I stand corrected

Our new winners for week are:

Amy and Brooke with 874 points. They each had 437 points for the week! You guys kick butt!! You'll have to share your secrets with us. Congratulations you two!

Drum Roll Pease

I'm going to announce the winner (with points) for this week. I am missing one persons points and that might change the winner for this week! So, for today our winners are......

Susan and Marisa! They had 843 points!!!
Celeste and Jodie had 832 points!!

Congratulations ladies! That's called committment. It helps to do all of the items each day. You might not get all of your points for good food but if you don't have minus points and most of your points come from exercising, you'll get a pretty high score. Missing just a prayer here or there and not reading scriptures adds up too. So, work hard to stay focused on all areas of your life. Make living better a priority and this will be a close competition!!!

If you are traveling at all, you can still snack. Just don't buy the bag of Cheetos! Munch almonds, popcorn, carrots, cheese sticks, granola. Have a Crystal Light drink. I know a few of you were traveling last week and that might have hurt your score some. No worries. Work hard this week to focus on your goal!! (You wrote your goal down, right? It's an extra 5 points if you have your goal put up around your house. So, get on it!!)

Kind of a cool thing. I've had more than half of you email me and tell me that you lost at least 3 pounds or more this week! You are so amazing! That makes me excited to see how many pounds total we'll lose for the whole 8 weeks. We should have a group goal for points scored and pounds/inches lost. If you have suggestions on a group goal, let me know. We'll post the goal on here next Monday. We'll set the standard and those that choose to do it another time will know what they need to do to get better!

Keep it up! Take it one day at a time and you'll be one healthy women!

Winner for week 1 (almost)

So, I'm waiting for a few more emails so I can let you know who are winners are for this week! We have so many of you that have lost at least 3 lbs this week! You need to share what you think it was that helped you lose the weight.
Check back tomorrow for the winners.

I also wanted to tell you that I'm reading the book Attitude is Everything and it has so many great quotes. You could copy all of them out of the book and put them all over the house! Your kids would benefit from that also. So, if you have some time for reading, this would be a great book to start with. I might have some extra copies if you'd like to borrow one. It wouldn't take long to read it.

I just love hearing from all of you about how dedicated you are! Keep up the hard work and know that you are amazing!!!

Stuffed Pork Chops

Prep 15 min Cook 20 min Serves 4
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 Tbsp golden raisins
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 (1/4 lb each) boneless center-cut pork chops
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1. To make the filling, mix the spinach, raisins, garlic, 1/2 tsp of the salt, and 1/4 tsp of the pepper in a medium bowl.

2. Insert a small knife into one side of each pork chop and cut until a pocket has opened. Fill each pocket with 1/2 cup of the filling. Secure the openings with toothpicks.

3. Sprinkle the chops evenly with the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat a large heavy skillet (preferrably cast-iron) over high heat until very hot, about 2 minutes. Add the chops and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chops to a large plate; cover loosely with foil and keep warm.

4. To make the sauce, add the broth to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon, until the mixture is reduced by one half, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar. Pour the sauce evenly over the pork. Enjoy!

Thanks Amy!

Fruit Smoothie

1 1/2 CUPS OF PINEAPPLE JUICE (OR ANY JUICE YOU LIKE)
1 CUP OF FAT FREE MILK
STRAWBERRIES
1 BANANNA
2 SPOONFULS OF LOWFAT VANILLA YOGURT
FILL THE BLENDER WITH ALL INGREDIENTS,
BLEND AND ENJOY

Thanks Brooke!

Yellow Bows of Texas

1 lb. lean ground turkey
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 cup each :Chopped onions, chopped green bell peppers, and diced carrots
1-1 1/2 cups no- salt added tomato sauce
1- 1 1/2 cups salsa
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 oz. uncooked whole wheat bow-tie pasta (about 7 cups dry)
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup shredded light cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Cook turkey and garlic in a large, deep, non-stick skillet or pot over medium-high heat until turkey in no longer pink. Add onions, green pepper, and carrots. Cook and stir for 4-5 min., until veggies have softened. Stir in tomato sauce, salsa, beans, cumin and oregano. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 min., stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to pkg. directions. Drain well. Divide pasta among 6 serving bowls. ladle mixture over pasta. Place a dollop of sour cream in the center, then sprinkle with cheese and green onions. Serve immediately.

per serving: 441 calories, 6.1 total grams of fat, 35 g. protein, 66 g. carbs, 10 g. fiber

Thanks Kim!

