Workout Wednesday

Today, I worked out to Crunch Belly, butt & thighs boot camp.

Sorry, I'm having problems posting a picture so you will need to check it out yourself.

This workout was 41 minutes long and didn't seem too hard. There were four different levels so if you can't do the third or fourth then you could stick to the first or second level. But, believe me, you can do it. It isn't too difficult. Sure, you will sweat but that is the joy of exercising.

Teri Ann Krefting was the instructor. She helped "target trouble spots with a two-tiered attack: fat burning cardio to slim you down and solid muscle conditioning to firm you up." It was fun but if you have small children, watch where you step. Eli was crawling all over the place so I had to watch where I was going. It was pretty fun. I did squats, kicks, push ups, sit ups and more. I felt pretty good once I finished so I recommend this workout. I give it a 3 out of 5.

No equipment necessary-just water and shoes.

Have fun!

There won't be a workout wednesday next week since I'll be in California. Yippee!

Swim time

Christiana Smith invited Eli and I over for a swim. Well, it only benefited Eli. I got to watch. It was fun to see Eli play in the mini pool. Apparently they are only $5 at Wal-mart. Wahoo! Anyway, it was fun. We are really looking forward to going to California this weekend. It will be exciting to see Eli in a bigger pool and hopefully Tayvlee won't make him cry. Hee hee.

Make it Monday

I'm only a day late in posting "Make it Monday." Life is a little crazy since we are going on vacation. Wahoo!

So, I made some chocolate bears for Eli's "bear" birthday party. I also made some coffee cake from a box for Adrian and I to eat. Yum! The bears were pretty easy. Our microwave doesn't work so I melted the chocolate in a pan. Then I used a tablespoon to fill the bear tray. Next, I stuck the tray in the fridge and waited about 30 minutes. The bears came out perfectly. It was super easy to take the molds out of the tray. I also used my sister's tray. Since it only had six, I decided to get another bear mold from Hobby Lobby. It was only $1.99 if you are interested in making chocolate animals. Plus, if you are on their email list you can get an additional 40% off. Happy late Monday!

Play time with Beck

I was able to babysit one of our newest neighbors son, Beck. He was pretty easy. Eli was the one that was a little difficult. Eli is on a regular schedule so if it is time to eat, IT IS TIME TO EAT. No questions asked. He can be pretty cranky. But, he is still cute. It was fun having a friend over for Eli. They followed each other around, played, listened to me singing nursery rhymes and getting into everything. Beck has learned how to walk but he will crawl most of the time. I had to remove anything that he could get his little hands on. Plus, Eli has learned how to use furniture to stand up. It is pretty cool! I love how he is growing. Well, we will have to have another play date.

Crib fun and bite marks

Isn't he cute when he sleeps?

I love how his little foot was sticking out of his crib. I love those tiny toes!

He is growing so much! He loves to stand and wait for me to get him from his nap/sleep.

Yippee! Bite marks! We are so thrilled that he has learned how to bit each side of his crib. Way to go bud!

Workout Wednesday

This morning I worked out to Abs of Steel Sculpting and Toning. This was the perfect DVD if you have small children because there are six complete routines.

They are the following:

-Ab Conditioning-10 minutes

-Ab Isolating-10 minutes

-Ab Toning-5 minutes

-Ab Flowing-5 minutes

-Ab Pilates-5 minutes

-Ab Yoga-10 minutes

So, if your little one needs your attention, you could take a break between the routines. For instance, I had to change Eli's diaper, give him some snacks, grab some water, etc etc.

I really enjoyed these workouts and it wasn't too difficult. I give it a 3. There are variations to allow you to work at a moderate, intense or ultimate pace depending on your fitness level or how you feel from workout to workout. "Leisa Hart has starred in 14 buns of steel videos and has over 26 years of fitness experience as an instructor." So, she really knows what she is doing and it is fun. So, check it out and workout for 10, 20, 30 or even 40 minutes depending on your schedule.

Till next time...

Make it Monday

Today for "Make it Monday," I decided to tell you what I made for the 4th of July. I actually made a few of these cute clips a year ago. However, since I pretty much ate ALL of the cookies from last week...I need a break from snacking.

