Dirty Talk : B. O.

Working out sucks. Especially when you are out of shape and trying to get in a grove. You don’t want to put on your spandex matching outfits because it cuts off circulation and gives a Michelin man appearance, but you don’t want to wear your grungy over-sized T-shirts and look like a noob in the gym. Your make up runs, you are breathing heavy, your shirt gets sweaty to the point that it changes color, except where your sports bra is, and what is that…… what is that……. Is that me? Ugh, is that smell coming from me? Do a quick, nonchalant sniff of the pits, and much to your demise: confirmation, that sour, deodorant smell is being emitted from your under arm. NIGHTMARE. Now you are self-conscience, not working as hard and looking around to see if anyone makes “the face”. You know the face. The frowny turtle face that people make when they smell something rancid. They don’t smell you, the gym is well ventilated, but the damage is done, your confidence is deflated and you just want to shower and have a brownie.

Turtle Face

A few weeks ago my husband and I decided to attend a hot yoga class. For those of you who are unaware of my many quirks, I have an extreme and unreasonable fear of smelling bad. I have at least 15 different types of deodorant available in my house at all the times, and many of them are scattered between bathrooms, purses and cars should I feel an emergent need to reapply. I have several little rituals that are unnecessary and probably ineffective, but needless to say I must complete them before I face the day: a normal day of air conditioning and minimal sweaty situations. The idea of going to hot yoga was a tad terrifying given the 105 degree temperature and static poses of arms in the air and exposed pits. My husband thinks that I am out of my mind. “You don’t smell babe, I don’t know what you are talking about” My sisters are like “Ugh, did you wear my shirt, it smells like you! Now I have to wash it” I’m getting mixed signals and quite frankly I would rather behave like I know I smell and remedy the situation, even if unneeded, rather than ignore the situation if it is in fact very much needed.

My Candy Land

So on the big day, the day that I am to expose myself to harsh conditions that promotes excessive sweating, I hop in the shower right before it is time to leave. I want to make sure I am as fresh as can be as not to offend my fellow yogis. When I hop out of the shower, my husband hands me a bottle of apple cider vinegar. And tells me to put on my under-arm before I put on deodorant. Is he crazy? But I listen. It kind of burns since I just shaved, and the smell stings the nostrils, but after a few minutes both the burn and the smell subside, my pits are super dry and I apply my strongest and most reliable brand and scent of deod. Still nervous walking into to yoga I don’t know what to expect, but after the excruciating hour and 15 minutes that followed my mind could only focus on not falling. When it was all over, I realized that I didn’t notice smell through out the entire class, and when I thought that no one was looking I gave a quick smell check to both arms and wouldnt you know it? NOTHING! The apple cider vinegar trick worked! I googled it on the way home, and apparently the pH on your skin neutralizes from the vinegar, destroying the ideal environment for that smelly bacteria to grow! Fancy that.

Im sure many of you read this and are like, “This girl is gross” or “I don’t have this problem” but I am sure there is someone out there that will be thrilled over this discovery, or at least I pray that there is so I am not alone in putrid nightmare! Let me know if you try it! 

Life Changer! 

That’s my skinny!

