Win, Lose, or Blog

Thank you Friday - Sans Sucre GIVEAWAY!!!

2012-03-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to send a great big THANK YOU to Sans Sucre, one of our Season Seven sponsors! And I'm even more excited to be able to share a Sans Sucre prize package giveaway with one of our lucky Win, Lose or Blog readers! Let me tell you a little about Sans Sucre and why you're going to be excited about this giveaway opportunity!

What's one of the hardest things about trying to lose weight? Giving up sweets, right? And not just sweets in general but many people who are serious about losing some weight and getting healthier are trying to eliminate refined sugar from their diet altogether. Sans Sucre has created a product to help satisfy our sweet tooth cravings with NO SUGAR ADDED. Rather than sweetening their products with sugar, Sans Sucre uses Stevia (a natural sweetener) to keep their baking mixes sweet, tasty AND healthier than traditional sweet fare! Not only are the Sans Sucre baking mixes sugar free/no sugar added, but they're low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium and low calorie!

I've been able to try two of the Sans Sucre baking mixes so far: Milk Chocolate Brownie and Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake. They sound delicious right? Well they should because they are! I really enjoyed the Milk Chocolate Brownies because they satisfied a chocolate craving but the brownies were light and cakey and I was able to enjoy them totally guilt-free! One thing I especially loved about them was the fact that the Stevia sweetener didn't leave a funky aftertaste like many artificial sweeteners and I really appreciated that!

But the Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake? YUM YUM!!! That one was the big winner for me and my taste buds! Because there is no raw egg in the batter I was able to lick the batter bowl while the cake was baking and I knew I was in for an awesome treat. I had a hard time waiting for the cake to cool to be able to enjoy it!! This is a seriously delicious sweet treat option that left me satisfied and feeling no splurge guilt at all! Love that!

Here are a few other things I like about Sans Sucre:

Each package as prepared makes 7-8 servings. I LOVE that because it's perfect to treat my family of six to one serving apiece and have a couple pieces left over for ME over the next day or two. I love not having half a cake pan full of fattening, sugary brownies tempting me to devour them! The smaller size mix packages makes for quick satisfying sweet treats without being overloaded with extra unneeded treats.
To prepare the mixes you simply add water and a couple tablespoons of oil! No eggs, no milk, nothing fancy. Easy peasy. And to keep them fat-free, I substitute applesauce for the oil and it works perfectly. Quick prep, quick bake time.
The baking mix packaging includes delicious recipe ideas (as if the mixes themselves aren't delicious enough! LOL)
Nutrition facts that make me happy! Here are the facts for the Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake:

Calories: 110
Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 150 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 2 g

If you want to get your hands on these baking mixes right away you can find them at local retailers such as Whole Foods, Albertson's, Kroger, Walgreen's and many others (listed HERE on the Sans Sucre website) or online at edietshop.com or Amazon.com.

If you want to try to win a giveaway prize package that includes FOUR free Sans Sucre baking mixes simply follow the giveaway entry instructions below! Bon appetit :)

Here's how to enter...

Mandatory Entry : Head on over to the the Sans Sucre website and come back here to leave a comment telling us which Sans Sucre product you would most like to try. (Include your email address with your comment)

Additional Optional Entries (be sure to include your email address with each entry comment):
1 Entry: Like Win, Lose, or Blog on Facebook
1 Entry: GFC Follow Win, Lose, or Blog. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
1 Per Team Member: Follow any of the Win, Lose, or Blog team members blogs
5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 separate comments)
1 Entry: Follow @Winloseorblog on twitter
1 Per Tweet: Tweet the following and include a link to the giveaway (Max once daily):

Enter to #WIN @Sans Sucre giveaway from @Winloseorblog http://bit.ly/doGbCA

Contest Ends Friday 3/9 at 11:59 PST... Open to blog readers, fans and followers, contestants and mini-contestants! US Residents only.

I received a sample of these products to review, and one of our readers will win a free product from Blush Accessories. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Enell Sports Bras - Performance Apparel for the Well-Endowed Woman

2012-03-01T05:30:00.002-08:00

Today's thank you goes out to our sponsor, Enell Sports Bras. I had a chance to try out this amazing piece of support wear and was amazed at how comfortable, but seriously supportive it was! I am 7 months pregnant so my bust is considerably larger than usual. That plus the fact that I have toddlers at home means good support is a must for me! I am chasing a two and four year old all day and my bust must be supported. Before I used my Enell bra I would bend over to tie a shoe or wipe a nose and literally fall out of the front of my bra. I now feel 100% confident that I will remain in place all day no matter what obstacle course my toddlers put me through.

I chose black but Enell sells 3 colors in the Enell Sport and the Enell Light.

This wonderful support system is great for working out too. I have used it on the stair climber, while on the ball, and even just stretching and it stayed perfectly in place. The shipping was fast and the order was super easy. There are instructions on how to measure yourself and the size chart is easy to read.

Each bra has several amazing support features that make it a superior form of undergarment. The most comfortable feature for me was the Control and Comfort Back. If you are a big busted woman you understand the need for good back support. The chart above, also available on the web site, highlights the many features that makes an Enell Sports Bra superior. These bras are truly customized with the big busted woman in mind!

For More Information:

Visit the ENELL website

Like ENELL on Facebook

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

What's Cookin' Wednesday: World's Best Taco Seasoning

2012-02-29T05:11:00.000-08:00

Photo Via Food Renegade

Okay... so maybe I exxaggerate when I say that this is the World's best... but it is the best in my world for sure!

A while back I went on a diet (I know, I know...) that limited sugar... and one of the things I learned while reading up on my diet was that store bought seasoning packets contain SUGAR!

WHAT!

Why would my delicious spicy taco need sugar?!?

So I had to improvise and find another solution to keep tacos on my list of diet friendly food... The best recipe (hands down) that I have found is from Food Renegade:

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 tsp. Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1 1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin
1 tsp. Sea Salt
1 tsp. Black Pepper

Preparation

Mix together and store in an airtight container if not using right away.

Easy!

And delicious...

Feel free to modify as you need... I personally double this recipe and use in on ~5lbs of meat... We use 1 TBSP of regular chili powder and 1 TBSP of HOT chili powder... and I typically add more salt and pepper before serving myself...

Be sure to stop by and check out other awesome recipes from Food Renegade!

Week TWO Weigh In!

2012-02-28T05:00:00.024-08:00

Ok the moment we have all been waiting for the TOTAL TO DATE updated contest rankings are....

To Date Contest Rankings:

Heidi: 1st place with a 2 week total of 4.51 % weight loss (7.6 lbs gone!)

Ashlee: 2nd place with a 2 week total of 4.44% weight loss (11.6 lb gone!)

Ami: 3rd place with a 2 week total of 3.54% weight loss (7.4 lbs gone!)

Susan: 4th place with a 2 week total of 3.53% weight loss (7.7 lb gone!)

Allison: 5th Place with a 2 week total of 3.01% weight loss (6.4 lbs gone)

Jennifer: 6th Place with a 2 week total of .91% weight loss (2 lbs gone)

Shawn: 7th Place with a 2 week total of 0% weight loss (0 lbs gone)

That's 42.7 lbs GONE in 2 weeks!!!!!!!

Keep up the hard work. You are all doing WONDERFULLY!

Root on our contestants by showing some comment love and dont forget to post your own weekly losses below to compete in our mini-contest!

Monday Motivation

2012-02-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Don't be disappointed when you "only" lose one pound in a week. You're ridding your body of THIS!! That's nothing to be disappointed by! One pound a week = 52 pounds a year and that's something to be EXCITED about, not discouraged by!! Celebrate every pound lost for the happy, healthy accomplishment that it is!!

image source: thegirlbehindthepounds.blogspot.com

At-Home Workout Systems To Get You Motivated!

2012-02-26T06:10:00.000-08:00

By special request, here is a list of some new favorites, all-time favorites, favorite systems, favorite instructors, and category favorites! All linked to my reviews:

New Favorite Workouts:

Jessica Smith 10 Minute Solution: Ultimate Bootcamp, 2010 (Love Jessica, good variety)

Cardio Pump Fusion, Brook Benten, 2009 (Love Brook, fun cardio)

Exercise TV Lose Weight in 8, Kathy Faulstich, Kenny Kane, Paul Vincent, 2010 (Unique)

Hollywood Bootcamp 4X4, Paul Katami, 2010 (love Paul, tough & fun!)

ASAP Hardball Conditioning, Paul Katami, 2010 (love Paul, tough & fun!)

Super Fit Bod!, Amy Dixon, 2010 (tough & fun!)

The Firm Express, 2011 (great all inclusive system- tons of variety & time options)

All Time Favorite Systems:

Barry's Bootcamp Fat Blaster, Barry Jay & Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008 (tons of options, cardio splits!)

Supreme 90 Day System (fabulous workouts-huge bang for your w/o minutes!)

Tracey Staehle Total Body Bootcamp, 2011 (LOVE this set, tough but fun!)

The Firm: TransFIRMer System (BSS4), 2005 (fun solid workouts)

Barry's Bootcamp 5 Day Academy, Barry Jay (TOUGH, tons of options, cardio, strength, treadmill)
URX-MT, JB Berns, 2011 (LOVE the intense workouts w/ virtually NO impact!)

Tried & True Favorites I Love:

Results Fitness: 10 Days to a Better Body, Cindy Whitmarsh, 2008 (UB + cardio & LB + cardio)
Custom Fit Interactive Training, David Snively, 2005 (TONS of variety!)
In The Ring, Amy Bento, 2008 (great kickboxing! Lo impact/ hi intensity)
Firm Jiggle Free Arms, Stephanie Huckabee, 2004 (UB + cardio)
Bikini Bootcamp, Jeanette Jenkins, 2008 (tough C+S, love Jeanette!)
Extreme Burn, Mike Donavanik, 2011 (TOUGH)

Pilates & Yoga:
Element: Total Body Pilates With Mini Ball Kit, Lisa Hubbard, 2011 (great addition of the mini ball)
Kettlebody by Brook Yoga Burn, Brook Benten, 2011 (great active flowing yoga routine!)
Yoga Meltdown, Jillian Michaels, 2010 (toughest yoga workout Ive ever tried!)

Hot Body Yoga, Denise Austin, 2010 (great addition of light dumbbells

Instructors I love:
Jessica Smith (have tried all but 1 of her w/o's and love them all!)
Brook Benten (not even a fan of kettlebells but absolutely love HER kb w/o's!
Cindy Whitmarsh (love them all!)
Jeanette Jenkins (love her bubbly personality and I love her bootcamp workouts)Stephanie Huckabee (love her, but her PowerFit w/o's didnt do much for me. Hoping she puts out more Firms soon!)

Core Workouts:

10 Min Solution Quick Tummy Toners, Jessica Smith, 2008 (all great core w/o's, varitey, and the Bikini Belly segment is my all time fav core w/o)
Jazzercize Dancin Abs, Shanna Missett Nelson, Young McCarthy, 2009 (fun & active)

Crunch Free Xtreme Abs, Jackie Warner, 2010 (no crunches & Jackie rocks!)

Super fast, super healthy dessert that will make you a Super Mom!!

2012-02-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mock Frozen Yogurt (I tell my kids it's ice cream)

This awesome dessert is always a big deal in my house. It's healthy and fast. It is hard to find something for dessert I can give the kids and feel good about as well as eat myself with zero guilt.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of sugar-free, low fat, vanilla yogurt
16 oz of frozen berries of your choice (I use blueberries and strawberries)

Place ingredients in blender on puree setting. Blend until smooth.
Serve immediately in a chilled bowl or cup.

How easy was that!!?? Painless, little mess, little calories!! And the kids will think you are a hero. Let them help as a fun family activity. You can get a variety of berries and let them make up their own flavors. What an easy way to get your kids to eat healthy. Make sure to sneak a little for yourself!

Picture taken from Simplyrecipes.com

Thank You Friday Dearfoams Slippers

2012-02-24T05:00:00.001-08:00

Win, Lose, or Blog is lucky enough to have OUR FAVORITE Slipper company: Dearfoams as a sponsor this season!!!! One of our season will take home a pair of Dearfoams slippers! Dearfoams, make yourself comfortable! Visit the Dearfoams sale section to receive 25% off select styles right now!

I had the pleasure of reviewing the fabulous Dearfoams Tall Pile Boot in a fun fun leopard print. These fun boots are not only super cute, they are super warm!!! I run cold- even living in the desert I always wear slippers at my house- year round! These Tall Pile Boots are super comfy and oh-so plush! They are made of pile fabric and fleece for a super luxurious feel and brilliant appearance. And they are super versatile you can wear them tall, cuffed, or slouched to coordinate with your PJs or create a fun different look. The sole is super padded for ultimate comfort and the exterior sole is rubber so you can wear it outside and not worry about tearing or skidding. And the best part- machine washable!

Also on my wishlist are these super adorable Fuzzy Pile Scuffs that are on sale right now on the Dearfoams website. Also available in an orange/ pink combo but I am in love with the black/ pink color scheme below. Perfect to slip on and off with ease & cute enough to wear with any cute PJs you have! Also machine washable, super padded, and they have a rubber sole!

