Freedom to Move

I am not always the most graceful person, in fact I am sometimes a big clutz. I can trip on nothing and I'm pretty sure I have managed to get myself tangled and flustered by my purse straps while looking for something in my bag. It was no different when I started working out and liked to listen to music. It's amazing how much trouble that one little wire connecting my headphones and my iphone could get me in.

See I am not a clutz I just have skills

I would be on the treadmill, swinging my arms and they would always seem to catch the wire, sometimes sending my phone flying or making me use quick reflexes to catch it mid air. Forget when I started using weights. I was all sorts of flustered. Convinced that working out wasn't really about the equipment, but more trying to avoid getting tangled; I knew there had to be a better solution and who would know best...my dad! I knew he wasn't getting caught up in any wires while he was bicycle riding and if there was a neat piece of equipment or trick he would know exactly what it was. He reminded me about the bluetooth headphones my mom had gotten for him when he first started riding. He said they worked and he loved them!  That was it I needed them. I went running around that day to find them and finally a friend of mine tracked them down at a local store. They had one pair left and I believed they were meant for me. 

Bluetooth LG Tone+ HBS-730
Makes the gym and working out easier

These are the coolest headphones ever! The model I got is the LG Electronics Tone+ HBS-730. They charged up really quick and I was able to use them that day. When you turn them on there is a voice that tells you battery level. They synced with my Iphone 4s easily and in seconds. The play, pause, rewind, forward and volume controls are upfront and very easy to get to.  I went walking and not once did I get tangled in any wires it was great. It was so light I forgot I had it on, until I was walking along enjoying my music and tangle-free moment when all of a sudden the headset started vibrating. I had no idea what that meant until my ring tone went through the headset and I realized I was getting a phone call. Yes you can use it with the phone and let me tell you it was crystal clear, my friend had no idea I was 4 miles away from home in a field using a new headset until I told her.  I used them for a week every day for about an hour a day and had to only charge them up once. 

Me demonstrating how the headset looks on and how they work.
They are so light you forget about them

Not only did I love this headset but my cat Abby loved them too, she loved them so much that my sweet innocent angel (ha ha) decided while I was charging them one day to eat through the thin cord connecting the ear buds. I was not happy with her that day. My advice, if you have pets that love your headset like my Abby did, is to charge them in a secret location. Mine now get charged in a drawer, and I hope she never figures out how to open drawers. I did replace that pair within 24 hours, found them on Amazon.com. I can't imagine going back to an old school wired headset now. 

Highly recommend!!

Fun and Relaxing

Usually I am on the go, always doing something or planning something, but this weekend I tried to do things a little different. First, not making plans, just seeing where the weekend took me. Second, relax. 

Last night I followed through my first plan and when something fun came up I went with it. My friend text me to come over and hang out for a little to catch up. You know how it goes things get busy and next thing you know it's been way too long since you have seen anyone but family and coworkers. I decided it was time for a visit and wouldn't be out too late. It turned into the 2 of us sitting in her living room laughing and talking about everything and anything. How her husband and son didn't wake up with all the giggling is a mystery to me. I didn't leave her house until after 3:00 a.m. I can't even tell you the last time I saw 3:00 a.m. unless it was to get up and use the bathroom in the middle of the night. 

This pretty much sums up my friendships, no words needed, but lots of laughs

I came home and got ready for bed and even turned off my alarm clock for Sunday morning. I slept better than I have in weeks and didn't wake up until after 10 am! I spent the morning puttering around my condo. Had a yummy breakfast, went to the store across town to return shoes, and then came home and proceeded to follow through with my relaxing plan. I finally got to catch up on shows that I love, like Nashville. Yup this Jersey girl loves herself some country music and drama. My cats were snuggled and scattered all over my condo. 

Nashville on ABC. Love this show. Music, drama, and hot outfits

For the rest of the afternoon I sat happily in condo, completely relaxed. Absorbed in my tv show drama and the peacefulness of my space. Now I know why people recommend a rest day; it's healthy for the mind, body, and soul. I feel like it has completely rejuvenated me and I am ready for the week ahead. 

