Slim in 6 - Beginning

Hey NeverEver's!

Welcome to Monday! I hope you all had a great one. Mine...well mine was crazy busy but I actually loved it.  I have lots of things that are coming up, personal and blog life, that I am so excited about! Plus I not only woke up and worked out BUT I also did a lunch run!

So let me start from the beginning!!

I had this DVD for 2 weeks and haven't used it. It was just sitting and staring at me on my bookcase. I made plans to use it last week but then I started a new job. I wanted to use it this weekend and well I was too lazy to use it.

So I used it this morning. After hitting the snooze button a few times...and really postponing the whole thing, I finally got up and got it done!



What happened on my first day of Slim in 6?

• I found out that my arms are really weak and I can't do all those arm exercises.
• The DVD moves at a really good pace, I could keep up with it
• Although I was sore right after the exercise, I was able to move without pain the rest of the day
• My muscles felt like they were re-energized afterwards
• This exercise pushed me to move more throughout the day

What is going to happen after the first week? I am not sure, well beyond that fact that I will be working out ^_~. There will be a post all about the first week next Monday. 

How did the rest of my day go? Well I felt that I was almost late for work, wasn't I was 10 minutes early but still felt like it, and things got serious. 

Now that I am past most of my basic training I am now entering data all by my lonesome. Which makes me feel awesome just knowing that my boss feels that I am ready for it. So I was a little on work cloud 9 all day ^_^!

However, lunch hit and I decided to hit the gym! 

Yup, my work has an on-site gym! I know I am lucky, and I WILL be using it! Which is exactly what I did today. I wasn't able to do a full 2.62 miles, hey I did have to eat since it is a little frowned upon eating at my desk, but I was able to do 1.62. It felt amazing knowing that I was working out during lunch! 

I swear it was almost a better feeling then waking up in the morning and getting it done. In fact I am not sure which one I liked more. Gotta have more practice in them ^_~

After work I had to head over to Trader Joe's for the meal plan of the week. Today's was Angel Hair with Zucchini and Tomatoes Pasta. On the plus side I have this whole weeks meals planned out! On the bad side...they didn't have Angel Hair Pasta!!!

So I am using Evernote to record all my food, what I need, how to make, and what day is what. I am liking it so far but I will keep using it and give it a full review, at least for me!

So here was dinner! See I didn't have the Angel Hair Pasta so I used above. It is wheat but everything else I made the same. For the Salad I made it myself! Even with my own dressing!!!

My Salad Dressing is:

2 tbsp OJ

2 tbsp Olive Oil

2 tbsp White Vinegar 

2 tbsp Honey

And it is delicious and yet that sweet. Mixing it all together with some feta cheese on top of the salad. 

So NeverEver's, I have to say I am tired of my first really full Monday. I am not sure how you all do it with kids added into the mix but just working out, meal buying and making, plus working...well I am tired. See you all tomorrow!!

#EatAtHomeChallenge Day 7 + Pamper Me Fabulous

Hey NeverEver's!

I know I know 2 posts in one day! I am crazy! Nope I just wanted to show you all the Pamper Me Fabulous Event that I went to!

Have to recommend that, if you are a woman, you go to this event!!! I know it hits other places then LA so check it out here to see when it is coming to your location!

It was an complete pampering event. I got a facial for $15, a free hair Styling from Sexy Hair, free drinks, and free workouts in a wonderful outdoor location AND a goodie bag! I mean the goodie bag had me coming, the other things are going to get me coming back!

That is only some of the vendors that was here! It was a pretty packed place full of goodies every where!

Also a dedicated fitness area! It was outside and the weather was perfect for yoga, Les Mills, Latin Dancing, Pilates and other fitness related events!

Here was the fitness area! You had a view of the ocean while burning those calories! The grass was green and soft as well!

One of the Hotel Villa's go-er out for a jog and a boat going by! Yup the water was that blue! 

This is Wendy! You all met her back on my Birthday Weekend. One of my best friends and one of the people in my life that needed today. She has been working hard, going to school, being a single mother and being awesome in her relationship! This woman needed a day of pampering! So I had to bring her along! Plus she is great company ^_~

So this was actually my first purchase and it was for my Hubby! He has been looking for thick honey and well I found it! Thank you Whole Foods!

Wendy getting her hair styled by the fabulous and talented people over at Sexy Hair!

And then it was my turn. Yup that is ALL my hair. I have extremely thick, long, fine, frizzy hair. And I have NO idea what to do with it all. I need to go on piterest a little more to get some ideas! 

