I'm Feelin' A Little Tipsy

Because It's RECIPE TIP NIGHT!

Who's in the mood for a Mojito!!! 

Well I know I am...always!!!  I love the minty zing of a freshly made mojito!  Before BFC I tried all the pre-made mixes and none are as good as the real thing! Besides they are chock full of sugar...take this for example: Bartles & James Mojito  BFC 42/3 !!!  Wow!  That much sugar would put me under...no need for the alcohol! 

The weekend before starting BFC I went to a party at a mexican food restaurant and even sang a song I made up about mojito's all the way there!  I was planning on having my last hoorah, thinking I was going to have to give up my favorite drink!  We get to the restaurant and right off the bat I order up my first mojito!  "Sorry maam but we don't have any mint."  WHAT???  It's a Saturday night in Austin, Texas...you're a bar...and you Don't have any MINT??? C'mon people!  (that's the rant that went off in my head...thank goodness it didn't slip out my mouth!)  I was ready to go to the local grocery and buy my own stinkin' mint so I could have my last hoorah...as planned!  But I didn't and so my hoorah turned into several other assorted drinks...but none could meet up to my pre-conceived expectations of a Fresh Minty Mojito...  

BUT... I have good news!!!  I have found a recipe that fills the bill AND it's Sugar Free! 

Hope you enjoy!  Ole'!

Minty Mojito a la Sugar-Free

Now, before we get into the recipe part I need to tell you a little about how a mojito is made.  Normally, you start with a tall glass 3/4 full of ice, mint leaves, lime juice and sugar and you take a muddling tool (usually a wooden pestle) and start crushing the mint and sugar together on the ice.  The ice helps break down the leaves and the sugar helps release the flavors within the mint much like sugar on strawberries makes a syrup.  BUT, instead you will be using either 1 Tbl erythritol or 2 packets of Truvia instead of sugar.  So you need to work it just a little bit longer than usual to make sure the flavors all get released and mixed well.  

Once you have completed this step you will continue on adding the Rum and the Club Soda to the muddled mint and ice mixture.  Stir and enjoy!  Some like to place all the ingredients in a shaker and shake before serving...it's entirely up to you!   Don't be afraid to ingest the mint...it's healthy and keeps your breath fresh longer too!  (you may want to check your teeth from time to time! lol )

Ingredients:

•  lime wedges from about a third of a lime squeezed to make about 2 Tbl of juice  BFC 0/0
• 8 mint leaves  BFC 0/0
• 1 heaping Tbl erythritol or 2 packets of Truvia  BFC 0/0
• 1 1/2 oz. white rum  BFC 0/0
• Club soda to fill  BFC 0/0

Preparation:

1. Fill tall glass 3/4 full of crushed ice, mint, lime wedges and Sugar Substitute
2. Muddle with muddling tool till mint and sugar substitute is fully mixed and mint is broken down
3. Add rum and club soda 
4. Stir or place in shaker and shake and pour in tall glass
5. ENJOY!

Please note:  You can easily leave out the Rum for a tasty Non-Alcoholic Sugar-Free Mojito!

Total BFC value 0/0                  

(the only thing that had measurable carbs was the lime and it was 1/1 for a whole lime; 

so if you have more than one drink, be sure to count these points)

 Remember to drink responsibly 

and 

DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!

 OLE'

W A T E R - Our Body's BFF

WATER...Our Body's BFF

How many of these do you drink a day?  I try to drink 64 oz a day.  Some days I drink less...some days I drink more.  I confess, it hasn't always been my BFF  (best friend forever)!  I used to drink a glass of water and just about gag at the thought of having to drink any more than that one 8oz glass!  Now, give me a Diet Coke or Iced Tea or Cranberry Juice and I wouldn't gag!  So what is it about water that causes some of us to run the other way?  

This is totally IMO (in my opinion) and NOT a scientific fact!  But I believe we train our bodies to expect certain things.  Such as that cup of joe we have every morning!  Try forfeiting that one day and see how your body responds!  Not only is it used to getting it's little caffeine fix but it is used to you putting that certain type of liquid down your throat at that certain time of day.  Our bodies LOVE habits!  I'm convinced they thrive on them!  

You may be saying..."You picked a caffeinated drink and our bodies are hooked on the caffeine...not the type of liquid."   Ok, fair enough, lets try something else then.  What if you drank Decaf coffee... how would you feel if you left for the office and you forgot your To-Go cup of Hot Decaf Coffee on the counter?  Would you throw on the brakes and run back in to get it?  or Stop by the drive-thru coffee shop on the way to work... I have a feeling most of us would say... Yep!   You see we condition ourselves to expect certain things in our daily lives...and Katy bar the door if we don't get them!  

So what does this have to do with WATER?   Well, I believe that those of us who have had a difficult time getting those "much needed" 64 oz. of water down have had this issue because our bodies are not used to actually being hydrated!  It all of the sudden has this new form of liquid shooting into its stomach and it almost acts like it's shocked!  Sometimes even cramping up, making us feel sick to our stomach!  So.. we say to our neighbor..."See!  I just can't drink water! It makes me sick!"  When actually the fact of the matter is...you're probably "sick" because you ain't drinkin' yo water!  

