Transformation Made Simple
Give yourself 4% you are worth it. If you don’t think you are worth 4% who else will? Here’s a challenge start with 30 minutes a day 5 days a week, that 150 minutes. You can do that watching TV.
Old or young you are still worth 4%. If you don’t want to go to the gym, try these chair exercises that I seen on Facebook. Believe me, it is a workout.
Rating –
Would I make it again – Yes
Now that the weather is changing and football season is here. How about a big pot of chili. Hmm, I need something new and improved, something different. I got it, how about “White Bean Chili”.
Don’t get scared, it has meat for you carnivores. The original recipe called for ground chicken or ground turkey. I did a blend and had 1 pound of each. I have also seen white bean chili recipes with sausage. Since I am trying to eat more healthy, I opted for the turkey and chicken and skipped the sausage.
Here are some “simple tips” for making this chili.
If you prefer chicken breast that ok too. My sister uses dry beans so she cooks her chicken breast and bean together in the crock pot. Me I was lazy I used canned. When the meat is done she shreds the chicken and then add the other ingredients.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds ground turkey or ground chicken
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 package white chili mix
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon tabasco or “I use chopped jalapeño instead “
1 4-ounce chopped green chilies drained
1 19-ounce can great northern beans drained
3. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
4. Stir well, then cook 1 hour more.
Raise your words not your voice. It is the rain that grows flowers, not thunder. Rumi
Recipe Rating :
Roast Chicken with Lemon Garlic Brussel Sprouts and Potatoes
Monica’s challenge from our “Weight Loss Group” was to try a new vegetable. She choose to make “Roast Chicken with Lemon-Garlic Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes” from AllRecipes. This was a hit, and will be added to Family Favorites.
Monica said that this recipe changed her attitude toward brussels sprouts. In the past she felt brussels sprouts were mushy and overcooked, however this recipe gave the vegetable flavor and crunch.
Monica not only critiqued the recipe, but also gave the ”Weight Loss Group” the benefits for adding brussels sprouts to your diets.
Brussels Sprouts:
“Brussels sprouts a good source of protein, iron and potassium, but they also offer other benefits that can boost your overall health.” For more benefit check out this article Health Benefits of Eating Brussels Sprouts.
Great job Monica, we are all excited about trying this recipe.
Try this healthy alternative to store brands. A homemade deodorant can be made with only 4 basic ingredients but I researched different recipes on Pinterest to come up with this blend. I was surprised, just how easy it was to make and how effective it was when using.
Try DIY Deodorant --- you will never use store brought again. Click To TweetA word of caution if you are normally use to an anti-perspirant DIY deodorant will allow you to sweat. I didn’t experience any odor but the wetness caught me off guard. I did enjoy using different essential oils for a fresh scent, lavender and jasmine was my favorite.
Check out my Transformation Tips for others health alternatives.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coconut oil
3 tablespoons beeswax pellets
2 tablespoons shea butter
1/3 cup arrowroot powder
2 tablespoons baking soda
15 drops lavendar essential oil — or a scent of your choice
5 drops of tea tree oil
Directions — fills 2 empty containers.
oconut oil, beeswax and shea butter. ( I used a double boiler)
Drink 4 bottles per day, 28 bottles a week.
Before I took this water challenge, I thought I drank a lot of water. I was wrong. Yes, I do drink a lot of water, but I found I was not consistent on a daily bases.
The challenge was to drink 4 bottles of water per day for 7 days. I purchased a 32 pack of Nestle Pure Life Water from Walmart for only $3.98. I numbered the bottles 1 to 28. The goal was to drink 4 bottles per day, it didn’t seem like a lot, until I started drinking them.
On day 2, I had only consumed 1.5 bottles by 4:30 pm. I drank the 4 bottles, but you know what that meant. Yes, I was running to the bathroom all night long. After that incident, I started checking the number on the bottle top to ensure I was on track so I would not repeat that mistake again.
Quick note to my “Green Lovers”, I know plastic bottles are bad for the environment, but this is a great test for accountability and accuracy. So often, we over estimate the amount of water we are consuming, at least I did. Feel free to adjust the test to a more environmentally safe container if you feel more comfortable.
Back to the test; at the end of 7 days this should give you a good ideal on how much water you are consuming. At the end of 7 days, look at the results to determine if any adjustments are needed.
Water Challenge drink 28 bottles of water in 1 week. Thats 4 bottles per day for 7 days. Click To TweetStephanie was a part of our 30 day trial when she took this challenge, she found it difficult to drink 4 bottles each day. She said “I can get 3 down, but I am having problems with the 4th”. I suggested she drink half a bottle of water when she first get up and the last half in the evening before bed. It worked, that simple adjustment made the difference. Stephanie also noted that infusing her water with fruits made it easier for her to drink.
Water is essential in your weight loss journey. Taking this challenge will give you a true insight on how much you are consuming.
Each day my goal is to find more courage and do the things I love. Stepping outside my comfort zone can be hard, however staying in fear is more frightening. I love finding quotes or nuggets of wisdom to start my day. I found this in my “First Thing Every Morning” calendar. These quotes are from January 4th, it was the perfect word to start my day.
Resource: Lewis Timberlake calendar
Courage is: Not allowing fear to take over and control our lives. It is making plans for ways to overcome those fears. Click To Tweet
Looking to make small changes in your diet, check out our “Weight Loss Tips”.
Make a habit of reaching for a glass of water instead of a high-fat snack. Add some zest with a twist of lemon or lime.
Looking for a quick breakfast try this Blueberry Smoothie. Trying to lose weight replace your breakfast and dinner with this smoothie and watch the pounds melt away.
Consider using wild blueberries they’re higher in nutrient than conventional blueberries. You can find them in your freezer section.
For extra sweetness add in a banana. Need more protein add chia seeds. I try to keep them simple with four ingredients.
Blueberry Smoothie
When I was growing up potlucks and family dinners were a weekly occurrence and everyone had a go to dish or family favorite. Helen Ford whom we called Sister Ford was known for her Sock-It-To-Me Cake. I loved this cake, not to sweet but sweet enough where icing was not required. 
I was so excited when LaTrice post the Sock-It-To-Me recipe on Facebook as a tribute on Sister Ford’s birthday. Thanks LaTrice. I made this cake for my husband and he loved it.
Mix cake mix, sugar and cooking oil, beat until throughly mixed.
Add 4 eggs
Beat 2 minutes or until mixed well
Add sour cream and vanilla, mix well
Stir in nuts last.
