Be prepared!

The next several days I will be doing many posts about the 24 day challenge, cleanse, and exercise!  I also have a allergy friendly pudding recipe to try out on Eli that sounds neat and actually Advocare friendly too! 

This first post is 1- to warn you about multiple postings- so keep up!

Second- to encourage those who are thinking about doing the 24 day challenge!  It is amazing and life changing!  If you don't want to commit to the full 24 day challenge- try out the herbal cleanse instead for 10 days!  And use Catalyst to help burn fat!  I ALWAYS lost more inches when I did cleanses with catalyst than without.

Here's the breakdown on costs (Does NOT include taxes and shipping)-
   For the 24 day challenge which is on sale until 1/21/2014- at $175
   If you have the 24 day challenge and Catalyst- $206.50

  If you can't do this much money (Once again, does NOT include taxes and shipping)-
   For the 10 day herbal cleanse- $31.50
   For the 10 day herbal cleanse and Catalyst- $63
   For the 10 day herbal cleanse, Catalyst and canister of Spark- $114.95

If you can't commit and don't want to exercise and watch what you eat, then don't buy.  These products help you feel fuller and give you more energy to do the RIGHT stuff, but when it comes down to it, you have to do the work! 

If you do commit- there is MONEY to be won!!! 

We have a semi-local contest for the 24 day challenge going on which starts VERY SOON!  JAN 6TH! Plus a larger challenge with over $10K worth of prizes up for grabs!  BEFORE ordering let me know if you want in on the big challenge because there are criteria you have to meet!

To order go to: http://www.advocare.com/130346245

Preparing for the new challenge!

So the new year starts tonight, and I'm ready to do the best Advocare challenge yet!  One of the most important things when doing a challenge is preparing!  Another thing I have to prepare for is a new semester of school, so that means plenty of crock-pot meals!  So, soon I will be going on a big shopping trip for everything!
I'm going to buy all the stuff for both lists for crockpot meals- see previous posts, and lots of fruits and veggies for the challenge.  I will also be buying Catalyst from Advocare to help get off the fat while protecting my muscles and lots of Spark to keep me pumped up!
I've got a friend who is doing the challenge with me and we'll be trying to swim laps once a week in addition to regular cardio things and the weekly "anywhere" exercises- also from a previous post- to get fit, toned and lose the Christmas fat! 
If you want to do the challenge, the link to order is http://www.advocare.com/130346245 and start thinking about food before starting!

New Year, New You?

***Sorry the formatting is off- I couldn't get it to work without messing it up more! ****

So, it's that time of year for new years resolutions!  I got my new treadmill for christmas and ready to start a new year off right! 

In honor of the new years, Advocare has some awesome deals and specials for the new year!
First, the 24 day challenge is on sale!  And there is an all new exercise program avaliable!
  Second, there is a contest within my area for those who lose weight and inches during the 24 day challenge! 

To order go to http://www.advocare.com/130346245

Off track...literally

My treadmill is dead.  I am sad.  The belt was loose and kept slipping when I tried to run, and there would be a horrible burnt smell after I tried.  After my hubby tightened it, the belt doubled onto itself.  Boo.  So, I'm hoping Santa Clause comes through for me and gets me a new one because I have a hard time exercising consistently without it. 
On the good news side- I have a new favorite Spark flavor!  Pink Lemonade!  Yum Yum! So good. 
After the first of the year I might just have to do another cleanse to get back on track after being without exercise for over two weeks and yummy treats the holiday brings.  :)

New Exercise Routine

One does not live by cardio alone.  While I think Cardio is awesome to keep you in shape and the lose weight, once you reach a plateau you need to add more.  More muscle= a toned, fit look.  While I like my Advocare 'Can you 24' workout DVDs, I get tired of workout videos.  So I went to pinterest to find something easy and do-able.  I printed off this list I found and trying to follow it.

I'll let you know how it goes!  I'm still feeling good with my progress, and last I checked I was down over 2 inches from my waist! 

Another Pinterest Find

Another find from pinterest- a snack that isn't technically Advocare or Allergy friendly, but if you have to have chocolate may be a good alternative to your favorite candy bar!

