Lyricgirl Salad Sandwich!

Last night I made homemade applesauce bread in my bread machine and I just had to show it off. Since I am on a budget my plan is to make my own bread because I love eating sandwiches for for lunch. I will call this sandwich: Lyricgirl Salad Sandwich-made with:

1 slice of homemade applesauce bread cut in half
shredded purple cabbage
shredded carrots
mix baby greens
purple onion sliced thin
1 slice of ham
1 slice turkey
1/2 slice muenster cheese
1 tsp cranberry chutney
1 tsp whole grain mustard

Mix all veggies with whole grain mustard
build sandwich - spread cranberry chutney on meat

It's the perfect sandwich salad for the day. Enjoy!

Applesauce bread recipe for the bread machine: 1 1/2 pound loaf

This order:
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg - beaten
2 tablespoons, unsalted butter
3 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar - optional - The bread is sweet with it in
1 tablespoon gluten -optional
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - I used pumpkin spice
1/3 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons, SAF yeast

Set machine
Medium crust
Program Basic or Sweet Bread cycle

Pampering my self: Yesterday was my scheduled massage. I had no clue how sore my body really was. The first 15 minutes was painful when the therapist put pressure on my body. She worked on my hip and butt cheeks for 45 minutes because of all the knots. After the massage I felt like a cloud looks. I was so scared to walk because I did not want the pain to come back. After dinner out with my buddy I came home and soaked in the tub for 1 hour. I had a good night rest. This morning I woke up sore but not in pain. Once I start moving around the soreness went away. I would like to thank God for giving me the funds to pamper myself twice a month. I don't know how I went so long without doing it. It's worth every penny.

Workout week: Today, I did not workout because I wanted to stay in my massage mode. This week workouts will include free weight training, weight lifting cardio, yoga, and Zumba.

Food this week: This week I will re-introduce rice into my diet because I want to work on my binging behavior. I found that Trader Joe's carry frozen brown rice that is packed by serving size. This is what I need portion control and the rice is very tasty. I decided not to binge just enjoy in small amounts. I can do it!

Hoping you all have a wonderful week!

Pamper Yourself!

Yoga is the word of the day, tomorrow and Sunday. This weekend is all about relaxing at the spa and reflecting on the first week of 2010.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend. Find 1 hour this weekend to pamper yourself because you all deserve it.

The Skinny Folks Need Us!

First thing first! Sorry if the picture scares you guys. I really need to go on a photo shot.

Second thing 1st! You guys are so awesome with the comments. My dream is for all of us to plan a reunion somewhere in the U.S. like Scottsdale, AZ or Chicago, Ill so we can finally meet. We can all stay at a 5 star resort and just have a blast.

This morning I felt like a 99 year old lady as I rolled out of bed. I had the hardest time walking. When I arrive at work my coworker ask me if I was okay. I told him just sore muscles no pain. Here is my question of the day: Is being sore the same as being in pain? Can I call soreness pain? Forgive me I was raised by goats! Strange question but I need to be educated.

Yoga was my true friend today: It was my therapist, boyfriend, girlfriend, and my happy place. The first 15 minutes are the hardest but after that my body was rolling. There was no pain or soreness after class.

Skinny folks need us: Don't be afraid to workout with extra weight on your bodies. We all deserve to workout. I have to admit that I am the heaviest person in all my classes but I am a motivator for the skinny folks. I spoke about being a visual motivator when I started this blog. When skinny people see heavy folks they work harder. It's hard to admit but for me that is my motivation as well because I have to look at myself in the mirror everyday. The difference know is, I am my own cheerleader for myself and I love myself more. The skinny people in my classes are very friendly and encouraging. They love to come up to me a say "great job and keep it up." I have learned a lot from skinny people like: It's takes hard work and dedication to stay skinny. So I would like to encourage my people to get out there with the skinny folks because they need us!

Have a great day!

Being in Balance!

Today I got my butt kicked in my weight lifting class. My instructor returned after being gone for 2 weeks and she was ready to kill us. This lady is all about cardio because that was the focus for about 30 minutes of the class. I can tell that the other instructors focus on lifting so my heart was out of shape. Today my body is very sore and broke down. Tomorrow is yoga so it will be a rest day for me.

