Workout and Orange Chicken

Today I had the Soup for Lunch and 1 servings of pretzle chips. I cheated again and had 3 chocolate chip cookies.

 

I just got back from the gym and my training session with the trainor.

We did a full body work out.

3 minutes on the stairflex

lying lifts(laid on the bench with 20 lb weights in each hand, lifted 15 times up and down; like using a bar bell)

Lateral raises with 5-10lb weight 15 times

cardio for 60 second(over bench jumps,jogging in place)

repeat 2 more times

 

Then we did leg raises on a machine at 90lbs 15 times

Stairmaster at 11 for 2 minutes

Walking Lunges(8 on each side)

repeat 2 more times

 

squat raises, squat with a barbell(my weight was 10lbs) and on the way up you lift it up above your head

bear crawl down the room and back(I hate these)

squat raises

Rope flings(60 seconds)

squat raises

arc trainor 2 minutes

 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

PULL UPS! 4 sets of 10

 

For dinner I made Orange Chicken(HEALTHY)

 

Orange Chicken

(on the lighter side)

This was found in  Eating Well Living Thin. I LOVE CHINESE FOOD

This recipe has no sugar, it is lower in sodium, high in protein and not deep fried like most Orange Chicken recipes

The reviews are that good.

Orange Chicken Recipe

Marinade:1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame seed oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound chicken breast tenders, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup cornstarch

Sauce:
3/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
5 teaspoons Splenda granular
4 teaspoons sugar-free OR regular honey OR Agave
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Kosher salt

Sliced green onions
Sesame seeds

Marinade: In a medium bowl combine orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt. Add chicken tenders and stir to coat. Allow to marinate for 25-30 minutes.

Sauce: In a small saucepan combine orange juice, orange zest, chicken broth, Splenda, honey, soy sauce, oil, garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil; lower heat to a simmer and cook until liquid is reduced by 1/4. Season with salt to taste. Stir the 2 teaspoons cornstarch with a small amount of cold water and add to the sauce. Bring back to a boil and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until thickened. Set aside, but keep warm.

In a large bowl or ziplock bag add the 1/2 cup of cornstarch. Drain the chicken and toss with the cornstarch, shaking off excess. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium-high. Add chicken and cook until golden and meat is cooked through. Gently toss cooked chicken with the sauce and serve.

yesterday I finished off the day with 1 piece of Tilapia in Lemon juice, pepper, and old bay. 1/2 a chicken breast baked in the oven and lite cesar salad(bought from the local grocery store) cheated and had a cow tail and two cake balls at my girlsfriends holiday party.

 

Snacks-560 calories 84 carbs 24 fat 4 protein

 

Tilapia, 3.5 oz Calories

100 Carbs

0 Fat

3 Protein

20

 

Chicken Breast-no skin-Baked- Calories 284 carbs 0 fat 6 protein 64

 

Fress Express lite ceaser salad- 2 servings 460 calories 16 carbs 14 fat 4 protein

 

I did 20 minutes of Cardio burning 270 calories Lifted some weights and burned another 38 calories In 35 minutes I burned 308 calories   Now you need to burn 3500 calories to lose 1 lb....baby steps :)   Today I skipped breakfast(only because I was not hungry for some reason) I did eat for lunch Cambells Chunky Kickin' buffalo style chicken and a bottle of water 65 Calories 8 carbs 3 fat 3 protein

D.I.Y Christmas Stocking

From one of my many moms, I learned how to make Christmas Stockings.

I kept it extremley simple, although you can spruce it up, but with my limited time and little experience sewing....I think I did a good job :)

I did youtube as well on different ways to attack this DIY project, and also got some advice from my grandmother.

You will need:

Fabric

Cozy Fabric

 1/2 a yard will make 2 stockings, depeding on how big you want them.

Stencil or Stocking: I used a stocking from last year as my stencil, or you can make your own stencil

Pins to keep stencil and fabric in place

Iron

Sewing machine

STEP by STEP:

 

1. Pick out a fabric that you like

This was on sale at Joann Fabrics $2.96!

^^You want to fold the fabric so the pretty side is folded in like this ^^

Iron your fabric.

Take your "stencil" or Stocking you want to work off of and place it on your fabric.

 Pin your stencil or stocking to the fabric so it does not move around.

Cut around your stocking or stencil, cut about a 1/2  to an inch bigger to give you room for error.

 This is the fabric cut out from the stencil

This is the cozy I choose for this fabric, black and its alittle stiff and flimsy at the same time

Iron the Cozy as you did the Fabric

Fold the cozy in half as your did the fabric

Place the stencil or stocking on the cozy and cut as you did the fabric

This should be what your Cozy looks like.

