thoughts on the biggest loser...

day 122:
hump day humps ya naughty bloggers you!

spoiler alert – because i will be talking about biggest loser in detail – so if ya have it dvr’d look away now!
so who watched the biggest loser last night?
i did for the 1st time in many seasons. last time i watched; jillian was still on & michael won – losing an astronomical 264lbs!
now ya’ll know i love jillian --- but the show itself lost it’s appeal.
maybe i am just an asshole but it got to be too dramatic for my tastes & it seemed like they were trying to push the unrealistic/unbelievable envelope by having bigger & bigger people on each season.
but even with that being said – the show is inspirational. i get inspired seeing anyone do things they never fathomed possible – like exercise, run marathons & lose hundreds of pounds.
i love that the trainers don’t give a fuck & push these people to their limits!
for those reasons -- i was compelled to watch this season.
(well that & because there isn’t jack shit on tv this time of year?)

so far (one whole episode – lol) it seems to be more like the show we all fell in love with the 1st couple of seasons. they have a mixture of contestants that range in various weights & ages.
good lawd, one of them even looks like santa claus ferfuxsake!
yeah, santa is on the biggest loser this year!
ya can’t help but to like him & his wife even but…
rant on: i was flabbergasted @ his wife – she is 42 (my age) & she looks like mrs. claus & easily in her 60s & all because she has a head full of gray hair???
unless your name is bonnie raitt & you just won your bazillionth grammy – gray ain’t cool! gray hair is just something that makes me insane.
why would any woman want to look older than she is??? go to walgreens, spend $6 on some miss clairol & cover that shit up! or better yet, take a day to hit the salon & have it done professionally—you’re worth it! rant over.

and i love the theme of this season: no excuses!
i think just about anyone on a weight loss journey can relate to that. i know i had my stockpile of standard excuses.

this is also my 1st time watching dolvett quince (who trained janet jackson & justin beiber btw before biggest loser) who used this phrase last night…
sure to be on bumper stickers & t-shirts before ya know it!
anywho…
finally some eye candy.
i love bob & would choose him a million times over dolvett but dolvett is ripped like a mofo.
holy shit is he ripped!

but bob is my heart – love him!
(not as much as jillian but i got mad love for him nonetheless)
he is my favorite vegan/yoga loving/tattooed/southern/sweet as pie but will kick your ass fella ever!

but let’s dish on ben – the guy who ASKED to be voted off the ranch.
sorry to say this but… he just got lumped into the *dickhead category* by millions of biggest loser fans. just a major no-no on that show.
whatever -- let him go!
but i love how when he was all woozy during his 1st workout & kinda went to la-la land & back – the determining factor was that he didn’t know who bob was.
ha!
“what? you don’t recognize bob harper?
oh you better rest a while!”

my faves so far (which could change at any given moment) – kim (pink/red team) -- the former professional wrestler.
no really, she was a wwe diva @ one time as well as a fitness model!
i am super curious to see if & how she gets back into shape!
(she is 5’8” like me too!)

hopefully i won’t tire of the show & will watch it faithfully & give my two cents throughout the season.
because i know you guys are just dyinnnnnng to know my opinion…
*insert sarcasm*

anywho – there ya have it – my half-assed thoughts!
mwahs to all the real biggest losers out there who live it every single day!
you know who you are!

peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn
if ya’ll feel like takin’ a gander --- go check out my mama/photography blog the purple goddess & follow along!

weigh-in vol.16

day 117:
tee gee eye eff blogdom!
wow can ya believe how fast this week has flown by?
wasn’t it just xmas eve & here we are on the cusp of new year’s eve.
eeesh time – slow up a bit!

so today was weigh-in/meeting & while i am doing what i do – i have indulged in a cookie or two (or five) this past week – along with some chocolates that just JUMPED into my mouth – don’t ya hate when that happens?
anywho – i was a wee bit nervous. not that i felt like i had gained – i felt great actually – but being the weigh-in after xmas – who knows?
well, i lost 1.8lbs!
wow, just wow!
i have never lost weight around xmas.
never EVER!

last year i gained 7-8lbs in the month or so between thanksgiving & xmas – this year i lost 10.2lbs.
yeah, TEN effin’ pounds!