The final result with Wendy. They straightened her hair and then pinned it up with her comb thingy (really have no idea what it is called!). It looked really nice on her!

And it was my turn for the after pic! They did for me a 'Modern Half Up-Do'. Plus they also showed me how to do it myself! Thank you Hair Styling Goddess! I really needed your help!

So after getting out hair done we were both hungry! Wendy got a Turkey Salad, which I didn't get a pic of, while I got this! I know that I broke the #EatAtHomeChallenge, but I wasn't sure how I could follow it while coming here for a blog event. So I made sure dinner was home made!

All in All this event was an amazing thing to go to! I was able to go through the Hiking Tour that the hotel offers, didn't get to any other fitness event because of all the cool things inside. But, this is something that I will be going to again next year! 

Finally!

My goodie bag! Here it is all laid out. It was HEAVY in the bags that we were given, so I KNOW I worked out my arms while carrying all of these things! I seriously can't wait to start playing with all of these things!

Thank you again Pamper Me Fabulous for this opportunity to have not only a day of pampering but also a day of fun!

So as I said earlier I wasn't sure what to do with this challenge that I am in the middle of while going to this event. In the end I decided to try and eat as healthy as I could while there, and make sure dinner was ready by the time I came home.

The end result was a good lunch and even better dinner!

Here is my picture of Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup from Skinny Taste! It was delicious and warming after a slightly colder day here in So Cal.

Of course all of Gina's recipes that I have tried are delicious! If you haven't tried them yet what are you waiting for?

Anyways, so far this challenge has been great for me. I am feeling far more comfortable in the kitchen then I EVER thought I would be feeling. It has also let me know that I could actually have a full time job and still come home and cook. Amazing!

Okay NeverEver's, I am gonna play with my new stuff! See you all tomorrow! Have a safe rest of your Veterans Day!

P.S. Most photos have been taken by Wendy. She gets most photo credits ^_^. Love you girl!

Eat at home Challenge Meal Plan - Day 1 - 6

Hey NeverEver's!

I hope you have all had a relaxing weekend! I know for me it has been a little of a 'lazy' weekend. Really didn't want to get outta bed yesterday.

But finally I got up and we took my in-laws to see the stove Hubby and I was looking at to get their opinion, since I am not the only one who will be cooking on it ^_^.

Yup its a Double Oven, 5 Burner Beauty! I am so happy with this purchase it really made the rest of my year.

I should be getting it installed sometime on Monday and it is being broken in Monday night.

Which brings me to the main part of this post!

I have really looked into the recipes that I wanted to try out. Nothing to difficult or time consuming as I do work and have an hour in traffic before being home.

So here is my Meal Plan!

Monday Breakfast:

• Home Made Fruit Smoothie with Protein Powder

Monday Lunch: 

• (As I didn't cook this weekend) Turkey Sandwich 

Monday Dinner: 

• Ranch Burger a PB & Peppers creation! 

Tuesday Breakfast:

• English Muffin Bread w/ PB, Banana's & Chia Seeds - a SweetToothSweetLife's breakfast stable that I have been meaning to try!

Tuesday Lunch:

• I am hoping for some left over 'Ranch Burger' then that if no left overs a Ham Sandwich!

Tuesday Dinner:

• Taco Lettuce Wraps a Fitnessista creation! However, for my family I am using chicken instead of Tempeh. I don't want to umm scare my family to much ^_^.

Wednesday Breakfast:

• English Muffin Bread w/ PB, Banana's & Chia Seeds!

Wednesday Lunch:

• Left over Taco Lettuce Wraps! 

Wednesday Dinner: Okay so this day is gonna be different! My Family is in town and I am also giving a small B-day party ^_~

• Pork Chops w/ Pears & Cranberries a PB & Peppers Creation
• Cranberry Apple Butter also a PB & Peppers Creation
• White Chocolate Vanilla Marshmallow Cake Bars an Averie Cooks Creation! (correction done on 11/6)

Thursday Breakfast:

• Home Fruit Smoothie w/ Protein Powder

Thursday Lunch:

• Seriously hoping for left overs w/ Pork Chops! However, if not possible Ham Sandwich w/ some White Choco Cake Bars ^_^

Thursday Dinner:

• Turkey Cranberry & Pear Panini a PB & Pepper Creation
• Cranberry Apple Butter (not remaking just using the left overs) a PB & Pepper Creation

Friday Breakfast:

• English Muffin Bread w/ PB, Banana's & Chia Seeds

Friday Lunch:

• Left over's for te Turkey Cranberry & Pear Panini! 