This will act as the "liner" for your stocking

Place one piece of fabric pretty side down on the iron board

Place one of the liners on top and try to align with the fabric

Liner placed on fabric and aligned

To keep the top looking straight, fold down about 1/4-1/2 an inch and iron so it stays folded

Use your sewing maching to sew the fabric down

Leaving the top of the stocking to look aligned and clean

The inside of half the stocking

If you dont fix the top some how, sewing like I did or another type of

 cleaning it up it will look like this

Do the same to the other stocking

Take the stocking and place them together pretty side in again

Align up as evenely as possible

See how pretty side is together and liner is on top and bottom

Start sewing your stocking

Be sure to keep an eye on your liner on both sides so you dont have openings

in your stocking when your done

This is what it should look like after sewing the sides together and NOT the top

Cut your extra fabric from your stocking

Flip the stocking the right way and

HERE IS YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT

 

You can embroder the stocking with names, initials, add patches, do what you wish.

This is just a easy A.B.C DIY stocking

 

I hope it is as easy for you as it was for me.

ENJOY!

 

Fitness Challange 1

Now my trainor told me to not count calories if your looking for something as dramatic as I am. You need to pay attention to Carbs, Protein, and Fat. You would little to no carb, High protein and little to no fat.

 

Sounds hard I know, but as soon as you get the hang of it you'll just know.

 

Half of Day 1

 

 

3 pieces of Bacon-109 calories 0 Carbs 9 grams fat 6 grams protein

1.5 cans of Bumble Bee Tuna Fish-287 calories 0 carbs 2 gram fat 63 grams protein

In my Tuna Fish-Cracked pepper Kraft Mayo with Olive Oil-1 serving-215 calories 2 calories 4 carb 0 protein

Old Bay-025 tsp- 0 calories 0 carbs 0 fat 0 protein

Pretzle Crips-1 serving is 11 pretzles-110 calories 23 carbs 0 fat 3 grams protein

 

Right now I am at:

552 Calories

25 Carbs

15 Fat

72 Protein

 

How am I keeping track of all this? A new website I found SparkPeople.com

 

Now it does take some time out of your day and planning, but remember, this is what it entails to help lose weight and feel better about yourself, CONCENTRATING AND TAKING TIME OUR OF YOUR DAY FOR YOURSELF!

 

 



Little dash of Exercise

I have been trying to lose weight and get back to feeling comfortable in my own body, so instead of writing it down in my notebook I am going to start blogging it so that way $H!T gets done!!
I watch a little boy two days a week so getting to my morning classes those two days, that I love, is a little hard because he cant stay in the daycare, so I need to find stuff to do here while I have have and try to eat right. Walking with him and my youngest outside, its too cold, I dont like the cold, so we will do it all inside!

Burn 100 Calories NOW

Mark in place one minute

Jog in place for one minute

Jumping jacks for one miute

Long jumps for one minute-long leap back and forth

Jog lightly for one minute

Jumping jacks for one minute

Squat and kick, alternate legs for one minute

Jog lightly for one minute

Long jumps for one minute

Now shake it out



If you look hard enough you can find exercises that will fit your life schedule:
For the days where I am rushed at the gym, either I have to pick up the kids or its the day where I dont feel like being their I am starting this work out:

LaZy gYm DaY

20 MINUTES OF CARDIO

     *RUNNING ON THE ELLIPTICAL

     *RIDING THE BIKE AT LITTLE RESISTANCE

     *STAIRMASTER

(this is what I will do because I really need to work on my cardio, and when I had the trainor, I saw more results while doing this)

20 SQUATS

stand with hands by your side, sit back while raising your hands in front of you for balance intill thighs are parallel with floor

20 LUNGES

Stand with your hands on your hips, step forward with your right leg until your thigh is parallel to the floor, do same with other leg

25 DEAD LIFTS

Stand with your arms hanging in front of your body with a three to five pound weight in each hand. Bend forward form your waist intill your knuckles touch the floor. Resume your starting position

40 CRUNCHES

40 REVERSE CRUNCHES

Lay on stomach and lift opposite arm and leg up, using your abs

 

Then if I feel better and want to stay I will just do more cardio

 

HERE IS TO DAY ONE!

I WILL BE TRYING TO HIT THE GYM AT 4 P.M. TODAY BECAUSE THE LITTLE BOY I WATCH WILL BE PICKED UP EARLY

 

WEDDING BELLS DIY Part 2

September 22 I married the love of my life and I tried to keep as much DIY in there as possible. I think that is why I was so stressed.

 

For my seating arrangments I used a wax candle apple. Bought a BOAT LOAD off of Ebay. Then one of my bridesmaids mom has a cricket so we cut out leaves, bought the see through paper(having a brain lock) and typed the names on the paper, let it dry and cut those out to fit the leaves.

Our final product:

I bought these long pins from walmart, 2.00 for 100 of them(they are long so I took my husbands wire cutter and cut off the bottom so their was about 1 1/2 inches on the pin, it was so much easier to get into the apple)

These are wax candle apples and my family has sent me pictures of them lighting them and using them.

 

Instead of unity sand or a unity candle(only because with two kids, its more clutter to put some where) I saw this idea on Pinterest.

Write love letters to each other, you can write it ahead of time or that day. Purchase a box or have one made, purchase a bottle of wine.

