Putting All My Eggs in One Basket

Well folks, I have to be honest with you. I am getting disillusioned by this whole weight loss thing. I need some true help and this blog ain't it!!!

I am also spreading myself too thin. I am becoming a "jack of all trades and a master of none". I want to concentrate solely on creating art. As I have said before, I am definitely not a nutrition expert. Thus, I don't think I should continue this blog.

So, it is without further ado that announce to you that I am shifting my focus away from this blog and putting it totally on my other blog, Part Time Creations.

If you have been following my blog, thank you! I really appreciate it. I hope you will enjoy catching up with me on my other blog!

Ta-ta for now...
~Stacey

Turn on the music and soothe your soul

By Sheryl M. Ness (article from mayoclinic.com)

"Music has the ability to change moods, soothe nerves and energize your life. Much research has been done on the physical and emotional effects of music. Some of the benefits that have been noted in research include:

• Improves communication
• Enhances memory
• Reduces pain sensation
• Counteracts depression
• Promotes activity (i.e. dancing, exercise)
• Encourages feelings of relaxation
• Calms and sedates (promotes sleep)

Explore ways to incorporate music into your life. For energizing ideas, think of ways to use music to promote movement. I have a friend who takes a break every day with music. She turns on the music and just dances for an hour! Dance to the music as much or as little as you can; just let your body move to the rhythm of the music.
For relaxation ideas, find your favorite songs and take time to meditate. Let the music transport you to another place and time. Allow your mind to drift away to positive thoughts and memories. Close your eyes and take in the music around you; it will make you smile inside and out!
I would love to hear from others who use music in their lives. Share ideas and thoughts, and even music titles for others to get inspired."

5 Ways to Keep Your Metabloism Up

article from...Amy Paturel, SELF magazine

You're eating healthier than ever, but your muscles feel flabby, your energy is sapped and your jeans feel increasingly snug, particularly in the belly, hips and rear.

The sad truth: Metabolic rate (the number of calories we burn in a day) plummets as we age, decreasing about 1 percent each year after we hit 30. But research shows there are things you can do to help combat metabolic slowdown.

"When our metabolisms slow down isn't just age-related," explains Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "Body composition, which is determined by genetics, diet and activity, also plays a major role."

Read on for five ways to keep your fat-burning furnace humming.

1. Build muscle. Since fat is burned in your muscle, you want to activate as many muscle fibers as possible. Weight training increases lean muscle mass, which raises the amount of calories your body uses, even when you're at rest. What's more, since there's less fat in your body (and your muscles), blood moves better so you have more energy -- without eating more food. So if you haven't been incorporating strength training into your fitness routine, now is the time to start!

2. Start eating! "Your body is a 'refuel as it goes machine,' which simply means it needs to be consistently fed to provide energy to live," explains Mark MacDonald, author of the bestselling book Body Confidence. "This type of consistent feeding stabilizes your blood sugar levels and creates internal hormonal balance" -- and that keeps you from packing on the pounds. His advice: Eat within an hour of waking to kick-start your metabolism. Then keep eating every three to four hours ending an hour before bedtime.

3. Nosh on protein at every meal and snack. Protein has a greater metabolic boost than fat or carbohydrates. Biting, chewing, swallowing and digesting food takes energy -- it's known as the thermic effect of food and it can burn up to 30 percent of the calories on your plate. The more complex the food (think steak, legumes and fibrous vegetables), the more calories you burn as it travels through the digestive tract. Protein also contains leucine, an amino acid that prevents muscle loss when you're dieting. A simple strategy: For a quick and easy snack, keep peanuts in your pocketbook, trail mix in your desk drawer and hard-boiled eggs in the fridge.
4. Get moving. Interval training with bursts of high intensity cardio will stoke your metabolic rate and keep it humming for hours. So instead of logging in your regular half-hour on the treadmill at a steady 4.5 mph pace, try the interval option or hit the road and take advantage of changes in the terrain. Run in the sand or up hills and use landmarks to signify a change of pace. And squeeze in extra calorie burning whenever you get the chance, advises Gerbstadt.

