Month / December 2012

by tessbrennan

Get “Ripped” for the New Year! (How about you get healthy)

Since we’ve been home more over the holidays, we’ve had the boob tube on more than normal.  I’ve been amused at some of the… well a lot of the commercials.

“Get Ripped” “Drop 16 dress sizes in 16 DAYS!” “Look like me just by taking this magic pill”

It IS the New Year – at least at midnight it will be. It is another chance for a NEW start and a healthy new you!

I’ve noticed one thing missing from all these ads. How to stay there.  All these companies are offering magic pills, tools, foods, machines and the like to help you LOSE the weight, to get into better shape and such however… None of them offer maintenance to stay there.

I want to offer you the opportunity to not only begin to shed some pounds, if that is what you need, but also the chance to KEEP it off for the long term. 

When we say “Feel Good Fast” it’s a relative term. Relative to how fast you want to get there and how long you want to STAY there. I’ve been there done that– lost and gained, and finally, almost 6 years ago lost and maintained that loss. I’ve lost the prescriptions, the weight, the depression, the asthma, and the need to yo-yo diet repeatedly!

We’ve got the vehicle, if you have the drive.

HGM_Happy_New_You_2013

(Taken by my 5 yr old at Busch Gardens)

Happy New Year and Healthy New You!

by tessbrennan

Christmas, the best laid plans… Its not about being perfect.

I really had a relaxed attitude about Christmas dinner this year. It was going to be super easy, nothing really difficult, I had it all under control, or so I thought.

I got up and 5:15 and started the bread dough to make Christmas Cinnamon rolls then returned to bed.  When the timer for the rising mound of goodness went off I got up for the day to begin the wonderful feast.

I turned on the oven to 400 degrees and I made 1 loaf of bread from the dough and a small pan of cinnamon buns for the other, and placed them on the stovetop to rise as the oven heated and headed to open gifts.

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After 30 minutes I returned to the kitchen to put the rolls in the oven. (we had been opening gifts for those 30 minutes but still had more to go…that’s a whole ‘nother story) Plan B

Upon returning to the kitchen I realize… the range has died.  No heat, no warmth, no cooking/baking/roasting/broiling to be had at this location.

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NOT TO FEAR!!! Daddy got a new grill this year.  Smile 

We heated the grill and baked on the top rack of the grill using the thermometer to watch the temperature periodically as we continued to open gifts.

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Not too bad and very tasty.  (The circle on the top of the bread is where it rose into the smokestack in the top of the grill.)

Time to start the home made “tasty beans” as my daughter loves them but cannot eat the store bought variety. (also known as baked beans) I fired up the crock pot, added the ingredients and all is on its way to a tasty dinner.

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Now onto the rest of the dinner. Had all day to prepare since our meal wasn’t until 4 PM, so there was no rush. I made cream of anything soup on the grill’s side burner for the Green Bean casserole.

I reached into the veggie drawer in the fridge and my three, HUGE sweet potatoes were all rotten. I opened the freezer and my French cut green beans were missing. I had no other potatoes in the house.  What now?  SWEETBAY!!! They are always open on the Holidays.

NOT THIS YEAR.

plan C

I found a package of instant mashed potatoes in the back of the pantry cabinet. (My daughter can’t eat those – nasty ol’ corn) There’s a potato for our traditional Christmas dinner.

My turkey had been cooking in the crock pot all day, the spiral ham slices had thawed nicely.  I returned to the grill burner to make traditional cranberry salad.  This turned out to be a snap and very easy.

I reached into the cabinet to pull out my bread board and wall-a… it is now TWO bread boards. I sat down to enjoy a short cry and watch some “Lifetime” Christmas movie.

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I found a lone mater in the fridge so I made a small batch of pico de gallo to add to the festive coloring of my dinner and kick it up a notch! (Hubby loves my pico)

Since I wasn’t sure about how many we would have for dinner, the only veggie I had enough of were peas.  So we had PEAS for Christmas.  You know, PEAS on EARTH and all!

