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

i'm a weiner!

day 98:
holla my bloggy l♥ves!

now i have to put this out there: i am blessed; truly.
the blogosphere (fabulous place that it is) has embraced me with more good than ever bad & i have met a core group of amazing people via this medium. amazingness aside – some of them even bestow me blog awards & i can say with full confidence i do not deserve them & simply because i absolutely sucketh @ returning the bloggy award l♥ve!
for that i am truly sorry – i have the best of intentions – i am just a lameass @ actually executing them sometimes. and i admit – i am realllllllly wrapped up in myself lately.
but…
i am trying to reciprocate the kindness & at least acknowledge the coolness you guys generously toss my way.
so with that being said – thank you to tammy @ healthy and sustainable living in today’s world (awesome blog kids!) for honoring me with this award way back around thanksgiving. you are too cool for school!
and also to the adventures of not supermom (this blog is a hoot!) for showerin’ me with this coolio award! you rock balls!
now both awards basically say i have to thank the person(s) who gave ya the award & should pass them along to 15 other deserving blogs -- but we will get to that in a sec.
but the “tell me about yourself award” asks that i tell you 7 things you might not know about me (hence the name of the award).
so bear with me because this is about to get raw & random...

1. i am getting my first eyebrow waxing in a week. can you even believe that shit? the gal who does my nails has been trying to talk me into it for a year & i have just gone kickin’ & screaming! i really don’t have a lot of eyebrows but brian pointed out to me that what little bit i have is *bushy*! upon further investigation – holy fuckballs he is right. at the rate they are going i will look like my great uncle benny if i don’t trim these badboys! i will of course blog about the outcome – but i am so afraid i am gonna look like one of those plastic chicks who has to pencil her eyebrows back on with the 99 cent wet & wild black eyeliner!
2. i am on a giveaway winning streak – i have won uglee (that’s the brand name) pens from daily rant, a $30 gift certificate to eden fantasy from gillian @ a daft scot lass (if you aren’t reading her series – blogfestivus 12 days of xmas – you are missing out!), some sa-weet adult goodies from jana @ boobies, babies, and a blog , some amazing homemade goodies from jennifer @ finding my way in texas (she has an esty shop—go check her out) & just today i won 4 tickets to see disney on ice in boston via robin @ masshole mommy (love her & her blog to frickin’ pieces)! so yeah – santa has come early & he is handing out vibrating cock rings this year! w00ts!
3. I am anal-retentive (actually saying that is an insult to regular anal retentive people as I put them to shame) about how my groceries are bagged. I literally will have a panic attack if things like bread (which I do not even eat) get smashed. And if produce isn’t bagged heaviest to lightest I will show you a side of my wrath that would make darth vadar seem like a pussy. I am not proud of this & it has caused many a riff between brian & I – not to mention the death glare & flared nostrils from hell to the poor cashier who crosses my path with her idiotic bagging skills.
4. brian & i were dating for 4 months when i found out i was pregnant with skylar. yeah – FOUR months. crazy right? but we are still going strong & have come to the realization that we are soulmates because no one on the planet would tolerate either one of us… heh!
5. i worked in a strip club for five years – but a year in a strip club is like dog years so it was more like 35 years…
6. my engagement ring is a 6.15 karat amethyst – which is exactly what i wanted (i love purple & amethyst). i am non-traditional, our relationship is non-traditional, & i am just not the diamond engagement ring type.
7. i don’t drive – it started out because of legal issues (suspended license due to traffic fines) & somewhere in the course of all that i decided that some people are just not meant to drive & i am one of them. i am legally able to drive – i chose not to. and yes, it is a pain in the ass & brian tells me all the time that i need to just suck it up & drive. but it gives me anxiety… so i am a car hermit!

that was sorta random & oddly theraputic!
anywho – so here are the 15 (give or take) blogs i am passing on BOTH awards to!
rock on with your bad ass selves…
flab mountain: from cow to wow
30 before 30
curly girl
75% hippie
illusion
fat girl slim
the middle
i know that’s not 15 – told ya i suck @ this!
but the thought is there – i would give it to ya all if i wasn’t wiped on top of too lazy to format the links… lol!
we’re all weiners!