Friday Dinner:

• Golden Goddess Pasta a Eat Live Run Creation

Saturday Breakfast:

• Fresh & Easy Pumpkin Pancake

Saturday Lunch:

• Tuna Lettuce Wraps a SkinnyTaste Creation

Saturday Dinner:

• Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup a SkinnyTaste Creation 

Okay made it all the way to Saturday. Sunday will probably be filled with Left Overs but we shall see! 

So I am ready...or at least as ready as I will ever be. Not to go purchase the supplies needed. 

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!

Sunday Fun Day: Cooking Galore!

Hey NeverEver's!

Happy Sunday Fun Day!!! I hope you have all had an amazing weekend! 

Its been a quite weekend for the Hubby and I, or at least yesterday was. It was rainy and cold and just lovely! 

Don't those clouds look lovely!

Personally, I love it when its cold outside. Not only can I actually dress to the weather, unlike Summer where there is only so much you can take off (thank goodness). 

Its perfect for snuggling up in a comfy blanket, or a newly given purple robe (thanks again in-laws), and reading some books! Speaking about reading, I went on a small buying spree on B&N for my Nook. It seemed to be a biography / history books this week. I am looking forward to this book the most!

It is the book about Hatshepsut, who was Egypt's first female pharaoh. I have always been extremely interested in Egypt and its history. Can't wait to see how the book is!

So, as it was a cold day Hubby and I decided to head to Fresh & Easy and get some supplies for the cold weather.  

My soup of the day was from SkinnyTaste, she has amazing recipes, and I chose the Beef, Potato & Quinoa Soup. Never had Quinoa before, but I hear lots of good things about it.

Quinoa has High Protein, has all 9 essential amino acids and it is gluten free. So it was on my list of things to try and I was finally able to do so!


As you can see we also picked up some beer. Fresh & Easy has some brands that we never seen before and I was in an experimenting mood! So they were impossible to pass up.

My beer of choice was the Bohemia. It is a Mexican beer that was smooth going down and had a pleasant aftertaste. Not what I usually go for, Bluemoon / ShockTop, but it was an easy going beer that is perfect for that mood of 'I want a beer but nothing heavy'.

Hubby's beer of choice was called BumbleBee 'Golden Ale'. BumbleBee did have MANY other tastes but Hubby choose the 'Golden Ale'. Now this one for me was the type of beer I go for! It was powerful going down and had a delicious hop aftertaste!

For me beer is like wine to some people. There is always a beer that will go good with what you are cooking. And each one has a unique flavor and taste! So good, of course in moderation!

On to the soup! It was delicious! Only 309 calories and it is super filling! The beef was so tender and with the scallions, thank you again Hubby for getting that after I forgot, gave it the South American feel to it just like it was supposed to!

Now the quinoa wasn't really that noticeable. Not to say it was bad but I would consider it more of a 'filler' then anything else. At least in this soup!

Okay on to Sunday Morning! I was planning this since Saturday night and it came out delicious!

Steak and Egg's for Breakfast! Now I never made this before, but I knew it wasn't hard. I used lean steak with California golden potatoes instead of hash browns. Personally, I thought they were better and healthier plus easier to make then hash browns. 

Now these eggs are what I am the HAPPIEST about. I have NEVER EVER done sunnyside up eggs. Somehow they always turned into scrambled! So the fact that I have proof, and it was delicious, that it has been done has made my day!

So the breakfast was a hit with the hubby! It was a little more filling then I thought it would be so this great breakfast will be keeping us full for most of the day!

Okay so it is Sunday Football. I am gonna start watching that now.

I would love to see another victory for my Saints!

Hey NeverEver's, have you ever made something in the kitchen that you thought you couldn't? What is your favorite breakfast to have?

The Soup is Here!

Hey NeverEver's,

So the dinner went great! Yay! Even my Father in Law, who isn't the greatest person to have try new things liked it!

I got the idea from SkinnyTaste here Chicken Pot Pie Soup. I have always wanted to make Chicken Pot Pie but never got around to it.

Plus since my oven is broken...well there isn't much chance of me making it until it is fixed or we get a new one.

So I was so excited to see this recipe! It was exactly what I wanted for the Fall!

And really it only took about 45 minutes to cook. I didn't use the frozen veggies that SkinnyTaste has on hers. Also I did put a little more water, which did require more Chicken Bouillions but I wanted more slurp!

