Guac Devils

What a neat idea!  Guacamole Devils !


Guacamole Devils
     makes 1 dozen eggs
Courtesy of: Andrea Graf Nolte

Hard boil eggs as you normally do. Peel and slice the egg, remove yolk. Add guacamole to center and chill for at least an hour.
Guacamole-
3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
Juice of one lime
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne
1/2 medium red onion, diced
2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 tbsp. chopped cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced

In a large bowl, toss the avocado halves with the lime juice, coating completely. Using a potato masher or fork, add the salt, cumin, cayenne and mash. Then, gently fold in the onions, tomatoes, cilantro and garlic.

Does Soda = Suicide ?

Some things to ponder about soda... 
but first, watch this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpoAtwVyzZI

So, go grab a glass of water, it does a body good!

As always...

Be a Champion,

Debra

P.S.   I am taking a break from the new foods challenge due to various issues of medical problems and stress, will pick it back up soon (I hope).

Closer to My Dream...

Today I took another step closer towards my dream. I signed up for a Personal Trainer Certification School that is located in 4 cities here in Texas. The next 16 Saturdays for me are spoken for as I will be in class. 

Any local San Antonio peeps wanna join me? 

Here is the link: 

www.pftaschools.com/ 

As always, make champion choices,
Debra

Confessions of a Freaky Eater

I am a freaky eater.   SOME call it a picky eater, some call it a resistance eater ... a doctor once told me it is an aversion to texture, taste and smell ... and that I have a supertaster gene.   Whatever you call it - the bottom line is my eating habits leave a LOT to be desired.   Granted, I have improved, but slowly ... and I need to stop hopping on and off this crazy wagon and drive the stupid wagon once and for all.

The list of what I CAN eat is far shorter than the list of what I CANNOT eat.  I also tend to eat the same things over and over again.   Gotta branch out and add more diversity and variety.  I'm dragging my kids along with me.  I'm giving them a penny for every new food they try, and a penny for each day they eat at least 5 servings of fruits/veggies.

Here is a link to a blog I had going where I was trying a new food every single day.  This was seriously stressful for me ... like anxiety to the max ... you have no idea.

This is the blog:  http://300tries.blogspot.com/   and more on my disorder is written here:  http://www.healthyhabitgal.com/My_Disorder.html

But anyway - I was aiming for 300 new foods - - and I somewhat failed.  I think I got to 226.  I was thinking about this today because tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, and that was when I started the new foods challenge last year.  It made me sad that I didn't finish the challenge.  Frustrated with myself.  I've also gained weight lately, and realize I am sliding down a slippery slope and heading in the wrong direction.  I've been lazier with exercise and not tracking my food at all, and not trying anything new.

No worries - picking myself up ... dusting off ... and starting again.  I do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, and so I need to find ways to get them into this body, one way or another - - via smoothies or juicing or whatever.  I bought a great new juicer I have yet to try out.  Heck, it is still in the box.

I also have been lax in the water drinking.  I had completely given up diet coke for months, and it crept back into my life.  UGH - I hate that.  SO, no more.  Bye Bye Diet Coke ... and now that I know it's like crack, I will treat it as alcohol and pretend I'm an alcoholic and just seriously never touch the stuff again, not even once, so that I can't ever go back.

So follow along with me as I put myself through the ringer.

26 Years Ago

So, I'm not entirely sure why this dawned on me this morning, but 26 years ago today I walked a 26K marathon and then turned around and went to my prom that night.  I was 16 years old.

Granted, many people told me I was nuts to walk that marathon and do my prom the same night.  Of course I was stubborn and did it anyway.  The marathon was a tradition for me and my best friend, so I was determined to see it through.   The one problem I did not anticipate was that my feet would be swollen from the walking.  For the prom, I had these amazing shoes that I just HAD to have to go with the dress, and with the swollen feet, it was a nightmare.  They barely fit.  I hardly danced at all at my own prom and I think I was home by 11, on the very night I had permission to be out later.  I was SO tired.

Why do we do things like that?  I know I was a teenager, but we get something in our head that it just HAS to happen ... and we go for it.  I don't regret it, truly I don't.  I just wish I could have that kind of resolve in my present day.  I need to pick a marathon or a walk or something, pay the registration fee, and the commit to it.  I am sad to confess I have not done any kind of marathon or walk for charity like that since the very day I'm referring to above.

And once I find the race or walk that I am going to do ... I will not likely dance in heels that same evening.


Be a Champion!
Debra

A Juicy Post

So, I am excited like a kid at Christmas.  I ordered a juice extractor for fruits/vegetables online (Wal-mart) ... and it came in the mail today.  Don't laugh at me, I can't afford the Vitamix and Jack Lalane, etc. ... so I am starting simple, just to fall in love with juicing, and I'll upgrade later.

I know absolutely nothing about juicing.  Any juice that has ever entered this body has been from Jamba Juice (tee hee), or fresh from the fruit itself, or like apple juice from a bottle at the supermarket (rarely).  I have been reading so many recipes, and following people on FB who juice, and I am excited to give some of these things a try.  Just for variety purposes, and to maybe get some veggies into me that otherwise may never enter my tummy.

I am going to have fun with the kids too - - they love to help and make up smoothie creations, so I am eager to see what juice brainstorms they will concoct.

So for less than $40, I got a new toy.  I know there are far better ones out there, but this will do for now ... wish me luck - - and send me your juicing recipes!