5. Drink water. Studies show that people who drink 8-ounce glasses of water eight to 12 times a day have higher metabolic rates than those who drink four. Want to lose an extra 6.6 pounds a year? Drink half a liter of water before breakfast. According to researchers at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., people who downed water before their first meal of the day consumed an average of 75 fewer calories at breakfast than those who didn't drink up first.

You Scream, I Scream...

...you know the rest!

I am usually not a frequent eater of ice cream, but I loooovvveee Breyer's Carb Smart ice cream bars! Especially this time of year when it's a thousand degrees outside!

Here is a pic of my favorite kind, but you can go here to find other flavors, where to buy, recipes, etc...

Yummmmm!!!

So...this is what I've been up to Lately...

Well, I haven't been exercising. That's for sure. Also, my hubby and I have been on the road a lot so we have been eating a ton of fast food lately. (Gag me---I get so tired of fried food so quickly!!!) But, I am proud of myself because I made my meals for the rest of the week

tonight so we wouldn't have to eat out anymore this week! Take it one day at the time, right?

I have also been taking some time just to write and to think and to try to get my brain in order, thus I am excited to present this really fun 30 Day Journal Challenge that I'm well into by now. Go to my other blog to check out the pages I have completed so far!

Also, I bought some pretty yellow, blue, and green yarn this weekend and I am going to start making a little striped blanket for my nephew who we are expecting to come near the end of July. (Pics to come!)

Well, that is all for now...until I have something a little more interesting to post, I will leave you with this recipe that I made for a friend the other night...

Hamburger Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 reg size can cream of mushroom soup

2 cups cooked brown rice

salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and garlic powder to taste

shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Brown ground beef in a frying pan. Once browned thouroughly, dump into a 9 x 13 baking dish and season as desired.

3. Sautee bell pepper and onion. Once that is done, pour bell pepper, onion, and rice into the dish with the cooked ground beef.

4. Add the cream of mushroom soup and one soup can full of water and mix well.

5. Bake for approx 30 min.

6. Sprinkle with shredded cheese before serving if desired.

Enjoy

Workwear Wednesday

When your body is less than toned, it can be hard to look pulled together for work. Here are some outfits that will "work" for you--no matter what your body type!

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This Weather Makes Me Want a Smoothie!!

Mmmm these are three I want to try!

Berry Simple Smoothie

Tropical Soy Smoothie

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie

~from Splenda.com

Don't Worry Be Happy

If this video doesn't make you laugh (or even smile), at least the song will make you feel relaxed...LOL Happy Friday!

"16 Smart Snacks for the Office"

"When the mid-morning or afternoon lull sets in at the office, do you find yourself reaching for something unhealthy to munch on? One of the lessons you learn on the South Beach Diet is how important it is to snack on the right foods. Healthy snacks can help normalize your blood-sugar levels at crucial points in the day. Diminishing swings in blood sugar also helps to curb cravings and keep you on a successful weight-loss track. The best finger foods to have on hand? Cut-up veggies, nuts, part-skim cheese sticks, and (on Phase 2) fruit are all great choices whenever you have the urge to snack. But there are many more options as well. Make sure to stock your desk drawer or office fridge with these simple, healthy snacks:

Phase 1

1. Raw veggies, such as celery, green or red bell pepper strips, cauliflower, and broccoli florets. Use hummus or 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter for dipping.
2. Cold cuts (turkey, chicken, lean roast beef, boiled ham)
3. Part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks
4. Nuts (15 almonds, 20 peanuts, or 30 pistachios), but be sure to stick to one serving; count these toward your daily nut/seed allowance
5. Cottage cheese (reduced-fat or fat-free) with salsa or chopped cucumber added
6. Dry-roasted or boiled, ready-to-eat edamame (green soybeans)
7. Sunflower seeds (3-tablespoon serving; count these toward your daily nut/seed allowance)
8. Greek yogurt (plain, fat-free)
9. Tomato juice or vegetable-juice cocktail, single-serving cans
10. Water-packed tuna and salmon (individual cans or pouches)
    