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It was a lovely, relaxing dinner with a couple of friends.  A very Old Fashioned Christmas as we prepared what we had and shared with friends.  Desert was organic ice cream with the option for Reindeer cookies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL

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It’s not about being perfect.

Its about making what you have the perfect option.

by tessbrennan

Healthier-Corn Free-Reindeer Cookies

Well, Christmas is almost here, less than a week. My darling daughter has been begging me to make cookies for Santa so we did. Smile

I always try to kick the health up a bit when I bake or cook for my family, so this recipe has a few healthy changes as compared to most other recipes.  (Like 1/2 the sugar, mixed flours, and protein powder)

What it takes:

1/4 Cup Instant Protein
1     Cup oat flour
1     Cup unbleached flour
1     tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (sometimes I do less than this-like a 1/4)
1     Cup (2 sticks) organic butter – softened
1/2 Cup cane sugar
1/2 Cup brown sugar
2     tsp Vanilla extract
2     Eggs
1     Bag of Un41’s (Unreal Candy)
1     Bag Pretzel Crisps (flavor your choice)

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  • Preheat oven to 350* F.
  • Stir flour with baking soda and salt; leave for later.
  • Beat softened butter and sugars on medium speed until creamy.
  • Add vanilla then eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed. Mix it all up good.
  • Gradually blend dry ingredients into creamy mixture.
  • Scoop out into rounded balls (I use a pampered chef cookie scoop so they are all the same size.)
  • Place the Un41’s, 3 per cookie, in a close triangle. These will spread as the cookies bake.
  • Place 2 broken pretzel crisps in the side of the dough ball, over the eyes.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes, depending on your oven.

This recipe allows for great taste, half the sugar, a slight protein punch and mixed grain flours to up your fiber a bit. Unreal candy is from whole foods with no artificial ingredients, corn syrups, or preservatives. The pretzel crisps only have 3 ingredients.  Enjoy!  

It IS still a cookie, but it is also just a step healthier.

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Just to keep it real… They didn’t all look this cute! Smile

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by tessbrennan

Resolutions: A Healthy, Happy, New You!–January Calendar

It’s almost 2013 and time to begin making your New Year’s Resolutions. 

The Healthy Grease Monkey wants to be sure this is a resolution you can keep.  Here are a couple of excellent opportunities to kick start your Healthy New You in 2013.

 

Support Group Kick Off January 17, 2013 6:30-8:30

Feel Good Fast Walking Banner

Take the first step to a healthier happier you!
Join us for this healthy lifestyle presentation and make a plan for 2013.

Feel like you’ve been there before and given up?

What if…

  • This time you begin by telling yourself “I’m worth it” & “I can choose differently this time.”
  • You weren’t alone this time.
  • You had a team of supporters.
  • Little victories mattered. 

We are here to support you as part of the Feel Good Fast Movement.

This event kicks off our monthly support group meetings.
$5 donation to be paid at the door.

 

Walk for Health & a Cure January 26, 2013 10:00 AM

Moving_Towards_a_Cure_Banner

 

Literally, walk for your own health and the health of others.  My grandfather died days before my 13th birthday of his fourth brain tumor.  Here is an opportunity to improve my own life while raising funds to support others as well.

Join our Team, Feel Good Fast, just click on the photo for a link to the event information and details.

  • 1 mile walk or 5K walk/run
  • Entry groups for children
  • $20 entry fee increases after January 12 to $25
  • Walk with others who want to Feel Good Fast in the New Year!

I will keep my ear to the ground for more exciting opportunities to attain and maintain a Healthy, Happy New You.

by tessbrennan

Water alternatives–how to drink tasty water

I run into people all the time who tell me I don’t like water. I have to ask:

  • Why?
  • What is it about the water you don’t like?
  • What water are you drinking?
  • Do you know what is or is not in your water?
  • What do you drink instead?