Keep checking the Dearfoams website - new spring slippers are coming soon! Heres a sneak peak of their new spring styles. I seriously love Dearfoams and wear them so often I can not wait for their new spring line! Dearfoams has something for everyone, men, women, kids, and kids at heart! Slippers make a great gift- not just for Christmas either. Add them in a home spa basket with some bath salts & an eye mask for a do -it yourself spa kit! Perfect gift for Mothers day, birthdays, and just for fun. The pink and leopard ones are so cute! Perfect to wear during your pedicures. And would go perfectly with some lotion & polish for a pedicure gift basket!

Show our fabulous sponsor some love and:

Visit the Dearfoams Website

Like Dearfoams on Facebook
Follow Dearfoams on Twitter
Subscribe to the Dearfoams YouTube Channel

Leave a THANK YOU comment below!

Thank You Thursday Lily Organics Skincare

2012-02-23T05:08:00.000-08:00

Introducing Lily Organics: The only skincare company in the world that is a USDA Certified Grower! One of our lucky "losers" will receive a $25 Lily Organics gift certificate!

I am really trying to cut down on the amount of chemicals I put into and on my body so I was BEYOND thrilled with the opportunity to revive Lily Organics Balancing Facial Lotion. The organic ingredient list contains beneficial products such as: sweet almond oil, aloe vera gel, essential oils, seaweed, beeswax, and more good-for-you ingredients! I absolutely LOVE my facial lotion. It is light but nourishing and doesnt leave a greasy buildup. Goes on smooth and is perfect for morning and night use. I really can not say enough good things about it. The most amazing thing was that when I placed my order, they were making up a fresh batch just then! LOVE that!

I love my Balancing Facial Lotion so much I can not wait to order other Lily Organics products to complete my skin care routine. I will definitely be ordering the Lily Organics Home Spa. Why go to a salon and spend hundreds of dollars on chemical filled treatments when you can treat yourself to a spa day at home for only $33.59!

This spectacular Home Spa is your best 2 hour vacation. With it you will relax, reflect and mostly important re-energize! The Lily Organics Home Spa contains: cleansers, astringent, herbal moisturizer, facial herbs for relaxation, a hot oil treatment, botanical enzyme exfoliant mask, lotions, creams, incense, bath oil, candle, cotton balls, relexing tea, meditations & eye toning pads.

This is also a solo retreat that includes step by step instructions for the most relaxing 2 hours of your life. Its a perfect gift for yourself, friends or family who are stressed, getting married, expecting & newmothers, or anyone who needs to de-stress! I think this would make the perfect mothers day gift for yourself or for your mama!

Lily Organics has a complete line of organic skin care products for normal skin and problem skin:

Anti-Aging Skin Care

Acne Prone Skin

Dry Skin

Sensitive Skin

Normal to Oily Skin

Facial Masks & Lip Treatments

and so much more!

Also on my wishlist, this fabulous Lily Organics Trail Pack:

Show our fabulous sponsor some love and:

Visit the Lily Organics Website

Like Lily Organics on Facebook

Leave a THANK YOU comment below!

What's Cookin' Wednesday: Rutabaga Fries!

2012-02-22T04:52:00.000-08:00

Image via Planet Thrive

Okay... so before you totally flip out on me... hear me out! I know... Rutabagas... weird! At least that is what I though at first... but on my mission to reduce carbohydrate consumption in our household I have resorted to some out-of-the-box recipes... and this is one of them!

Rutabagas have roughly one THIRD the calories as the same sized white potato... and one FOURTH the carb count! WOW!

This recipe is from Affairs of Living... they have a boat load of recipes for new and exciting ways to use vegetables and cook Vegan or Gluten-free... I would definitely suggest you spend some time there browsing.

Ingredients
1 Rutabaga
olive oil to taste
seasoning of your choice - Salt/Pepper/Garlic/Italian Herbs ... etc

Preparation
1. peel and slice your Rutabaga into 1/2" by 1/2" strips
2. coat in olive oil and seasonings
3. place on cookie sheet in a single layer
4. bake for 40-45 minutes at 425

Make sure to flip them 3-4 times while they cook... you can also broil them at the last minute to brown them up a bit faster if need be...

The key to reducing the calorie content of this dish is the amount of olive oil used... Olive oil has roughly 119 calories per tablespoon... so 1 Rutabaga and 2 tbsp of Olive Oil will be less than 300 calories and 8 grams of carbs... less depending on how much oil...

Try it out... let me know what you think!

Week ONE Weigh In!

2012-02-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Announcing our week one weigh in!!!! These ladies are ROCKING it!! Be sure to congratulate them here and on their individual Win, Lose, or Blog blogs. Keep up the hard work ladies!!!

Don't forget to post your weekly losses in our mini-contest- below for a chance to win some fantastic prizes!!!

Total To Date Contest Rankings are as Follows:

Heidi: 1st place with a 1 week total of 3.32 % weight loss (5.6 lbs gone!)

Ashlee: 2nd place with a 1 week total of 3.3% weight loss (8.6 lb gone!)

Shawn: 3rd place with a 1 week total of 2.42% weight loss (3.5 lbs gone!)

Susan: 4th place with a 1 week total of 2.34% weight loss (5.1 lb gone!)

Ami: 5th Place with a 1 week total of 2.2% weight loss (4.6 lbs gone)

Allison: 6th Place with a 1 week total of 1.97% weight loss (4.2 lbs gone)

Jennifer: 7th Place with a 1 week total of .64% weight loss (1.4 lbs gone)

Thats a total loss of 33 lbs in one week!

Cheer on our contestants by commenting below & visit their WLB blogs & comment there! Dont forget to post your own weekly losses below to compete in our mini-contest!

Diet Tip Keep Almonds Handy

2012-02-20T08:18:00.000-08:00

advice from yoga & pilates instructor KRISTIN MCGEE: KEEP ALMONDS ON HAND

We all know what it's like to be out on-the-go, totally hungry with no healthy options in sight. That's why Kristin McGee, a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor whose clients includeTina Fey, Steve Martin, Christine Taylor Stiller, LeAnn Rimes, and Bethenny Frankel, recommends packing an Altoids-sized container of raw almonds with you at all times. A small portion of any raw nut helps to keep your blood sugar stable.

"The perfect portion size of about 22 almonds, 15 cashews, or eight walnut halves will fit in one, and studies have proven that people who eat nuts weigh less and eat less overall," McGee says. "The belly-slimming monounsaturated fats are excellent, and each type of nut has great benefits—walnuts have omega-3s and almonds are high in vitamin E. Plus, a little Altoids tin can fit in a purse pocket anywhere, so there's no excuse!"

Article & Image courtesy of Shape, read more on the Shape website.

Two Diet Tips

2012-02-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

advice from healthy lifestyle coach ANDREA METCALF: EAT PROTEIN WITH EVERY MEAL

Whether it's meat or a vegetarian protein like tofu or beans, Andrea Metcalf, a healthylifestyle expert and author of Naked Fitness: The Proven 28 Day Weight Loss Program for a Slimmer, Fitter, Pain-Free Body, says that protein at every meal is a must for keeping away those hunger pangs. "Eat protein with each meal to stave off cravings," she says.

Article & Image courtesy of Shape, read more on the Shape website.

ADVICE FROM FITNESS EXPERT KATHY SMITH: LISTEN TO YOUR HUNGER

Even if you can't fully change your diet for the better, one simple way to lose weight is to eat just a little less. And the easiest way to do that is by listening to your hunger. Kathy Smith, creator of the "Ageless with Kathy Smith" DVD line, says to eat slowly, savor every bite, and pay attention to when you begin to feel full—otherwise you can consume more calories than your body needs at each meal.

"When you get the signal that you’ve had enough, sprinkle salt on the rest of your plate to avoid nibbling on the leftovers, " Smith says. "Those little bits of calories can add up quickly over the week."

Article & Image courtesy of Shape, read more on the Shape website.

20 Best Foods in Your Grocery Store

2012-02-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

I came across an article on livestrong.com that shared what they thought to be the best 20 foods in the grocery store. They said these foods are proven to help fight fat, build muscle and prevent disease.

Want to know what items livestrong suggests you should be adding to your grocery list?

Almonds

Asparagus

Avocados

Berries

Bell Peppers

Black Beans

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash

Chicken Breast

Edamame

Eggs

Flaxseed

Garlic
Onions
Spinach
Salmon
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Yogurt

I was kind of excited to see that 75% of the items listed already frequent my grocery list and are in my diet often. I plan to start adding a few more things to my list, like edamame...I've never even tried that!

Want to read more on this article and what makes each one of these foods so great for you? Click Here.

Diet Tip Dont Buy Diet Food

2012-02-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

Advice from weight watchers spokeswoman JENNIFER COHEN: DON'T BUY DIET FOOD

Jennifer Cohen, Weight Watchers’ spokeswoman and author of No Gym Required,warns to not just choose foods because they're marketed as "good for weight loss." Instead, choose what foods you're going to eat based on their nutritional value and healthbenefits. By eating healthy foods that are rich in nutrients, you're sure to lose weight pretty effortlessly.

"Before you plan a shopping trip or order out, look up the nutritional value of the foods you're considering and ask yourself if your list matches up with your needs and goals," Cohen says.

Article & Image courtesy of Shape, read more on the Shape website.

Blush Accessories - GIVEAWAY!

2012-02-16T06:37:00.000-08:00

Today's Thank You Thursday goes out to Blush Accessories and their comfy Tee-Shirt Extenders. If you are not familiar with Blush Accessories and their products, they offers a high quality line of tee shirt extenders made here in the USA! Provo, UT to be exact - such a small world when I {Laura} find awesome sponsors right in my backyard! I love buying local and US made! You should definitely check out their website!

Blush Accessories has offered to host an awesome giveaway by giving one of our readers a chance to win some of a Tee-Shirt Extender in their size! YAY!

I was sent a Mocha Tee Shirt Extender to review for this giveaway... and I am pretty sure that I have worn it twice a week since I've gotten it! Pretty much just a quick as I can get in in and out of the wash! {please excuse the no-make-up-face ... this was first thing in the AM}

First Impressions:
I am not really sure what I was expecting, but at first it was kind of odd to just have half a shirt... I had to explain to my fiance that it is kind of like a reverse dickey... which is actually kind of humorous... The Tee Shirt Extender that I got was amazingly soft and the top band was not overbearing, I actually could barely tell I was wearing it! Since I am trying to lose weight these days I have noticed my pants are getting looser - which means they like to slide down my hiney when I am not paying attention... which creates less than ideal situations for me.... I love that the Tee-Shirt Extender helps keep me covered! With regular shirts I have to worry about bending over or reaching above my head and exposing myself! Not with the Tee-Shirt Extender!

Style:
The Extender I got was the 'Mocha' color... which for me, would not have been my first choice - only because I wanted to wear it so often that a black one would have gone with more of my clothes... I think layering it totally *in* right now, so the Extender is a really nice way to keep covered and still be stylish!

Sizing:
I think that they might be a little on the big side, or intentionally loose... I am a size 14 right now, so that would be a M/L by their sizing charts, but I felt like mine could have been a size smaller and still would have fit nicely... They go up to a L/XL for sizes up to 24+ which is awesome!

Cost:
These Tee-Shirt Extenders cost $16 when purchased individually or you can get a small discount when buying in bulk (3 for $40!)... Plus our readers can get 20% off by entering welovebloggers at checkout!

In my penny pinching, wedding fund saving, mind - these are sold a a very fair price! To get the extra coverage that these shirts provide you would easily pay the same amount for another shirt to layer with - only full shirts don't stay put and keep your hiney covered... definitely worth keeping my booty private!

Buy Them:

The Tee-Shirt Extender sells for $16 on their site... They're so light that shipping it very reasonable ($2.00 to ship a three pack to my mom in New York!)

Enter our Giveaway!

Mandatory Entry:

1 Entry: Follow @BlushAccessoir_ on Twitter

And / Or

1 Entry: Like Blush Accessories on Facebook

Additional Entries

(after completing one or both entries above - leave a comment for each entry):
1 Entry: Like Win, Lose, or Blog on Facebook
1 Entry: GFC Follow Win, Lose, or Blog. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
1 Entry: Leave a genuine comment on any 1 non-giveaway WLB post (report back)
1 Per Tweet: Tweet "#WIN a @BlushAccessior_ Tee-Shirt Extender from @Winloseorblog " and include a link to the giveaway (Max once daily)
1 Entry: Follow @Winloseorblog on Twitter

1 Entry: Follow any of the Season 7 Contestants and leave a comment on their blog!

Contest Ends 3/2/12 at midnight... U.S. residents only please! Contest open to blog fans & followers, contestants, & mini-contestants!