Cpizzle

Tips, Tricks, and Trends

Hey there!
   Sorry its been awhile, I guess life has caught up to everyone right about this time of the year. Between Lent, the cold weather (well...cooler at least!), and rescuing a new puppy :) (lack of sleep!!), I've sort of fallen off the work out wagon lately. But with lots of yard work to do, a puppy to chase, and healthy eating, I think I haven't gone too far off the deep end! Thankfully!
  So today I wanted to share some Tips, Tricks, and Trends with everyone--- mainly inspired by the last point I'll make and I think you'll see why!
  Tip:  As we have mentioned in different earlier posts the proper running gear is essential. For me it doesn't end there. (haha I'm sure you can tell just by me not running due to slightly cooler weather!) Running or working out for me has more to do with my mentality than anything else. The best way to get your mind ready for some good exercise, for me at least, is the right music. Its different for everyone I'm sure, but most people love to jam out to their favorite tunes....maybe they even dance around like a fool in the kitchen like I do...anyone...anyone...?  Oh well, its fun, try it sometime. Its even funnier when someone walks in and sees you. The music itself doesn't have to be some hyped up rock or rap music either. Its whatever moves you. If you like to dance, like me, think of the songs that when you hear them at weddings or in the car or just about anywhere, its hard for you to sit still, or not sing along to. The weird example I can give you is that I LOVE to swing dance or just dance in general, but old Frank Sinatra songs, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson (not swing I know...but still) and other fun songs just make me what to get up and move, and put me in a good mood. So of course I have them on my ipod, and they kept coming on while I was running, at first I would just skip them, but after awhile I wanted to listen to them and realized that they took my mind off running and I was thinking about dancing, even swing dancing (probably looking like a nut while still trying to run and not knowing it-haha!) but the point is that it passed the time and didn't throw me off like you would think that music like that would--- try it with your fav songs sometime.   Obviously I wouldn't recommend really slow songs, but just about anything else.
   Tricks: I almost wanted to include the music thing in this part, but...I needed a "tip" haha! so, this trick is similar to the right music. Because the right mindset is what the music is all about. So this trick is to think about something totally different than what your doing- especially running, ugh!-- usually I try to think about the beach (my love!) so relaxed, just sitting on the sand next to the waves, warm sun, fresh air....ahhh....makes you happy doesn't it? It will take a bit to get the hang of it, especially if your in pain, but for a brief moment it will take your mind off of it and transport you to somewhere else. If your running on a treadmill you can try hanging a picture of something ...or a hot someone ;) in front of you to stare at and keep your mind busy. You could even picture yourself the way you want to look this summer, picture your goal that your working toward and that you have accomplished in your mind. Let that mental picture motivate you--- even when your not working out, like when your trying to figure out what to eat for dinner...staring at the fridge...if your drawn to something you know you shouldn't have, try to recapture that positive image of you after you've reached your goal. Usually that helps me rethink what to eat because I want to get there. Try to avoid negativity though, usually that backfires with me ( I get pretty stubborn, sad or mad) so try to stick to the positive side if you can!
     Trends:   Now, to go along with that last point of eating something to help you to your goal..... we've posted some pretty great recipes on here to help with that! (They taste great! and fortunately for us all and our wallets, they're pretty cheap too!) Healthy eating is all the rage right now (if you haven't been living in a cave or something!) Between farmers markets, fresh market and whole foods....heck, even walmart is trying to go healthy...hint, Trying.
  So, what are all the other "trendy" things doing? Giving us new ideas on how to eat healthy! Pintrest being #1. So that's where I found this beauty of a website-
www.healthyindulgences.net
 Its pretty amazing. Mainly because no matter how healthy we try to be and the great dinners we make....at the end of the day, most of us want something that we can't have. You know what I'm talking about. Chocolate. Do I have your attention? well I guess we could have some and still be healthy, but no where near the amount we want or the type we want. So this lovely lady and her site are here to save the day! She gives us all these Healthy delicious recipes-- like the one I tried--- CHOCOLATE CAKE.
  Say what?!?!   Healthy.....chocolate cake. Usually those three words aren't anywhere near each other in a sentence. So I was pretty skeptical at first. I thought, there is No way that this is either 1- healthy or 2- actually tastes good.
  Boy was I wrong! Seriously. and to make sure it wasn't just me, I had my parents, my roomie (my hubby's best friend who literally doesn't eat any veggies) and my Hubby. We all agreed. Its awesome. and you'll never guess what its made with.
 seriously.
never.
But since I can't make you try it first and then guess, like I made the guys do.....I'll let you in on the secret.
  Black Beans.
Yep. shocked huh?

 

The cake I made :)

 

Sorry I couldn't get a better picture....it was gone before I knew it......and I didn't follow the directions exactly so it stuck to the bottom of the pan and wouldn't come out in one piece....(I'm a little afraid of wax paper)

  You may have to purchase some of the ingredients...took me awhile to find some of them ( I used Truvia as the sweetener) But its worth it. I'll put in the disclaimer that it isn't Exactly like regular chocolate cake. Just so everyone doesn't think I'm a huge liar. But it is Really good, very moist, and a very healthy alternative!!

