Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Chocolite Protein Peanut Butter Bar (Sugar Free)
Serving Size: 34 grams
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 4 grams, 8%
Saturated Fat: 2 grams, 10%
Sodium: 130 mg, 5%
Carbohydrates: 17 grams
Fiber: 10 grams, 42%
Sugars: 0 grams
Sugar Alcohols: 4 grams
Protein: 9 grams
The combo of peanut butter and chocolate is pure heaven for me, so I had high hopes for this protein bar. At just 100 calories per package, I was excited to find a high-protein, low-calorie, gluten free snack (or dessert). I opened my bar and examined the flat, chocolate-coated treat. I took a bite and was struck with the taste of ... toffee. No, this doesn't really taste like peanut butter, but it does taste like peanut brittle or toffee. Strange, yes, and more strange since I was imagining something like the Chocolite Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cup Patties. Still, it was good, though quite chewy and not peanut buttery at all.
Each Chocolite Protein Peanut Butter Bar provides 100 calories, 4 grams of total fat, 2 grams of which is saturated, 10 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar alcohols, 9 grams of protein, plus 30% of the daily value for vitamin C, iron, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, and zinc.
sponsor
Look at all those vitamins and minerals ... and fiber ... and protein! The ingredients list starts with a protein blend of Non-GMO Soy Protein Isolate, Non-GMO Soy Crisps mostly soy and whey protein isolate. These bars cost $1.59 at my local grocery store and is also available online. I will definitely buy this again - though not for a peanut butter fix!
Secret Hidden Thoughts: When Life Revolves Around Food
Warning! McDonald’s food props are for demonstration purposes only.
Sometimes, it’s not until you are truly free that you can see with eyes wide open the bondage you were in.
Practically every hour of every day (no exaggeration), I used to think about food: What I would eat. When I would eat it. Where I would get it, blah, blah, blah. It’s not that I was eating every single hour, but I had food on the brain 24/7. For planning purposes, ya know?
Take a look into some of my (former) secret thoughts:
“I wonder what kind of cake it will be?”“I hope there’s lots of food so I can have extra.”“I can’t make it through the afternoon without a sweet snack.”“I’m still hungry.”“I’m going to hide this so no one eats it.”“I refuse to do anything else until I eat right NOW!”“There’s nothing wrong with 5 slices of pizza. I deserve it.”“I’m going to eat before I get there – just in case their food is nasty.”“No way I’m not sharing this. I’ll eat it after everyone goes to bed.”Ohhh my! Today I realized that I don’t think like this anymore. Sure, I still enjoy food immensely – it still holds entertainment and indulgence value, yet food does NOT rule my thoughts.
But how did that change?
I stopped viewing food as a means to simply tickle my taste buds and, instead, started valuing it as my fueling source, and my means to strength, energy and nourishment. I slowly began to change the kinds of foods I ate until the wildebeest cravings ceased and particular foods just didn’t taste good to me anymore.
Now don’t get me wrong. I still love a good burger or a big azz slice of cake (please feed that to me?), but I’m in control now, and my day is not saturated with thoughts of food. So instead, I’m finally living my life – not thinking voraciously about my next meal.
How have your own thoughts toward food changed over time?
the winner of the BORNFIT Windom top:
COCO!
email me (mizfit08 at yahoo dot com) and I will connect you with your prize!
Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Basil Chicken
Serving Size: 1 meal (10.6 ounce)
Calories: 270
Total Fat: 6 grams, 9%
Saturated Fat: 2 grams, 10%
Sodium: 600 mg, 25%
Carbohydrates: 34 grams
Fiber: 7 grams, 28%
Sugar: 4 grams
Protein: 20 grams
Have you ever tried Healthy Choice Café Steamers? They are quite amazing, in the world of frozen food. The veggies, pasta and chicken sit in one little compartment, while the sauce bubbles up underneath. This results in large chunks of perfectly al dente zucchini and red pepper. The chicken was amazingly tender and there was a lot of it ... some of the best chicken that I have ever tasted from a frozen dinner. The pasta was just slightly past al dente, but it was still enjoyable. All of the components were unfortunately brought together by the sub-par tomato basil sauce. Come on, Healthy Choice, give us some spice!
sponsor Each Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Grilled Basil Chicken meal has 20 grams of protein and 20 grams of whole grain. Each 10.6 ounce dish offers 270 calories, 6 grams of total fat which includes 2 grams of saturated fat (9% & 10% of the daily value), 600 mg of sodium (25% of the DV), 7 grams of fiber (28% of the DV), 4 grams of sugars and 20 grams of protein. The ingredient list is shorter than some, but longer than something an all natural/organic meal would boast.
I paid $3.00 for one of these - but I can typically snag them in the grocery store for about $2.00. Although it could use an extra boost of flavor in its saucy profile, I thoroughly enjoyed the perfectly cooked components of this meal and would happily purchase it again when I need a break from the dorm-norm.
{Website: Healthy Choice}
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Ask Roni _v48 – Social Drinking and Weight Loss, Working out Pre-Work, Taking the Weekends Off, Eating healthy on a tight budget, Starting with Motivation
Time got away from me today but I got my podcast up! I give myself a midnight deadline. It keeps me honest. :)
As you may notice I’m now on YouTube!! YAY! They have finally approved me to have longer videos. This means no more markers for each question HOWEVER, next to each topic will be a link to jump right to that question on youtube if you don’t have time to watch the whole thing. That’s a good compromise, no? :)
Topics this week include…
Podcast/Audio Only Version
http://RonisWeigh.com/resources/podcasts/AskRoni_v48.mp3[/podcast
Useful links…
MizFit is a brand whatwhat?!
