12-week transformation...day fifteen

 
Boy oh boy, it was a busy weekend. My parents and I put together an engagement party for my sister and her fiance, Gabriel this past Saturday night. It was a ton of work, but so worth it. I loved putting together such a fun and cute party and am so thankful for my dad and his impressive cooking skills. We cooked for about 25 people...it was a complete success!

Then yesterday, we attended a wedding in San Juan Capistrano for a sweet family friend. Here is a picture of me overlooking this gorgeous golf course in San Clemente. This is my I'm not quite ready for picture half-smile. ;D

I also took note of some good ideas to share with my sister! My mom and I are in full-on wedding planning mode. I loved this life-size version of jenga. It was not only entertaining to the people playing, but also entertaining for the people watching! She definitely needs to have this. There was also a game called toss across...the men seemed to love that one and all you really do is throw a bean bag across and try and to make it in a hole. So easy and simple but everyone loved it!

PS...the girl below actually got that piece out without the tower tumbling over! Mad skills right there!

Now, you are probably wondering if I stayed on plan this weekend and...yes...for the most part I did. I did have a few "off-plan" bites here and there, but nothing crazy. It was a fun and successful weekend overall. Praise the Lord!

Breakfast
Monday mornings are hard...especially after a busy weekend...you just want to throw your alarm across the room and sleep in for a few more hours. Obviously  I did not do that, and I got up and made my self a french vanilla shake and headed off to work.

Morning Snack
I was all munchie-like (yes I made that phrase up) after my breakfast, so my morning snack could not come fast enough. Thankfully, it did come around pretty quickly. I made a calorie burn cappuccino and enjoyed every sip.

Lunch
Lunch was a tad different for me...instead of having my lean and green meal, I had another one of my snacks. I had some things to do at lunchtime and I just didn't have enough time to eat a meal. So, I had some brown sugar cereal crunch cereal and munched on that for about a half hour or so. I just love these cereal meals!

Afternoon Snack
Next up was my very last chocolate chip cookie dough bar. At first I wasn't the biggest fan of these, but I slowly began to like them. Still don't really like them, but when I dip them in coffee, it tastes much better.

Dinner
I finally had my lean and green meal today! And it was a good one. I had a salad with boca crumbles in it. Funny story...I bought this bag of boca meatless crumbles the last time I was housesitting and accidentally left them in the freezer. As I returned a few days ago, I found them! They were still in the freezer! Yay!

Dessert
I ended this lovely Monday with a coffee milkshake. It was so perfect and much needed after a long day.

Well, that's all I have for today! But keep reading because I am going to be announcing my new website launch date! I will go into more detail about my new website soon, so be ready! :D

xoxo,
Toni

Mini Pizza Bites

This is my 100th post! Yay!!! So in honor of that, I am revealing a brand new recipe you are all sure to love!

I just love pizza...simple as that...so I experimented a little bit and came up with this "I-promise-you-will-love-it" recipe.

Step One
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Gather your ingredients. You will need...

1 cup Cauliflower (2 Greens)
1/2 cup of tomato sauce (1 Green)
1/4 cup Egg Beaters (1/8 Lean)
4 ounces Low fat cottage cheese (3/8 lean)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (2 condiments)
1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon Dried basil
1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/2 cup light mozzarella cheese (1/2 lean)

Step Two
Wash cauliflower and break it into segments. Next, place it in the food processor and pulse it until it reaches a rice-like texture.

Step Three
Place the riced cauliflower in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. (Do NOT add water or cover).

Step Four
Remove the cauliflower from the microwave and add the rest of the ingredients except the mozzarella cheese. Mix Well.

Step Five

Place back in microwave for 2 minutes. Mix again.

Step Six
Scoop the cauliflower mixture into muffin liners (or a greased muffin tin), dividing evenly.

Step Seven
Then press filling down so it’s compact in the liner.

Step Eight
Divide the tomato sauce evenly in each cup.

Step Nine
And then divide the cheese evenly in each cup.

Step Ten
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or when the tops begin to turn golden brown.

