Keeping on: Day 13

Day 13!  More than half way there and feeling great, things are definitely becoming more of a habit!  I'm tempted by junk food numerous times throughout the day and am happy to report that I win every time.  Victory!

I feel stronger every day during my workouts and getting up early is like second nature to me now, no more fighting with the alarm and dragging myself out of bed.  This is awesome.  I'm excited that my parents and a good friend are starting the 10 day challenge soon, I just want everyone I know and love to feel as great as I do.

Keep on Sparking on.

They noticed: Day 12

Day 12! Half way point and  Day 2 into my Max phase and still feeling fine...not sure it was possible but I think I have even more energy than before.  How exciting.  A great thing happened at work today, 2 coworkers asked me if I've lost weight!  yea, I haven't really lost all that much but it just makes you feel awesome when other people notice. I feel stronger, I've noticed I'm able to step it up on the Can you 24 workout and I'm even getting stronger with my push ups...yes yes I'm still doing girly push ups, but I can tell my form is better and I'm able to do more.  I'll get there!! mark my word.   I also really noticed today that my pants are a bit looser as well.  Such motiviation to keep on going.

I've been making a point of taking my entire lunch break lately.  If its warm enough I walk outside, if its too cold, snowy or rainy I hit the gym downstairs.  Today I did eliptical for 30 min and bike for 20...not hard core, just a leisurely pace..didn't want to get all sweaty and smelly for the rest of the day.  I was able to relax and finish Water for Elephants, now off to decide what to read next...hmmm..

12 more days...can't wait to see final results.

All Clean: Day 11

Day 11!!  I survived the 10 day cleanse and I feel amazing!!  All in all I lost 7lbs and 10 inches total. STILL not inches lost in those damn calves, all in due time.  I have more energy, I feel happier and I feel....cleaner.  Love it.  I'm excited for the next 2 weeks.  I feel like I can totally do this.  First day of the Max phase down, the only trouble I have is remembering to take one of the blue packets of vitamins 30 min before lunch.  Small problems, huh?  I got this!

Its been a long, long trying day so that's all I have today.  Stay tuned...

Its Cookie Time: Day 10

Day 10!!  Last day of the cleanse portion of the 24 day challenge. yea!  Next on to 2 weeks of super good nutrition.  I'm feeling pretty awesome after the cleanse.  I have more energy, I feel less stressed and my overall mood is much improved.

Today was Girl Scout Cookie pick up day.  M sold 97 boxes, and that is some major temptation to have in my house right now.  I've already unloaded 4 orders tonight and the bulk of the rest will go to work with me tomorrow so all my co workers can get their fix.  I'm not gonna lie...I reeeealllly want some do si dos right now, they are my fav...but all in good time, all in good time.

I'm excited to start the next 14 days and continue this journey. And ok, I"m a little excited to eat some girls scout cookies in about 2 weeks!  moderation...moderation...and do si dos..

Cucumbers and Cilantro oh my. Day 9

Day 9!! I survived the birthday party, no wine, no pizza, no soda, no cheetos, no cake passed these lips.  I had a nice little snacked all packed and ready to go, but left it at home.  Darnit I was in for a challenge.  Luckily I had a nice bowl of  asapragus and quinoa minestrone before leaving the house.  I sipped on water all night and although all the goodies looked amazingly good, I passed on them all.  A big shout out to my friends for not over tempting me.  yay.

I'm super excited 3 people have expressed interest in the 10 day cleanse.  My friend, Kara and my parents.  My mom asked me to order her a kit for herself and my Dad...however, I'm not quite sure he has been let in on this little secret yet.  I'm so proud of them.  I feel amazing approaching Day 10 and I hope they feel the same soon, too!

Got up, sparked did the shred 1 workout, put some steel cut oats on to cook and did the core stretch...fun fact steel cut oat cooking time is the same as core stretch video.  fun!  Picked M up from her sleepover and got to creating in the kitchen!

I recalled seeing a recipe somewhere for cilantro cucumber hummus.  I had almost all the ingredients I needed at home and decided to give it a whirl.  I had dried cilantro in the cupboard...I imagine this would be waaaay better with fresh herbs.  Everything is better with fresh herbs!  (new goal: grow some fresh herbs.)

I gathered all the ingredients and got to work.  I had some garbanzos on hand from earlier in the week, chopped up a cucumber, reconstituted some dried cilantro in lime juice and threw it all together with some a lot of garlic.

Now, friends if you have a heavy duty blender such as the Blendec, try this at home.  Otherwise use a food processor to pulse the mixture until just blended (level one on blendtec) Or if you are in a pinch use a potato masher to mash all the ingredients and hand mix together, I'm way too inpatient for this method, so I use the good old Blendtec.  If you use your grandma's old oster you will surely blow the motor and that's just no fun for anyone.

