July to December what a Journey!

Hey NeverEver's,

I know technically it has been a short year for this blog, it all started back on July 23rd. Finally getting tired of how I was living my life. Getting short breath walking up stairs, not fitting into the clothes that I wanted to wear, feeling pain inside my body that I knew I shouldn't be feeling. I knew things couldn't remain living the same life without some major issues physically and emotionally.

But has things changed since starting this blog?

The true answer is yes and no.

I am cooking and eating out less then ever before. The kitchen is not my enemy anymore! I have cooked Chicken, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner all from home, Tried new foods, and I even got some healthy cheese & pasta!

It should also be mentioned that while I have been playing in the kitchen there has been NO casualties of family member stomachs!

So, I learned I can survive in the kitchen...and even enjoy it! That has been a real eye opener this year and something that I want to expand on in the New Year!



My workouts have been almost non existent! The 'Ya I JUST worked out' feeling.  Yup, I am going to be putting it out there, because if I can't be truthful here there is no point in continuing this blog.

I have been doing my exercise challenges, very faithfully, but those are not a workout! At least I don't feel like they are a workout. Maybe because I don't feel like I do after a long walk/jog (my legs are so tired) or a Gym Class (my heart rate is way up). So this is something that I will be working on in the New Year!

I have learned that from these challenges that I can actually see a goal from start to finish! It still surprises me that I have been doing 50 Squats for FIT Happens Holiday Challenge since November!






There has also been the challenges, both real & just challenging situations, that I have joined and enjoyed. There is so much support out there and it has humbled and astounded me!


At first I was surprised and so happy that I was chosen to write a review for KLUTCHclub October Box. This was a challenge all on its own. Never wrote one before, I wasn't even sure I could do it. But I did it!



Then there was my first Blog Challenge from AroundthePlate. This challenge was to Eat at Home for 10 days, no eating out at all. Which to tell the truth freaked me out big time. But, this challenge is what taught me that I could actually Survive Without Fast Food!!

Oh and it also introduced me to the wonderful site ChallengeLoop! If you haven't checked this site out you really have to!

There was also my challenge to write a Guest Post for a wonderful site called FitKit! Such a wonderful site that has Healthy Living right at your finger tips. Ideas and tips from all over! I decided to write about Staying Fit through the Holidays.



And to finish the year off strong I joined the #elf4health challenge. Now this challenge was given to us by the amazing & creative minds of Elle from Nurtritionella and Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean! What they gave us was over 6 weeks of unique daily challenges and people that we joined up with to conquer these daily challenges! I have had some amazing elves for helpers, there was first Casey, then Alexis and the newest is Katherine. They have all been so helpful and inspiring. 

So I think this year I have done more for my body, my life and my health then I have ever done before! I have realized that my life needed to change, I am cooking more, I have an amazing support group, and I finally started my dream blog.

I can not wait to accomplish even more in the New Year. 2013 is going to by my year, and tomorrow I will show my plans and goals for it!

However, I wanted to end this 'review' post by thanking all my readers. You guys have shocked, amazed and have made me cry tears of joy. Thank you for being the silent, or not so silent, force behind this blog. You guys are amazing and I can not wait to bring in the New Year with all of you!

Stocking Stuffers Anyone?

Hey NeverEver's!

So Thanksgiving is behind us and the Holiday season is in full swing ahead of us! You ready? I really almost ready for it.

Did some online shopping for Black Friday, and was able to get quite a few gifts for my girl cousins and sis in law. Still have to get quite a few other gifts for the other important people in my life but it is a good start!

However, I do love the Stocking Stuffers the best! Little gifts that make opening the first gifts of the morning the best! Yup, when I was a kid, I was able to open everything in my stocking up not the 'big' gifts under the tree. It was the way my parents were able to get a few more minutes of shut eye while I got to open something!

So after much searching, and having fun, I have found a few stocking stuffer ideas for Men (boys), Woman (girls), Healthy Minded!

Stocking Stuffers for Men! 

#1 - ebay Stocking Stuffer - Bluetooth Stereo Headset Headphone - Perfect for those Black Op Lovers! 

#2 - ThinkGeek - Pixel Heart Heat Changing Mug - The heart actually fills and depletes

#3 - ThinkGeek - The Legend of Zelda Mints - Save the Kingdom & have good breath! 

#4 - ThinkGeek - Super Mario Brothers Question Box Candy - Who knows whats in this box?

#5 - 80's Tees - Black Batman Caped Knee High Socks - Ready to fight crime!

#6 - Uncommon Goods - SHARK SOCKS - Seriously who wouldn't like to be eaten? 

#7 - Vat19 - Accutire Programmable Digital Tire Pressure Gauge with Flashlight - Everyone should have one!

Woman Stocking Stuffers!

