"All I Want For Christmas Challenge" week of November 20th

Another Sunday !!!!!!!!!

Not many more weeks until Christmas....everyone on track for their Christmas goal????

You are all doing a great job posting and keeping each other motivated

The exercise of the week this week is good old fashioned squats To do these correctly in order to most effectively work the three muscles in our butticus maximus you need to position your feet more than hip distance apart with your feet pointing forward (if your toes are pointing out, you will be working the adductor muscles instead) and lower yourself in a controlled maner as though you were going to sit on a chair. Keep going until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Return to starting position but as you come up, make sure you are contracting the right muscles. (Hehehe..this where you can enlist the help of a loved one "Dear..can you feel right here and see if I'm doing this right?" ) You can improve the resistance of this exercise by holding weights as you do it ..I hold 30 pounds of 2 year old! Aim for 25 to 50 reps eventually. It's easy to do anywhere..and yes, 10 in the ladies room everytime you go in really add up (Geesh, you're already in there doing wall pushups..you might as well do these too ) Dano, let us know if you do actually venture into the ladies room for these

How about our recipe theme for this week is any low carb treats you make for over the holidays.

Here is my contribution (I'm going to try this recipe this year)

Spiced Nuts

1/2 cup sugar-free syrup (caramel or vanilla)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb nuts, of choice
2 teaspoons Splenda sugar substitute
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat oil and sugar free syrup in a large skillet; stir while it heats.
Add nuts; cook over low heat stirring contstantly until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Mix splenda and spices together; sprinkle over nuts, stir, coating evenly.
Spread mixture into a parchment lined cookie sheet pan.
Bake at 300 degree oven for 25 to 40 minutes time (depends on type of nuts) used; be careful not to burn them.
Cool completely before indulging, store in covered container.

So let's fly at it Challengers..really get into it for these last few weeks before Christmas and you'll see the results you've been working toward!!!!

You know the drill..post, exercise and menus..and drink your water!

Love..Mandy
xoxox's

I found this one on Karen Barnaby's site. I always bake my mom something with coconut but now she low carbs too (even though she's smaller than I am she has realized it's much more healthy) so I'll try this one out on her this year I like how she lists the carb grams after each ingredient (hope it's total and not net)

Cream Cheese and Lemon Macaroons
Makes 20

1 cup unsweetened coconut 12.2 gr
2 Tbsp. Da Vinci sugar free hazelnut syrup or 4 pkts.Splenda 4.0 gr
1/2 cup whipping cream 3.3 gr
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 Tbsp. cream cheese, at room temperature 2.0 gr
1 egg 0.6 gr
1/4 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped (optional) 4.6 gr
1/2 tsp. lemon zest 0.1 gr
Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine the coconut, syrup or Splenda, whipping cream and vanilla. Let sit for one hour. Stir in the cream cheese until blended, then the egg. Mix well. Stir in the macadamia nuts and lemon rind.

Drop by level tablespoons, into macaroon shaped mounds, on a parchment lined cookie sheet, 2-inches apart. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, until the tops are lightly speckled with brown.

Total carbohydrates (with macadamia nuts): 26.8 Per cookie: 1.34
Total carbohydrates (without macadamia nuts): 22.2 Per cookie: 1.11

[that1redhead]

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone. Just a quick post before we start working hard. Had a good B-day. Made myself low carb almond cloud cake. Yummy.

Happy Birthday Dano - A fellow Scorpio - I knew I liked you Dano.

[sinny]

Happy Birthday Dano.

[DawnaG]

happy Birthday Dano~

[gettenthere]

Belated Birthday greetings Sinny and Dano
yesterday got back to moving my rusty body but only did 2 miles of the super challenge walk and no weights water was not good because I was running around condo searching and when I put it in I have to put it out doesnt't every one

had 2 boiled eggs for breakfast
l boiled egg snack
cabbage soup
1 stick of cheese snack
1 can of tuna with mayo
Yocheese with flax dinner
when you write it down I made a pid of my self again

have a great day all 's you all a bunch

yes I will YES I WILL yes I will :wave

Well, my birthday came and went without a lot of fanfare, thanks for thinking of me

I cut the tip of my finger and it's annoying to type so I'll apologize ahead of time for this being short!

I REALLY need to get back on track this week, I'm pushing 230 which is 10 lbs above where I called goal. Time to get that extra back off! It creeps up a little at a time but my exercise last week was really bad so this week I need to make up for it. So today for sure... hold me to it!

