Thoughts on GONE GIRL book

I finished reading Gone Girl and you MUST go BUY it immediately!!  This is one of the best books I ever read since Hunger Games.  Other books I have read were great but not AWESOME like this one! If you lived in 80's, you will like this even better.   I do not usually like to read crime mystery novels.  My mother is a crime fanatic that she watches all kinds of crime shows such as CSI and Law and  Order, you name it.But its really not a mystery.  This book also reminded me a lot of Scott Peterson case. (if  you don't know who Scott Peterson is, google it up)  It's scary how media can really influence the way we think. I rarely ever believe 100 percent what Media says.  I've seen some true stories actually twisted into something else by the media myself. GO BUY THIS BOOK!  :) 

Divergent Book

Before I write my thoughts on Divergent, I want to start with a book description by Amazon first before I proceed.
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

I enjoyed reading this book even though it reminded m a bit of Hunger Games (still different but still on a dystopian theme)  The Choosing ceremoney reminded me a bit of Sorting Hat in Harry Potter series, LOL  It is interesting how factions are identified and you find yourself wondering which one you fit into or would have chosen.  Amity Faction reminds me a lot of Switzerland's government.  This book is for young adults but anyone older can read it.  Lionsgate has already picked up this book for a movie. (movie release 2015)   If you miss reading something kinda like Hunger Games, then read this book.

I am currently reading Insurgent now.  So far, its good!

Happy reading!

On The Island Book

I

 I saw this book listed as number five for E books in a newspaper. (Of course, Fifty Shades of Grey books  were first 3 top spots) I decided to go to Amazon and read the reviews. I was already intrigued.  As I read the first chapter, I got addicted to it right away. You cannot put this book down! I ended up reading this book all day and finished it.  I think it was even better written than Fifty Shades of Grey.I loved the way the author alternated between the characters' minds. This is a great beach read. I was lucky I had some coconut water at home. LOL The author mentioned that MGM has already picked up this story for a feature film. Im sure it will be way better than Blue Lagoon.  I give this book 5 FULL stars. Here is the book description from Amazon.
When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter. Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.

Please do let me know you read the book so I can discuss it with you!

INSANITY The ASYLUM Thoughts

I am halfway done with INSANITY The ASLYUM! I never dreamed I actually am using this program.  I may sound insane but I LOVE, LOVE this program!  Yes, there was a lot of times I wanted to punch Shaun T's head and thought he has lost his mind but he really challenges YOU and makes you see what you CAN do.  Its a very physically challenging program but its mentally challenging too.  People could give up after just 10 minutes because it is in all in their MIND that they simply cannot do it.  You CAN go at a slower pace or make modifications rather than just giving up.  This applies a lot in REAL life.  Do you just give up easily if you have a challenge or an obstacle in your life? Or you persist until you can solve the problem?  I may be digging deep into your thoughts but this program is a bootcamp to your body and MIND.  As I have a counseling degree, I love this fitness program more as I use it.  As I have Usher's Syndrome, I have limited vision and a TERRIBLE balance.  Do I allow this condition to prevent me from using ASYLUM?  No. I mentally tell myself I CAN do it (some modifications, of course)  If you used to play sports in high school or college, this is your thing.  This program uses a mix of sports drills such as football, soccer, swimming, baseball, basketball, etc.   It's not boring!  If you want to dig more into this program, just go here..  I remember watching a video clip of this and I thought to myself, "Forget that, I'm never going to be able to do those workouts!" Well, I overcame my mental part and told myself to TRY.

 ASYLUM 2 is coming out (rumored sometime in the Fall) and you cannot use this until you have done Asylum no. 1 first!

Our Room at Sandals Emerald Bay

Since it was our 10th wedding anniversary, we splurged a bit in a nicer room and butler service at Sandals Emerald Bay. This room was very spacious and nicely decorated.  We loved the balcony that had a hammock. Sadly, we didn't even use it much as it was cloudy most of the week so we could not see the stars at night.  The view of the ocean was the BEST part! I miss waking up in the mornings and just  gazing at the ocean. When we arrived to our room, it was fully decked with FRESH flowers! On some days, there would be towel art on the bed which was so cute! Since our room came with butler service, he drew a bath for one of us while we were at the pool or beach which was a nice surprise!!! We really did not use our butlers that much as we were self-sufficient PLUS it's not deaf friendly because the cellphones (they give you one to call them) do not have text capabilities so that was useless to me. Only my hubby could contact them if we needed them. However, it was NICE having them bringing us drinks in a cooler, frozen drinks, snacks when we were out lounging.   The last picture is where most weddings take place, I think. Gorgeous reflection pool! I am wrapping up this blog about Bahamas. Overall, we had a GRAND time! We definitely will go back to Sandals but we want to try a different location next time.




 

US at Sandals Emerald Bay

There are Sandals photographers on the resort ready to snap pictures of you. You can schedule a photo shoot too. (But they are not a professional photographer so hire one and bring with you if you are getting married!) As we were walking to our dinner reservation, Sandals photographer snapped a picture of us candidly. We found it funny as it was like the paparazzi!

