orange julius protein shake.

seriously, this is good.  like, yummy, yummy good.  can't believe i am drinking it for breakfast good.  i had some leftover orange juice, some leftover powdered milk i had blended up and decided to throw that in with some new vanilla protein powder i hadn't tried yet.  this will change the way i make orange julius for my family now forever! 

orange julius protein shake

1 C. orange juice

1 C. milk

1 scoop orange fiber powder (i used melaleuca)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (i used melaleuca, "attain")

4 ice cubes

mix first 4 ingredients in blender. add ice and crush.  enjoy!

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FORMER orange julius recipe

2 C. milk

1/2 can orange juice concentrate

1/4 C. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

8-12 ice cubes

blend all and enjoy!

we have been drinking this recipe for orange julius for years now.  i started making it when i was in high school and it became a favorite with my college roomies and guy buddies.  in fact, i think it may even be why some of them hung around me so much...that, and for my lasagna!

i "taught" chris how to make it when we were first dating and it became our movie night staple.  the kids pretty much think that friday nights are synonymous with movie night, orange julius and popcorn.

NEW orange julius recipe

2 C. milk

1/2 can. orange juice concentrate

1 scoop orange fiber power

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

8-12 ice cubes

blend and enjoy!

(you can also make lime julius with lime concentrate in place of the OJ concentrate)

*pic snagged from here

my thoughts on protein shakes.

this is probably going to be WAY more information on protein shakes than any of you care about.  oh well.  i like getting my thoughts written down.

when i first wake up i drink a full glass of water.  this is so essential when your body has been deprived of water for t he last 6-8 hours while you were sleeping. i wake up at 7:00 and get brady off to school.  

most mornings i have a protein shake to start out the day at about 8:30.  I try to eat another snack with a complex carb and a protein about 2-3 hours later, and so on.  

i LOVE protein shakes.  you probably don't hear that very often. but here's why:  i do NOT like cereal, and most of the time i am so busy trying to get everyone else ready and going in the morning that i forget to eat.  if i make up a shake i can drink it and tote it around with me. it fills me up with very few calories and helps me stay on track with my daily goals.  i don't count calories anymore.  i pretty much know after two months of counting calories how much each small meal should be.

i try to eat like this:

8:30- protein shake
10:30-11:30- small snack (such as small apple with 10 almonds)
1:30-2:30- small lunch or another protein shake
4:30ish- small snack
6:30/7- dinner (this is the biggest meal of the day by far, but I have been trying really hard to eat smaller, appropriate portions and not go back for seconds, unless it is salad or vegetables
9-10- small 3 oz. protein right before bed (i'm not always good at remembering this one)


usually i don't like my shakes to be very sweet. i also like them to be on the thinner side, so i usually double the liquid called for and drink a 20 oz. smoothie. i find that this also helps me get more water in early on in the morning and it fills me up longer.

i've been using melaluca protein powder for the last year and like it pretty well.  when i can afford it i plan on using some from shakeology as well. their quality and ingredients is superior to anything else i've seen.

in the past i have also used whey protein by jillian michaels and protein powder from arbonne.  i lost 40 lbs. using both of those. arbonne after having brady, and jillian after having olivia.  i think i get a better product and better price with melaleuca and am no longer a consultant from arbonne, so i can't buy theirs.  i would still be buying theirs if i was still a consultant.

so, to sum it up.  i like protein powder.  i like that i can throw in any frozen or fresh fruit i want.  i like that i can toss in some veggies and a couple handfuls of kale or spinach, or even romaine.  i like that it is filling and fast and i can drink on the go.  i like that it's helping me with my weight loss goals.  

good morning sunshine.

yummy.  the other day's breakfast was a real pick-me-up.  i've been dragging a bit lately and needed a little boost.  my concoction was the perfect fix, and good use of some oranges that were a little past their prime.

orange carrot smoothie
2 small oranges, peeled and halved
1 C. chopped carrots (or baby carrots)
5-7 drops DoTerra wild orange blossom essential oil
1 scoop orange flavored fiber supplement (i use melaleuca)
1 C. cold water

put all in blender and "chop," then puree or liquify.  add 2 ice cubes and pulse until crushed finely.  Makes 2-3 C. 

Weight loss. Slow and steady...wins the race.

Last week was a S-L-O-W weight loss week.  I finally pulled off 1.4 lbs...which I am giving myself a lot of credit for since "period week," ahem, I usually can't stop eating and gain at least a few lbs!

This puts me at an even steven 15 lb. loss thus far since mid-July.  I'll take it.

Next week my goal is to get below the 180's!  woot woot!

My Personal Quest. Update #3.

YES!!!  Another 2 lbs. down this week!!!!  48.5 lbs. to go!  woot woot!