#1 - Forever21 - Etched Feathers Necklace - I love the detail on this piece!

#2 - Forever21 - Lacquered Love Heart Necklace - Simple & Loved!

#3 - Forever21 - Love Letter Ring Set - More LOVE for Christmas!

#4 - Forever21 - Colored Burst Brooch - The color says it all!

#5 - Forever21 - Faceted Rosette Ring - It looks so dainty!

#6 - Forever 21 - Spiked Wallet - For the Rebel in all of us!

#7 - Forever21 - Butterfly Sunglasses - Need to protect those eyes!

#8 - Forever21 - Hair Elastic Cupcake - Do want! 

Stocking Stuffers for Healthy Minded

#1 - Target - Leslie Sansone Walk Off Even More Weight DVD Set with Belt

#2 - Target - Beach Pilates 4-Dvd Workout Set

#3 - Target - Empower Fingertip Medicine Ball With DVD 10Lb - Green

#4 - KLUTCHclub - Health, Wellness & Fitness right to YOUR Door!

#5 - Target - Bob Harper Total Body Transformation Workout DVD

#6 - Target - Gaiam Gwen Lawrence Fit Body Yoga Workout DVD

#7 - Nike + iPod Sport Kit

#8 - Ninja® Master Prep

So NeverEver's, here are my ideas. Most of these are under $20 and I hope they give you some ideas! I know they have helped me! 

See you all later tonight!

KLUTCHclub Review Finished

Hey NeverEver's!

Welcome to November...you made it to the start of the Holiday Season? Dreading or looking forward to it? Personally, I am looking forward to it!

So like I promised here is the rest of the KLUTCHclub review! I got to play with more things! Have to admit...it was a lot of fun having this box!

Here is the beginning of the KLUTCHclub Review!

First off this time is the Acai Natural Energy!

I do not have a picture of it, because it went in my stomach way to fast ^_^. So I actually tried this yesterday during lunch as my energy was dragging. It did taste good, I was actually surprised because I expected...well I am not really sure, but it was good!

Also, I had the energy to make it through traffic + make dinner so I call that a success!

Secondly, is the HungerShield.

 Now usually I am extremely 'skeptic' of these things. I don't really ever believe it will work, mainly cause it didn't in the past. BUT, I was in a rush this morning and wasn't able to get my breakfast. I did have the hungershield and a water bottle.

So I used it and it took the hunger away. That was around 6am and I am still going strong, which is more then I can say for that bagel I sometimes get.

Thirdly is my personal favorite the Omega3 Squeeze!

I have tried to take vitamins I know they are good for you but I just can never seem to keep it up...much like the gym ^_^.
But, these squeezes are so easy to use and add. Additional point, it doesn't taste fish-y! You know what I am talking about...those pills taste fish-y, but this doesn't!

So major thumbs up for this!

Now on to KLUTCHclub itself!

KLUTCHclub is a company that sends out monthly boxes that have products of the best Health, Wellness and Fitness right to your front door. Nothing can be easier then that, can it?

There are new boxes every month for both MEN and WOMEN! Each are unique and have very awesome, if I do say so myself, items!

Did I mention that you can buy these Monthly Boxes as gifts? And the Holiday Season is right around the corner.

For 1 month it is only $18 a box
For 3 months it is only $$17 a box
For 1 Year it is only $16 a box

and like I showed you for the October Box...I got Yurbuds! Which is amazing for working out...or even just jamming in the office!

I have been honored to work with them and all the reviews are my own, I didn't get paid for this, I don't get special treats for rating things positive. If I didn't like anything I was fully able to say 'Nope not for me' but I did like everything.

Halloween KLUTCHclub Review

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN NEVEREVER'S! 

Today's post will be in orange! Don't ya just love my 80's ish hair? I thought it would be easier to actually do then it was. My arms had a mini workout. All that pulling and fluffing! Not sure how people survived it for a whole decade!?!?!

Tell the truth I had this costume in the back of my mind for a while. I wanted something I could work in and that I didn't have to spend $60+ for a one day outfit. 

Sorry for all the mess...Hubby had already left for work and I only had a mirror to work with ^_^

Sadly, my work doesn't believe in dressing up...but I have a WHOLE ANOTHER YEAR to wear these people down! Next year...everyone in costumes!

Breakfast...I just really wanted a Skinny Jasmine Green Tea from Coffee Bean! It is so smooth and good, couldn't pass it up.

But I was hungry and really wanted to stay away from all the sweets, the butter croissant was really calling my name! So I am trying the Umpqua Oats 'Kick Start'! 

It is delicious! 

I actually am searching to see if I can get it as retail outside of Coffee Bean. 

Okay so before I get into my Daily Stats (I know I am behind) I wanted to share with you some of the awesome things from the 'October Box' of KLUTCHclub! Which I talked about here at the end. I am very excited to be even using these things!

