Cinnamon Apple Detox Water

Metabolism...

Its like a curse word to me...
I don't know if I have one completely but I'm alive so I am sure I do.  So anytime I hear the words "boost metabolism" I'm down!  So I saw this recipe for cinnamon apple spa detox water with NO CALORIES. Apples and cinnamon are known as metabolism boosters. Cinnamon as well as other "spicy" herbs are known to do this to an extent (but this doesn't replace good ole exercise).  So I said why not give it a shot?  To my surprise it was pretty tasty...not really sweet but if you are only drinking water all day long...any kick of flavor will do!  

I must admit it, I noticed a difference in my results.  I feel like I lose more weight per week with this drink than with plain water.  It could be my mind playing tricks, but WHATEVER.. I'm sticking to it. I still drink plain water as well but this is a great way to add variety.  I've seen some other cool water recipes on Pinterest that I want to try...I have some mint leaves I think I'm going to throw in my pitcher to see what happens...

Happy Experimenting! 

This is how I make it:

Core 2 apples and slice thinly
Place slices in the bottom of a pitcher
Add 1 tsp of cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks
Add ice (optional)
Fill pitcher with water
And Chill for at least 30 minutes before drinking



Till Next Time,

Sipping Slooow
Boosting Results :)

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Insanity Day #1

Started Insanity today....

Here's what I have to say
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9SvdTqI4A8

January 7-March 10....EEK!

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Yummy! Pasta Can Be Your Friend!

Spinach Salmon Angel Hair Pasta

1 TBSP Light Country Crock Spread or Olive Oil

1 Small Yellow Onion

2 Scallions

1 TBSP Minced Garlic

1/3 Can Diced Tomatoes with Oregano, Basil and Garlic

1/4 cup of Almond Milk 

1/2 Cup Baby Spinach (chopped)

1 Salmon Fillet

2 oz. Whole Wheat Angel Hair Pasta (I like Muellers) 

 

 In medium/large pot bring water to a boil to cook pasta

Season salmon fillet as desired and cook (I use a George Forman grill for about 7-8 minutes) Meanwhile, in skillet saute' onions, scallions and garlic in oil (medium low heat), once onions are translucent add tomatoes and almond milk.  Stir constantly.  Once Salmon is done, chopped into desired size chunks and add to skillet until thoroughly mixed.  Add spinach LAST...and mixed until slightly wilted and remove from heat.  Stir in pasta and garnish with Parmesan cheese.  

ENJOY! 

 

 

 

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No Gimmicks! No Quick Fixes!

I'm not a hater or nothing but I'm not into quick fixes with everything.  People keep asking me...why don't you do HCG or why don't you just juice or why don't you do what such and such did to lose weight?  I feel you....I appreciate you.  BUT NO!  Its hard to explain your reasons for taking the long way home without significant fruit.  Just give me a minute...I'll show you better than I will tell you.

Sure it would be great to lose 1 pound a day and be done with this in 3 short months....how exciting! Now once those three months are over...what do I do now?  What have I learned? Only thing I see myself learning is how to be really really hungry.  For some this works and that's awesome-tastic, it really is but its not for everyone.  Why am I going through this so slow....

Well first of all losing 24 pounds in 3 months is NOT slow....its amazing progress! It took hard work and dedication. Lesson #1 for you is dont EVER downplay my successes by comparing me to what someone else is doing!  Get your life!

I digress...

Now...the reason I feel that its important for me to take it "slower" than all that starving with supplements has to offer is:

I have NO clue how to eat right nor cook healthy filling food

• I have made up so many delicious recipes by doing research and taste testing, now I have an arsenal of foods I can enjoy FOR LIFE!

I have never been athletic nor physically active in my life

• Working out is important for muscle building...so that the fat loss can be SUSTAINED...but I have to work my way up to really hard routines...and that takes TIME

I think its important to have yummy things once in a while

• Deprivation is WACK...it just drives me insane...if I want a slice of pizza or an egg roll I should be able to plan accordingly and enjoy my life...I cant have it everyday but shoot once in a while...I WILL! [Now some stuff I had to cut completely out...sigh]

Point is..... I'm trying to learn how to LIVE like this FOREVER.  I wanna be toned and not just a jiggly bag of bones.  I've noticed a lot of people have success with these fads are people once had some sort of fitness in life...I don't have the luxury.  I've been thin but that was not in shape thin..it was smoking, walking all over NYC thin.  REAL TALK.  I've been delivered so I'm not ashamed...lol.  

This is also helping me exhibit patience...sure its only about 1-2 pounds  a week but after a couple of months that adds up to a lot...next thing I will look around and will be 60 lbs lighter.  What a day of rejoicing that will be! I am excited to get there....no matter how long it takes...the fact is I WILL GET THERE!  