(I know. Im very subtle when I love a brand.)
As I mentioned last week, Ive been working with Attune Foods in a new and exciting venture.
Im glad to finally be able to announce since Im horrible at secret keeping they’ve invited me to serve as a brand ambassador.
(take a moment and click the link. I can wait. The other women on the brand ambassador team? freakin’ amazing. check em out.)
Im really, really excited to have the opportunity to spread the glutenfree-word about a brand I adore (Ill be blogging at their place once a month, hosting monthly twitter chats & skipping through the streets of Austin shouting ATTUNE! ATTUNE!).
Today, however, they’ve generously thrust me center-stage.
Im hanging out, answering a few questions, & settling in.
Tags: Attune Foods, brand ambassador, glutenfree
Healthy Choice Ravioli Florentine Marinara
Serving Size: 1 meal (240 grams)
Calories: 240
Total Fat: 4 grams, 6%
Saturated Fat: 2 grams, 10%
Sodium: 540 mg, 23%
Carbohydrates: 37 grams
Fiber: 6 grams, 24%
Sugar: 11 grams
Protein: 11 grams
I put my standard bag of frozen broccoli to good use when I realized that there was not much in the way of veggies going on in this little black tray. Other than that, it looked like it could be a winner. The sauce was a well-developed marinara sauce, differing from a spaghetti sauce with a lighter texture and a more prominent tomato flavor. The little round pasta pockets were al dente and filled with a creamy, ricotta-like spinach mixture that was quite enjoyable. The only thing that was a bit overbearing was the cheese, which was a bit chewy, and a few bites were full of solely cheese. I also had about 2 tablespoons of the plentiful serving of cheese leftover when I threw the otherwise empty tray into the trash. If Healthy Choice would simply cut back on the cheese, a lot, I would add this dish to my favorites list. Then again, if I just remove some of the cheese on my own and add some frozen veggies for a little extra crunch factor and boost of vitamins, it's not too far off.
sponsor Each Healthy Choice Ravioli Florentine Marinara dish provides 240 calories, 4 grams of total fat, which includes 2 grams of saturated fat (6% & 10% of the the daily value), 540mg of sodium (23% of the DV), 6 grams of fiber (24% of the DV), 11 grams of sugars and protein.
The excess cheese really drags down what would be an otherwise delightful dish. Plus, Healthy Choice should take the initiative and add some frozen broccoli, so I don't have to do it myself. Have you tried this before - what did you think?
{Website: Healthy Choice}
Cedarlane Green Chili & Monterey Jack Cheese Tamales
Serving Size: 1 meal (9 ounces)
Calories: 270
Total Fat: 11 grams, 17%
Saturated Fat: 5 grams, 24%
Sodium: 700 mg, 30%
Carbohydrates: 39 grams
Fiber: 4 grams, 17%
Sugar: 4 grams
Protein: 9 grams
Now, I don't eat too many tamales, however, I can tell you that these are stuffed with lots of creamy cheese and a touch of crunchy veggies. The masa (the soft dough-like casing that surrounds the fillings) is thick and soft, just as it should be. When combined with the creamy filling, the overall mouth feel is smooth, with a slight textural difference from the al dente onion and spicy green chilis. The flavor profile was wonderfully developed, but perhaps a bit more of the roasted red pepper sauce would have made things even better. The masa to filling ratio was just a touch off with less emphasis on the latter, but I still enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the first tamale that is. By the time that I got to the second one, the mushy, doughy nature of the dish was getting to me though.
sponsor How can this whole plate of substantially filling food only provide 290 calories? The 9 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber packed into each dish is a welcomed attribute, as is the short and all natural, mostly organic ingredient list. The 700mg of sodium (30% of the daily value) and somewhat high fat content of 11 grams of total fat, which includes 5 grams of saturated fat (due to the organic cheese, milk and oil) might make you think twice though.
I would like to suggest that Cedarlane offer one tamale with a side of some sort, instead of two, dense and doughy tamales - it was just a bit too much.
I paid $3.79 for Cedarlane Green Chili & Monterey Jack Cheese Tamales and, although it was delicious and the spices were spot on, the texture was too monotonous and the dish gave me a stomach ache of sorts by the time I had devoured the whole tray. The only reason I would shell out four bucks for this meal again, would be if I had a stove to cook up some crunchy veggies as a side dish or roasted chicken and a friend to split the dish with.
{Website: Cedarlane Foods}
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Sensational Sunday Shots and Silliness
It seems all Sunday’s start the same, with laundry. Since Little Man wakes me up at the crack of freakin’ dawn, I’ve learned to take advantage. We roll out of bed, dump the hampers and start sorting. Then we bring it down stairs to start the first load before breakfast.
Today was a bit of a fruit fest. I cut up a pear while Little man went to town on a pomegranate. He’s my official little pomegranate cleaner. :)
Anyone remember this gem from our archives? The TODDLER and I show you how we clean pomegranates. He’s been doing it for 3 years now! INSANE!
Besides the pomegranate and pear we tried our first ever Green Smoothie.
As you can see.. it was a big hit! Click here to see how we made.
We rounded out breakfast with a few hard boiled eggs. It was perfect!
After breakfast we got lots of miscellaneous stuff done, cleaned up the kitchen, folded laundry, yada, yada. Pretty boring stuff.
Then I hopped on my computer and happened to catch this post on Mrs. Fatass which led me to JourneyBeyond Survival’s Fundraising Page. JBS is a mere 25% from raising enough funds to get a therapy dog for her daughter. I felt and feel compelled to share the link. I donated and hopefully you can too. Every little bit helps.