Off I go elves, have a great week!

Dano

[Melly]

Morning to all.....
Thank you to everyone for the well wishes. Darrell made it home Saturday night and was as glad to be home as we were to have him. He had a great time in California. He was blessed to have his son most of the time he was out there. Aliyah and I talked to him on the phone alot. He would have Darrell call so he could talk to us. He is excited to be getting a sister. And Aliyah is very excited to be getting a little brother and a new daddy. If she had her way Darrell would adopt her and be her "real" dad. She never mentions her biological father and when I bring it up wants nothing to do with him. She really adores Darrell and is THRILLED that we are getting married.
As far as "the big day" it really will be very small and intimate. We will probably just go to the court house and take Aliyah, Dee Jay (my son for those of you that don't know) and my mother if she wants to go. It was funny because last night he called her to ask permission to marry me. I think mama was rather surprised he called but Darrell told her that my father wasn't alive to ask so he felt he should ask her. Gee I love that man

Well I am struggling to stay on track. Have not done well with exercise. Food has been so so.....it's hard to eat when nothing has a taste. Today is the first day in well over a week that I have felt better. This was one nasty virus....I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Aliyah is feeling better and returned to school today.

Dano happy belated birthday babe Whats happeneing with you as of late? I don't see you much and I have to admit I am kinda missing you.

Waving to everyone.....don't have time to mention everyone by name but I you all

Dano..sorry about your hurt finger..and we'll do whatever it takes to help you get back on track. You've always been a great support to us all and we WILL be there for you too!

Melly..glad you and your daughter are feeling better

Gettenthere..looks like you're back at it!

that1redhead...almond cloud cake sounds good...coud you share the recipe?

I'm at home today with three very sick children and I've been up all night with my youngest..it's going to be a very loooooooong day for them

I'll be back later if they don't need me for a few minutes here and there.

to all!

[goalinsight]

Hello everyone - sending good wishes your way and prayers for the sickies and their mom too!
Did my excercises - 120 modified crunches - and off to pick up my mini van at the repair shop. The axle broke friday night in the midddle of the entrance ramp.
TTFN!

[that1redhead]

Here ya go Mandy

Almond Cloud Cake

8 egg whites (I use 12)
1 tsp. cream of tartar
¾ cup ground almonds
1 cup splenda

Combine egg & tartar & whip to very stiff peaks. Combine sweetener and almonds. Gently sprinkle ¼ of the almonds over egg whites and gently fold. Repeat until everything is combined. Pour into ungreased tube pan. Bake at 375° for 20-35 minutes. Cool.

[that1redhead]

I did not get a response to the body fat question last week. Maybe someone missed it so I will repeat it. I had my body fat taken with one of those caliper things that pinches your fat on your arm, belly, and leg. Would excess skin throw off the measurement? I had 33% body fat. Also, what should a 36 year old woman be aiming for for body fat?

Thanks that1redhead...I'll have to try that recipe...have you ever used the davinci's instead of granular splenda..I don't actually like using the granular..too many carbs for my liking Does it turn out a bit like an angelfood cake? I'm wondering (based on the ingredients) if you baked it differently (without the tube pan and in a very low oven for longer) if it would turn out more like a pavlova base. I just might have to experiment

I'm not sure about your other question but I would wonder the same. Maybe someone else knows.

[that1redhead]

Yes, it is like angel food only it isn't quite as fluffy. I think the oil in the almonds makes it fall a bit.

[HorseNutt]

Boy I need to catch up!!!!

RED!!
Dano!!

Getten!! Missed you!!! Glad your back with us. I am now working Fri-Sun 12hr shifts so I just work and sleep on those days and catch up on my posting when I can on Mondays.

Dano maybe that liquid band-aid would help your finger.

Melly everything sounds so nice for you. Congratulation's to you and Darrell. I wish the best for you both!! Where's the honeymoon?

Mandy so sweet of you to tell TT to hug me for you. I won't be seeing her on this trip though.

Hey Everyone else!!!
Jeanie

[goalinsight]

GUESS WHAT!!!
YES YES YES!!

I finally hit the fifty pound weight loss mark!



and just in time for my birthday...hehehehe



So am I the biggest loser in this challenge??

[sinny]

hi guys

Dano hope you didn't cut yourself too bad. Dano did you do your "e" today..............bad time to gewt back on track ,but you can do it

Gettenthere TY for the b'day wishes.