Cucumber Cilantro Hummus

• 15oz garbanzo beans  
• 1Tbsp dried cilantro 
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1Tbsp olive oil
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cucumber, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic

Combine all ingredients in Blender, blend to desired texture and enjoy.  Its that easy!  Garnish with crushed red pepper and serve with cut veggies.  Would work great as a sandwich or cabbage roll spread.  Makes 4 cups 16 0.25cup servings.

Nutrition:  0.25cup (4Tbsp)  Calories 66  Fat 3.2g  Carb 8g Fiber 1.5g Protein 2g

Full of Spark(le) with Results: Day 8!

Day 8!!  I'm full of Spark(le) and energy.  Its official, I'm one of those people I used to glare at.  What possesses someone to wake up at 6:30 on a Saturday??  I suppose its a good rest and increased energy.  I'm loving it.  Haters gonna hate.

Today is officially one week.  M has been bugging me to try the workout videos with me, but since I get up at 5:30 on the weekdays to workout, she hasn't been able to join me. The only video she has done so far is core stretch which is basically like yoga.  This morning I decided to let her try melt 1 with me, she loved it.  She was able to follow it well and go between levels as needed for her ability.  Plus, she said it was fun!    I think this is so awesome that a 7 year old is excited to exercise and we can share a workout video...just goes to show the Can You 24 Workout, truly is for everyone.  Don't worry, folks...I did not give her a spark. This kid of mine has natural born in spark all. the. time.  I couldn't imagine her with added energy.

I measured today and also re-weighed, I chose Saturday, cause its lazy non structured nowhere to be day.  Drum roll....6 pounds and 4 inches total lost.  woohoo!  The only place I lost none was my calves.  ugh!! I will keep on keeping on. I will have those boots!!

I love making a good breakfast on the weekends.  Today I made a delicious concoction I created.  Southwestern egg and lentil scramble.  I know, it does not look terribly appetizing but OMG it was so delish.  I only had one egg left, otherwise I would have used two.  Must get to the farmer's market today to pick up more.  Hold your horses before you flip on the fat level, most of the fat comes from the avocado which is GOOD FAT!  You could use 0.25 of an avocado to reduce the fat.

Looking forward to an energy filled Saturday...wow it feels great to actually have energy to go out and do things.  Tonight will be a test of will power.  Helping with a kid's birthday party (cake, pizza, junk food!!) Then going to hang out with friends (junk food, cocktails)  I got this, I will bring a healthy snack for the party and maybe sip a spark instead of cocktails.  Thankfully I have super supportive friends that won't try to bring me to the dark side tonight!  Happy Saturday!!

Southwestern Egg and Lentil Scramble

• 1 egg (2 if you have them, I only had one)
• .075 cup lentils prepared (.025c dry=.075c cooked)
• .05 Haas avocado, diced
• 2 Tbsp Salsa (or more to taste)
• 1 Tbsp almond milk (or other milk of your choice)
• 2 cloves garlic (I'm afraid of vampires so I load up on the garlic...oh wait now, its just delish!!)
• 0.5 tsp coconut oil
• .025 tsp taco seasoning (more or less to taste)

1. Heat pan to medium low, add coconut oil
2. Crush and chop garlic, add to pan
3. Combine egg, milk, taco mix in a shaker or whisk together until light and fluffy
4. Scramble eggs on medium low to desired texture
5. Warm up lentils
6. Mix all together and Enjoy!

Nutrition (1 egg)  330cal  25g carb 12g fiber 21g fat  15g protein.   (2 eggs)  add 70 cal 5g fat 6g protein

(0.25 avocado)  subtract 70 cal 6.5g  fat and 3.5g carb, 3g fiber, 1g protein.  

                                                             

Scale Stare Down: Day 7

Day 7!  Today was weigh in day.  The dreaded day my partner in crime and I agreed to track our progress. I woke up before my alarm today, peeled myself out of bed and had a stare down with the scale.  Reluctantly, I braved the monster.  As I stood peeking through fingers clenched against my face I saw the numbers.  Down 3 pounds, yea!  I know logically that the numbers on the scale aren't the best to gauge things by, so the experts say.  "They" say, measure by how your clothes fit, by your energy, blah blah blah.  That is all fine and dandy but its definitely a nice motivator to see the number inch down.  Its nothing to write home about, but its a baby step.

After my little victory I did my spark and my workout.  I cannot believe I made it an entire week of getting up early and working out.  That is probably my biggest accomplishment so far, I think I may have sprained my shoulder a bit patting myself on the back...I'm sure I'll recover quickly.

The day was uneventful, snowy and cold so now walk outside today.  I did pop down to the basement and hit the bike for a big while reading a few chapters.  A nice relaxing lunch hour.

Home, made myself a nice stir fry dinner of lentils, cabbage, onion, garlic, green onion, pineapple and chinese five spice.  So, yummy!  While making dinner I also made up a big pot of lentils to have on hand, As a veggiesaurus its sometimes hard getting in as much protein as I'd like while trying to keep the carbs and fat down.  Love that a serving is 70cal 0 fat and 8gm protein.  I need to find more high protein plant based snacks, sounds like a good weekend project to tackle.