Cabana

One of our favorite parts of Sandals Emerald Bay was the cabana! This resort used to be Four Seasons then sold to Sandals.  You would have to get up early at 7am to grab one as cabanas get taken really quickly.  It's perfect for reading and relaxation! Cats roamed around the resort too. (cute!) One cat had a flea collar so I knew someone is taking care of these cats.  A cat got under my hubby's chair and rested. (as pictured) Then he got on his chair and rested.  I guess the cat knew we were cat people.

Part 2 (Dinner at Bahamas)

I tried to post one more video clip about  Drunken Duck Pub where my hubby and I liked to hang out often but it didn't work out.  This place had a lot of different beer and any kind of drinks you wanted along with pub food. (British fare such as fish and chips) I ordered shrimp curry dish and it was delish! Got to sample the couch fritters too. Not too bad! Our most favorite restaurant for dinner was II Cleo.  I had grilled lobster and it was out of the world! My hubby had steak and liked it a lot too. We loved their concept of dessert bar.  You order what you want and a chef cooks it front of you! You get coffee along with your dessert too.  My hubby said this was one of the best dessert he has eaten. See how small the portion is. No worries about gaining too much weight.  LOL



Tried to fix this but it stays this way here. (fine in my file) Italian cake



More coming next! (non food! LOL)

FOOD in Bahamas/Sandals resort

Since Sandals resorts are all inclusive meaning you go to different restaurants and you leave without paying a bill! The portions are usually small which were perfect for me. I never felt hungry. The portions should be like that in America!

Cafe de Paris

My video is about Cafe de Paris. We went there DAILY to get a specialty coffee or desserts. (they are small sized)  I miss that place already! It's  like a mini Starbucks cafe.
For breakfast, we went to Bahama Bay for buffet. For a couple of mornings, we went to II Cleo. Their breakfast rocked. Here's a picture of one of my meals. Egg White Omelet with spinach and asparagus and an oatmeal in a CUTE mini mug! For lunch, there were three choices-pizza (delivered to the pool or the beach!) buffet (it was OK), and Barefoot by the Sea. Barefoot by the Sea was our favorite lunch spot.  You can dig your feet into the sand. I ordered grouper sliders and I laughed when I saw them. They were so cute! Small but I felt full and could not finish all of them afterwards! This blog is getting long so I will save dinner for next blog.  To Be Continued!
L
 



Barefoot by the Sea

Pool Bliss

Most of Sandals resorts usually have a HUGE pool with a swim up bar. Since you only pay for one price, you get to try different kinds of drinks.  I usually got a Hummingbird drink as its like a spiked smoothie. (mix of fresh banana, milk, rum etc)  Jeremy usually gets Diet Coke with Rum. (I drink that sometimes too)

Paradise in Bahamas

We had a WONDERFUL time in Sandals Emerald Bay located in Exuma, Bahamas. Exuma is a very small island with an hour range of driving around its island. (I think) The beach is GORGEOUS. It;s one of the best we've ever seen. The sand is powdery SOFT. (the softest we ever felt too)  (this sums up what I've said in the video) I did not want to put this on facebook because I want to be able to look back and read my blogs in the future.  So I will be blogging more about our Bahamas trip so be sure to come back here later!

Sunrise

I miss this sight of the beach (moi at Exuma, Bahamas)

Want to be Insane?

I've always been afraid to try INSANITY.  I want to try Insanity: The Asylum but I find it more motivating knowing other friends are doing it also.  It is fun to do comparsion, feedback, progress, etc.  I find it boring if I am doing it all on my own. Asylum is one of the most tough workouts out there and I am willing to overcome my fear and be INSANE! It is only a 30 day program so why not?  If you are interested, let me know and we can be in a secret group on Facebook to share our progress about Asylum!

Click here  to find out more information about Asylum.

Goodbye Drinks

This video was almost a YEAR ago in Jamaica! I found this on my iphone as I was cleaning it up for our next beach trip. Yikes. In this video, I was drinking our favorite drink named Dirty Banana.  That was our usual "breakfast" drink.  Yes, the bars open EARLY in the mornings!!! This was like a spiked smoothie.  LOL  I don't know how to caption the video. I said that it was our last day and we drank this dirty banana drink daily. On our last day, we grabbed the drinks in the MORNING  before we went home. We don't know if we would be back and have this drink again.

On our honeymoon at Sandals in St. Lucia, I was hooked to this frozen drink named Nutty Colada. I was afraid I'll never find this drink again so I had the drink at 10am in the morning on the day we left!  AND I haven't had this drink ever since.  No one knows how to make this drink. 

Last Day on our Honeymoon (ten years ago!)

I am HOPING Sandals Emerald Bay will make those dirty banana AND nutty colada drinks. We also hope to find another signature drinks there as well.

Healthy Benefits of Asparagus

It is Spring and that means I buy Asparagus all the time while they are at their best and cheap!! Asparagus offers so many healthy benefits that you should add into your meals.

1  It can detoxify our digestive system Your kidneys LOVE this vegetable. It also can prevent bladder and uniary tract infections. Notice the weird smell when you pee? That. 2 It has anti-aging functions

3 It can protect against cancer.
4 It reduces pain and inflammation. A good idea to add into your lunch or dinner meal if you had a hard workout on that day!
5 It reduces the risk of heart diseases.

