Sasha White

Laurie has a gret post up on her blog where she’s intorducing her Think Thin Thursdays.
It’s a wonderful post on some basic guidelines that we all need to remember on this journey. Thanks, Laurie!

As for Slim Camp, check out this tidbit that Amie emailed me afetr my posting about PMS.

Here’s a side effect of poor snacking choices you may not be aware of — increased PMS, or premenstrual syndrome.

It’s true! Foods high in sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol aren’t just filled with empty calories, they can also increase the likelihood of mood swings, fatigue, bloating, and other menstrual misery in the days leading up to your period, says endocrinologist Susan Thys-Jacobs.
So instead of giving in to those cravings for chocolate and ice cream, reach for a healthier choice instead, like fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains during snack time. Drinking eight glasses of water a day and taking a multivitamin can help, too.

Hmph!

As for me and my “must do” mindset this week…well, Mondya and Tuesday were good. Wednesday I had to really force myself to make it tothe gym. But I did. I only worked out for 30 mins, but it was btter than nothing.

I also made myself a new sort of stirfry that turned out great.

See, one of the staples to my own eating plan is that for dinner I eat either A) a Salad or B)a Stir Fry. Those are my two choices because they are easy and healthy. I always have either beef, chicken or the odd time, shrimp, with them too. Anyway. I was tired of the Brocollie, Cauliflower, tomato and carrot stif fry, so I tried one with Bok Choy.

It’s the first time I’ve cooked woth Bok Choy, and I impressed myself.

Recipe:
Chicken Breast (diced,and cooked )

2 Large stalks of Bok Choy (Chopped)
3 or 4 radishes (sliced)
4 or 5 mushrooms (quartered)

Heat Wok to HIGH. When oil is hot…Toss all ingredients into Wok, (including already cooked chicken) sprinkle some Garlic Salt and toss a few times until Leafy Bok Choy is limp.

Pu in bowl or on plate. Then chop a green onion and sprinkle on top. I also sprinkled a bit of Soy sauce. :) Not lot though, cuz soy sauce is very high in Sodium, not so good for us.

It was nice, and all in all took less then ten minutes. (Except for chicken..lol bt I cook threee or four breasts on Monday, and use all week)

How are y’all doing? Drinking any Pepsi? Eating any cookies? Working out?

Keeping up with your goals?

Snaking is a very hard habit to break. So why break it?

Seriously. In order to speed up your metabolism and keep it revving you need to eat on regular basis. It’s proven that many small meals, or three big meals and a couple of snaks, a day work best to improve weight loss efforts.

So with that in mind, I say let’s snak! But we do want to snak smart. So here are some things to try.

200 Snacks Under 100 Calories Has exactly what it says it does. Personally, my self control isn’t good enough to eat only half a muffin, or 10 potato chips.

The good news…so many products these days come in 100 calories snack size that when I’m done they’re all gone. LOL I highly recommend the 100 cal Cadbury Thin Chocolate bars, the toffee one is absolutely delicious. And the Cadbury site has the Nutritional info here if you want to check them out.

Cathryn Fox says try this as a snak:

Sometimes in between meals I get a little bit hungry, or at other times, I eat because I just simply feel like eating! So I found this great recipe which comes from a bodybuilder’s website.

I call it the muffin cookie, because it has the texture of a muffin, but is the size of a cookie. The slow burning old fashion oats help hold me over until my next meal.

It’s nutritious and delicious, and so darn easy to make.
I make them (I usually double the batch) and freeze them and when I get the hankering for something I take two out of the freezer and just much!!

Ingredients
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
3 egg whites
1tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups old fashion oats.
1 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce.

My hubby throws raisins in half the batch, but I believe a raisin has NO place in a cookie. LOL

Blend all ingredients together and you can add more applesauce if mixture is too dry. Heat 350 degrees. Drop by rounded tablespoon to PAM greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes until brown.