While surfing I had a leftover bowl of Spicy Meatless Meaty Kale Soup while Little Man and Husband played Lego Batman
Soon it was lunch time. I made the boys sandwiches. Specifically a HAM sandwich for Little Man which seems quite fitting…
He cracks me up when he’s not annoying the CRAP out of me. ;)
I kept my lunch light, sticking with some carrots dipped in my new obsession
becuase I was meeting a friend for a lunch/movie date. We both wanted to see Black Swan which was… ummmm, alright. Not the best movie of the year but I enjoyed it. Natalie Portman was amazing though!
After the movie, the husband and I finished up the laundry, I made dinner, cleaned up, packed tomorrow’s lunch, read some stories and sent Little Man to bed. Again, boring stuff.
Right now I’m indulging in a chocolate craving with some super dark and waiting for Louis C.K. Hilarious to come on Comedy Central. He’s one of my favorite comedians of all time. Here’s a clip of him talking about 5 year olds that CRACKS me up. Be warned he’s like most comedian. Translation: He tells it like it is and curses. A lot.
Ok, he’s on in like 5 minutes. Gotta go! :)
Update: I’m watching and he did this bit on parenting that’s pretty funny….
Another Carlene Review and DVD Giveaway!
My daughter, Carlene, is back with another exercise DVD review! And can I just say how terribly proud I am of this girl (even if she can't dance...LOL). *tear* She's a good kid. And gettin' buff, too! Go Carlene!
OK, I'll shut up now and let her take over.
Happy January, everyone! 
So today I’m reviewing Julianne Hough’s workout DVD, “Dance with Julianne, Just Dance!” In my other reviews, I’ve openly admitted that I lack the dancing gene. It’s funny, I can read and play music and keep a beat, but when that beat translates into moving my body, I’m a fumbling, comical mess. Sadly, this DVD, while fun and energetic, left me with two left feet. But I don’t want anyone to feel that this DVD is impossible. If you like to dance, then this would be a great workout for you.
OK, I'll shut up now and let her take over.
Happy January, everyone! Like many of you, I’m enthusiastically starting 2011 with weight loss and fitness goals. During the past few years, my eating has been very lax. It’s not that I indulged in high calorie foods all the time, but it was enough to gain about 20 pounds since 2006. And honestly, I just don’t feel the way I use to. Friends and family tell me that I wear it well and that the weight gain is hard to notice, but the scale doesn’t lie, and I can’t continue to ignore this “sluggish” feeling I have. So, beginning on January 1st, I joined Weight Watchers online. I am only nine days into the program, and already I feel so much better. I’m still enjoying the foods I loved before, but this time I understand portion control. When I see the numbers in front of me, it is much easier to make healthier choices. My goal is to lose about 30 pounds this year, and with the right tools, I know I can do it.
So today I’m reviewing Julianne Hough’s workout DVD, “Dance with Julianne, Just Dance!” In my other reviews, I’ve openly admitted that I lack the dancing gene. It’s funny, I can read and play music and keep a beat, but when that beat translates into moving my body, I’m a fumbling, comical mess. Sadly, this DVD, while fun and energetic, left me with two left feet. But I don’t want anyone to feel that this DVD is impossible. If you like to dance, then this would be a great workout for you. Julianne divides her workout into three sections: Work it!, Flaunt it!, and Pump It! All are equal in intensity, and all focus on working the whole body, particularly the core. Even if you can’t dance (like me!), Julianne has a separate section devoted to slowly learning the moves. If I had more time with this DVD to learn the moves, it might still look funny, but I could definitely get a great cardio workout.
So don’t be afraid. Put your name into the hat and have some fun with this workout! Leave a comment or send an email to my mom at lynn.haraldson@yahoo.com. She'll draw a winner on Thursday. Good luck!
It’s weight-loss season! (An entry where I overuse parenthetical comments.)
I can tell it’s weight-loss season because I’ve gotten more emails asking for weight-loss advice in the past two weeks than I did for the last two months. I think some people are finding this site and my email address after they purchased my book Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir. If so, thanks for buying the book! I truly appreciate the support. Eighteen months ago I quit my job to freelance full-time as a web designer and writer. (That’s right. I stuck it to the man! And the man has yet to stick me back.) So, I depend on book royalties to pay rent and buy lots of chocolate healthy veggies. I guess that means it’s really my landlord and Food Lion that thank you.
In the interest of full disclosure, I want to reiterate a fact that I’ve blogged about and posted on my About page, which is that in the past three years I’ve gained back about 50 pounds from my lowest weight. This was mainly due to a never-ending headache from hell, but eventually apathy and boredom snuck in there, too. So much so that for the past few months I haven’t been eating that healthy, nor have I been exercising regularly. So, when people write me asking how to lose weight (or “loose” weight, because the only thing worse than too much weight is tight weight) I’ve felt an urge to reply, “I dunno! Ask someone else! And bring me a cookie!”
However, it’s the new year, and the resolution I made six years ago (Dear God, has it been that long? Am I really 30?) worked out pretty well, so I thought I’d make another one. My resolution isn’t to start a diet or run another half-marathon or anything like that, it’s just to make better food choices and to work out at least three times a week.
There is a part of me that looks back on the time when I was exercising 6 days a week for 30-60 minutes and cooking dinner every night and thinks, “You should jump right back into that again!” But there is a more realistic part of me that thinks it’s silly to go from 0 to maniac in a day. Working out 3 days a week is better than working out none. I also think diets are silly, so I prefer to frame my new eating behavior in my mind as “making better choices.” If I make better food choices, choices that do not involve buying Krispy Kreme donuts at 10 o’clock at night, than I’m doing better than I was before, even if I’m not eating as healthy as I did at my peak. Really, it all comes down to choices. Everything in life comes down to choices, outside of what we can’t control like earthquakes and tsunamis and neighbors who play bagpipes.