It's true, our bodies really NEED extra water, EVERYDAY!  Not just on a whim...but on purpose for a purpose!  Here is a link to a wonderful article about why we should drink water in the first place... About Water!

I could talk on the subject and give you miles of facts about WHY we should drink more water...but I'm writing tonight more about the HOW you can get more water into your body...without gagging! lol   At least I'll share how I was able to change my ways...and hopefully it will help someone else out there!

The first thing I did after realizing I needed to conquer this "issue", was to buy myself a pretty glass.  Yep, a Pretty Glass that I could call my own!  At the time, I was working, had my own desk and was allowed to have drinks at my desk.  Drinking water out of a plastic or paper cup was totally unappealing to me. (still is!) So, I went to a store that I knew would have cool glassware and seriously walked the aisles upon aisles of glasses and found just the right glass that I knew would be pleasing to me!  

Once I found this glass....I made sure before I started work every morning that my glass was cleaned and filled with fresh, cool water from our water purifier.  I prefer cool or cold water, others may prefer luke or room temperature water, either way is fine...the point is to make it appealing to you and your body!  Having that pretty glass there...available with beautiful sparkling water...I found myself drinking more and more water as time went on.  I would be surprised when I would reach for the glass and find it empty!  Little by little I started re-hydrating my body and it was good!  

Now, I no longer work away from home and I am more active during the day and not just sitting at a desk at work. Therefore I created a new "habit".   I purchased a pretty insulated water bottle in my favorite color and make sure every morning (when I get my coffee fix!) that I also clean and fill my water bottle with ice and fresh Alkaline water.  (Alkaline water...a whole nuther story for another day!)  I find I drink at least 64oz a day and probably more.  My body has learned to LOVE being hydrated and believe me it lets me know now when I'm needing water!  It's amazing!  I never felt that "need" before...but now my body is used to being filled with sparkling water and longs for it if I go without for even an hour or two!  

Todays post is how "I" was able to make WATER my BFF...You may find another way easier for you...perhaps you love drinking out of a straw or wish to add a little lemon or lime to your water... that's OK...DO what will help YOU to DO what You need to DO!  The point is to HYDRATE your Body...so you can FLUSH those yucky things out and cleanse your system!  You get rewarded with beautiful hair, fresh looking skin and a healthy body!  What more can you ask for?  

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH!

Get Your Groove On

I know...I know...I'm showing my age!   That's ok...I'm happy to be 53 and a child of the sixties/seventies!  We had a blast back the "olden days"!!!    So why not have a  BLAST NOW TOO!!! 

Well I for one can tell you that I've been too overweight to have a Blast (at least I thought!) and personally I got fed up with myself!  I had become a large bump on a large pickle and only had enough energy to make it to the kitchen and back to my pickle...I mean chair!  There's a saying that says, "Time is the only thing we cannot retrieve....once it's gone it's gone!"  And if we waste any part of it what have we in return?  Nothing but waste... or in my case "waist"!

So here I am, 53 and wasting this most precious gift given to me...Time.  None of us knows the hour or the day in which our time is no more...well, at least I sure don't...so given that bit of knowledge I have come to a place in my life (finally) where I am deciding to Experience Life To It's Fullest....while I can!  BUT...to do those things I long to do I must first not waste a moment more in preparing my Body, Mind and Spirit filling myself with Faith, Hope and Love!  We are a beautiful gift...we must honor that package and it's wrappings!

Just taking the step to publicly announce that I was seriously overweight and that I was changing my eating habits and joining the forces of those who follow the Belly Fat Cure was a HUGE leap off that pickle I was stuck on!  But oh what a great leap that was...and I'm heading in the right direction and loving every minute of this plan.  (It also helps to have such a beautiful support system around me ...like those who may be reading this right now...and my family!)

Now that I'm feeding myself a more balanced diet, I can almost feel my body changing and longing to MOVE.  Have you ever gone to watch a sport or a ballet or even watched people dance on a dance floor and you feel something stirring inside you...wanting and longing to go do something active or join in the dance?  Well I live in a very active city...joggers, bikers, walkers, golfers, swimmers, dancers...and the list goes on.  They are everywhere you look in Austin!  We are a very health conscience city.  And when I look around I "long" to be doing what they are doing!  So what has been keeping me from doing so?  Well I could give you a list a mile long and it would all be so justifiable to me...but the truth is... I am the only thing that has been standing in MY way!  Yep..."I" ! ! !

But you may say to yourself..."Yeah, but I'm too fat for a bathing suit."  or "Well, as soon as I lose some of this gut I'll start taking the dogs for a walk."  or how about this one... "I would only make it a half a block in this heat!"  HA HAHA HA!!!  I've said ALL these things!  Who said it????   "I"  did!
All perfectly justifiable to our minds and we believe ourselves when we tell ourselves these...lies!  YEP... LIES!  ALL LIES!!!  Ooops did I lose anybody here?  Hope not!

