The Results Are In . . .

A little over 24 days ago (April 5 to be exact) I started my 24 Day Challenge.  If you were are my  friend on Facebook, you might have grown a little weary of hearing about this 24 Day Challenge or a  company called AdvoCare.   I had never heard of AdvoCare until this past summer; actually it wasn't AdvoCare I heard about, it was one of their products - Spark!   Well, I have come to know Spark up close and personal in the last 24+ days and it is now my friend.  Spark is an "energy drink" of sorts, but without all the bad, chemically stuff that is in some of those other canned and bottled drinks.  It is actually a vitamin and amino acid supplement and it enhances mental energy and focus, provides long-lasting energy, helps fight occasional drowsiness, has 45 calories in an 8 oz. serving, along with 21 vitamins, minerals and nutrients.  I normally just have one Spark per day and can honestly say I have not experienced that afternoon slump that I did before April 5.  I work on the computer for a good part of each day and I used to catch myself dozing off as I was typing (!!!), or at least yawning quite frequently.  Those days are gone.  I also used to have at least one glass of SWEET tea (I live in the South, y'all) a day.  No sweet tea since April 5 . . . and I'm still alive.  This is BIG!   Okay, so enough about Spark.

There were also other new aquaintances I made during the Challenge.  A box of Citrus Herbal Cleanse, a bottle of OmegaPlex (AMAZING & Important Omega 3 Fatty Acids that we all need), CHOCOLATE Meal Replacement Shakes (nothing at all like those canned "shakes" that you can buy), and a box of MNS Max 3 (Metabolic Nutrition System. . . helps with appetite control, energy and wellness and provides more than 50 vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, antioxidants and other nutrients for comprehensive health & wellness).  All of these are part of the 24 day Challenge, and combined with exercise (not a whole lot - that's my next goal), and clean eating, I lost 9.5 pounds and a total of 11" inches in 24 days.  I honestly and truly feel so much better and am fitting back in  clothes that were packed away or pushed to the back of my closet.  It's a great feeling!

BEFORE .....                                                                               

AFTER . . . .

Another result I got from the Challenge is that now my awesome husband is starting his own 24 Day Challenge (but I'm not supposed to tell anyone).  When my daughters and I started, he said, "I'm not drinking that juice!".  We decided he was referring to Spark.  Well, I actually got Mr. Energy Drink Crasher (!!!) to give Spark a try and he likes it!  He sometimes leaves for work at an incredibly early hour.  One day last week he woke me up at 5:25 a.m. to ask if he could have his "shake".   This really caught me off guard because he doesn't start drinking his "breakfast" shakes until day 11 (and he was just on day 2).  I sleepily asked him what was he talking about and then after he described it to me, I realized he was talking about the fiber drink . . . which is not at all a shake!  He will be in heaven when he starts his vanilla breakfast shakes.

Besides using AdvoCare products, my whole family has been eating much healthier and drinking lots of water.  We even have some new favorite recipes - Salsa Chicken (boneless, skinless chicken breasts & a ar of salsa cooked in the crock pot!)  and Turkey/Zucchini Burgers just to name a few. Now that my "Challenge" is done, I will continue using the MNS Max 3 vitamins/minerals, Spark, and Catalyst to keep feeling great.

I know the Challenge isn't for everyone at this point in their lives, but I really can't say enough good things about the  products I've tried and the results I've experienced and have seen in others.  Whether you are looking for more energy, wanting to lose those last few pounds, are involved with a sport or strenuous physical activity, or just want to feel better, there is a product that can help you achieve your goals and feel great!

If you've got questions or want to learn more about AdvoCare or any of their products, please send me a message at mary.vannus@yahoo.com or visit https://www.advocare.com/120417347/.  I'd love to share what I know with you.

What's Cookin' on Day 19 of My 24 Day Challenge

Happy Monday y'all.  Hope you've had a good day.  Our weather has been a bit abnormal - wind
blowing like crazy, and the temps dipping down in the 40's tonight . . . and it's almost May.

