Eat This Not That

Okay so I failed to order Jillian Michaels Master Your Metabolism but I am kind of okay with it because I really don't have a ton of time to read these days. I did however just order the above books and am STOKED!!!!
Why did I decide to order these? Well the other day I went to Barnes and Noble to browse the cookbooks and ran across Cook This Not That. One it has a ton of pictures! I LOVE cookbooks with pictures! I like to see what it is supposed to look like. What really caught my eye was the 'Who Blew Up Food' page. It basically had a table that compared restaurant food, store bought food, & home cooked food. It BLEW ME AWAY!! I put the book back on the shelf and ran home to order it (yep I'm cheap--thank you Amazon)!
While ordering I came across the MANY other This Not That Books--Eat This Not That-Restaurant Survival Guide, Cook This Not That -Supermarket Survival Guide, etc. etc. Anyway I saw the Eat This Not That-For Kids!!! Kaci is eating real foods and has been for a while now I am pretty cautious with what I feed her but I really think this could be helpful.
Both of these books are supposed to be great books to just sit down and read but are meant to be flipped through and read in sections too. Which is great for me because let's face it I don't have time to sit down and read much right now.
They should arrive by Aug 22nd! WOO HOO! I will let you know what I really think when I get them and put them to use!

Healthy Snacking

Hey everyone! I so I have been back at work for about a month now and I have gained about 3 lbs. I KNOW that isn't alot of weight but I don't want it to be the beginning of a trend. I have been trying so hard to get on a schedule and to make sure that Kaci and Aaron are taken care of. That I kind of have neglected/given up on myself. Well after 3 weeks of 'adjusting' I'm done. My workout schedule starting to get more consistent now I just need to work on my eating. Here are some of the things that I am going to be snacking on at work:

Celery Stick & Carrots w/Ranch-- Yes, I said ranch. All things in moderation

Rice Cakes--Yep I love em

Chobani Yogurt I can't eat it plain way too thick but add a little fruit and it's magic!

Cheese and Crackers I've fallen for Laughing Cow cheese

Fruit

My friend at work came across an article with GREAT suggestions for last minute breakfast & snack ideas. Check these out:

Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop Popcorn 100 Calories a bag

Hummus: Tribe All Natural Hummus Snackers 50 Calories per container

Nuts : Blue Diamond Almond Bag to Go 100 Calories

Dried Fruit

Thanks for reading and sharing Kristy!

Balancing Act

Okay let's take a look at a typical day now...

4:30 AM

Wake up (if I haven't already woken up with Kaci Lu--who is currently teething her molars)

4:30-5 AM
Work Out (I'm lucky if I get a 1/2 hour workout in which makes me sad)
5-6 AM
Shower & get ready for work
6-6:30 AM
Pick up the house a little and make sure meals are ready for family & me
6:30-7 AM
Commute
7-3PM
Work at the MOST fabulous job (other than being a mommy that is)
3-3:30 PM
Commute
3:30-8:30 PM
Play Play Play
Make dinner
Bath time & Bedtime
8:30-10:30PM
Hangout with Hubby & watch the Yankees game of the day :)
10:30 PM -4:30 AM
SLEEP!!!

Now I understand that people have WAY more difficult lives and I feel HONORED to have my life and have the opportunity to do the things I do. Let me make it VERY CLEAR I am NOT complaining. I LOVE my life. But WOWZA!

Finding time to workout (because let's face it sometimes I hit the snooze button unconsciously) is VERY difficult! Eating well is hard too. There is a cafeteria (I am a sucker for cafeteria food-weird right?) where I work and sometimes my 'cold lunch' doesn't always sound as good and the soup of the day or amazing magic bar that is calling out to me! Then for some reason when I get home I'm in MAJOR snack mode!

Needless to say I have a bit more adjusting to do. :) If you have any tips for me lay em on me!

PS I need some good ON-THE-GO breakfast ideas.

Healthy Relationships

I know A LOT of people who try to keep their dieting & work out a secret, like they are embarrassed that they are trying to lose weight. They think that if they keep it a secret that it will be easier and less emotional. WRONG! I read the following on JillianMichaels.com and I could not agree more!

"From now on, I want you to surround yourself with supportive family and friends. Take the time to share your goals and aspirations with them, as well as the details about how you're going to lose weight. Give the people who are closest to you the lowdown on the types of foods you're eating and your workout schedule. Tell them how you feel about your efforts and how important it is to you that they understand your changing needs and continue to support you in this new lifestyle.

Now think of people outside your immediate circle of family and friends. People you encounter every day — whether they have a personal relationship with you or not — can help you stay on track. Your doctor can help you maintain your health while you lose weight. Your co-workers can refrain from pushing unhealthy office food. Think of everyone you regularly encounter in a day, from the guy who sells you coffee to your pals online. They are — whether they know it or not — your co-conspirators in creating a healthy new life for yourself.

If you patiently and consistently communicate what others can do to support you, you will build a network of strength that you can lean on when you feel discouraged or in need of reassurance."

And it made me think just how true this really is! Support is a KEY to changing your lifestyle. This is true in everything! Say a smoker is trying to quit but all of his friends that smoke don't support them--so they smoke around them or even offer it to them. It's the same with changing our eating and work out habits. If your friends and family know how excited and determined you are to change they are just going to want to help in anyway possible (that is if they love you)!

Start today! Share your excitement about your new journey! Yeah it may annoy them at first but who knows you might inspire someone else!

Our Country is Sick and it's SAD!

Our country is growing more and more ill by the day. It makes me sad to look around and see how unhealthy we are making ourselves. Fast food (and I'm not just talking drive thrus) seems easier now but really it causes you problems in the long run and eventually takes it's toll. Not only are adults feeling these growing pains but our children are too. I read this article this morning regarding Type 2 Diabetes in children. It gives the statistic that 17% of pediatric patients are overweight! That is nearly a quarter of of our countries children! We need to do better than this! I know it seems hard to take on. Where do we start? We start with ourselves! Make a change in the way you eat be and example to those around you ESPECIALLY your children! I challenge you to learn something new about what you are eating today and share it with someone else!