When the part comes for the candle or sand, the preacher annouced to the congregation that we had wrote letters to each other and they were to be placed in the box with the wine, and during our first fight we were to take out the letters to each other, have a glass of wine, sit in different rooms and read the letters.
WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO OUR FIRST BIG FIGHT, but we decided that if and when we do, we will re-write letters, purchase another bottle of wine and do this all over again.

I guess one of our way we will attempt to stay happy, little reminders like that when we are angry at each other.

This is the final prodcut:

 

I did have a memory table, but on my bouquet I had a locket that I had purchased with my M.O.H. In that locket I put a picture of grandfather who had passed 4 years ago. He held a special place in my heart and still does to this day. My father told me after everything that he had also done the same and had his pocket watch. Its the little things that mean the most.

 

 

I also was hooked on one song. MARRY ME by TRAIN

This was the song my BMS walked down too and I wanted to walk down as well, since my guest would not understand to stand up, I had our daughters and my cousin carry a sign down, I bought the sign off of EBAY but painted the thank you on the back while the vendor painted the front.

 

Then I made my own PROGRAMS

Went to Micheals, purchased the paper, and typed it up, and printed it out on my own.

 

I also made my own wedding invitations, and Save the Dates. Pictures to follow.....

WEDDING BELLS with FLOWERS Part 1

September 22 I finally tied the Knot to the love of my life and the father of my children. It was a difficult journey hence I enjoy DIY things oppose to buying what is in the store that everyone else would be using.

We were gifted with great friends and family who supported us and attended our wedding and we could not have asked for a better night!

 

My aunt is a florist in North Carolina, so if any of you that look at my blog live in Wilmington let me know and shoot over to Island  Florals by Roxanne, she does inspirational work and will not let you down!  

A preview of my wedding flower selection from Island Florals by Roxanne:

 

One of our centerpieces for the tables. These were also my girls flowers to carry down the isle. We used fish bowles and the guests go to to take home the center piece as well

                                                            Our sweetheart table decor

The other table setting, also in a fishbowl

 

This is my brooch bouquet. I did not want it to be so heavy I could barely carry it, so we put all my brooches on it and added ORCHIDS to fill the empty spots. It was a huge hit and everyone loved it.

 





Part of the arch we got married under, which was transfered to the sweetheart table as our decore, now what I dont have a picture of is the green pom pom balls he made that were attached to a shepards hook down the aisle.

 

My wedding party.

A better view of our table with the pom balls on the side

 

Stuffed Phillycheese steak Peppers

I have been attempting new recipies via Pinterest and so far so good. My recent attempt was Stuffed Philly cheesesteak peppers and BOY THEY WERE GOOD!

What you need is:
Roastbeef from the deli(I used Giant brand because it was cheaper)
Provolone Cheese
Green peppers
minced garlic
Olive Oil
Mushrooms and Onions (if you prefer)

Heat the oven to 375

Cut peppers and cut out the middle

In frying pan use 1/2 teaspoon oil and  minced garlic(1/2 teaspoons), mushrooms and onions intill glazed. Then add Roastbeef(tear in slivers), cook for 5 minutes

Take provolone cheese and put one slice in bottom of pepper
When roastbeef mixture is done, fill mixture into pepper and place another piece of cheese ontop. Do this with as many peppers as you it will fill.

Place in Oven for 5 mintues or untill cheese is melted on top.

This is what your pepper should come out looking like.

 

ENJOY!!!

Lost Socks

I dont know about you but we have more missing socks then matching socks! Cant wait to make this idea for our laundry room!

DIY Ideas

My next project. Kids are who this would be directed towards but also for gatherings. This is Chalk Board Paint. Painted on to glasses and even Paper Cups for people to use. GENIUS IDEA!

Save the Date

Had a few ideas for our Save the Date, but I fell in Love with one of them

So, I made my own version of this card. My Step-mom and Bestfriend took a few pictures of Josh and I, I went online to Snapfish.com, ordere 150 pictures for....$14.00!!! Bought 4 packs of Vellum from Michaels for 12.00 and Ribbon for a few bucks. A few bottles of wine, my bridesmaids and step-mom for 4 hours, ALL my save the dates were complete...Here is the finished product!

Wedding Idea

I wanted mason jars or something of that sort to hang outside for the guest since we are having more of a night wedding. My mom found these candles that were in these jars, she has burned 5 of them and showed me an example of what she thought would be a good idea....so far I LOVE IT...
We can not have candles so we have the plastic light up ones, (Whatever gets the job done)

Gifts from thought

This was the orginial picture we found online^^

This is our copy of the picture the kids colored vv

Remember the trophy idea I found vv

Here is my version of it for Josh vv Im sure it will look alot better once hung up in the house. I spray painted the trophys silver hammered, and the board is from home depot, and I spray painted that black.

A Teacher Gift

Old crayons, old picture frame (w/o the glass) makes a pretty awesome gift for a teacher