Tonight there were only two of us home for supper, so I decided to try something new.  After we had a few bites, I told the Mr. thanks for eating all the "experiments" I've been cooking on the Challenge - did I mention it's day 19?  The inches keep melting away and I've still got lots of energy.   Luckily, he replied "no problem".  Right answer.  Guess he knows what's good for him!   Here's what was on the menu . . . Salmon burgers, Zucchini pasta, and Avocado Tomato salad.  I'm really enjoying all the fresh veggies.

Salmon Burgers - 
3 small cans Pink Salmon, drained
2 Egg Whites
1/3 - 1/2 Oat Flour*
1 tsp minced Garlic
1 tsp chopped Cilantro
juice from 1/2 Lime
Kosher Salt & freshly ground Black Pepper

Mix salmon, egg whites and spices together.  Add enough oat flour so the mixture will hold together.  Shape into burgers -  I got 4 good sized burgers out of this recipe.  I cooked the burgers on my George Foreman grill for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown.

Zucchini Pasta
2 medium Zucchini, julienne sliced
1 tsp minced Garlic
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher Salt, Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Heat Olive Oil in skillet.  Add minced garlic and stir for about a minute.  Add julienned zucchini.  Saute for 5-6 minutes until heated through.  Season with Salt and Pepper.

Also tried out this recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares.   I subbed unsweetened applesauce for the brown sugar, and unsweet almond milk for the milk.  I added 2 packets of Stevia for a little more sweetness.

Thanks for stopping by!  If you'd like to learn more about the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge, go here or leave me a comment.

Saturday, Chocolate & Tuna

Today is day 17 of my 24 Day Challenge with AdvoCare.  I've lost a few pounds, quite a few inches, can feel my pants getting looser, and probably most important - feel awesome!   Besides feeling the best I've felt in quite a few years,  I am also eating healthier.  I have been trying some great new recipes and have two more to share today.  I started my morning off with a 30 minute walk, an awesome chocolate shake (with a spoonful of peanut butter), and then a trip to the grocery!

Recently I read a recipe for Chocolate Protein Bars (think brownies that are GOOD for you!) on Jamie Eason's blog .  One night this week I was going to make these, only to find that one of my sweet girls had put the vanilla whey protein container in the pantry . .  empty!  So, to satisfy my sweet tooth, I settled for a rice cake with peanut butter and a few mini chocolate chips sprinkled on top.  Today I made sure I purchased  the vanilla whey protein powder and came home and mixed these babies up & baked them!

While the brownies protein bars were baking, I mixed up "twisted tuna" for lunch.  Growing up in Florida, we actually had avocado and lime trees in our back yard.  Most of the avocados you see in the grocery here are not the same kind of avocados we had.  I think I remember my dad and granddaddy calling them alligator pears.  They were huge - one of those Florida avocados would make about 3 of the little ones we buy on sale for 10/$10!  Anyway, back to the recipe.  This tuna salad can be adapted to your tastes.  I think it might just be my new favorite thing for lunch!   If you decide to try either of these recipes, let me know what you think please.

Jamie Eason's Chocolate Protein Bars
Here's what you will need to make this treat -
1 cup Oat Flour*
4 Egg Whites
2 scoops Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
1/2 cup Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
8 oz Berry flavored Baby Food (I used Apple Blueberry)
3 tbsp Cocoa
4 oz Water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients together in bowl.  In a separate bowl mix egg whites, baby food and water.  Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix together.
Spray square baking dish with a non-stick butter spray and pour batter into dish.
Bake 20 - 30 minutes.
Makes 16 squares (1 serving = 2 squares).
Nutrition Info:  96 calories, 1.4 grams Fat, 12 grams Carbs, 10 grams Protein.
* An easy way to make Oat Flour is to grind up old fashioned oats in a coffee grinder or food processor until it is the consistency of flour.  I store mine in the freezer.

