Weekend Quote: That’s Just Dumb

I love me some Jennifer Lawrence and I wish I figured this out when I was her age.

Confidence is a beautiful thing.

(Screen Shot from CNN.com)

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And That’s Half the Battle…

Good day but busy home with both kids all day. It’s amazing how much energy they can suck out of you. In a good way, of course. :)

I’m back to food journaling now that my vacation is over. Fun post planned for tomorrow. It’s my birthday and the Husband and I have been making Bucket Lists. Does that mean we are getting old?

Note: Will post the cake I made for my birthday tomorrow too!

2 egg omelet with spinach, peppers and onionBecause how can I NOT when baking? ;)Leftover chicken thigh and leftover tomato basil salad from last nights dinnerLate lunch after my early cake. Because I was giving the baby a snack. Because it was there and I was hungry while cooking dinner. Not the best choice, I know. Cod filet, leftover beets, snow peasTHIS is why I rarely bake and when I do I chose lighter options. It’s so stinkin hard to resist!Shared with Little Guy while watching American Ninja?cucumber slices with laughing cow smeared on themI wasn’t hungry but I was fighting the munchies. This hit the spot. 45 minutes weight training and abs + 1/2 hour walk with the babyI’m on a sun tea kick. 2 green tea bags, water + ice. Been sipping all day!

Note: Not sure who to credit on the photo. I saw it floating around pinterest and instagram.

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Wednesday Weigh In: Well THAT’S a Surprise.

That’s the lowest number I’ve seen on the scale since I got pregnant. I’m not going to try to over analyze it but I must admit, it makes me kinda mad.

I haven’t worked out in a week. I haven’t ran. I haven’t lifted weights. My butts been on the couch more these last 7 days then the last 7 years. I’ve also been on pain meds, muscle relaxers and steroids for my back.

I’m all out of whack and the scale does what?

Go DOWN?

Yet when I’m working my ass off, staying fit and exercising regularly the scale doesn’t budge. It just taunts me by going up and down. Up and down. UP AND DOWN.

See.. I told you, the scale is a fickle stupid head.

Yeah, I just said stupid head. That’s what happens when you spend the evening with a 6 year old. ;)

In other news…

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Video Product Review and Giveaway: That’s It Fruit Bars

My first video product review. How fun are these? Well, for me at least.

Less Writing = Less Typos. Considering my track record, that’s a bonus. HOWEVER, instead of a typo I made a ‘speach-o.’ Throughout the video I say “Peach” when I really mean “Apricot.” The three flavors are Cherry, Pear and APRICOT. Not Peach. Oy vey.

Here’s the deal. Watch the video, leave a comment and be entered to win your very own box of That’s It to try for yourself. That’s 12 free bars! I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday. Sorry, U.S. residents only. :(

Disclaimer: This is a paid review. ‘That’s It’ compensated me for posting as well and provided the bars free of charge. All opinions expressed are my own.

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That’s IT! I’m Tracking.

I’m tired of feeling out of control. Too many old habits are sneaking back in. The photo food journaling has been helping, a little, but I want more structure and accountability.

To help I’m returning to old Weight Watcher points. Don’t try to convince me to hop on the PointsPlus bandwagon. I lost my weight on the old plan. It works for me and I’m not about to fix something that isn’t broken. Yes, I’m a bitter old woman who refuses to change. ;)

That being said, I’ve created my own Weekly Tracker.

You can click here and see the entire document. Click here to download a copy.

Here it is in pictures. Minus the orange and yogurt. :)

I’m still not setting any unrealistic weigh loss goals during the holiday season. It will be what it will be. My goal is to take it one day at a time and be conscious of my choices. That how it worked the first time.

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That's It Fruit Bar (Apple and Pear) Review

Have you seen many food products with less than 3 (or even 5) ingredients? I haven't, so I was quite intrigued when That's It let me know about their fruit bars. Fruit is the ONLY ingredient, so the Apple and Pear Bar for example, only has apple & pear in the ingredients list! That's It!

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 bar (35 grams)
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 0%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 15 mg, 1%
Carbohydrates: 27 grams
Fiber: 3 grams, 12%
Sugars: 24 grams
Protein: 1 gram

And the bar is amazingly tasty. It's a little sticky - all the more fun to tear off a piece and eat it. The apple and pear flavor is a little mild in the taste department, but I liked it - fruity and not too sweet in taste- surprisingly. Of course, since it is just fruit in the ingredients list, you know there's going to be quite a bit of sugars.

Each 35 gram That's It Apple + Pear Bar provides 100 calories, no fat, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of fiber (12% of the daily value) and 24 grams of sugars. That's a little less calories than the same amount of Stretch Island Fruit Leathers.

That's It Fruit Bars are available for sale on their website, at $19.99 for a box with 12. Personally, I wouldn't consume such a product as just a snack - too much sugar - BUT it would be a great substitute for something you're eating that has just as much sugar & lots of fat - i.e. candy AND oh my, this is great during a long run or some other endurance activity. I only use gels, so I'm used to having to chew a little - and although I doubt I'll ever give up my Powerbar Energy Blasts, this made a nice "real food" addition to a recent "brick" workout (run-bike-run).

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Chocolate & Vicodin: The book cover that’s good enough to eat

The book cover for Chocolate & Vicodin: My Quest for Relief from the Headache that Wouldn’t Go Away appeared on Amazon.com yesterday, so I guess that’s a sign that it’s time to unveil it on the blog:

Please, resist the urge to lick your screen. I hear computers are dirtier than public restrooms because people rarely clean their monitors. I would hate for you to catch an infection because my book cover looked so delectable. Mmmmm, cupcake. Chocolate cupcake. With pills!

I first saw the cover concept for Chocolate & Vicodin at the end of March 2010, long before the final text of the book was completed, which is sort of odd and slightly scary since it’s like taking your wedding photos before you’ve met your groom. However, the cover is needed for placement in the sales catalog the publisher puts together each season to pitch their books to booksellers. Thus, it’s usually created before the book is complete to give booksellers enough lead time to place their orders.

I immediately loved the cover because, really, what formerly morbidly obese woman doesn’t love cupcakes? It’s also a great excuse to serve chocolate frosted cupcakes at any book events. I feel very fortunate that I’ve loved the initial cover concepts for both of my books. Sometimes authors and marketing departments have differing visions of what the cover should look like, but I’ve been lucky to avoid that type of battle so far. I hope you guys love it as much as I do!

Also, as you might have figured out from the link, the book is available for pre-order at Amazon.com in paperback and on the Kindle. It’s also listed for pre-order at other online retailers like Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Indiebound. If/when it becomes available for pre-order on any other e-readers or sites, I’ll let you know.

My birthday request
And since tomorrow is my birthday (my 30th birthday, oh my!), I would consider it a personal early birthday present if anyone who intends to pre-order the book on Amazon does it today. How high can we push that sales rank? Can we make it one of the biggest gainers in books today? I don’t know, but I thought it was worth the awkwardness I feel about any type of self-promotion to ask you to try! (In case this might affect your purchasing decision, I don’t think I’m going to sell autographed copies of the book directly this time like I did with Half-Assed. It was a lot of work, and I don’t really have the time for it now that I freelance full-time. And if I do, you can cancel your Amazon order any time before it ships.)

Thanks again for all your support, guys! I noticed that CHOCOLATE & VICODIN was assigned an Amazon book rank a few weeks ago, which means some of you have already pre-ordered it. I really appreciate that and hope you’ll enjoy the book this February!

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