Banana Bread

I have to say, this was the yummiest banana bread I have ever had. I love my dad's banana bread but this was to die for! You have to try this. Good luck limiting yourself to just 1 slice! Thanks Celeste!

1/4 c butter, softened
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium)
1/3 c fat-free plain yogurt
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c whole wheat flour
3/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 c peanut butter chips
1/2 c semi-sweet choc chips, melted

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 min. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the bananas, yogurt and vanilla. Combine the flours, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; gradually beat into the butter mixture. Stir in peanut butter chips.
2. Remove 2 cup batter to a small bowl;stir in melted chocolate until well blended. Pour half of the remaining plain batter into a 9 x 5 in loaf pan coated with cooking spray; top with half of the chocolate batter. Repeat layers. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl.
3. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Nutrition facts: 1 slice equals 272 calories, 9 grams far, 45 mg cholesterol, 238 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein. Makes 12 slices.

Today's quote

I love the quote for today- "Success starts with a dream, a thought; but that's only the first step. Writing it down is the second step. Doing specific things to bring it about is the third step."

I have learned this from experience. It works wonders. If you don't write it down, it doesn't happen. You can do this for any part of your life. Anything you want to achieve or improve in, be serious about it. Don't just dream about it. Make it happen! God has given us a chance here on earth to learn and to grow. Why not use all of the options out there. The main one being to use your Heavenly Fathers' help.

If you have a favorite quote, leave it here. I'll get it posted. Let me know if you want to see anything else on here! I just want to be the most help I can during your next 7 weeks of Great in 8! I want all of us to succeed!!!!!

Chicken Kabobs

Cube chicken breasts and put in a bowl with pineapple chunks, cut up onions, zucchini, green and red peppers, mushrooms, etc. You can add whatever your family likes. Pour Yoshida sauce over it and marinade for a few hours. Put chicken and veggies on skewers and grill until cooked. Serve with rice. This is a family favorite, especially in the summer! Kids can customize their own with their favorite items!

Stay Strong

I hope that everyone has enjoyed their Spring Break! I thought that I'd share a few ideas with you. It seems like we all hit a slump around 3 pm. Just before it's time to make dinner. You know the feeling. You just can't wait to open your pantry and find that stash of snacks you have in there.

Well, DON'T DO IT!! Make sure you have a supply of ammo on hand to help keep you from breaking down and giving in to the habits that got you where you don't want to be! Here's a few suggestions from some of you of things you use for ammo:
Hard boiled eggs
yogurt w/granola
Apple or Celery with PB
String Cheese
Almonds
Fruit Smoothie
Air Popped Popcorn (no butter- try cinnamon)

If you have any other suggestions, let us know! Some people make sure they have a supply of gum to chew on. I know how boring it is to eat veggies during the day. I love my veggies on a salad. It's a little harder to snack on when you really want those Girl Scout cookies hiding in the pantry. (tip: Put the box of cookies in the freezer. You won't eat them as fast cause it takes so long to thaw. You can't microwave Samoas. They aren't the same!)

How is the strength training and exercise coming? Those are a majority of your points so stay committed! The other day we had a funny at our house. I didn't get my exercise in in the morning and so after lunch, the kids and I went out to jump on the tramp. We did a dozen bum wars with each other and man is that a workout! We got a little worn out but we decided to do one more bum war. As Austin jumped on one side of the tramp, one of our springs went shooting off the tramp! The kids thought we had to stop jumping. I told them that we'd jump until all the springs came off! So, we started the bum war again. Not two bounces later, another spring flew off! This time right by me. I decided that it was time to get off! That was pure motivation for me- no more cookies until the end of the 8 weeks! I'm not letting another spring on my tramp fly off while I jump!