Here it is in all its glory! 

So I have tired...and LOVED the Yurbuds! So far it has survived 3 llloooonnnngggg walks in and around my park without so much as a fall out! 

Amazing! 

I got '3' of these Bites called Good Greens. Now they are good covered with dark chocolate, and either coconut, peanut butter and raspberry. 

Those are the flavors I got. Have to say, I was loving the raspberry and peanut butter (shown) better then the coconut. But, that is because I really do not like coconut. 

The chocolate is delicious and its filled with 30 vitamins and minerals that ONLY add up to 50 calories! 

One of my favorite in this whole box is the natural black eyeliner called Devita Skin Care! I mean not only is it made out of natural make-up awesomeness BUT it also has

Okay so it is a little blurry BUT its a sharpener...attached to the cap! I mean how genius is that? Its totally genius...like sliced bread genius!

So there is a BUNCH of other things in my box of goodies, however, they haven't been used yet...plans for tonight. 

We will continue this TOMORROW! 

Thank you KLUTCHclub for this awesome box! 

Sunday Fun Day - Playing Catch Up

Hey NeverEver's!

I hope you have all had a great 'Halloween' Weekend! Sadly, there was no parties for me this weekend. Not sure what was going on but this year was a quite Halloween. Oh well, there is always dressing up for work on Wednesday (I am thinking 80's) and next year to party it up!

So I was looking at all my posts and I just noticed that I haven't done my Daily Stats since Tuesday's Post...which was Monday's Stats. What happened this week? I am not sure but let us catch up!

Daily Stats Day 90:

So quick review on Tuesday's Food! I tried a wonderful recipe off of Eat, Live, Run, which was the 30 minute lemon brown sugar chicken!

It was so sweet yet lemon-y tart it became a favorite here in this household!

I did do a 'Calorie Counter' for it...well because I didn't know what it was. As a side note, I did use Wheat Flour not While.

 Not upset with these food stats at all. It was a delicious chicken!

Okay on to Wednesday's Daily Stats!

Daily Stats Day 91:

Wednesday was a quite day. Some family came over and Mother in Law made her tomato noodle soup. Which we all added bananas to!

Daily Stats Day 92:

Thursday was fun. It was the first time I have ever done a 'What I Ate' post and I made a delicious dinner. Thank you again SkinnyTaste! Sadly my picture looked nothing like Gina's...but I am willing to bet it tasted just as yummy! Which in the end is what counts.

It was also family approved, and basically eaten, before I could get any good photos. Hubby and I invited his sister and her boyfriend over for dinner. So it was a loud and happy night!

Daily Stats Day 93:

Just a normal Friday after work for me today. Hubby had some allergies so he wanted a night in.

Daily Stats Day 94:

Saturday was a fun day. First we get woken up by the owners of the house, we live in a duplex, saying that they were going to change our windows to more energy efficient ones.

I am ALL for older houses going green...however, not when its 8 in the morning on a Saturday.

Good bye old windows I knew thee well! Good bye window bars...I shall not miss you at all.

Okay so after we were awakened and out of the house, after covering all the appliances and such in the house. Hubby and I went stove shopping! Yay!!!!

We have found a possible winner. It is KitchenAid 2 oven stove for about $1400. At Sears it was $2000 but at BestBuys it was $1400. Still need to check out Lowe's but I think we have a winner!

Never had a double stove before, so I am pretty excited for this new thing to be in my kitchen!

So after all that shopping Hubby and I were getting hungry so we stopped by Hubby's favorite place in the world...

Islands! They have this new, very delicious, Ocktoberfest Beer. It went well with my Guacamole burger! Hubby got the Golden Ale, which is a stable on their tap.

The Burger was delicious! I really have never had a better Guac burger then when I come here. So after dinner we went over to the movies to watch Silent Hill in 3D.

I had goosebumps throughout the whole movie. But, as a gamer I just wanted to come home and play the game to see where the movie went wrong...I might be playing it after I finish with all my blogging business!

Okay NeverEver's! We are finally caught up on the Daily Stats! I really never want to be this far behind on those things again and I am sorry it happened this time!

I hope you have all checked out my Guest Post  for FitKit! I have been invited to do this once a month, which I am so happy about!

On to work on the Magazine Stand Outs! (I know I am extremely late on this one). Also just one more thing...

It came in! My KLUTCHclub October box! Here was all that was in it! Can not wait to share with you how everything in the box goes!

Okay so I did lie a little bit...that wasn't the last of it. Tonight is my game!

Lets go Saints! Who Dat!!

Now its the end. Sorry for the really long post...it will teach me never to play catch up again!

Have a great rest of your Sunday NeverEver's! Let me know what you think of my Guest Post for FitKit and the KLUTCHclub goodie bag!