I’m a peanut butter nut, so I made some adjustments to my favorite cookie recipe. (The recipe on the back of the KRAFT peanut butter jars)

The recipe calls for:
1 cup smooth Kraft Peanut butter
1/2 cup of sugar
1 egg

Mix Together well, then back for 10-15 minutes at 325.

Now to tweak, I use 1/4 cup of sugar (I tried to use SPLENDA once, and the cookies tasted fine, but the texture was too crumbly for me)
I also used 2 Egg Whites, instead of 1 Egg (I buy the cartons of Simply Egg White for my eggs, and used 2.5 tablespoons)

The trick with the cookies is to make sure you don’t over bake them. Because you’re using less sugar the texture is a bit different. I under-bake them slightly (10-12 minutes) so they remain chewy.

Amie sent me this great recipe…It gets the Slim Camp stamp of approval.

Cranberry Flax Muffins

You need:
1 ½ cups bran flakes cereal (I’ve also used raisin bran)
¾ cup all purpose flour
¾ cup wheat flour (I use the wheat/white premixed. You can find it in the bakery aisle)
½ cup ground flaxseed (golden)
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt

Mix all of this together and set aside.
1 egg
2 egg whites (you could probably do those egg beaters also)
1 cup 1% buttermilk (I do soy milk. I haven’t tried almond milk but it would probably work too)
½ cup honey (I use agave nectar—it has a lower glycemic number and tastes just the same)
¼ cup canola oil (I use unsweetened apple sauce—1/2 cup. It does make them moist and you have to cook a little longer)
1 ½ cups dried cranberries
2 tbsp whole flax seeds

Whisk the wet ingredients together.
Stir in the dried ingredients until just moistened.
Stir in cranberries

Coat muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray or use paper liners. Fill 2/3 full. Sprinkle with whole flax seeds. Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes (with the apple sauce I have to do 20-25 so watch your oven).

1 muffin equals 183 calories, 5 grams fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 174 mg sodium, 32 g carbs, 32 grams fiber, 4 grams protein. Dietary exchange: 2 starch, 1 fat. Not sure how this works out with the small modifications I made.

Slim Camp

Women have it rough. Not only is it natural for us to have more body fat than men, and it’s naturally harder for us to lose wieght. But we have to deal with hormanes and PMS cravings.

Although I must say, at least now I recognize that it’s not just me falling off the wagon, but an actual hard on for carbs that’s hormonal.
I remember reading a while ago about herbs or teas or foods that helped curb them…but I can’t remember where. Anyone here have any tips on how to curb the PMS cravings?

Personally, I’m holding my own, but not making much progress this week. Which is okay, my goal for this past week, and this upcoming week are to continue to just hold my own. It’s deadline crunch, and all I want is to meet my deadline, and not gain any pounds.

ADDED
GO HERE and check out the joke Vanessa Jaye posted.

Tricks and Tips.

How’s everyone doing?

I was doing great until yesterday. yep. Yesterday and today I’ve been bad. But I’ve been super stressed. Feb 1st deadline for one publisher, March 1st for two proposals, and I thought I’d have a home for another story in April, but it seems business stuff is not working in my favor.

Anyway, stress has made me stop being so careful..and Part of me is mad at myself, and part of me doesn’t care because I have other things to worry about. BUT, I lost 2 pounds last week!! ( I weigh in on Sundays at the gym…so it’s consistent) and I’ve found a few thing’s y’all might like to use.

First up, check my blog sidebar. See the SLIM CAMP button? And next to it is a small meter thingy. Okay, it’s a word meter for tracking how many words toward your goal for writing is…but I’ve substituted pounds for words. :) Just click HERE and it will take you right to the page where you can get you’re own! (I have no idea why my meter is int he middle. It wasn’t when I put it up the first time. It should sort of of be at the start…you know, like a thermometer. LOL

Another thing… Counting Calories. It’s important. I’m workinngon paying more attention, but I’m not as strict as I should be.

Check This one out I’ve not used it, but it’s a free one.

Myself, I like to use an actual paper book. LOl Can;t help it. it’s the only thign that works form e.
However, I do not like to count calories on my own..so I use this one, simply for the math.