We’ve all heard that we shouldn’t drink soda-pop. Or diet soda-pop. How about why not to drink “energy” drinks. (Because people are dying from drinking them?)

I would rather focus on what you CAN drink.

  1. Begin with Cool, Clear, PURE water. Bottled water is much less regulated than the tap, however we know from many reports, the tap frequently misses the mark as well.  An answer:Get_Clean_Water
  2. Add a little “spice” (I recently heard something that resonated with me. God made fruit juice so we would eat the fruit.)
    1. Sliced strawberries & lemon
    2. A few, fresh spearmint leaves
    3. Sliced cucumbers
    4. A splash of your favorite (no sugar added) fruit juiceFruit_infused_water
  3. or Add a straw of Energy Tea with Nothing artificial and only 5 calories.Energy_Tea

    1. Never more than 2 straws in a day.
    2. This product uses natural extracts of EGCG to boost your metabolism and your energy levels.

So, there you have it.  3 different ways to “like your water” and drink it too!

Contact me for more ideas and ways to begin to Feel Good Fast, improve your health and increase your energy!

by tessbrennan

You Bought it, but you DON’T Have to Finish it!

While Christmas shopping last week, I decided I needed something to drink.  The little mini-fridge by the checkout didn’t have any water so…

No, you don’t have to finish it, make the healthy choice!

It is so amazing all the thoughts that ran through my head.

  • Money doesn’t grow on trees…
  • There are starving children in …
  • Waste not want not…
  • Clean your plate…
  • (enter your favorite here)

I know that I have said repeatedly, “the most expensive food we buy is food we throw away.” However, if what we purchased isn’t good for us, and we realize we don’t need it (because we DON’T) then get rid of it so it doesn’t continue to torment, taunt, and tease you into eating or drinking it. Smile

Contact me for more information on making healthier choices.

by tessbrennan

Holiday Stresses… NOT a must.

With Christmas approaching quickly, so do the stresses of the season.

I can’t help but remember the best advice that I kept and used during my (2nd & final) wedding, "If its not there (other than the groom and the official) you don’t need it!" 

Don’t stress the little things. Heck, don’t stress the big ones… Five years from now, will it really matter that the turkey wasn’t ready until an hour past dinner time? 

Laugh now, and know you will be laughing years from now as well. Family, friends, and the Reason for this Season are much more important than what time dinner is served, if the perfect gift didn’t arrive until 3 days later, or if you served the mashed potatoes in the pan instead of a fancy bowl.

Take time to Relax, Breathe, Hug, Talk, and just keep it simple!

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Here are some additional suggestions from a fellow blogger.

When we don’t have family in the area, we take our baby girl to the beach, or a theme park to make memories of our own. We make new traditions. (I do still take time to bake bread, make noodles, and cookies, but I don’t stress about when they will be finished, just that we make them…and we make them year round rather than try to force it all into 25 days.)

I’ll be making a comforter for a friend’s son this year, and I will be visiting a local “bead shop” for some other gifts for nieces. (hope you aren’t reading this) Smile

We are simplifying, buying and supporting local businesses, and focusing more on why we celebrate rather than on “what we got”.

Merry Christmas!  I pray your Holiday season will be stress free and full of new, and old, cherished memories.

by tessbrennan

Red, Red Wine…

It’s all about health! Red wine has had a lot of press lately for having healthful benefits.  The Mediterranean diet is mentioned over and over again in many journal articles, studies, and blogs.

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Today, I even received a blog from Oasis of Hope Hospital, a facility with 50 years of successful, alternative treatments for cancers, also touting the benefits of red wine and resveratrol.  If you can take the time to read it, it is full of some really good information. 

 

“The equivalent of one to two small drinks per day of any kind of alcohol is associated with decreased health risks compared with nondrinkers, while higher amounts result in an increase risk of heart disease and stroke. These observations have tended to characterize light drinking as protective. The protection has been demonstrated in various population groups for both sexes and all ages.”

