T-Tapp and more...

Yesterday, I went to Pinterest to see what they  knew. While perusing another pinner's fitness board, I discovered a fitness regimen called T-Tapp. I'm calling it "Pilates on steroids". This method uses the same principles as Pilates but combines them in a very concentrated way.  Go to You Tube and type "T-Tapp" in the search box. It's fascinating.

If you get to her You tube channel, you will be amazed at all T-Tapp does. Youi might as well know that Pilates does all of the same things. I'm thrilled that her list of benefits is even more comprehensive than mine.

I teach at churches so the dress code does require sleeves. If you add a little fitness skirt to this, you'll have a great outfit for working out. That is, if you feel comfortable in skimming clothes. Tighter clothes help you tosee your abs as you work out. Plus, you just look so pretty. If this isn't your style then wearing an oversized t-shirt with leggings is swell, too.

 

Be sure to get a light and healthy breakfast before you workout.  Maybe your breakfast situation isn't as lush as this but you breakfast can be just as lovely as this one.  Need an idea for breakfast? Check out my inspiratonal and lifestyle blog http://suzuspetals2.blogspot.com/ .  For loads of clean eating recipes check out Tosca Reno's Clean Eating wesite http://www.eatcleandietcom./. 

Always take your own sunshine with you wherever you go!

Monday Happies

TodayI have some "happies" for you. a couple of my friends were discussing or rather complaining about bras. We don't like them. they start to really bug as the day ages to the point where we just want to rip them off. Enough already! I browsed the aisles of Target to find a way to unload some cash (that's mindless wandering, looking for who-knows-what) and I found the Genie bra. I remember seeing it on TV and totally mistrusting it. But I did have some cash so I paid $20 for two: nude and black. they come with pads that can be added or not. From the first time I put it on, it felt so comfortable. It looked pretty good, too. I adjusted the pads for that pleasant shape and Voila! I like them so much and I hope you'll drop a cool $20 to find out for yourself. If you don't like them, return them. I found them at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Here's a pic...

Oh, yes, the next happy is a drink from Whole Foods from the CalNaturale Co. Get a load of these honeys...

They had me at "Hello, beautiful". These drinks have only 9 grams of sugar, 16 grams of protein, and a delightful taste. Who wouldn't feel just a little special and somewhat thinner drinking one of these?

I was helping a friend of mine deliver some gorgeous frames she made to Terri Hannah Home and Garden in Germantown, Tn. We walked in, set the frames down, and were chatting when I spied these very pretty saltines in a glass jar. I opened the jar and took one out. It was love at first bite! I'm not much on saltines but these were marvelous.  By the time I had my second cracker, I knew I couldn't go home without those crackers. Turns out they are made with a seasoning called The Original Savory. It is a seasoning blend in a small bag. Here is the really interesting part. You mix them with oil in a baggie the set them out to dry. No baking or mess. Until you have tried one, you'll never know how good good can be. Get on over to Terri's adorable store, grab some Savory Saltine Seasoning, and look around. You'll leave with more than a great start for your next party.

Well, that's all for Monday happies. Step out of the box and try something new. I'm glad I did...







Pilates and Low Carb

Susan Lucci inspired me to begin Pilates. Between her love of Pilates and he commitment to low carb eating, she has managed to achieve the most amazing physcal beauty and health. When I want to have what someone else has, I find out what they do and try it. After testing out the Dukan diet, I realized that there was not enough flavor to interest me, nor enough vairety. The first week of Dukan, I was tired everyday. Atkins was always a great plan for me but now in my mid-life, I find that eating all the fat I want makes it too hard for me to lose weight.  Suzanne Somers has a pretty good plan for hormonal weight loss but she adds too many carbs. What to do? I think I'll keep the low carb but cut away as much fat as I can without losing the flavor and some needed energy.  I love food and I always will. My taste buds enjoy bright flavors. I actually know some people whose tastebuds are nearly comatose. It never natters what they eat bacuase they don't really like food (no reference to anorexia). It's pretty easy to lose when you don't really enjoy food. My buds will always need good, flavorful food. Dukan is done. Low carb, lower fat, reasonable portions sounds really good to me. Here's what is for Brunch on Saturday with chicken sausage...