They didn't have a name, so I'm going to call them chocolate bites.  You melt your choice of chocolate chips in the microwave (30 seconds at a time, mixing each 30 seconds until smooth).  Drop it onto wax paper by the spoonful, put on some nuts or dried fruit and tada!

I have made "samples" of dark chocolate (think antioxidant!), milk chocolate, and semi-sweet chips.  I have used a variety of almonds (also antioxidant), cashews, peanuts, and dried fruit to see what I like the best.

Let them sit until hard, or can put in the fridge to speed it up.

I haven't tried it yet because it's still setting up! I'll let you know!

Crockpot meals #2- Allergy Friendly

So I promised a list of crockpot meals and shopping list that are allergy friendly, so here it is! :)

Eli Friendly Freezer Meals

Black Bean Taco Soup – Brown meat and onion, let cool and divide into two bags.  Cook high 1-2 hours or low 2-3.5 hours.  Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream.

·      1 lb lean ground beef (we used turkey beef)

·      1 medium onion, chopped

·      1 package mild taco seasoning mix

·      1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn

·      1 (16 oz) can black beans drained and rinse

·      1 (14 oz) cans stewed tomatoes

·      1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

·      1 (4 oz) can diced green chilis

Cilantro Lime Chicken- makes 2 bags, cook on low for 8 hours, shred meat and serve on tortillas.

·         6 chicken breasts

·         4 tablespoons of lime juice

·         1 bunch of cilantro chopped

·         2 – 16 oz bags of corn

·         4 cloves of garlic- minced

·         1 red onion chopped

·         2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed

·         2 tsp cumin

·         Salt and pepper.

Honey Rosemary Chicken- makes 2 bags.  Cook low for 6-8 hours.

·         6 chicken breasts

·         2/3 cup balsamic vinegar

·         2/3 cup honey

·         2/3 cup olive oil

·         6 tablespoons rosemary, chopped

·         2 teaspoons salt

BBQ chicken- makes 2 bags, cook low for 6-8 hours.

·         6 chicken breasts

·         1 12 oz bottle of BBQ sauce

·         1 cup brown sugar

·         ½ cup vinegar

·         ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

·         2 teaspoon garlic powder

Chicken Fajitas- makes 2 bags, cook on low for 6 hours. Serve with tortillas or rice.

·         6 chicken breasts

·         Variety of bell peppers, sliced (about 5)

·         2 large onions sliced

·         Lime juice

·         Chili powder

·         Salt and pepper

Southwestern 2 Bean Chicken- makes 2 bags, cook on low for 5-7 hours, serve with tortillas or over rice

·         6 chicken breasts

·         2 cans (15 oz) pinto beans rinsed and drained

·         2 cans (15 oz) black beans rinsed and drained

·         2 cans (28 oz) diced tomatoes in juice

·         2 pounds frozen corn

·         2 jars (12 oz) of salsa

Tips:

·         Look over your pantry to see what you have/need.

·         Write instructions (how long to cook) on freezer bag and what is in it to make meal planning easy.

·         If you use potatoes that are NOT frozen boil first for a few minutes or they will turn black in the freezer.

·         Can buy slow cooker liners to save on dishes- they kind of cost a lot but then you don’t have to scrub the crock pot every night to use it the next day!

Shopping List:

Fresh:

·         3 onions

·         5 bell peppers, variety of colors

·         Rosemary

·         1 Red onion

·         Cilantro

·         Garlic- preminced or 4 cloves

Meat-

·         Chicken breasts- 30 breasts total

·         1 pound ground beef or turkey

Canned/Pantry-

·         2-15 oz cans pinto beans

·         5-15 oz cans black beans

·         2-28 oz cans diced tomatoes

·         2-12 oz jars salsa

·         Lime juice

·         Chili powder

·         Salt and pepper

·         1-12 oz bottle of BBQ sauce

·         Brown sugar

·         Vinegar

·         Cayenne pepper

·         Garlic powder

·         Balsamic vinegar

·         Honey

·         Olive Oil

·         Cumin

·         1-4 oz can diced green chilis

·         1-8 oz can tomato sauce

·         1-14 oz can stewed tomatoes

·         Package of taco seasoning

Frozen-

·         5 bags of Frozen Corn