Stay with it gals! Make sure your goals are written down and stay true to yourself! You deserve a healthy body!

Granola

8 cups Oats
1 ½ cups Honey
¾ cup almonds
1 cup Wheat Germ
1 tsp Salt
2/3 cup Vegetable Oil
2 cups Coconut
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tbls Cinnamon
any other nuts or sunflower seeds you'd like to add
dried fruit is good also

Mix and put in jelly roll pan at 250 for 30 min. You can cook it for longer if you like your granola crispy.
Serve like parfait with berries and yogurt

Chicken Fajitas

1/4 c lime juice
1 garlic clove minced or 1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp chili powder...I use a sprinkle
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
1 red, green or yellow pepper cut into strips

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, garlic, chili powderand cumin. Add chicken strips, stir and let marinate for 30 minutes. In a nonstick skillet, cook chicken for 10 minutesor until chicken is no longer pink. Add peppers, saute 5-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in salsa if you wish. Serve with whole wheat tortillas, salsa, shredded cheese and low fat sour cream.

Amy's Tip...I like to cook the chicken a little and then add the left over marinade. It gets all of the yummy browned bits off the pan and onto the chicken. Let that cook until it's cooked down and then add the peppers.

My kids don't eat the peppers, but they love the chicken.I serve it with pineapple and olives to munch on, and salad. You may want to add more than one pepper and another chicken breast if you have a bigger family.

Porcupine Meatballs

1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
3 Tbsp. finely diced onion
1/2 tsp. salt1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 tsp. marjoram
4 cups tomato juice
salt and pepper
6-8 hot baked potatoes

Mix the first six ingredients. Shape into small balls. Bring tomato juice to a boil in a medium saucepan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add meatballs. Simmer about one hour or until rice is tender. Serve over baked potatoes.
Cook: 1 hour Yield: 6-8 servings

*This recipe works well in a slow cooker.
*Tip: Use 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice in place of raw rice and reduce cooking time to 30 minutes.

Jot it down

I forgot to tell everyone about the website I use to journal. It's www.ldsjournal.com. I love it because I can add any pictures I want to it and additional thoughts at later dates (like footnotes). It might be fun to start a journal with this new lifestyle we are creating. (It will also save you money. You won't have to go out and buy a new journal!)

You are all amazing and I can't wait to hear how this week goes for all of you!

Calendar- Week 1

Week 1

The beginning of a new start!!
1 point for each calendar item you do
You can do these daily calendar items on any day that works for your schedule.

Monday - Write in your journal a few thoughts or goals you have for the next 8 weeks.

Tuesday - Find a fun, healthy recipe to share with the other teams. Email Marisa with the recipes (I WILL email everyone with the recipes so you can try them)

Wednesday - Call your teammate and encourage them. The 3rd day of any diet
is usually the hardest!

Thursday - Find a new book to start reading. It can be any type of book (a positive, self-help book might be helpful for the next 8 weeks to read).

Friday - Go for a walk or bike ride with your husband. It's getting nice outside. It will make for a great date! Inexpensive too!

Saturday - Make a menu for the next week (or month). Make it meals you'll want to eat but are healthy too.

Sunday - Email Marisa with a daily calendar idea.

Banana Pancakes

1 cup whole wheat flour( can use half white flour)
2t. baking powder
1T. sugar
1/4 t ground nutmeg
2/3 cup milk
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
1 T oil
1 egg, lightly beaten

Mix wet and dry ingredients seperately. Combine and stir. Add small amount of water if too thick. Pour about 1/4 cup onto pre heated griddle. Cook on both sides.