Chelsea relaxing on the floor next to me

Abby didn't take a selfie. She was laying on me all day.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Condo Grilling

My love of grilling has definitely been stifled a little by the fact that I can't have an outdoor grill in my condo complex. I am on the second floor and it's a fire hazard. So for those of you out there with similar situations, I feel your pain...until now!  My parents surprised me this weekend with an indoor electric grill by Presto. At first I was a little skeptical; I had owned a George Foreman in the past and was not impressed at all. My mom said she read reviews online about it and it came highly recommended. I didn't want to get my hopes up too much, but was really wishing this would be the answer to my grilling dreams.

Presto Indoor Grill - Goes for about $40 in the store and so worth it!
Fits perfectly for smaller kitchens like condos and apartments

So what's a girl to do with a new grill? She goes food shopping! I picked up a pack of rib eye steaks, assorted pork cuts and spare ribs, zucchini and salmon.. I decided to start with the assorted pork cuts/ribs. There were calling my name. A little salt and pepper, brushed them with olive oil and on they went. I preheated the grill to 400 degrees so when I put them on it was instant cooking and boy did it smell cook. I left them on there until they started getting that little bit of crispy look and then turned them over. The excess grease and fat dripped off nicely and was caught by the drip pan attached, helping to keep it a healthy meal.

You can see the charred crispy grill marks...drooling yet
The little hole at the bottom is catching the excess grease and fat

They looked amazing, but how did they taste?  Well, I was impressed and very stuffed because I didn't want to stop eating them. They came out a little crispy, a lot juicy, and so filling. I will definitely be making them again and really soon.

DELICIOUS!!!
I still can't believe these were made on an indoor electric grill
Thank you Presto!

Now that I told you how easy it was to make the ribs, I have to tell you the cleanup was even easier!! Once the grill cooled off a little I disconnected the electrical portion of the unit (it just pops out), ran some warm water and soap over it. No scrubbing needed. Tada all clean. Come on you can't get easier than that. Oh wait you can, if you really dislike hand washing, the entire unit is dishwasher safe.

I can't wait to try more things on there. I think next is rib eye steaks with grilled zucchini. The best part is I can make them in my own condo space and it doesn't even matter what the weather is outside. The fun has just begun!

Positive Energy for a Good Day

I truly believe that your surroundings impact your attitude and outlook. Think about it, if you hang out in a dark place or with really negative people don't you eventually start thinking negative as well and even feel more negative and down....

Create your positive space

Majority of my day is spent in my office working. Sure it would be nice sitting on a beach somewhere being a lazy beach bum, but let's face it that doesn't exactly pay the bills and the winning lottery ticket has not found it's way to me yet. I wanted to make my office a happy, fun, positive, place to go into every morning. I started filling it with things that make me smile and also motivate me. I put motivational sayings on my screen saver, and absolutely love when I catch my coworkers reading them and enjoying. 

A few of my screen savers...some inspire and some just make me smile

When I think of my happiest times, it's when I am with my family and especially my nieces. Those 2 little girls bring so much joy into my life, so of course I had to put pictures of them around my office and I included some of their art work. I fully admit there are times on busy days I love just being able to take a breather and look at my pictures, I feel happier and calmer. 

Ashley and Kaitlyn
Yep, they took a selfie

Recently my sister's family went to Florida and when they got back my nieces presented me with some beautfiful shells they had collected for me on the beach. They were so proud to show me the different shells and colors and tell me all about how they picked them; I really wanted to do something special with them. Then it hit me, I had the perfect idea!!

These girls have great taste in shells!
Thank you to my sister for sending me the pictures of them digging and searching in Florida

A few months back my dad and I participated in our first 5k event and we did it together. It was a truly wonderful experience I will never forget. The event took place at a winery and at the end we all received a wine glass. I felt the same way about the wine glass as I did with the shells, I wanted to do something special with it...You see where I am going with this...

Dad and me completing our first 5k.
Could you tell I am a little excited?