6 Reduces the risk of birth defects because it is high in foliate. It also helps nursing mothers as well.

7 Prevents diabetes by balancing our insulin levels.

8 Helps fight depression and can put you in a good mood 

If you want more information, just go here! 

http://www.naturalnews.com/ 

I read a GREAT tip from Women's Health magazine that you should focus on eating healthy food instead of UNhealthy food.  :) So I'm trying to read and research on what food offers us health benefits.  One food at a time so I picked Asparagus for now.

castaway getaway

Beach vacation has been on our minds for a time being until we finally reach to Bahamas! We booked a Castaway Getaway trip from Sandals Emerald Bay and we are so excited! A boat will take us to island where there are NO human beings! The agency will leave us a phone in case of any emergencies so we won't truly be castaways unless someone forgets to pick us up! At least we will get a working phone in case that happens. This will be perfect for snorkeling as the sea creatures aren't scared away from the usual noise at the hotel.  Being on an isolated island with my loved one means I get to cross that off my bucket list. :-)  With beach being on my mind, I still have been working out hard as I can and watching what i eat too! I've been mixing Tubrofire, running, and Brazil Butt Lift into my workout routine. I still drink Shakeology on a daily basis. Even after a beach vacation, I will still keep on working out just to be healthy!

Shakeology questions

There's been some confusion about Shakeology so I've decided to clear up some rhings.

1. Is it a meal replacement?  Use it like any kind of smoothie. You can replace it as a meal for breakfast or lunch or even dinner. But some people drink it as a snack after a workout.  Some people even drink it as a snack in the afternoon. This is really not a weight loss drink. It's just like a healthy, monster smoothie that has a lot of vitamins in it. I don't have to worry about blending all kinds of food or herbs or whatnot in it.  (it has 70 ingredients in it!!)  If some people want to lose weight, then replace a meal. Only once a day! Keep in mind that you have to exercise and eat clean along with the shake.

2. Why is it so expensive? Like I said, it has 70  ingredients in it. But it really is only $4 a drink if you buy it as a customer(As a coach, it only costs about $3 plus no shipping costs if its on home direct Starbucks latte costs about the same and it's loaded with sugar! Any fast food lunches cost about the same but doesn't offer the same healthy benefits.  A wise investment into your body.

3. What if I do not like the taste? Shakeology has a 30 day guarantee You can get your money back as long as you send an empty bag back. Don't throw away the contents! Give them to others so the food will not be wasted.  So why not give it a chance??? I was skeptical at first. Now I'm addicted to it! I have not been to Starbucks in ages. I can't even remember when was the last time I went there. I just ordered Shakeology in Greenberry and I have no idea what it tastes like. Knowing I can get a refund, I took the risk.

4. What is in it? A LOT!!!! You can see the ingredients listed on my Shakeology website.  But here's some of them for your convenience.
Shakeology Ingredients-What do they do?


Acerola powder (fruit) -Acerola can be found throughout northeastern Brazil and is rich in Vitamin C and carotenoids, and one of the richest known natural sources of vitamin C.
Camu-Camu powder (fruit) – Coming from the rainforest, this is one of the most nutrient-dense foods, offering considerable disease-prevention and the highest amount of vitamin C of any plant in the world. For a free in-depth report on this fruit, please go here. http://www.naturalnews.com/Report_Camu_Camu_0.html

Pomegranate powder (fruit) -The anti-oxidant properties of this fruit benefits the heart, can be helpful in treating diabetes, dementia, cancer and menopausal problems, and perhaps even prevents sunburn.

Bilberry powder (fruit) -An antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic agent, this fruit has shown to improve vision and symptoms associated with diabetes.
Blueberry powder (fruit) – Blueberries are very high in fiber and nutrients and have been proven to lower blood pressure, protect against oxidative stress and maybe even help you lose that hard to get rid of abdominal fat, according to a study published in Experimental Biology 2009.

Lycium (Goji) powder (berry) – These berries contain around eighteen amino acids, are plentiful in iron, with more beta carotene than carrots. Dubbed as a natural anti-aging food, goji is used to treat hepatitis B (because of the physalin produced by the berries), heart and blood pressure conditions, as a memory enhancer, a treatment for breast and cervical cancer, an anti-inflammatory, and an antifungal, antibacterial.

Açai powder (berry) – A powerful anti-oxident that is being studied for it’s beneficial properties on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart health and cancer prevention.

Cordyceps – A type of Asian fungus (mushroom) that may have beneficial properties for bone marrow and kidneys, while it increases stamina, protects against free radicals and restores energy.

Maitake powder - A mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to enhance the immune system, regulate blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and both serum and liver lipids, and may also be useful for weight loss.

Reishi powder - Reishi is a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine, protecting the liver, as an analgesic, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer treatments.

Citrus bioflavonoids - Extracted from fruits, bioflavonoids are widely used in Europe to treat diseases of the blood vessels and lymph system.

Rose Hips powder – Rich in vitamin C, rosehips are commonly used for reduction in asthma symptoms and allergies.

Schisandra powder (berry) - An Asian vine believed to be beneficial to those suffering from hepatitis, and seems to work well as a stimulator for the central nervous system, increasing brain efficiency, improved reflexes, and an accelerated rate of endurance.