    On Phase 2, you can enjoy all of the above, plus…
11. Carrot sticks with a yogurt-and-herb dip
12. Artificially sweetened low-fat or nonfat flavored yogurt
13. Whole-grain crackers and reduced-fat cheese
14. A serving of high-fiber whole-grain cereal (a great snack without milk)
15. Dried apricot halves with almonds (7 apricot halves and 7 almonds), but be sure to count the almonds toward your daily nut/seed allowance
16. Trans-fat-free microwavable popcorn, individual pack (look for varieties that are made with canola oil)"

~from: South Beach Diet's "Daily Dish" newsletter

Stuck in a Rut!

Well, if you have ever read my blog before, you know that I am not perfect by any means and that I cannot stick to a diet to save my life!!! I have not been posting much lately because I have been stuck in a rut for the past couple of months. I have just not had the motivation or the will power to jump start my diet again.

So, I am so glad that my hubs just said to me (while he was eating a rice crispy treat, mind you) "I need to get back on my diet this summer. No more Dr. Peppers and apple pies for me!"

As much as I love junk food, he is right. We both need to start our weight loss plans back up. Especially me. I put on a pair of pants today that were too big last summer and they are almost too tight on me now. And I have lots of other clothes that would look soooo much better on me if I would shed the pounds I have put back on recently.

So readers, wish me luck! Or pray for me...b/c I definitely need SOMETHING to get me out of this rut!

Get Your Body Movin'!

Happy Hump Day...Hope you enjoy this "Body Movin'" song!

Beach Bound and Birthday!

¡Feliz cinco de mayo!

Today is the last day I will be posting until at least Tuesday, May 10th as I am beach bound with the fam this weekend for my b-day! I will be back on Monday, but my poor ol' hubs can't make the trip with me because he has so much left to finish up all his final projects for the semester, so he has promised to hang out with me on Monday (which is my actual birthday) all day :)

So, I hope you have a fabulous weekend and, if I remember to take any, I will share some pics when I return!

Laughter on the Cheap

These are probably my top three funny movies and you can buy them for next to nothing on DVD at Amazon.com. You can also rent them to watch on your computer! Click on each movie for a link of where to purchase.

Laugh on!

Just a Reminder...

Check out my coupons page for more deals and details!

Coffee Lovers Rejoice!

"Coffee In Moderation May Offer Health Benefits"