And thanks to an email from Amie, here’s a link to 5 Foods to Try, and 5 to avoid.

Hope these links help you stay focussed. And hopefully I’ll see more Goal meters posted around, with slow and steady results.

It’s a new year, and so many people have resolutions to be healthier. I know it’s one of mine..the sad thing is, it’s been one of my resolutions every year for the past many years. So what’s different this year? Well, I’m not ready to share that with you all yet, but I do know it’s time to get my ass out of my office chair and into the gym. Every day.

Yep, I’ve tried desperately to not have to go to the gym every day, but it’s become clear to me that is what’s needed, among other things.

I’m going to keep Slim Camp up, however, I need help from any of you interested in it. Any stories, recipes and such you want to share, please email them to me. If you have any ideas on how to make this a more interactive thing, I’d love to hear them.

Let’s try this together.

This is just a little thing I wrote a long long time ago…but I was remineded of it when I worked out yesterday. Some of you might have read it before, as it’s in SECRET THOUGHTS: EROTIQUE, as well as has been a free read on my site before…but as I am trying to help motivate many with my Slim Camp health journey, I thought I’d post it today for everyone. See what happens when you go to the gym…inspiration can strike!

THE GYM

I’d been watching him for a while.
He is the motivation that keeps me going back to the gym.
Exercising isn’t something I enjoy, but when I can watch him in the mirror as I run on the treadmill, it’s not only the sweat that dampens my body. The sight of his sleek muscles straining as he adds more weight to the barbells and lays back on the bench to do more presses gives me ideas on other ways we could work out together - on that very same bench.
I fantasize that we’re the only people in the gym, and I use his safety straps to restrain his hands on the barbell above him. Then I stand next to the bench, strip off my sweaty workout clothes and reveal myself to him. The tent in his shorts caused by his straining erection encourages me to take total control of his body.
Walking to the end of the bench, I lean over his body, just close enough to brush the hard tips of my breasts against his bare stomach. I let me head fall so that my long hair falls on his firm chest, tickling him as I lightly swing my head back and forth. Shifting my weight, I lower my body closer so my tits hug his cock through his shorts, and he can feel my hot breath on his chest. I open my mouth and my tongue darts out to tease his nipple to erectness. When it’s sticking up like a miniature cock, I take the hard nub into my wet mouth and nibble teasingly with my teeth - then lave it better with firm strokes of my tongue. I shift slightly for better access to the other nipple, the shift of pressure on his cock causes him to lift his hips against me and groan softly. He doesn’t want to speak any more than I want to hear him, his groans and sighs are message enough.
When both nipples are standing proud, wet and shiny from my ministrations, I slide my body back so I am on my knees between his. Leaning back, I quickly divest him of his shorts so that his throbbing cock is bare, and only inches from my hungry lips.
Liking the power I feel with him laid out before me, I tease a little more. I lean forward and nip at his inner thigh with my sharp teeth, knowing that as I do this all he really feels is the inching of my fingers through the nest of curls at the base of his cock. To get his focus where I want it, I push his thighs further apart and place a long wet lick with firm pressure on that soft skin between his puckered asshole and his heavy balls. He tries to lift his hips and increase the pressure, but I deny him that. After sucking his balls into my hot mouth for a brief taste, I’m done teasing.
My own juices are starting to run from my swollen pussylips down my thighs as I pull his cock away from his belly and surround it with my lips. After a minute of adjustment, I start a slow rhythm of bobbing with my mouth giving firm suction. He tastes delicious, salty and sweet.
The sounds coming from his throat as I speed up slightly are causing my quim to quiver in anticipation. One of my hands leaves his thigh to reach between mine and play with myself. As I slip a finger deep inside I realize it isn’t enough, so I add another. This isn’t what I want. I want to be filled, and that’s for him to do.
Abandoning all my ministrations I stand up and quickly straddle him on the bench. I don’t move until him open his eyes and are watching me. With gazes locked, I reach between my spread legs and guide him into my wet hole. I lower myself and we both let out a groan of satisfaction as his hard rigid cock fills me.
I start to roll my hips gently and notice that his grip on the barbell above him has become white-knuckled. I lean forward and place my hands next to his on the barbell and start to pump my hips faster. With feet flat on the floor, I have total control and ease with shifting tempo and pressure on him.
The air is still around us, only disturbed by our panting breath and the occasional grunt and groan from him. I squeeze him tight inside and know that him can’t hold back much longer. I pump a little faster.
The end is near for us both. I tilt my hips to that angle I know will get him deeper and give my throbbing clit the pressure I need to get off. A quick thrust and our hips grind together and I feel myself slip into oblivion. My inner walls clench his throbbing cock and his cum shoots into me, filling me the way I’ve wanted him to for so long.
With no strength left in my body, I release my grip on the barbell, undo the ties that bind his wrists, and cuddle up on the chest I’ve admired for so long as his arms surround me.
He is the inspiration that keeps me going to the gym.

