The most important thing…

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There’s still a giveaway for a bodywrap going on around here.  You can enter by leaving a comment on the previous post.

I sat in the community theater crying this afternoon, thankful it was dark. Thankful my children are safe, healthy, and home. It felt wrong to cry  over our last moments with Heidi’s beloved ballet studio, when so many people are truly suffering.   And yet, it is because of that suffering that my emotions are so raw and close to the surface.  In the wake of the news of the Colorado shooting, two church friends were diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, a Grocery Shrink reader lost her 2 year old nephew in a tragic drowning,  a local police officer was killed on his motorcycle while performing an ordinary traffic stop, 3 houses burned in the neighborhood nearby last night, a facebook friend’s father is lost in the woods and faces his second night alone while the search pauses for morning light.

All of these things remind me of how precious life is, how precious family moments are.  I’m supposed to be writing my menus right now for the GSPlus mailing tomorrow at noon, but I had to stop and remind myself and my dear readers of the most important thing.  I’m not talking about faith–of course that is at the top of the list. I’m talking about the most important FOOD thing.

It’s so important that I’m going to use big bold font, and leave lots of space around it, so it’s easy to find.

Eat Together As A Family

 

I don’t care if you eat macaroni and cheese out of box with hot dogs sliced in it. Just do it together, with the TV off, and reading material put away.  Look at each other, smile, talk to each other.

The only certain thing in this life is that it is temporary.  And if a loved one is called home early, it won’t matter how many organic foods he had or whether he stayed under budget.  Relationships matter–they leave the legacy.  It’s easy to build relationships bit by bit around the dinner table.  It just takes commitment–one meal at a time.  Now, go hug your kids and give your husband a big smooch.

Bodywrap Giveaway!

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The giveaway has ended. Thank you to everyone who participated.  Congratulations Megan, our winner!

You’ve seen the hype and may have wondered if it would work for you.  Here’s a chance to find out for free!  If you get the same results from the wraps that many customers have, you might consider making a business from it and helping others improve the appearance of their skin too.

Here are some more before and after pictures of real people using the wraps.

Check out the improvement in her stretch marks.

Amy has generously donated a wrap for one lucky reader who wins our giveaway! If you live near Kansas City, she will come and wrap you personally.  If not, she will ship it to you with ample instructions.

If you would like to become a distributor, it is only $99 through August 31. The kit comes with 4 wraps, which  sell for $30 a piece. Amy sold her 4 wraps her first week and made her money back from her kit very quickly.  The thing she loves is that It Works is a team environment, so they all help each other get to their goals! Their slogan is One Team, One Mission!

You can enter by leaving a comment on this post; friending Amy on Facebook (one entry) and sending her a facebook message with your info and/or sending an email to: amy dot teachingenglish at gmail dot com with your contact info.  She will never share your personal information and will only use the info to send you the information you want.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do Ultimate Body Applicators really work?

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You know the ones I’m talking about.  The body wraps that claim to tighten, tone and firm.  To reduce the appearance of cellulite.  Is it to good to be true?

I invited a local consultant, Amy Castillo, to my home to give it the test.  She brought one wrap, and I elected to use it on my stomach–my troublesome area after having 6 babies.  She spent some time with me ahead and explained that the wraps contain an herbal cream designed to reduce the fat cells.  She said I could see some results after 45 minutes, but I could reapply the wrap for up to 8 hours for maximum efficiency.   She said to make sure I drink a lot of water during the process as this would help expel toxins.  (I ended up drinking about 32 oz in 45 minutes.)

First we cleansed the skin with a witch hazel spray. This helps clean the skin and keeps the pores open so that nothing blocks the skin from absorbing the gel from the werap. Then she applied the wrap to my trouble spot and wrapped it securely with plastic wrap to help it stay in place.  While we waited for the 45 minute timer to ring, I nursed Grant to sleep, and drank water while we talked.  She mentioned that the wraps could be cut and used anywhere on the body. Popular places are things, arms, and special wraps are even used on the face.

It smelled minty and tingled like applying a muscle rub.  The wrap was very thin and had a plastic type back to keep the cream from coming through to the back side. It did not look smooth like the pictures, but did the job just the same.

I looked through the pamphlets she brought and saw some pretty dramatic before and after pictures.  Amy was up front with me and said those ladies used several wraps to achieve their results, each done 3 days apart and kept on for up to 8 hours.  A 4 wrap value pack is sold for $60 which is $15 per wrap.

I should reveal that my air conditioner was broken in my home during this time and it was pretty warm in there.  (Over 100 degrees outside for several days running.) The heat was helping me retain more water than usual.  I asked Amy if the wrap worked by getting rid of excess water in the fat cells.  She said, “No.”  But that the inches lost were from toxin removal.  My weight had been steady for over a week, despite my efforts at eating right and exercising.  The heat was kicking my tail!

After the 45 minutes, we took measurements and photos.  Then I reapplied the wrap for the rest of the afternoon.  I used a lycra maternity belly band from Target to hold it on the second time.  That was more comfortable for me than the plastic wrap.  After 5 more hours, I was ready to be done.  But it was REALLY hot in my house.

