Thursday, March 14, 2013

Happy Birthday Jewelry Candle and Roses Giveaway

What says Happy Birthday better than Candles and Roses?  Jewelry Candles say it better!!
Those are my favorite things no matter the occasion!
 
ScreenHunter_949 Mar. 13 11.29-001


Hosted by The Pitch List Bloggers and brought to you by Jewelry Candles
We have teamed up to bring you this awesome giveaway and here is what it consist of for two luck viewers.
One Birthday Candle:
This is the perfect gift for that special friend, sister, loved one of yours or a gift to yourself if you are having a birthday!
Whoever you give this precious candle to is sure to love it as well as the buried jewel that lies within it in this HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jewelry Candle!  Be sure to select the scent that you want to go with this theme when checking out and you'll get this lovely greeting cards jewelry candle with the scent of your choice! 3 gifts in one! A jewel, a candle and a greeting card!
 
With Jewelry Candles, everyone is a winner! Inside all our candles is a hidden jewel that can be worth anywhere from $10 to $7500. Inside your candle could be a ring, necklace, pendant, bracelet or a pair of earrings! You just never know what you are going to get but you will always get a gorgeous piece of jewelry!
One Dozen Wax Dipped Roses:
The scent can last up to 6 months and longer! The buds are hard carved wooden buds! The stems are 14 inches. The buds are 1.5 inches. Each dozen is decorated meticulously with artificial baby's breath to really bring out the color of the bouquet. Each dozen comes with a hidden jewel with a value from $10 to $7500! You never know what you are going to get! Each dozen is shipped to you, your customer or your friend in an elegant black box. They never die so they will look great 5 years from now not just for a few days and then poof they are gone! They make amazing decorations for your home , apartment or office because they are stunning and smell just amazing. The buds are triple scented in fresh cut rose scent so the roses truly smell amazing!

There will be a total of two lucky winners! One winner will receive the candle and the other will receive the roses.

 
All prizing is provided by Jewelry Candles . Giveaway open to U.S. only!
Jewelry Candles Event ends on 3/29/13 at 11:59pm CST. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Shop Your Way $100 PayPal Giveaway

$100 PayPal Cash Giveaway Sponsored by BestMark

Welcome to the $100 PayPal Cash Shop Your Way Giveaway, Sponsored by BestMark!

Spring Break is here, Summer is fast approaching, and I know I could use $100 extra bucks!  I am excited to say that our generous sponsor has given us the opportunity to offer a chance to win just that! Whether you want to make your grocery budget stretch, reward yourself for your hard work, or just hold it or a rainy day, this would help right?  The point? If you win, we want you to enjoy it!

About Our Sponsor, BestMark

Of course, we also want you to know a little bit about our sponsor, BestMark. If you’ve ever looked into working with a mystery shopping company, you may have come across this name a time or two, as they are one of the largest mystery shopping companies in the U.S. and Canada. Not familiar with mystery shopping? It’s a lot of fun and a great way to save money (and possibly even earn money) for the things you do anyway. For instance, oil changes and tire rotations, eating lunch or dinner out, or making a purchase at a popular electronics shop are just some examples of “shops” that you might be eligible to perform as a mystery shopper. In most cases, you are reimbursed up to a specific amount (usually the cost of the service, meal, etc.) and in some cases you are even paid a set dollar amount on top of your reimbursement!

Would You Like to Become a Mystery Shopper?

BestMark is recruiting and you’re invited to join the team! Just fill out the mystery shopper application for immediate consideration. Once you’re approved, you can check out all of the available shops in your area and see the details and requirements for each shop.  Awesome right?

Own a Business and Want to Learn More About the Benefits of Mystery Shopping?

If you’re a business owner and want to find out how mystery shopping can help you with your business, be sure to check out BestMark’s Services and Solutions. If you feel that mystery shopping is something your company can benefit from, you can contact BestMark directly with any questions or for a customized quote.

Want to Stay in the Know about All Things BestMark?