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

lazy sunday with pinterest vol.6 : wonder woman edition

day 98:
holla my bloggah’s & welcome to…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xpqGj5_Tec/TtQro_ypnSI/AAAAAAAAKeg/jCHIYdGYYgw/s300/pinterest-cover-story.pgp.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

this is my homage to one of my most favorite addictions/past times – pinterest.
if you are pinhead like me – come find me!


so i enjoyed having a *theme* for this post so much last week that i think i will keep that trend going…
with that being said; welcome to...
the wonder woman edition!
because i adore her as she is just fabulosity personified & anyone with a lasso of truth is badass!

let’s do this thang!
because it’s xmas…
wonder woman ornament? why yes, thank you!
(not to sound all know-it-all-ish but i think with the right materials i could make this...)

teensyturtle -- etsy shop

vintage wonder woman xmas card – why do they not make awesome stuff like this anymore?!?!
wonderwomancollectors.com
(seriously can get lost for hours on this site…)

oh my gahhhh – a wonder woman stocking! i think this is just ah-may-zing!
creationsbycatherine -- etsy shop

i just adore this print & i would hang it proudly!
dcwomenkickinass.tumblr.com

oh hell to the yes, yes, YES – i would wear every bit of this & rock the wonder woman essence of it all!
nerdvore.tumblr.com
(another coolio site to peruse around on…)

i have a nice little wonder woman coffee mug collection already – but there is always room for more!
lenny mud -- etsy shop

okay i know i had the leopard kitchen-aid on my xmas wishlist last week – but scratch that santa – this one kicks it’s ass!
this is just balls to the walls coolness!
objetosdedesejo.com

to channel the good ol’ wonder woman underroo’s days (tell me i am not the only one who had these?!?!) – wonder woman sexypants jammies! i am sure brian wouldn’t kick me outta bed if i was wearing this… heh!
amazon.com

not just a wonder woman tattoo – a half- sleeve. now that is l♥ve my friends…
(by rachel bickley at immaculate conception tattoo)
flickr.com

wonder woman reeboks? who even knew?!?!
uploaded by user via google.com

i find these socks super sexy…
spencersonline.com

and finally…
ms. lynda carter who’s classic portrayal of diana prince spurred my love for all things wonder woman! i swear the only reason a remake of wonder woman has never been made or done well is because no one can replace the über sexy ms. lynda!
topkool.com

i swear one year before i die – i will dress up like wonder woman for halloween or some costume wearing occasion!
or maybe just because I frickin’ feel like it…

hope your sunday is WONDERful!

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

pssssst…
go link up to the no more muffin top hop -- open until tonight @ midnight -- all links welcome – even giveaways & other hops!

weigh-in vol.13 (photos & measurements)

day 96:
happy frollickin’ friday blogdom!

i had this whole other post thought out & pretty much written in my head & then a few things happened…
i lost 1.8 lbs @ my weight watcher weigh-in/meeting this morning – which was completely unexpected & totally fuckin' awesome!
i had a great week & wasn’t expecting a gain but i lost 3.2lbs. last week & typically my losses go big one week, miniscule the next.

(me today on my way to my meeting)
the fact that i averaged a 5lb. loss in the past two weeks just blows my friggen mind!

I can only attribute it to a couple of things -- the sweet tooth challenge (still going strong – can you believe today makes 2 weeks already?) & eating MUCH cleaner overall; veganism aside.
and let’s not forget my daily shred workouts!

which brings me to the next thing that happened…
i promised to post the stats from ripped in 30 (gory details in the new shredhead tab above) & here they are…
i gotta admit that when i first took them & compared them to the results from the 30 day shred -- i was a wee bit disappointed.

then i started to edit my photos from day 30 & i actually didn’t want to throw myself in front of a moving train!
matter of fact i kinda liked the way i look – so much so that i got all wimpy & blubbery. brian had to come hug me & everything…
i know, i know – so not like me – but i have been workin’ my ass off & it’s nice to see it all starting to pay off!
i mean my family & friends tell me all the time how good i am starting to look – but it took seeing those photos today for it really to sink in – i am doing this!

i think this photo shows the biggest change – i actually have a midriff now!

