Dead Sea Cosmetics- Minus417

I bought this when at a restaurant/store while we were near the Dead Sea...and I love it!! I've only been using it for about 4 days, but I do notice a difference. I just wish I would have bought some other products while we were there since we got such a GREAT discount, thanks to our tour guide.

I just wanted to share these products with you incase you have never heard of them. I might go ahead and order some Mud Soap (eventually), and I'll let you know how I like that too.

Nice night. Excited about tomorrow.

Once the sun was nearly down I took Cookie out to play for a while, and since it's so nice out I decided to come sit at the patio table and do something I've been neglecting for quite some time... :)

It really is a beautiful evening, and it's especially nice after the extremely hot day we just had. I only wish we had eaten dinner outside. We had pan seared Red Snapper, and it was yummy! Perfect for al fresco eating.

Tomorrow is the day of our 5k, and even though I'm not as prepared as I would like, I'm super excited!!! My goal was to be able to run the whole thing, and I'm not sure I'll make it, especially if it's as hot as it's been the last few days. I'm still really looking forward to it. I'll just do what I can do!

My mom's birthday is Sunday, but we are going to take her out to lunch tomorrow as well (my brother too!). We were going to spend the day the OC Food Truck Fest, but it's just too hot and I think we'd all end up in a bad mood. We're going to try out a new burger place so Paul is really excited, it's really cute!!

BTW, my mom is going to be 65!! Wow!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I LOVE YOU!!!!

I hope that everyone has a happy and blessed weekend!

Wet & Wild 5k

I haven't been doing much exercising lately, and to give me some motivation I decided to sign up for a 5k. I had Paul find one that he would want to do also and the 5k he found is at a local water park. The race actually finishes by running in waist deep water. I'm excited!!

Now all I have to do is get in shape!

I have to admit I wish that part was easier. I can barely walk up & down the stairs without getting out of breath.

But with a little dedication, and a lot of prayer, I know I'll be ready.

Thanks Sweetie for agreeing to run it with me!

DIY Cucumber Mint Spa Water

I love the idea of making your own fancy water, so tonight I'm going to try this. I found this recipe at for the love of beauty.

I'll let you know how it turns out!

Ingredients:

2 liters water (about 8 1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 medium cucumber peeled and thinly sliced

1 medium lemon thinly sliced

12 small spearmint leaves

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together in a pitcher.

Refrigerate overnight. Strain water & enjoy over ice cubes. Add mint sprig for garnish (optional)

If anyone has any recipes like this, please do share!!

Getting Into Shape

I started exercising again, mainly cardio but some lifting, and it feels great. Now, anyone who knows me also knows that this is a common theme with me--exercise for a couple of weeks feel really great, then stop completely and wonder why I'm not feeling so great anymore--LOL!! Part of me is back on the program because it's Christmas time, which means cookies, cake, and more treats really high in carbs. I just hope I can remember how I feel right now, and continue what it takes to make that happen.

I know weight isn't all that important & it really isn't about that, it's about mental clarity, and having a higher energy level. The higher energy level is my favorite part!!

Speaking of treats though, next week I'll be making a ton of Cake Balls & that excites me, 'Cos they're just sooo good. ;)

I hope everyone gets to eat tons of yummy treats in the next few weeks!!

4-Alarm Chili

I got this recipe from LowCarbConfidential.com and I believe it was adapted from Atkins.com, which is my favorite new website. I had never looked at the Atkins diet before, but I've come to realize that the recipes are perfect for us since Paul's daily eating habits involve a VERY low-carb diet. But, I'm not that crazy about the amount of fat allowed in the diet, so I do plan on adapting these recipes so the fat content isn't an issue. I made this chili recipe last week and we both loved it. Blue type are my changes.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
8 garlic cloves, minced
4 finely chopped jalapeño chiles 2 chiles are plenty
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Green Bell or Red Bell, chopped
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 pounds ground beef, I used 4% fat...with slow-cook method & all added flavor, you can't tell a difference.
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, serve with chili

In a large pot , drizzle olive oil over the sides and bottom and put on Med to Med-Hi heat. Then throw in everything in the following order: onions, meat, tomatoes (add tomatoes last), garlic, jalapeños, red pepper, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon (YUCK!! No Cinnamon) and salt. Once boiling, turn to a simmer and let cook for an hour. I used a dutch oven, cooked everything together on the stove to get started, then cooked in the oven at 325 degrees for 3 hours. You can also cook in crock-pot.