I am down a total of 23.2 lbs!
Yay!

honestly i owe it to a couple of things…
the sweet tooth challenge…
recommitting to veganism…
tracking every day, every morsel, no matter what!
and
daily (yes, every single day) without fail exercise (my jillian michaels dvds) – even on xmas!

another coolio thing – we got a new meeting locale.
they closed down two locations & brought us all together is one brandy-new, bigger, modern, AWESOME location! (right next door to trader joe’s i might add – s w o o n!)
thankfully i still have the same awesome leader – seems like everyone else got shuffled except for the friday morning & early afternoon meeting peeps.
phew because i flip-flop between the two depending on bri’s work schedule!
i would hate to have to switch leaders!

any of my other weight watcher junkies get a new center????
or are we just über blessed?

tomorrow night brian & i are actually heading out for new year’s eve – for the 1st time EVER together.
no really – we have never been out together for new year’s eve -- we have been pregnant or raising a baby – but now we are ready to rejoin the adult world for one evening.
we are going to my best gal’s house for a little soirree & we are happier than doo-dah about it!
we don’t get out much & never together – one of us is usually home with skylar – but my mom is babysitting – so look the fuck out 2012!

what are your plans for nye?
partyin’ down or on the down low?

well kiddos i gotta get off my ass – i gotta hot date with jillian & my dvd player!

don’t forget to link up!

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbUtlcUdrk/TmujeaFBe6I/AAAAAAAAH38/DKYXFNyjZdE/s300/nomoremuffintophop.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
as usual – no rules – link up whatever ya like – even giveaways & other hops!
that’s it – easy peasy!





peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

if ya’ll feel like takin’ a gander --- go check out my mama/photography blog the purple goddess & follow along!

holiday survival 101

day 113:
happy *we-made-it-through-another-xmas* blogdom!
i hope your holiday was a fabu as mine.
santa was very good to us – but he always is!

(here i am @ xmas dinner)

i feel good about my eating – i ate what i wanted within the restrictions of being vegan – counted my points (i opted to track over the weekend in lieu of simply filling) – and other than a random cookie (okay those weren’t vegan – oops – but i am not gonna sweat one egg between 24 freakin’ cookies) – i was good.
oh and i did my shred-it workout– even on xmas.
so pffffft to gaining weight.
just not in my plans this year.

so i gotta share a NSV (non scale victory)…
my mom bought me clothes for xmas this year – she always does & oddly even though our styles are on the polar opposite spectrum of one another – she usually picks out great stuff for me!
but i digress…

so she buys me an outfit & i am looking at it & the pants (black cashmere boyfriend jeans that are to.die.for i might add) are a junior size 11!
up to this point i am fitting into jr. size 13’s & a random size 12 on a good day – so i told her she had way too much faith in me to buy me 11’s.
oh & a size medium shirt!
a medium!?!?!
i haven’t worn a medium or a size smaller than a 13 & the random 12 since jr. high school – no shit!
maybe even elementary school now that i think about it!

but do ya know they fit?!?!
i can wear 11’s & a size medium!
woa…

not only is this a NSV but an eye-opening moment for me.
i think when your weight has fluctuated from chunky to thick to big to fat your whole life since puberty it is really hard to wrap your head around the fact that you may slowly but surely becoming the not-so-chunky/thick/big/fat girl anymore.
but it is hard.
in my head i am NOT a size 11 & certainly not a medium -- i am still a 18/20 & XL/XXL…
but she also bought me two pairs of workout shorts with matching tees – ALL size medium & they ALL fit.
so it wasn’t some fluke…
woa…
it will probably take me some time to accept that i am doing this & the results of my hard work are starting to show in ways that even i cannot fathom.
bizarro & yet so fuckin’ cool!

so how is everyone?
how was your holiday?
lay it on me!
share your nsv’s & success stories – i love to hear them as they inspire me to stay on plan!


peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

i will not crack under the pressure!

day 108:
hola mi bloggitas & bloggitos!

yeah i know i have been m.i.a for the past couple of days which is unlike me – we all know i love to gab on my blog.
but…
my gorgeous 2 ½ year old daughter has been extra demanding this week?

