11.24.09: RIP Anna Benson, NO Workout, and Carton-o-Flowers

The original creator of the Firm-Anna Benson passed away yesterday. I am very glad that she got the rights back to her original Firms and was able to remaster them before she passed. Im sure that meant a great deal to her.

Todays NON-workout:

-I got home late from cake class last night

-I could not fall asleep

-When I finally did, this damn ghetto neighbor lady started screaming

-I got up and yelled "Shut up over there-or at least shut your window." Anyone that knows me is not surprised. I will add that she was also screaming the night before at 1:30 am. And both times in the past week that we ate on the back patio she was screaming at her kids. $&!@ is what I would like to say to her!

-All of this to say that: I did not workout today

Cake Class:

We made royal icing flowers. Mine are not very good but I am going to practice some more tonight and hopefully improve. I need to make some more for my Thanksgiving maple cake with walnut icing anyways. Here they are, carton-o-flowers. ( Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. Arizona custom specialty cakes. Specialty cupcakes phoenix. Custom cupcakes )

My Shape Bride Magazine Article

Shape Bride Magazine: I say "my" like I own it LOL, well I am in it-close enough :)

Here is my article. Its on page 114 of the Shape Bride special edition that will be on shelves through May 2010.

Here is what the cover looks like.

Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Today's Recipe: Cabbage Rolls (From Richard Simmon's Farewell to Fat cookbook)

-12 large cabbage leaves

-12 oz hot Italian turkey sausage, casing removed

-2 to 3 TBS water

-1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion (green and white part)

-1 1/2 cups cooked rice

-1/2 cup sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

-2 large egg whites

1/4 cup golden raisins

1 (14 oz) can stewed tomatoes coarsely chopped

1/4 cup tomato paste

Lightly boil or steam the cabbage leaves. Remove from water & set aside. Remove casing from sausage, add to frying pan with 1 TBS water, cook 6-8 minutes or until cooked through, crumbling as you go. Add water as needed. Add green onion, cook, stirring, 1 minute or until onion is softened. Transfer to medium bowl.

Add cooked rice, sauerkraut, egg, raisins and 1/2 cup stewed tomatoes to sausage mixture. Preheat oven to 375*. Begin stuffing cabbage leaves and set them seem side down in baking dish. (Or you can cut up the cabbage and mix everything together). Mix remaining stewed tomatoes with tomato paste and pour on top of cabbage rolls. Cover dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

These were very popular at my house! YUM!

11.18.09: Today's Workout & Pot Roast Recipe

Today's Workout:

-BBC UB

-MS UB adv

-MS Abs adv

-10 min of Denise's Blast Away 10 Lbs

*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

I have been so exhausted this week and I don't know why. It is so frustrating feeling like I could crawl under my desk and fall asleep right this very moment. I had my hormones checked and all was (for the most part) normal. I was certain-CERTAIN-I was hypothyroid. I'm not. Well I still kindof think I am. I hear that everyones "normal" hormone levels are different. So whats norm for you might not be norm for me. I need to see an endocronologist but have not gotten around to it. Time and money. Time and money...

While Im complaining about this I will add that I should not gain one lb from eating a piece of cake. I mean seriously -the piece of cake doesnt even weigh one lb-how is this possible? I bust my ass in a 60 min w/o, I eat clean all day, I do not overeat portions. I have one piece of cake and I gain a lb? Seriously, I should not have to work this hard! I eat cleaner (besides that delectible cake-that is now gone) and work harder than so many thinner people out there. Seriously! I know everyone is built differently and that all our bodies work differently but seriously body-shape up, get w/ the damn program!!!!! /vent

Today's Recipe: (by special request) Easy Crock-Pot Pot Roast

-one potroast

-carrots cut up

-small white or red potatoes cut into 1/4s

-boiling onions or diced yellow onion

-celery cut up

-mushrooms

-water (small amount)

-one package of Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix

Toss everything in the crockpot and cook over low or high heat until everything is cooked through. If the roast is on the smaller side you will have to cut your vegis smaller so everything will cook in even time. If the meat is cooked through before the vegis -you can remove it and continue to cook the vegis. I have done this over low and high heat and both turned out fine. Also, this recipe was given to me using onion soup mix but the vegi mix is actually much better! I tried it both ways and both Jay and I preferred the vegi mix.

And for your entertainment: lolcat doing robot dance! Check out this website for more cuteness!


 ( Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. Arizona custom specialty cakes. Specialty cupcakes phoenix. Custom Phoenix cupcakes  Phoenix wedding cakes Phoenix birthday cakes, specialty birthday cakes phoenix)

11.17.09: Today's Workout and First Fondant Cake!

Today I forced myself to do the LB advanced Mission Specialist w/o on BBC. I have been dreading it for a week and 1/2. Well it wasnt as bad as I had anticipated. Sometimes, dreading things is good because then usually it isnt as bad as you thought it'd be. That was the case here. The last move in the Fat Blaster w/o is the (dreaded) Mt. Climber blech. Then the 1st move in the MS LB advanced w/o is jumping squats. So that combo is just not the most pleasant. I get super light headed being on the ground like that for Mt. Climbers then up right away for jumping squats-yikes. Slight ringing in the ears, fuzzy vision-always fun things at 6:00 in the morning...(to the non-exercisers dont let this deter you from w/o'ing out. It really is fun, I swear)

First this for 1 min:then this for 1 min:

Then (at least) one minute of this:

just kidding! My stability ball isn't pink. No really, I don't collapse on the floor. I always tell Jay I just go in the Hello Kitty room and nap w/ a w/o playing in the background to make him think Im working out LOL. Not that he cares if I w/o out, but its funny.

