Vitamin Test

I’m skeptical.  I know many of you are probably extremely shocked right now, but it’s true.  I’m a skeptic.  Now that that’s out of the way we can get to this post.

As previously mentioned, I recently started taking Hair, Skin and Nails (HSN) from the It works company.  While talking to a friend, she mentioned a trick she did with her husbands vitamins to see how many “fillers” the vitamins had in them.  She placed his vitamin in a cup of water and a vitamin from the It Works company.  At first, his pill dissolved and hers didn’t.  However, after they left it in the water for a while, hers ended up dissolving much more than his.  Moral of the story?  If it won’t dissolve in water how do you think you can get the full benefits from the pill?  So I had to try this myself with my own vitamins.

I placed one Hair Skin Nails pill in a cup of water.  One of my Vitamin Code Raw Women’s multivitamin’s in a cup of water. And one of my Vitamin Code B12 complex’s in a cup of water and waited.

 

Pretty impressed with my multivitamin!  BAM!!!  Dissolved like super lightening fast!!!  I was a bit shocked that the HSN didn’t ever fully dissolve, because I can see and feel the positive effects from taking it.  (Again I’m NOT selling this stuff) Even still, I wanted to see if my vitamins I’ve been taking were full of fillers.  Now I know this was no scientific proof or anything, but eased my mind a bit!

Also, we made this dinner (http://www.michellesfitlife.com/turkey-quinoa-taco-bake-recipe-made-to-fit-the-21-day-fix.php) the other night and let me tell you IT.WAS.YUMMY!!!!  Highly recommend!

Turkey & Quinoa Taco Bake

Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked Quinoa

20oz package 93% Lean Ground Turkey

Tomato Sauce (low Sodium) 2 cups

Chopped Red or yellow or green pepper*

Chopped onion & Jalapeno*

Shredded Cheddar

Juice of 1 lime

Garlic 3 cloves minced

Chili Powder 2 Tbsp

Cumin 2 Tsp

Onion Powder 1 Tsp

Chopped Cilantro 1/3 cup

Hot Sauce to taste (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X13 baking dish with cooking spray & set aside.
2. Add Quinoa to 2 cups water in a Medium saucepan & bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn heat to low & simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat & fluff with a fork. Cover quinoa & set aside.
3. Spray frying pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add onion, garlic & jalapeno & sauté over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up as it browns. Cook for about 5 minutes & add the peppers. Cook for 3-4 minutes more, or until meat if no longer pink.
4. Add the juice of 1 lime, cumin, chili powder & cilantro. Stir to combine. Adjust seasonings to taste.
5. Remove from heat & add the quinoa to the meat & veggie mixture. Pour in the tomato sauce & hot sauce if using & stir. Add 1 blue container of shredded Cheddar Cheese.
6. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with remaining Cheddar. Cover with foil & bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil & bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted & edges are bubbling. Remove from oven & let cool for 10 minutes.

Yoga

I’m not sure if I mentioned or not, but I’ve started yoga – again.  And might I say, I’m totally in love!!!  It’s hard to explain, but it’s relaxing and challenging at the same time.  Yoga can be quite expensive, but I found a groupon that helped a ton.  I got to InBliss Yoga.  They have a groupon right now 10 classes for $20 or 20 classes for $40.  Totally worth it!!!

Last Monday, I decided to kick it up a notch and take the Astanga 90 minute class.  It was one level up from what I had been doing and WOW…it was a challenge to say the least.  I will say that I don’t think that was a normal class.  The instructor decided to switch things up a little and do some arm balance poses.  WHOA….what the heck did I get myself into.  If you aren’t sure what I’m referring to check this out:

 

 What the WHAT?????  What is she doing?  And is she nuts?  Those were the thoughts in my head.  But I attempted and yes, fell on my face.  But I sure wasn’t the only one.  Yoga is typically quiet, but there was definitely some laughter going on during those poses. 

And did I mention that those rooms are quite warm.  It’s not HOT yoga as they call it, but it sure wasn’t cool.  The room was roughly 85 degrees.  I was drenched in sweat, but loving every minute. 

So now I’m more determined than ever to actually nail some of these poses.  Any suggestions????