(i know you cannot believe it looking @ this adorable face huh?)
i dunno if it’s a 2 year old thing?
a girl thing?
or a it’s-almost-xmas-and-i-am-about-to-burst-with-excitement thing?
i am going with a combo of all three!
needless to say – miss thang is not having any of my time being spent on other frivalous things like cooking, laundry, bathing & blogging when i should be devoting my attention all to her all of the time.
i wish i were joking…
she freaked out last night because i left the room to go cook dinner & again when i went to pee without her.
we are officially conjoined twins now.
(she is happy doing crafts & she did NOT get that from me!)
i get it – i spend a lot of time with her & we are very close & she always wants to be doing what i am doing – but never to the point of FREAKING out like a maniac?
and it makes me feel bad.
she is so upset & all she wants is to be with me -- so i cave.
all fine & well – but it been really hard trying to do a day’s worth of stuff all in the evening after she goes to bed – on top of trying to get my workouts in. – and getting the sleep i need because she will be up @ 5-6am ready to do it all over again!
sighhhh…
when they say being a stay-at-home-parent is the hardest job in the world – they don’t lie! going to work 40 hours a week was a breeze compared to this.
i can do this… i can do this…
because i wouldn’t have it any other way & we have made many sacrifices so i could stay at home & be with her.
AND she wouldn’t be the vibrantly brilliant child that she is if i hadn’t!
(nothing against moms who work – don’t bombard my email or comment form with attitude – i worked my ass off when my boys were little because i had to & they turned out wonderful as well… )

so the countdown to the big day (xmas) is on!
(I ♥ nike & a nike santa rules!)
are ya’ll ready?
i have one gift card to buy, some grocery shopping & all of my wrappin’ left to do – but other than that i am good to go.
at this point – anything i don’t get done wasn’t meant to be!

tomorrow night i have a yule party to attend that one of the women in my goddess group is hosting. our little group has been on hiatus through the holidays so it will be awesome to see my goddesses!
i suspect the cocktails will be flowing along with a bevy of munchie party-type foods – one of my many weaknesses i might add.
i am such a sucker for chips & dip & finger foods!
but i have a plan – no alcohol & i am bringing veggies & hummus -- & i am NOT veering from the plan.
it will be the first time ever that i have attended a party/event & not had at least one glass of wine. but one leads to two which leads to three which leads to a taco bell detour on the way home & we will not be going that route this year!
i have weigh-in on friday & i am not fucking it up the night before!

so a lot going on & it is effecting my eating. well not so much my actual eating -- i have been good but tempted more than usual – it could be the beginning stages of pms as well. we went out to eat twice this week too – which i am sorry – is just hard.
i ate a little more than usual but at least my choices were good.
PLUS i am working out daily & i am still eating vegan & going strong! so i don’t feel overly bad about a little over-indulgence.

BUT I WILL NOT CRACK UNDER THE PRESSURE!

i am trying to come up with new & unusual ways to stay on track because my motto through the new year is this…
and nothing will detour me.
not xmas…
not a clingy toddler (bless her little heart)…
not xmas gatherings with tons of booze & goodies to eat…
and certainly not pms!
what are your plans of survival for xmas?
are ya winging it & hoping for the best?
gotta plan to stay on track?
or just enjoying the day without a care in the world?
it is just one day after all…

peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

ramble & rant

day 101:
happy humpity humps blog-o-zone!

so i had this thought of making a big ta-doo about hitting 100 days yesterday – but as you can see – that did not come to pass.
but at any rate – happy 100 days to me!

warning: complete randomness ahead & if i repeat anything i mighta wrote about before – sorry; this time of year makes me loopy as fuck!

speaking of which: i think people are crazier than ever this year – i went out xmas shopping yesterday & came home with the intense need to down a six-pack (i didn’t) & to punch something really hard (didn’t do that either).
i am usually the jolly elf but this year i feel like grumpy mcgrumpis!
so please random assholes out there in the world – steer clear of me with your *my life is way more important than yours so i must cut you off, run you down, & basically be an inconsiderate shit* attitude!
merry xmas!
next…
so i gotta come clean about something…
i am not in love with the shred-it with weights workout.
but jillian i still love you!
(i write my blog as if she is reading it -- heh)

the workout rocks & i am totally loving the kettlebell but i just don’t feel very challenged? not like i did with 30 day shred & ripped in 30…
i believe that if you workout & don’t sweat your balls off – you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough. and sadly this workout doesn’t make me sweat my balls off.
i am so disenchanted by the workout that last night i also did level 1 on 30 day shred to compensate for what i feel like is not my usual balls to the wall workouts.