I received a sample of these products to review, and one of our readers will win a free product from Blush Accessories. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

What's Cooking Wednesday : Broccoli Beef

2012-02-15T04:17:00.000-08:00

Image Via A Year of Slow Cooking

So... switching things up a bit, our healthy recipes have moved to Wednesday... but they are definately here to stay!

This week I was looking for a great Crockpot recipe... google of course helped me find a great blog "A Year of Slow Cooking" where you can find loads of Crockpot recipes that the blog owner - Stephanie - has actually made AND reviewed! I love hearing what other people think before investing my time... so I think that is a great feature for this site...

I snagged her Broccoli Beef recipe since it is one of my fiance's favorite meals when we order take out - hopefully this will save us some cash and calories!!

Ingredients

1 lb thin beef (Stephanie used Rib-eye)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 T white wine
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 T brown sugar
2 t sesame oil
2 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes
1 bag thawed broccoli florets (to add later)

Preparation

add the liquid to the crockpot
chop up your garlic, add to mixture
stir in spices

slice meat into thin strips
toss in the liquid and spice mixture to coat thoroughly

cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on the cut of meat. Thicker pieces will take longer to tenderize.
an hour before serving, add entire bag of broccoli, cover and cook on high for another hour or so.

stir gingerly to coat broccoli

serve over steamed rice (optional)

Beats Take Out!!!

Season SEVEN Mini-Contest INFO

2012-02-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hey fitness friends!!! Our mini-contest has been hugely popular and we will be doing it again this season! We are holding our "mini-contest" along side our main Win, Lose, or Blog contest! We would love our followers to play along, get healthy, and win prizes in the process! Heres what you have to do:

Each Tuesday we will post our contestant updates on the main blog- just comment each week with your weekly loss. On the final Tuesday post of our 7 week competition- post your TOTAL pounds lost for the duration of the season and you have the chance to win some fabulous prizes! (No need to post actual weights- just the # of pounds lost each week).

Start today- comment here saying you want to join our mini contest. That's all you have to do to join in on the fun. Try to post your losses (gains or stalls) each Tuesday as your participation gets you closer to a prize. Dont forget to weigh yourself to have a starting point.

At least one of our "mini-contest" contestants will take home a fantastic prize. The last 2 seasons TWO mini-contest winners took home prizes. This contest is based on the honor system but pounds lost will not be the only factor taken into consideration for prize distribution. We will also take into account how actively you follow our blog. So join in the fun, get healthy and WIN some awesome loot!

We will still be posting our sponsor thank you posts on Thursdays- support our sponsors by liking them on Facebook, following them on Twitter, and leaving comments on our sponsor posts
We will still have some fabulous Friday giveaways. Our giveaways are open to contestants, mini-contest contestants, and all of our blog followers/ readers- so show our sponsors some love & enter to win!!!!
We will still have awesome motivation posts, healthy recipes and cooking tips, and exercise information on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays!
We will still be rewarding at least one active WLB commenter with fantastic prizes this season- so comment on the main blog, the contestants blogs, join our mini contest, and enter our giveaways as each comment throughout the season will get you that much closer to winning a fab prize! Add our button to your blog, blog about us, help us spread the word about WLB and get some extra entries to win some of our follower prizes!

Happy losses all!

Meet the Season Seven Contestants!

2012-02-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to introduce to you our season seven contestants!!! Be sure to check out their blogs (by clicking their names in our "Contestants" page or check out the quick link in our right hand side bar). Root them on, inspire them, and let them inspire you! We are all here to support each other in our journey's to live healthier lives.

Stay tuned tomorrow for info on our mini-contest that we will be running along side our main contestant contest- this is your chance to get healthy and win prizes right along side our contestants!!!

And followers- don't forget you can win some of our awesome prizes this season by commenting on the Win, Lose, or Blog's main blog and on our contestants Win, Lose, or Blog blogs. Another great way to win some prizes this season is to enter some of the exciting giveaways we have lined up! Keep checking back throughout the next seven weeks for the giveaways- everyone can enter (contestants and followers) and we have some fabulous goods up!

Ashlee

My name is Ashlee and I am from Arizona. I am a Kindergarten teacher and I love my job! I have been married to my best friend, Brian for 2 1/2 years. We have an adorable puggle named Abby. I enjoy crafting and taking pictures. I cannot remember a time in my life where I was happy with my body. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 2 years ago and have been really struggling with my weight ever since. I am looking forward to getting some extra motivation to help me reach my target weight

Susan

Hi everybody! My name is Susan. I am a 48 year old stay at home mom. I have three children (3rd grade, Freshman and a Senior). I have been married to my sweetheart for 22 wonderful years. I love to junk shop, paint and be creative. I am so excited to have the opportunity to participate in Season 7!

Allison

Hi I'm Allison! I have a 2 year old daughter and a husband who is recovering from a stroke that he had almost 2 years ago! If that isn't enough on my plate, I am also in nursing school and will graduate in May 2012!! I have been dealing with my weight since I graduated from High School. Back then I was very active, on the dance team, student council and even had a part time job. Today I am just as busy but haven't been faithful in watching what I eat and exercising. I am almost thirty and I want my thirties to be healthy and active, opposite of my twenties! ;) I am excited to take this journey with all of you and show you that it is possible to have a crazy hectic life and still manage to exercise and eat right.

Shawn

Yikes here I am!! J A 44 year old divorced mom of two kids 16/14. I never had to worry about my weight or what I ate until my late 20’s. I never gained the freshman 15 and left college weighing less than when I started. I have always worked out but haven't got back to consistency since having kids…hello that was 16 years ago you would think I would have figured it out by now. I belong to an online fitness board (yaya’sJ) and have joined their Biggest Loser Challenge 9 times. Never once completing any of them. How sad.…they are private. I figured you can’t get much closer accountability then putting it out there on the Internet for the world to see. I've had a lot of stressful things happen the last 18 years. Food and wine became my new best friend/escape and on came the pounds. Since the New Year I joined the BLC 10 and have been consistently working out and changing my eating/drinking habits. However after years and years of yo-yo diets "dieting" is no longer a word I use. Everything in moderation and getting out of the "good food" vs "bad food" mentally is where the freedom is. This 7 week challenge takes me to the end of the 12 week BLC 10. This challenge will make me work harder and be accountable to the “world” lol…

Jennifer

Hello! I'm Jenn, a 24-year-old student (double major in English and Foreign Language) with three part time jobs. I work in two separate offices that represent 60% of the California dairy industry and my most recent job is working nights/weekends at a personal training fitness studio. My husband and I will have been married 2 years in June. As you can probably guess, I am extremely busy! But who isn't nowadays? I began my journey to health when we got engaged in summer of 2009. I lost 62 lbs in a little over a year, but then for some reason I started gaining it back. I was thrilled to be hired at a fitness studio where I have access to personal training every day and have seen small improvements in myself since I started working there. I am SO excited to participate in Win, Lose, or Blog this season! I hope that my journey will help to encourage you wherever you are in yours! Check out my blog The Fit Wife.

Heidi

Hi! I'm Heidi and I am so excited to be a contestant for Win, Lose, or Blog. I am happily married to my best friend and biggest supporter, Jeremiah, for 7 years. We have three children (6 years, 3 years and 3 months) and I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. I love to decorate my home on the cheap by shopping yard sales and thrift stores, teaching preschool and playing volleyball. But most of all I love my little family and spending time with them. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope that over the next 7 weeks I can get well on my way to meeting my weight loss goals.

Ami

Hello! My name is Ami (aka Sparky). I am a woman of many titles; wife, mother, employee, coworker, friend, etc. One of the worst titles I can currently wear is “obese.” Not only is it a horrible word; being physically obese is incredibly bad for my health and overall well-being. My husband and children (ages 18, 16, and 7) deserve to have a healthy, happy, and "normal [weight]" wife and mother. I am thrilled to be a contestant for this season of Win, Lose, or Blog and look forward to the journey.

Monday Motivation (On Sunday!)

2012-02-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Our next season of Win, Lose or Blog kicks off Monday morning so I'm sharing a bit of motivation a day early this week. A little message for our season seven contestants and all of our readers who are taking themselves, their health and their fitness seriously!

Image from activeinspiration.tumblr.com

We believe in you and can't wait to see you succeed! Cheering you on!

Quick, super healthy lunch for the mom on the go!!!!

2012-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today's post is dedicated to those mom's who need to eat healthy, feed the kids healthy and still be able to get out the door on time. If you are a parent you know first hand how hard this can be. We moms so often wind up depending on the old stand by drive through when we are in a rush. Not only are we handing our kids a greasy, over processed lunch, but the majority of the time we succumb to the drive through for our own nourishment. For those of us out there who are working on our figures this often results in instant eater remorse. To avoid this diet downfall I have some simple time saving, kid pleasing tips. First of all, and I can not stress this enough, PLAN AHEAD!!! A simple 10 minutes to pack a healthy, kid friendly meal can make a world of difference. The way I look at it is: I will probably be sitting in a crowded drive through line for around 10 minutes any way, why not take that time to prepare something healthy for me and my children?

Here is a recipe that is a kid pleaser as well as delicious for mom:

Fun Finger Pizza Rollers:

Ingredients:

2 - 8 inch whole-wheat flour tortillas
4 tablespoons low sodium tomato sauce
1/4 tspn dried oregano
24 baby spinach leaves
6 tablespoons shredded skim mozzarella

Prep: (time 3 minutes)

Lay tortillas flat on cookie sheet or toaster over rack (line with tin foil to save on cleaning time). Cover with tomato sauce, sprinkle with oregano, place a layer of spinach leaves and top with mozzarella.

Cook: (time 5 minutes)

Place in 350 degree oven or toaster oven set on medium for 4 minutes or until cheese is melted. (tip: roll up mini pizzas while still warm so cheese will stick) Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing into one inch mini rolls.

Nutrition facts (per serving)

217 calories; 7 g of fat; 2 g sat. fat; 1 g mono; 14 mg Cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrates; 10 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 427 mg Sodium; 18 mg Potassium

Make this recipe ahead of time and pack for a quick, on the go, healthy lunch. The rollers are great warm or refrigerated. I prefer to pack with a side of carrot sticks to round out the meal. The kids will love it!!

Inspiration and photos for this recipe were taken from EatingWell.com

GIVEAWAY Lucy Active Wear

2012-02-10T06:44:00.001-08:00

Today's giveaway is courtesy of Lucy Activewear and their awesome Hatha Power Pant. If you are not familiar with their products, Lucy Activewear offers a plethora of high quality -and very attractive- workout gear. You should definitely check out their website! Lucy Activewear has offered to host an awesome giveaway by giving one of our readers a chance to win some of their amazing clothing.

I was sent a pair of Lucy Hatha Power Pants to review for this giveaway... and let me tell you I was amazed! I am very picky about the workout wear that I get for myself since I like many women am a little obsessive about my perceived flaws... Pants especially are tough for me! So I was a little skeptical when I first opened my package from Lucy Activewear.

First Impressions:
The pants were obviously made out of a high quality fabric, with impressive stitching... no worries about splitting them at the seams mid-warrior-pose... haha. I also liked that the material was soft since I have sensitive skin, a lot of fabrics tend to irritate my skin.

Style:
The pants I received were solid black... I wore them to a yoga class at my local fitness center and still felt comfortable enough in them to run to the grocery store afterwards. I love not feeling like I am hiding under baggy sweats or raggy cut-off shorts anymore.

Sizing:
I think that these pants run true to the size charts Lucy has on their site. A major plus in my book is that this pair of pants comes in THREE different heights! I know tall ladies like my Mama and shorties like myself appreciate the ability to customize!

Cost:
These pants currently sell for $89 per pair... It may seem steep to most, but when you factor the quality and functionality of these pants you really are getting a pretty great deal.

Buy Them:

The Lucy Hatha Power Pant sells for $89 on their site... Lucy offers free shipping on all orders over $125 - so grab a new workout top and skip the shipping costs!

Enter our Giveaway!

Mandatory Entry : Leave a comment telling me something you learned while visiting their site!

Additional Entries (after completing entry above - leave a comment for each entry):

5 Entries: Sign-up for their LucyLIST - leave the email you used in your comment.
1 Entry: Like Win, Lose, or Blog on Facebook
1 Entry: GFC Follow Win, Lose, or Blog. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
1 Entry: Leave a genuine comment on any 1 non-giveaway WLB post (report back)
1 Per Tweet: Tweet "#WIN some @LucyActivewear gear from @Winloseorblog " and include a link to the giveaway (Max once daily)
1 Entry: Follow @LucyActivewear on Twitter
1 Entry: Follow @Winloseorblog on Twitter

Contest Ends 2/24/12 at midnight... U.S. residents only please! Contest open to blog fans & followers, contestants, & mini-contestants!

I received a sample of these products to review, and one of our readers will win a free product from Lucy Active Wear. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thank You Thursday iStyles Originals - Clever Modern Tees

2012-02-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

In this week's Thank You Thursday I'm giving a shout out to iStyle Originals for donating one of there super modern tees to one of our lucky season seveners!! These tee-shirts are super stylish and very now with their primary text speaking to this iGeneration. I was lucky enough to have the chance to review their iTalk uListen tee. Any one one who knows me know "iTalk" just screams Kelly! Not only is the shirt super cute, but it is super comfy as well! I got a ton of comments and compliments from friends, family and strangers alike. They have Shirts to fit all personalities. If your a party-er, a cutie, or even a rocker, you will find a tee to fit your style.