This company offers a lot of great information - find out about the newest contests they are running for mystery shoppers, new shops and more - on their blog, so be sure to check out the BestMark blog. You can also follow them on Facebook, tweety-te-tweet to them when you're on Twitter and link up with them on LinkedIn.

Now for the giveaway!
 
One lucky reader is going to have 100 reasons to jump for joy! That’s right, $100 in PayPal cash is up for grabs! If you want a chance at it, you’d better get your entries in. This giveaway will run from 3/14 – 3/28 at 11:59 pm EST. Please note: Entries will be validated prior to a winner being chosen, so please do ensure that any entries you claim are completed correctly. Last but not least.......

Good luck!


Wellness Wednesday Cleansing Foods for Moving Into Spring


We are gradually starting to make our way into spring.  This is one of my favorite times of year.  I love to watch as plants start to wake up and grow new leaves and flowers.  I love to listen as birds are becoming more active.  I love the warmth of the Sun on my skin. 

Lots of wonderful things are happening as the temperatures start to warm up, but changes are not just happening to the weather, but our bodies too.  Spring is a time of cleansing and new growth.  We need to clean our bodies of the winter foods we tend to eat and lighten up our meals.  During the winter months we gravitate towards richer heartier meals, Fats, Grains, and Proteins.  These are foods that create more warmth and energy during those cold winter months.  Now the seasons are changing and we too much change our food choices.  These are more bitter herbs, salads, light oil dressings, and cleaning foods. 

Herbs are foods that build the health of various body systems and use for more than just medicinal purposes that correct a specific problem.   At one time or another, herbs have been uses in salads, seasons, spices, dressings, and teas.  Knowing how to best use your herbs can improve health, taste, and diversity of a meal.  It is important to know that any herb can be a common plant used for everyday food choices.  When you use it for a certain body system you can increase health and wellness. 

Now that we are in spring you can use certain foods, herbs, and spices that naturally and slowly detoxify the body.
Cleansing Foods

The Urinary System is made up of the Kidneys, Bladder, Ureters, and Urethra.  These parts work together to remove toxins from the blood and maintain proper fluid balances in the body.  If the body is imbalanced, than the urinary system can affect the glandular and circulatory systems affecting reproductive organs, major blood vessels, and adrenal glands.  It is important to occasionally detox this System so it can perform all metabolic needs. 

These are a few simple herbs that, detox the Urinary System.   I add to teas to have a cleansing purpose and as a bonus taste great!

Citrus peel- decreases thickness of mucus and helps stimulate production of fluids. 
Ginger root- increases digestive juices and enzymes.  (Lowers cholesterol, blood sugars, and blood pressure.)
Cinnamon twig- increases digestive juices, increases blood circulation, relieves smooth muscle spasms, and increases urinary flow. 
Cucumber ,Asparagus, Parsley, and Cilantro also cleanse the Urinary System and push out toxins.  Try adding these to your salads, juices, and snacks for the next few weeks. 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoy bringing my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.  

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Good Eatin' Hop March 12th Grab New #Recipes

 
Welcome to the Good Eatin' Recipe Hop
hosted by
The 'Pitch List' Bloggers

Every Tuesday you can join us to share great recipes.........
There are no specific themes. 
Add your recipe of choice to the linky.
No Giveaways Please...all giveaways will be removed.
We Love Comments! Please Share!
 
This week I am sharing my Black Bean Soup Recipe.  It is easy, delicious, and packed with good Protein.
 
 

Getting Kids Involved in Running

One thing I love about Running, it that it is a sport that you can continue with after school and into adulthood.  As a teen I played softball, volleyball, and was a cheerleader. During College I played Softball a bit, but nothing as a continued weekly thing.  Maybe this is a problem we face as adults.  We eat a certain way growing, changing, and playing sports, and then we are no longer as active and start gaining weight. 