Gingko powder (leaf) - The oldest living species of plant on earth, gingko has been used in Chinese medicine to stimulate the blood circulation and have a tonic effect on the brain, reducing lethargy, improving memory and giving an improved sense of well-being.

PROBIOTIC BLEND:
Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus thermophilus - Since most degenerative disease conditions can be linked to intestinal toxemia and our inability to properly eliminate it from the body, this is blend is useful for a healthy intestinal tract.

Maca powder (root) – A nutrition-packed root vegetable from the mountain plateaus of the Peruvian Andes that is rich in amino acids, phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals – known to increase energy, stamina and endurance, support the immune system and adrenal function, reduce chronic fatigue, regulate and support the endocrine system, and even treat menopausal symptoms (it is now being prescribed by many health practitioners as a safe, effective alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy).

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) meal – With an average of 48 to 49 percent omega-3s, Sacha Inchi is an excellent vegetarian source of fatty acids, contains high amounts of protein and can assist the body’s formation of nerve tissues, eye tissues and cell membranes. It may also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and help regulate blood pressure and support normal function of the immune system.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) powder – Grown in the Andes of Peru, Yakon helps to regulate sugar blood levels.

Flax (seed) meal - Flax is high in B vitamins, magnesium, manganese, omega 3, fiber, and our best source of lignans which may promote fertility, reduce peri-menopausal symptoms, and possibly help prevent breast cancer. In addition, lignans may help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Chia (seed) meal - Not just a cute gift in the shape of a famous mouse, chia is a muscle and tissue builder and a good source of amino acid and Omega 3’s. However, what is amazing is researchers believe a gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach (when food containing these gummy fibers, known as mucilages, are eaten) which creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. “In addition to the obvious benefits for diabetics, this slowing in the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar aids in physical endurance. Carbohydrates are the fuel for energy in our bodies. Prolonging their conversion into sugar stabilizes metabolic changes, diminishing the surges of highs and lows creating a longer duration in their fueling effects.” (living-foods.com) read Magic of Chia : Revival of an Ancient Wonder Food by James F. Scheer

Did you know that a phytochemical found in chlorella can actually rebuild nerve damage in the brain and nervous systeThat’s why chlorella is being used in the recovery of patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Hydrilla – This plant from Asia, Europe and Africa is hailed for providing increased energy levels, improved immunity, improved digestion, reduced body fat, increased mental clarity, decreased appetite, improved joint, hair, skin and nail health, and an overall increased sense of well-being.

Apple pectin powder - Apple pectin is a water-soluble fiber, helpful in removing cholesterol out of the intestines and delaying glucose absorption.

Astragalus powder (root) – Used in traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed to strengthen debilitated patients and increase resistance to disease in general and boost immunity.

Spinach powder – Spinach has been used for years to help relieve anemic problems due to its high iron and chlorophyll content.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – Supports healthy connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscle. Thus, it is important in conditions such as arthritis, muscle pains, bursitis, etc.

Pea fiber – May help to improve cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol. Fiber is credited with helping to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood and may thus help to reduce the risk of heart diseasQuinoa (sprouted) - Quinoa is a complete protein, containing all the eight essential amino acids and an excellent source of potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium (Nature’s medicine for people suffering from Migraines), iron and B vitamins. Excellent for the heart and since they are an insoluble fiber, it helps in gallstone prevention.

PROPRIETARY ENZYME BLEND:

Amylase, Papain, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Protease, Bromelain – These enzymes aid in digestion, reduce heartburn problems, gas and bloating, may also dimminish allergies.

Ashwagandha powder (root) - Has rejuvenative properties commonly used in Ayurveda for stress-induced fatigue, nervous exhaustion and general debility

Barley grass - Barley grass is hailed as “the” healthiest of the healthy green grasses, acting as a free radical scavenger and known to reduce inflammation and pain. Although nutritionally, they are close cousins to dark green leafy vegetables, the “nutrient density” is much higher (more of the beneficial phytonutrientsKamut grass – Ancient Egyptian wheat known for its low gluten levels and contain more protein and minerals than common wheat or other cereal grass.

Oat grass - Contains beta-carotene, vitamins K and C, folic acid, calcium, iron, protein, fiber and B vitamins.

Wheat grass – Wheat grass by itself is not very palpable, however, it contains P4D1, a “gluco-protein” that acts like an antioxidant, reducing inflammation. It is also thought to be able to help the body attack cancer cells. This grass has high levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, protein, enzymes, chlorophyll and mucopolysaccharides, and is known to be highly alkalizing to the body, aiding detoxification.

Amaranth (sprouted) (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) – This ancient grain (used by the pre Columbian Aztecs and also in India) is very high in iron and protein. Additionally, Amaranth has three times the calcium of milk.

Grape seed extract (seed, 95% proanthocyanins) -Surprisingly, grape seed extract may be better for you than the grapes from which it is derived. A vast array of health-giving ingredients are in these tiny seeds. Protein, lipids, carbohydrates and polyphenols help the body fight viruses, allergens, and carcinogens. A phenol you might be particularly interested in is procyanidin. Procyanidins bond with collagen. Collagen is a key component of skin, gums, bones, teeth, hair and body tissues. The bonding promotes more youthful looking skin – what has been dubbed a natural facelift!