but i am not a quitter – i am currently on level 1 & i think i will try level 2 & see if that is the challenge i need (and crave). and if not i will make a decision where to go from there. i just worry that i am going in the wrong direction with my fitness. i want to continually push myself & i feel like i am regressing?
probably all in my little warped imagination – but i am just being honest about how i feel.
in all seriousness – anyone out there looking for a great strenght/cardio workout @ a moderate level – shred-it with weights is the way to go.
and you don’t need a kettlebell – you can use any light handweight (3-8lbs).
it’s about 25 minutes (warm-up & cool down included) & i think just about anyone can find 25 minutes a day to workout…
just sayin…

moving along…
still going strong in the sweet tooth challenge – although friday is the last day that i committed to. but i am pushing on. i admit there are times when i crave something junkie – but i have held on & made healthier choices.

the misconception about this challenge is that i am restricting myself – not true at all. i eat plenty & snack at least twice a day. i am just making different choices with what i eat.
speaking of choices & eating.
switching back to a full vegan diet has been a breeze. but i feel better about it this time. i know i am ready to committ & it feels right.
i have also made a pledge to be more open & experimental with my vegan diet this time around.
i tried soy milk for the 1st time & i love it.
no really – I LOVE IT! i am not a milk person – never have been – and while i would never drink a glass of soy milk per say – it is amazing in cereal & makes oatmeal taste DIVINE!
i also tried quinoa for the 1st time – LOVE IT TOO! it smells & looks really weird – but oh so yummy. sorta like cous cous but i liked the quinoa better & the health benefits are fabu!

i want my diet to consist of a mixture of different foods & not just be about stir-fried veggies, tofu & brown rice. although i do love that – no one can live on veggies, brown rice & tofu alone.

speaking of vegan – i found this freakin’ awesome blog/site via pinterest that i am totally all over -- beautiful-vegan.com.
loads of information & recipes – even non-vegans would like it!

i warned ya of randomness – so i am totally switching gears here.

i am about fed up with my knees.
i have written about the chronic pain i have had for 20+ years & while since taking off weight & making exercise a daily priority it has gotten overall better – it still hurts. and mainly while i am working out. and it pisses me off.
i am capable of physically doing so much more than my knees (right one in particular) are allowing me to do.
and i am not talking about the muscle pull i had a few weeks back – i am talking about joint pain that lessons my ability to run, jump, squat, & lunge! all things i need to do in order to be in the physical shape i want to be in.
it is sooooo frustrating to know have the strength & endurance to do something that one part of your body is hindering you from doing!

i saw my doctor a month or so ago – she gave me solid advice which helped with the muscle pull (new shoes, epsom salt soaks, stretching, etc.) – but none has helped with the joint pain & i am to the point that i want to address it & make it stop.

i admit fully that i want a quick fix (cortisone shot please!) & to be on my merry way to the gym where i can run, jump, squat & lunge my way through a kickass workout!
so i am adding two cortisone shots on my xmas wishlist this year… heh!
(i say this like i am a doctor & know for sure that will fix what ails me – dontcha love self-diagnosis?)

well i think that about sums it up…
enough rambling & ranting for one day!


peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta diem!
xxoo
cyn

ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT -- vol.7

day 99:
monday bloggy l♥ve ya’ll!
so it’s been forever & a fuckin’ day but it’s definitely time for…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uGyLRJ9HiY/TnApHBV-xVI/AAAAAAAAIE4/gaQAavBaP1A/s300/101333488_xrF8JesR_b_ImitateHDR_1.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

for those who have stumbled here for the 1st time – this is my homage to my all-time-fave kitchen gadget – the crockpot!
all of the recipes featured here are healthy (and vegan you lucky ducks) & i always include the points+ values for my fellow w8 watcher junkies!
so let’s get it going shall we?

i truly believe one of the key things to being successful on healthy regimen is planning – especially meals. i have my best success when i plan out the week ahead; giving me no choice but to eat healthy. so this morning i decided i was going to have some healthy dishes on hand & one of my all-time fave vegan/crock pot dishes is LENTILS!