My son has played a few sports and enjoys being outside and active.  Since my husband and I started running, the kids have been excited to join us and wanted to start doing some races with us.  We love races and my husband and I take turns with who runs and who supports at the finish line with the kids.  The kids are our biggest fans, and always so cheerful. 

I am happy and proud to say this Saturday was my son’s first official race.  We ran the one mile Family run together and he was 3rd in the kids his age, while my husband ran the 10K.  Michael had a blast and we are starting to plan for a 5K next. 

I love that Running is a sport he can continue even after school.  I want to teach my children to eat right, have a balanced lifestyle, and to be physically active.  I want them to have an inheritance of Health. 

The girls were so excited to cheer on Michael that they have asked to be in the next family race.  I guess we are now a family of runners. 

It was Cold and Rainy, but we still had fun! 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoy bringing my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Black Bean Soup Recipe

Black Bean Soup Recipe                                     

6 cups Vegetable Broth
4 yellow peppers, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 large Carrots, chopped
3 Stalks Celery, chopped
3 cups Cooked Black Bean (Not Canned)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot add in broth and vegetables and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cook another 15 minutes until veggies are tender.  Add in black beans and spices mixing well.  Spoon out about 3 to 4 cups of beans and vegetables to add to blender.  Puree the mixture and add back into pot to warm soup through.   Once heated back up serve and enjoy! 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoy bringing my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Hoppin For Health March 11 Understanding Your BMR

Gluten Free for Jen

Welcome to the Hoppin For Health Blog Hop!
This is just a fun motivational hop with one common goal- Getting Healthier!
If you have any get fit tips, healthy recipes and eating tips, or on a weight loss journey of your own feel free to join us!
Check out the below blogs who are all on a journey to live a healthier lifestyle! 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week has been more organized and productive. 
I owe this making a Menu, Workout Schedule, and understanding my BMR.

Recapping from last week, you have to make your goals and stay on them.  When you accomplish a goal, make sure you stay in motion for the next one.  This is where people tend to fall off the fitness wagon, thinking you can take a few days off and then you notice a month later you have not started back. 

One of the mistakes of working out is eating too little and eating too much.  You may be working really hard and not be seeing your scale moving and wonder why.  One of two things that can contribute to this.
  • Eating too many calories.
  • Not eating enough calories.
When we eat more calories than we burn we will continue to gain weight.  We can be working out and build muscle and tone, but we won't lose weight unless we reduce our calories intake.  Equally frustrating is reducing calories so low, that our bodies go into "survival" mode and do not allow our bodies to burn the calories we take in.  In survival mode the calories are converted to fat and set to storage.  This contributes to the yoyo effect.  You can be working out and losing weight, then you eat a higher calorie meal, and gain it all back.  You need to have a balance of food eaten and calories burned.
Whether you are looking for weight loss, gain, or maintenance you have to know your calories and energy distribution.  I would like to put this in terms we all can relate too.  Think about money, how we spend and save it.  Overweight and underweight individuals result from unbalanced energy budgets.  The amount of fat you might deposit or withdraw affects the "savings" deposits on your energy balance for that day and the transactions that take place.  What do I mean by transactions?  It is the amount of energy you consume (energy in) versus the energy you spend (energy out).  You can reduce your fat deposits by withdrawing more energy from your body than you put in.  Lets all reduce those deposits!
Calories = Energy
 
One pound of fat stored within the body holds 3,500 calories. To lose one pound, you have to burn 3500 more calories than you take in.  To lose that 1 lb. in one week you would have to burn 500 calories a day.  So watching your calories taken in and the ones you burn can help you budget the weight loss, gain, or maintenance.
 
It is always a good idea to be recording your foods in your journal every week.   This allows you to see what calories you are bring in and the balance of weight.  You can see foods that have helped and the ones that set you back.
 
When estimating what your energy intake should be on a daily basis there are two things you should look at; metabolic processes and voluntary activities.  We will estimate your two activities individually then add them together. 
 
What is you BMR- Basal Metabolic Rate
 This will help you know how many calories you need to eat everyday.
 