In addition, procyanidins can improve your vision, the health of your arteries and body tissues (such as the heart), joint flexibility and strengthen capillaries and veins to improve your circulatory system, act as an anti-inflammatory, and scavenges oxygen free radicals. If that was not enough, grapes contain reservatrol, which has proven to contain neuroprotective capabilities.

Green tea decaffeinated extract (leaf, 50% polyphenols) – Green tea has important antioxidants and compounds.

Studies reveal an impact on heart disease and cancer which are promising. The antioxidants, called catechins, scavenge for free radicals that can damage DNA.

Holy basil powder - Holy basil powder contains vitamin C, carpteme, calcium and phosphorus which helps the skin stay healthy and supple by protecting it from environmental toxins. It contributes to the health of the throat chest and lungs and protects the respiratory tract and has been used as an anti-inflammatory.

Sweetened with Stevia - Native to subtropicall/tropical South America and Central America, stevia sweetens whatever it is added to without adding calories. Research shows a regulating effect on the pancreas and has been used to help stabilize blood sugar levels, therefore useful to people with diabetes and hypoglycemia. It may lower elevated blood pressure, aids in digestion, reduces gas and stomach acidity. It has been shown to inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay.

(Greenberry also contains natural strawberry and raspberry flavors, while Chocolate contains cocoa and chocolate powder, with natural vanilla and cinnamon powder for flavoring Im not sure about Tropical Strawberry yet) See, I told you it's a healthy, MONSTER smoothie. Feel free to do your own research too.

TurboFIre Results

I have completed 90 days of Turbofire! Time does fly because it really does not feel like I've been using it this long! I am not finished with this program as I just starttd the advanced part of Turbofire.  Even though I only lost few pounds, it did BREAK the plateau I was stuck in! So I'm happy with a few pounds along with some lost inches! I am more fit and stronger now. When I first started using Turbofire, I had to hit pause on the DVD player several times during the first 2 weeks to take a few breaks. I did not have a great endurance. I  also had to learn Chalene's superfast moves and memorize the choreography moves. After a month, the moves became much easier to follow and I was able to do every move rather than constantly falling behind the trainer's moves.  Doing 2nd round of TF probably will give better results than 1st round because you are stronger and you'll know all the moves! I don't hit "pause" on the dvd player anymore as I can get through all of the workouts now. The workouts are more enjoyable and fun!  Here's my stats.
My height is 5' 7"
BEFORE

Feb 2012
Weight-155


BEFORE



Chest-37

Waist-29
Hip-42
Left Thigh=24 1/2
Right Thigh-24 1/2
Left Arm-12
Right Arm 12


AFTER
April 2012
Weight-151
Chest-35
Waist-29
Hip-40
Left Thigh-23
Right Thigh-23
Left Arm-12


AFTER



Right Arm-12

I'm thrilled I can pull size 10 pants/shorts down without unzipping them! I went from size 10 to size 8.  :-) No wonder as I've lost two inches off my hips! My arms haven't changed at all. I never used sculpting gloves during those workouts.  Maybe I should have! My hubby says they're toned though!

Habits

I saw this book being featured on Anderson Cooper show. I don't watch it often but if I see a topic that looks interesting, I record it.  I intend to buy this book! Habits are powerful.  One of my bad habits before I lost weight, was snacking during my favorite TV shows. I still do once in a while but I replace junk food to a healthy snack. I walk on the treadmill too so I can be distracted from snacking.  That helped me break the habit.  The author in the show stated that people who exercise on a daily basis had lower credit  card debt! One of reasons is a better self image leading to less shopping binges. We know exercise offers so many benefits so it's nice to add one more thing to the list! I will be back about this book again after I finish reading it. 

Fitness Milestone

As I hopped on my treadmill to watch one of my favorite TV shows, I realized that I have been using my treadmill for YEARS. I think Its been about 7 years? I remember when I used the treadmill for the first time, I was HUFFING and PUFFING using one of its easiest programs.  I used this same program today while watching TV. (I did Core 20 for Turbofire but I wanted to do some walking while watching TV!)  I realized that I have been working out for  SEVEN YEARS. WOW! That definitely has kept most of my weight off. Without careful eating and exercising, I'm pretty sure I will be back to the old weight. I used to sweat like crazy using some of the programs on the treadmill. Now I can breeze through them. Thanks to Turbofire, it challenges me for now.  I'm actually using the advanced part of Turbofire! I never thought I would reach to that level! Anyway, my health bill from my annual physical check ups always has been healthy. My cholesterol is very low. (100)  I remember a doctor telling me I needed to exercise and eat better because my cholesterol was too high and I was only in college!  Anyway, this thought made me think that I should appreciate that Im stronger now. I'm still hard on myself to lose 5 more lbs or etc. This drives my husband nuts because he thinks I look great now and don't need to lose any more weight. What happens if we do reach our goal weight? Do we stay happy? I only stayed at my goal weight for a short time.  We shall see what happens! For now, I'm happy where I am right now.  Fit and strong.