Today's Workout:

-BBC LB

-MS LB adv

-MS abs beg

-Quick Fix: Total Cardio Mix - The Complete Cardio Workout System (cardio kickbox segment)

*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

I also got in a lunchtime walk today! My motivation: Buying a slightly-too-tight pair of pants. Nothing like havin some muffin top when you sit down to give you that little extra push :)

Course 3, Cake 1 (first fondant cake): Christmas Gift Cake

Honestly, the picture loooks better than the live cake BUT I am very happy w/ this one! My first time ever working w/ fondant and didnt have a whole lot of time. Also happy that-we gave the cake to our neighbors so it wont be in my fridge to tempt me! They have two sons, so I figure they will be able to eat it up w/ no problems.  Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. 

Workouts & Marinade Recipe

Today's Workout:
-BBC UB
-BBC MS UB beg
-BBC MS abs adv
-10 Min Solutions Dance It Off & Tone It Up!
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch


Sunday's Workout:
-The Firm: Kettlebell Kit
*total w/o time 45 min + stretch


Today's Recipe: Marinade for London Broil or Flank Steak (though I used it on NY strip...)

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oil (I used peanut oil)
6 cloves minced garlic
2 Tbs honey
2 Tsp mustard powder

Mix all ingredients. Marinate steak for several hours before grilling. Grill over direct heat coals. Here is a pic of our steaks grilling on our new grill.

LEAVING COMMENTS-a Tutorial of Sorts

I have heard from about 5 people now that leaving comments on my blog is not user friendly so here is what Alissa told me to do:

Try hitting the tab button and then it will go down and show options...That should work. I guess its a drop down menu and you have to select google or whatever.

So if that doesnt work, leave me a comment and I will get back to you (teehee-see if it doesnt work, then you wouldnt be able to leave a comment, and thats why its funny...)

So now I expect a flood of comments ;)


 ( Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. Arizona custom specialty cakes. Specialty cupcakes phoenix. Custom Phoenix cupcakes  Phoenix wedding cakes Phoenix birthday cakes, specialty birthday cakes phoenix)

11.11.09: Today's Workout and Random Picture of a Hot Guy

Today's Workout:
-BBC LB
-BBC MS LB beginner
-BBC MS Abs beginner
-(cardio section from) Natural Journey Total Body Sculpt
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

And here is random picture of a famous hot guy.


 ( Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. Arizona custom specialty cakes. Specialty cupcakes phoenix. Custom Phoenix cupcakes  Phoenix wedding cakes Phoenix birthday cakes, specialty birthday cakes phoenix)

Workouts and LOW FAT Double Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Thursday's Workout:
-BBC Chest & Abs Cardio
-Firm Power Yoga (thank you Joanne for sending this to me)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch




Friday's Workout:
-Cardio Sculpt Blaster
-Tae Bo Abs
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Saturday's Workout:
-BBC Full body w/o
*total w/o time 45 min + stretch



Sun & Mon rest days...Sun was my rest day for last week and today I slept in because I couldnt fall asleep last night. I hate taking my rest day on day one but today wouldnt have been much of a w/o so...I did get in a lunchtime walk today though!



LOW FAT DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

2 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup Pure Cane Sugar
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips


Directions:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and egg white, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Stir in the buttermilk, water, vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to batter just until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.


Fill muffin cups coated with cooking spray three-fourths full. Bake at 375° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 14 cupcakes. Calories: 139 Fat: 2 g

11.4.09: Workouts & Cake Class?

Still going w/ my Academy rotation. Im not losing any weight (???) but am feeling really challenged. I *may* do this again for another week. Maybe not?

Yesterdays Workout:
-Butt & Legs, Non-treadmill Cardio
-5 min ab section from Denise Austins ten 5-Minute Target Toners
*total w/o time-60 min + stretch

Nadia leads this one. She is freakin' crazy. I am beginning to think she is trying to kill me....2 min flying jacks, 2 min Mt climbers, 1 min of plyo squat/ jacks, 2 min side-lunging off the bench, etc. But I did not pass out on my pink floor so all is well...And surprisingly I dont have serious DOMS today.

Today's Workout:

-Shoulders & Back, non-treadmill cardio

*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's w/o is not quite as killer as the first 2. But he does this standing ab work that had my obliques screaming for DAYS last week!...Im starting to like this set more and more...

Cake Class: Tonight will be day 1 of course 2 IF enough people sign up for the class. The instructor was supposed to call me and let me know if it was cancelled. I havent heard from her so that should be good news? If I cant do course 2, I will do the fondant class instead and take course 2 later. The good news about course 2 is that we only make one cake instead of 3 so I wont have a cake to deal w/ every week...Last night Jay said "Im hungry for cake, wheres the cake?" Ooops, must have gotten him into the cake habit too. LOL, I was thinking the same thing "Wheres my damn cake? These Hostess 100 calorie cakes are not cutting it"

Tip: I stole this from the BBC site...He explained that many people are like trash trucks. They run around full of trash, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their trash piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. (It’s one of “The Four Agreements,” Don Miguel Ruiz’s Code for Life book) Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their trash and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that happy people do not let trash trucks ruin their day.


 ( Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. Arizona custom specialty cakes. Specialty cupcakes phoenix. Custom Phoenix cupcakes  Phoenix wedding cakes Phoenix birthday cakes, specialty birthday cakes phoenix)