Pumpkin protein pancakes

As promised from my FACEBOOK comments. Here is the recipe I used for this mornings breakfast. 

Pumpkin protein pancakes- 

4Tbsp of pumpkin purée

2large eggs (beaten) 

A shake of cinnamon 

A shake of pumpkin pie spice 

1 1/2 scoops of vanilla Bode protein powder 

Mix all together

I cook mine on a griddle medium get that I've sprayed with Pam to ensure they don't stick! 

Topped with syrup, TruWhip and a sprinkle of nutmeg. 

Please share any recipes you guys LOVE! 

HAPPY DANCING

I did the fitting room happy dance! It amazes me when I look back and think just 7 months ago I started on a journey. A journey that I thought "enough is enough" and if it works on Extreme Weightloss maybe it'll work for me! What do I have to lose?  I knew it wasn't going to be easy and I knew I was going to have to push myself out of comfort zones that I had been in for so long! I read Chris Powell's book and started working on my roadmap. 

When I started I was wearing size 22/24 pants and 2x in top. 60 lbs down, 32inches cut, LOTS of hard work, making right choices, falling but getting right back up, admitting/recommitting and 7 months later.... I just bought size TWELVE jeans! This is huge for me as I haven't wore a size 12 since at least my sophomore year maybe even longer!! I tried on a 10 and I probably could've got that size but when you're so used loose clothes to "hide" behind its hard to go to tight fitting jeans! (Still no skinnies in my life!) 

I hope that anyone reading this can use this as motivation that you may need to take those steps out of your comfort zone and push themselves to be 

the best you YOU can be! 

Here is a pic of my fitting room dance! Oh and the hoodie that I rewarded myself with! ;-) I'm a sucker for Nike! 

If I can do it.... YOU CAN DO IT! "It" may not be weight loss "it" can be bettering yourself or loving you. Set a goal and work towards it! 

Thought

So this thought/saying has been tumbling in my head for a while and lately it's been BEGGING to be let out 

Since my lifestyle change my eyes have definitely been open to this! Not only do I not know what others are battling, they don't know what I'm battling! 

I know that I need this reminder EVER DAY! It's so hard but even just judging myself against someone else. We are all different, we do things differently! That's what makes our lives interesting! If we all did the same thing, the same way what would be the fun? 

I know that I am SO GRATEFUL for my individuality and for the trials that I have battled, that I can look back and see that they have made me stronger! 

Be nicer to people! BE NICER TO YOURSELF!!! 

LOVE YOU and the journey you are on, focus in on the positive because YOU ARE AWESOME! 

2/46 COMPLETE

Day 2 of Jillian (30 day Shred) is COMPLETE! 

I want to shout out to my hubby that "finally" gave it and worked out with me! 

It's crazy how awesome it feels to work out, I LOVE the burn that my muscles have after a great workout. 

Thank you ANDY! 

okay, lets open it up. What kinds of posts do you guys want to see? More recipes, more stories, more meal plans or even something new? 

Then you find something that cements your WHY?!?!

I've been having a few hard weeks. When you feel like you are working so hard (when the truth is sometimes I've cheated or not made the best choice) and the number on the scale is not going your way.... ITS HARD! I know, the number on the scale isn't what it's all about but it's so easy to say and not so easy to not get discouraged when you see flat or even a gain! I know that I'm getting to the point where I'm really going to have to work for my loss and hard work will pay off! This last weeks weigh in I had a good post. I'm officially down 60lbs with my ultimate goal being 35 more! I know that with the plan that I'm on, I will make my goal. Yesterday I was cleaning out a box and found this gem! This picture cemented why I am doing this! 

While this girl was having a great time and living her life she didn't really know what living her life to the fullest meant. To just about anyone they would tell you she was happy and was positive! (I'm good at acting/hiding) 

I can honestly say that this girl was nothing like she is today! THIS GIRL has learned so much in just 7 months. So much about health, food, workouts, happiness, motivation, inspiration and even about HER! 

And so.... I'm re-dedicating myself to the process! I have 6.5 weeks until Justin Timberlake. I have a goal in mind for this trip! I know I can make it. Then after that it's a sprint to the 1year "finish" line where my goal is to be at my weight/size goal! I just need to be strong and not give into the food and crap that got me at my starting point. I WILL BE STRONG because it's crazy how strong one really is when your health/life is on the line! 

