Health and Fitness, December 2011

[Dove]

Several weeks ago there was a mention of almond milk either here or in PWYC. Soon after I read an article about cocoa powder which included an easy recipe for hot chocolate using unsweetened almond milk. On my last shopping trip I remembered to pick up a carton & just finished drinking a cup of homemade hot chocolate. It was delicious!! The only sweetener is maple syrup. Next time I will taste it without because the cocoa flavor was so good, I don't think I would even miss the maple syrup. Here's the recipe (I'll post it in the recipe section, too):

Pooja's Basic Hot Chocolate

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 TBSP pure unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
2 teaspoons (or to taste) pure maple syrup

In a small sauce pan, heat almond milk over low-medium heat. Turn heat to low, add cocoa & maple syrup & gently mix together using a small whisk. Whisk until fully incorporated & slightly frothy. Pour & enjoy hot.

[Nancy]

Dove ~ I might try that with coconut milk and Splenda instead of the syrup!

I have done 4 mi. on the ex. bike.
Got 6 bags of leaves done for now until we get more bags.

Made a coconut pumpkin smoothie it was yummy!
Only I had thawed out spaghetti squash so I just used it instead.

Coconut Pumpkin Smoothie
1 c. pumpkin or squash
dash pumpkin pie spice
dash of cinnamon
splash of milk
1/3 c. or less of coconut milk
sweeten to taste { I used one packet of Splenda}.
You might want to add 1 tea. of vanilla to this I"m going to try that next.

Pour ingredients in blender and mix until the consistency of applesauce.

[Nancy]

251 bs today's reading ~sigh~ oh well; took my meds.
No breakfast for me at least not yet coffee is brewing.
And now for some good news
Great news I am down #2 lbs. yea!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Nancy: I use my crystal deodorant on my feet sometimes in the summer but not often because the salt tends to dry out my feet too much. I found daily soaking and powder before I put on sandals works ok.

I'm up and on the treadmill this morning. We have to leave around 8:25 again this morning but today I'm moving more deliberately so can include exercise (yesterday and tomorrow I have to shower and wash my hair so I won't be on the treadmill.)

I had lights out at 9:35 and set the alarm for 8 hours. Lay in bed for 40 minutes after it went off, listening to the radio, and then got up. Dh wasn't impressed, much like I'm not impressed when he sets the alarm for 6 and gets up at 7:15. He's coming with me and not exercising because he takes over 2 hours to do his and didn't get up at 5:30! Mine only takes an hour (40 minutes on the treadmill and then 20 of assorted stretches and physio.)

[Harriet]

As of this a.m. I've lost another half-pound. Shall I do a happy dance? It would melt some calories, wouldn't it? I suppose this places me right in line with my rate of loss.

WooHoo for Nancy on her 2 pounds!

Went to the trouble of checking my measurements and was about to draw some conclusions by checking against some from the first of the year, but remembered that since I worked out last night, especially floor exercises, my muscles will be swollen. So really, I know nothing from these and need to wait until I've had a day off. With my current goal, that really shouldn't happen until the morning of the 17th, but lately anything can happen. Two nights ago eldercare totally trumped exercise and I had to skip except for stretching. ( I was pouting )

Enjoying reading these recipes. Dove, it was me who mentioned almond milk. I would think coconut milk could be interchangable. Just wouldn't be as thick. Sounds delish.

I am rotating breakfasts between 3-egg omelets, berry smoothies and a single banana. When we eat prepared foods, I try to make them healthy ones. Last night we had a premade thin-crust pizza and added veggies and basil. HRH has been on a stewed potato kick lately - he loves it and the weather is right. I bought Lemonnaise - anyone heard of this, beside the mayonnaise in stores? It is made without soy, so better for my thyroid. I mixed it half and half with a ranch dressing for veggie sticks and it was pretty good. Soy is in everything, though - discouraging to try to catch it all.

[Nancy]

I was proud of me for only having a cookie {ch. no bake} and a half of a small rice crispy treat at the pot luck last night I had other healthier stuff first. I took crab dip recipe below.

BS is a good # today yea.

I did a total gym work out last night.

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Coconut Crab Dip

2 pkg. cream cheese {softened}
1 c. crab
2 handfuls shredded coconut
Dash garlic salt

Soften cream cheese, crumble cooked crab meat, and coconut in cream cheese, add garlic salt stir and chill. Great with veggies. Low carb and easy!

[Cowinkie]

Hurray !!! I'm finally wearing my special reward bracelet. I'm 2 lbs under this special goal. I haven't been at this weight and it feels good. Now I only have 8 more to go, then I'll work to maintain. Wearing pedometer and counting steps along w 20 carbs or less a day, plus lots of water

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Made it to the treadmill again just after 7 despite a later night last night (and by later, I mean 10:30 - I might be getting old!!!) Plus I was on yesterday and the day before so I found ways of getting my treadmill in even when I had to leave first thing in the morning.

Weight isn't budging but there's no reason for it to do so.

[Nancy]

Bs 131 a good # for me.
Breakfast log done on sp.

[Lisa B.]

I've completed week 3 of boot camp. Only 1 more week to go.

I'm feeling the results rather than seeing them yet. By feeling, I mean that I feel better and a little bit fitter.
Last night the trainer had me doing normal crunches as the one the other ladies were doing would have put strain on the lower back on me that is extremely painful. So my trainer says although I try the exercises, she would rather give me others to help strengthen my back before attempting the strenuous exercises.

The first week of camp I had lost 2.5Kg (around 5.5pounds) but the second week, I put some of that weight loss back on as the muscles are getting heavier with the toning. This is normal as per the trainer.