   Hope you try it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!!!

 

-----still working on my sign off--- so for now--- Hope you enjoyed "Baking with the Belle" 

Crock Pots are AWESOME -Recipes

CROCK POT - The Most Amazing Invention

I love the crock pot. I throw some protein in there and it's magic.

Chicken salsa
5 chicken breasts
1 can of tomatoes with green chilis
1 jar of salsa
(chopped green pepper or onions if you want)
 To taste:
Cayenne powder
chili powder
cumin
7 hours on low. 4-5 on high
Take out excess liquid
Shred the chicken

Under 200 cal for 4 oz serving

This chicken is great because you can eat it plain, throw it in corn tortillas with some avocado for a healthy taco, put it on salad, throw it in an omelet. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

I ate this chicken for about 6 days - lunch and dinner. You can freeze part of it and use it later. That's what my mom does.

Pork Chili
2-3lbs of Pork Tenderloin (the big thing, not sliced)
3 cans of tomoatoes
3 cans of beans
1 onion
Chili powder to taste
Cumin to taste
Jalepenos for heat (if you want heat)
(any other veggies you want to throw in)
Turn the pork on with the tomatoes for about 4-5 hours on high. 7 hours on low
When the pork pulls apart, add the beans and leave it on low for another hour.

This serves about 8 people at under 400 cal/serving.

Setting Goals

I know some of you were writing about setting goals with running and what not. I love setting goals. It's just accomplishing them is where I struggle.

This past fall I set a goal to join a softball team with people I didn't know. It was an attempt to make friends, get some activity in, and leave my stress aside and get mentally healthy. Triple threat!

I got on a softball team and had a blast. I now play on a basketball team on Mondays. When I joined the leagues, I guaranteed myself at least one night a week of activity. One night a week not sitting on the couch. One night a week socializing but also working out.

So, if you're if you're looking for something that will guarantee a workout, but also be a socializing stress reliever, check out your local sport clubs.

Lent

 

Well, my motivation to stay in shape has truly been put to the test. I have been under the weather and work could not be more stressful right now. And with everything going on, running has fallen on the list of priorities. Isn't this how it always ends up? After the initial motivation is gone, sticking to a life style change is so difficult!

After accepting my failure to get out and run, I realized what a great Lenten promise. I will RUN (no other workout can replace running) at minimum of 3 days a week, but I am going to shoot for 4.  It will probably be one of the more demanding Lent sacrifices I have had in a while.

I always give up unnecessary shopping or going to restaurants/fast foods (unless it is a work function, I am out of town without access to a kitchen, or a family/friend birthday party), to help me better evaluate my needs verse wants, and then increase my daily prayer.  The “no purchasing unnecessary things” is extremely hard to do.  Just to name a few implications this sacrifice has, it includes no starbucks (AH!), shopping for clothes/other dumb things I want, restaurant dinners, or running out and grabbing lunch, etc.  But I have had this same Lenten promise every year since college.  So, I typically try to add something unique each year so I present myself with a new, additional challenge.  Last year, it was to knock off the swearing (I can be a potty mouth at times).  After I realized I wasn’t going to motivate myself to run, I knew a promise with God will.   So, it is decided, running is new Lenten promise, which I hope will morph into a lifestyle change.  Hey, my body is a Temple, and it could use a renovation!

The more I think about it though; it is a perfect Lenten promise.  I will be sacrificing time I usually use watching mindless TV at night or hitting the snooze button in the morning.  Instead, I will be using my time to better myself, physically but also mentally and emotionally.  When I am running, I have time to think, clear my head and say a few Hail Mary’s.  And when I am finished running, I feel calmer and de-stressed.  So what a better way to prepare for Easter!  

But you better believe I am going to celebrate Fat Tuesday with a run (not a literal run) to my favorite clothing store, eating dinner at a restaurant, and not going on a run.  J  It will literally be a “Fat Tuesday” day for me!