Allow it cool and enjoy!!! And for those of you on the Take Shape For Life program, this entire recie counts for one lean and green meal!

xoxo,
Toni

12-week transformation...day eleven

I am feeling much better today...like 1000 times better. Yesterday was just...well, one of those days. But now, yesterday has passed and it's time to look forward to today.

I was reading my transformation email I receive daily and I thought I would share with you all this one. It teaches you eight steps to break habits. Wanna hear them? Well, even if you don't, here they are anyways...I hope they help you guys! :)

1. Stop—Challenge—Choose.
Any time you become aware of an unhealthy thought, feeling, or action, use the Stop—Challenge—Choose Method. Let’s say you’re about to eat a whole tray of appetizers at a party because you’re nervous. First, stop and take a deep, slow breath to help bring your emotions under control. Next, challenge yourself by thinking about why you’re feeling or acting the way you are. Finally, choose the behavior that supports what you really want.

2. Make time your ally.
Time can be a powerful ally as you build optimal health. As you’ll see, your daily choices can, over time, lead you from non-sickness to disease. But conversely, time can serve as your ally as you make choices that lead to optimal health.

3. Avoid peer pressure and toxic environments.
Do your friends and family follow the same Habits of Disease that you do? Are you hanging out in an unhealthy environment? You’ll learn more about modeling later in this program, but for now, it’s a good idea to avoid, as much as possible, any activities, friends, and environments that are not conducive to healthy behaviors.

4. Keep a journal.
Every time you engage in an activity or make a choice that doesn’t support health, write it down. Make a note of what triggered the behavior and kept you from controlling the unhealthy choice.

5. Exchange a negative for a positive choice.
Once you’ve mastered Stop—Challenge—Choose, this technique can help lead you to healthy alternatives. For example, say you’re tired at work in the afternoon. You probably habitually grab a cup of coffee, but as you’ll learn about sleep, this choice can actually exacerbate your lack of energy by robbing you of sleep that night. Instead, recharge naturally by taking a brisk 10-minute walk or by resting for five minutes with your eyes closed while listening to relaxing music.

6. Avoid giving the bad habit your energy or focus.
The best way to avoid acting in a certain way is to direct your focus elsewhere. If you keep telling yourself you’re not going to overeat or watch a second movie instead of heading to bed, your mind will stay focused on what you don’t want to do. The key is to avoid thinking of the behavior in the first place—which will become much easier as we load your daily choices with healthy habits that support what you really want.

7. Create barriers to the Habits of Disease.
I am absolutely powerless over the aroma of warm chocolate chip cookies. I go into a feeding frenzy, and 1,000 calories later I’m wondering what hit me. So there are standing orders in my house that my children and my wife, Lori, never make cookies when I’m home. Later in this program, we will delve into improving your environment, like your kitchen, in greater depth.

8. Get support.
If you aren’t sure how to conquer a certain temptation, ask someone who has experienced the same challenge, like your Health Coach. If you don’t personally know someone who has made the journey to optimal health, visit my Facebook, and ask our wonderful community members for help.

Pretty informative, right? It really helped me when I was first starting out on the Take Shape For Life program and is still helping me today.

Breakfast
This morning I had a choice...do I sneak a day old pastry and eat it in secret or do I make a delicious and creamy french vanilla shake? Easy answer to that one...the shake of course! So I made and drank a delicious shake and was set to start my day.

Morning Snack
I could not wait to sip on a piping hot cup of chai. Why? No reason...it just sounded really good. I was pretty happy when the time came around and was satisfied once it was all gone.

Lunch
I wasn't able to go home for lunch (my car is getting fixed), so I had some chili nacho cheese puffs with a ton of water. I just get so thirsty whenever I eat these! But they are so good!

Afternoon Snack
Still not able to go to lunch, I pulled out my next snack...a cinnamon roll crunch bar. It was even extra tasty when I paired it with some coffee. ;)

Dinner
I am house sitting my aunt's house again for the next week, so after work I went straight over there and finally made my lean and green meal. I made a simple salad with some chicken and light dressing and cheese...no picture though...totally spaced.

Dessert
Once I got settled in, I whipped up a java chip frappuccino (chocolate chip soft bake packet blended with instant coffee, water, and ice). My favorite ending to my day.