"Twisted" Tuna
1 can water packed Tuna
1 avocado
1 stalk celery
1/2 lime
cilantro, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cut the avocado in half, remove the seed and peel.  Put avocado in a mixing bowl and "smash" (like the technical term?) it with a form til smooth.  Open the tuna, drain the water and add to bowl.  Chop your celery and cilantro and add.   Squeeze lime juice over all and mix well.  Season to your like with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and more cilantro and lime juice if needed.

This would be great served on a bed of lettuce, stuffed into a pita pocket, wrapped in a tortilla or lettuce . . .

If you've got any questions about AdvoCare products or the 24 Day Challenge, you can find more info here  or leave me a comment or send me an e-mail (mary.vannus@yahoo.com).

Hope you have a great weekend!

Mary

Changing How I Cook

Today is day 13 of my 24 Day AdvoCare Challenge.  I've finished the 10-day cleanse, and now I'm in the "Max" phase where you fill your body with great things to help reset your metabolism.  So in the midst of doing this Challenge, I've also changed what I'm eating (and what my family is eating - they have no choice, unless they are going to start cooking!).  Now when I shop, I'm stocking up on fresh fruits & veggies and lean protein.  My shopping path goes around the outside edges of the store - not up and down all the aisles.  I've been a label reader since I did WW several years ago, but now rather than looking at just calories, fat & fiber, I'm looking at all the additives & preservatives that are added to our food.  No wonder so many people are overweight!  And I've not visited my favorite lunch spot - where the slogan is "eat more chicken"  - in several weeks.  Although on my last few visits before the Challenge, my lunch consisted of the grilled chicken nuggets, fruit cup & water so that wasn't too bad.

The first result I noticed just a few days into the Challenge was I was losing the bloated feeling around my midsection (how attractive) and how great I felt!   If you need energy & focus and don't want to drink several cups of coffee, tea, energy or carbonated drinks, you should definitely try Spark.  Got my hubby to give Spark a try (he loves his energy drinks and I hate the way he crashes).  First he told me he wasn't going to drink the "juice", but he did, and he loves it.

By day 10, I'd dropped a few pounds and lost 9 inches overall.  I'm positive several more pounds will be shed by the end of day 24, and more inches.  This is actually the easiest thing I have ever done to lose weight/inches.  I promise if you give it a try, you will not be hungry - you eat every 3 hours so your metabolism doesn't slow down.

I've been looking for new recipes . . . "clean" recipes that are pretty much food in it's natural state without all the salt, preservatives, chemicals, etc.  We've had turkey - zucchini burgers from Jamie Eason's website.  Also used this recipe, but changed it up and made meatballs to serve with spaghetti squash.  Pretty yummy!    We've also tried the Clean Pizza that can be found on He and She Eat Clean.  Another hit at our house.

Tonight I created a crustless quiche (no white flour, no white sugar, etc.).  Here's what I did.

Crustless Quiche -

Spray bottom of glass baking dish with Olive Oil Pam.  Cover the bottom of the dish with a layer of baby spinach.  Now go crazy - start slicing & shopping up all the veggies you love - I used zucchini, baby bella mushrooms, red & yellow peppers, roma tomatoes, Vidalia onions.  Layer this on top of the spinach.  Then I took about 1 1/2 cups of non-fat cottage cheese and spooned that over the top of the veggies.  Because I did an 11 x 13 baking dish, I used 12 eggs.  Crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk til mixed well. Stir in about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of unsweet almond milk.  Add a pinch of  salt and some fresh ground black pepper.  Pour the egg mixture over the veggies.  Bake at 375 for about 35 minutes (or til the eggs are set).

I served this with link turkey sausage.
Fast, easy & delish!  Give it a try.