Metabolic energy is the energy burned every day and night for body functions.  It is the body's maintenance functions working independent of outside activity; heart beats, breathing, cell growth and repair, waste removal, digestion, nervous functions, nutrient conversions, and more.  In a sense you are burning calories without even knowing this process is taking place.  The energy used for body maintenance is called Basal Metabolic Rate, BMR.  BMR is the rate at which energy is spent for the body’s maintenance activities and is different for every person.  Voluntary activities are the other components taking into consideration when estimating your body’s energy needs.  It is the energy output through physical exertion, voluntary, with use of the skeletal muscles.  When you contract the skeletal muscles you use up a great deal of calories, this is why resistant training is so beneficial.  Whether you do these activities through exercise, yard work, house work, your type of employment, you are using different voluntary energy than another person.
 
EXAMPLE: calculating for a man
For men factor in 1 calorie per kilogram per hour, so for a 150 lbs. man we must first convert to kilograms. 
Take weight of 150lb and divide by 2.2 (150/ 2.2= 68 kg). 
Then multiply weight in kilograms by the BMR factor.  
Multiply the 68 kg by 1 calorie per kilogram per hour (68kg x 1 = 68 cal/hr).
Then multiply the calories used in one hour by the hours in a day (68 x 24= 1632 cal per day).
Your MBR will be 1632 a day.
 
Now calculate your voluntary muscular energy needs.  This is an estimation of energy you spend through daily activities.  Do not confuse busy with active.  Look at these terms to decide which category you fall into. 
Sedentary:  mostly sitting (typist, desk jobs, clerks) add 40 to 50 percent BMR.
Light: sitting and some walking standing (teacher, cashier) add 55 to 65 percent BMR.
Moderate:  mostly walking, standing, and running around (nurse, doctors) add 65 to 70 %.
Heavy:  mostly body exertion working (roofer, construction) add 75 to 100 % BMR.
Let’s take a 150 lb male clerk for example.  We will multiply his BMR (1632) to 50 %. 
(1632 X 50% = 816 calorie a day).
Now add the BMR and the Voluntary together.   1632 + 816 = 2448 cal/day.
So his energy needs and used are 2448.  To maintain his weight he would need to have a daily intake of 2500 calories.  If he was going to lose weight it would need to be a 2000-2200 calorie intake.  For Weight gain he would consume more than 2500 daily. 
 
EXAMPLE: calculating for a woman
If we were looking a woman the only difference would be than a woman uses 0.9 calories per kilogram per an hour.  This would be the same conversion Shown here as a 150 lb female clerk.
BMR (150 / 2.2 = 68 kg)
Then multiply the kg by the BMR factor.  (0.9)
(68kg x 0.9 = 61.2 cal/hr)
Then multiply calories by hours in a day.
(61.2 x 24 = 1468.8cal per day)  BMR is 1468.8 a day.
Now your voluntary activity.
1468.8 cal x 50 % BMR = 734.4 calorie per day.
Add them together.
1468.8 + 734.4 = 2203.2 calories per day.
If the female clerk wanted to either loss, gain, or maintain her weight she would use these calculations to decide calorie intake and restriction. 
 
When you add in exercise you would look to make sure you are taking in enough calories to burn the extra energy as well.  These calories vary with different types of exercise. 
 
When putting together a lower calorie nutritious menu remember to keep in enough calorie for daily functions.  A good rule of thumb for weight loss is taking your current weight and multiplies it by 10.  (150 x 10 = 1500 calorie).  Your calories in are less than the calories burned.  2203.2 - 1500 = 703.2 calories burned that day.  While to lose weight it is not ever recommended to consume less than 1200 calories a day.  The dieter will lose lean muscle tissue, which will result in malnutrition and some side effects can be irritability, nervousness, injury, or worse.  Also, you can be counting calories of food that are high calorie but low in nutritional value.  Make sure you are eating quality foods like fruit, vegetable, and grains, that are low in calorie and high in fiber for satiety.  I get so frustrated when someone counts calories of chips, candy, muffins, and  other junk foods, reducing calories but adding up empty calorie foods.  Make your food choices from whole foods and limit the junk foods and nonfoods to minimal.
 