"March 5, 2010
Dear Mayo Clinic:
What are the current thoughts on coffee as to how it affects one's health, good or bad?
Answer:
Over the past several years, research has busted some health myths about coffee. It doesn't contribute to heart attacks, cancer or reduced bone density — all of which have been suspected in the past.
We've learned that coffee, in moderation — perhaps 1 to 2 cups daily — isn't bad for you. And in some cases, coffee seems to offer health benefits, perhaps the most noteworthy being a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Many studies have shown that coffee decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes. One study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2004, showed this significant protective effect increased with coffee consumption up to 6 cups a day. The effect was similar for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.
This study and others on the health effects of coffee highlight that there's more to coffee than caffeine. Where health benefits or risks have been documented, researchers don't necessarily know what components in coffee are linked to the health effects. A "cup of joe" has up to 2,000 different components, including micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, niacin and vitamin E. Among coffee drinkers, coffee may be the largest food source of antioxidants — substances that protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.
Studies have documented coffee's other health benefits in various areas:
Parkinson's disease: A number of studies have shown that coffee drinkers benefit from a protective effect against Parkinson's disease.
Asthma: Coffee may reduce asthma symptoms.
Gallstones: Coffee may reduce gallstone formation.
Cognition: Coffee increases alertness. That's why it's the morning wake-up call for many people. Studies also have shown that coffee can improve cognitive performance. Results from at least four studies suggest that coffee drinkers have a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Mental health: Three studies have shown a decreased risk of suicide with moderate coffee consumption. The reason for this isn't clear.
Liver disease: Coffee seems to offer a protective effect against liver disease including cancer, especially among those who drink alcohol.
Before you rush to brew a pot of coffee, know that there are some side effects and potential health concerns from drinking coffee. Side effects can include jitteriness, insomnia and benign heart palpitations. The extent of the side effects varies by individual and the ability to metabolize caffeine. Some people forgo coffee in the afternoon because it causes insomnia. Others can have a coffee nightcap and sleep soundly.
Side effects also can include loose stools and heartburn or reflux in people who are predisposed to those conditions. Coffee may worsen urinary symptoms for men with prostate problems.
Occasional coffee drinkers may see an increase in their blood pressure after a cup of coffee. With regular consumption, tolerance develops and the blood pressure falls to previous levels. If you are going to drink coffee, it's probably best to enjoy it daily to avoid blood pressure spikes.
Here's another reason for consistency. If you skip a day, you're likely to experience a withdrawal headache, since caffeine is slightly addictive.
Another health concern is that coffee in more than moderate amounts may affect a woman's fertility and possibly contribute to miscarriage. Other negatives are that coffee decreases iron and calcium absorption. It also increases urinary calcium loss, but this can be offset by increasing calcium consumption.
If you are not a coffee drinker, I wouldn't suggest starting for the sake of better health. On the other hand, if you enjoy a daily cup or two of coffee and aren't bothered by side effects, there's no need to worry about serious health risks from coffee. And you may be sipping in some health benefits, too.
— Donald Hensrud, M.D., Preventive and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn."

Go Nuts!

Nuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart health (article from MayoClinic.com)

Eating nuts helps your heart. Discover how walnuts, almonds and other nuts help lower your cholesterol when eaten as part of a balanced diet.

By Mayo Clinic staff
Eating nuts as part of a healthy diet can be good for your heart. Nuts, which contain unsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, are a great snack food, too. They're inexpensive, easy to store and easy to take with you to work or school.
The type of nut you eat isn't that important, although some nuts have more heart-healthy nutrients and fats than do others. Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts — you name it — almost every type of nut has a lot of nutrition packed into a tiny package. If you have heart disease, eating nuts instead of a less healthy snack can help you more easily follow a heart-healthy diet.

Can eating nuts help your heart?

People who eat nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower the LDL, low-density lipoprotein or "bad," cholesterol level in their blood. High LDL is one of the primary causes of heart disease.
Eating nuts reduces your risk of developing blood clots that can cause a fatal heart attack. Nuts also improve the health of the lining of your arteries. The evidence for the heart-healthy benefits of nuts isn't rock solid — the Food and Drug Administration only allows food companies to say evidence "suggests but does not prove" that eating nuts reduces heart disease risk.

What's in nuts that's thought to be heart healthy?

Although it varies by nut, most nuts contain at least some of these heart-healthy substances:

• Unsaturated fats. It's not entirely clear why, but it's thought that the "good" fats in nuts — both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — lower bad cholesterol levels.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Many nuts are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a healthy form of fatty acids that seem to help your heart by, among other things, preventing dangerous heart rhythms that can lead to heart attacks. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in many kinds of fish, but nuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Fiber. All nuts contain fiber, which helps lower your cholesterol. Fiber also makes you feel full, so you eat less. Fiber is also thought to play a role in preventing diabetes.
• Vitamin E. Vitamin E may help stop the development of plaques in your arteries, which can narrow them. Plaque development in your arteries can lead to chest pain, coronary artery disease or a heart attack.
• Plant sterols. Some nuts contain plant sterols, a substance that can help lower your cholesterol. Plant sterols are often added to products like margarine and orange juice for additional health benefits, but sterols occur naturally in nuts.
• L-arginine. Nuts are also a source of l-arginine, which is a substance that may help improve the health of your artery walls by making them more flexible and less prone to blood clots that can block blood flow.