Climbing Back Up

So, yeah, sorry it’s been like 500 years since my last post.  Life just gets crazy.

My entire family went through one heck of an illness this past few weeks and that has totally thrown me all off course.  You know when you are sick and you don’t feel like eating anything…so anything that sounds remotely good, you eat?  Yeah, that’s what I did.  Which pretty much consisted of eating out every day for lunch.  I.feel.gross.

Not sure what has gotten in to me lately, but I’m feeling like a bit of a hypocrite.  Let me explain.  I’ve always been the person that doesn’t go to any of these “I’m selling stuff” parties.  Like Avon, Tupperware, etc.  Well, since I last wrote, I’ve bought two things from It Works company, Beachbody and Norwex.  What the heck is wrong with me? 

Well, it all started with getting my hair cut.  I liked the cut, well, I didn’t hate it, but I really missed my long hair.  So my friend messaged me about Hair, Skin and Nails from It Works….have NO fear, I have not given into those crazy wraps and NEVER, I repeat, NEVER will!!!  Anyway, the Hair, Skin and Nails is just a supplement to take to help with, you guess it…hair, skin and nails.  I took a before pic and one week later noticed a little change.  The biggest change I noticed was how soft my hair is now.  Like, I can’t quit touching it.  Apparently, Mason likes it too.  Every night when I put him to bed he has to run his little fingers through my hair a few times.  It melts my heart.  Here is the one week pic:

 

I plan on taking another one at one month so stay tuned. 

The next thing I bought was the “Greens.”
Their claim is this:  (taken directly from their site) Alkalize, energize, and detoxify your body with every glass of Greens. Fight acidity with a supercharged pH-balancing blend and maintain a healthy balance by keeping your digestive system regular through our cutting-edge probiotic.

Benefits

• Detoxify, alkalize, and promote pH balance within the body
• Acidity-fighting magnesium and potassium blend
• Cutting-edge probiotic support for digestive health
• 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods
• 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables
• Free radical-fighting antioxidants

 My opinion on this is still up in the air, but I’m willing to give it a try.  The people who sell it and use it say that they haven’t been sick in a long time…for that reason alone I’m willing to give it a shot.  I will say this…if you chose to take this stuff, take it in the morning and when you first start…be close to a bathroom.  After a while, it evens out – if you catch my drift.

 My friend Lori talked me into going to a party…now this was a HUGE step for me.  I never go to these parties, but for her I did.  And wouldn’t you know it; I liked the products and even decided to give some a try.  The party was for Norwex products.  They are cleaning products.  If you haven’t heard of them check them out.  They claim to be a more effective and efficient way was cleaning without the use of harsh chemicals.  I was like “how is it possible to clean with cleaning products?” Apparently, you can!  I love that you can use one towel like thing for your entire kitchen.  I cleaned my sink, counters, stove, cabinets AND back door inside and out with one cloth.  I did wash the cloth out in between things, but still it took like minutes.  Best part…I can clean the back door window and wipe it with the polishing cloth and there are ZERO streaks…like none at all.  Anyway, I like their stuff so she talked me into throwing a party.  WHAT????  Can you believe it?  I will be 100% honest here…I’m only doing it to get free stuff.  Seriously, if I throw a party I get more Norwex products to include the mop system which is what I really wanted.  So there you have it….hell has frozen over!

 

My next adventure…because, let’s face it, always need some type of challenge. 

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/21-day-fix-simple-fitness-eating.do

 My dear friend Emily (https://www.facebook.com/livewellfitnesskc) has really impressed me.  She has so much energy and seems so happy.  Not to mention, she has really leaned out and her arms are like rocking!!!!  So I asked what she had been doing.  She started with the 21 day fix (what I’m starting) and from there has transformed into a coach and got her certificate to teach classes at the community center.  She does mainly body weight type exercises at her home.  The workouts are quick and intense – totally what I needed.  After this illness and eating crap food, I’m in need to get myself back on track ASAP!  I worked way too hard for my bikini body to let it go, so that’s that.  My new challenge.  I plan on starting Monday.  WOOT! WOOT!

 

Stay tuned for progress pics and results!