Caprese Baked Eggs



Cooler with a chance of rain? Try out this grouping from oldnavy.gap.com...

Today, for breakfast, I had a spinach, roasted red pepper fritatta with swiss cheese melted on top. It was as tasty as it was pretty to look at. I have enough servings left over for a light lunch or a snack. Extra portions made ahead helps to keep me on my plan. If I get too hungry and have to decide what to eat, I tend to choose the wrong food.  Emotions drive my eating behavior so I have a friend who has overcome emotional eating that I'm checking in with daily.  She knows what I need to know and understands my challenges. I only have to choose the next right meal and I'll be alright.

So there you have it. No matter what kind of day it is outside, always bring your own sunshine with you!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Is there anything better than peanut butter and chocolate? Pause and ponder that. For me, the answer is no. but I choose not to indulge in just any peanut butter and chocolate thing.  I have a delicious tasting alternative to fattening shakes. Today's recipe is for a protein packed, scrumptious power smoothie. I had one last night for a bedtime snack. The creamy texture and bright chocolate peanut butter flavor satisfied me completely. The protein sustains me to keep my blood sugars stable so that I don't crave other kinds of sweets. There is a secret ingredient that you mustn't leave out: a tablespoon of cream cheese. If you a re low-carbing it, choose full fat. If you are on Dukan diet, choose low fat. If you are on low calories, choose fat free. Here is the recipe:

One scoop of chocolate Shakeology (see link on right side of page) or a scoop of EAS low carb Vanilla protein powder (Costco has this for an excellent price)

2 tblsp of good cocoa (not the kind with sugar in it it, just plain cocoa)
1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 tbsp cream cheese (makes the texture unbelievable creamy)
Splash of vanilla
Sweetener to taste ( I like Sweet & Low)
8 oz water ( I don't use milk because I don't want to cut the brightness of the flavor)

Throw all this into a bullet blender or regular blender and whiz until the cream cheese is smoothly incorporated. Then add ice.  Continue blending and the pour.

Let me know how you liked this or your own favorite versions of low carb smoothies. I have many other recipes for power hsakes and smoothies on a board of the same name at http://pinterest.com/.

Oatmeal Makeover

On very cold days like today, I like a bowl of hot oatmeal. My recipe was basically this: oatmeal, some sort of milk, butter or margarine, and a few flavor add-ins.While it was tasty and felt so good going down, in an hour or so, I my blood sugar would drop and I'd be hungry again. I started staying away from oatmeal and other hot cereals. That was until I found at www.canyoustayfordinner.com, a recipe for the best buttery 300 calorie oatmeal ever. Yes, of course, I want that! The recipe called for an ingredient that was iffy at best: egg whites. The only way to find out whether it worked was to make it myself. She told it true, it is the best and buttery tasting, too. I also used whole wheat cream of wheat, oat bran, and cream of  buckwheat (for my gluten-sensitive sisters).  I added vanilla and cinnamon for a delicious twist. You can go to Pinterest or her site and see it yourself but I'll give you my own revised recipe here:

Pilate's Pretty Rendition of Best Buttery 300 Calorie Oatmeal Ever

2/3 cup dry oatmeal
1 1/3 cup water
Your choice of sweetener (I use Sweet & Low or Splenda)
Dash if Vanilla
Generous sprinkle of cinnamon
Dash of salt
3 egg whites

In microwave or on stove top, mix the oatmeal, water, sweetener,vanilla, cinnamon, and a dash of salt. Cook following directions on oatmeal box. While you cook the cereal, get out 3 eggs. Separate the whites from the yolks (save them for another use or toss them) and whisk the whites only until frothy. Stir quickly into the hot oatmeal and enjoy!

The egg whites turn the oatmeal into a buttery tasting sou`flee. Egg whites are a fat free source of clean protein. Coming in at a whopping 10.8 grams of protein, my blood sugar stays stable and I can make it to my next meal without craving carbs. Use oat bran instead of oatmeal and add a beautiful tally of 9.6 grams of fiber! Oh, it makes me feel healthy and beautiful just thinking about it.