I know people are watching me and I pray that I am encouraging someone to not always take the easy way out but to really change their life from the inside out....its a journey but its rewarding when you are winning. Right now, I am winning this battle...PRAISE GOD!

Till Next Time,

Taking My Time :)

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Green Smoothie Challenge!

Its a new season...ITS A NEW DAY! Something about the new year makes you excited about changing things up...

This is the first time in YEARS that I am starting the  year off lighter than I the previous year.  22.4 lbs down ladies and gentlemen!  I am a lover of smoothies...used to make them all the time but somehow stopped making them.  I was reading about using green smoothies as a meal replacement for two meals a day.  Green smoothies are really good...my green of choice is spinach but any green leafy veggie will do.  

Believe it or not, the spinach doesn't make the taste of the smoothie unpleasant at all.  The spinach adds a light sweet kick that I enjoy.  I am interested in trying kale as well.  I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk, yogurt (watch the sugar content) and frozen fruit (I like the mixed fruit from WalMart; mangoes, strawberries, pineapples and peaches) and of course the spinach.  Depending on my needs at the time I will had some flax seeds (ground) or whey protein. Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3's (heart health) and the protein helps replenish muscle and keeps me full longer.

I am going to see if I can replace two meals with green smoothies this month...not sure how I am going to do that at work. Smoothies taste gross after they sit even in the fridge.  I like to actually eat dinner so it would have to be breakfast and lunch.  I will look up ways to get the smoothie fresh for lunch.  

I did this with juicing as well but I like smoothies better because I like the fiber it supplies and you get more volume...

Let's see how this goes!  

Try it with me!

There is more info on the challenge here:

http://www.blackweightlosssuccess.com/january-2013-green-smoothie-challenge/

Till Next Time,

Feeling Smooth :)

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Tested, Tried, FAILED!

You never know who you are until you are face to face with a situation. Then you shall see if you are what you've been saying you are.  I think its healthy for us to have these situations.  How else will we know what we are made of?  Sometimes we think we are stronger or over certain things but you will never know until you confront those bones in the closet.  

Had one of those days....well a couple of days.  Instead of crying about it...I decide to move on...thank God I'm alive and look forward to 2013.  Reflecting on it...it shows you that God can shield you by any means necessary even when you are determined to do what you want to do.  If he has to harden the heart of a king for his people to be free... that's just what He will do.  If your feelings have to be hurt to protect your gift....well you might find yourself crying but not for long.  Joy comes after midnight....ALWAYS.  Buck up! Trust me it happens to ALL of us! Even the perfection that is LESLIE DALLAS... I'm shocked too! Seriously, a calling, a gift or popularity does not shield you from heartache or pain.  Everyone will have to step up to the proving plate once, twice or thousands of times.  You may fail sometimes but His grace is sufficient. Allow failures to make you stronger and more compassionate toward others and their weaknesses.  No more PRIDE when you realize you can fall just as hard and look just as dumb as those you've been giving the side eye.

We all have had a chicken-head moment or two....
[WATCH! For laughs... :)] 

My best-friend and I had a grand old time reminiscing on some the dumb stuff we have done in the past....especially for the affections of another.  I will spare you the details. I mention this to say that its OK to laugh at your failures...it helps you reflect and keeps you from depression.  

A couple of my brothers (I have a few) lectured me about letting go of old stuff and not getting stuck in the past.  One compared it to a winter coat....he said you think you are OK because you put your winter coat away for the summer but when winter comes back you pull it back out and realize you still own the issue.  I hate being lectured...but my goodness that was good! 

As you go into the New Year...drop off the winter coats.  Sometimes God will block things because there are so many more coats that fit you better [even if the old coat is really really nice...I mean really nice! ;)]. Be careful, don't think you can just go out and try anything and that angels will always rescue you from yourself...sometimes you may find yourself in some real mess. Its time to grow up and become stronger...shake off the embarrassment...talk to God about it....be honest with yourself and move on. Great thing is now you are equipped to help all the other chicken heads or fools waiting to be reformed with loving compassion and understanding! How cool!

Till the Next Time
Glad to be Going Home!  :)

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Ouch!

Never try and exercise in your Grandma's crowded house. Wounded. Slight teary eyed. Hopefully no bruises.  As much as I love coming here...no one has time to entertain me. Now Im bored, in pain and sad. Monday I said I wanted to stay forever...today I feel slightly different. Getting out of this house to find something to do...an idle mind starts to make up unnecessary foolery. :)

Till Next Time,
Enjoying My Time :)

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