I know that weight loss is not an easy journey and I would love to support anyone that is on or looking to join this journey! Please don't hesitate to reach out to me! I'd love to help in anyway that I can! 

Thank you for reading and supporting! Your support and love help drive me to be the best ME! THANK YOU! 

"Treat" with dinner.

Pumpkin pie custard

Thank you again Briana! 

This little gem was good but definitely don't go into it thinking you're going to be eating sugary pumpkin pie. This will be a great healthier alternative for Thanksgiving! 

Checking in

Hey everyone! I just wanted to check in and report my week wins/lose.  Last week I set my goals to do 5 - 9 minute missions, 5 - cardio sessions and 2 random acts of kindness..... I was able to get in 4/5 9minute missions. I got in 5 cardio sessions and was able to complete 2 random acts of kindness. This transformation is so much more then weight loss for me. Yes I started out with a main goal of losing weight but the journey has been so much more then that. I have found myself being so much more self confident, not caring what anyone thinks or what they could be saying! (The saying "don't judge others you have no idea what they are going through or where they are at on their journey" is so true.) I'm being the best me! It's a constant challenge and something I must work at daily but I love this new me. And I love that I get better every day! 

I challenge you all to set a goal of even just one random act of kindness this week. The feeling I get once that random act is complete is one of such joy. How could  you not be happy that you are helping someone in some way even if it's just letting them know you care!

This weeks challenge - everyone complete one random act of kindness and report in. No names and you don't even need to say what it was. Just your feelings and thoughts! 

Just a few ideas to start the brain juices flowing! Be creative and let's uplift eachother! 

Random act ideas (RA) 

Write someone an anonymous uplifting letter

Deliver a treat to someone 

Offer your assistance to someone

Pay it forward type of R.A

Take a friend to lunch

Yard-work

Week Meal Plan - Andy's week 5

Monday (Low Carb)

Breakfast - Powell Perfect Shake, Vemma Vitamins

Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese, 1/2 english cucumber/handful of grape tomatoes, String cheese (andy) 10 raw almonds (melissa) 

Lunch -  Salad, Turkey and dressing

Afternoon Snack - Bode Burn, Carrot sticks/Celery Sticks, 10 raw almonds (andy) 1Tbsp of fresh ground Peanut Butter (melissa)

Dinner - Grilled Chicken Tomato Salad with cheese stick/dressing

Tuesday (Low Carb)

Breakfast - Powell Perfect Shake, Vemma Vitamins

Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese, 1/2 english cucumber/handful of grape tomatoes, String cheese (andy) 10 raw almonds (melissa) 

Lunch -  Salad, Chicken and dressing

Afternoon Snack - Bode Burn, Carrot sticks/Celery Sticks, 10 raw almonds (andy) 1Tbsp of fresh ground Peanut Butter (melissa)

Dinner - Grilled pork,  roasted veggies topped with grated parmesan

Wednesday (High Carb)

Breakfast - Powell Perfect Shake, Vemma Vitamins

Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese, 1/2 english cucumber/handful of grape tomatoes, apple

Lunch - Powell Perfect Shake

Afternoon Snack - Bode Burn, Carrots Sticks/Celery Sticks, Whole Grain Crackers (andy) Popcorn (melissa)

Dinner - Chicken Brats with Whole Grain Pasta/zucchini noodles and sauce

Thursday (Low Carb)

Breakfast - Powell Perfect Shake, Vemma Vitamins

Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese, 1/2 english cucumber/handful of grape tomatoes, String cheese (andy) 10 raw almonds (melissa) 

Lunch -  Salad, Pork and dressing

Afternoon Snack - Bode Burn, Carrot sticks/Celery Sticks, 10 raw almonds (andy) 1Tbsp of fresh ground Peanut Butter (melissa)

Dinner - Turkey Burgers topped with Swiss/Pico and Carrot fries

Friday (Low Carb)

Breakfast - Powell Perfect Shake, Vemma Vitamins

Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese, 1/2 english cucumber/handful of grape tomatoes, String cheese (andy) 10 raw almonds (melissa) 

Lunch -  Salad, Chicken and dressing

Afternoon Snack - Bode Burn, Carrot sticks/Celery Sticks, 10 raw almonds (andy) 1Tbsp of fresh ground Peanut Butter (melissa)

Dinner - Grilled Chicken with Broccoli Salad

Saturday (High Carb)

Breakfast - Powell Perfect Shake, Vemma Vitamins

Morning Snack - Cottage Cheese, 1/2 english cucumber/handful of grape tomatoes, apple. 

