 3:45, and they told me it was too late in the day to do anything. The nurse said as long as it was before 5. Not so. This is my second time coming in.

      At least I have a computer to type on! ;) It's too bad they don't have an exercise room right here. :( But we are going swimming tonight, tomorrow night and on Sunday. ;)

      Thursday, July 29, 2010

      Food Scale Giveaway!

      This is Alissa. I just wanted to let you know that J. Leigh Designz is giving away a food scale by EatSmart!


      If you are a person that needs to lose weight like me, this is a great giveaway to enter!

      A Healthier Burger

      It's me Alissa here. I love cheese burgers! I never really craved them too much until my oldest was born close to 5 years ago.

      I actually mixed in oatmeal into the hamburger. If you want less texture, you can use a mini food chopper to grind up the oatmeal up before adding it to the meat.

      I also added chopped green onion, tomatoes, garlic, feta cheese and a dash of worceshire sauce.

      The burger had wonderful flavor! There really wasn't that much feta cheese in the mix. I didn't add additional cheese on it.

      We try and get meat that is low in fat. 

      Wednesday, July 28, 2010

      Juice

      Alissa here. I think it's important to touch on the topic of juice. Too much juice can cause obesity, diarrhea and tooth decay. This is exactly why doctors try and prevent toddlers from drinking juice. We tend to think of juice as being a healthy alternative to soda. Even some of the more natural juices have added sugar in them.

      I mix always add water to our juice at home. Sure it may not taste as good. It still has flavor, and we've gotten used to it. When I make it from the can, I add in one extra cup of water then what it calls for. When it comes to the pre-made juices, I add 1/4 water to our glass of juice. When the container gets down to 3/4 of the way full, I top it off with water.

      If you like Lemonade like I do, skip it and drink water with lemon or lime juice from the actual fruit.

      Food Scale

      It's me Alissa. I'm so excited because csn | stores contacted me once again to do a product review. They said I was a preferred blogger. That made me feel good because I've never officially reviewed a product before. I do talk about products all the time.

      This time I decided to pick something out for me! I picked out a food scale. Perfect for this time in my life!

      I'll let you know when the review is up. I just ordered it, and like to spend a few weeks with the product before I review it.