I’ve been keeping a food diary, recording my weight on the wall calendar every day and then writing my exercise for the day down next to it. (And if you haven’t done Pilates or lifted weights for over a year, be prepared not to be lifting anything for three days afterward. Or sitting up.) So, I’ve got a plan, I’ve got accountability, and it’s been going pretty well for the past week. Then I’ll make it through the next week and the week after that, just like I have with my headache. One day at a time, people.
Most important of all, besides the optimism and hope of change that comes with the new year, I feel like I’m more mentally in the game right now that I have been for any time in the past few years. In that time I’ve had to deal with an ongoing medical problem, learn how to manage my own business, and I moved to another state. There was a lot of shit going on, and weight loss honestly wasn’t that important. I still weigh over 100 pounds less than I did at my heaviest, so it’s not like my weight has been making me miserable and trapping me in my home like it used to. I’m not back at square one, I’m back at square 50 out of 200. It’s been manageable, if not optimal, which might be why weight loss hasn’t been the primary occupation in my life like it was when it was destroying my life.
Right now I’m feeling my freelancing groove, I’ve settled into my new home, and my headache has been staying pretty steady at a 1 out of 5 on my latest medication cocktail. (Unfortunately it has the side effect of making my heart skip beats occasionally, which the doctor says is not a big deal nor is it the life-threatening, call-911-NOW-PLEASE!!! condition you would immediately assume it is when you feel your heart pause and then make a big THUMPing jumpstart. It’s freaky, but better than a headache!)
So, here we go 2011! Here’s to better choices! My heart’s already skipping a beat in anticipation.
PastaQueen.com is a fascist regime ruled with a benevolent fist by PastaQueen and the macaroni military. Lively discussion is encouraged, but any comment may be deleted or edited according to the whims of your monarch. Please read the official rules of commenting etiquette for more details. Spammers are publicly beheaded and their blood is mixed into our spaghetti sauce. Comments are occasionally disabled some time after an entry has been posted to keep the blog on a spam-free diet.
CHOCOLATE & VICODIN book release party and virtual book signing
I’m happy to announce that the book release party for Chocolate & Vicodin will take place at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7pm. That’s the third anniversary of my headache! No, I didn’t plan it way. Sometimes the universe just likes to mess with you like that, or the people who schedule the UNC sports games do. (No game that night!) Stop by and you can meet me, get a signed book before the official release date, munch on some chocolate (no Vicodin, sorry) and ride a unicorn! Ok, all of that is true except for one thing.
I’m also excited to announce that I’m going to do a virtual book signing with Flyleaf Books, the local independent book store. If you want a signed copy of the book, but aren’t local to North Carolina, you’ll be able to order a personally signed copy through Flyleaf Books. You get to support an independent bookstore and I don’t have to mail signed copies out from my bedroom, so we all win! “But, Jennette, I already ordered by book elsewhere!” you say. That’s ok. Most online retailers don’t actually charge you for a pre-ordered book until it ships, so if you want to get a signed copy you can cancel your other order. Or you could buy two copies! (Don’t you want a spare in case you drop one in the bath tub?) We haven’t worked out all the details yet for the virtual signing, so I’d recommend you not cancel your pre-orders until it’s all sorted out and I have a link to give you.
I hope to see some of you in February!
PastaQueen.com is a fascist regime ruled with a benevolent fist by PastaQueen and the macaroni military. Lively discussion is encouraged, but any comment may be deleted or edited according to the whims of your monarch. Please read the official rules of commenting etiquette for more details. Spammers are publicly beheaded and their blood is mixed into our spaghetti sauce. Comments are occasionally disabled some time after an entry has been posted to keep the blog on a spam-free diet.
BornFit Windom top (review/giveaway)
(MizFit note: if you press yer ear close to the photo above you’ll hear me whispering we’ll return to talking about 2011 tomorrow. Today Im compelled to ramble about something I unexpectedly loved. Perhaps that will be my theme of 2011: unexpected love. Who can say…)
Way back in the year 2010, BornFit generously reached out and offered to send me a Windom tech shirts to examine, exercise in & review.
I, of the supaflyfast email responses, took a while to reply.
I was derailed from running. I live in a hot climate (who the heck needs a tech shirt? I erroneously thought). Im tank-top mcgee (please to see previous sentences).
That said, I had a trip on the horizon to a colder clime & figured if nothing else it would save me having to spend money find something else warm to pack.
(new reader? youll learn this about me. Im nothing if not always brutally honest.)
I replied, informed the generous BornFit peeps Id bring the shirt on my obligatory inlaw visit vacation & planned not to think about the tech shirt until then.
And then, as oft happens in this misfit’s life, the shirt arrived & I was immediately smitten.
I wore it around town (frickin loved. comfy, jacket-like, & I felt fancy given the unique collar-thing).
I wore it to the gym & back (same. felt fancy & had something to keep me warm in the Texas-we-use-our-air conditioning-year-round chill).
I WOGGED IN IT (Ill give you a moment to digest that one. Yes I wogged (*cue confetti*) & the shirt rocked the wog).
I could keep yammering at you—but decided SEEING is BELIEVING.
(if youre browsing via a reader there’s a 54 second video below)
And yes, People.
As always when I love something I beg for one for you I want to share the love.
You can be entered to win a Windom tech top for the low low price of a comment below.
What would you don your Windom for?
Please to hit us all up in the comments.
USA only
Winner announced 1.10.11
FTC the shirt was free. The rambles of love are all my own.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Chocolate Deprivation Causes Agression (DTBMULF Classic)
Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.