Lunch - Powell Perfect Shake

Afternoon Snack - Bode Burn, Carrot sticks/Celery Sticks, Whole grain crackers (andy) popcorn (melissa) 

Dinner - Grilled Pork, Corn on the cob and side green salad.

Low Carb - Smart Protein, Smart Veggie and Smart Fat

High Carb - Smart Protein, Smart Veggies and Smart Carb

Here is our weekly meal plan for this week! Any questions or if you want to know how we make something, please don't hesitate to ask. 

SHOUT OUT - 

I have a few friends starting this week!!! Good luck on week one and remember I'm here for questions, suggestions or even just to be your "person" 

Everyone have a fantastic successful week and remember success is measured in many different ways! Set small obtainable goals for yourself this week, post them on your mirror, by your bedside, in a comment on this blog, on facebook or write them in your journal next sunday we'll report in and CELEBRATE our wins!!! 

This week my goals are - 

9 Minute Missions 5 days

Cardio 5 days

Do two Random acts of kindness

White chicken chili

Andy adjusted the original recipe so that it had more veggies in it. 

12oz chicken breast

8oz Italian tomatoes canned

8oz pinto beans (seasoned) 

16oz chicken broth low sodium

1Tbsp chili powder

1Tbsp dried oregano

1 white onion chopped

1 green pepper chopped

1 red bell pepper chopped 

1 Tbsp of minced garlic

In a large sauce pan over medium high heat add in chicken, chicken broth and pinto (w/juices) bring to a boil then simmer on low heat. 

In a medium skillet over medium heat add Olive oil and sauté the onions, garlic, red and green bell peppers for about 4 minutes. Pour into simmering saucepan. 

Season with oregano and chili powder. 

Let simmer for at least 20 min. 

I added in a dollop of fage plain Greek yogurt into my bowl

Dinner tonight!

Hello all of my followers! (All few of you!) but you few I owe huge thanks to for hanging in there and sticking with me! So I am working on compiling up a bunch of our favorite recipes into one post but tonight's dinner was a MUST POST! 

I used my turkey meatloaf recipe minus a few things and made turkey burgers(p) topped with Swiss cheese(f) and fresh pico(v) then as a side dish I made carrot fries(v) because you need "fries" with burgers! 

 Turkey burger - 

2lb turkey

2 egg whites 

2TBSP coconut amino's (got at sprouts)

1tsp pink salt

1tsp fresh ground pepper

1tsp minced garlic

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. I measured out into 4oz "balls" the turkey mixture is kind of wet so it's not really ball form. 

Lightly spray frying pan with cooking spray and cook covered on medium low heat.  I just pressed my ball into a patty shape once in the pan. Once browned flip over and finish cooking. (Mine cooked down to 3oz portions.)  Top with Swiss and pico 

Carrot fries- 

Peel and cut carrots into sticks. In a bowl top lightly with extra Virgin Olive oil and I used Mrs Dash seasoning to help flavor them up. Mix well to ensure the carrots are evenly covered. I cooked them at 375 until soft. About 10-15 minutes. 

This was one of our winner dinners tonight! I knew it would be since we LOVE the turkey meatloaf recipe! But top with cheese and pico DELISH! 

In the next few days I will be posting more recipes! 

Favorite Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf 

This is by far our favorite so far that we've found (thank you Stephanie!) 

I like to cook mine in muffin tins to make little "meat muffins" they end up weighing out to 1-1.5oz a muffin so they are perfect! 

Light Sesame Chicken

This is one I found on Pinterest and it's a keeper! LOVE this! It works for high carb day paired with steamed brocolli and brown rice or low carb day with just brocolli or it's really good in lettuce wraps! 

http://alidaskitchen.com/2012/06/08/chipotle-macaroni-and-cheese/

Chicken Tostada's

This is a Chris Powell recipe! DELISH! 

http://chrispowell.com/abcnews-go-com-chris-powells-chicken-tostadas/

Chicken Tortilla soup

This is one of our all time favorites that we've adjusted to fit our lifestyle! So yummy! Even used non fat plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream! 