It gets even better! They have an entire line of Nano Wear for babies and toddlers as well as a line for those cute pups that they affectionately refer to their Doggie Wear Collection.

And if your an accessories fanatic like me you will love iStyle accessories collection. I can't say enough about the east to navigate iStyle website. I found my iStyle and I'm sure iStyle Originals will help you find yours too!!

For More Information:
iStyle Originals Website

iStyle on Facebook

iStyle on Twitter

Diet Tip Eat a Salad Every Day

2012-02-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

Advice from yoga expert MANDY INGBER: EAT A SALAD EVERY DAY

Can losing weight be as simple as eating a salad for lunch every day? Mandy Ingber, the creator of Yogalosophy and celebrity yoga instructor to Jennifer Aniston, Kate Beckinsale, Ricki Lake, Brooke Shields, andHelen Hunt, thinks so.

"Replace your lunchtime meal with a large salad loaded with healthy greens," Ingber says. "If you are a meat-eater, add some lean protein. Load your salad with avocado, nuts, and all sorts of veggies that add color to your meal."

Article & Image courtesy of Shape, read more on the Shape website.

Tummy Tuesday : Flank Steak with Corn & Red Pepper Quesadillas

2012-02-07T04:57:00.000-08:00

Image from GoodHouseKeeping.com

Ha... First, every time I hear the Quesadilla I have flash backs to Napoleon Dynamite... But anywho... I was search for some yummy recipes that centered around steak, and stumbled accross SEVENTEEN of them over at GoodHouseKeeping.com

The nice thing is that you know if they're from Good House Keeping that they are going to be *quick* and *easy*... and most likely - healthy! Now, this is kind of a summer recipe, so you have have to use canned veggies and freeze your booty off to use your outdoor grill, but the tastey-ness will be worth it!

Ingredients
1 lime
4 teaspoon(s) chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
1 teaspoon(s) brown sugar
Salt
1 (about 1 1/4 pounds) beef flank steak
3 ear(s) corn, husks and silks removed
1 large red pepper, seeded and cut into quarters
4 (8-inch) flour tortillas
3/4 c up(s) (3 ounces) shredded reduced-fat (2%) Mexican-style cheese
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Plain fat-free Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream (optional)

Directions
1. Prepare outdoor grill for covered direct grilling over medium heat.

2. From lime, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 1 teaspoon juice. In small bowl, combine lime peel and juice, chili powder, cumin, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Rub steak with chili powder mixture to season both sides.

3. Place steak, corn, and pepper on hot grill rack. Cover grill and cook steak and vegetables 12 to 15 minutes or until corn is browned in spots, pepper is lightly charred and tender (turning vegetables occasionally), and steak is medium-rare or desired doneness (turning steak over once).

4. As vegetables are done, transfer to cutting board. Transfer steak to another cutting board; let stand 10 minutes to allow juices to set for easier slicing.

5. When vegetables are cool enough to handle, cut kernels from cobs and coarsely chop pepper. Place tortillas on work surface. Evenly divide cheese, green onions, corn, and peppers on half of each tortilla. Fold each tortilla over filling to make 4 quesadillas. Grill quesadillas about 2 minutes or until browned on both sides, carefully turning over once. Return quesadillas to same cutting board; cut each in half.

6. Thinly slice steak and serve with quesadillas and yogurt if using.

This should make 4 servings with just over 500 calories each.

So... give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out!!! And visit GoodHouseKeeping.com for more great steak recipes!

Monday Motivation

2012-02-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

"Food is the most widely abused anti-anxiety drug in America, and exercise is the most potent yet underutilized antidepressant."

~Bill Phillips

Let's exercise ourselves to happiness!! :)

Diet Tip Lemon Water

2012-02-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

Advice from Fitness expert JACKIE WARNER: DRINK 3 LITERS OF WATER WITH LEMON daily

You already know drinking water is good for your overall health, but fitness expert, celebrity trainer, and star of “Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start" Jackie Warner has a tip to take it up a notch in the weight-loss department. She recommends drinking 3 liters of water with lemon each and every day.

"Adding the lemon helps to detoxify the liver and metabolizes fat, so this can speed up metabolism by about 33 percent," Warner says. "That burns about 100 extra calories per day!"

Article & Image courtesy of Shape, read more on the Shape website.

Winner!! Shaun T's Rockin' Body Giveaway

2012-02-05T03:05:00.000-08:00

Huge congrats the winner of the Shaun T's Rockin Body giveaway - Gina who said, "I would like to try RevAbs."!! Congratulations!!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a HUGE thanks to Huff and Buff! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond to claim their prize!!!

Now Accepting Season SEVEN Applications!

2012-02-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hello fitness friends! We are now accepting applications for season SEVEM of Win, Lose, or Blog! We have had HUGE successes with our past six seasons and cant wait to get started! Season Seven will begin on February 13th and those chosen will be notified by February 7th. Keep checking the blog for updates!

Please ATTACH photos via the form below but IF you have problems attaching your pictures through our form- please email them to us with your name in the subject line. (attaching via the form below is preferred & easier for us).And email us if you have any questions: winloseorblog at gmail dot com.

Tummy Tueasday : Mini Turkey Burgers

2012-01-31T05:12:00.000-08:00

Image via Huffingtonpost.com

So the Super Bowl is right around the corner... It's one of those American 'holidays' that can really pack on the pounds if you don't watch yourself! Mindless eating in front of the T.V. is basically accepted behavior for this event... and there is always tons of temptation! I urge you all to eat something with protein if you are headed out to a party... and if you are hosting, try this great recipe for Mini Turkey Burgers from MyRecipes.com ... each mini burger has less than 200 calories!

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 pounds ground turkey breast
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Cooking spray
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced sweet gherkin pickle (about 2 small)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 (1-ounce) dinner rolls
6 curly leaf lettuce leaves, torn in half

Preparation

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add cheese, stirring with a fork just until combined. Divide turkey mixture into 12 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/4-inch-thick patty.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 4 patties; cook 2 minutes. Carefully turn patties over; cook 2 minutes or until done. Place patties on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Repeat procedure with remaining patties. Cool patties to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until firm. Place in a single layer in zip-top plastic bags; freeze up to 3 months.

Thaw patties overnight in refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 400º.

Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Place patties on baking sheet in a single layer; cover with foil. Bake 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Keep warm.

Combine mayonnaise, pickle, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Cut rolls in half horizontally. Spread about 1 teaspoon mayonnaise mixture on bottom half of each roll; top each with 1 turkey patty and 1 piece lettuce. Cover with tops of rolls. Serve immediately.

ENJOY!!! and watchout this weekend!

Monday Motivation

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Did you start a weight loss program this month? Did January 1st roll around and you thought "This is my year!"? Did you make a plan and kick off this new year with resolve and determination?

How has your month shaped up? Are you sticking with it? Have you kept your promises to yourself and are you working toward the goals you set at the beginning of the year? If not, it's NEVER too late to get back on track! How about today? Make today the day you shake off the guilt you might be feeling for not giving it your all for the last few weeks and start giving it your all like you planned to! You'll never regret the efforts you make, but you'll definitely regret letting yourself down and not following through on your goals to be the best you you can possibly be.

photo from activeinspiration.tumblr.com

Need a little extra motivation to get started and stick with your plan? APPLY HERE to be a participant in our upcoming season 7 of Win, Lose or Blog!

Smarten Up Your Food Prep!

2012-01-29T05:08:00.000-08:00

Another Fantastic tip courtesy of The FIRM, the makers of my very favorite DVD series! Keep reading for all their fantastic advice and sign up for The FIRM Newsletter while you're there, and get tons of great tips delivered right to your inbox.

Smarten Up Your Food Prep

When preparing your meals, there are a few important concepts to keep in mind. By employing these techniques, you will lower your overall fat intake and also be incorporating more healthy fats.

When sautéing vegetables or meats use an olive oil based cooking spray. Avoid butter or margarine. If more ‘oil’ is needed opt for olive or canola.
Bake or broil meats, poultry and fish with flavorful marinades. Avoid deep frying or breading/sautéing your chicken or fish.
Always measure your oil when cooking. Even healthy oils have 120 calories/tablespoon, and that can add up really quickly.
Always try to skim the fat off of your soups, sauces and gravies. The best way to do this is to refrigerate the soup or gravy and allow the bad fat to harden at the top and then you can easily skim it off! You’d be surprised how much fat you can avoid by doing that little trick.

Dressings and Sauces
Condiments, such as salad dressings and sauces, can add a lot of flavor to a dish, but you need to watch out for the fat. Cream based sauces and salad dressings are often filled with saturated fat, trans fats and calories; so be sure to read the label. You are better off with olive oil based vinaigrettes and sauces. The calories will still be high, but at least the fat is most often a healthy fat. That said, you should still read the label as many vinaigrette dressings will have mayonnaise or other saturated fats. When in doubt, it’s best to make your own salad dressings and sauces from known healthy ingredients such as olive oil, vinegars and mustards.

Read more on The Firm Direct website

Like The FIRM on Facebook

Follow The FIRM on Twitter

Shaun T's Rockin' Body Giveaway

2012-01-27T04:43:00.000-08:00

Team Beachbody is your total health and fitness solution. Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle, or just get healthy, Team Beachbody will provide all the motivation, information, and support you need. Team Beachbody has a solution for every fitness need. Whether you want to get totally ripped, slimmed down, or just be healthy and energetic, Team Beachbody has more than 30 products that are guaranteed to get you into the best shape of your life.

Independent Team Beachbody Coach, and regular contributor here at Win, Lose or Blog, Maria McCauley, a health and fitness blogger at Huff and Buff and co-blogger at Two Belles Fitness, is hosting this great giveaway for Shaun T's Rockin Body set. Here is what's included:

Mark, Move & Groove - Even if you don't think you can dance, Shaun will have you dancing and sweating with his breakthrough Mark It and Move It technique. You'll be grooving like the pros in no time. (15 minutes)

Party Express - Give Shaun 25 minutes and he guarantees a workout—without sacrificing results! Perfect when you're short on time so now you never have to miss a workout with Shaun. (25 minutes)

Rock It Out - This rock-and-roll strength routine will shape, sculpt, and tone your new lean body from head to toe while it sends your metabolism soaring. (45 minutes)

Disco Groove - Hit the dance floor and shake your groove thing in this off-the-hook workout guaranteed to burn some serious calories. (35 minutes)

Shaun T's Dance Party - It's a calorie-burning dance party in your living room with tunes like "Holiday" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." (45 minutes)

Enjoy these easy-to-use tools for maximum results!

My Quickstart Guide - Getting started is easy! Just follow this simple workout calendar, and you'll be on your way to your very own Rockin' Body.

Never "Diet" Again Guide - Say goodbye to all those fad diets. This easy-to-follow plan works because it's not a diet—it's a plan you can stick with forever. It shows you how to eat simply and healthily and is filled with Shaun's favorite meals and recipes.

24/7 Online Support - Chat live with Shaun and get to know an amazing online community that will help you succeed.

Plus 4 FREE gifts

Hard-Core Abs - Learn how Shaun got his hard-core abs . . . and you won't have to do a sit-up or crunch. Give Shaun 10 minutes, and you're on your way to the rock-hard abs of your dreams. (10 minutes)

Booty Time - Get ready for crazy moves to lift your buns, slim your hips, and tighten your abs. You'll be turning heads in your skinny jeans in no time! (30 minutes)

3-Day SlimDown - See visible results in just 3 days—GUARANTEED. Follow this simple and healthy plan to jump-start your weight loss for great results right away!

Party Guide - Learn what to eat and drink at any party without breaking the calorie bank. Shaun's handy pocket-sized guide takes the guesswork out.

Here's how to enter...

Mandatory Entry : Head on over to the the Team Beachbody website and tell me what other Beachbody workout you would like to try.

Additonal Entries (after completing entry above):
2 Entries Sign up for a FREE Team Beachbody membership using this link
1 Entry: Like Huff and Buff on Facebook
1 Entry: Like Win, Lose, or Blog on Facebook
1 Entry: GFC Follow Win, Lose, or Blog. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
1 Per Team Member: Follow any of the Win, Lose, or Blog team members blogs
5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
1 Entry: Follow @Winloseorblog on twitter

1 Per Tweet: Tweet the following and include a link to the giveaway (Max once daily):

Enter to #WIN @HuffandBuff Rockin' Body giveaway from @Winloseorblog http://bit.ly/zL0W5n

Contest Ends 2/3 at 11:59 PST... U.S. residents only please!

Thank You Thursday : Aurorae Yoga

2012-01-26T05:42:00.000-08:00

Today's Thank You goes out to Aurorae Yoga and their high quality yoga gear. If you are not familiar with their products, Aurorae Yoga sells pretty much everything you need to get started doing yoga.