My Totally Awesome Yet Completely Insecure Video Shoot
What a crazy day! By 8:30 in the morning there were all these strangers in my house setting up lights…
Today was the day of my Weight Watchers Ice Cream Video Shoot. I’m currently helping them with a campaign as a spokesperson. This is a completely new adventure for me but one I’ve been excited to experience. I love Weight Watchers, I love Weight Watchers Ice cream AND I love to talk about weight loss. It’s like a marriage made in heaven except for the fact I don’t feel much like a success story being pregnant and up 30 lbs but more on that later.
The crew took about an hour to set up while I got my makeup on.
Thankfully they were a fun relaxed bunch.
The morning consisted of filming me over and over and OVER again. It wasn’t hard just tedious and I was SO nervous recording in front of a crew. I messed up a TON. You’d think I would be fine especially after recording 3 years worth of Ask Roni Videos plus cooking ones for GreenLiteBites. All of which I do in one take with little or no editing.
But this is TOTALLY different. There was a script–that I could NOT stick to–lighting, microphones, sounds checks, professional makeup, props and a Director!
Here’s what I learned about myself: I have no problem being natural in front of a camera when I just react and talk but give me a specific script or line and I’m horrible! Let’s just say I could NEVER act. I don’t know how people do it and look natural at the same time.
Thankfully my speaking parts were all done by lunch. Then we did b-roll shots all afternoon.
Half of them were like the shots above and half had me in them do fun things like stealing cookies and arranging magnets on the fridge.
By the end of the day we were exhausted!
It was a long day but super fun. Overall I felt good but very self conscious. I really wish this opportunity happened when I wasn’t pregnant. I just don’t feel very confident in my skin at the moment. I’m struggling with a bit of body image issues. I’ve been self-conscious of my super short hair and I just feel like I’m starting to look, well, old. I’m in the trifecta of self doubt (body, hair, age) and I totally stuffed all these feelings down with pizza for dinner. Too, too, much pizza. Ugh.
Then I hit my inbox to catch up on some work and I read a comment that made a WORLD of difference. Allison left this on my Exposed: One Year Later post.
What a great post. You go girl. Love following along with you. Keep doing what you do, which is inspire others.
Allison totally made me smile and then I re-read my post and cried, in a good way.
I blame pregnancy hormones.
:)
How Are You Milking It {Poll}
Time for the first poll of the New Year. Let's talk Milk. I drink mostly almond milk, but the family is all about the 2% milk - haven't managed to get them down to 1% yet, and even I have to admit that skim milk is just too watery! So what about you - How Are You Milking It?
Borba Replenishing Skin Balance Water (Lychee Fruit Flavor)
I decided to try Borba when I randomly found it in a local convenience store. Sure, it was $3.99, but I had had a long night and was especially swayed by the "Replenishing" promise.
NUTRITION FACTSServing Size: 8 ounces
Calories: 0
Total Fat: 0%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 0%
Carbohydrates: 0 grams
Fiber: 0%
Sugar: 0 grams
Protein: 0 grams
The flavor was wonderfully subtle, not to sweet, and it tasted quite like lychee, which I love. It was super refreshing, too, and I drank it all quickly. This stuff has no aspartame, so no artificial flavor, and no sodium as well, so no bloat. The "Lychee water" is designed to combat dryness, sensitivity, and roughness. It's got antioxidants, B vitamins, and papaya and guava. Yum!
sponsor Each 8-ounce serving of Borba Replenishing Skin Balance Water (Lychee Fruit Flavor) - half of a bottle - provides no calories, fat, carbohydrates or protein. There are daily values of 25% for vitamin A, 360% for vitamin C, 330% for vitamin E, 40% for B3, 125% for B6, 260% for B12, 90% for pantothenic acid, 2% for magnesium, and 6% for zinc ... sounds like a true vitamin water.
I thought this was a really interesting concept. Of course, I don't know if this will help with healthy looking skin, but it sure will help with hydration. Naturally, I couldn't afford to drink this everyday at the $3.99 price tag, but if I see this for a lower price, I would definitely buy it again. Have you tried this or any other "beauty beverages"?
{Website: Borba Replenishing Skin Balance Water}
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Why do you want to lose weight? (Rewind)
The following post was originally published 2/5/2008….
Every week I find myself responding to a lot questions ranging from the personal to generic, the detailed to the broad, the serious to the cute. As I answer each and formulate a response I started to realize my answers are not only beneficial to the asker but to me as well! They require me to perform a level of self-analysis that is helpful on my journey. Sometime the pause to ponder something we may not have considered before can point us in a new direction that can be beneficial.
This is the inspiration for a new weekly feature on my blog. I’m planning a weekly question to help you (and consequentially others who may be reading) on your weight loss/maintenance journeys. Feel free to add your answer and insights in the comments or post your response on your blog if you have one (be sure to place the link to your response in the comments so people can find you).
So the first question may seem simple but it’s one we must ask ourselves as we embark on a journey to lose weight. For years my answer to the question, “Why do you want to lose weight?” was to be “Skinny”. I wanted to be skinny for as long as I can remember but just wanting to be skinny wasn’t motivation enough to lose weight. In all honestly, my wanting to be skinny probably caused me to be fat.
It wasn’t until I realized it was more then about just being skinny, it was about being healthy and happy with myself. My answer to this question changed in June 2005 when I gave birth to my son. All of a sudden being skinny seemed secondary. I wanted to be healthy, confident and a good example for my son. I wanted to be an active mom who wasn’t afraid to run in the ocean or build sand castles on the beach because I was so insecure in my skin. My reason for wanting to lose weight changed and consequently so did my success!