It was an overall good day...but tomorrow is a weigh-in day...so we shall see what happens!

xoxo,
Toni

12-week transformation...day ten

Let's just say that this morning was pretty much the worst morning I have had in a while. You ever have those days when everything seems to be going wrong? Yeah, well...that was me.

To start of the day, I made a dark chocolate shake and when I went to take it out of the fridge, I dropped it and apparently the lid wasn't on all the way and my shake went everywhere. I mean, everywhere. I thought about taking a picture, but I was just so in awe of the mess I had to clean up that I just grabbed a towel and go to work. But just picture the entire inside of a fridge covered in a dark chocolate shake. Not fun.

So, it took me a good 15 minutes to clean everything up. But I had to still get ready...so dripping in sweat, I rushed to dry off, put on some makeup and get dressed. Oh...and make another shake. Then while putting on makeup, my blush ran out! Not a huge deal, but it is when your morning isn't going so well.

And to put the cherry on top of it all, I came into work and was feeling sick all morning. Stomach was killing me. So yeah, not the best start to the day.

But I did learn something...I learned why people (not just kids) cry over spilled milk (or shakes)! Why? Well, because it goes everywhere...that's why. ;) 

Breakfast
As I mentioned before, I first made a dark chocolate shake, but since I dropped it, I remade my shake, but used a mocha packet instead.

Morning Snack
Right after drinking my mocha shake, I had a really bad stomach ache and it continued all the way until it was time for my morning snack. I almost didn't even want it, but then a warm drink sounded pretty appetizing and soothing...so a chai latte it was!

Lunch
I was feeling better by lunch and decided to make a protein-style turkey burger with a side of broccoli.

Afternoon Snack
Still going strong with having a better day, I had some mixed berry cereal crunch for my snack. It cheered me up a bit...I love cereal!

Dinner
As I have been mentioning these past few days, our church is having a week of prayer. So before I attended tonight's service I ate a smores crunch bar.

Dessert
As the night's before, I was fairly hungry by the time my last meal of the day came around. I got home and made a coffee milkshake and then headed off to bed...I was eager to end today and see what tomorrow holds for me.

Hope you all have a better day than I did! ;)

Aren't these cats the cutest! Love them! :)

xoxo,
Toni

12-week transformation...day nine

I highly encourage you to attend Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa any night for the rest of the week and join together with the church in a time of prayer. I have gone the past two nights and it has been such a sweet time of prayer and fellowship.

As a random side note...I am creating a wedding website for my sister and her soon-to-be-husband and I think I may be switching over my blog to a new site. The website I am creating is pretty easy and it looks great and clean. I don't know yet...we will see. As for now, I are still here.

Breakfast
Nothing too special about breakfast this morning. Made my last french vanilla shake and headed off to work. I drank it pretty quickly though! Must have been hungry...or thirsty...or both.

Morning Snack
I will be honest...these hot drinks from medifast (chai latte and the calorie burn cappuccino) have really helped me to stay on the Take Shape for Life program. I feel like I am treating myself to a delicious coffee shop coffee drink everyday! Today I had the calorie burn cappuccino and loved every sip of it!

Lunch
I have a new burger from Trader Joe's! Last night I bought some turkey burgers and boy-oh-boy are they good! I think I have found a new favorite! I topped my romaine salad with a turkey burger, some shredded parmesan cheese, and light chipotle dressing. Delish!

Afternoon Snack
It is hot outside today, but that didn't stop me from having a coffee with a cookie dough chewy bar. These bars taste so good when dipped in the coffee. Not a fan of them by themselves, but dipped in coffee...amazing.

Dinner
Once again, I went to church tonight for the week of prayer. But before I left I had some honey mustard pretzel bites.

Dessert
By the time I got home, I was really hungry! So I made a brownie soft bake and drank it along with a ton of water and called it a night.

Don't forget! If you are in the area and are free any night this week, stop by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and pray it up with fellow believers in Christ!

Lastly...check out this full moon! I love it when the sun is setting and you can see the moon!

xoxo,
Toni