Updates, Updates, Read All About Them

Hey NeverEver's,

Does it ever feel like there isn't enough time in a day? Yaa I have been feeling like that for this week. Was SUPER  sleepy yesterday and today I sleep past my 'Workout' alarm and right into the 'Get up or you'll be late for work' alarm. Which was almost slept through as well.

So I am really feeling the time crunch today. But, I am looking forward to posting this, I know silly things make me happy, plus I have my gym bag ready to go after work! 

My step to make sure I get there after work and not home...get dressed at work! That way your workout clothes vibe sinks in and you get there to the gym. At least it works for me!

Okay so here are the promised pictures! 

Sunday Night's Dinner which came from SkinnyTaste Chicken & Cavatelli Soup. I am not sure what 'Cavatelli' is, I do know that I just used a normal noodle for my soup. So I think it turned out more 'Chicken Noodle' then 'Chicken & Cavatelli' but it was delicious all the same! 

Next time I have to find this 'Cavatelli' and try it out with that!

On to Tuesday! Yes I know I am skipping Monday, but I don't have pictures for Monday. Anyways, I finally broke down and purchased the Starbucks VIA things. My verdict...I LOVE IT! Makes a delicious Very Berry Hibicus, without the long lines and the gas wasted. 

If you have a favorite Starbucks flavor that is available with the VIA...get it! 

Now what I am MOST happy with is that I have finally brought my own snacks. I was saying here, that I was snacking way to many things in the office. All very bad healthwise. So, there are my almonds!

Tuesday's Lunch! It is the same soup that I did for Sunday's night dinner. But, the noodles sucked up all the water. I actually had to add some more while warming it up! 

Now it was just as good the 2nd time as the 1st time. Thanks again SkinnyTaste!

Now last nights dinner was a little different. First I got it off of Eat Live Run. Which is an amazing blog who's author, Jenna just wrote a book called White Jacket Required. A GREAT book

So the chicken is called 30 Minute Lemon Brown Sugar Chicken! It is the first time I have ever cooked something off of Jenna's blog and it tasted great! I was thinking it would be a little sweeter then it was but it hit it right in the middle!

My stove is still down so I am using my little toaster oven. I can not wait to get my stove replaced. Should be happening soon!!

What chicken wouldn't be complete without some FIVE cheese tortellini! I should mention that this is also wheat pasta, which makes it even yummier in my book!

The finished product! As I said the chicken was yummy, zesty with lemon but sweet with the brown sugar! Something that I will be having or making again!

So I have some things happening here! Yay for things happening!!

I am going to Pamper Me Fabulous on November 11. I can not wait to share with you the fitness classes, the booths and samples that they are offering! More info about that coming soon!

I just got the tracking # for KLUTCHclub October Box! It should be here soon and all the goodies will be shared!

Also, I am doing a Guest Post for FitKit Community, which is something that NEEDS to be checked out!

Finally, (I know long list) I will be taking part of the Around The Plate November 10 Day Challenge. Which is (drum roll please)...10 whole days of eating at home.
No eating out at all. This includes, vending machines, work snacks, forgot lunches or anything else that doesn't come from home.

As I have been having an issue with too much eating out I am really looking forward to this challenge! It starts on November 5th! So come join me!

Okay NeverEver's, I swear that is all for today! See you all tomorrow!

Too Much Snacking

Hey NeverEver's,

Did anyone of you watch the Second Presidential Debate?

I don't want to make this blog all about the upcoming election so I will just say this. I am happy that my generation is taking a more serious stance in this election then the one four years ago.

Okay so I am done with the politic section of the blog lets move on shall we?

Glad you agree.

Birthday Photo's!!!

Okay just one. Now on to the MAIN issue!

So I have been recently, a week or so, been snacking WAYYY to much. Main culprit...my new job. They have so many snacks...all of which isn't healthy.

I also haven't been taking my lunch either. And I will admit...my choices haven't been that healthy.

Here was lunch yesterday,

In-n-Out...In-n-Out...Thats what a hamburger is all about!

For those of you NOT in California, that is the very catchy jingle to In-N-Out. 

So I did have the Lettuce Wrapped Burger instead of having a bun but it is still more calories and money then me bring my lunch. 

Which brings me to this:

So it is a little late...I know half the month is already gone. BUT, it is never to late to make sure I am taking the correct steps to get to my goals!

Daily Stats Day 81:

Again, I wasn't recording my food intake. To tell the truth I basically forgot most of the things I ate. Its all better by Tuesday though!

Daily Stats Day 82:

Okay NeverEver's lets make the rest of this month full of Healthy Snacks! 

P.S. I did order that KLUTCHclub October Box to review this product! I can NOT wait to share with you all how it is!

Its like Christmas early ^_^