Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mamavation Monday... Sick-Down but not Out

This week did not go as I planned. But, I guess no one plans to get sick. Early last week I came down with a stomach bug. It wiped me out and took several days to get my energy back. I couldn't get far enough away from the loo to walk, but on the upside I did get my 8+ hours of sleep each night. That also interrupted my Cinch!  5 day jump start. While I was sick I ate simply, but didn't follow the plan. So guess what? I am back. I am currently on day 2 of trying it again. I am optimistic it will be a fresh start for good things to come!

I was excited to be named Sista of the Week! It couldn't have come during a more needed time. There is something about hearing that while I was sick and lacking motivation that really helped me back. I felt like I had a high standard to live up to. So, thanks ladies! I needed that extra push.

And now the numbers...
despite being sick and not exercising as I had hoped, but...

-3.6 lbs!!!!
I am now below 200 lbs and won't be going back.


And my measurements are:
bust - 41.5 no change (1/16 - 41.5" )
waist - 41 inches (1/16 - 42.5")
hips - 46 inches (1/16 - 48")
thighs - 28 inches (1/16 - 29.5")
arms -  13.5 inches (1/16 - 14")
calves - 17 no change ( 1/16 - 17")

I consider this all a BIG success for me. This apple is whittling down and am going to keep it going strong this week, too!



This Week's Recipe Share:
Since I was sick, there wasn't much cooking going on in our house, but I did make Yogurt. If you haven't tried making it, it is pretty simple stuff. I have a Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker that I love. It is a super simple design, but my favorite feature are the glass bottles. Keep an eye out at yard sales since yogurt makers are common items people unload. I make my own yogurt to avoid added sugar & other mystery additives.

you will need:
42 oz. milk (skim or 1% are my favorites)
yogurt starter - I use Yogourmet freeze dried starter
(you can also use 6oz. of already made yogurt, make sure it has a live culture)
5 Tbsp. non-fat milk powder (optional)

Before you start make sure your maker and jars are clean. Remove caps and turn the machine on to warm up the glass jars.

Warm the milk slowly. You need it to come up to 203 degrees, but not burn. I let mine simmer at that temp for a few minutes. If the milk scorches, toss it out. It will have a burned taste. Keep you thermometer in your pan at all times and keep an eye on it.

Once you reach 203 degrees, turn off the heat and let it cool to 95 degrees. Make sure to remove any "skin" that forms on top of the milk. Or you can pass it through a sieve.  Add your starter and mix thoroughly. If you want a thicker yogurt add the non-fat milk powder at this time. Stir till it dissolves and then using a funnel, fill each jar. Place the open jars in the yogurt maker. Yes, you can make yogurt without the machine, but it is a lot more work to keep the jars at a constant warm temperature. It will take 6-8 hours. The lower the milk fat, the longer it should go for. Store your yogurt in the fridge and add your mix-ins as you eat it. Enjoy!

My DH loves his thick, and somehow, despite all my goof-ups, I finally did it! Warning: don't try to heat milk with two demanding toddlers. It could end up like my disaster...



MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Chef’s Requested.  Two blogging carnival participants will receive a grip of Chef’s Requested steaks.  Answer the following question in your blog post and link back to the Chef’s Requested website.  Link up your post here to share with others.

Question: What are you doing to keep your heart healthy?

I am tackling this with diet and exercise. I talked about it a few week's back, but as an elementary school student the American Heart Association sponsored jump rope groups after school. What I took away from that was a need to move and exercise everyday. My goal has been to walk with my children in the mornings. Right now, in my Oregon winter, it can be a challenge, but I know it is good for my health. I am also trying to lose the excess weight that is an added strain on my heart. As for diet, I am focused on whole grains, fruit & veggies, limiting saturated and trans fats (that means cutting out processed food!), as well as watching my sodium intake. Whew! That may seem like a lot, but most of it is second nature now.

So, how are you keeping your heart health?

And don't be shy to leave a comment. I love reading them.
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20 comments:

  1. Soooo awesome, congratulations!! Success is the greatest motivator! :)

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  2. Congrats on the weight loss!
    I don't care for yogurt, but my boys love it and believe it or not, I never knew there was such a thing as a yogurt maker! :)
    -http://raisingmy5sons.com

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  3. A-ha! You have a yogurt maker. I've tried making yogurt with my crock pot, and as much as I've poured over the blog posts about it, I can't get it right. I think I need to invest in a machine, because I know we would use it a LOT!!

    No fun being sick, but focus on good nutrition and hydration this week and that weight loss success will continue! So proud of you!

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  4. Awesome job on the inches lady!!! Those mean more than the scale to me! :-)

    It seems that everyone has been sick or injured for the last few week! SHEESH!! Glad that you are doing better!

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  5. Glad you're feeling better and woo hoo for the weight loss. I'm so proud of you. Keep up the good work.

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  6. SOTW could not have happened at a better time for you (but you really are deserving any day of the week). Do you keep a live culture farm in your kitchen with the yogurt, kombucha, and sourdough... isn't that like the granola trifecta? I am 2/3 but looking at that third myself LOL. Have a wonderful week darling. And congrats on sub-200... WOOHOO!!!

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  7. Congrats on SOTW!! So happy for you and you so deserved it. You progress is so amazing and I was so trilled to break my 200 line - I know how that feels. Keep going and feel better

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  8. Wow...That's a bad week? I want to be you on a good week! lol! I am so impressed with how well you're doing! Keep it up and congrats on SOTW!

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  9. I am so proud of you! You are rcking this girl! big hugs!

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  10. LOOK AT YOU! Inches... Pounds... SUCH a rockstar! I'm so sorry you got sick, but am THRILLED you are feeling better. Definitely going to check back for a CINCH update.

    My goal for the week is to get back to your blog DURING the week. (I'm going to get better about that for my friends.I'm not so good).

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  11. Congrats on those inches lost! You definitely can't give all the credit to the stomach flu for that one. You are doing awesome and I am so glad to see you're Sista of the Week! I knew it would be coming for you sooner than later. You truly inspire me, and I know you inspire the rest of the Sistas as well. I hope you have a great week and meet those goals!

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  12. Good for you! I am on a mission to get healthy this year and started a blog about my journey. I've lost 15 1/2 pounds so far!!! Keep up the good work. Oh and I'm eating a salad a day to get healthy.

    natalielovins.blogspot.com

    I'm your newest follower!

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  13. great job on th weight loss, maybe your body was reacting the the cinch diet thats why you got sick it wasn't ready for it just a thought im glad you got your sleep have an awesome week

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  14. I'm glad you're feeling better. It's so hard to be sick when you have little ones around.

    I need to try making yogurt again. I tried a couple years ago, but it was really runny. Now that I'm loving greek yogurt (which is more expensive), I wonder if making it myself would be an option.

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  15. Congrats on being "Sista of the Week" you deserve it!

    Oh I look forward to reading how you like the Cinch book and plan.

    Thanks for stopping by www.thebabysteppers.com

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  16. WHOO HOO!!!!! Congrats at dropping below the "2" ... I believe you will never see that number again :) Good job and good luck this week!

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  17. Girl you are putting me to shame! Keep it up and you will be rocking some new boots :)

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  18. yay Congrats on the weight loss! I can't wait till I am under 200! how do you get blogger to let you do links. everytime I try, it doesn't work

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  19. Whoo Hoo! Check you and your bad self out. That must be such a good feeling.

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  20. Booo for being sick, but woohoo for the rally and weight loss!
    I've always wanted to try to make my own yogurt. Sounds like a good time. Thanks for the explanation.

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