and they are ridiculously easy, healthy & yumm-o!
they require no overnight soaking – you basically put them in the crockpot with 6-8 cups of water per cup of lentils.
season to taste (i use salt, white pepper, parsley, & garlic) & cook on low for 8 hours.
if you prefer them less *soupy* either cook longer or add less water. i happen to like the *juice*. i served them with a side of quinoa (the 1st time i made it!) with some sauteed onions & mushrooms in a little bit of olive oil & lemme tell ya – this is some seriously delish chow!
(don’t hate on my ugly-ass bowl – i harbor a unhealthy attachment to it – don’t judge)
½ cup of lentils = 2 pointsplus
½ cup quinoa = 3 pointsplus
for those of us on simply filling – both are power foods – so no need to count unless you are anal retentive like me & track EVERYTHING.

i also made a pot of one of my other favorite staples – the infamous weight watcher zero pointsplus soup – although i am not sure what they are technically calling it these days? i didn't use my crock pot as it was otherwise detained with lentils -- but you could totally make this soup in your crockpot as well. i have in the past & it is fabu!

you can find the recipe easily enough if you google *weight watcher zero point soup* -- there are quite a few variations but my favorite is a base of vegetable broth, stewed tomatoes, cabage, italian seasoning, parsley, celery salt, white pepper, whatever vegetables (fresh or frozen works best) you want to add.
today it was carrots, zuccini, onions, & kale.
you add all the ingredients & simmer until the veggies are tender.
it sounds basic but this soup is truly flavorful & filling!
this soup is zero pointsplus & a power food – win/win!
i know this soup has been blogged about a gazillion times – but it has seen me through many a tough week when i am struggling with staying on track & it also will kick a new diet in the ass & give ya the jumpstart ya need!

so that’s what i am eating these days.
what are you guys stuffin’ down your gullets?

peace, l♥ve & carpe diem the fuck outta today & everyday bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

forks over knives

day 94:
happy humps ya naughty bloggah’s!

so i am happy to report that i am not in full-throttle bitch mode today – i feel a wee bit better & no longer have the desire to either punch or eat everything in sight!
yay!

so last night bri & i watched forks over knives -- a brilliant documentary that basically (and i quote)…
“examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.”

i would recommend this movie to anyone!
(we are wicked documentary freaks so i don’t go around recommending every one i watch – but like food inc. -- this one is a must see!)
the statistics & findings are amazing – and the movie follows 3 people as they adhere to a plant based diet & reverse their health issues which include: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, weight. along with other people who participated in a TWELVE year study!

now before anyone gets in an uproar & tells me to get off my soapbox – i realize the thought of cutting out or at least limiting animal products (meat, dairy & eggs) just terrifies most people – and as someone who followed veganism (april – august this past year) – it can be scary.
but it can be done.
even though i fell off the vegan wagon -- i do eat more of a plant based diet than not. there are many days i do not consume meat – I still choose a veggie burger over meat anyday -- but i do eat meat on occasion.
now i am seriously questioning why?

and when you think about it – would you consume the breast milk (news flash: cow milk comes from lactating cows!) of another person or animal?
naw didn’t think so…
honestly – put that way & the whole dairy thing skeeves me right the fuck out!
goodbye cow nipple juice – hello soy milk!

and don’t even get me going on my thoughts on how our government polices our food consumption (via the usda) & pushes us to consume food based on the almighty dollar…
i will keep off that soapbox – but I will say this -- i think it is utter bullshit that it costs a family more to eat a healthy diet than one of ding-dongs, chips, & processed crap!

anywho… my point is this – watching that movie last night reminded me of all the reasons i wanted to be vegan in the first place & made me really think about what it is exactly that i want from this journey. i know it isn’t just about my weight & fitting into a smaller pair ofjeans – that might have been the reasons that sparked my journey – but those are perks & not my driving force anymore.
what drives me now is the desire…
to be healthy – really healthy. not in a processed *diet food* sorta way (and no disrespect to anyone who utilizes those products) -- but from real food that fuels my body & benefits it.
to be fit through my food choices & exercise
to be an example & an inspiration to my children.
and
to be the best version of me i can be. i have sold myself short for 41+ years & i am ready to be the me i was always meant to be!

