Lemon & Lime Ice Cubes

Instructions:

1. Make sure that there is a big, level space in your freezer for the muffin pan.
2. Thinly slice up lemons and limes.
3. Place two or three slices of lemon and/or lime in each section of the muffin tin.
4. Carefully fill the muffin pan with water. 
5. Freeze overnight. 
6. Pop out a few of the ice cubes and place in a large pitcher.  Add water or iced tea.

Notes:
You could also make these ice cubes with iced tea so that they don't dilute your beverage as they melt.

it works for me

doctor's orders

humor of the day

humor of the day by Maxine

good news

I LOST ANOTHER 5 POUNDS! WOO HOO!

my girl

In between doctors' appointments, stopped home for lunch. Chloe asked for some salad with cottage cheese instead of dressing. Guess my new healthy habits are paying off, I'm so proud of her.

tweet of the day

Jillian Michaels ‏@JillianMichaels

2m

The things you say are what you believe. What you believe, you do. #isaidit

humor of the day

yeah, no wonder

inspiration of the day

This may prevent snacking, lol...

SLEEP-OVER SATURDAY

Chloe came home a little bit ago. 

We're having a little sleep-over.

She made me a pretty picture.

Game time.

Time to get comfy.

Watching the new Hobbit movie while eating dinner. Love spending time with my girl. By the time this is over, she will be sleepy.

stressful cycle

tip of the day

quote of the day by Calvin & Hobbes

workout of the day

Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding

Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 5 + people

Ingredients:
2 cups chia seeds
1 package/punnet blueberries
1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
4 tbsp maple syrup
6 cups almond milk (hemp milk for nut alternative)

Action:
1. Put almond milk and 1/4 cup of blueberries in a high speed blender.
2. Blend until blueberries are mixed well with almond milk.
3. Add vanilla bean (or extract) and maple syrup and process again, just enough to mix ingredients.
4. Put chia seeds in a serving bowl.
5. Pour mixture from blender into bowl.
6. Add remaining blueberries and mix thoroughly.
7. Cover and let sit for at least an hour, the longer you wait, the softer the chia seeds!
*You could also eat this right away after preparing it, but the chia seeds will be a little crunchy.
8. Garnish with whole blueberries. 

so proud of me

Despite how stiff and painful my knees were this morning, I went for a 45 minute walk. Chloe comes home today from spending Spring Break with her dad, going to spend some time with her. Can't wait.

I guess I don't have an excuse...

quote of the day by Jillian Michaels

BLR Featured Recipe: Mixed Berry Smoothie

Chef Cameron, Executive Chef

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

·1 cup frozen strawberries or mixed berries (any berry will do)

·½ - 1cup of unsweetened almond or coconut milk

·1 Tbsp Chia seed or ground flax seed

·1-2scoops of whey or non-dairy (ex: pea or rice) protein powder

·Water and ice for desired thickness

Optional:

·1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

· Truvia or Stevia packet for sweetness (if desired)

·1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt (for a boost of protein)

·Mint and/or fresh berries (as garnish)

In a blender, add all ingredients together. Blend until all ingredients are mixed and smooth. Enjoy! 

http://www.biggestloserresort.com/blog/entry/blr-featured-recipe-mixed-berry-smoothie

Fish-ay Friday

Heart Healthy - Wild Caught, All Natural Salmon- Ocean Eclipse (cooked in a lightly sprayed skillet with little seasoning) over Green Giant - Valley Fresh Steamers Premium Sauce Cheesy Rice and Broccoli, and a litter of water. 260 calories

tip of the day

never thought of it this weigh (way)

Easter snack ideas for kids

humor of the day

verse of the day

motivation of the day

Turkey Thursday

Breakfast:

Scrambled egg whites, turkey, Roma tomato, baby spinach, fat-free cottage cheese, in a baked whole wheat tortilla bowl with a liter of water, 311 calories.

Lunch:

Spring mix, baby spinach, Roma tomato, turkey, Portabella mushroom, fat-free cottage cheese, sliced no salt almonds, and a liter of water, 237 calories

Still deciding on dinner, but I'm doing well so far. I got a half hour walk in.

humor of the day with Maxine

Black Beans & Rice with Chicken & Apples

Quad Cities' Bix 7

Every year on the last Saturday of July, there's a 7-mile marathon here in Davenport called the Bix 7. The Quick Bix is a 2-mile portion of it. Chloe usually runs in the Jr Bix the night before and wins a metal every time. I've been wanting to run every year, but I haven't been physically and mentally up to it. Finally decided to go for it this time. I'm going to aim for the 7-mile but will settle for the 2-mile. I'm going to get a map of the route used and just start walking it every chance I get. 

craving

I am so craving snacks right now. Good thing I don't have any snacks in the house, can't eat any. Drinking a big bottle of water o fill me up.

Crab Salad Melts

From EatingWell:  March/April 2009

4 servings

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 3 asparagus spears, or 12 snow peas, trimmed and thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
• 8 ounces crabmeat, any shells or cartilage removed
• 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 scallion, finely chopped
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise
• 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 2-5 dashes hot sauce
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 4 whole-wheat English muffins, split and toasted
• 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese

• PREPARATION

  1. Place rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat broiler.
  2. Place asparagus (or snow peas) in a medium microwave-safe bowl with 1 teaspoon water. Cover and microwave until tender, about 30 seconds. Add crab, celery, bell pepper, scallion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, Old Bay seasoning, hot sauce to taste and pepper; stir to combine.
  3. Place English muffin halves, cut-side up, on a large baking sheet. Spread a generous 1/4 cup of the crab salad on each muffin half and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted, 3 to 6 minutes.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 251 calories; 6 g fat ( 3 g sat , 1 g mono ); 52 mg cholesterol; 30 g carbohydrates; 22 g protein;5 g fiber; 629 mg sodium; 234 mg potassium.
  Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (33% daily value), Vitamin C (20% dv), Folate & Magnesium (15% dv).
  Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2
  Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 2 lean meat

8 is the lucky number

fun tasty family breakfast

quote of the day by Einstein

a reminder

morning motivation

@BiggestLoserNBC finale

Congratulations to all of the Biggest Loser contestants. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I hope to do as well.

workout of the day by @Dolvett

DO NOT GIVE UP

quote of the day