Recently they came out with their new line of Northern Lights Yoga Mats which I {Laura} had the chance to review last Season. I have loved having my new Orange mat for Yoga classes held at my local fitness center....I don't think you could go wrong with any of the five colors available (Purple, Blue, Green, Orange and Red).

My favorite feature of the Aurorae mat was their ability combine form with function. I was so bored with my just plain pink mat... which really doesnt fit our space that well... but our new Aurorae Mat works get in our workout area (when it isn't traveling with me to the gym). Plus, these new mats really stand out in a crowd!

I love having my own mat - especially this time of year... I swear the gyms are always packed... and I am not sure that most people even bother to wipe things off after using them. Prime-Germ-Time if you ask me! I always wipe off any mats I use before and after using them - you should too!

And if you don't do yoga, it is still nice to have a soft area to stretch and do core exercises.

If you are looking for a new yoga mat, or any yoga gear for that matter, I would not hesitate to recommend Aurorae Yoga. Stop by and check out their gear!

They are also very active on twitter and always have great tips. Follow @AuroraeYoga for some great yoga conversation!

Aurorae has offered to sponsor one of our contestants - they will recieve a free yoga mat! I have recieved a free mat from Aurorae in the past but was under no obligation to publish a postive review. All opinions are my own.

What is Win, Lose, or Blog?

2012-01-25T09:04:00.001-08:00

We are now accepting applications (here) for Season seven contestents on Win, Lose, or Blog! Last season our 8 contestants lost 90.8 pounds in 7 weeks! Win, Lose, or Blog is a Big Loser inspired weight loss challenge for the blogging world. Health & Fitness are my passions in life and I hope this competition will inspire others to lead healthier lifes too! I have been working with four fabulous ladies to create this fun and exciting new blog.

What does Win, Lose, or Blog have to offer you?

Want to be a contestant? Apply here.

Each season of the challenge (lasting 7 weeks) we will choose eight contestants. This is your chance to win some MAJOR prizes! The "big loser" (based on percentage of body weight lost) will win one big AWESOME prize. Second and third place contestants will also win some great prizes. And everyone else will get something just for participating.

Want to Play along?
Want to lose weight right along with our contestants? Post your weekly loss each week on our Tuesday Update post and you're in the running for some fantastic prizes! Last season TWO of our mini-contestants won fabulous prizes and lost a TON of weight in the process.

Just want to follow along?
We have multiple health and fitness gurus on our team who are going to be posting information, recipes, tips, inspiration and more. So come follow and get a little help living a healthier lifestyle. Also, at the end of each season followers will win awesome prizes just for leaving comments throughout the season. And you know it will be fun to watch the competition play out and cheer on the contestants :)

Go check it out!!! And spread the word!

Remember each comment you leave all season long counts as an entry for great prizes! Want to get a head start on those comments? Head on over to Win, Lose, or Blog, grab our button, and leave three comments for displaying our button on your blog and five comments for writing an exciting post announcing us to your blog friends. We want you to invite others to join the the fun and gain some motivation to live a healthier lifestyle.

Tummy Tuesday : Cauliflower 'Mashed Potatoes'

2012-01-24T04:53:00.000-08:00

{Image via Crossfit East Village}

So I have decided to cut way back on my carb intake lately... Both me and my fiance could stant to control our eating habits much more than we are currently... For me that means low-carb... So I am ditching the starches like rice, potatoes, pasta and bread until I can balance my diet a bit better.... My fiance being a Meat and Potatoes kinda guy is completely on board with uping our protein but will probably not do too well if I do not make an effort keep things 'normal' for him... my solution? Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes of course!

Ingredients
1 medium head of Cauliflower ~20oz
1/4 cup of Butter/Cream/Milk --> whatever you normally use to make mashed potatoes
Salt/Pepper/Garlic Powder to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup of low-carb instant potatoes to adjust texture

Preparation

1. Cook/Steam Cauliflower by whatever method you choose... Cauliflower is ready when it can be easily pierced by a fork.

2. Add additional ingredients as you so choose - blend together with a hand blender or in a food processor.

This is a pretty quick and easy alternative to real mashed potatoes.... If you add 1/4 cup of butter and cream and a clove of garlic, this recipe will yield roughly 4 servings with 188 calories and 4.3 net carbs each .... not too shabby!

Good Fats VS Bad Fats

2012-01-22T05:07:00.000-08:00

From the makers of my very favorite DVD series: The Firm is some fantastic advice about how to get good fat IN your diet and bad fat OUT! Keep reading for all their fantastic advice and sign up for The Firm Newsletter while you're there.

Five Easy Ways to Reduce the BAD Fat In Your Diet

The GOOD vs BAD Fat
Do you remember the ‘fat-free’ craze of the 1980s? I do, and I still chuckle when I see food companies marketing their products as ‘fat free’, claiming that the absence of fat must make that given food “healthy”. We now know that fat is not as evil as we had once believed. And in fact, some fats are considered “superfoods”. However, the story doesn’t end there. There are still ‘bad’ fats, and those bad fats, which include saturated fats and trans fat, should be avoided as much as possible in our diets. Below is a short list of good fats and bad fats for your review.

Cut The BAD Fat!
Below you will find 5 easy ways to reduce the ‘bad fat’ from your diet. And while you are at it, you can try to incorporate some of the healthy fats listed above. The good news is that within each fat reducing strategy, I’ll give you food options that are just as tasty. I think you’ll find this to be a fairly easy nutrition challenge!

1. Dodge the Dairy Disasters
As many of you know, I am a big fan of dairy. I think that it can be a great source of protein and calcium, however, it can also deliver way more saturated fat than your body wants or needs. When in your dairy aisle, be sure to read the labels, and opt for milk, yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese that contains fewer than 3 grams of fat per serving.

Don’t get fooled by misleading terms such as “reduced fat”. Reduced fat only means that the product has less fat than the original. Take milk for example. Whole milk is 3.3% fat, while skim milk is 0% fat. So by choosing 2% milk, you are in fact reducing the fat from whole milk, but it is still what I would consider a “high fat” drink. Stick with either 1% or skim milk. Same goes for cheese, don’t opt for the ‘reduced fat’, which is only slightly lower in fat than the original, but instead opt for the ‘low-fat’ varieties. This will save you oodles of fat and calories. And when you are in doubt about which to choose, just check the food label. There should be no more than 3 grams of fat for every 100 calories.

Other places to cut fat from dairy are from cream based soups and frozen desserts. Instead of creamy soups, opt for broth and bean based soups and for frozen desserts, look for low-fat ice cream of frozen yogurt with less than 3 grams of fat per 100 calories.

2. Get to Know Your Meat Department
Understanding where the saturated fat lurks in your poultry and red meat is the key to success when it comes to reducing the fat from your healthy protein based entrees. One way to quickly check how much fat is in your red meat is to look for the white. Saturated fat becomes solid at room temperature, and turns white, so the more white you see; the fattier the meat is going to be. Here is a quick guide to the do’s and don’ts, when choosing your meat and poultry.

GOOD PICKS: Red Meat: Sirloin, Ground sirloin/beef with less than10% fat, Flank Steak, Beef tenderloin, Poultry: Skinless chicken breast, Ground chicken/turkey breast, Skinless turkey breast, Pork: Lean Center-cut pork chops, Pork tenderloin

NOT-SO-GOOD PICKS: Red Meat: T-Bone, Ribeye, Ground Round, Skirt Steak, Poultry: Chicken wings, thighs and drumsticks, Dark meat turkey, Any chicken or turkey skin, Ground Dark Meat Chicken or Turkey.

3. Say NO WAY to Trans Fats
Several decades back, food companies figured out the trans fats would extend the shelf life of many of their products, including cookies, crackers and cakes. These partially hydrogenated fats, also known as trans fats were thought to be better for our bodies than saturated fats found in butter or vegetable oil. However, nutritionists and scientists then learned that these trans fats were actually very dangerous and were directly contributing to all sorts of maladies such as high cholesterol and heart disease. In order to cut out these unhealthy, unnatural fats, just say NO. It should be your goal to have ZERO grams of trans fats per day. So be sure to scour your nutrition labels, which are now required to list trans fats, and do not buy anything that has even 1gram of saturated fat per serving. Opt only for products that are 0 grams per serving.

Read more on The Firm Direct website

Like The FIRM on Facebook

Follow The FIRM on Twitter

Two Belles Giveaway: Crazy Dog T-Shirts

2012-01-21T04:50:00.000-08:00

The Belles are VERY excited about this AWESOME giveaway from one of our very favorite T-shirt companies Crazy Dog T-shirts. Crazy Dog T-Shirts is THE online shop for funny T-shirts, vintage T-shirts, crazy T-shirts, cool T-shirts, movie/ TV theme T-shirts, and novelty T-shirts. And their shipping is super fast! Enter our awesome Crazy Dog T-Shirts giveaway on Two Belles Fitness!

The Belles LOVE the selection of unique T-shirts that Crazy Dog offers. They have so many fun shirts that you just cant find anywhere else! And their prices are great! I discovered Crazy Dog T-Shirts while searching the internet for a tuxedo shirt for DH and I have been a faithful customer ever since. Here are some of our absolute favorite Crazy Dog T-shirts:

Arent these awesome!! They are on our ever-growing Crazy Dog T-Shirts wishlist. They have so many fun T-shirts that will remind you of your childhood and SO many hilarious T-shirts that will literally have you laughing out loud! Here are the beauties that the Belles had the pleasure of reviewing:

Can you guess which Belle chose the Bacon, Its That Good and which Belle chose the Recycle Shirt? Either way, we both LOVE our T-shirts, the high quality fabric, the fit, the cut, and the ease of use on their website. The Belles give Crazy Dog's four biceps up!!!

Check out some of my favorite T categories:

80's T-shirts

Funny T-Shirts

Retro Shirts

Mens T-shirts

Womens T-shirts

Dog clothes

Kids T-shirts

Funny Baby Onsies

T-shirt Sale

Want to win a $15.00 gift card for Crazy Dog T-shirts?? (Winners cannot have won a shirt from Crazy Dogs or affiliates, have been sent a shirt for promotional purposes in the last 90 days, or own a "review & giveaway" style blog of their own).

Enter this awesome Crazy Dog T-Shirts giveaway on Two Belles Fitness!

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on 2/3/12 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on 2/5/12. Good Luck!

We received samples of these products to review. We were in no other way compensated for our honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are oury own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. We can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.

Candle Shopping with EdenFantasys

2012-01-20T04:59:00.001-08:00

You are probably already familiar with EdenFantasys, as they have been a continual sponsor for our Win, Lose, & Blog contestants from the very beginning! Each season EdenFantasys has provided our winning "losers" with some fun sex toys, lingerie, or really whatever they choose to spend their giftcards on. If you are not familiar with EdenFantasys- here is your chance to see some of their awesome candles! Visit EdenFantasys on Facebook and of course visit their website to see their complete line of fun candles!

I love candles- you probably do too, after all what woman doesn't??? Well here are my top three candle picks from EdenFantasys.

My Number 1 Pick: BWarm Massage Candle

This is my absolute favorite candle on EdenFantasys. First because I think its super cute- it looks like a little chair :) I love the orange, it totally matches the neutral tones I have in our large living room (the small living room is DH's man cave so I dont get to decorate that one- boo). Second, LOVE the retro look. The color and shape is kind-of 70's looking, isnt it? Love it. And last by certainly not least- ok I actually saved the best for last. When you melt the candle, the wax turns into massage oil- talk about multi-tasking! AND the shape of the candle holder allows you to pour the wax massage oil onto your masage-ee. Though I do hope YOU are the massage-ee and your significant other is the massager :) hint hint DH!

My Number 2 Pick: Beeswax Aromatherapy Pillar Candle

My number two pick is the Beeswax Aromatherapy Pillar Candle. Its a convenient size to place on the nightstand next to our bed or in the entry way of our home- I do turn the label around when placed in the entry way though lol. The scent is lovely, light and not over powering but will definitely not go unnoticed. Even better than the scent is that it is made from Beeswax, which I have found to be so much better than soy or whatever other waxes are available on the market. AND even better than that - the candle contains pheromones. So as it melts it releases the pheromones into the air to really get you and your significant other in the mood. Perfect for the old married couples (me!) to spice things up and keep the romance alive!

My Number 3 Pick: Pheromone Massage Oil Candle
My number three pick is the Pheromone Massage Oil Candle. I really like the little tin it comes in and the smell is super super nice! Its compact so you can just store it in your nightstand drawer if you dont want to keep it out on display- though the tin itself is cute, so why not just leave it out? I like to be able to just put the lid on my candles to put them out- so you dont have to deal with smoke from putting it out. It also contains pheromones that are released when you light it to create the snuggle mood for you and your significant other. Ooh la la indeed! And its super easy to pack & take with you if you are going on a romantic get away. Maybe Ill sneak one in my bag for our upcoming cruise!