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/13351/chicken-tortilla-soup-i/

Chicken Vegetable soup 

This is an Andy creation. We felt like soup and it was a low carb day so he created this for us. 

Bingham Salad - 

This recipe we adapted from our fantastic friends the Binghams. Hence the name! (Now if only I could still have Cami Salad!) 

1 Med. Bag of spinach leaves 

1 small bag of whole grain pasta (made with brown rice flour. 

1 container of cherry tomatoes

2 carrots sliced 

1 cucumber diced 

Mix all together and serve with a lite Italian dressing. 

These are all tested and tried recipes! They pass the "chefs" seal of approval! 

Remember every week I challenge myself to find new recipes and so if you have a favorite recipe don't be afraid to share a link and I'll check it out! 

Thanks for you love and support! 

HAPPY HEALTHY EATING! 

Weeks of Meal Plans

Here is a few of my meal plans for all of my friends/family that are on the same lifestyle as I am. I'm working on getting my recipes and links together now. Hopefully they will be up tomorrow. And then every week I'll post my week plan and my new recipe I'm using that week. 

Meal planning/prepping

I'm busy! I know everyone says they are busy and if that's the case.... You should all meal prep and plan! ;-) 

I meal plan because since starting this journey I knew that I needed to have a plan in place that I could hold myself accountable for. I meal prep because I need to make it as easy as possible for me to succeed, if that means taking 30-45 minutes out of my day sunday to prepare for the entire week, I will do it! 

I have a spiral notebook that I write all of my meal plans into. Mainly so that I can keep tabs on what we're eating, but also I have a spot that I can reference if there was a meal that we liked a lot. 

The Process :

Before you think that this is in code (well it kind of is...) MS - Morning Snack, L - Lunch, AS - Afternoon Snack and D - Dinner.  C.C is Cottage Cheese, Cuc - Cucumber, Tom - Tomato, Car - Carrots, Cel - Celery. These are items that work really well for a person on the go. I need items that I can prep on sunday and will be just as delish on Saturday afternoon. 

On Saturday I sit down (now with my hubby since he's joined the "wagon") and we plan out all of next weeks meals.  We try to bring in one new recipe every week to keep some variety in our dinners. Breakfast is taken care of because of the Powell Perfect Protien shakes we have but we plan out all of the others. (I will be loading up our meal plans shortly) then once I have my plan in place I start my grocery list. 

I create a two column list, One side is costco/SAMs and the other side is for the grocery store.  I buy as much as I can that makes sense in bulk. So my proteins, shelf stable almond milk and usually vegetables come from costco/SAMs club.Then my fruit and carbs/other assorted items that I don't need a massive quantity of comes from the grocery store.  It's always fun to go grocery shopping to see just how little our final bills are. 

I divide our meats into servings and vacuseal them to put into the freezer (except for any that I'll be using for the week) 

Sunday evening is MEAL PREP TIME!!! 

I prep out all of my snacks and lunches for the week putting them into individual serving sizes and place them into a labeled brown paper sack that I can just grab in the morning and go. For me if I didn't meal prep and have everything ready, It would've been so easy to not follow my program. 

I think that is meal prep and planning in a nut shell. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. 

Next posts will be most of my meal plans and then some of the recipes that I have found we love! 

MIND BLOWN!

So I wasn't going to post today but then I took my 168 day pics and I just couldn't not share this with you guys! 

This is proof that before you ever enter into this kind of journey.... TAKE PICTURES! They are the proof that you need that what you are doing is working! I have days that people tell me they see so much difference and I feel so much better and I am wearing a much different size of clothes but sometimes when the scale isn't moving "fast" enough it's hard. But then you take a side by side comparison and you realize HOLY CRAP it's working!!! 

It's crazy the difference you can see in pictures!

LESSON OF THE DAY - take before pics! It's not fun and even though you don't want to document how bad you are..... It's so worth it when you need a comparison! 

Menu/meal planning/recipes coming in the next few days! 

