Great Recipe

Hey Girls,

I found some awesome recipes on fitnessmagazine.com for some amazing salads. Check this one out! It looks delicious!

Spread 2 teaspoons pesto on a whole-grain pita; broil until golden. Toss 1 1/2 cups arugula, 1/4 cup chopped tomato, 1 tablespoon pine nuts, 1/4 cup canned white beans (rinsed and drained), and 1 teaspoon olive oil with fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Serve on pita.

Speaking of Brownies ...

Warning: These Are Not 100 Calories

I had a bad day today. In an effort to make a friend of mine feel better I made a batch of my famous brownies. Of course, if someone is sad I make food ... that is why I needed this challenge!

I thought I was going to be doing okay because I allowed myself to lick the spoon (I figured that was my 100 calories for the day) before I put it in the sink (after I was done mixing, I am not gross) and planned on saving the rest for my friend. I took them out of the oven, let them cool and was impressed at how strong I felt. As I arranged the brownies on the plate, however, there was one sad little guy who didn't fit ... I was really left with no choice. I had to take a snacking penalty.

What I do feel good about is that in the past when I have made these I am typically ravenous. I ate my one little brownie and was good. I think this diet is working and my life is really changing.

If anyone wants to make them I recommend waiting for cheat day. This is a recipe you won't find anywhere else ... these are my brownies:


2 Eggs
2/3 cup Unsifted flour
3/4 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 teaspoon Baking powder
1/2 cup Butter or margarine; melted
1/4 teaspoon Salt
3/4 cup Ghirardelli ground chocolate
1/2 cup Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
>>>secret ingredient>>>1 teaspoon Almond Oil

Mix everything together. Bake @ 350 for about 30 minutes.

100 Calorie Brownies

What? 100 Calorie Brownies?
Yes, that's right. These are best eaten in the morning or pre-workout.

Ready in 45 minutes • Makes 16 servings

Bulge-Free Brownies

1 can  black beans, rinsed and drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans)
3 whole eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 oz package Mori Nu, extra-firm lite tofu
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp canola oil (for The Game! - Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup (for The Game! - Honey or 1/8 Amber Agave Nectar)
1/2 cup unsweetened, non-dutched (unprocessed) cocoa
3/4 cup chocolate whey protein powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Purée beans in a food processor. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and blend to combine.

3. In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to mix together the dry ingredients. Add to the wet ingredients and blend until creamy smooth.

4. Pour batter into an oiled 8-by-8 inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Nutrients per serving: 
(these numbers might change a bit when you use The Game! substituted ingredients.)
Calories: 100, Total Fats: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholestrerol: 40 mg, Sodium: 64 mg, Total Carbohydrates: 11g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 5 g, Protein: 8 g, Iron: 1 mg

Source: Fat - Blasting Food Guide - Oxygen:  oxygenmag.com

I have not had a chance to make these yet, so if you make them, let us all know how they turn out. I got this recipe at Barnes and Noble Magazine Section: Fat-Blasting Food Guide - Oxygen. There are 174 pages in this guide, filled with recipes, fat-burning tips and meal plans!

Enjoy! *SS (Shiela)