I put the shells inside the wine glass, rearranged them about a million times and now they sit on the window sill in my office. Looking at that wine glass makes me feel motivated and encouraged remembering how I got the glass and the shells make me feel loved inside thinking of the girls telling me about the shells. 

I absolutely love how my wine glass and
beach shell creation came out..made with love

Fill your place with joy, whether it be your office or home, find things that make you smile and feel good inside. It really helps make the days happier and more fun. 

Views from inside my office
Pictures and items throughout, all come with happy memories!

More Grill Inspiration ... Ribs!

If you read my previous post Grill Inspiration you know I not only love grilled foods, but I also had a blast one night at my firehouse learning how to use the grill. I've been wanting to try it again, but also wanted to try making something other than hamburgers and hot dogs. My mom made pork ribs a few weeks ago and I fell in love with them, so I thought why not give it a shot. I picked up a pack of St. Louis style ribs and headed to my parent's house. 

Since I had never cooked ribs before I didn't even know where to start. My mom showed me how to cut the ribs in between the bones to get them into individual pieces and ready for cooking. I placed them in an aluminum pan (love easy cleanup), and with help from my niece Ashley, I brushed the ribs with extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkled some salt and pepper. I was surprised that was all my mom told me to put on them and wondered if it might taste a little bland, but she reassured me this is how she made it last time and they were delicious. 

Look to cut the ribs in-between the bones.
Use your fingers to feel for the bone before cutting

My assistant Ashley brushing the oil on the ribs.
You don't need to use too much just enough to cover them

Off to the grill!! My dad surprised my mom for Mother's Day this year with a new grill that has infrared technology. I'm not 100% sure how the infra-red technology works, but it was nice to grill without worrying about the flames shooting up and my eyebrows getting singed. 

Me using the grill!!
I just randomly placed the ribs across the grill 

My mom started the grill while I was cutting the ribs so by the time I was ready to cook them it was already nice and hot. I scattered them over the bottom rack and closed the lid. I checked about 15 minutes later and turned them so all sides cooked and got that crispy grill taste.  It was about 10-15 min later and they were ready to be taken off and drooled over. 

I'm drooling looking at the pictures
They came out juicy and delicious and so very filling

I let my dad have the first taste and knew I had done a job well done when he came in the kitchen with his plate looking for more. Score!! 

Where did all the meat go?!?
My dad definitely enjoyed them. 

My only question is, what should I grill next?! 

No Meal..Go Fish

The biggest thing I have learned about eating healthy is that it requires you to be prepared as much as possible with meals. When it comes to weekdays I usually try to go grocery shopping and make some meals on Sunday to last me the week. Then there are those weekends that get away from me; next thing I know it's Monday and I get home from a busy day of work with no dinner pre-prepared. When this happens there are a few options.. order in food, throw together a quick something you aren't even sure what it is, eat Doritos (fill in your favorite food) or my favorite new option...fish!

Two of my coworkers told me about bags of fish they bought at Shoprite (most grocery stores carry them). The fish are individually packaged giving you the option of cooking 1 or 4 and nothing will go bad because you didn't make it right away, plus it makes it easy to store them in the freezer for the next time you need a quick meal. I figured I would give it a shot and tried the salmon. Wow was I pleasantly surprised!! It came out mouthwatering delicious, and even better it was quick and easy! I didn't even have to defrost the fish first (who has time for that after work). 

Frozen salmon, seasoning of choice, butter and you have a healthy meal in minutes

Ingredients: 

Fish of your choice (I've used salmon and tilapia with these ingredients)

Fresh cut garlic 

Seasoning of your choice...I prefer Mrs. Dash herb and garlic 

Parmesan cheese

Butter

Preheat the over to 350F. Spray a pan or baking sheet with PAM, this is so the fish doesn't stick. In an effort to have less clean-up, because admit it who likes to clean, I like to use disposable pans. Once your fillet(s) are placed in the pan or baking sheet sprinkle the seasoning on the top and bottom, then the parmesan cheese on top, finish by adding the garlic pieces on top and around the fillet and place about a teaspoon of butter on each filet. Tada ready cook. Place in the oven for approximately 15 min. Cooking times vary on filet sizes and ovens. 