so in saying all of that – i think it will come as no surprise that i am going back to veganism. truth is i never should have allowed life issues (addressing my depression & new medications) steer me from that path. but i cannot live in the past nor bury myself with regret. i have made immense strides in my food choices even without veganism – so i expect that this transition back with go smoothly.
i know how to do it & i know it can be done --- so it will!

i promise not to be preachy (other than this post of course – sorry i just get excited & wanna share shit) about it – nothing irks me more than people who preach about anything – but it will be something i talk about on my blog of course.

moving along…
tomorrow marks the end of ripped in 30 & yes I did it faithfully and daily for the past 30 days!
it also marks 60 days straight of daily exercise – which amazes me. i don’t think i have ever done anything consequetively for 60 days straight let alone exercise!
and i don’t plan on stopping.
so friday i will have the *official* digits (as in measurements) & such. i am not expecting as dramatic a change as the 30 day shred – that workout shocked my body into über submission – but i think there must be some changes.
we shall see…

also on friday i will begin shred it with weights -- another jillian michaels workout – of course.
it follows her basic circuit 1-2-3 (strength,cardio, ab) style training only this time utlizing a kettleball (which i need to purchase asap). you can use a single hand weight but i am all about the goodies…
i think that about covers it…
and don’t forget to check out forks over knives!

peace, l♥ve & VEGAN margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

i l♥ve a challenge

day: 31

holla bloggerhood!!

so something fun… errr challenging today, it is technically a challenge so let’s call it that (like talking about myself is a challenge…)!

my most fave redheaded blogger a daft scots lass has graciously bestowed this unique challenge upon me. and seven lucky fellow bloggers will also be given this same challenge – keep reading ya lucky plonkers (as ms.daft scots lass would say).
and as the daft scots lass herself said – don’t make me come look for you!
trust me – you don’t want a crazy-pms raged- would knife ya for a snickers bar-bloggin’-chick (that would be me) on your ass!
basically this is a challenge to help ya dig up posts from the past (or not) and share them with your readers new & not-so-new (old isn’t a very nice word ya know). now because this particular blog is only a month old – well friday it will be (wow) – i might have to pull something outta my ass. won’t that be fun?
here goes…

1. my most beautiful post – hmmm – i am not sure if any of my posts could be classified as *beautiful* but i do think that the beauty of my blog is it’s brutal honesty. the fact that i have my actual weight out there in the blog-o-sphere for anyone to read is just miraculous! never in my life (other than doctors, brian & my mom) has anyone known my actual weight. not even my besties!
2. my most popular post – easy -- hands down – my ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT series. even when i fuck up royally – you guys love reading about my crock pottin’ adventures!
3. my most controversial post – oddly enough weigh-in vol.2 when i went up a little in weight. yeah, i was frustrated and ranted pretty nicely but come on – i am a analytical bitch by nature – venting and over-thinking is my thang! i don’t wanna ruin the suspense – because i have a post in mind in regards to an email i received about this post. but i will say this much – the words *eating disorder* were used in said email. sigh.
4. my most helpful post -- i cannot name just one – because i have had such positive feedback from so many of you! i cannot express how much that means to me. this blog and the overwhelming positive feedback sparks me into my success thus far – true fuckin’ story! so every one of your comments are helpful & i can only hope i spread that spark to someone else?
5. a post whose success surprised me -- the fact that any of this drivel is read surprises me – seriously! but i have to admit that i didn’t think the ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT would garner so much bloggy l♥ve? guess ya'll wanna crock pot like a mofo too?
6. a post i feel didn’t got the attention it deserved -- i am an attention whore (admittedly so) – any attention is good attention. but i just didn’t feel the crock pot l♥ve on my other series tanning booth confessions -- maybe it was that time i mentioned finding a grey hair in places your mama never warned ya about? heh!
7. the post that i am most proud of – i l♥ve this whole blog – it is a labor of true love & something i look forward to writing and engaging with. but i think my effin’ epiphany was a real *break-thru* for me & of course weigh-in vol.1 was awesome because of my ah-may-zing first weigh-in! i lost 5.2 freakin’ pounds!