If you're interested in trying any of the AdvoCare products, or have questions, leave me a comment here or e-mail me at mary.vannus@yahoo.com

To learn about the many wonderful products AdvoCare offers, use this link - https://www.advocare.com/120417347/

A Month of Classes at Just Sew! Studio

Things are getting busy at Just Sew! Studio.  I am really enjoying sharing the art of sewing with some awesome young women.  Some I've known since they were in elementary or middle school, and others I've only known as adults.  Some are moms, and some aren't.  Some are married, and others are single.  I love hearing them say "this is stressing me out", and then see their faces light up when they realize they just accomplished what they thought they couldn't do.  

We have a variety of classes on the calendar for April.  All of them are perfect for a beginning sewer or someone who wants to freshen up those sewing skills they learned a few several years ago in home ec class.  

The first class is an Accessories class on Saturday, April 14.  We'll do a little machine sewing, some hand stitching, and use the glue gun!  A variety of fabrics and ribbons will be available so you can use your design skills and make two original hair bows, a headband with fabric flower, and a hair clip. 

I'm so excited that we are using some of this great designer fabric by Jennifer Paganelli & Riley Blake for the Tank Top Dress class on Friday, April 20.  This was one of the most popular classes offered last year.  We start with a ready made tank top, shirr up one of these cute prints and stitch them together for a super easy, comfy & stylish dress.  Perfect for spring & summer!

 

Aren't they great?  Can't decide which is my favorite!

Moms & Grandmas, there's another opportunity for you to sew a sweet spring dress for your special girl.  On Saturday, April 21 we'll be making peasant dresses.  This is another easy dress that goes together without any trouble; almost as easy as a pillowcase dress!

And on Saturday, April 28 we will learn how to applique.  I'm coming up with a few designs for boys in this class too, so come stitch up something for your little man.  

If you're interested in any of these classes, please check our Facebook page for the links to sign up for any of these classes.

Sweet Stitches,

Mary

 

Well, it's Wednesday again so that means I'm linking up with LittleDaisyMay for What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm loving the beautiful weather we are having this week.  Is it really the middle of March?   I love the way the world is turning green, and having the windows open and listening to the froggy chorus coming from our pond.

Aren't these some of the prettiest eggs you've ever seen?  I'm loving them and the sweet "egg lady" who sells me a dozen of these every week.

Want to learn how to sew? Then I would highly recommend this book to you.  It explains everything there is to know about a sewing machine.  I found it at my local library and am definitely ordering my own copy.

I am loving my new 31 bag.  It is BIG & has lots of pockets to keep things organized!!  Love, love love!

And finally, I'm loving this picture of my babies when they were little.

 

What are you loving this Wednesday?

It's Wednesday so I'm going to link up with What I'm Loving Wednesday over at LittleDaisyMae.blogspot.com.  

I'm loving that I found a recipe that I had misplaced for Zucchini Muffins and I have some time to do some baking tonight.  This is a recipe from my sweet Mom.  I'm loving that she taught me how to cook!

Nannie's Zucchini Muffins
2 eggs              
1 cup sugar      
1/2 cup oil      
1 Tbsp vanilla  
2 cups unpeeled shredded zucchini
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine first 4 ingredients and mix well.  Stir in shredded zucchini.  Set aside. Combine next 5 ingredients.  Reserve 1/4 cup flour mixture and toss with raisins and pecans.
Make a well in center of flour mixture.  Add zucchini mixture to dry ingredients, stirring just until mixed.  Stir in raisins and pecans.  Spoon mixture into greased or paper lined muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.






I'm loving that we will soon have a few more hours of daylight in the evenings when I get home from work.  Remember to set your clocks ahead on Saturday night!

I'm loving a new recipe I tried out for Oven Baked Fries.  So easy and yummy!!  Of course, I found it on Pinterest.

I'm loving that I have 4 new students coming to my sewing class this Saturday.  They will be making a pillowcase dress out of these pretty fabrics.

And I'm loving this quote by Kay Warren, found on Pinterest of course!


What are you loving Wednesday?