Visit EdenFantasys next time you need to get some candles. They also make lovely gifts for bridal showers and bachelorette parties. So which EdenFantasys candle do you like the most?

Season SEVEN Will Soon Begin!

2012-01-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

Keep watching the blog fitness fans. The application for season seven will be posted soon. We anticipate starting season seven mid-February and it will run for seven weeks. In the mean time- we will have some great motivational posts, healthy recipes, & other fun posts on the blog for you!

The application will be posted very soon, so keep watching the blog and our Win, Lose, or Blog Facebook page.

Thanks!
Win, Lose, or Blog Team

Tummy Tuesday : Fettuccine Alfredo

2012-01-17T05:16:00.000-08:00

{Image Via FoodNetwork.com}

So... Pasta and Healthy usually do not go together... tons of creamy and buttery goodness just cannot be healthy... can they? Well, the folks at Food Network have found a pretty awesome way to 'fake' it... you have to try this!

Ingredients
2 cups cauliflower florets, about 8-ounces
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces whole grain fettuccine pasta
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup low-fat evaporated milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup frozen petite peas, thawed, (4 ounces)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Preparation
1. Put the cauliflower, broth, and 1 cup water in a small pot; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is very soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool 5 minutes. Carefully puree cauliflower and all the liquid in a blender until very smooth; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, 8 minutes. Drain well, reserving about 1 cup pasta cooking water.

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cauliflower puree and evaporated milk and bring to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened, 5 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the peas until heated through, 2 minutes. Toss in the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese and about 1/2 cup of pasta water until the noodles are coated but the sauce is still loose. Remove from the heat and toss in the butter, chopped parsley and lemon zest. (If the sauce seems thick, adjust the consistency with the remaining pasta water). Serve immediately sprinkled with chopped parsley.

This recipe takes a little longer than the ones I typically recommend (35mins), but for 325 calories a serving it might just be worth it!

Food Network surprised me with their selection of healthy meal options... they might surprise you too!

Monday Motivation

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

"Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like themuscles of the body."
-Lynn Jennings

Push yourself harder, farther, faster than you thought possible! Stretch and work that mental aspect of your fitness or weight loss program and prove to yourself just how capable you are of success!

Tummy Tuesday: Three-Bean Chili

2012-01-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

{Image Via CookingLight.com}

This recipe comes to us from CookingLight.com... another great resource for healthy meals for those of us short on time!

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup pre-chopped onion

1/2 cup pre-chopped green bell pepper

2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 (15 1/2-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 1/2-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic)

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream

Preparation
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup water and next 9 ingredients (through diced tomatoes); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes. Stir in cornmeal; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro. Serve with sour cream.

This is the perfect recipe for a cold winter day! This recipe will make 6 servings with only 180 calories each! Cooking Light has a whole slew of great 'comfort food' recipes like this one... you should check if your favorites are on the list and see if you can shave some calories off your favorite meals!

Monday Motivation

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last year I shared a motivational thought about having a personal mantra. Something that you can think or say repeatedly to yourself for motivation, encouragement, a reminder of goals, etc. Last year my mantra was "I can do hard things." This year my personal mantra is different and I wanted to share the new one with you:

Art by Artsyville

I've felt this enthusiasm and desire welling up in me over the last few months and I just know that this is my time. This is the year that I put all the experience and learning and knowledge I've gained after years of half-heartedly trying to lose weight into real practice. My momentum has been picking up and I can feel that momentum carrying me forward. Are you feeling it, too? This is the year! Set your goals, make your plans and get moving! This can be our best year yet and we can succeed together!

Cheering you on!

~Ang

Tummy Tuesday : Southwestern Pizza

2012-01-03T04:51:00.000-08:00

{Image Via Fitnessmagazine.com}

Fitness Magazine has found a fun way to make one of my favorite dishes, Pizza, a little bit more healthy! They have loads of dinner ideas that take less than 20 minutes to make... I'd suggest this one:

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

1 12-inch 100% whole wheat pizza crust

1 cup prepared tomato salsa

1 1/4 cups shredded reduced-fat 2 percent mozzarella

1 1/3 cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1 small sweet red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced (about 2/3 cup)

2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

1/4 cup cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place crust on sheet and top with salsa, 1 cup mozzarella, beans, sliced red pepper, and scallions. Top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

2. Place pizza in oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes or until mozzarella is melted. Remove from oven and garnish with cilantro if desired. Cut into six slices and serve.

The whole Pizza has less than 1500 calories! Compared to a Large Veggie Lovers pizza from Pizza Hut you're saving more than 1000 calories!

And of course you can mix up the toppings and share with friends!

Monday Motivation

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

When your mind is focused on achieving specific goals, youwill notice

reduced stress and increased clarity, satisfaction, and peace ofmind.

~Bill Phillips

Seems worth setting some goals and striving for them, right? Right!! Set some goals for the new year and get working!! Thanks for being with us here at Win, Lose or Blog! We're cheering you on as you focus on your health and fitness goals!

New Years Attire- what should I wear?

2011-12-30T13:17:00.000-08:00

New Years eve is FAST approaching- ok ok its tomorrow night. I ordered these two gorgeous dresses from Edenfantasys. While EdenFantasys offers a huge selection of club dresses they are primarily an online store for all things sex toys and beyond. They have SO many cute dresses, in fact, that I couldn't decide which one to get- so I got two. Figured I'd try them on and then decide which one looks best. Well they both fit wonderfully and now I can't decide which one to wear eek! Help me decide!

Option One: White Long Gown, Maxi Dress by Espiral

This dress is absolutely stunning!!! The dress is available in white or black- I ordered the white and I love it. The black looks super cute, but the white looked more elegant so I went with that. It really is a gorgeous dress and I think it would fit our venue- we are going to a "club" type place so while this dress is a tad on the fancy side- we are all dressing up for the holiday. Hey New Years only comes once a year so why not dress up. I dont get too many options to dress up so I do want to take advantage. My only worry is that its white and if I spill any drinks or food on it (Im clumsy sorry lol) it will show up. Or if the bottom runs along the ground it will get dirty fast....

Pluses:

The length is long (but still sexy), though it wont be cold here- I worry I would get cold in a shorter dress
Backless (I have tattoos that are rarely seen, so why not show them off)
The dress is flowing at the bottom and I will be able to easily move around and not feel restricted

Option Two: Keyhole front dress, Mini dress by Espiral

Im a huge fan of yellow so I absolutely LOVE this dress! I know yellow isnt super popular so I think I will really stand out in this dress. It is elegant but still cute and fun. I really like the peek hole to show some cleavage but not overly revealing. I tried it on with and without a tube top and it actually looks great either way. I have a cute white lacy tube top I use to wear under things to make them less revealing. While I dont think this dress is too revealing without it- I worry that (while drinking LOL), dancing, running around, etc. something may show that I dont want to show SO I will probably go with the tube top under. Which, like I said- looks cute anyways. Because I worry about getting cold- I run cold, even here in the desert- so I plan to wear thick leggings with it. The only thing I worry about is that the leggings may make it look more casual

Pluses:

I get to wear leggings with it so I know I'll stay warm
Love the yellow- sure to stand out in that
Love the peekhole

So help me decide! Which EdenFantasys dress should I wear tomorrow night????

Jen Galardi's Sweating Sexy DVD Review

2011-12-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

Today's Review: Sweating Sexy
Jennifer Galardi, 2010

Jennifer leads this fun dancy 50 minute workout in a nice open studio style set with 2 background exercisers. You wont need any equipment for this workout and no shoes are required! This is a fun blend of body strengthening, active stretching, and flowing dance. The dvd is chaptered and you can select a segment from the menu or play all. There is also a 5 minute dance inspired warmup that will introduce you to the upcoming moves.

Using the Floor: This section is lower body focused and includes a fun little dance routine. Exercises include: floor brush, flowing squats, toe squats, knee raise w/ a toe point, hip shifts, pliets, & Jennifer adds in some fun arm movements. This is a nice combo of ballet & flowing dance.

Using the Upper Body: This fun flowing10 minute workout is core focused and performed standing. Exercises include: side to side rib & hip shifts, reaches, pulls, standing roll ups, reach over & around, spine rolls, and finishes with a routine that combines the moves you just performed.

Ready To Dance: From the play all option you get the entire 28 minute routine, when selecting the chapter you get the 18 minute breakdown- which still moves right along but includes some "teaching" with the dancing. Exercises include: kick, side toe reach, hip circles, jazz square, inverted lunges, jump & pump, body roll ups, leg sweeps, hip pushes, and 10 minutes of performing the routine (cuing is still included). Concludes with a 5 minute cooldown.

I rate this a beginner workout in terms of cardio intensity and low intermediate in terms of choreography. Fun to do and easy to catch onto. Kind of a fusion of barre & dance with strengthening and stretching interspersed. A great "feel good" workout! Jen is a superb instructor, clear & concise cuing & perfect form pointers just when you need them. This dvd works great as a solid 50 min workout or is easily broken down to add on to other w/o's. I received this dvd to review.

For more information:

Visit Jennifer Galardi's LivWhole website

Like Jennifer Galardi on Facebook

Check out Jennifer Galardi's DVD Store

Tummy Tuesday : Grilled Chicken with Chipotle-Orange Glaze

2011-12-27T04:42:00.000-08:00

{Image via EatingWell.com}

Here is a great recipe from the folks at Eatingwell.com - they have a TON of quick, easy, and most importantly HEALTHY recipes! You should definitely check them out!

My favorite thing about this recipe is that it makes 2 servings... perfect for dinner and lunch leftovers for one... or dinner for two... no wasted food here!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate, thawed
1.5 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, (see Note)
1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat (8 ounces)
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Preheat grill or broiler to high. Lightly oil the rack.

2. Whisk orange juice concentrate, chiles, vinegar, molasses and mustard in a small bowl.

3. Sprinkle chicken with salt. Grill or broil the chicken for 2 minutes. Turn the chicken, brush with the chipotle-orange glaze, and cook, brushing occasionally with more of the glaze, 4 minutes more. Turn the chicken again, brush with the glaze, and cook until no longer pink in the middle, 2 to 5 minutes more.

Eatingwell.com also lists the nutrition content of all their recipes... one serving of this recipe only contains 152 calories! crazy!!

Monday Motivation

2011-12-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

As many people are considering and setting New Years resolutions this week as we prepare to say good-bye to 2011 and hello to 2012, be sure to have some concrete, measurable goals in place. Make the goals count, get excited about and committed to the goals and then let nothing stand in your way of succeeding!

Happy holidays and a happy new year!

Monday Motivation

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Boy, my search for a little light-hearted motivation took a different turn today hahahaha. I was looking for a funny little holiday cartoon or something to remind us that even during the holidays we should try to enjoy the sweet, rich treats with moderation.

Then I found this quote, and just had to share it. Nothing like going from silly cartoons to ancient philosophers!

If one oversteps the bounds of moderation,

the greatest pleasures cease to please.

~Epictetus

Think about the last time you really overindulged... it may have been totally pleasurable for a moment as you dove into whatever it was that enticed you to indulge. But a few more bites in, when telling yourself "I really shouldn't!" or "I'm already full... why am I still eating?" or "I can't stop!" the pleasure in the experience was probably long gone. And when you were feeling nasty with a belly ache or heartburn a while later, that sweet pleasure wasn't very pleasing any more, was it?

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!!! But try to remember to enjoy the foods in moderation. Be able to look back on your holidays as pleasant memories, not as moments of overindulgence that resulted in discomfort, displeasure and guilt.

Christi Taylor's Totally Cool Step 2 Review

2011-12-16T05:29:00.000-08:00

Review: Totally Cool Step 2
Christi Taylor, 2011

Christi leads this 40 min step video in a nice open space w/ cute Asian art on the wall behind. Christi works out w/ 5 backgrounders, some of which provide modifications. This dvd also contains a "move master" segment where Christi shows the combo's while counting, and a 13 min yoga & 13 min pilates workout. You will only need a step bench for this workout.

Step: The music in this workout is great- fun & high energy. Christi leads you through six fun choreographed step routines. This is the perfect addition to her original Totally Cool Step and is perfect for all you steppers out there that love fun and unique choreography. Exercises include: ham curls, straddle, L's, reapeaters, slap step, twists, pony, revolve, corner stomp, marching on the step, and Christi adds fun claps and arm movements. She does a fantastic job of utilizing the space all around the step for these fun step routines.

Yoga: Led by another instructor this is a nice flowing yoga segment. Exercises include: half moon, vinyassa flow adding some unique twists, airplane, triangle, chair, and warrior variations.

Pilates: Led by another instructor this is a tough core focused pilates routine. Each exerciser works at a different intensity so you can choose your level. Exercises include: roll over, hundre, lying windmill, pilates bike, leg circles, teaser, double leg stretch, pilates V, plank pushups, pike superman, & side planks.