Three Bean Chicken Chili

1 medium zucchini chopped
1 15oz can of each of the following, drained and rinsed:
Dark Red Kidney beans
Black beans
Light Red Kidney beans
1 can corn (I use 1 cup of frozen corn because I don’t like canned corn)

16 oz jar of thick and chunky salsa
3 cups shredded chicken
2 tsp. chili powder
2 14 oz cans low sodium chicken broth
8 oz tomato sauce
1 garlic clove pressed
1 t cumin

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer30 minutes. You can top with chips, cheese, sour cream, etc. but it is great without. I usually make this and freeze half of it.

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Wheat Bread

Combine:
5 c. hot water
½ – 2/3 c. Sugar (or Honey)
1 Tbls Salt
2/3 c. Oil (I use applesauce)

then add:
5 Tbls Lecithin
5 c. flour

then add:
3Tbls. Yeast (I proof it first)
7-9 c. flour
5 Tbls. Gluten

Knead 6-7 minutes

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes
Yields 5 loaves (I make 4 big loaves)
Butter top of bread after done baking.

Yes, there are RuLeS

Feeling Great in Eight
A simple plan of healthy eating/healthy lifestyle resulting in possible weight

loss and probable gain of healthy habits for both body and spirit.

This is a team effort! Pick your own team mate.

Rules:
*Program runs for eight weeks – Beginning ______________and ending _________________.

*Track points daily on point tracking sheets. We will go from Monday morning to Sunday evening each week. Total your points at the end of each week and share your results with your team. You will also need to report your team points to ___________ each week and she will announce the winning team each week by email. The winning team will receive a pamper night given by other teams. A get together will also be planned, for all to attend, to celebrate how well we all did for 8 weeks.

*Good Food Points: 10 pts.– See included sheet. Your goal is to eat up to 10 good foods a day. Not more than 10!! (Use your judgment when it comes to casseroles). Add one point for each good food eaten. Hint: Tally on chart for each good food, but use F and V to help keep track of Fruits and Veggies. F&V are separate points than the good food points.

*Bad Food Points: -2 pts per bad food– See included sheet. Subtract 2 points for every bad food eaten. NO MAX! For healthy treats subtract only 1 point (low sugar cookies, healthy cupcakes, etc.). If you don't have any bad food points for the week, take a free day of your choice. No minus points for one day but don't go overboard on the bad foods!

*Exercise Points: 20-30 min. = 15 points, 31-60 min. = 20 points. 20 points MAX per day. Exercise is any activity that raises your heart rate (walking with the kids or through the mall does not count). Strength training: 5 pts/day (If while you exercise you do strength training, that would add an additional 5 points to your exercise points). No exercise points allowed on Sundays.

*Daily Calendar – Earn 1 point per day by following the daily calendar. This will be emailed to you each Saturday or Sunday for the upcoming week.

*Water Points – Earn 10 points daily for drinking water. 32 oz./day week 1, 40 oz./day week 2, 48 oz./day weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8.

*5+ Fruits & Vegetables – Earn 10 points (in addition to your 10 good food points) if you eat a combined total of 5 fruits and vegetables – count the V’s and F’s from the good food box. (You’ll lose more weight if one is an apple, doesn’t matter about the size. Also, of the five … let only one be an apple.)

*Eating after 9PM: -5 pts. Make your final snack be a fruit sometime before 9 PM. If you eat after 9 PM, take 5 points off your points for the day. Our bodies need to rest!

*Personal Prayer Points: 5 pts – There is a special relationship between your body and your spirit. Strengthen your spirit as you strengthen your body. 5 points per day for am/pm personal prayer. That’s 0 points if you miss one or the other. (Family/dinner prayer or Sacrament prayers not included … has to be personal!)

*Daily Scripture Study Points: 5pts. each day for personal scripture study.

*Total your points – Inform your team captain of your score by 10:00 a.m. Monday morning, if possible.

GOOD LUCK!!! Max pts. Possible per day = 66 pts.

A Great Start

This is my way of helping busy moms find a little motivation to help them get excited about getting themselves healthy and staying healthy! We all want to have good habits in our lives. We all love to eat and if we can do both with a bunch of friends, it's even better! If I help only a handful of ladies change the way they feel about themselves, this will all be worth it. I believe in you and wish you all the best in all that you do!