and this photo reallllly puts it into perspective…

so progress is being made & i need to get outta that *diet mentality* -- that it’s all about the numbers! i feel better than i have in years – quite possibly ever & i am able to wear clothes that haven’t graced my body since before i became preggo with skylar 3+ years ago.
so I need to stop my bitchin’ & the undermining of my own efforts already – because it is counterproductive & just dumb!

numbers aside – what did i learn from the past 30 days?
i learned that exercise can become habitual & second nature – after 60 days of daily workouts – i cannot imagine my day without it & i continually want to push myself to the next level.
i learned that success breeds success. the more i achieve in this journey the more it fuels me to keep going. i have *drive* & it quite possibly may be a 1st for me?
because while i have strived for goals in my past – never have i felt driven like this!
so fuck the numbers – i rock no matter what!
i think that says it all & about sums it up!

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

pssssst…
go link up to my rockin’ hop -- open until sunday @ midnight -- all links welcome – even giveaways & other hops!
i am just coolio like that…

no more muffin top weekend blog hop -- vol.12

day 96:
happy happy friday bloggywood!
welcome to…

<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!
rockin’ the hop button is always nice & i über appreciate all of you that do!
and if ya find a new blog that blows your skirt up – be sure to leave them a comment saying you are a new follower & tell them ya found them on *the no more muffin top* hop.
that’s it – easy peasy!



i will be back later today with my weigh-in update (meeting @ weight watchers today) & all my new measurements since completing ripped in 30 yesterday.
the results aren’t as dramatic as last month when i finished the 30 day shred – but i still lost weight & inches & that’s all i freakin’ care about!
carpe diem the fuck outta today!

peace, l♥ve & margaritas 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

pms'n like a mofo

day 93:
tuesday tidings my bloggy peeps!

before i get to my plight lemme pose a question...
to my fellow weight watcher junkies out there – how are ya’ll gellin’ with the new *2012* changes?
i have heard mixed reviews & it seems like peeps either love or hate it – no medium ground?
personally – i like it. (neither love nor hate – i am the medium ground!)
and honestly – i don’t get what the hustle & bustle is about?
i know some are miffed that the dailies have been lowered – but ummm, they gave ya the flexibility to not decrease if ya don’t wanna – so why all the bellyachin’???

case in point:
this past friday when i was @ my meeting & my leader got kinda bullied into talkin’ about the changes even though it wasn’t that week’s topic – we had two chicks who complained & bitched the whole time.
now mind you --- these are the two same gals who come every week & sit in the meeting & knit the entire time?
knit?
really?
am i the only one who finds that extremily rude?
i mean really – you have such intense knitting responsibilties that you have to knit through a 30 minute once a week meeting?
and how much knitting can you really get done in 30 minutes?
i guess it’s no worse than the other gal who has to make a tuna fish sandwich @ every meeting she attends !
yes make it -- as in open the can & stink up the whole room with tuna fumes!
seriously? can’t you bring something less stanky or wait 30 minutes?
(and if you are reading this & think i might be talkin' about you -- i probably am!)
but i digress…

i realize change is hard for a lot of people – but when you are given the option to keep things just the way you like them – why complain???
(say the gal who is pms’n like a mofo & full of complaints)


yeah pms…
pms = plaguing my shit
i understand it’s a fact of life – but being just mere months from turning 42 i think it’s for the fuckin’ birds & at this juncture in my life it should be easier; not worse!
am i am asshole if i ask santa for menopause?
although i hear that’s no walk in the park either & hormone supplements sounds like it’s own kind of hell on earth.
boo hiss!
don’t mind me – uncle t.o.m & auntie flo have my happy-go-lucky-ness held hostage for a day or two…
so to lighten things up a bit…
here is a coolio article on jillian michaels site (i get her emails) on how to battle pms -- five tips for taming pms .

and because pms time if my über munchie time – i wanted to share this:

(squawkfox.com)
have any of my fellow pinterst freaks seen this pin floating around?
well it works!