You can grab recipes and ideas from here but my serving sizes are based on 2000 calorie days when I a running, and 1400-1500 calories on other days.   I tend to eat larger portions of vegetables and fruits that have lower calories but lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
 
My Workouts this Week.
Monday- Sculpt
Tuesday- High and Tight/ Run 10 miles
Wednesday- Sculpt
Thursday- Bum Bum/ Run 10 miles
Friday- Sculpt
Saturday- High and Tight/ run 6 miles
Sunday- High and Tight/ run 6 miles

So far I have lost 8 lbs. in the last 3 weeks, but the important thing is that I am increasing my strength, endurance, and overall fitness level. 
Do you think knowing your BMR will help you?

Disclaimer:  I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoy bringing my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Menu Plane for March 11-17



 
Week of March 11-17
 
Monday
 
Tuesday
 
Name
Item
 
Name
Number
8:oo
Breakfast
8:oo
Breakfast
Oatmeal and ¼ cup blueberries
9:00

 Workout
 Sculpt
9:00

 Workout
 High and Tight/ run 10 miles
10:00
Snack
Apple
10:00
Snack
¾ cup pineapple
11:00
 
 
11:00
 
 
12:00
Lunch
Fruit/Veggie Plate
12:00
Lunch
Fruit/Veggie Plate
1:00
Kids
Turkey Sandwich, grapes, and carrots
1:00
Kids
Meatloaf Sandwiches, cucumbers, orange
2:00
 
 
2:00
 
 
3:00
Snack
Handful of nuts
3:00
Snack
Cucumbers and yogurt
4:00
 
 
4:00
 
 
5:00
Dinner
Turkey Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, salad
5:00
Dinner
 
Wednesday
 
Thursday
 
Name
Number
 
Name
Number
8:oo
Breakfast
8:oo
Breakfast
Scrambled egg and cantaloupe
9:00
 Workout
 Sculpt
9:00
 Workout
 Bum Bum/ run 10 miles
10:00
Snack
1 cup sliced strawberries & ½ cup Cottage cheese
 
10:00
Snack
15 almonds
11:00
 
 
11:00
 
 
12:00
Lunch
Tomato Soup and Broccoli
12:00
Lunch
1:00
Kids
Peanut butter sandwiches, Mixed berries, celery
1:00
Kids
Burritos, cantaloupe, carrots, celery
2:00
 
 
2:00
 
 
3:00
Snack
Oranges and celery
3:00
Snack
Apple
4:00
 
 
4:00
 
 
5:00
Dinner
Black Bean Burritos, rice, salad
5:00
Dinner
Shrimp and rice Stir fry
 
Friday
 
Saturday/Sunday
 
Name
Number
 
Name
Number
8:oo
Breakfast
Yogurt, grapefruit, ½ English Muffin
8:oo
Breakfast
Sun Pancakes, Turkey bacon, Yogurt, Fruit
9:00
 Workout
 Sculpt
9:00
Saturday
Non GMO Cereal J
10:00
snack
grapes
10:00
Snack
Trail Mix
11:00
 
 
11:00
 
 
12:00
Lunch
12:00
Lunch
Fruits and Veggie Plate
1:00
Kids
Turkey Sandwich, cucumbers, orange
1:00
 Workout
 Sat High and Tight/ run 6 miles
2:00
 
 
2:00
 
 
3:00
Snack
almonds
3:00
Snack
Apples
4:00
 
 
4:00
 
 
5:00
Dinner
Fish And Chips, salad
5:00
Dinner
Black Bean Soup and salad
 
 
 
 
 
 

You may notice the kids have a different "Lunch Menu" than I do.  This is because they can not warm up items at school, and tend to be cold lunches.  I will be adding pictures and updates through the week. 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoy bringing my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.