A Stinky House

Once something bad happens, it pours.  First, I found a salt shaker with a missing bottom meaning there's salt all over the counter and floor. I had to clean the whole mess up. My sweet mother brought me some pretzel rolls that I could never find in the stores. I popped one in the microwave around lunchtime. I did not read the WHOLE direction. It said to warm up the roll for 5 minutes in the microwave. I missed the most important word...THAWED. The roll was frozen. As I was eating my salad, I smelled something burning. OMG, the roll! I ran to the microwave and it was SMOKING. The whole kitchen was smoky. I looked at the flasher to see if the smoke alarm went off. It did not. Whew! The house stunk for hours. Ugh.  It still smells like burned popcorn here. Hope tomorrow is a better day.  At least, kale chips turned out delicious!!!

Kale News

There's a funny story about kale! I saw a recipe for Kale chips in my Hungry Girl's cookbook several years ago. I could not find Kale in the grocery stores so I gave up. I tried again to search for Kale when we moved to another state. None.  Of course, I was disappointed.  Last Friday, someone and I happaned to talk about the healthy benefits of eating Kale, I told her that I couldn't ever find Kale. She said she usually bought them at Publix and that is where I shop too. She told me to look for it in a BAG. I had been looking for Kale in those fresh, leafy lettuce area.  Not bagged salad section! So I decided to look for Kale again in the bagged section yesterday and FOUND a bag of Kale.  Thanks to her, I would never thought of that.  So you can tell that I'm thrilled to make Kale chips today!!!  I got the recipe from my favorite healthy eating blog. The blogger rocks with her recipes. Here's the recipe if you are interested. Kale Chips

Easter Egg Bake

Easter is coming up soon! My family is coming to celebrate Easter this Saturday meaning I will have some leftover ham.  So I searched for a healthy Easter breakfast recipe on Easter and I found it thanks to Hungry Girl! I will definitely try this!

Ham-It-Up Egg Bake

1/12th of egg bake: 143 calories, 4.5g fat, 650mg sodium, 12g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 12g protein -- PointsPlus® value 4*



This brunch-y bake is perfect for Easter; but really it's good any time of year!

Ingredients:

1 package refrigerated Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations Seamless Dough Sheet OR cresent rolls and just pinch the lines together

1 cup light or low-fat ricotta cheese, room temperature

4 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese, room temperature

1 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)

1 lb. 97% - 98% fat-free sliced ham, roughly chopped

1 cup scallions sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp. black pepper



Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9" X 13" baking pan with nonstick spray.



Place dough sheet along the bottom of the pan. Firmly press it into the bottom and corners. Pierce dough several times with a fork.



Bake until dough just begins to puff up, about 5 minutes. Remove pan; leave oven on.



In a large bowl, thoroughly mix ricotta cheese with cheese wedges until smooth and uniform. Add egg substitute and thoroughly whisk until smooth.



Stir in chopped ham, scallions, parsley, and pepper. Pour mixture over the dough in the pan.



Bake until egg mixture is cooked through, about 40 minutes. Eat up!



MAKES 12 SERVINGS

Easter Temptations

Easter is approaching upon on us soon! Candies galore! Easter temptations! Okay, no need to deprive yourself completely from the food as long as you keep them in small portions. That is the key!  We could develop the risk of gorging. Recipes always can be modified by using fat free mayo for those famous deviled eggs. There are tons of recipes that don't use mayo for deviled eggs as well. While we were at a store, I spotted a bag of SMALL sized candies. They were the smallest I ever seen and I LOVE that size!!! Here's an example of how small the Health candy is. I put a quarter by the candy so you can get a better idea.

There's also CHOCOLATE shakeology that just hits the sweet cravings too! If you are craving something that tastes like Reese's, simply put 1 TB of PB2 in your Chocolate Shake. That is one of my most frequent shakes. (Im a chocolate addict!) PB2 is one of the best inventions ever for food because 1 TB only has 20 calories!

Beachbody keeps coming out with new products.  One of them is FIRESTARTER. it's a program that is a stage between TurboJam and TurboFire. This program is still intense but no jumps.  It may be good for those days that you do not feel like jumping if you already used TurboFire.  Beachbody is also producing a new fitness program named Body Beast.  It is for people who are into bodybuilding. Keep your eyes peeled for its release if you are into that kind of thing!

Happy Easter!!

Fear of Exercise

Fear is a strong emotion and can prevent you from doing something you want to do. Fear of exercise is pretty common these days due to several reasons.

1. Fear of pain
You can confront this fear by building up your workouts very slowly. Walk a mile. Walk a few laps. Even walking to the mailbox is a great start if you have not worked out in ages. Start with beginner level programs such as Slim in 6, Turbo Jam, etc.  Yes, you may be sore due to new muscles but they go away in time. I developed really bad shin splints when I started walking on the treadmill.  I stuck through them and I haven't had any shin splints in years.  Even one of my hip joints was in pain for several weeks after using Brazil Butt Lift and I haven't had that problem again either. Bottom line is that you have to stick with it.

2. Fear of sweating. 
I know that sounds weird to some ot you who work out on a daily basis but I happen to know someone very well who just hates to sweat. She would do anything to avoid sweating. There are a lot of performance clothes that can take your sweat and you can be comfortable. Sweat just means you are losing some of your fat so it is good news!