So, first I went to one of my favorite blogs called, "Make it and Love it" found {HERE}. I bought some red felt, clips and found some felt stars already cut out. Then I followed Ashley's instructions and went to work. These clips are fairly easy to make and they sure make your little one look beautiful. If you would rather buy them from me, check out my Etsy store found {HERE}. There are three different clips all for $4.50. Thanks and have a wonderful Monday.

Isn't Claire adorable?

Also, if you have made the Chocolate Crumb bars found {HERE} I apologize. I made a mistake on the temperature. It should be 350 not 300 degrees. Hopefully, you didn't make them. Thanks.

Workout Wednesday

This morning I attempted Dance and be fit-abs burn dvd. It was interesting especially since Eli just wanted to climb on me when I was on the floor. That was pretty funny! He is getting very mobile. Anyway, the dvd consisted of 2 ab-slimming dance workouts. Each workout is 20 minutes long and there is also a five minute warm-up and cool down session.

Okay...my thoughts. There was a narrator/instructor that doesn't actually workout. Her only job was to instruct Kimberly Mullen who was a beautiful dancer. I definitely had my blinds down. I love watching So you think you can dance but I could never do what they do. I love how I was able to work out my abs through dancing (well, I don't know if you call what I was doing dancing). I tried! You move your hips a lot and it was a wonderful way to sculpt and strengthen your entire body. I'm not sure if I'll check it out again but it was fun. I give it a 2. Let me know if you checked it out! I would love to hear your comments. Till next time...



Make it Monday

Today for Make it Monday, I decided to make coconut macroons found {HERE} and Andes Creme de Menthe Chunk Cookies. Yummy! The macroons are for the ward's BBQ tomorrow and since I had the cooking supplies, I thought it would be perfect. It was actually a spur of the moment decision at the store. I saw the Andes chips and thought...Yum. What excuse do I have to buy them? Well, I could always see if there is a recipe on the back? So I got the recipe from the back of the package. I'm sure if you just look for the chips, you won't have to come back to my blog to make them. Here is the recipe just in case you desire to make them...

1/2 cup salted butter-softened

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 package of Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

2 2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

Blend butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until mixed. Stir in Andes Baking chips and then flour. Chill approximately one hour in refrigerator. Measure out approximately 1 oz of dough. Form ball and slightly flatten. Raise oven rack one level above middle and bake on non-stick baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8-10 minutes. Cool on pans for two minutes before removing.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Reflections

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?

ELI

I taught him well...

So, we bought Eli a container that allows little hands to reach in and grab a snack. Well, he didn't figure it out until...he dumped them all out on the floor. So, I guess I taught him how to eat off of the floor. He even wanted to share with me. Yuck! But, isn't he adorable in his cute overalls? I got them at Target in the 70% clearance rack. Yippee!

First train ride

Yes, it's true! I took Eli on his first train ride and we TOTALLY matched. Arn't we cute or what? I've been meaning to take him on the train ride at the sandy mall but I can't justify the $3. And, that is only for me. Of course Eli is free till he turns 1 so that may give me a reason to take him.

Anyway, we went with the Lytles to This is the place today and it was fantastic. First, it was a free day so we went early so we could get there before the mad dash of Utahns. Then, we made it up the steep hill to ride the train. We didn't ride it once...we rode it twice. It was fabulous! Then, we ate our free icecream cones. And, no I didn't give Eli any. I'm waiting till his 1st birthday which is less than a month away. Oh my! I can't believe how old he is.

Overall, it was really fun! I will definitely be going next year and maybe a little earlier so I could take Eli on the pony ride. Wahoo!

Workout Wednesday

This morning I worked out to Cheryl Burke's Disco Abs DVD. It sure was a lot of fun to move my hips. The DVD consisted of 5 workouts on 3 DVDs. Here is the breakdown:

1-Workout Disco Abs-Songs-Disco inferno, It's Raining Men, YMCA

2-Workout Abs-That's the way I like it!-Song-That's the way (I like it)

3-Workout I will Survive Cardio-Songs-I will survie, Ain't no stoppin us now, Shining Star

4-Workout The beginner Hustle-Songs-Dim all the lights, the hustle

5-Workout Boogie Buns & Thighs-Songs-Boogie Oogie Oogie, Boogie Wonderland

So, I decided to do #3 and #4 to make the exercise 42 minutes. Perfect timing!