Free Day: binging vs 1% loss

Last week on my free day I didn't keep track of my calorie intake nor did I workout. I ordered Gorgonzola Alfredo for dinner which apparently has over 1300 calories, I didn't know the caloric value at the time. I usual eat some of it and save the rest for the next day but because my next free day was a week away and I have a "thing" (no thanks to childhood habits) about throwing food away, I ate it all. Gasp! I know, well it get's better. Earlier that day we had a birthday party for our son, and of course I had a piece of cake and this amazing drink my son's teacher taught him how to make with orange sherbet, orange soda and root beer. I don't remember what I had for breakfast and I didn't snack that day but after the birthday and dinner I'm pretty sure I could have gone without eating for 3 days. Needless to say I didn't get my 1% loss the first week.
The second week I made a mental agreement with myself to only eat what I really felt I just had to have on my free day. Well when the day came I was craving everything under the sun and really looking forward to this day. I knew I would have some unforgivable calories so when I got up that morning I made myself a protein drink with some blueberries and lots of spinach. I had some nuts and berries for a snack. That afternoon our family planned to see a movie so I waited then to order pasta for lunch and a few thinks I craved like popcorn and fries and wine. I planned to keep note of what I would eat this day but It didn't happen. Anyway, after the movie we planned on picking up some food from the grocery store. You know that rule about never going to the grocery store when your hungry, well turns out the same rule applies on you free day even if your not hungry. So of course I bought chocolate, but instead of buying a whole bag of peanut butter cups or even a chocolate bar I went to the bulk aisle, don't worry because this is where I make a conscious decision to only get a couple of different bite size pieces. Yea me! When I when home I took a bite out of one and put it back in the bag then a few minutes later I took a bite out of the other. I felt satisfied of the previous craving and had no desire to go OCD on a bag of chocolate. Yea me again! I felt like there was real change finally happening and I was on my way. The third week I plan to be be more conscious and even plan to keep track of my calorie intake. I feel more confident now and I am starting to trust my judgment, Its a Good Thing :) YEA ME!
I feel that each week for me makes me a better person and brings me closer to where I want to be. I am creating more new habits during this challenge than ever imagined. I share this horror story with you because maybe you too are having a wild free day too or maybe you've been depriving your self and teetering the balance the other way, either way I think its important to listen to that little voice in your head that fights for you each day to be better for You. We all have days we don't want to keep going on this diet and wish for the end but what I've noticed in just the last two weeks is that its working! I see change in myself each week and I plan to continuing on this journey even after the four weeks.

Hey ladies hope your all having a great week , your all in my thoughts ! So I started at 158 I am now 155 so things are working . Some days are tougher then others not gonna lie :-) I really appreciate every one of  you . Heres to week two ! Go team flabulous !!!

CONFESSIONS

So I wanted to see how everyone else is doing. Honestly!!

I am struggling. My work schedule varies so much from week to week. My personal schedule varies so much from week to week. One week I might have my husband home to help, the next week, I may not. Kids at daycare, school, BB practice and more. Just like everyone else I am overwhelmed and a BUSY mom.

I am having a hard time getting all my meals in, in a day. I feel like I am having a good day if I get 3 or 4 meals in. Starting the whole diet process has been hard enough but honestly ( I hope I don't hurt feelings) the rest of it, is about to send me over the edge.

Trying to find one good new habit, lose one old habit, post a blog, meet up for a team meeting, respond to an opponent and a team player everyday, make sure I get my score in for the day in by 9pm, managing my work time and family time, it is all about to send me over the edge. I feel alone. I have no idea if anyone else is struggling as much as I am or not. At times, I just want to throw in the towel.

Is anyone else struggling out there, or am I all alone????

Nutritious Cleanse

It serves your body well to to do a good cleanse every once in a while. Cleansing with fruits, vegetable, spices and herbs can be your best friend especially when dealing with ailments such as water retention, menstrual cramps, and low energy.

Some times we need a cleanse during that time of the month to relieve the pressure of blotting and cramps. Some foods to help during these times are most fruits and green vegetable juice and fiber particularly celery, fennel, garlic, seeds, and wheatgerm. It's a good idea to throw these in your daily recipes too.
Here's a juice recipe to help with menstrual concerns while giving you supreme energy and boosting your immune system. Great for your skin too!
Beet Basic
2 beet roots
2 carrots
1 apple
1 orange
1 celery stick
1/2 inch ginger root
Blend Well & Drink!
Full of beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur.

If your having muscle cramps because of workouts here is the juice recipe for you, and you get the benefit of a gentle cleanse!

Apple Cleanser
2 apples
2 kale
 1 celery stick
1/3 cucumber
1/ beet root
Blend Well & Drink!
Rich with beta-caratene, folic acid, vitamin B3, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur.


One of the best ways to beat water retention is with water. This is a great detox, boosts immunity, improves energy level, and good for your complexion. It's easy, now you can shed those last few pounds!
Water Water Everywhere
1 cucumber
1 thick slice of watermelon
Blend Well & Drink!
Consists of beta-caratene, folic acid, vitamin B5, vitamin C, calcium. magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium.

Add water to any recipe for less smoothie and more juice like texture. Enjoy!

Resource: Smoothies & Juices by Natalie Savone