Chia & Protein Pudding

I've been trying to incorporate lots of protein into my daily diet, both to facilitate weight loss and because it is sometimes an area I am lacking. A lot of times I will use non-animal sources because that's what I prefer, or a whey-based protein powder. (Like Plexus 96!)

This pudding contains a protein powder, and chia seeds, both widely used by people looking to lose weight, or just eat healthier options. It is also VERY easy!

You will need:

• 1 cup of either almond milk, or coconut milk. I LOVE to use dark-chocolate almond milk, so yummy!
• 1 serving of your preferred protein powder. I love that Plexus 96 ALSO has many vitamins and minerals. 
• 3-4 tablespoons of chia seeds. More for a thicker pudding, even less (like 2 tablespoons...) and you can make it a smoothie-type drink that satisfies. 

Put all ingredients in a blender, and blend. 

Pour into your desired container (or 2, I like to make 2 smaller snack-servings!) and chill in the fridge to set-up at least 4 hours, but over night works best.

Enjoy!


*disclaimer... YES, the Plexus 96 link IS to my Ambassador page, but I was not asked to, or compensated for this post. It is just a preferred, and yummy new protein powder I wanted to share! :) 

Read More

Sugar-Free Chocolate Candies

I saw a GREAT post over at Suzie Homemaker's Facebook page for a diet/sugar-free chocolate candy to bust your sweet tooth. We used to occasionally get the sugar-free chocolates because Mr. Disheveled is diabetic, and I am always dieting. BUT- I didn't like that they were made with sucralose (Splenda). Because of the um-tummy troubles- it gives, and because I try to avoid chemical sweeteners (and ingredients in general.) These have stevia, a natural sweetener, and also coconut oil, which we've been adding to our diet for The Princess' eczema and overall health reasons. Win. (It is also NO COOK!)

I made a couple changes to the original, because The Princess is allergic to peanuts, and I wanted to use my dark chocolate cocoa powder. (I've been putting it in everything- YUM!)

It is really quite simple too.
Mix together in a bowl:

• 1/4 cup almond meal (I couldn't make a drive to the city, so I omitted, plus my almond butter is "dryer" than PB)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (We used almond butter!)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 packets of stevia 

You can then drop into candy molds (or silicon ice mold like we did.) 

Let harden in the fridge (or freezer if in a hurry, )

Pop out and enjoy. Remember to keep in the fridge or keep cool because they melt very quickly! 

Read More

Weight Loss Wednesday: and a Weekly Re-cap

Wow, I can't believe I haven't been able to sit down and write in a week! Wait, yes I can- it's been crazy here!

Crazy and all- I am down 4 pounds! I am SURPRISED because my back still isn't 100%, so exercise was minimal. BUT- I've been trying really hard to not skip meals, even if I only get a snack in. I didn't do too well on my breakfast goal, but on those days I tried extra hard to at least get something in for lunch.

As for my other goals, water intake was good! I've been loading my big cup up with ice water and sipping all day long. Lemon-ginger water is especially good. I've been eating whole foods, with the exception of whole wheat tortillas and whole wheat noodles- oh and the tiny bit of cake we had last night. Moderation! =-)

And a recap of my week-
Summer is here, it got hot, kids are getting restless. The summer reading program starts next week though, and each of their age groups are on different days of the week. That will give them something to do and time away from each other!

I've started an Etsy. Well, I've finally put something in my Etsy. I've had one since they started...but changed my name sometime last year....but still haven't put anything in until now. It's just (cute!)hair things for now, but I've got other things to enter. Busy busy! =-)

Today though, a day to rest my back before cleaning....watching Shaun the Sheep, and sipping coffee. (This coffee could use some ice!)

Read More

Weight Loss Wednesday: Let's Get Going Again

Remember when this was a weekly thing? Hmmm....yeah, my consistency leaves something to be desired. To be honest, between getting sick with something over and over, and my back going out repeatedly, my weight was the last thing on my mind. Well, no. That's a big fat lie- my weight is ALWAYS on my mind...but dieting, was not. I've done surprising well sort of maintaining while on a workout hiatus, I'm only up TWO pounds from where I last left off. ONLY. So really, I can totally do this. I can totally just jump right back in.

This is me doing "The Corpse"...only bigger, and with a shirt on!

I'm still recovering from my latest back-crap-extravaganza, but I've been looking up things I can do even when my back is out. I may just be laying on the ground doing a yoga move called "The Corpse", BUT THAT IS SOMETHING. I have nutritional goals I can still do too.

So, let this mark my new beginning. It may be my millionth do-over, but that's better than a sit-there-and-don-do-it-at-all.

GOALS FOR THIS WEEK:

• Continue with the water drinking kick! See if I can add more in. (Studies show heavier people can benefit from more than the normal 8-10 glasses a day)
• EAT breakfast every day.
• Saying eating lunch too would be pushing it- I work better with baby steps- so I'm going to at least have a mid-day snack.
• Focus on the nutrition of foods, not the calories since I know calorie counting makes me a rabid beast of old BAD habits. 
• Take my mulch-vitamin every day! I forget it far too often!