all ya need is:
a brown lunch bag
¼ cup popcorn kernels
and microwave until the popping slows down.
i use the popcorn setting on my microwave & reduced the initial ½ cup of kernels the original recipe called for down because i ended up having so many unpopped ones.
it is very easy to burn the popcorn so ya really can’t leave this one unattended.
but it’s tasty (wayyyyy better than that icky air-popping machine) & no microwave popcorn chemicals! ya gotta add a little salt or whatever seasoning ya like of course – but it’s dang good for a healthy snack! and i am the queen of popcorn & wouldn’t steer ya wrong!
and if you are following simply filling like i am this is a simply filling food & is within the permiters of my sweet tooth challenge!

and if this doesn’t help your munchies or pms – there is always booze.
*snicker*


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

lazy sunday with pinterest vol.5 : xmas wishlist edition

day 91:
happy sunday my blogzillas!
and welcome to …
(do ya like the new button? did ya know i have been misspelling & mispronouncing pinterest since the dawn of time? and being ocd about such things – i edited all my faux par’s & made a new correctly spelled button!)

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xpqGj5_Tec/TtQro_ypnSI/AAAAAAAAKeg/jCHIYdGYYgw/s300/pinterest-cover-story.pgp.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

the frivalous christmas wish list edition!

my homage to one of my most favorite addictions/past times – pinterest.
if you are pinhead like me – come find me!

(anything shared here today can be found on my board : yes please santa – feel free to repin your little hearts out!)

anywho… let’s get to the wish-listin’

*insert angels signing & harps playing while the heaven’s part*

uploaded by user: google.com
the nikon 5100– just a sa-weet dslr which i covet just about more than anything!
someday you will be mine – oh yes, you will!

a fitted sexy-ass leather jacket!
thefancy.com
this is black leather perfection…

and because i am torn between black & brown…
leathericon.com
why not have one in both colors?
a fitted waist-length leather jacket is something i have always wanted – in order to rock it – i will need the following workout gear to get me into the shape i want to be!

this bag from underamour is almost too cute to use as a gym bag -- I l♥ve that!
fitnessmagazine.com

i am a purple freak, love most nike products & the *beast mode* shirt is just amazeballs! i want it all!
amrapstyle.com
(this site is too cool for school)

skull shaped 20 lb. kettlebells? why the hell not?
demonbells.com

purple & black workout gloves – awesome!
femmefitalefitness.com

after utlizing the purple & black workout gear – i should be able to rock this outfit!
the shoes, the dress, the bag – lurveeeee!
disneybound.tumblr.com
(i have gushed about this site before.)

this outfit is kickass too – orange pants which i am diggin’ lately – feathers – and i actually already have almost identical shoes!
polyvore.com
(another favorite site!)

phillip frankel leopard jasper (how cool!) & diamond earrings – so me & so fun yet swanky!
uploaded by user: elle.com

okay i fully admit that i am not much of a baker – but i might be if this were in my kitchen!
c’mon admit it – this is cool beans!
uploade by user: pinterest for iphone

i dunno if i have ever mentioned that i have weird connections & fascinations with certain people & things – but -- frida kahlo is one of them.
i adore her & her artwork.
frida is one of my favorite movies even…
anywho, this would be perfection on my wrist & make me one happy happy biznotch!
michellesfavorite things.com

a *fucking coffee* mug? clearly this was made with me in mind! even though i have cut my caffeine addiction to just one cup of java a day – i want it to be in this cup!
cafepress.com
(other cool items for my fellow foul-mouthed peeps out there!)

we have no room (although she is so teenie-weenie) & i just got one baby potty-trained – but oh my gah isn’t she precious? like i would say no if she showed up under my tree!
uploaded by user: cassiesclosetinc.com

coco mademoiselle by chanel – a new interpretation of the classic coco.
how can you say no to a classic like chanel?
uploaded by user

and finally…
while i may not want these exact designs (I want bolder colors) – i love the placement & definitely want a peacock feather!
haightashburytattooandpiercing.com
uploaded by user: tumblr.com

and that’s it…
just a *few* things i wouldn’t mind having.
heh.

what’s on your frivalous wishlist this year???

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

oh & don’t forget to link up to the no more muffin top weekend blog hop -- all links, giveaways, hops welcome – cause i am cool like that! ends @ midnight tonight!