3. Fear of injury
This is also one of most common fears.  The key thing is to build up slowly. Start with beginner level workout programs like I said for fear of pain.  Know your limits.  If you have bad knees, modify the movements. For example, if you use Turbofire that includes a lot of jumps, you can modify by going low impact only. There is a lady in the workout program that only does low impact and you can follow her. My knees aren't the greatest so I go low impact sometimes. I used to be AFRAID to start using TurboFire. Now I'm into the last month of Turbofire and I'm glad I did not let the fear of injury control me.  Just listen to your body. I'm even ready to order Insanity-Asylum which I never thought I will buy!!!! On other note, make sure you have a good pair of tennis shoes.  Not those shoes you had for ten years. I replace mine at least every 6 months because I use them on a daily basis. Protect your feet/ankles.

Confront any of your fears and conquer them!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's St. Patrick's Day tomorrow!  It's a perfect time to hit an Irish restaurant or a pub on a Saturday! I have a haircut appointment tomorrow so Im delighted that my hair will be already styled for this special day.  Since I usually take a break from cooking dinners on the weekends, I already cooked an Irish dinner last Tuesday. Its not high in calories and it's healthy.  The recipe is pretty simple.  I wouldn't cook this during the hot, summer days though. 

1 lb ground lean beef or ground turkey
1 cup chopped onions
3 cups of chopped cabbage
1 can of tomato soup
Use any kind of seasonings

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Cook the meat and onions until they are done. Season them.  Drain. Put the meat in the casserole dish. Put cabbage on the meat. Pour the tomato soup on the top. Cover the dish. Cook 45 minutes to an hour.

St. Patrick dessert...

Shamrock Shake!! Unfortunately, I don't have Greenberry with me but I will try this with Tropical Shakeology!


•8 oz of milk (any kind, I use Unsweetened Almond Milk)

•4 oz of water and ice

•splash of peppermint extract

•1 tsp of peanut butter OR 1 TB of  PB2

•2 tbsp of sugar free vanilla or cheesecake jello instant pudding mix

•1 scoop of greenberry shakeology

You keep seeing these Thin Mint cookies by Girl Scouts, right?  Here's an alternative!

Thin Mint Smoothie

8 oz of water
few drops of peppermint extract
1 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology
use few ice if you like it thick!

If you want to know more about Shakeology, just click on this....
Shakeology

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Our Beach Vacation

We booked our 10th wedding anniversary trip at Sandals Emerald Bay in May! We are so EXCITED!! 

That means its BRAZIL BUTT LIFT time!!!!  Of course, I will continue doing the Turbofire for its intense cardio and awesome arm workouts.  Its great for an overall body but it doesnt focus on my booty or hip area very much so I will use some of BBL DVD workouts such as High and Tight and Bum Bum which are  very effective workouts for those tough areas.  BBL is just a must buy for any beach vacations or summertime. I am starting a 30 day challenge group in April so JOIN me!!

Food Addiction

I know we all are addicted to certain kind of food. Most of food that we are addicted are probably unhealthy, right?  My first memory of food addiction when I was a preteen was COMBOS!  Those preztel minis stuffed with cheddar inside them. I can eat the whole bag of Combos. I've not eaten those in years but the memory still seems fresh. I avoid buying anything that I can eat the whole box or bag without controlling myself. It's usually SALTY stuff that wont benefit me at all. (Ex. trigger food for me are tomato basil Wheat Thins, Chex Mix, Lime tortilla chips, and those extreme flavored goldfish crackers)  You can replace your food addiction with healthy snacks. As I usually go for salty stuff, I roast chickpeas as they make a great, tasty snack! Or I cut up vegetables and dip them in light Ranch dressing. There are a lot of healthy alternatives you can find via internet or Pinterest.  Here's a recipe for roasted chickpeas.   Really, you can use any kind of seasonings on the chickpeas.  If you crave something sweet and salty, use a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon.  You can get creative with this recipe.

Do You Love Exercise?

Do I love to work out?  Actually, no. I love the RESULTS. I feel great by treating my body well plus that natural high from endorphins.  I like the results of pants and jeans fitting better. I love being able to eat more. I refuse to eat like a bird. (I'm a foodie!) So many people find all kinds of excuses not to exercise. This is understandable as everyone feels like they do not have much free time. You can make time for your body. It's almost too late when people realize they should have exercised and ate healthy to avoid high health bills. See, we all brush our teeth in order to keep our teeth and gums healthy. We go for the RESULT by having able to keep our teeth. What happens if you don't brush your teeth? Lose teeth. Same goes to not working out. You can lose yourself to illnesses. Your choice.
Workout Programs   

Switched at Birth TV Show

Has anyone been watching Switched at Birth TV show on ABC Family show?  Even though this show is geared towards preteens and teenagers, I've been enjoying watching it mainly because the writers put in few important issues related to Deaf community and Deaf Culture.  One issue from first season brought up this topic of hearing/deaf relationships. My husband is hearing who signs fluently.  Believe me, I would not marry a man who does not sign fluently as communication is the most important thing in any kind of relationship.  Even though some Deaf people believe that a deaf person should have a relationship with another deaf person because of that "bond," I disagree on this belief. Any marriages or relationships all boils down to TRUST and COMMUNICATION. (well, chemistry too. lol)  Any marriages or relationships can work as long as the couple works hard to keep it alive regardless of their religion, politcal beliefs, and  cultural backgrounds. During last night's show, a character named Travis (I hope I was right) brought up that Daphne's boyfriend doesnt even sign well. How can you have a relationship with someone who cannot sign well and ASL is one of most important part of your life? 