so now for the lucky plonkers (l♥ve that word – gonna google it shortly!) that get to pass on the bloggy l♥ve!
1. the dancing paralegal -- marie my dear blog-o-sphere friend who has had my bloggy back from wayyyy back! this world traveling fellow weight watcher junkie says it like it is & that’s why i l♥ve her!
2. from flab to fab -- she goes by hot coco, workouts every day, and is such a motivation – need i say more?
3. leah – the kind weight watcher -- hands down one of my most fave blogs eva! she is honest, vegan, and like her name says, kind! a gem of a blogger & human being; truly!
4. a shot of laughter -- such a cutie-pie with a fun, fun, fun blog! she has a candy corn martini recipe for fux sake! (waiting patiently for the weight watcher version)
5. because i have to. “i’m not weird; i’m gifted” -- rachel is a friggen hoot – she is honest, raw, & real – just how i like my bloggers!
6. batcrap crazy -- she rocks, her blog rocks, ‘nuff said! no really, when i grow up, i wanna be her! heh.
and last but never least…
7. mommy bags -- this gal and her coolio blog makes me literally laugh out loud. add to the fact that we are the same age with a toddler – i feel like she is my sister from another mudder and fodder! major bloggy l♥ve for this chica!

there ya go – if you choose to accept this mission please have fun & i hope it leads ya on a cool journey into your own blog and brings insight as to why we crazy bloggers do what we do!
if not -- no worries!

btw…
plonker -- the term plonker started out as a reference to someone who was forever drunk on cheap wine (cheap wine is nicknamed plonk) this person was usualy a homeless person, or poor person.
today the term plonker is a very light hearted insult. its not even seen as an insult, its like calling someone a wally. its in no way ment maliciously. you call someone a plonker when they say or do something stupid.
bob - why didnt my food cook ?
john - you never turned on the oven, you plonker.
(thank you urban dictionary)

oh and oops – guess you aren’t plonkers – well, not all of ya at least.
heh!
great, now i want some plonk!

spread the bloggy l♥ve, eat your veggies, and love yourself!
xxoo
cyn

ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT -- vol.4

day: 30

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uGyLRJ9HiY/TnApHBV-xVI/AAAAAAAAIE4/gaQAavBaP1A/s300/101333488_xrF8JesR_b_ImitateHDR_1.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

welcome to rock out with you crock out!!
this is my homage to my most favorite kitchen gadget ever – the blessed crock pot.
because even i can crock pot like a mofo!
i mean who can’t really??

and all of the recipes featured here will be healthy and/or weight watcher recipes – this is a weight loss blog after all.

so here it goes…

i have spent the past week looking for the perfect crock pot recipe .
and they are everywhere – balls to the walls crock pot recipes! only most aren’t what i would deem as *healthy* -- and yeah, that defeats the friggen purpose!
and the healthy ones i have seen done a bajillion times before…
yawn!

so i decided to take a favorite healthy recipe of mine (okay it’s goya’s as it right on their packaging – but i did tweak it a bit!) – 16 bean soup!

i will let the recipe do the talkin’ (i know you are shocked that i let anyone or anything get a word in edgewise huh?)
without further adieu…

16 bean crock pot soup
ingredients
12 serving(s) goya 16 bean soup mix, 1 package
1 medium onion(s), chopped
2 stalk(s) (large) celery, chopped
1 large carrot(s), chopped
1 leaf/leaves bay leaf
2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), chopped
2 tsp olive oil
6 serving(s) jennie-o turkey store extra lean italian sausage, chopped
1 tsp table salt, to taste
1 tsp black pepper, to taste

instructions
soak & drain beans according to package.
brown turkey sausage in oil with chopped garlic until crispy. drain and set aside.
in crock pot combine beans & remaining ingredients (minus turkey sausage) with 6 cups of a water. cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or until beans are tender.
40 - 60 minutes before serving add browned turkey sausage. let soup stand for 15 -20 minutes before serving.
can be served over brown rice for additional pointsplus values. serving size = 1 cup. pointsplus® value: 6
this recipe is easy, yummy, & super healthy – perfect!
easily made into a vegan dish too – only omit the sausage – the beans make their own stock.

my kiddos blew us off in lieu of burgers and ice cream @ friendly’s – can you imagine? who could pass up this dish?
but bri & i loved it and i had mine with ½ cup brown rice bringing my pointsplus value to 9.