New Membership

Last Friday I decided to join Curves since I needed a new exercise program (which basically means I didn't have one at all), and today was my first workout. Price wise I think it's pretty reasonable and the sign up fee was only $30 instead of the usual $100, so that was nice.

I was really impressed by how much of a workout the machines actually gave me & having a program already mapped out for you is great. There's no standing around self-consciously not knowing what to do next, or exactly how to do it, everyone there is really helpful.

Another thing I really like is the fact that it's only women so there was a greater comfort level there too. Now, the funny thing is everyone seemed kind of shocked to see someone so young in there, and that for me is another plus, I also feel more comfortable being around slightly older ladies.

It was a fun experience!!

Homemade

Healthy ice-cream made by my husband.

Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients:
*5 egg yolks
*1 cup Splenda (or 1/2 cup Splenda, 1/2 cup Sweet-N-Low) *
*3 teaspoons no-sugar vanilla extract
*1 1/4 cups heavy cream, whipped
*1 cup water

Place egg yolks, vanilla extract, sweetener and water in blender. Blend at medium speed for 30 seconds. Fold yolk mixture into whipped cream. Blend well, being careful not to break down volume of whipped cream. Empty into refrigerator tray and freeze for 2 hours.Makes 8 1/2-cup servings. 4 net grams of carbohydrate per serving.

*NOTE: To lower carb count to 2 carbs per serving, use liquid sweetener instead. (Liquid Splenda and liquid Sweet 'n Low make a nice mix.)

Dinner Tonight

Salad

2 cups Spring Mix

1 cup Broccoli, chopped

1 cup Carrots, chopped

1 tbsp Sesame Seeds

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Salmon

1 Salmon Fillet

1 tsp Salmon Seasoning

a few sprays of I can't believe it's not butter Spray

Broil 3 mins in med heat...Bake at 350 for 6 mins, and it's perfectly cooked!

Update on Meal Plan

I'm sure you wont be shocked to know that I didn't complete my detox diet plan, and it's not just because I couldn't handle it--though I really should have tasted that drink before deciding to go for it.

I've decided to just force myself to eat healthy & exercise at least every other day. I'm sure I'll get the best results that way.

Today I went out for breakfast (already planned), so I wont count that meal, but for lunch I had a really nice spinach salad, and for dinner I'm going to broil some salmon fillets and have a salad with a spring mix. As I'm posting this I am on the treadmill (thanks Honey for the set up) walking at a fast pace and semi-high incline, it my second day doing cardio.

I really think this will work for me. I will post my before and after numbers at the end of 3 weeks.

Spinach Salad
2 cups Baby Spinach
1/4 Raw Pecans, chopped
1 Pear, chopped
1/4 cup Feta Cheese
1 tablespoon Light Raspberry Vinaigrette

Day 1

I really should have tasted this detox drink before making up my mind to do it--It's awful!!

I really don't see how I'm going to make it 10 days, but I've already announced it to the world, so I'm going to do my best.

Meal Plan

Paul came home from the golf course this morning and as usual I asked him if he got a birdie & turns out he got his first EAGLE ever--I'm so proud of him, I just wish I was there to see it.

I went to the store today to buy what I need for my 10 day diet I'm starting on Monday, well it's more of a detox actually. For 10 days all I will be having is a drink made up of fresh lemon juice, organic maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water. I know it's going to be hard, and I feel sorry for Paul since he'll have to deal with my caffeine & carb withdrawals. Once the detox is done I'm going to follow a meal plan I made up for 8 days. The plan is to complete this before my birthday weekend, that's why the meal plan is only 8 days.

This is going to take a lot of willpower and mental strength, but I'm sure with the support of my husband and lots of prayer I will be successful.

Here's my plan:

*Part 1 – 10 Day Liquid Diet

(6-8 Servings Per Day) (also, sip whenever feel hungry)
2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
2 tbsp Organic Maple Syrup
1/10 tsp Cayenne Pepper
8oz Purified Water

*Part 2 – 8 Day Meal Plan (after 10 day detox)

Early Morning: 2 8oz glasses of WATER w/lemon juice

Breakfast: 1 apple – WAIT 15 min – Steel cut oats w/strawberries, flax seed meal, & almond milk or maple syrup

Morning Snack: Protein Powder, Carrots (5), Herbal Tea

Lunch: 8oz Lemon Water – wait 10 min – 2 cups veggies w/oil & vin.

Afternoon Snack: Water, tomato salad w/oil & vin.

Dinner: Herbal tea, 2 cups veggies w/oil & 6-8 Shrimp or small Salmon steak

*** If hungry in-between meals just SIP herbal tea ***