Being in balance: This month is all about finding a balance when it comes to workout. By adding yoga and pilates to my routine of weight lifting and cardio it gives my body time to rest and lengthen my muscles.

Feeling less pressure: This month I feel less pressure to double up on my workouts because my body is getting leaner with more muscle mass. I still need to workout five days a week but now it feels like a nice routine and part of my life. There will be shake-up classes but not as many.

Feeling good about my eating choices: I don't feel the urge to binge. This is good news for me because it means I have changed my bad behavior. Pasta and rice is still on my no-no list only because of the way I feel after eating them. I feel bloated, tried, gross, and unhappy. It's not worth all the drama.

Still pampering myself: This weekend I am schedule for an 1 1/2 massage and my body is in need of one. Pampering myself is a gift that I give to myself twice a month. If I have to pick up cans and bottles to pay for my massage that is what I will do. This is a requirement.

Workout schedule for the month: 5 Pilate Pulse classes, 8 Core Central classes, 8 Weight Lifting classes, 4 Zumba classes and 4 Yoga classes.

So that is my life this month!

My Happy List In 2010!

Five things that will make me happy in 2010:

1. Not being diagnosed with cancer will make me happy in 2010.
2. Becoming totally debt free will make me happy in 2010.
3. Not losing my job will make me happy in 2010.
4. Getting rid of all the fat on my belly will make me happy in 2010.
5. Finishing six college courses will make me happy in 2010.

My 1st happy goal is out of my control but I can do things like not getting stressed, eating healthier and getting a doctor check up to stay healthy.
My 2nd happy goal is totally in my control and that will be done by the end of April. Debt free for life!
My 3rd happy goal is to continue to work hard and be a great asset to my company. My heart goes out to the folks that are unemployed. Stay strong!
My 4th happy goal is in my control as well. Workout 5 days a week and watch my portions because that will get the job done.
My 5th happy goal is in my control. I have used all the above as reasons for not going back to school but that is all over. My goal is to get my degree in two years. No more excuses!

This list is in order of importance. The list is short because I do not want to overwhelm myself. 2010 is about keeping life simple but getting the job done.

Question of the day: Have you made a happy list for 2010?

Pilates in 2010!

Pilates in 2010: Today was my first Pilates class of the year and it was wonderful. My plan this month is to take 3 Pilates Infusion classes per week. My goal is to work this belly and inner thighs off. The instructor was a former dancer and his body was build like one. He was very lean with nice muscle tone. The class was not the traditional Pilates class and I was okay with that. We did a ton of ballet moves that focused on the abs. Some of the moves challenged me but I hung in there. My plan was to do a weight lifting class right after but the Pilates class was the perfect full body workout. I took a 4 hour nap when I got home.

My post is short and sweet tonight!

What I Learned In 2009!

Inspired - I am so inspired and ready to make 2010 the best year of my 41 years on this earth. I am on a run away train with no brakes. My plan is to run through all the road blocks and over speed bumps. Yesterday, I informed my friends and family that the road is open so hop on. In 2009 I learned so many things about myself and tested the waters of change. In 2010 my goal is make things happen and see results.

What I learned in 2009:

1.- I learned in 2009 that I did not have the support of some of my friends. It hurt but I got over it.

2. - I learn being honest with myself was going to be the key to my success.

3. - I learned to recognize distractions.

4. - I learned that putting a plan on paper was a great way to hold myself accountable.

5. - I learned and accepted my binging behavior and stop it.

6. - I learned to pamper myself because my body deserved it.

7. - I learned that weight lifting is a great way to drop weight fast.

8. - I learned to put myself first and not feel guilty about it.

9. - I learned to love myself no matter what happens.

Dumping Toxic Friendships: I also made a decision not to hold on to toxic friendships because that is bad for my health as well. Yesterday, I was able to get the last toxic person out of my life. There has only been 2, thank God. I will call her "grudgegirl". She invited me to her New Years party yesterday and I told her I had plans. She snobbishly said "okay that is strike 2 for you" and I said "no let's make that strike 3 on you". I informed her that true friends don't put strikes on one another. As I look back she has been toxic for many years but I put up with it because I did not have to see her as much. She is known for holding petty grudges and judging others. So, I politely wished her a Happy New Year and made up my mind that she has to go for good. There is no purpose or room for her in my life. I felt wonderful because I honored myself. Like MJB sings "No More Drama"!