About Me

My photo
I am a former career girl and am now a stay-at-home-mom to 2 amazing little girls. Exercise and "dieting" have never been easy for me. But now more than ever, I am determined to adhere to a more active, healthy lifestyle. I am not dieting - just making smarter, more natural food choices. I want to set a great example for my girls. I starting running last year with the Couch-to-5K running program. I've lost over 35 pounds since last year and I want to lose 60 more. I completed my first race (a 5K) in October and I running a 10K by this summer. My long-term goal is ultimately to run a half-marathon in 2012. I've created this blog to put it all out there and most of all - to keep me honest. I include a tested recipe & inspiring workout song on each post. I am also hoping to inspire and be inspired by you! I would love for you to join me for this journey and become an official follower of this blog!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Man in the Mirror


When I was thinking of a title for this post I kept getting Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" in my head. But I only know a few of the words of the chorus, so the same words keep coming in my head. "Sscimon, sssimon make that change... Man in the mirror... You know it... you know"

Basically I am going to keep this post short and sweet with a few random things that I've thought of this week... and when I am saying "you" below... I am really meaning myself.

If you want to change, change. It's really that simple. You are in control. But it takes hard work. Anything worth it usually does.

Don't you want to be at least the co-author of your own life? I do.

I started Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred and I really really like it. She is very motivating to get you through each workout. The workouts are broken into 20 minute workouts. Anyone should be able to fit that in their day. So far so good - it's an older DVD of hers and it's super cheap at Amazon or Target... so check it out! 

Progress update: I am on my way to losing 18 pounds by the end of April. I've lost a few pounds this week (weighed myself this morning) but I also had a great dinner out with friends tonight. And I could have made better choices (I hope it didn't undo too much of what I accomplished this week). One area I really need to work on is the going out to dinner part. Once I have a cocktail, I am more liberal with my choices. But I am on my way to losing 18 pounds by the end of April. 

How do you control what you eat when you go out? 
(please leave comment below or on the facebook page)

Have a great President's weekend everyone!
This picture is with Israeli/Pearl couscous

SONG THAT KEPT ME RUNNING THIS WEEK: "Firework" Katy Perry (I know this is an obvious one, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE working out to it and love the words). This song is also one of my husband's guilty pleasure songs...... so anyone who knows him, feel free to tease him about it.
RANDOM TIP OF THE WEEK: When you want a quick, healthy, comforting meal - have a "baked" potato topped with fat free greek yogurt. Not only does the greek yogurt provide the creaminess that you would get out of sour cream (without the fat), it adds a bunch of protein making it a more filling, complete meal. The quickest way I've found to get the baked potato taste is to wash throughly - poke holes all over with fork. Micro for 5 minutes and then flip and micro for 5 more minutes for a medium to large size potato.
THIS WEEK'S RECIPE: Chicken with Couscous, Orange & Mint
This dish is super easy & fast. It is adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe. It is delicious! My husband honestly loves this and I've made it twice. It's refreshing to be able to have oranges & the mint in the winter months.

Chicken with Couscous, Orange & Mint
This time with small whole wheat couscous
1 cup couscous
  • 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken 
    • (remove skin & use breast meat)
  • 1/3 cup pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped
    • I found unsalted, unroasted ones @Trader Joe's)
    • To toast just cook on low in a dry non-stick pan & toss
  • 1 navel orange, peeled and coarsely chopped
    • I cute the rind off & actually end up using 2 oranges
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
  • coarse salt and ground pepper to taste
  • Directions:
  • In a medium bowl, pour 1 cup boiling water over couscous. Cover and let sit until tender, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. In another medium bowl, combine chicken, pistachios, orange, mint, oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Toss couscous with chicken mixture. Serves 4.
  • Sorry if this post is slightly scattered - it's late and if I didn't get it out tonight, I wouldn't have had a new post this week.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tip on that Katy Perry song. I hadn't heard it so just youtubed the vid and it totally made me tear up, happy tears! Hello PMS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yum!!! Hoping you make that for me one day.........

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so excited to have found your blog. It's always nice to connect with other women, mother's, stay-at-home mom's who share a desire for living a healthier lifestyle and setting the example for our children.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

    @Sandra - LOL. I know, I love the words.....
    @Patrice- I already did :).
    @Michelle- I am very excited you found it too and totally agree!

    ReplyDelete