They also state,

“You may be wondering why this is so. Researchers say that up to two servings (240-280 ml) of red wine a day inhibits oxidation of bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), thus helping to prevent atherosclerosis. It also increases antioxidant capacity and plasma levels of good cholesterol, or light-density lipoprotein.”

I do drink red wine, but not that much of it, or very often. Instead, I opt for a teaspoon of Resveratrol tonic called VIVIX. This allows me to have the equivalent of 10 glasses of red wine a day…WITHOUT THE HANGOVER.  ALL THE HEALTH, NONE OF THE HANGOVER. Smile

Vivix

Contact me for more information on Resveratrol or VIVIX.

by tessbrennan

Don’t gain a turkey in your pants for Christmas.

Oh, the memories of all the Holiday meals. Thanksgiving turkey, homemade noodles, mashed taters, gravy on it all, green been casserole, the feeling you get as you unbutton the top button of your pants to get in that last bite of Pumpkin or Pecan or Butterscotch pie…

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Then you have the knowledge that you will get to do this again in 1 month for Christmas.  PLUS… you get all the food at all the Christmas parties and celebrations leading up to the big day.

Top it all off with New Years Eve when we over indulge in liquid calories as we make promises to ourselves we don’t keep.

This equals 2 months of eating to gain (whether intentional or not).  Many people end up gaining 7-11 pounds over these two months.  This makes keeping those New Year’s Resolutions that much more difficult to keep. UNLESS… We start today, by making healthier choices and even Just One Change!

No_more_skinny_jeans

cinch has been rebranded under the Shaklee180 name.

This is a system I have used for over 8 years now. (2015)  I used it to drop 55 pounds and have continued using it as part of my daily lifestyle choices to maintain that weight loss. (8+ years now AND 60 POUNDS LOST…)

As the Holidays approach and you have difficulties slipping into that festive New Year’s dress or those dress pants, if your dress shirt seems to have shrunk in the dryer, contact me.  I can get you starting to feel good fast, and keep those close fitting and looking “Oh, it’s so sexy”

by tessbrennan

Size matters! What does your dinner plate look like?

Health begins with the foods we eat, how much, what and how often.

Tonight, I was especially hungry, so I filled my plate!

Feel Good Fast - Full Dinner Plate

Grilled chicken boob (still moist and juicy), a baked sweet potato with Greek yogurt and fresh cut chives (not shown), roasted Brussels sprouts in grape seed oil, and a few peas that hubby wouldn’t eat.

It was a lot of food packed with nutrition, and I am full.  But why do I bring this up?  I am reminded of an Ice Cream Study. (It is time for desert)

What this study showed was very interesting.  The size of the dish and the size of the spoon.

Ice_Cream_Study_Conclusion_-_Feel_Good_Fast

If we were to take anything away from this study it would simply be this:

If you tend to over eat and always clean your plate, try using a smaller plate.

Suggestions:

  • Buy a smaller plate. Not a dessert plate, a 10 inch plate rather than today’s standard 12 inch. Leave the same amount of space you normally would.
  • Make it a “pretty plate” something you would enjoy eating off of, perhaps a piece of Grandma’s China – make eating special, not mundane.
  • Load your veggies up first, then only take enough meat to fill the small portion left on your plate.  1 serving is 4 ounces NOT 16. Smile
  • Use a smaller utensil. When it takes you longer to get the food to your mouth, your stomach has time to catch up with what you are eating and allows your body to receive the signals BEFORE you’ve over eaten.
  • Think, think, think… Before, during and after each bite, and talk kindly to yourself.

Before you know it, you can make new eating habits that are a positive step toward a healthier you!

If you would like more information on healthy choices, recipes, health based support groups, educational seminars, or personal in-home consultations to take your life in a healthier direction, just contact me.