Total weight lost in past 5 weeks: 13.6

The BEST part?  I am just beginning to FEEL a difference!!!  I fit into a pair of capri pants that haven't fit since 2 summers ago!!!

My Personal Quest. Update.

I didn't have a chance to update my weight loss last week.  I lost another 2 lbs!  Yeah!  It is such a small number, but I keep reminding myself that "slow and steady wins the race!" Every move DOWN is a victory!

I have received SO MUCH support from so many of you wonderful friends!  I am so thankful to have such encouragement and understanding from those I love!

Many of you expressed a desire to be part of a private blog in which we would share our own personal quests with each other in hopes of staying strong and building a close-knit support group. My idea is to post recipes that are healthy AND good, fun exercises, personal feelings, before and after pictures (if you desire), encouragement...basically be a safe place for you to go to when you need a lift.  I know that when I have read some of my friends' blogs as they battles to lose weight it was a HUGE inspiration to me!

Here is the blog link: 

http://limitless-potential-of-you.blogspot.com

Right now it is PRIVATE and there are NO invited readers or authors.  If you would like to be a participating author with me please email me (if you have my email address) or private message me on facebook.  If you do not have either of these leave me a comment with your email please, if you feel comfortable.

I am mainly going to only allow people who want to be co-authors.  I do have a few very close friends who I trust and love enough to be readers.  To be an author you only need to be willing to be honest and post when you can.  There is no other criteria other than that we share the same personal quest!

I am hoping to get this blog up and going by the end of next week.  I would really like to enter the school year with this in full force!!

Thanks to all!  50.5 lbs to go!!! woot woot!

My personal quest.

So, I've known for some time (like my whole life) that I've needed to lose weight.  I've gone up and down, back and forth, especially since I have been bearing children!  It usually takes me a solid 2 1/2 years to lose enough weight just to get pregnant again (NOT to get back down to pre-pregnancy weight)...so, needless to say, three beautiful children later have each left me with added pounds.

I have watched several friends undergo dramatic weight-loss transformations and lifestyle changes and have been amazed and inspired, as well as overwhelmed and left feeling defeated.  It has always just felt. I.M.P.O.S.S.I.B.L.E.

Back during the winter months I did a post about weight loss and getting serious.  I ended up losing around 9 lbs. and then...well, went back to my old ways...gaining the 9 lbs. back and the low-confidence that got me where I am.

In the few months since then I have made a few self-discoveries.  YES. I am addicted to food.  I REALLY, REALLY like food.  Sometimes I eat something that doesn't even taste that incredible but keep eating it anyway.  Sometimes I eat something that DOES taste incredible and can't seem to put it down.  I just want "ONE MORE BITE."

I have tried to identify WHY am I eating?  WHY can't I let one or two bites be good enough?  WHY must I go back to the jar of chocolate chips repeatedly throughout the day, "sneaking" a handful into my mouth while no one is watching and then walk away feeling "better?"

Do I really use food to cope with stress, sadness, anger? To celebrate when I am happy or with success?  I never used to think that I used food for comfort, but maybe I do?  I certainly have no willpower when something I like is placed in front of me.  Usually I have less of a problem eating at home because I don't buy soda, sweets, chips etc.  I won't buy the foods that trigger me to return to them over and over again throughout the day. BUT when I am at a potluck or a party...or a buffet...FORGET IT.  Willpower out the window.  I can walk in with the best intentions and then let it fly, just like the calories I inhale.

I think I sit down at night with something "good" because it's like a personal reward of a day well done.  I have used it as a wind-down at the end of the day.  When the kids are in bed and things are quiet it's the time I give to myself.  I need to change that.  I need to give myself time to exercise and to reward myself in other ways than with food.

I think part of the reason why I feel angry a lot is because I am angry with myself.

BUT...

It seems that there is never time for ME.  I am mother, wife.  I fulfill all needs within our home.  Everyone else and everything else comes first. And I am exhausted.  How do I go to bed earlier at night so I can wake up before the sun rises, when all is still, to work my hind end off?  It seems that there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that needs to be done unless I stay up until the wee hours of the morning!!  The last time I worked out at 4:30 a.m. consistently for a month I made myself sick repeatedly for two months.

I have to figure it out.  I have to learn to let some things go...

So, I am on a journey.  A QUEST really, to figure out WHY and HOW and to BUILD THE POWER within myself to tell myself "NO!"  I want to live the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 89) and fill my body with good things...I want to FEEL and LOOK strong.  My goal is not to be thin, but to be strong and feel good. 

 I want to go on a trip to Hawaii (maybe in the works for our 10th anniversary) and take a million pictures and not have to delete any because I look awesome, not embarrassing!  I want to run down a beach in a bathing suit with my husband and feel completely free.