this was my convo between my 2 year old picky-butt daughter:
me: skylar wanna try this soup mommy made?
skylar: i put the leaves in! (she is a bay leaf pro btw!)
me: i know and you did fabulously – but how about some bean sou…
skylar: (running away , screaming with arms flailing) nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
(it was really that long of a *no*)

in unrelated news : not to brag (ha, yeah right!) but i have been kickin’ butt @ the gym this week! i think i am slowly becoming one of those peeps who not only likes exercise but looks forward to it?
*jaw drop*
and not to sound silly but last night when i was *werkin owt* i felt strong.
strong? is that the word i wanna use?
i dunno but that word best conveys how i felt.
i felt strong and tall – like my posture was better than it has been in eons.

i feel the old me in there somewhere – and i have missed that crazy bitch.
(no really, she is crazy as hell!)
she is clawing her way out and lemme tell ya – she is pretty fuckin’ miffed that i have let myself get this outta shape. i think she is just waiting for the right moment to jump me and kick my ass…
and i cannot wait!
i need my ass kicked!
spread the bloggy l♥ve, eat your veggies, and love yourself!
xxoo
cyn

ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT -- vol.3

day: 23
hiya bloggy peeps!

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uGyLRJ9HiY/TnApHBV-xVI/AAAAAAAAIE4/gaQAavBaP1A/s300/101333488_xrF8JesR_b_ImitateHDR_1.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

welcome to rock out with you crock out!!
this is my homage to my most favorite kitchen gadget ever – the blessed crock pot.
because even i can crock pot like a mofo!
i mean who can’t really??

and all of the recipes featured here will be healthy and/or weight watcher recipes – this is a weight loss blog after all.

so here it goes…
first i gotta brag… cause that’s what ya do when ya gotta big crock!

kapow!

look at this brandy-new massive 7-quarts of hot kitchen gadget-ry!
and i got it all for my bitches (that’s you by the way) because… size does matter!

anywho --
tonight i made crock pot minestrone!
a recipe that my weight watcher leader tricia handed out last friday at our meeting (that nano second i was paying attention instead of being pissed off).
she snagged it off of skinnytaste -- an ah-may-zing site – go perv it when you can.

crock pot minestrone soup
gina's weight watcher recipes
servings: 6 • serving size: 1 1/2 cups • old points: 4 • points+: 5
calories: 215.7 • fat: 0.7 g • protein: 8.7 g • carb: 42.0 g • fiber: 6.7 g

1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can white beans, drained, rinsed (cannellini or navy)
3 cups fat free chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarians)
1 oz chunk of good parmesan cheese rind
1 fresh rosemary sprig
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh italian parsley leaves
salt and fresh pepper
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 cups chopped fresh or frozen (defrosted) spinach
2 cups cooked small pasta like ditalini or elbows (al dente)
extra parmesan cheese to top (extra pts)

(here are my shopping-on—budget ingredients)
rinse and drain beans. puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender.

(i mashed in lieu of blender and it was fine)
in a crock pot, combine broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, herbs, parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

(looks awesome and smells so freakin’ good)
forty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add zucchini and spinach. cover and cook 30 more minutes. add cooked pasta, cook 10 minutes more. remove bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. ladle soup into bowls and top with extra parmesan cheese.

(i served with a crusty italian bread for extra points and some vegan parmesan on top for extra points)
i omitted the parmesan rind (seriously do people have this stuff lying around i ask you???). i also used tiny bowtie pasta and dry herbs (sadly as i fucking killed my herb garden a month ago).
i also found that this needed the full 8 hours of cooking time – although i doubled the recipe (was really way too much food) and because i am still tweaking my new crock pot.
(i gotta caress it like a new lovah and learn it’s turns on and such… apparently this bad boy likes to take his time --- purrrrrrrr, yeah baby!)

this is a super easy über delish recipe!
hearty, fresh, healthy, low in points and perfect for the impending fall weather (although we are still sweating balls here in rhode island and i am doubting fall will ever come our way?).
the 1 ½ cup serving (with the slice of bread) was more than enough to satisfy my amazonian hunger.
and perfect for my vegetarian/vegan friends!

two thumbs and a spoonful of minestrone up!
my family agrees -- they better – we have minestrone for days!

i believe my *can crock pot like a mofo* status is officially reinstated.
that’s right!

now go on – crock pot something why dontcha.

spread the bloggy l♥ve, eat your veggies, and love yourself!
xxoo
cyn