 

 

Oh, Hey There! An Introduction and a Recipe!

First time poster, long time blogger. Thanks for the invite!

I might link some stuff I've written on another health and fitness blog on here or copy and paste. I've actually been writing about my health and fitness for over a year. I will also send some links to some blogs that post some great at home workouts and recipes.

Onto that recipe!

I know that when I'm trying to eat right and get my shit together I need a plan. I also need to start every day off right. So on Sundays I make an egg bake. The egg bake is great because it stays good all week, it has protein to keep me full, and you can throw in all the veggies you need to get rid of.

I use an 8x8 pan and my recipe changes weekly depending on the proteins and veg I have in the house.

I typically put in a small zucchini, mushrooms, 2 cups of spinach - chopped, 1/2 green pepper, 6 eggs, 1/2 and egg white carton (the small one). *I also use that carton to cover the veg after I put it in the pan. I tend to use up all the veggies from the week that need to be used. Not tomatoes!  There isn't any flour or carb to soak up the liquid from the tomatoes, so it's too watery. Don't use them. If you want them, top your egg bake with salsa. For protein, I either use turkey sausage crumbles, bake up some turkey bacon, or if I have leftover chicken or pork, I'll season it with taco seasoning and throw it in for a south of the border kick.

I mix it all in a big bowl, and throw that into a greased pan and cook on 400 for 20-40 minutes (depending on your veg to egg ratio). You'll just have to check it. It's not an exact science because the recipe changes weekly. When it's finished, cut it into 6 slices and you are set for the week. You can also put them into muffin tins and make egg cupcakes. 2 cupcakes equals a serving.

It normally runs between 165-185 calories/serving. It's also cheap and it uses up stuff that needs to be eaten. Less waste!

My Secret Weapon: Spaghetti Squash

Yesterday my husband and I signed up for a hot yoga class in the evening (a blog post on that, coming soon). I was told when I signed up, since this was my first time, that I shouldn't eat a meal for at least three hours leading up to the class. The class was at 7:00 PM, so to the slow cooker it was! I scavenged the kitchen for ingredients, for inspiration, as to what to make for dinner. Protein? Chicken - Check, Vegi? Spaghetti Squash - Check. Now to bring it all together into a meal worth eating.

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breast
1 Large Spaghetti Squash
1 Jar Marinara Sauce of your choice
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Italian Seasoning
Tabasco Sauce
Shredded cheese of your choice

First take the Chicken breast and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Next place the chicken in the slow cooker and lightly coat with the Tabasco sauce. Pour enough marinara sauce to submerge the two breasts. Cover the cooker, turn to high for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, open the slow cooker, smell the goodness, then shred the chicken finely with two forks. Cover the chicken again, and let the shredded chicken soak up the juices on the warm setting. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Take the spaghetti squash and cut in half length wise. This will take some muscle. Scoop out the "guts" and seeds. Season with salt and pepper and place face down in a casserole dish. Poke a few holes in the skin of each half and put about a half inch of water in the casserole dish. Place in the oven for 40 minutes.

Once the squash is cooked, use some forks and shred the inside into "spaghetti". Once both halves are completely shredded, take the contents and put in a fresh casserole dish and spread out. Next take the shredded chicken and completely cover the spread out spaghetti squash. Add more marinara as needed. Lastly sprinkle the cheese of your choice over the sauce. If you are ready to eat, simply place the casserole back in the over for 10 minutes so that all the ingredients can cook together. If you are eating later, simply cover with tin foil and refrigerate. When ready to eat, just put back in a 350 degree over for 20 minutes.

Whats so great about this? No oil, almost no fat (unless you use fat free cheese) and you can customize it. You can eat a huge serving and eat very few calories while doing so! I only wish I thought to take a picture of it before we ate it all!

This meal can server 3-6 people. Last night it fed 3, but we are big eaters and we had enough for one person to have left overs for lunch. We all were obsessed with this meal and I have designed another one coming soon!

Let me know how you like it!

Thanks my Skinny for the day,
C- Pizzle