What amount of nuts is considered healthy?

• Nuts contain a lot of fat; as much as 80 percent of a nut is fat. Even though most of this fat is healthy fat, it's still a lot of calories. That's why you should eat nuts in moderation. Ideally, you should use nuts as a substitute for saturated fats, such as those found in meats, eggs and dairy products.
  Instead of eating unhealthy saturated fats, try substituting a handful of nuts. According to the Food and Drug Administration, eating about a handful (1.5 ounces, or 42.5 grams) a day of most nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts and walnuts, may reduce your risk of heart disease. But again, do this as part of a heart-healthy diet. Just eating nuts and not cutting back on saturated fats found in many dairy and meat products won't do your heart any good.
  

  Does it matter what kind of nuts you eat?

  Possibly. Most nuts appear to be generally healthy, though some more so than others. Walnuts are one of the best-studied nuts, and it's been shown they contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans are other nuts that appear to be quite heart healthy. Even peanuts — which are technically not a nut, but a legume, like beans — seem to be relatively healthy. Coconut, which is technically a fruit, may be considered by some to be a nut, but it doesn't seem to have heart-healthy benefits. Both coconut meat and oil don't have the benefits of the mono- and polyunsaturated fats.
  Keep in mind, you could end up canceling out the heart-healthy benefits of nuts if they're covered with chocolate, sugar or salt.
  Here's some nutrition information on common types of nuts. All calorie and fat content measurements are for 1 ounce, or 28.4 grams (g), of unsalted nuts.
  

  Type of nut	Calories	Total fat (saturated/unsaturated fat)*
  Almonds, raw	163	14 g (1.1 g/12.2 g)
  Almonds, dry roasted	169	15 g (1.1 g/12.9 g)
  Brazil nuts, raw	186	19 g (4.3 g/12.8 g)
  Cashews, dry roasted	163	13.1 g (2.6 g/10 g)
  Chestnuts, roasted	69	0.6 g (0.1 g/0.5 g)
  Hazelnuts (filberts), raw	178	17 g (1.3 g/15.2 g)
  Hazelnuts (filberts), dry roasted	183	17.7 g (1.3 g/15.6 g)
  Macadamia nuts, raw	204	21.5 g (3.4 g/17.1 g)
  Macadamia nuts, dry roasted	204	21.6 g (3.4 g/17.2 g)
  Peanuts, dry roasted	166	14 g (2g/11.4 g)
  Pecans, dry roasted	201	21 g (1.8 g/18.3 g)
  Pistachios, dry roasted	161	12.7 g (1.6 g/10.5 g)
  Walnuts, halved	185	18.5 g (1.7 g/15.9 g)

  *The saturated and unsaturated fat contents in each nut may not add up to the total fat content because the fat value may also include some nonfatty acid material, such as sugars or phosphates.
  

  How about nut oils? Are they healthy, too?

  Nut oils are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, but they lack the fiber found in whole nuts. Walnut oil is the highest in omega-3s. Nut oils contain saturated as well as unsaturated fats. Consider using nut oils in homemade salad dressing or in cooking. When cooking with nut oils, remember that they respond differently to heat than do vegetable oils. Nut oil, if overheated, can become bitter. Just like with nuts, use nut oil in moderation, as the oils are high in fat and calories.

White Hot

This is the time of the year that I always fall in love with white all over again! Here are some of my faves I found while "window shopping" online :)

*jewelry from OldNavy.com and Forever21.com. Bags from Target.com. Clothing from LaneBryant.com, FashionBug.com, VictoriasSecret.com, OldNavy.com. Shoes from Payless.com.*