On another topic that was brought up in last night's show was Travis's parents not bothering to sign.  This is the MOST common problem everywhere in the world.  That is the part I cannot ever understand.   If I was a hearing person, I would give everything in my power to learn everything what's the best for a Deaf child.  I would learn sign language to be able to communicate with my kid.  Why are there so many parents who don't bother to learn ASL?  I was glad that issue was brought up in last night's show and I hope that has hit some parents out there that they should LEARN sign language. I'm blessed to have parents who can sign. I have a very good relationship with them. 

I hope that the viewers will continue watching this great show and the writers or producers can keep bringing up all kinds of issues that the hearing world has no idea that existed.  I don't know the deaf actors but they are all doing a great job! Its important we all keep watching this show to give our support! 

The Derrière Diet

I know I may seem a bit obsessive on butt. I just think butt is an indication of your health. They are also tough to shape as you age especially women.  Butts go south and flat like a pancake because most of us sit down in a long period of time.  As I saw "Butt-Blasting Plan" on the information summary of Dr. Oz's show, I had to record it! (I have no patience for commericals) This show had a lot of good information. Luckily, most of it are already on his website. I plan to make his no-bake brownies but add my one scoop of Chocolate Shakeology (to put more nutrients in it!) in it too! Here's the recipe: No Bake Butt Blasting Brownie Recipe
His website has other great recipes too.

Dr. Oz also has 7 day workout plan.  This fitness program from Beachbody would be a GREAT addition! I've used it twice already and will use it again.  Even Victoria's Secret Angels use this workout too!

10th Wedding Anniversary Goal

Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up this summer. This picture was taken nearly 10 years ago on our honeymoon. I've SWORN I will be in my BEST shape ever including looking the best in a bikini! I've always struggled with weight as long as I can remember. I did not even try to excerise much during college. Just an occassional aerobics here and there. I did not really watch what I ate during college. Once I found a job after college, I did not really focus on working out either. I fell in love with my hubby of 9 years and gained 20 more pounds because we dined out a lot (that's common for dating, right?)  I lost about only 10 lbs before I got married. I just did not work out enough or eat clean for some reason. I guess a light bulb did not go off in my head yet. I remember clearly as we were blissfully happy at Sandals St. Lucia on our honeymoon, there were those skinny young ladies in their bikinis everywhere.  I was wishing I had done a boot camp or something at that time! Few years later, we vacationed at Orange Beach, Alabama. I hated the way I felt on the beach in a tankini instead of a bikini. I did own a pair of bikini but I never felt comfortable in it. I remember the day the light bulb went off in my head and I said, "THAT IS IT!"  It was after the walk on the beach and my thighs actually developed a rash because they rubbed together!  After that experience, i was on a path to excerise and eat right for life.  I eventually lost 40 pounds through careful eating and walking/jogging on my treadmill. ( I still have it!) I felt GREAT when I was finally at my goal weight. This was taken in Jamaica at Sandals Whitehouse.  



After treadmill workouts



After Brazil Butt Lift program



Somehow, I regained 10 pounds over a few years. I kept on working out and watched what I ate. (That is how you keep most of your weight off! Fad diets do not work at all) . Even though I lost weight, my body shape stayed the same. Just smaller. I realized I needed to reshape my body through toning exercises. That is how I ended up with BRAZIL BUTT LIFT before we went to our Jamaican vacation last summer. I rememer I could barely walk after BBL because my muscles were so sore even after using the treadmill and elliptical.   I LOVED the way it reshaped my body.  I intend to use it again before we go to our 10th wedding anniversary vacation!  After BBL, I did Chalean Extreme and I liked the toned look but still needed to lose those pesky last 10 lbs.  Chalean Extreme is more like a strength training program. I joined a challenge group last November and it helped me so much by keeping me on track and not gaining so so much weight during the holidays because I have a major sweet tooth! I loved how guilty I would feel knowing others in the group have worked out and I haven't so I had to force myself and do the workouts.

 I'm into 5th week of TurboFire. It is a 90 day program so I still have a long way to go but Im pretty sure I will lose those LAST ten pounds after the program! So JOIN me for the 90 day Challenge Group and get in your best shape by SUMMER! You can help me and I can help you!  It will start on Feb 27th so HURRY!   Contact me if you want more information at

www.teambeachbody.com/mintfreak 

Good News!

Dark chocolate has good health benefits for us! (Of course,  we have to keep this in moderation) Dark chocolate boosts your mood, decreases your blood pressure and cholesterol. It even improves your eyes. Don't believe me?  Go read this article and it explains in depth. http://www.livestrong.com/article/519274-can-dark-chocolate-improve-eyesight/

This recipe of SKINNY double dark chocolate chip bundt cake  looks so yummy. I definitely will try to make this whenever we have visitors because this would be too much for just two of us!

http://www.recipekitchen.net/recipe/double-dark-chocolate-chip-bundt-cake%E2%80%A6simple-skinny-and-delicious