You can really tell Christi is having fun in this workout- which makes it more fun for everyone. I rate the choreography in this one advanced and the intensity high intermediate- though you can easily adjust your intensity (by adding hops or keeping it low impact) to suit your needs. This is great for those that love choreographed routines. Christi is a great lead- great cuing and has a fantastic energy! I would love to take a live class with her one of these days! I received this dvd to review.

For More Information:

Visit Christi Taylor's website

Like the Christi Taylor Fan Page on Facebook

Christi Taylor's DVD webstore

Smelly Washer Giveaway on Fitness For the Rest of Us!

2011-12-16T05:06:00.000-08:00

Enter to win your choice of Smelly Washer products on Fitness For the Rest of Us!

Smelly Towel Cleaner:
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to get your towels clean & smelling fresh- espeically after they have not completely dried or an odor has penetrated them? Well I have! I have tried and nothing seemed to work- until now- introducing a fantastic washing aid: Smelly Towel Cleaner!!! Simple to use, works wonders on odors, and is all natural! I admit, I probably (ok I do) know the reason our washer started to get that funny smell. I accidentally left a load of towels in the washing machine for an entire WEEK. Yes an entire week-doh! DH was back home visiting family and I apparently put washing on the back burner. Well we were having a heck of a time getting the smell out of the machine- until we started using Smelly Washer Cleaner!!!

After washing and rewashing the entire load of towels (bath, face, hand, and kitchen towels) and the smell not coming out I ended up in a pile in the garage to be used for outdoor clean up. I decided to go grab them out of the garage and give the Smelly Towel Cleaner a try. I am SO happy to have had the opportunity to to try the Smelly Towel Cleaner and save my entire load of towels -yay!

Smelly Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner:

Have you ever noticed a funny smell in the kitchen sink and couldnt figure out where its coming from? Then finally realizing its the garbage disposal- yuck! How about your "clean" dishes coming out smelly? Well let me introduce you to Smelly Dishwasher & Disosal Cleaner!!! Simple to use, works wonders on odors, and is all natural! Time to GO GREEN! Smelly Dishwasher & Garbage Disposal to eliminate any and all odors. I am super sensitive to smell so I can not stand "clean" dishes coming out of the dishwasher with a funky odor. Now every so often I run a wash with a cap full of f Smelly Dishwasher & Garbage Disposal to eliminate any and all odors.

And, worst of all- a smelly garbage disposal- that things needs cleaned out from time to time and now you can do it easily and not worry about sticking your hand down in there! Just add a cap full of Smelly Dishwasher & Disposal and run the disposal with some running water to eliminate odor and clean the disposal out. All natural and doesnt damage your pipes!

Smelly Washer Cleaner:

When we purchased our new home we were super excited to have a new front-load washer- well after a few uses we werent so excited anymore. We started noticing a funny smell, particularly in our towel loads. We tried everything and nothing seemed to work- until now- introducing my new best friend: Smelly Washer Cleaner!!! Simple to use, works FABULOUSLY, and is all natural!

I admit, I probably (ok I do) know the reason our washer started to get that funny smell. I accidentally left a load of towels in the washing machine for an entire WEEK. Yes an entire week-doh! DH was back home visiting family and I apparently put washing on the back burner. Well we were having a heck of a time getting the smell out of the machine- until we started using Smelly Washer Cleaner!!!

Smelly Washer Cleaner is used by adding a level cap (1 tbsp.) to a hot setting and allowing the cycle to complete. Most users find this will remove odor from any top or front loading washer. Worse cases will need more than 1 cleaning and even soaking to remove the odor-causing buildup. For more information read our featured articles on their blog page. After the clothes washer has been cleaned it's time to concentrate on removing that offensive mildew smell from your towels and clothing!

Want to win YOUR CHOICE of Smelly Washer products? Enter on Fitness For the Rest of Us!

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on 12/23 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on 12/25 . Contest open to US residents with a street address! Good Luck!

Two Belles Giveaway: ENJOY Luxury Shampoo & Conditioner

2011-12-15T05:01:00.000-08:00

ENJOY Professional Hair Care offers a complete line of sulfate free and Ph balanced shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to meet the needs of every hair type. Safe for color treated and chemically processed hair, their products ensure healthy, radiant, from start to finish. Just remember to ENJOY!

Head on over to Two Belles Fitness to win to find out how you can win their luxurious ENJOY Luxury Shampoo AND Conditioner!!!

ENJOY Sulfate Free Luxury Shampoo
ENJOY Sulfate Free Luxury Shampoo gently cleanses, moisturizes and smoothes while relieving stressed out hair and scalp. Soy protein smoothes and hydrates the cuticle while silk protein seals and smoothes the hair. Unique surfactants guarantee thick, luxurious foaming action-which I love! I like knowing my shampoo is cleaning my hair & ENJOY's Luxury Shampoo's luxurious (awesome smelling) bubbles do just that! This rich cleansing formula can also be used as a luxurious skin wash. Although recommended for all hair types, it’s perfect to smooth and control heavy, coarse or curly hair-which is PERFECT for me! My thick curly hair can be unmanageable and ENJOY Luxury Shampoo is just what the stylist ordered to keep my hair soft, manageable, and clean! I love the sulfate free formula. My hair is color treated and I wont use any sulfate containing product on my hair.

ENJOY Luxury Shampoo is available exclusively at salons and my stylist LOVES and recommends all ENJOY products! The winner of this giveaway will take home an ENJOY Sulfate-Free Luxury Shampoo in a10 oz size retailing for $24.14 (USD).

ENJOY Sulfate Free Luxury Conditioner:
ENJOY Sulfate Free Luxury will smooth, moisturize and soften your hair while indulging yourself in an incredible soothing and luxurious experience. ENJOY Luxury Conditioner leaves hair soft, controllable and smooth. Silk protein and cetyl esters work to smooth, repair and seal damaged cuticle. This rich conditioning treatment can also be used for moisturizing the skin or shaving. LOVE using this for shaving, I have sensitive skin and ENJOY Luxury Conditioner works wonders- no irritation, no bumps! I love the light mildly fruity scent- leaves my hair smelling wonderful all day but not overpowering at all.

I can't say enough good things about all ENJOY products but their Luxury line is on the top of my list! This rich thick conditioner detangles my thick curly hair with ease and leaves my hair soft, shiny, and perfectly manageable. Oh and check out their SKINJOY line for some FABULOUS cleanser, moisturizers, and more! The SKINJOY moisturizer is so luxurious- you only need a tiny bit to moisturize your entire face- completely non-greasy and LOVE the smell!

Head on over to Two Belles Fitness to win to find out how you can win their luxurious ENJOY Luxury Shampoo AND Conditioner!!!

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on 12/16 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and annouced on 12/18. Contest open to US residents with a street address! Good Luck!

Dance off the Inches: Hip Hop Body Blast Review

2011-12-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

Review: Dance off the Inches: Hip Hop Body Blast
Jennifer Galardi, 2011

Jennifer leads this 42 minute workout w/ 2 backgrounders in a really cute set. The dvd includes a 21 minute learn the moves tutorial which really helps - I did it then the w/o and had no problems w/ the choreo (which is saying a lot as I have 2 left feet & cant dance). You wont need any equipment for this workout.

The w/o contains 3 separate routines ("to the club," "Groovin," and "Kick It Up") and Jen teaches a move, then adds on until you get a complete routine- while the routines are built add-on style I didnt find this overly TIFTy. Dance Moves include: strike, tap & sit, hip rolls, party arms, stomp, happy feet, hop scotch, bait & switch, wipers, shuffle, skat, chug, slap it, twist & tuck, etc. The workout assumes you have done the step guide- which like I said clearly taught the moves.

I rate this a high beginner workout in terms of cardio and intermediate in terms of choreo. I had no problem catching on after doing the tutorial. Jen cues wonderfully and does a great job of creating mini- routines, fun and great pace. No wasted time overly breaking down the moves during the workout, I like that the step guide is separate. Great energy & fun workout for days you just want to dance! If I were a fan of dance (at all) this would be a 5 star workout- fun & doable & love Jen! I received this dvd to review.

Monday Motivation

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

I had an interesting experience this week that I wanted to share. Like probably many of you, I had a tricky time navigating the Thanksgiving holiday. To add a whole different layer of challenge, I left on vacation the next day and had to try to make decent choices regarding food while on vacay. (I flopped, by the way, but I DID get a lot of exercise in so there's that, at least hehehe.) The following week was Thanksgiving leftovers heaven (or hell... depending on how you look at it.) And then we found ourselves into full-blown holiday mode with Christmas treats popping up right and left, Christmas parties to attend, etc. My point is, I got derailed for a couple of weeks. Big time! I had barely done two or three hours of cardio in two whole weeks, and hadn't done any of my Couch-to-5K training for two full weeks, either. The C25K training slouch was my biggest regret because I had finally conquered Week 4 Day 1 which is where I had gotten stumped the first time I attempted the C25K program. And by not continuing the C25K training during those two weeks I found myself wondering how far backwards I had slid in my progress. When I finally buckled down and laced up my running shoes to hit the pavement to give W4D2 a try after the 2 week break from running, I was pretty certain it was going to be a failed attempt. I even kind of had myself convinced that if I could even do just half of the scheduled training I'd consider it a success.

So I got out there and did my warm up walk. And then I transitioned to my walk/run intervals. It hurt. Running had lost the natural feel that I had built up prior to taking a break. But I was doing it. I got to the halfway point and considered for a split second saying "You did what you hoped to be able to do! Cut yourself some slack and just walk now!" But instead I assessed how I was truly feeling. And I realized that I had more to give. And so I gave it. And I finished the full W4D2 training. It wasn't pretty. But it was complete. I had more to give, but I could very easily have given up.

We all face that choice so often. Don't give up just because it feels hard or you think "I've done enough." Do a quick assessment before you finish your workout and ask yourself "Can I give more?" and if you've got anything left to give, by all means... give it!!!

Jackie Warners NEW: Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start REVIEW

2011-12-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Today's Review: Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start
Jackie Warner, 2011

This dvd has a 25 minute upper body & a 25 min lower body workout that can be combined or done separately. Jackie works out in a brick gym w/ 2 backgrounders. You will need a light set of dumbbells for these workouts.

This is a power pyramid workout; you alternate two exercises for one rep, then two, all the way up to ten reps. The pace is fast so you really do have to use light weights (Jackie rec's 5 # dumbbells). Jackie pairs biceps & chest, back & triceps, lower body & shoulders, and core/ abs.

Upper Body Workout: Super quick warmup, pushup & kneeling hammer curl, bench press & bi curl, fly & outer curl, row & overhead tricep, upright row & kickback, and straight arm lat raise & straight arm kick back. Lower Body, Shoulders, & Abs Workout: squat & front raise, deadlift & lat raise, sumo squat & military press, crunch & clam crunch, toe touch & scissor and frog crunch & reach.

This workout hits your upper body more than the lower and the ab moves are tough & lots of reps so my abs were also thoroughly worked! Jackie is an awesome lead- great cuing and lots of variety. Time really flys in this one! If you are a fan of light weight high rep workouts- this is the workout for you! She really accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. I received this dvd to review.

RAVE: Kickboxing Cardio Power Review

2011-12-06T05:01:00.000-08:00

Review: Kickboxing Cardio Power
Guillermo Gomez, 2011 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

Guillermo leads this fun 40 minute kickboxing routine with 2 background exercisers (Jessica Smith is one!) in a nice open set with Asian styling. You won't need any equipment for this workout. The dvd also contains a 4 min kickboxing basics tutorial and a 10 min bonus martial arts drills segment.

Guillermo does a fantastic job of really keeping things moving along, working up a great sweat, fun but NOT complicated or boring choreo, and his cuing is excellent. Exercises include: jabs, cross, upper cut, hook, speed bags, knee pulls, front kicks, & double jab combined into a fun kickboxing routine. He adds in jacks and squat pulses to keep the heart rate up.

I rate this a solid intermediate workout that is really appropriate for most all fitness levels- add some weighted gloves to amp up the intensity, or tone it down for a lighter day. Great cuing, great pace, lots of fun and the perfect balance of fun - not boring- not complex choreo. I received this dvd to review.

For More Information:

Visit the Martial Fusion Website

Like Sensei Guillermo Gomez on Facebook

Monday Motivation

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Get and stay in control!! If you find yourself losing control, do everything you can to grab it again quickly. Don't let the work you've done and the success you've experienced be for nothing by letting go of your control. You make the choices. You be in control!

20% off All Himalayan Salt Lamp Purchases!

2011-12-01T05:01:00.000-08:00

Use coupon code "dec2011" 20% off any Himalayan Salt Shop Lamp purchase! Valid through the end of the year!!!

Himalayan Salt Shop Lamp:
These lamps are made of natural crystal salt mined from underground salt mines in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, a beautiful orange-reddish Himalayan crystal salt is mounted on a wooden base, crystal salt is hundreds of millions of years old and, as a result, has special properties and high mineral content, the heat from the bulb causes the salt to emit negative ions that bond with the pollutants in the air and neutralize them, the newly bonded ions become heavier and fall to the ground removing them from the air circulation, these negative ionscombat electro-smog caused by electronic devices operating in the home and relieve symptoms from asthma, allergies, and other illnesses. We LOVE the benefits of natural salt lamps ionization process and the lamps are so stylish- they make the perfect addition to any decor.