How’s everyone doing?

It’s been a while, but I really hope you all are staying on track. I went way offtrack, but have managed to get back on last week, and I HAVE to stay on track. Serioulsy, my body is getting out of hand. Too much wieght for my short self. *wink*

And, it’s that holiday time of year again. Food Food Food. Yummy Food and drinks everywhere! Do you have any tricks or tips to help get through the holidays without putting on more wieght? Please share!

I’ve been surfing for tips and recipes…check these out.

Grand Marnier Fudge

Journal as: 2 pieces of fudge as 1 portion of sweet dessert Orange with chocolate is a flavor combination made in heaven. For a festive touch, decorate each square with candied orange peel. You can substitute whatever liqueur you like for the Grand Marnier.

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup Eagle Brand Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Skimmed Milk (not evaporated)
1/4 cup Grand Marnier liqueur
Dash salt

Line an 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil; set aside.
Put all ingredients in a medium-sized, microwave-safe glass bowl or 8-cup measure. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring well after each minute. Microwave one more minute or until chocolate is completely melted. Stir until smooth.
Spread evenly into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator 2 hours or until firm.
Remove fudge by lifting foil out of pan. Place on cutting board. With large, thick knife, cut off one column of fudge; peel off foil and cut into squares. Repeat with other columns of fudge.
NOTE: Fudge can be covered and stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Yield: 36 pieces

Per serving: 102 calories, 1.5 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat, 1.4 g monounsaturated fat, 0.1 g polyunsaturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 0.8 g fiber, 25 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 35%.

Originally published Dec. 16, 2004
Medically updated Dec. 6, 2005.

Some more links I found that might help us all out during the holiday season.

Baking Tips

Healthy Soups to keep warm.

And I found the Egg Nog recipe

Warm Eggnog
Recipe provided by Dara Steiger, MS, RD, director of nutrition at L.A. Weight Loss Centers.

4 cups skim milk
6 eggs, beaten
3/4 cups of Splenda
2-3 tablespoons of brandy, bourbon, or amaretto
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup light whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Beat the eggs, Splenda, and salt in a bowl. Stir in skim milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture coats a metal spoon. Remove from heat.

Stir in alcohol of choice, vanilla, and ground nutmeg. Before serving, beat light whipping cream with a mixer on medium speed until soft peak forms. To serve, put the eggnog into a punch bowl and fold in whipping cream. Serve immediately. Sprinkle each cupful with additional ground nutmeg.

I’m making the EGG NOG for sure!!

And also, check out Beth’s Thursday Thirteen this week. It’s more Holiday tips..

I’ve been late…and bad…and lazy…BUT, in an effort to get back into things, I’m stealing from BOB GREEN because I think he knows what he’s talking about…Take a look at this…

Losing weight seems easy enough: Eat less, move more. But there are so many ways that you can get off track; things that you think would spur weight loss can actually backfire and thwart your efforts. And misconceptions, such as the idea that healthy foods are too pricey, can also prevent you from peeling off the pounds. If you know which dieting traps are most likely to trip you up, you can avoid them. Check out some of the most common dieting traps I’ve seen people fall into.