So, I felt a little funny but I kept on dancing. I gave this DVD a 3 since I wasn' out of breath but it was sort of hard to get the moves right. I guess I'm not a dancer. Does anyone remember the hustle? I sure do! When I was a teenager I used to go to church dances. Once the hustle came on, I was out in front doing the dance. I also knew ALL of the words. They consisted of "Do it" and "Do the hustle" so it wasn't too hard to memorize. The only thing I didn't like was that the Hustle and I will survive songs were towards the end of the exercise. So, if you are looking for a fun and exciting DVD this would be the perfect one for you.

For FHE, Adrian and I did Bob Harper's Inside out method DVD. Yes, that is twice this week that I've worked out. I also walk to the library with Eli a couple of times a week. I guess since we are going on vacation pretty soon we are pretty motivated to get in shape. Plus, it is swim suit season. Yikes! I give Bob Harper's DVD a strong 5. It was pretty tough. It was harder than his other cardio DVD I did a couple of weeks ago. But, we finished the entire hour. We may have had a few extra breaks throughout the DVD but we did about 75% of it. There is also a 25 minute beginner workout to get you started. The two girls on the DVD are monsters so don't follow them. Go at your normal pace and finish. Good luck!

Make it Monday

Today, I decided to make Coconut Macarrons. I've made them before but haven't had them for awhile. Normally, I recommend doubling the recipe so you don't waste the sweetened condensed milk but I ran out of coconut so I stuck with the regular recipe. Here it is...Enjoy!

Makes 24

1/3 cup flour

1/8 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups shredded coconut

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (14oz can if doubling)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 cookie sheets.

2-Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Stir in the coconut.

3-Pour in the milk. Add the vanilla and stir from the center to make a very thick batter.

4-Drop heaped tablespoonfuls of batter 1 inch apart on prepared sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. (I do 10-13 minutes). Cool on a rack.

Let me know how it tastes. Till next time...

11 Months old

We sat outside for about ten minutes while we waited for daddy to get home.



This was sadly the best picture I could take. Eli didn't want to sit still. He has been "army" crawling everywhere and is starting to crawl on his hands and knees (not much but is getting there). Isn't he cute or what? His top two teeth are coming in and he says "mom" when he needs me. It is pretty cute! One more month and he will be one year. Wow! That sure went by fast. I still love him!

1st Birthday Invite

Eli was invited to his first birthday party! It was a joint birthday party for Becca and Catelyn McDaniel at Chuck E Cheese. The theme was "farm animal." Tiffany put together the coolest goody bags. Thanks again! I think I was more excited than Eli but I'm sure that will change later on. Or will it... Anyway, we had a blast! The only downside was that most of the rides didn't have a seat belt. Are you kidding me? So, I think I liked the clock ride the best because he was strapped in and I could actually take photos of Eli. Yes, it is ALL about the photos. Well, it sure was fun.

Next, it will be Eli's first birthday and guess where it will be???

Oh, I am so excited. We are finally going on a vacation to...

Newport Beach, California

Oh, how I miss Cali.

Well, it will be fun and my entire family will be there (sadly not Adrian's family but we will think of them).

Workout Wednesday

This morning I worked out to The Firm total body time-crunch. It is led by instructor Rebekah Sturkie. She combines high-energy cardio moves with targeted body shaping exercises. It is a 45 minute workout but there is a 25 minute express workout if you are pressed for time.

Okay, so last week I worked out to Bob Harper's workout and maybe I wasn't completely honest. It was HARD! Apparently someone who secretly follows my blog told me that she wanted to kill me. So, I thought I should rate them on a scale from 1-5, 5 being the hardest. So, this dvd was about a 2/3. However, I felt lost sometimes since Rebekah goes pretty fast. But, if you are an avid cardio woman then you should have no problem. This workout doesn't even compare to the Bob Harper dvd which I will give a strong 5 on. So, if you do get this one, please let me know how it was and what you would rate it as. Till next time...