So I ask you, Why do you want to lose weight?
Arctic Ease (review/party alert!)
By now Ive yammered ad nauseum about the fact that I broke my booty.
An injury which rendered me like this:
& caused a never backs down from anything misfit to bail on the Las Vegas Half-Marathon.
When I finally figured out what was wrong I stretched, rolled, & clam-shelled my way back to normal (for reals. Id say Im 70% MizFit again!).
And I wrapped.
My lower-hip glute-booty region (TMI?) with Arctic Ease.
(Ill pause and letcha peruse that link. Here’s where I announce I was 100% a cynic but ready to give anything a shot. FTC? I received my sample for free. The glute-relief found within is all my own.)
Sure whether Arctic Ease is what lessened my piriformis-pain is debatable (quite frankly if it was placebo effect Ill that that too!), but the fact Im wholly smitten with the stuff (as are Ren Man & the Tornado) is not.
What did I like about the Arctic Ease Cryotherapy Wrap?
It is cold & ready to use right out of the package. As bizarre as it initially seemed there’s zero refrigeration necessary. This is a bonus both for use on the go & the fact this scattered mama can forget to put ‘need to freeze’ ice packs back in freezer after use.It uses absorbed body heat to cool covered area. Call me easily impressed but I thought this was pretty cool (rimshot?). The heat the wrap absorbs is then lost to evaporation which allows it to stay cool for hours (!) without the drippy mess of ice-packs or, if you’re me, frozen bags of peas.I could still run frolic & be free! Unlike my bags of peas which limit me to couch-time the Arctic ease wraps are precisely that: cryotherapy wraps you place on and go! I adored not having my life/mobility limited. In addition it wraps on to itself (no tape etc needed).Green Green GREEN! The wraps are reusable & environmentally friendly. They contain no latex or adhesives & are 100% biodegradable. ‘Nuff said.What didnt I like about the Arctic Ease Cryotherapy Wrap?
The lack of pink, princess or sparkle accents. Yes I kid (I need to have something I found disappointing and for me the wraps were a wear under my clothing G-dsend)…and I dont. While these work great for the hardcore runners among us (waves at Tricia) as mom to a tomboy of a girl I love them for her constant bonks & bruises. She likes how they feel but wishes they accessorized her tutus moremore.Why am I sharing this today? (thanks for asking!)
Because Im so wrap’smitten Im throwing a party.
A Twitter party. (not sure what one is? VOILA!)
And youre all invited.
The event will include women wiser than myself Lisa Johnson, Joyce Cherrier, and Ana Picazo.
It will take place 1.13.11 from 7p-8p central and will use the hashtag #coolwraps.
And there will be many fantastic prizes including a superflybigone for RSVPing below & attending.
Confused? Perplexed? Plain ole party-befuddled?
Please to hit me up in the comments below.
What’s Your Take on Compulsive Eating? Real Disorder or Lack of Willpower?
Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.
Withings Wifi Body Scale
The first WiFi scale connected to the internet to automatically register weight, fat and BMI calculation !The Withings WiFi body scale analyzes your body composition and automatically stores your weight data online thanks to a wireless Wifi connection.
You can monitor the long term evolution of your weight, your BMI (Body Mass Index) and your fat mass directly on a secured web dashboard.
It is also possible to share you data with people you chose (emails, websites, Twitter).
Its stylish design comes in addition to high performance electronics, using a technology so far only used by health professionals.
The accuracy of its measurements makes it the ideal tool to monitor your health and fitness.
Price: $159.00
First comes love…
Karen is a blogger whom I feel Ive known forever. I felt as though we already knew each other (blogging & tweeting) & then we finally met in person at Fitbloggin last spring. This guest post is by-request and I can think of no one wiser or more insightful to have one of the last MizFit posts of 2010. Please to enjoy…
First Comes Love
Yeah, I know it sounds woo woo, but in the healthy body business, I believe love MUST come first. It’s why I started my blog two years ago. It was almost like an experiment. I wanted to see if I could love myself to thinness. Or something like that.
There are theories that suggest it’s possible. The paradoxical theory of change http://www.gestalt.org/arnie.htm states: “change occurs when one becomes what he is, not when he tries to become what he is not. Change does not take place through a coercive attempt by the individual or by another person to change him, but it does take place if one takes the time and effort to be what he is — to be fully invested in his current positions. By rejecting the role of change agent, we make meaningful and orderly change possible.”
And Carl Jung stated: “We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”
My experience has shown this to be true. And it led me down a very unexpected path.
If you know me well, you know that I’ve spent the past two years in the quest to figure out just what the hell is wrong with me – why couldn’t I just lose the damn weight already? When I first started Before & After: A Real Life Story it was called Why Weight: One Woman’s Journey From Struggle To Acceptance and it was about wanting to lose weight and stop hating my body, in that order.
Mostly I looked inside at emotional issues and in doing so, discovered a lot more than I bargained for. But mostly what I discovered is that at root of all healing is love. Love – not “stop hating” – has to come first.
This is kind of a long story, so bear with me.
Let’s start with this premise:
What if being sick makes you fat and not the other way around? And what it the reason you “eat too much” or “can’t control yourself” or “feel hungry all the time” has nothing to do (at least not directly) with emotions and is not a character flaw (like so many of us were brought up to believe)? Or what if the reason you can’t lose weight and keep it off without a struggle has to do with a physical imbalance?
