I can't contain my excitement!!  2012 is on it's way out, and 2013 is just a few hours away!  I'm looking forward to turning the page and having a fresh start for this new year.  How about you?

During 2012 my family made changes to our health by doing the 24 Day Challenge and using AdvoCare health and wellness products for the rest of the year.  Tomorrow I will be ordering the Can You 24 fitness DVD.  And on Wednesday, January 2, we'll begin our first 24 Day Challenge of the new year.  I'd love it if you'd join us and experience the amazing results!   Last April,  I lost 10 pounds and 10+ inches.  My husband lost 15+ pounds and several inches in his waist. And I found energy that I haven't had in quite a few years.   All of this happened in 24 days!  These products have changed the lives of my family and friends. (See some of their results here.)



This is what I am so excited about . . .

1)  The 24-Day Challenge will be discounted to $175 retail January 1-15, 2013.  You can get it for even less with a membership discount.
2)  The Can You 24 DVD will be available January 1 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time for $29.95.  Again, you can get it for even less with a membership discount.
3)  Brand new 72-Day Challenge & Beyond Bundle (includes products & the DVD) will be available.  Sign up for the membership discount too, and you will be entered to win a trip to Hawaii!!
4)  Transformation Contest offering $40,000 in cash awards (must be signed up as a distributor to enter and be eligible).
Then make sure you go to  www.canyou24.com  for all the rules for the Transformation Contest, an outline of the 24-Day Challenge products, and watch a preview of the new DVD (be sure to look at all the helpful downloads included with the workout system).  Then message me on Facebook on how to get started, get the membership discount, get a coach AND have a healthy life in 2013!!

The Best Soup He's Ever Had . . . True!

While most of my family is watching what they eat, the Boy that lives in my house can eat whatever he wants and never gain a pound.  Currently his favorite food is Lucky Charms, easily putting away half a box each night!  So when he said that the soup I made tonight was "the best soup I've ever had", I take that as a compliment.

Several recipes I've found on Pinterest are listed as "copycats" from a restaurant called Cafe Rio.  Several blogs raved about the food at Cafe Rio!  I want to go to Cafe Rio if this recipe is any indication of the food they serve. The recipe I followed from Eat Cake For Dinner (I LOVE that name!) called for preparing Copycat Cafe Rio Tortilla Soup in the crockpot.  Because I didn't get everything ready the night before to put it in the crockpot in the morning, I made mine in the oven and on the stove.  There are several steps involved, but all your prep can be done in less than 30 minutes and then just let everything cook for about 1 1/2 hours.  This soup is full of flavor & fresh ingredients.  Leftovers are packed and ready for my lunch tomorrow.  Happy girl!!

Copycat Cafe Rio Tortilla Soup with Copycat Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
 (slightly adapted from Eat Cake For Dinner)   Serves 5-6

(Note:  Start your chicken first, then the soup so the two parts will be ready at the same time.)

Tortilla Soup
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded (or finely chopped)
1 1/2 cups frozen corn
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
5 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
1 tsp cumin
dash of cayenne pepper
1 tsp chili powder
pepper to taste
juice of 1/2 lime
Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken (recipe below; start chicken before soup)
Pico de Gallo (recipe below)
Guacamole (recipe below)
Tortilla chips or strips

In large pot, combine chicken broth and water.  Add onion, carrots, corn and cilantro.  Add spices and lime juice.  Bring to a boil.  Turn heat down to medium low and simmer for 1 hour.

To serve:  In individual bowls, layer chicken, pico, a scoop of guacamole, and shredded cheese.  Ladle broth directly over layers.  Garnish with tortillas.

Copycat Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/8 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 c. Italian salad dressing
1/2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Place chicken breasts in baking dish.  Mix remaining ingredients and pour over chicken.  Cover dish tightly with foil.  Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until chicken shreds easily.  Remove from oven, shred with two forks and leave in broth.

Pico de Gallo
2 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

Mix all ingredients together.  Let sit 10-15 minutes to let flavors blend.

Guacamole
2 ripe avocados
1 tsp. minced garlic
juice from 1/2 a lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Remove peel from avocados and mash with a fork.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Let sit 10-15 minutes to let flavors blend.

Enjoy!!

Since April when my family began their AdvoCare journey with the 24 Day Challenge, we've made a big change in what we eat.  Being a Home Ec major back in the day, I did try to plan well balanced meals for my family, but I also loved to bake and cook "southern"!  So coming up with healthier supper menus has been my responsibility.  Thank goodness for Pinterest and so many blogs that share healthy, "clean eating" recipes.  

This weekend I came across some new recipes that I decided to try, and I am glad I did.  Tonight we had supper with a "Mexican" flair thanks to Nikki at Chef-In-Training.com.  Our menu tonight included Baked Chicken Enchiladas, Lime Cilantro Rice, and Avocada Salsa.   Muy delicioso!  Quick and easy too.