Read More

Weight Loss Wednesday: 2 and a Recipe

Whew, 2 more down! A total of 10 lost these past few weeks. Slow & steady...niiiice & slow....
Trying to eat small snack-meals throughout the day, rather than just not eating b/c I'm not hungry enough to eat a meal- supposedly it will keep you metabolism going. Keeping the fridge stocked with ready-to-eat munchies, pre-cut all my veggies, stocked up on yogurt for a calcium kick. I also keep hummus handy, and been trying to eat 1-3 apples a day. Fiber is my friend!
I did great better with the water this week- THANKS LADIES! <3 I kept extra water around me at all times. Glub glub glub!


I also wanted to share a "healthy"/"dieting" recipe with you guys today. Hummus. Hummus is a great & fiber-filled alternative to other more fattening & nutrient-less dips. The chickpeas in it provide plenty of fiber & vitamins, garlic has great health benefits, and the olive oil contains heart healthy monounsaturated fats. BUT- the price of tahini- a sesame paste that is used in humus is astrofreakinnomical. Many people substitute peanut butter for the tahini to save on cost. Well I think hummus that tastes like peanuts tastes like horsepucky, and my youngest is allergic to peanuts- & she's my little snacking buddy. So, I experimented with a variety of pantry items to get a better-tasting-cheap hummus. Enjoy.

Better Tasting Cheapy Hummus: (peanut-free)

In your food-processor, pulse until mashed:

• 1 can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans or the equivalent of home-cooked (about 2 cups.)
• about 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 2 hefty pinches of salt
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Add & pulse until combined:

• 1/4 cup olive oil (you will add more later as needed...)
• about 2 Tablespoons of sunflower seed spread (sometimes called sunflower seed butter- you can usually find it with the other nut butters or in a healthfood store...)
• 1/2 Tablespoon sesame oil (found with the Asian foods, or in a healthfood store.)

While running on low, drizzle olive oil through the chute until the proper/preferred consistency is reached. (Click pics to make bigger/see texture...)

A serving of hummus is about 1/4 cup. I store mine in 1/2 cup containers in the fridge because there is usually always people who want to share it. =-)

Read More

Weight Loss Wednesday: Arrg.

Soooo... this morning was my first time weighing in since Ol' Aunt Flo paid her visit. I was expecting BAD. I nibbled on a Hershey bar throughout the week, and expected horrible news. I did however stay away from the chips. But- I had to listen to hubby whine about not having any chips. Yeah- I didn't trust my willpower this month, so I didn't even buy any!

The damage was a bit surprising...I gained...but only 1 pound. THANK GOODNESS! I have a feeling it had a lot to do with water consumption though as well... I totally sucked at didn't get enough water this week. Way lazy on my part, couldn't bother getting up & refiling my bottle as often as I should have. BUT- I know this now, so I can plan for it next month & have a crap-ton of bottles filled & ready for me.

My goals for this week:

• No more not drinking water B.S.
• Work more movement in...rigorous housecleaning isn't gonna cut it for much longer.
• Plan ahead. I can see what's messing me up- I need to fix it now.

Real quick before I go...I just wanted to say a quick thanks. I was kinda "arrrg" before because I was so mad at myself for closing up a many-years-old blog that had hundreds of hits daily because of some dumbass person. Now- I am beyond happy for the FOLLOWERS I have now. The comments, love & camaraderie we have now is TONS better than "hits". Both here & Facebook. I appreciate you guys so much! Yep- to the point of being annoyingly CORNY in a weight loss post... <3

Read More

Weight Loss Wednesday?

 Sooooo....the super-cool, mega-sweet, kick-ass-mama, Kayla over at The Mama of Mojo has kicked us all in the booties. But, only because she kicked herself in the booty, and she loves us. Kayla is documenting her weight loss journey in her blog, and encouraging us all to do the same. I'm gonna SUCK IT UP & go for it too. Because I want to be awesome like Kayla Because I need some accountability. Part of my "getting it together" is getting my ass back to normal.

She's much more braver than me...I'm not quite sure yet if I want to share my weight. I will however let y'all know I have a LOT left to loose. Like 91...yes, ninety-one-O-M-F-Gosh-pounds. BUT...having started a few weeks ago...I am down 8. (Wooot.) AND... I am still down 32 from my heaviest a few years ago. [PPD, 80 lbs gained in 3 months, long story...boo-hoo, pity party, table for one...]

I have been moving my butt with the Wii, (holy doodles it's been cold & icy out!) and looking for other activities to get me through the winter. I re-joined SparkPeople, (I'll totally add you as a friend, just message me...) and I'm trying to start a goal/thoughts/journey/milestones sort of journal. I joined a mini-goal thread in a group on SparkPeople too. To loose 5 pounds this month. Slow & steady wins the race...

Read More