Salmon is prepared and  ready to cook

After about 15 minutes or when the fish is mostly cooked I put the oven on broil. I love the parmesan cheese and garlic to get a little crispy. After about a minute (again depends on oven) I take it out and drool at my latest creation. 

L: salmon fresh out of the oven, see little crispy outside.
R: A complete and healthy meal in less than 30 minutes

Hope this helps you, like it did me, get through some hungry meals. Salmon can be a meal for almost any time of the day. Have leftovers for breakfast or lunch too! Oh and stay tuned for some side dish ideas including the zucchini one above. 

Running For Great Finds

For so many years my go to exercise/stress release was walking on the treadmill.  I'm fortunate to have a treadmill in my condo and I also have the gym. The beginning of this year as the weather got a little nicer, I realized I was tired of being cooped up from winter and needed to get out. One morning I was getting ready to venture out around town and thought...hmm where am I supposed to put my things. I carry my house key, a little wallet with my ID, and cell phone. Since it was still chilly out I was wearing my vest so I had pockets, but I was on a mission to figure out what everyone else out there was using, because they definitely weren't wearing their purses.

I love how free I feel walking this trail

I found a walking belt on amazon.com that seemed pretty neat, the SPIbelt. It claimed to be big enough to hold all my stuff and small enough not to drag me down and it wasn't expensive. I got it in the mail and all I could think was no way this will hold all my stuff, but surprisingly it did as it claimed. I have been using it for the past 4 months. Lately I have been adding in a mix of jogging and running and noticed it bounces around a lot and gets a little annoying, plus when I want to take pictures along the way, getting my camera out and back in wasn't the easiest

SPIbelt. Small but surprisingly fits plenty for you to hit the trails.
(I'm still working on my selfies)

I told my dad what was happening and we took a trip to Sports Authority, where he found me a belt called Nathan's 5k. I tried it out around the store and knew my dad was on to something. Yesterday morning I got up to walk the park and was so excited to try out my belt. I put everything in there, including extra keys since I had to drive to the park. It was so light and comfortable I forgot I was wearing it. I was able to stop along the way and take out my phone easily to grab some pictures of the park. Jogging, it didn't even budge. I absolutely love this belt and highly recommend it!

Nathans 5K belt. Lightweight, plenty of room, stays put while jogging and running

Bring on the Filling Healthy Food

I wanted to share some new favorite food finds for the week. Last I told you I was going to try and incorporate some more protein and healthy fats into my daily menu. After shopping and talking with my mom I got some ideas and decided to try them out. I know it's only been a few days, but what I can tell you is I have way more energy than I have had in weeks and my thoughts aren't always about food and what will I eat next. Instead I have been able to concentrate more, I am working out after work and tonight I even went shopping with my dad to Sports Authority. He was helping me find a new belt to hold all my stuff when I go for walks.

Let's talk breakfast. I love eggs, cooked all different ways. Lately I have been enjoying them cooked overeasy, mine usually come out somewhere between overeasy and overmessy, but still taste just as yummy. To add extra protein and healthy goodness I added some shrimp on the side; and for my veggie fix I cut up half a zucchini, cooked it in coconut oil with garlic, salt, and pepper. DELICIOUS!! And very filling.

Eggs overmessy (Cindy style), shrimp, zucchini cooked in coconut oil

My next idea was for snack time before the gym. I really don't like going to gym and feeling like I have no energy or halfway through I am starving. I also needed to find something that I could eat at my desk at work. I took some romaine lettuce, spread spicy mustard, added Boar's Head Turkey (less process and no nitrates like other lunch meat) and Colby-Jack cheese. It was so filling and delicious. I used 3 oz of the turkey and 1 slice of cheese cut up. It was surprising how many lettuce rolls you can make with all that.