Melly come on girl ..You can do it. Just think of what a beatiful bride you will be. I am so hapy for you.


Mandy 3 sick little ones...... I cannot imagine. Seems like all the little guys are getting sick. Hope they get well soon

Sherry You go girl............. We are so proud of you.


today my food was good ..Went to curves and I am working on the water..........Down another 1 lb......... 35.1 lbs down.

I don't have time to post much as my kids are absolutely miserable with their respective colds and I need to start getting them all dosed up and into bed..it's going to be another very long night in this Mom's world After Anastasia and Joshua are in bed I'm hoping to get out for a very long walk..probably not the safest thing on a dark and very foggy night but I so need some fresh air!

SO..no one has set their goals..nor posted their menus ..including me..lets's get on it folks....I'll start

Monday: 2 mile walk
Tuesday: 5 km run (if I'm at work...not sure how the kids will be by morning)
Wednesday: 5 km run and an hour in the hot tub (OK,OK I know that's not exercise )
Thursday: 1 hour weight room
Friday: 5 km run

Each evening our weekly stuff, sticking to another week of induction, and water of at least 96 oz each day..and most importantly: NO SNACKING!

Oh..and one more point..I was suspicious of the carb count for the coconut in the recipe i posterd..it is in fact incorrect...1 cup weighs approx 3 oz so would equal 21 total carbs..not 12.2...may that was net?

Sherry!!!!! 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOHOOOOOO!

Sinny..awesome to you too!!!!!!!!!!!! WTG!

Gotta run..time to go be nurse Mom some more

Mandy

[Pizzamama]

Hi everyone! Just jumpin on quick to see what everyone is up to!

to all the sick kids and PLEASE don't send it to Ohio whatever it is

Dano - Happy Belated Bday! Somehow they just arent gettin any better huh

Hey HN welcome back to earth My son just worked three days straight 12 hours each - rude awakening I must say but now he's off Monday and Tuesday, works a 12 Wednesday, off Thursday, Fri, Sat and Sun then it repeats

CONGRATS SHERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE SUCH A LOOSER

Red I saw your question but I have no clue either but it would be interesting to know!

Hi to everyone else - heading to bed - it's been an extremely long day here tomorrow is my day to get prepared for Turkey Day and the kids' last day of school is tomorrow so I want to have the pre stuff done so I can enjoy time off with them on Wednesday......................

Mandy I've made a version of those nuts and they are UMMMMMMMM!

Food here good, water bad, and exercise is starting back up full swing in the morning PROMISE TO MYSELF!

I just got back from walking the dog and my neighbor (who is moving out to Ottawa later this week) stops me and says he's put a bunch of unopened things from their freezer into mine as they obviously won't be moving frozen goods 3000 miles (he knows my freezers are in the basement and that I don't lock it) So, I went to peek at what he might have put in there and OMG! both freezers are totally fulll! This would all be lovely except for the fact that I have half a pig arriving next week! I have NO idea where I'm going to fit everything! Butchered and wrapped I can hardly keep the pig as a pet! I need a bigger freezer!!! LOL

[Pizzamama]

~~~~~~~~HEAR YE, HEAR YE, COME ONE, COME ALL~~~~~~~~~~~

DINNER AT MANDYS FOR EVERYONE FOR THE REST OF THE WINTER!!!

[goalinsight]

OhhhhhMandy....want to hear my solution??
I bet you can guess it....
Got any canning jars? hehehehe

[that1redhead]

Pickled pigs feet for eveyone! Ewh, yuck.

I am up a few pounds - not sure why. I am going to really hit it hard after Thanksgiving. Not planning on cheating on Thanksgiving but I am planning on getting full. Ha.

My goals for the week are as follows:

Monday - grocery shopping (walking) & laundry (up and down the stairs 6 times)
Tuesday - clean house
Wednesday - cook for Thanksgiving and maybe do some shopping
Thursday - fat day
Friday - work on basement bathroom (many, many trips up the stairs)
Saturday - see Friday
Sunday - see Friday

Eating will be pretty clean.

Starting Monday I will try to get a more organized workout schedule. i.e., perhaps use my treadmill and exercise ball. LOL

Sorry Sinny, I missed your B-day

Sherry - AWESOME girlie. 50 lbs is a huge mark. Are you going to do anything special? I got a massage when I hit the 50 lb mark. Happy Birthday coming up too.

Wow look at all us Scorpios.