Baked Chicken Enchiladas

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips) or tenderloins

1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies

1 medium onion sliced

1 large green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin (I just used 1 tsp - not my family's favorite spice)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 pkg. flour tortillas (fajita size)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. 
2. In a large bowl, mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, and onions in the dish.
3. In a small bowl combine the oil and spices. 
4. Pour the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.  Pour into greased 9x13 pan and spread evenly across pan.
5. Bake covered for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve with warmed tortillas and any other desired toppings.

Lime Cilantro Rice

1 Tbsp. Butter

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 1/4 cups long grain white rice

Juice & zest from 1 large lime

2 1/4 cups chicken broth

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

3/4 tsp. salt

pepper to tast

1/4 tsp. cumin

Melt butter in skillet over medium high head.  Add olive oil and rice.  Stir for several minutes.  Add liquic and other ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is done. 

Avocado Salsa

3 Avocados, diced chunky

1/4 cup chopped red onion

3 Roma Tomatoes, diced

1/8 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. Lime juice

1/4 tsp garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. pepper

Dice avocados, onion, tomatoes and cilantro.  Add lime juice, pepper and garlic.  Toss lightly to combine flavors.  Serve as a dip, or on lettuce.

Off to "pin" more recipes to try.   

Peanut Butter is my New Chocolate!

Ever since I can remember, I've loved to bake.  Cookies, brownies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, bread, muffins - need I go on?  I thought it was going to be really hard to give these things up since they weren't part of the 24 Day Challenge.  Especially BROWNIES!!  I actually made it through the 24 Days without any trouble at all.  It's amazing how the cravings for sugar disappear when we put the right things in our body!

After completing my 24 Day Challenge, I started looking for healthy treats to bake.  Things with less sugar and fat.  After trying several recipes that used applesauce or bananas and not being thrilled, I came across two recipes that I really like.  Peanut butter is the main ingredient for both of these.  I've also substituted almond butter for part of the peanut butter, and that was absolutely delicious too.

Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies (detoxinista.com)
1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 whole egg
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8" square pan with butter or coconut oil.  In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, honey, egg, salt and baking soda until well combined, then fold in chocolate chips.  Pour/spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth with a spatula.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top of blondies is a light golden brown.  Let cool and cut into bars.  Enjoy!

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies 
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Roll into 1 inch balls, or drop by rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet.  Press the top of the cookies with the back of a fork to make a criss cross pattern.  Bake 10-12 minutes until the top of the cookies start to look dry.  Cool 1-2 minutes, then remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.
(I can't find the blog or site where I originally found this recipe!!  If it's yours, let me know so I can give you credit.  Thanks!)




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Sparkalicious Summer Challenge - Ready to Join Us?

  

Well, it's Sunday night and I have mixed emotions - again.  This happens to me every weekend.  You know when you were growing up and your elders would tell you, "time flies when you're having fun" or "the older you get, the faster time goes".  I now believe both of those statements.  My weekends seem to fly by - whether I'm having fun or just trying to play catch up from all the things I wasn't able to do during the week.  I'm always so sad to see the weekend end, but thankful that in this tough economy I have a job.

Now it seems it isn't just my weekends that fly by, but time in general.  It's already June!  Summer is here and that means vacations, time spent by the pool or at the lake, graduations, weddings & showers, and family get togethers.  Before I know it, fall will be here!  Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself.  You're probably wondering where I'm going with this.  It's coming, I promise.

Back in April I started the 24 Day Challenge and then posted my results in my blog back in May.  Then my hubby started his very own 24 Day Challenge - and he had great results too.  Lost at least 16 pounds and quite a few inches.  He called one day from work and said he had to take his belt off and use the drill to make a new hole in it so he could keep his pants from falling off!  In the past couple of days, I've had compliments from my children about how I look - can I tell you what a great feeling that is?

So now with summer here, we'd love to share the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge with YOU!  Our team, the SparkStars, is having a Sparkalicious Summer Challenge starting June 10 and running through July 3, 2012.  Here's the info -

 Now is the time to LOOK and FEEL the best you ever have! 

Join us from June 10th - July 3rd and take the 24 Day Trim Challenge!

During the challenge prizes will be earned:
$100 in AdvoCare products will go to biggest loser for % of inches lost.
$100 in AdvoCare products will go to biggest loser for % of pounds lost.
To be eligible for prizes you must email msvannus@yahoo.com a picture of yourself before beginning the Challenge and fill out the form here!
Purchase the challenge and get started!
Be sure you receive a confirmation email after you sign up.

Have questions?  Please send me an e-mail at mary.vannus@yahoo.com

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.