Other then those small changes I used the same thing SkinnyTaste did. Plus the best thing about this is...for 1 cup its only 169.2 calories!

Yummy and Healthy!

Of course I am having some of the left overs for lunch today!

Daily Stats:

The soup fired me up so much that I just HAD to take a walk! It made me want to be healthy ^_^

Okay NeverEver's, I hope you have a great weekend ahead! Can't wait to see you all on Sunday!!

First Flue + the Quesaco

Hey NeverEver's!

So I got my first cold of the Fall season. I should mention that it was 96 degree's outside and I shouldn't be sick at all. 

I am feeling TON's better then I did yesterday afternoon. Left work early because I was not able to pay attention to my computer screen any more and that is how mistakes are made. Happily, the boss agreed with me. 

Basically just dosed up on Zinc and flu med's plus slept...or tried to sleep in the heat...the rest of the day!

I did have dinner last night and it was one of my FAVORITE Mother in Law dish of ALL TIME! May I present the...

'Quesaco' otherwise known as the Quesadilla Taco. But I like my name for it better!

Here it is just being all quesdilla like. Just cheese, home made tortilla and Canola Oil fried. 

And here is it being the 'Quesaco'! We open it up and stuff it with green or red chili (no thank you I'll pass), lettuce and sour cream. 

I am going to be working with my Mother in Law to not only give you the original recipe but to also make the 'Healthy' version of it. It is going to take some trial and error in the kitchen but hopefully I can make the 'Healthy Quesaco' just as yummy as the original one!

Seriously, I can't wait to try it and see what happens!

Okay so on to the Daily Stats:

Daily Stats Day 83:

Worked out in the morning! Oy Ya!

Daily Stats Day 84:

No gym in the morning with me feeling sick in the afternoon. Will be doing better then this!

Okay NeverEver's,

I am getting ready to head to Von's to pick up dinner for tonight! Its going to be awesome! Of course SkinnyTaste!!! Going to be the Chicken Pot Pie Soup!

I can not wait to share how it works out!

Cooking for the Whole Family Type of Monday

Hey NeverEver's!

First off I have GREAT news! I got the job at the Property Management Company! I start tomorrow at 8:30am and I am SO ready for this thing to start!

I have my outfit all ready in my head, straightened my hair and of course did my nails! I always feel better and more professional!

So thank you Essie and Wrapped in Rubies! I think its a perfect fall color with just enough 'red' to make it fierce!

Since it was my last 'non working day' I thought that I might cook for the WHOLE family. I seriously wanted something easy and that wasn't to expensive, hey those paychecks aren't coming just yet, and I found the perfect thing!

Three Cheese Tortellini and Mushroom Soup from SkinnyTaste and since I was making things for the family I decided on dessert from PeanutButter and Peppers which was the Apple Frozen Yogurt! You guys both have AMAZING recipes and it always taste delicious when I try them!

 

Me being all House Wifey and saute-ing the veggies for the soup! To tell the truth about a year ago I would have never stepped inside the kitchen, and here I am now actually cooking whole meals, planning ahead and people LIKING my cooking!

 There are those veggies I was talking about! Carrots, Celery, Onions and a little bit of garlic! Now I am not an onion fan but really by the time the soup was done...I didn't even taste them! I did forget to picture the mushrooms... oops! 

Here is the final product! Three Cheese Tortellini and Mushroom! The whole family gave me their thumbs up. Including my Father in Law that rarely ever eats anything that doesn't have meat in it even liked it! 

I shall call this a resounding success! 

Then of course there was dessert! I couldn't leave that out. Now to tell you the truth if I was freaking out about dinner...I was a nervous wreck for dessert, but it turned out really well! That is what I get for following directions ^_^

Seriously, I am not sure how Jen, PB and Peppers, made this taste so fall-ish! It was perfect greek yogurt tartness with the sweet cinnamon and apple that just takes you to leaves falling! 

Talking about the 'Fall' I finally got my table center piece just as I wanted it! You think with the Hubby being a Visual Manager that it would have been easier...

Also, I think this might have been the best photo I have EVER taken to date! But now the house is officially ready for Fall! 

On to the Daily Stats!

Daily Stats Day 74:

For a day at a Korean BBQ I am happy that I only went over 606. That is better then that last time I went there. 

So NeverEver's have you ever made a dessert? How did it turn out? What makes you feel ready for that 'First day of work/school'?

Okay NeverEver's, wish me luck for tomorrow! I shall post to show exactly how it went!