Be a Champion!
Debra

Get OUT of the Way

Do you ever suffer from analysis paralysis?  Or maybe you spend so much time 'researching' your meal plans, and the best physical exercise, and the ideal macro nutrient ratios - - that this is pretty much all you're doing - - researching!  Magazines are great - - unless they hinder you with information overload.

Get out of your own way.

We are all living and breathing people, if not, you're not reading this now are you?  Get out of your own way and stop paralyzing yourself with the right day, perfect mood, exact timing or holiday.  Stop waiting until the kids are out of school or your pantry no longer has junk food.   Stop waiting until you have more money to eat healthy - trust me, I run a household of 7, and you can eat healthy on a budget if you want to.  Wanting to is the problem.  Ya gotta want it.  Stop thinking about it and dreaming about it and planning it - - and jump in head first.  You will mess up, you will fall and you will fail.  No biggie.  Get up again.

If you're breathing  - it is not too late.

Get out of your own way.

Okay - lecture over - go back to your regularly scheduled day.

"Be a champion" ... 
Debra

Labels Are Your Friend

So I am in Target tonight, killing a little time while waiting for a teenager to find some medicine she wanted.  I'm in the water aisle.  I noticed the Crystal Light now has something called 'Pure'.  Notice the label says 'Natural', but then look at the photo of the ingredients.   Doesn't sound too natural to me.  ALSO notice the serving size is only HALF a packet, so that doubles the sodium in it.  Not entirely sure what all of these ingredients are that are listed - but honestly - I think I'll just drink regular ole water, thank you.  I can't believe I use to drink Crystal Light all the time.

Notice the label also has the word 'fitness' on it ... as if that means it is good for or something.   Please read your labels folks ... you might be surprised at what you find.

Tomorrow is my anniversary

So, tomorrow I get to celebrate 19 years of marriage.  Yes, I still like him.  OF course I love him - but it helps that I still like him and enjoy him quite much.  I love our family.

Right now, we are in the very beginning stages of exploring Catholicism.  Yes, we have been protestants our whole lives and have been raising our children in the Church of Christ arena ... and now we are attending Mass every Sunday.  We really like a parish close to our home called St. Anthony Mary of Claret.

So  - sexy hubby has a great idea.  He wants us to get married (renew our vows) in the Catholic Church on our 20th wedding anniversary.  So - - on April 9, 2013 (which is a Tuesday I think) ... we will have a Catholic Church wedding.  Our original wedding was very simple.  I wore a pink dress, he wore a suit - no attendants.  It was lovely, but small and quickly planned.  I think we planned the whole thing in less than two weeks.  SO for this wedding, I want to wear a beautiful white gown, since I never did.   Neither one of us have ever been married to anyone else .. and the idea of renewing our vows and having a beautiful Catholic Church wedding - - it makes me smile.

But it also makes me realize that I want to get into the best shape of my life.  What better motivation do I have, besides longevity of course.   I have come a long way in my healthy habits and wellness adventures, but I seem to be stuck in a rut, and I can do better.  I've been sort of 'winging it', as I hate to plan.  Time to change that.  I have exactly one year to shrink my rear and wear the dress of my dreams.

Don't worry - I'm not doing anything drastic or crazy.  I don't believe in pills or fad diets.  I honestly believe that CLEAN eating is the only way to achieve true total wellness and get my weight moving in the right direction again.   I'm already smaller than I was on my original wedding day ... but I can do better.  Is it crazy that I want to be rockin' HOT and sizzlin' sexy in a gorgeous gown?   Hey, I'm a girl - I'm allowed.

Wish me luck.   Here is my original wedding photo.

Wedding Plans

So, tomorrow I get to celebrate 19 years of marriage. Yes, I still like him. OF course I love him - but it helps that I still like him and enjoy him quite much. I love our family. 

Right now, we are in the very beginning stages of exploring Catholicism. Yes, we have been protestants our whole lives and have been raising our children in the Church of Christ arena ... and now we are attending Mass every Sunday. We really like a parish close to our home called St. Anthony Mary of Claret. 

So - sexy hubby has a great idea. He wants us to get married (renew our vows) in the Catholic Church on our 20th wedding anniversary. So - - on April 9, 2013 (which is a Tuesday I think) ... we will have a Catholic Church wedding. Our original wedding was very simple. I wore a pink dress, he wore a suit - no attendants. It was lovely, but small and quickly planned. I think we planned the whole thing in less than two weeks. SO for this wedding, I want to wear a beautiful white gown, since I never did. Neither one of us have ever been married to anyone else .. and the idea of renewing our vows and having a beautiful Catholic Church wedding - - it makes me smile. 

But it also makes me realize that I want to get into the best shape of my life. What better motivation do I have, besides longevity of course. I have come a long way in my healthy habits and wellness adventures, but I seem to be stuck in a rut, and I can do better. I've been sort of 'winging it', as I hate to plan. Time to change that. I have exactly one year to shrink my rear and wear the dress of my dreams. 

Don't worry - I'm not doing anything drastic or crazy. I don't believe in pills or fad diets. I honestly believe that CLEAN eating is the only way to achieve true total wellness and get my weight moving in the right direction again. I'm already smaller than I was on my original wedding day ... but I can do better. Is it crazy that I want to be rockin' HOT and sizzlin' sexy in a gorgeous gown? Hey, I'm a girl - I'm allowed. 

Wish me luck. Here is my original wedding photo. 

 

As always, make champion choices,
Debra