Ten+ years ago:
I weighed ~225 pounds.I didn’t exercise (or if I did, it was sporadic).I was a binge eater.I walked around with a cloud of self-doubt over my head.I was on a statin medication to control my cholesterol.I was on birth control pills and had been for 15 years.I “wanted to lose weight” and had “tried” many times, but it “didn’t work.”Five years ago:
In an effort to once again “try to lose weight” I started a relatively new type of therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique. It was through EFT that I realized that I had been walking around full of self-loathing and with any self-confidence or self-acceptance.Seemingly, the stars aligned and through EFT I found myself wanting to do the “right” things for myself, health-wise.I started exercising.I counted calories and tracked the ratios of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.I lost 55 pounds over the course of 18 months.It was one of the happiest times of my life!I was a weight loss success story!I remained on the statin medication, because even though I had lost weight and was exercising regularly, my cholesterol went back up when I tried weaning myself from the medication.I remained on birth control pills, even though my husband had a vasectomy, because it was “easier” and because my doctor didn’t see any reason to stop.I’d had my gallbladder out.Even though I was “happy,” I was also disappointed and ashamed because, even though I had lost 55 pounds, I hadn’t reached my “goal weight” (which would have required losing 76 pounds).I didn’t trust myself around food.Two years ago:
I’d regained half the weight I had lost.I was once again full of shame.I was still on birth control pills.I was still on the statin medication.My body hurt.I found it hard to exercise, but pushed myself anyway because I had to somehow control the weight.I found myself “white-knuckling” it around food.It seemed that I was hungry all the time.Being hungry made me feel guilty, resentful and angry.I was tired of trying so damned hard!I started blogging.One year ago:
I had been practicing self-acceptance again (and realizing that it is indeed “practice” – not something you get once and forget about).I decided to see a naturopathic physician in my area. I thought she might help me lose weight.Really? I thought there might be a magic pill!She recommended stopping the birth control pills, which I did right away.She wanted to get me off the statin medication, but recommended waiting to address other issues first.The other issues included Lyme disease, Epstein Barr virus, hormone imbalance, thyroid imbalance, adrenal imbalance, and deficiency in certain vitamins, minerals and nutrients.She told me that no, I was not just a lazy slob who couldn’t control herself and had no willpower.With the naturopath’s help, along with that of a hormone specialist, I started healing. For the first time…ever? I know what a balanced body feels like! I understand that my body/mind/spirit is a holistic system, not a mass of individual symptoms that need to be masked or suppressed.
And so today:
I am 48 years old.Although I am not focused on “losing weight” I am.I have lost six inches from my waist in the past year and my body is more toned.I exercise less than I used to and my body doesn’t hurt nearly as much.I eat what I want and I want what I eat (but understand that what I want to eat has changed).That said, no food is “off limits” and eating sugar/carbs does not “set me off.”I take a few supplements, but no prescriptions (except bioidentical progesterone cream and a temporary natural thyroid medication).I am more content and confident.I trust myself and my body to let me know when I am hungry and when I am satisfied.I do not binge.I am not hungry all the time.I am not guilty, resentful or angry.I am love.At the basis of this balance and healing is the naturopathic approach, which takes into account “mind” and “spirit,” in addition to “body.” The main difference between it and traditional medicine is a willingness to seek out and address root causes, not just symptoms. It’s about getting a body to work as optimally as possible and to look at the reasons why it isn’t. It’s about coming from a place of love and acceptance, not fear or blame.
I’ll give you one example as to how and why my being sick caused me to gain weight, or at the very least, made it difficult for me to lose weight:
Although I had myriad issues, let’s look at the Lyme disease (which I am guessing I had for years and which was hiding in my body). My naturopath told me that Lyme neurotoxins block cell receptor sites, so metabolic processes do not work optimally. Hormones (including thyroid), which also help control metabolic processes, can also be affected by Lyme disease.
My thyroid was slightly “off” but still “in range,” my adrenal system was “labored,” and my stomach was not absorbing necessary vitamins and nutrients. And although it wasn’t obvious to me at the time, I didn’t feel good.
I didn’t notice “not feeling good” right away. There’s obvious “not feeling good” like having a bad stomachache or sore throat, and there’s subtle “not feeling good” (for example, being slightly tired, having achy joints, or being prone to headaches). It was only when Dr. Groves spent two hours with me and specifically asked about…everything…that I realized, “hey, maybe I don’t feel good.”
I had chalked it up to being old and fat…mostly fat. It was a character flaw.
And so what about emotional eating, bingeing, and cravings? How can that be connected? Because my body wasn’t able to get the nutrients it needed and I wasn’t feeling well in that subtle-yet-acceptable way, I turned to food – especially carbohydrates, which release endorphins (natural tranquilizers) – in order to feel better. That’s the coping mechanism I developed as a child. And so one cookie, one small dish of ice cream, one serving of potato chips was never enough…and I was hungry all the time. I felt out of control and pathetic. I was stressed and desperate.
And so the cycle continued.
Although the treatments were unconventional and slower than the traditional approaches, and even though I felt worse before I felt better, I can only come to one conclusion: a holistic approach – which combined my own willingness to accept myself right where I was, naturopathic medicine, and traditional medicine – brought my body into balance.
And as a result, I started losing weight without struggling, without having to “control” myself, without having to count calories, without having lists of “good” and “bad” foods, and without having to exercise to excess. I enjoy all kinds of food. I find pleasure in eating, not guilt. I am relaxed around food. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?
There’s a whole lot more I could say, but I think you get the general idea.
If you’ve been “struggling” for years, can’t lose weight – or keep it off – easily and without excessive exercise, chances are something is out of balance. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all “do this, count that” solution. There is, however, the ability to trust in oneself, and it comes from practicing self-acceptance. It most certainly is a process and it’s so much more gratifying and satisfying than coming from a place of fear and self-loathing. I understand that fear-based motivation works initially, but it’s not sustainable or healthy in the long run.