I had to write it down...get it out there.  I NEED accountability.  If anyone else wants to join me in this quest, to join me in recording your weekly BODY MAKE-OVER please leave a comment!!!  If you are serious about it and want weekly accountability and support, like I do, I will create a separate private blog.  I know it is possible and I need inspiration!!!

 I am putting it out there...my goal is to lose 65 lbs. total.  I think a healthy weight for my body type, height and age is 134 lbs.  Yup 134, not 135, 134...I don't know it just feels good, to be under 135!  What a dream that would be.  The last time I weighed that I think I was like a freshman in high school and thought I was fat!

Well, here are the stats.  Like I said, I am putting it out there.  I don't care anymore, no more hiding what it is...

May 2012: 196 lbs.  

June 2012: 192 lbs.

July 17th: 189

July 23: 188.8

August 3: 186.4 (down 9.6 lbs)

Considering posting my BEFORE pictures and pictures of progress...not sure if I am that brave...

I mentioned in a previous post that I got together with a good friend of mine a few weeks ago.  If you're friends with me then it's not secret that I've struggled with my weight most of my life, especially after having babies!  My friend, Melody inspired me when we got together (as she often does!)  We talked a lot about health and lifestyle changes and I realized that I need to stop making excuses and do the things that are hard that will change what I don't like (physically) about myself.  I also expect that in making these changes I'll probably also notice changes within myself.

So, I am trying to become more accountable, and in so doing I'm going to be a little more open about my private matters on my blog.  This is something I haven't really done before and I've resisted.  Mainly because I don't like putting myself out there.  BUT, over the last several months in particular I have realized how much it helps me when I read my dearest friends' blogs as they put themselves "out there."  Many times is has been through their experiences that they share that I have felt such a connection with them, felt so lucky to have them as friends and felt confirmation that the things that I FEEL and I want to change are good and right.

Last week I started my simplified version of making some healthy changes.  I have tried and tried and tried again, but always have given up in the past. I don't want to be a quitter and I  DO want to change.  So, in order to be more successful I am putting on less pressure and making mini-goals on a daily basis that I am challenging myself to keep.  For each of these mini-goals that I accomplish throughout the day I am rewarding myself with 25 cents.  Silly?  Maybe.  But, at any rate I will be able to see how well I'm doing with a visual of coins in a jar on the counter.  And, when I reach my goal I'll have saved up a bit of money to buy myself some much needed clothes.

My goals:

-Drink 12 cups of water a day (3 liters) (This is harder than you'd think!)

-Eat 5 small meals a day (This is suprisingly difficult as I often forget to eat throughout the day as I'm busy doing other things...then I eat too much at a given meal...)

-Eat WHOLE foods and pair carbohydrates (including fruit) with protein so my body can process it better.  This has been going well.  It forces me to think of healthy and whole food options.  I am phasing out WHITE in our house, much to the chagrin of my other family members.  I keep telling them that SOMEDAY they WILL thank me!  Chris has been a good sport and has been trying VERY HARD to "like" what we are eating these days....this is going to take a LONG time for our family to adjust to!

-Go to bed by 10 p.m. (This has NOT been going well.  I have always enjoyed my night time hours and often will stay up into the wee hours of the morning, which does not make me a good mommy the next day! I have a hard time MAKING myself go to bed everynight when I am getting SO MUCH done and having ME time!  Any suggestions???

-Read my scriptures daily (this just needs to happen on a more regular basis.  If I do not do this first thing in the morning it just doesn't happen...)

-Exercise (OK.  Unlike a lot of people, I actually really like to exercise.  What I don't like to do is interupt other things I'm doing to exercise.  I used to get up at 4 every morning and go to spin class.  I LOVED it once I was there. I HATE, HATE, HATE getting up early.  It just isn't right!  Especially when you're waking up several times a night with babies and small children!  I have yet to get down a good routine for this since becoming pregnant for Zach.  I REALLY need to get this one going...)

Aside from being unsuccessful in several of these areas I did lose 3.4 lbs. last week!  I just measured myself in all {scary} areas on Sunday night and now I'll be tracking my measurements as well.  I have visions of one day fiiting into a bathing suit and not scaring all of the small children! =)

But seriously, I mainly want to become fit and healthy.  I came to terms a few years ago with the fact that I will never have beautiful long legs, or any long appendages for that matter!  I am built the way that I am built, but I can look the best that my body can and feel good about that.  I want to be an example of health and confidence for my children and I want to help instill in them positive eating and fitness habits!

Thanks for bearing with me, and stay tuned for updates on my journey to health!

{UPDATE!!!}  Since I wrote this post I have lost another 4.8 lbs!!!!

Total weight lost:  9 lbs !!!