I'm Half the Size I Used to Be

I was at my parents' house for Christmas last weekend and went through some old clothes in my room. I found the pair of workout pants I wore when I started this health/fitness journey.  I have been saving them as a reminder of where I never want to be again.  I pulled them off the hanger and I wondered how big they would be.

I slipped them on and could not pull the drawstring tight enough to keep them up.  Obviously I go the point, they were huge.  Then it occurred to me that I was half my size in dress sizes - formerly a larger 24, currently a small 12.  And I wondered if I could fit in just one leg.  So I held on to the counter as I step my left foot out of the left leg and into the right leg and pulled the pants up again.  Here you go:

There I stood, in just ONE LEG of those pants, literally half the size I used to be!! My one regret?? Not starting sooner!!

How's that for a #transformationtuesday?! 

2015: The Adventure

Who's making new years resolutions?!  My guess is most people ... it's that time of the year again.

In the past I have made lots of little resolutions.  This year, I am making one BIG resolution.

In 2015, I will do at least one new thing EVERY SINGLE DAY.

It's gonna be awesome!!  How are you going to make 2015 your best year yet?!

T'was the Night I Saved Santa

'Twas the Night I Saved Santa

By: #coachkp

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

not a creature was stirring, not even an E&E drinking mouse.

The shakercups were placed on the mantle with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

while Shaun T and Chalene danced in their heads,

With vegan chocolate shakeology instead of a nightcap

I had just settled down with a PD book in my lap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a cardio master,

I checked my time, could have gotten there faster.

The moon on the water of the shimmering bay

Illuminated the yard as if it were day,

when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, less lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than Tony Horton, his coursers they came,

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

"Now Burpee! Now Push-up!

Now, Planker and Squat!

On, Jumper! On, Rower!

On, Toner and Taut!

To the top of the pyramid!

To the top of the wall!

Now max out! Max out!

Max out yourselves all!" 

As dry leaves that before the wild turbofire fly,

when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky

so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

with the sleigh full of boxes, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

the lunging and squatting of each pair of hoofs.

As I drew in my head and was russian twisting around,

down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a few extra pounds. 

He was dressed all in tight duds, from his head to his toe,

With his clothes nearly splitting and confidence low .

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

and he looked like a peddler without a six pack.

His eyes didn't twinkle! His dimples, were saddened!

He had been eating those cookies that were too sugar ladden!

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a frown,

and just looking at him you could tell he was down.

The stump of a candy cane he had eaten so fast,

Stuck out of his mouth as he beckoned a sugar crash.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

that shook when he moved, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, not his jolly old self,

and I frowned when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of my eye and a twist of my head

soon gave him to know he had nothing to dread.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,

and filled all the blender, then turned it on with a jerk.

After pouring the nutrient dense shake into a cup

I handed it to him and told him "drink up!"

He drank up the shakeology and then sprang to his sleigh,

He whistled to his team and they all flew away

But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Healthy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Healthy Comfort Food?! Count me in!

A few weeks ago I was in need of some comfort food big time, but I did not want a meal (or a whole week of meals) to throw me off track and sabotage all my hard work.  I went in search of some healthy comfort food, and let me tell you, it is not so easy to find.  I found a fairly clean recipe and made some healthy modifications!  :)

Here you have it, my healthy but comforting Turkey Pasta Bake!

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground turkey

4 c elbow pasta (cooked)

1 c shredded zucchini 

1/2 c diced green pepper

1/2 c diced onion

1T minced garlic

2 c tomato/spaghetti sauce

3/4 c shredded cheese

1/3c cottage cheese

2/3 c greek yogurt

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Spices: garlic salt/powder, salt, pepper

Directions:

1. Brown the ground turkey and set aside.  

2. Cook the pasta (I used the Dream Field elbow noodles) and measure out 4 cups of cooked pasta; set aside.

3. Dice the peppers and onions.  Put peppers, onions, and garlic in fry pan with minimal amount of olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Saute over medium heat until onions are translucent. 

4. Shred the zucchini and put aside. 

5.  While you are cooking everything else (haha) put your cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and parmesan cheese into a food processor or blender with a little garlic powder (just shake some in!).  Blend until smooth.

6.  In a big bowl mix the cottage cheese/greek yogurt/ parmesean cheese mixture with the noodles you already cooked.

7.  Then in a big frying pan or pot, mix the cooked ground turkey, and cooked peppers/onions.  Add the 2 c tomato sauce (I used Classico Roasted Garlic) and the shredded zucchini.  Let this simmer for 10-15 minutes.  Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

8.  Grab a 9x13 glass baking dish.  Spread a layer of the noodle mixture on the bottom, using half the mixture.  Then spread a layer of the meat mixture, using half the mixture.  You should make 2 layers (noodle, meat, noodle, meat) and use the full mixture.  

9.  When your layers are complete, sprinkle the top with shredded cheese.  Then put in the oven at 350* for about 20 minutes (or until the cheese is nicely melted).

10.  Remove and let cool, then divide into 4 servings!  Yep, it's a lot of food!!  

11.  EAT IT!!  Or freeze some of it for eating later. 

For you 21 Day Fixers, a serving (1/4 of the pan) is 2 red, 2 yellow, 1 green, and 1 blue!