Starting Point

You know the point in your life when you know you need to change, but you don't know how to or even where to begin and you have A LOT of  "excuses" as to why you can't change. A year ago that is where I was at. I wanted to change. I wanted to have my "Extreme Weight Loss" journey, but unfortunately I didn't have Chris Powell and I had NO way of knowing exactly how to do it. Plus I wasn't in the right frame of mind. I still had all of the doubt words in my vocabulary. I CAN'T, I WOULDN'T, I LOVE FOOD TOO MUCH! 

One day about 8 months ago I was on Facebook (you know my "precious" time) and there was an ad talking about Chris Powell's 12 week weight loss challenge I clicked on it and it took me to the Vemma website. I searched around for a bit but only looking at the price tag and not the benefits I figured it was out of my range. I even talked to Andy about wanting to do it, but I just couldn't justify the cost at the time. 

About 7 months ago I got a weekly message from Amazon letting me know about certain Kindle titles on sale. Chris Powell's Choose more, Lose more for life was on sale. I quickly clicked over and purchased it. And within 2 chapters I knew that this was the journey I was going to start on.  His plan, His stories, His inspiration partnered with the product and 6 months later I am proud to say I am down 54 lbs! And to justify the cost for me, when I figure out my groceries with the Vemma products I still spend less then I did before this journey, when we were going out to eat way too much, when I was purchasing CRAP and JUNK just because it was a great deal or it looked good or even just to buy it. 

Was I able to follow his plan exactly every single day? No, I had my falls, but I was honest with myself, I admitted and recommitted and was able to get back right where I needed to be. 

I know that everyone is different and somethings don't work for everyone. I know that this lifestyle change is what has changed me forever! It's taught me so much about food, life, ways of thinking, most importantly ME! 

I love that there are so many tools that Vemma and Chris Powell have that help me through out the day! Thank you Vemma, Thank you Chris Powell, Thank you Friends and Family for your everyday support! It does mean so much to me to hear your encouraging words and support! But most of all.... Thank you to  my body for allowing me to go on this journey and realize that I really CAN do anything I put my mind to! 

 

Here is my "starting point!" 

Pre - Story

It's funny to look back at High School pictures and think. "I thought I was fat then????" 

Oh man, if I only knew what I know now. 

Things that I have said and believed since high school that have led me to my new "Starting" point. 

"If I work out, it DOESN'T matter what I eat. I can eat whatever I want!" 

"I could NEVER give up _____, I love it too much " insert MANY options; white bread, pasta, treats etc. 

"I'm NOT strong enough to resist (above food)"

"I WISH I could do that" -Watching American Ninja Warrior

"I WOULDN'T be able to do that!" -Talking about running 

"It's too EXPENSIVE to eat healthy!"

"I DO NOT have time"

So at the time I was 100% correct, I couldn't because I had no FAITH/RESPECT/LOVE in myself. 

What has changed you asked???? 

In the past 6 months I have found what works for me! I have found a lifestyle that not only has taught me how to change myself, body and mind, but it has given me a totally different outlook on life. 

I know now that it FULLY does matter what I eat. I have to eat clean/healthy food to fuel my body so that it can perform at it's peak.

I have learned that I CAN give up the food that I thought I could never give up. On reward day do I get a treat? YES I do, but there are things that won't ever be back into my eating plan.

I have learned that if I DEDICATE myself to something and work hard at it, I will get better and then I will be able to do that!

It's too expensive NOT to eat healthy! (money and health)

DO I have time? HA! I have to MAKE my time! It has to be a priority or else I'm right I don't have time. But I can get up 10 minutes earlier and I can use my wasted TV time in the evening for a quick run.

I have learned that I AM STRONG ENOUGH!!!!

This blog will be used for a few different purposes.

- Posting some of my goals and accomplishments 

- Posting before and through out the journey pics

- Documenting my meal plans

- Posting/links to recipes that we enjoy

- INSPIRATION for myself and others

I want to say a HUGE thank you to my friends and family that have been my support system the last 6 months. With the support that I have, I can move mountains. I have been EXTREMELY lucky in the support department and I appreciate it all. 

In  the next few days I will be adding meal plans and recipes. If you guys have any special requests, please let me know and I will do everything I can to post about it! 

Thank you for taking the time to read, I hope that with this blog I will be able to help inspire people to look for the "better" them! Am I the BEST me? No, but everyday I'm waking up knowing that I'm going to be better then I was yesterday!