Monday, February 25, 2013

The World's Best Oatmeal Cookies - seriously

My dear husband's favorite cookie is oatmeal chocolate chip. I am the only one that bakes, and always try to make healthy recipes, even for cookies. My husband is always disappointed, polite, but disappointed.
Not today. I found a recipe and tried it out- with craisins instead of chocolate chips nonetheless.

I give full credit to the examiner.com, and author Kimberly Kunaniec.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup AP flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned)
Directions:

Use non-stick cookie sheets, or line some with parchment paper.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar until they have lightened in color and are smooth to the touch.
Add the egg and vanilla, beat until combined.
Combine all dry ingredients, except for the oats. Add to the creamed mixture and slowly stir until incorporated.
Add the oats and mix to combine.
Use an ice cream scoop to make balls of dough. Place them at least 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.
Slightly flatten the cookies before baking.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until light brown.
Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes on the cookie sheet, then move to a cooling rack.
Using the ice cream scoop, this recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies. If you decide to make smaller cookies with this dough, the cooking time will be reduced. Keep an eye on your cookies and pull them from the oven when the edges are brown, but they are still slightly shiny and soft in the middle. This will produce a soft and delicious cookie.



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Did you know about magnesium?

I learned recently about the many symptoms of magnesium deficiency. I found it interesting that as much as 57% of Americans are deficient in magnesium, and don't know it! The symptoms can truly interfere with daily life and could often be misdiagnosed as depression, and then overly medicated.
As I read the list of symptoms, (WebMd), I decided to give it a try.

Inflammation markers are higher in people with low magnesium, and my joints are often inflamed. Sleep problems, headaches and dizziness were a couple of others mentioned.

I started taking a calcium/magnesium supplement two weeks ago, and just have to report my experience;
I am beyond amazed at what these 4 little chewables have done for me in this short time. I sleep better, I have no headaches and have a calmer disposition.

Not to mention the calcium part of this- it will help with digestion, make my bones stronger, and help prevent osteoporosis.

Since this particular product comes from the #1 natural nutrition company in the US, Shaklee, you know it is safe and effective!

Check it out for yourself, and see what benefits you can gain!



Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Warm Quinoa Kale Salad

A must-share, must-make, dreamy good recipe! It doesn't sound nearly as good as it tastes! I got this from a friend on facebook, and I thanked her repeatedly.

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil- divided + a drizzle
1 3/4 cup boiling water
2-3 minced garlic cloves
4 cups lightly packed, chopped kale leaves
juice of one lemon
a handful (that's a measurement, right?!) chopped parsley
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

As usual, I can't leave a recipe alone, so some of the items above are changed out from the original recipe. And I don't know what publication it came from, so I can't give credit.

1) Dry roast the quinoa in a medium sauce pan. Toast until fragrant and golden, stirring constantly. Add boiling water, half of the olive oil, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Then fluff with fork, cover and let it sit off heat for a few more minutes.

2) In a skillet, medium high heat, heat up the remaining olive oil. Add kale, garlic and parsley. Season to taste.
Cook a few minutes until kale is dark green and tender.

3) Mix all ingredients together in large bowl-mix in the toasted pine nuts, lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil.

Serve at room temperature as a meal, or as a side dish. Excellent as cold salad next day as well!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Birthday Questionaire- 4 Year Birthday

This is the second year where I'm asking these questions of my twins as they turn a year older. Fun tradition!

1. What is your favorite color?
H: Pink & Purple
N: Blue & Green
2. What is your favorite toy?
H: Princesses and Ponies
N: Lionel
3. What is your favorite fruit?
H: Strawberries
N: Blueberries & Bananas
4. What is your favorite tv show?
N: Dora
H: Diego
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
H: Salami sandwich
N: Cheese sandwich
6. What is your favorite outfit?
H: Pink sweater with purple jeans and pretty socks
N: Whatever I'm wearing now
7. What is your favorite game?
H: Super Why
N: Minecraft
8. What is your favorite snack?
H: Crackers and cookies
N: Cookies & special pretzels (yogurt covered)
9. What is your favorite animal?
H: Kittens
N: Dinosaur
10. What is your favorite song?
H: Clean up time song
N: Lightning McQueen song
11. What is your favorite book?
H: Disney princesses
N: Lightning and friends
12. Who is your best friend?
H: Claire
N: Ben
13. What is your favorite cereal?
H: Squares
N: Circles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
H: Play ball
N: Tire swing
15. What is your favorite drink?
H: Milk
N: Juice & Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday?
H: Halloween & Christmas
N: All of them
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?
H: Comfy, Panda, Flora
N: Lionel
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
H: Cereal
N: Toast
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?
N: Pizza
H: Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?
H:  Hairdresser
N: Sport player

Answers to be posted after birthday :)

Monday, February 4, 2013

Finally!! The App is here!

The Shaklee 180 program includes this awesome app, that all of us on our transformation journey have been waiting for! To get access, you need to have purchased a Turnaround kit, or a Lean & Healthy kit.

Get going- whatcha waitin for!!!


Monday Weigh-In Day




To make myself more accountable, and hence, more likely to succeed with this rockin' weight loss program, I am going to post my weekly Monday weight and measurements on my journey :)

Hopefully my departure from the comfort zone and dive into humility will encourage someone else to take the weight loss journey with me.

(the weigh-in scale in image above happens to be pointing at my goal weight of 125 lbs!)

On January 1st 2013 my weight was at an all time high (not as high as after twin pregnancy, but almost) 160lbs. Yes, ashamed, but now this is the turn-around since I am so lucky to have the BEST weight loss program around on my side. 


Feb 25th.

Weight: 154 lbs
Upper arm: 12"

Under chest: 32"
Waist, just under belly button: 36"
Hips: 41.5"
Upper thigh: 24"
Calf: 15.5"

* I have admittedly not been on the diet for 2 + weeks. I am not beating myself up over it- just getting back in the saddle :) Although I never skip my morning 180 smoothee, I have not been counting calories, or watching my diet elsewhere. Back at it!


Feb 11th.

Skipping weigh in this week, as the whole fam. has been sick, and I've not been tracking my diet for a week.
Check back next Monday for weigh-in.

Feb 4th.

Weight: 152 lbs
Upper arm: 12"
Under chest: 32"
Waist, just under belly button: 36"
Hips: 41.5"
Upper thigh: 25"
Calf: 15.5"

*I admit to having a very poor week.. I ate out 3 times, had the kids birthday party (the big one) baked 24 cupcakes, and 34 cake pops.. not all of them went to the party.. Still nice to see that I lost some inches, and maintained my weight :)


Jan 28th.

Weight: 152 lbs
Upper arm: 12.5"
Under chest: 32"
Waist, just under belly button: 36"
Hips: 41.5"
Upper thigh: 26"
Calf: 15.5"

* awesome to see a pound off- and inches off my waist! despite several slip-ups this week with birthday parties, dinner party, brunch and more..  Other than walking dogs/tots around the neighborhood and painting the ceiling, no real exercise.


Jan 21st.

Weight: 153 lbs
Upper arm: 12.5"
Under chest: 33"
Waist, just under belly button: 38"
Hips: 41.5"
Upper thigh: 26"
Calf: 15.5"


Jan 14th.


Weight: 156 lbs
Upper arm: 12.5"
Under chest: 33"
Waist, just under belly button: 38.5"
Hips: 42"
Upper thigh: 26.5"
Calf: 15.5"



Jan 1st.

Weight: 160 lbs
Upper arm: 13"
Under chest: 33.5"
Waist, just under belly button: 38.5"
Hips: 42.5"
Upper thigh: 27"
Calf: 16"