They eat next to nothing.
If you think that cutting calories will help speed up your weight-loss efforts, think again. In fact, if you go too low, you’ll probably find just the opposite: Your slim-down efforts will come to a screeching halt. If you don’t eat enough, your metabolism slows down in an effort to conserve calories. Not to mention, you also risk not getting enough nutrients. It’s for these reasons that I don’t recommend going below 1,500 calories a day. Imagine, shedding pounds without having to starve yourself!

They expect to lose a lot of weight in no time.
Diets that promise quick weight loss just don’t work. If you do lose any weight, you’ll likely gain it right back when you start eating normally. That’s because any weight you do lose is likely water weight, not fat! Obviously, you want to be targeting body fat when you’re trying to lose, because it’s fat that primarily determines your size. And as you know, too much body fat can adversely affect your health. Plus, losing water is a bad thing. Your body needs water to keep your metabolism working properly and to burn calories. A more realistic goal is to drop a pound or two a week by eating a healthy, balanced, moderate-calorie diet.

They think they can’t afford healthy food.
Many people are under the impression that it’s a lot more expensive to eat a healthy diet, but this is a myth. Fresh fruits and vegetables may not be cheap, but they are less expensive than some of the high-fat, high-calorie processed foods that are available. And if you look at the fact that you’ll likely have to cut back on the quantity…

SO…sound like things you’ve done???

Thanks to Amie for sending me these….

The Tips are taken from a WebMD Feature from “Health”
By Susan Hall

Supersimple calorie slashers
Top 1 cup of apple slices, instead of 8 crackers, with cheese. Save 100 calories.
Choose a fresh spring roll instead of a fried egg roll. Save 100 calories.
Eat chocolate sorbet instead of chocolate ice cream. Save 140 calories per 1/2 cup.

Skip the crust on apple pie. Save 100 calories.
Swap pepperoni on your pizza for veggies like fresh tomatoes and peppers. Save 100 calories per 2 slices.
Choose steamed shrimp over fried. Save 122 calories per 3 ounces.

Make your sandwich open-faced (use only 1 slice of bread). Save 100 calories.
Leave blue cheese off your salad. Save 110 calories per 3-tablespoon serving.
Substitute 1/2 cup steamed veggies for 1/2 cup noodles in a pasta dish. Save 100 calories.

Use a 6-inch flour tortilla instead of a 10-inch one on your next burrito. Save 120 calories.
Skip the tortilla and put your filling on lettuce. Save 100 calories.
Eat a whole-wheat English muffin at breakfast instead of a bagel. Save 150 calories.

Top pancakes with 1/4 cup apple-sauce sprinkled with cinnamon instead of syrup. Save 180 calories.
Top ice cream with 1/2 cup fresh berries instead of 2 tablespoons strawberry syrup. Save 168 calories.
Leave 10 French fries on your plate. Save 100 calories.
Split a Krispy Kreme doughnut with a friend. Save 100 calories.

No-sweat calorie burners*
*Based on a 150-pound woman

Embrace your inner schoolgirl by jumping rope for 10 minutes. Burn 100 calories.
Tend your garden for 25 minutes. Burn 103 calories.
Schedule a 20-minute walk date with a buddy. Burn 102 calories.

Crank up the tunes and shake your groove thing for 20 minutes. Burn 100 calories.
Give your partner a 22-minute massage. Burn 103 calories.
Do your nails or knit while watching your favorite hour-long TV show. Burn 102 calories.

Spend 60 minutes typing e-mails to your friends. Burn 100 calories.
Write a letter to a friend by hand for 50 minutes. Burn 100 calories.
Push around a grocery cart for 40 minutes. Burn 103 calories.

Shoot pool or play darts for 35 minutes. Burn 100 calories.
Play fetch with your dog for 35 minutes. Burn 100 calories.
Do a little house-cleaning. Burn 107 calories.
Play a 35-minute round of putt-putt golf. Burn 180 calories.