You see...The "I" in all of us can be very convincing...if we let it!

I said this in one of my earlier posts:

WARNING: Lying to yourself can be harmful to your health! 

So with that said... SHOW YOURSELF SOME LOVE AND MOVE!!!  Do Something...Anything...Just MOVE!  I know it's hard to get started...it was hard for me this morning when the alarm went off at 6 so I could make it to my 8 o'clock NIA exercise class!  And even though I enjoyed the heck out of it... when the clock goes off again on Thursday... I bet my bottom dollar I'm going to have a very similar conversation with "I" which goes much like this, "You never get enough sleep...why don't you just shut the alarm off and roll on over."  or  "You've already exercised once this week...you're new at this...give yourself a well deserved break."  or "I think I don't feel so good today....yeah that's the ticket... I don't feeeeeeeeeel good!"  I must give "I" some credit for at least being persistent and Full Of Intention... just the WRONG intention!

When we find ourselves in this precarious argument...Please...For The Sake Of Your Life...argue back!!!   Throw those covers off.  Don't hi-jack yourself into believing the lies...because they are convenient, believable or justifiable!  You will love yourself more for going against the grain and Just Do It...MOVE!!!  Go Have a BLAST!!!

Today, after winning the argument, I attended a NIA exercise class.  Amazing!  Incredible!  Doable! Fun! Outrageous! and did I mention FUN!!! I HAD A BLAST!!! Yes...still overweight and had a BLAST moving!!!
If you need to find a reason to Move... look up a class in your area.
Here is the link to watch NIA in Action. 
 


If you listened to the song... he says, "It's takes a Word to make an Action."
May you find the "Word" that will brings your Life into Action for YOU...cause...YOU'RE WORTH IT!

Since I'm learning to love myself...my word is:

WEIGH-IN DAY - Week One Belly Fat Cure

I'm afraid to look...somebody else look for me please!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!  

First Week Weigh-In

5.8 lb LOSS ! ! !

2" off my waist!

Oh wow!  Oh Wow!  Oh WOW!!!!!!!  I'm soo happy!!!  What a great start to my goal of losing 70 lbs!  

I know it won't be this way each week...but am thankful I started off at a healthy pace!

Some advise to start out with smaller goals and once you hit those goals to set another.  I'm sorry but for me...this time...ALL BETS ARE OFF!!!  I'm not going to play the game and set myself up to hit a goal and linger there until I'm ready to set another...which usually never happens and has been my repeated pattern in the past.  No, this time... I'm looking at the TRUE goal and I'm heading THERE...and not stopping till I reach THERE!  Actually, I see that this plan IS my Lifestyle eating plan that I can live with for a Lifetime! So once I reach my "THERE", I will (not "I plan on"..but "I WILL") continue maintaining my balanced sugars and carbs from here on out!  

I know I'm only one week in...but there's something different about this plan!  I have tried so many diets, exercise programs, more diets, other lifestyle changes...just short of surgery... that I should be called the guru of diet plans!  So when my friend and I were talking weight loss a few weeks ago and I told her that I guess the only truth to losing weight is:  "Eat less; Exercise More".....she stopped me and said...can you read just one more book?    Being desperate I said  YES!  She began to tell me about the Belly Fat Cure and how it had helped a friend of hers to lose 40+ lbs.  Thus my story begins... 

I knew once I read the book...The Belly Fat Cure...that this plan is different!!!  I can actually EAT and be satiated!  I can look forward to the next meal instead of dreading another salad or gagging on volumes of protein!  The best part was knowing it would give me a path to follow to rid myself of my sugar addiction! Unlike other plans that either slice your carbs to death or just make small suggestions on better choices...This plan is all about learning how to swap bad carbs for good carbs!!!  BALANCE is what I see within this plan...BALANCE is what I needed...BALANCE is what I am beginning to experience as my body responds to a more balanced diet!  

I have posted a new chart off to the right which will chart my losses over the months to follow.  I have set a realistic goal of April 1, 2011 to lose the 70 lbs.  It may happen sooner or it may happen later...but IT WILL HAPPEN!  As I said in my last post... I no longer own that 70 lbs!  Now my body just needs to catch up with what is TRUTH!  I am a healthy, active, 53 year old woman who loves to swim, hike and Enjoy Life To It's Fullest!  Woo Hoo!!!

I'm going to start compiling a list of Good Belly Snacks as that seems to be a repeated question on the FaceBook Forum.  Hopefully I will get this posted in the next day or two.  If you have any favorite snacks you would like me to include...please send them to my email:  nosugarjustspice@gmail.com

Thank you for taking the time to read...Please feel free to post your comments below!  I read them all and love and appreciate your support.  Let me know if you also have a blog!  I would love to add you to my blog list and help support your success as well!

The day I reach my goal...Will be the day this appears on the top of the page!