Crystal Salt Lamps have big advantages, and not only for cleaning the environment of a room. The Himalayan Salt Shop 6-8 lb. Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamp is a big enough for sufficient ionization of a small bedroom. It allows you the luxury of significant ionization for your bedroom, bathroom, or home gym and includes UL listed cord, bulb, wooden base, and informational sheet. The Himalayan Salt Shop offers more than just their fabulous natural shaped, carved, and animal shaped salt lamps! They also offer a huge assortment of: bath salts, edible salts, personal care items, organic foods, and essential oils. The Belles LOVE patronizing small businesses like the Himalayan Salt Shop! The winner of this giveaway will win one 6-8 lb Himalayan Salt Shop lamp!

For More Information:

Visit the Himalayan Salt Shop Website

Like Himalayan Salt Shop on Facebook

Melt Some Major Pounds Before Christmas! Join Me!

2011-11-30T05:07:00.000-08:00

AdvoCare is a premier health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products to enhance your healthy eating and workout efforts! Want to drop some pounds, gain energy, lose inches, and look fantastic all before Christmas, why wait for New Years??? Try my AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge! The Challenge comes with EVERYTHING you need to look and feel your best- including a simple but detailed meal plan. Message me for information or to get started today! lindseylu8 @ gmail . com

I recently did the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge and had amazing results! I lost 10.2 lbs and 9 inches Check out my before and after photos:

What I personally LOVE about the Challenge:

Comes with a detailed meal plan that includes real whole foods that are quick & easy. Nothing fancy or expensive. Also comes with a nice big recipe book for meal ideas.
It's not some combo of strange "diet pills" (which I do not advocate). Its the correct amount of nutrition your body needs when it needs it- calcium, omegas, fiber, probiotics, etc...Nothing that will make you jittery or cause any strange side effects.
I wasn't hungry!!! I was eating real foods (3 meals, and 3 snacks per day) and I was satisfied. I wasnt craving the sugary treats like I normally do and was able to cut out a lot of the extra salt & sugar I had been consuming and I felt fabulous!
Bottom line. I lost over 10 pounds and nine whole inches and I'm maintaining my loss even after the challenge has ended.

Want to start your very own 24 Day Challenge? Email me for more information or with ANY questions at lindseylu8 @ gmail . com.

Some of my AdvoCare Fav's:

ThermoPlus:

is another AdvoCare product I do not live without! Last time I ran out- my appetite skyrocketed- I now ALWAYS have a backup on hand. It really really helps me control my hunger and stay no my eating plan. No jittery side effects- no side effects at all! It is an innovative weight-loss enhancer that contains key botanical extracts to help support efficient metabolism and suppress appetite. Together, they provide powerful support for stimulating fat oxidation and healthy metabolism when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise. I'm all for maximizing my healthy eating and exercise efforts and ThermoPlus helps me do just that!

AdvoCare Catalyst:

Catalyst is definitely one of my favorite AdvoCare products!-Catalyst Amino Acid Supplement is a blend of essential branched-chain amino acids and L-glutamine that supply your body with muscle-building components and helps maintain muscle mass during exercise & prevents muscle loss during times of weight loss. It aids in preserving muscle and energy levels during times of calorie restriction and helps repair & protect muscle tissue! As you know, I love lifting my weights and LOVE the defined cut lines that weight lifting gives me- so of course Im a huge fan of helping my results along and Catalyst does just that!

AdvoCare Spark:

Out with the coffee and Red Bull and IN with the Spark! Spark is a sugar free energy drink full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that provides healthy, balanced energy and really helps control my appetite! Available in Pink Lemonade, Mandarin Orange, Fruit Punch, Grape, Citrus, Cherry AND seasonal Mango Strawberry (YUM)! Tastes great mixed with water or blended with ice into a thirst quenching Spark Slurpee. I'm happy to report that I'm off coffee & DH is off energy drinks-thanks to Spark.

AdvoCare Meal Replacement Shakes:

Complete nutrition-just add water, perfect for breakfast on the go! Available in chocolate, Vanilla and Berry, contains 24 grams of protein, 5-6 grams of fiber, and 26 vitamins and minerals. Contains only 220 calories, tastes great as is, mixed with milk, water, or blended with fruit and really fills you up! My favorite recipe is 1/2 packet chocolate, 1/2 packet berry, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup water, ice- blend and enjoy!!!!

AdvoCare Slam:

Advocare Slam is the perfect portable sugar free energy drink! A bit more potent than Spark but still with NO jittery side effects! Slam is available in Bowl Game Berry, Strawberry Blast, LemonAid, and Power Punch. Slam is a high-powered, portable energy source that is fast acting and provides sustained energy without jitters. It sharpens mental focus and tastes great. Slam is the perfect compact portable energy source to keep on hand for those afternoon lulls. I keep one in my desk drawer and purse at all times!

AdvoCare Coffeccino:

The healthy coffee alternative for coffee lovers that want to step away from the bean (me!). Coffeccino helps sustain energy and is lower in sugar, calories, and fat than most other coffee drinks. It helps suppress appetite and provides essential nutrients. Coffeccino contains B-vitamins and neuroactives that help increase energy and mental focus. Tastes fabulous mixed with milk, water, or blended for a frothy mocha flavored coffee drink! Now available in Mint Mocha YUM!

Let's beat the holiday bulge together! For more information:

Visit my AdvoCare website

Jessica Smith & Guillermo Gomez: The Yin Yang Fusion Workout Review

2011-11-29T05:01:00.000-08:00

Review: The Yin Yang Fusion Workout
Guillermo Gomez & Jessica Smith, 2011 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This dvd offers five 15 minute workouts that you can select from the main menu or play all. The dvd is a fusion of martial arts, chi gong, yoga, sculpting & pilates. They workout together in one segment but individually in the other 4. The set is a cute open space with framed Japanese calligraphy in the background. You won't need any equipment and each segment includes a short w/u & c/d.

Cardio: Expansion & Contraction: Guillermo leads this active kickboxing cardio workout. Exercises include ham curls, various punches & punch combos, knee strikes, & elbow strike. Guillermo does a great job of creating a fun combo that is easy to catch onto and not overly choreographed.

Total Body: Strength & Flexibility: Jessica leads this active body weight resistance workout. Exercises include: horse stance & punches, round house kick, balance kicks, 1 leg squat, runners lunge to balance raise, pike pushups, full form squats, bridge w/ side reach, side plank & side kicks, donkey kicks. Jessica really keeps this workout moving along & includes a lot of unique exercises.

Lower Body: Rhythm & Balance: Guillermo leads this segment, includes some nice lower body resistance moves and keeps you moving. Exercises include: squats, walking side kicks, side knee pulls, repeater knees, bob & weave, knee pull & spin around. This is a fun little routine that includes some lower body work.

Core: Power & Flow: Jessica leads this standing & floor core routine. Exercises include: side leg raise, unique standing knee pull, large figure 8's, runners knee pull, v sit w/ crescent kick, bridge crunches, sit up & punch, side plank w/ arm & leg circles, plank pikes, and superman elbow pulls. Includes some great balance work & lots of unique moves.

Relax: Movement & Stillness: Guillermo leads this chi gong inspired routine & Jessica works out with him. Exercises include: chi breathing techniques, active stretching, purification breathing exercises, chataranga, up dog, low runners lunge to a balance warrior, and concludes with a seiza seated relaxation position. This is a very unique segment- great for relaxation.

I rate these workouts intermediate but are appropriate for most all fitness levels. Both instructors do a fantastic job w/ form pointers & their cuing is spot on. Tons of variety & time options and so many unique and fun exercises! I really enjoyed all the segments & see myself using this dvd a lot. I received this dvd to review.

For More Information:

Visit the Yin Yang Workout website

Like Yin Yang Fusion on Facebook

Like Jessica Smith's 10 Pounds Down on Facebook

Like Sensei Guillermo Gomez on Facebook

Monday Motivation

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

Wake up with determination.

Go to bed with satisfaction.

Wise words, right? Let's make it so! Cheering you on to a week full of determination to make the best choices possible and satisfaction that you did what you were determined to do!

EdenFantasys Makeup, Bath & Body Products

2011-11-27T05:20:00.000-08:00

EdenFantasys has been an ongoing sponsor for our fabulous Win, Lose, or Blog contestants for many seasons so Im sure you are all familiar but I have some exciting news for you- EdenFantasys now offers a huge selection of Bath & Body products! They also have a great selection of super cute & sexy club clothes.

Edenfantasys offers SO many different items so while you may not be into Sex toys, EdenFantasys.com is your one stop on-line shop for everyone on your Christmas list this year! Find something for your hubby, signifcant other, friends, sisters, and more! With their new line of makeup and skin & body care products you really can find the perfect gift for everyone. I can not wait to try these fabulous new items:

Cake Satin Sugar Hair & Body Powder

Available for darker or lighter hues, this fabulous dry shampoo keeps your hair fresh, voluminous, and clean. Tired of washing your hair after every single workout? We know washing every day is bad for our hair but we dont want dirty or smelly hair after a tough workout- well Satin Sugar Hair & Body Powder is the answer! Simply sprinkle a bit on your roots and instantaneously clean & fresh hair. Smells great, convenient packaging to toss in your gym bag or keep in your vanity.

Winter Wonder Lip Gloss Trio

This gorgeous trio comes complete with three fabulous colors: Vanilla Frost, Pink Icicle, and Gold Shimmer has something for everyone and every style. Perfect for a day at the office or a night on the town. This wonderful gloss trio would make a wonderful gift under the tree or as a stocking stuffer. Great for girls of all ages!

Face Palette: Bella In Bloom

This fantastic makeup palette includes everything your face needs: face powder, eye shadow and lip gloss! Another wonderful gift for the girl that has everything! We all love makeup and this all inclusive palette is everything we need all in one convenient case. Makes a fabulous addition to any gym bag, vanity drawer, or briefcase. Perfectly portable- take with you anywhere you go!

Coochy Shaving Cream

Though intended for your bikini line- Coochy Shaving Cream is A MUST HAVE for all of us with sensitive skin! I thought I was doomed into using an electric razor for the rest of my life until I found Coochy Shaving Cream on EdenFantasys. It was recommeded to me by a friend but I didnt want to go into an adult shop to find it so when I saw it on EdenFantasys I was SO happy! I put my order in ASAP and it is perfect for preventing razor burn, is super sensitive, rich & creamy, and feels great! No more razor burn, no more red bumps, no more burning!

Check out the EdenFantasys wesbsite, visit Eden Cafe to chat up a storm, like EdenFantasys on Facebook to follow all the fun news and be sure to follow @EdenFantasys on Twitter!

Martial Fusion LIQUID LIVE - An Interactive Fitness Concert Experience - December 15th, Miami

2011-11-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

For everyone in the Miami area- this is too good to miss! Mark your calenders & get your tickets now. This interactive fitness event sounds amazing! I WISH I could attend!!!

For the first time ever in Miami, Martial Fusion presents an interactive, fitness concert experience:

MARTIAL FUSION LIQUID LIVE
This powerful, energetic workout is set to a live electronic band, drummers and dancers, and led by martial arts fitness expert Sensei Guillermo Gomez.

Tickets are $15.00 per person and available at:
http://www.martialfusion.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1822962

Location: DAF Studio 1501 SW 8 ST 2nd Floor Miami FL, 33135.
Date: December 15th 2011
Time: 7:00pm
Parking: Street free parking
Phone: (305) 381-5200
Join us for this rejuvenating and re-energizing experience and prepare for 2012!

Sensei Guillermo Gomez is available for interviews before and after the event. All press welcome to attend.

To schedule an interview, or have Sensei appear in your publication or show, please contact: martialfusion@gmail.com

For More Information:
Check out the Martial Fusion website
Like Martial Fusion on Facebook

Mini Content Winners!

2011-11-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

We have always awarded our active WLB blog followers, and again this season we are ALSO awarding prizes to some of our mini contestants. These ladies have actively followed our mini contest and posted weekly with their losses right along with our main WLB contestants and we want to thank them!

Sparky (North Star Games)

Fit Kitty (Emailed)
Jen (We need your email address! Please leave it below)

We would like to thank these ladies along with every one who followed our blog, commented, entered our giveaways, and helped us spread the word about WLB! To reward these 3 ladies they will be taking home:

Tropical Traditions Massage Oil

Zilch Sugar Free Mixers

North Star Games Wits & Wagers

La Vaque Tweezers & Crystal Nail File

Thanks so much to all our WLB followers, mini-contestants, contestants, and our generous sponsors! Please visit our sponsors websites (click on their logo below) to thank them for participating in our season 6 of Win, Lose, or Blog!

Thank You Season Six Sponsors!

Photos on Canvas

Stay tuned for info on the upcoming season of WLB, how you can enter to be a contestant, or mini contestant, and more!