Commit to the process of emotional, physical, and spiritual balance and healing. Commit to love, acceptance, enjoyment, pleasure, relaxation, and trust.
If you have any questions, please email me at karen@kclanderson.com. I am not a doctor, but I can point you in the right direction.
Product Review: Pumpkin Spice VitaTops
Have you heard? There’s a new VitaTop flavor! Pumpkin Spice! If you are unfamiliar with their products, Vitalicious was originally made famous for their 100 calorie brownie (at least that’s how I found them) but now have a line of VitaTops, VitaMuffins, VitaMixes, VitaCake (which I had for me 32 birthday :) and even VitaCoffee! Which I’ll never try as I’m not a coffee drinker (and no one will convert me, not even Jim Doran who’s been trying to forever!) ;)
I’ve already reviewed Golden Corn, Dark Chocolate Pomegranate, Banana Nut, Chocolate Mint and Apple Crumb. They are all pretty good but the choclate ones dominate in my opinion. How did the Pumpkin stack up? Well let me walk you through my little taste test via the web cam.
Upon initial inspection, I’m not that impressed with the pumpkin seeds on top…
I think I might of gotten gipped on this one. It sort of reminded me of that scene in casino. You know…
Oh how I love Deniro but I digress. :)
Looking past the seeds, I broke it in half and I must say the inside looked moist and delicious!
So I took a bite…
Oh.. My.. Word.. SO good. I mean really. I didn’t think I’d ever like a VitaTop flavor as much as I like the chocolate line but Pumpkin Spice is giving chocolate a run for it’s money! The flavor was spot on to cure that pumpkin baked good craving that seems to happen in the fall and winter months, all for 100 calories, 1g of fat, 26g of carbs, 8g of fiber and 3g of protien. That’s 1 old WWP and 3 new WWPP.
I like the idea of the seeds on top but honestly, they didn’t do much for me. For some reason I think of the seeds as a savory/salty snack and the pumpkin baked good as a sweet/dessert like snack and the two just don’t mix BUT it’s not a deal breaker. I actually popped off the few seeds I had and ate them separately. In my opinion Vitalicious could ditch them altogether but I’m curious what others think who’ve gotten a chance to try them.
Overall I give the Pumpkin Spice VitaTops a thumbs up.
Oh! and I ate mine after popping it the toaster on the highest setting right from the freezer. It came out perfect!
If you’d like to order don’t forget to use my code RonisWeigh for 10% off. Click to to check all their products.
Full Disclosure: Vitalicious is a paying sponsor of Roni’s Weigh and they supply me free products to try for review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own, as always. I specifically seek to work with companies who’s products I like and are willing to support.
Mommy & Me bellydancing.
Once upon a time there was a misfit mama who was looking for a fun & different PLAYout to do with her girl.
The aforementioned Tornado of a Girl had a babysitter who was a belly dancer & she found the whole concept (& name) gigglyamusing.
Many were the afternoons spent with her tee shirt yanked up through the neck–belly exposed–and dancing.
(Note: her mama was far too mature to ever participate in this action. no matter what the neighbors say)
And a misfit idea was born.
And, after a few bazillion searches on Google, reservations were made at a Mommy & Me Belly dancing class.
Before class began the Girl was quite intrigued by the various & sundry accessories belly dancing used. The pleading for a scarf & castanets immediately began.
Being highly aware of the ephemeral nature of her Girl’s love Mama (ever resistant to the child’s pleaseplease countenance) said no.
Thankfully class began soon thereafter and sound makers & scarves were passed out for all to enjoy.
And enjoy she did.
(if youre checking in through a reader theres a video-snippet of said enjoyment below)
What did I learn from this Mommy & Me abwriggling extravaganza?
I need to teach the child to use my video camera. I rocked the belly dancing and, alas, you shall just have to take my word for it.I was reminded of the LACK of inhibitions of the littlelittles & the emerging inhibitions of the slightly-olders. Yes I was cognizant of this fact before, but nothing highlighted it more than watching my 5 year old dance with wild abandon & seeing the 7 and 8 year olds shimmy kinda shyly. Here’s where you mothers to the olders hit me up in the comments below with your tips for preserving the comfortablity in her own skin. Thank you.Belly dancing works your core & balance. I was quite sore in the core the next day and the Tornado was not. I like to pretend this is NOT indicative of the fact her core kicks my core’s…glutes, but that I focused & worked the core more intensely. In addition many of the moves had me teetering thisclose to toppling (which further worked the Tornado’s core as she laughed. Hard).Belly dancing isnt too sexualized for young girls. I will admit that this was a concern for me. I had no idea what to expect & the dances we learned were no more ‘seductive’ than the Tornado’s more traditional creative movement classes.Belly Dancing encourages body love. Next to my experience in a NIA class the class was the most Ive ever been surrounded by women of all shapes & sizes who clearly adored & treasured their bodies. That fact alone ensured we’d return. If it takes a village—-these are the villagerwomen I want surrounding my daughter.I’ll admit I went into this experience having zero plans to blog about it.
I anticipated it would be a bit to touchyfeelyOUTTHERE & not something easily related to by moms & non-moms alike.
I was wrong.
It was a great workout (& I can see how the more you do the dances, and they become second nature, the better the workouts would be as well) and more than that it was 60 minutes spent focusing on how amazing our bodies are and what wonderful wiggly things they can do.
No matter their size shape color or lack of core strength (*raises hand*).
We will definitely be back and, for you Austinites, Ill keep you posted on our recital debut.
This post is brought to you by the fit-minded, no idea if they’ve ever belly danced, healthy-living Peeps at Sears Fit Club.
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