Easy and healthy snack idea for work

Lettuce, turkey and cheese rolls

I can definitely get used to eating this way and on a lighter note, my pants aren't suffocating me when I button them. WOOHOO! 

Feel free to share any other food finds that might help me along my food and health journey and I hope you like my food finds if you decide to give them a try. More to come....

Struggles and Support

I don't know about everyone but I do know when it comes to me and weight loss there are times I want to take the scale and throw it across the bathroom. Times when I just don't understand how it could possibly go up and why do my pants feel snug!?! I didn't eat any oreos my nieces tried to give me. I measured and weighed all my food. I worked out every day. Sure I know my body is complicated and struggles to lose weight but this is just not fair. Well this is the point I reached the other day. I was on a solid roll for a while there. Scale and inches moving in the right direction and then it just stopped and even started going back up. Can you say frustrating! Part of me wanted to say I just give up and eat anything and everything. Then I thought about my health and how that would suffer, I thought about how horrible I would feel, and I thought about the example I would be setting for my nieces. I raised my white flag and admitted I needed backup.  It was time to call in for backup...my mom!

Yeah this is pretty much how I felt the other morning

My mom is amazing and thankfully patient and also my best friend. I can tell her anything. My mom also knows me better than anyone else and knows my struggles. She has been helping me, supporting me, and guiding me since the day I asked for help. I admit this time I wanted to try and do it alone...look what I can do. Then I realized if you have someone in your corner willing to help and support you and figure it out, you are lucky, and I have that with her.

My mom and I can have fun on the beach or even food shopping

I told my mom what was going on,  she asked me about what I was eating and came up with some ideas to possibly help. Then she even agreed to take a ride with me to Shoprite, on a Sunday! For those of you who don't know Shoprite on a Sunday, it's like any food store during a weather emergency! Madness!! But off we went for our adventure. It was like no one else existed in the store as we read labels and talked. I realized I had been slacking on protein and healthy fats while concentrating too much on fruits and other sugary high carb foods. My body hates sugar!!! I have no medical diagnosis for this, but I know. Just like anyone else reading this who knows their body. People might think you are nuts, but you just know your body. My mom showed me different types of meats and gave me ways to cook them. Without her support I would have probably been miserable today. Trying to figure out what to do and where to start to make it better. Instead after a day and a half of my changed eating I had energy. I wasn't relying on coffee, I wasn't starving all day, I wasn't grumpy, and I even had leftover energy to go swimming with my nieces. I'm hoping this is just the start to more days like these and I will keep you updated and even give some easy recipes (I don't do complicated ones yet).

Having fun and getting exercise while playing in the pool

Sometimes all it takes is someone in your corner who can see past the emotions of what you are going through.Someone to help you take a step back and figure out where you went off the path. Don't be afraid to ask for help or like me trying to prove you don't need help. I hope everyone has at least one person like that in their life and if not I am here for you. Feel free to comment on my blogs. I would love to hear your story and please don't give up no matter how challenging.

Freedom Cups!

Happy 4th of July! A day to celebrate freedom and be thankful for it. Time for picnics, parties, fireworks, and fun. For those of us trying to not gain a ton of weight and trying to eat healthy these parties are more about what should I eat, what can I eat, should I be good or just say oh well for a day.  Sort of takes some of the fun out it. I say bring something you and everyone else can enjoy and make it one less decision you have to make; and it will keep you on track with your healthy goals! Let's talk dessert. My family loves dessert, it's what I struggle with at most birthday parties and gatherings. Not this time, this time I had an idea. I want to enjoy with everyone, so I came up with Freedom Cups.

Freedom Cups
Be Healthy and Enjoy!!

I found some wine glasses that had blue stems and were the perfect size, but you can easily find cups at your local store. Figuring out what went in them was easy, what is healthy and delicious and red, white, and blue...strawberries, cool whip, and blueberries! Works perfectly with my blueberry obsession.

Ingredients:

Blueberries

Strawberries

Cool Whip

Reddi Whip 

Cherries

Sprinkles

My Helpers
Ashley and Kaitlyn

I enlisted assistance from two of the best and cutest helpers I know...my nieces Ashley and Kaitlyn. My first step was cutting the stems off the strawberries. Then it was time to cut just the right size to fit in the cups. I decided to cut mine in half and then to cut the halves in half. Making the pieces large enough to still enjoy the taste but small enough to fit a bunch in the glass. Once I cute up all the strawberries I did a layer in each glass. You can decide how thick you want each layer. After the strawberries I did a layer of Cool Whip Lite. I recommend using a large spoon to scoop but a small spoon, even a kids spoon, to help layer it in the glass so you don't get too much on the sides of the cup.

How I cut up my strawberries and layered the Cool Whip Lite
Feel free to cut yours to how you like it and add as much or as little Cool Whip

 Next up blueberries! I did a layer of blueberries followed by another layer of Cool Whip and then strawberries. I topped it off with some Reddi Whip to get the neat spiral look and decorated with blueberries and strawberries on top.Tada!  Instant delicious dessert that is healthy and everyone can enjoy!

The different stages of layering fruit, Cool Whip, and Reddi Whip

My nieces had a blast helping me and got even more excited when I told them they could make their own! Ashley modeled hers after mine but added in cherries.  Kaitlyn is not a big fan of blueberries, I happily ate hers, so she used just strawberries, cherries and added some sprinkles for fun!

Ashley and Kaitlyn busy creating their delicious dessert
Picture to the right is Kaitlyn's Creation

Ashley couldn't wait to eat her dessert

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July, spending more time celebrating and having fun and less time worrying about what to eat.

Me and my sister Elyse enjoying our Freedom Cups!

Time For a Regroup!

It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life. Work, errands, cleaning, bills, relationships, being healthy and the list goes on and on. I can often relate to how a hamster feels running in the wheel thing, especially when I am on the treadmill (ha ha). I also find it all to easy to get caught up in worrying about all the things listed above. What's going on at work, what does the future hold. Running errands from one side of the state to the other. Bills...well do I really need to elaborate on those. Cleaning...yeah because that is what I want to do in my free time. Relationships, I love spending time with my family and friends and being part of everything going on, but I also enjoy me time, and what about dating and wondering if I will ever meet my Prince Charming. Being healthy is a job in itself, writing the grocery list, making meals for the week, planning workouts. Well I think you get the hint. This is just my list, everyone's list is different and everyone's struggles are unique and important to them.

Sometimes when I feel myself spinning on that wheel of life I realize that I am missing out on fun things. I don't dance and sing to music as much because I am in my head. I may not take the time to appreciate the flowers that I walk past going to my next store. At the end of the day I know inside I am missing something. Life should include happiness and enjoyment. This is the time I like to remind myself to REGROUP. Take a step back and breathe. Most of the time I will actually say out loud "Cindy you need a regroup". Stop and smell the roses. Whatever term you want to use, remember it and when you feel yourself getting stuck on your wheel of life remind yourself what is important. I know sometimes that is easier said than done, but it really does help, and it really does help you appreciate what you have. I love waking up and  instead of instantly jumping out of bed I will look over and see my cats snuggled up. I love thinking of the smiles on my nieces faces when I see them on the weekend. Having coffee with my mom and sister. Walks with my dad. Meeting up with my best friend Debbie and laughing over anything and everything. Loving the fact that I live close to work and can go home for lunch.

Having fun with my nieces, Ashley and Kaitlyn
I workout so I can keep up with them

The way I see it is the cleaning will always be there, do a little at a time. There will always be bills to pay, try not to add to them. Remember that being healthy benefits you and everyone that loves you and makes you feel great and is definitely worth all the time and effort! Running errands helps you get everything you need to stay on track and hey you never know who you will meet or what adventures you could encounter along the way.Wondering what the future holds, doesn't actually change the outcome, but living your life does so make it a happy one.

My best friend Debbie
Always encouraging me to be healthy, workout, and smile

I truly believe that happiness should always be a priority. And in case you are wondering, on days or weeks when I am on my wheel of life I will go back and read everything I just wrote as a reminder.