Amy had a fancy tape measure from the company that made sure you couldn’t measure incorrectly. The before and after 45 minute measurements were taken by her with the special tape measure. The after 1 day and after 3 day measurements were taken with my normal dressmaker’s tape.  I wish I had thought to follow her measurements with my own tape so I could have a comparison with the same tape for all. Also she made lines on my back with a sharpie so we would be sure to measure in the exact same spot each time.

So here are my personal results:

Upper Waist before:  32.25″ After 45 minutes: 32″ After 1 day: 32.5″ After 3 days: 32″  Total lost  1/4 inch

Naval Before: 35″ After 45 minutes 34.5 After 1 day: 35.25 After 3 days: 34.25  Total Lost: 3/4 inch

Mommy Tummy (below waist) before: 37.5 After 45 minutes: 37.5 After 1 day: 36.5 After 3 days: 36.5 Total Lost: 1 inch

Total overall losses:  2 inches.  Not too shabby.

And my pictures (before and after 45 minutes only):

 

My final thoughts:  The wrap smelled great, had healthful ingredients, and did remove 2 inches in 3 days.  My skin looked a tiny bit smoother, and I’m interested to see what a full 4 wrap program would do for my stretch marks.  Would I use these wraps alone as a weight loss regime?  No.  A healthy diet and exercise are important for building muscle and for continued health–but I would use them along side a good fitness program.  And to help the appearance of the skin. Amy noted the company does not promote only using the wraps for weight loss, etc. They state that maintaining a healthy lifestyle (ie. eating well, exercise, etc) is important or like any weight loss program, if you don’t make a lifestyle change, you won’t maintain any results. The wraps help give individuals a jump start or encouragement to continue to see results WHILE they continue on their way to a healthy way of life. The wraps helps to tighten, tone and firm areas that regular exercise may not (i.e. stretch marks, saggy/excess skin).

The company Amy represents also carries vitamins, powdered greens, face care products, defining gel and more.  She can ship products anywhere in the US and can help you earn money for your family by selling your own wrap products (and getting a nice discount in the process.)  She says:  “I am really looking for distributors in US, Australia, Canada, UK, N. Ireland, Sweden, Holland, Scotland and Wales (those are the countries we are currently in). Readers can buy one from me for $30 (if in KC area, I can wrap them personally)….if not, we can arrange payment (like by Paypal) and I can mail it and send them youtube videos and info on how to do it.

You can reach Amy at (816) 813-7022, her personal email at amy.teachingenglish@gmail.com or through her website:  http://amycastillo.myitworks.com

Meet Another Winner and Her Recipe–Beth Nepote

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I’d like to introduce you to Beth Nepote and her lovely family! Her winning recipe is Greek Tortellini and Spinach Pasta Salad.  But first, let’s get to know her a little better.

Q. Tell us about yourself.  What are your hobbies, interests?
 A. I love to cook, grow my own foods and read.


Q. Tell us about your family.  Who are you cooking for these days?
A. I cook for my husband and two daughters, 15 and 9.


Q. Does your family have any dietary restrictions or fitness goals that affect your meal planning?
A. I work to make our meals as healthy as possible but still palatable to my picky family. I also have several food allergies to work around.


Q. Are you a cook by the recipe kind of girl or just until it looks right?
A. I use recipes and tweak them based on our tastes.


Q. What is your favorite kind of food to cook?
A. I love making jams and preserves right now.


Q. What is a budget saving tip you use?
A. I grow my own veggies and herbs, and have some young fruit trees that will produce in the next year or so. I shop at Aldi and Wal-Mart for the rest of our food. We also have hens who should start laying soon.


Q. If cost was no option, which food would you buy more of?
A. My family would say steak!


Q. Tell us about the recipe and how you came to tweak it.
8. I was introduced to the dish as a side dish with several additional ingredients. I wanted to make it a light meal my family would eat. I added the grilled chicken and left out the hard-boiled eggs, onion and kalamata olives.


Greek Tortellini and Spinach Pasta Salad


Ingredients
20oz fresh cheese tortellini
1/2 c. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1 lb. baby spinach leaves
1 c. crumbled feta cheese (about 6 oz.)


Directions
1. Cook tortellini per package directions
2. Drain pasta
3. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, parsley, oregano and salt in a large bowl
4. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat
5. Cover and chill – 1 day is ideal, 2 hours is minimum
6. Mix in spinach and feta and serve immediately

Meet a Winner and Her Winning Recipe!

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Meet Nicole Cotts and her beautiful family. I could just eat them up!  But maybe instead I’ll fix some of her Mandarin Chicken Salad.  Before I reveal the recipe, I want you to get to know her better.


1.  Tell us about yourself.  What are your hobbies, interests?

I think the most important thing about me is I’m a sinner saved by grace.  Nothing beats that!  Next, I’m a wife of 13 years to my wonderful husband.  I’m a mom to three crazy boys, a lab puppy and a cat!  I work part time as an adoption caseworker, providing birth family counseling as well as doing home studies for adoptive families.  I’ve also just started selling Pampered Chef just for fun.  I love to bake, read, write and scrapbook but rarely have time for any of them!

2.  Tell us about your family.  Who are you cooking for these days?

I cook for myself and my husband as well as my three boys ages 9, 7 and almost 2.  I also make all of my puppy’s food as if I don’t have enough to do!

3.  Does your family have any dietary restrictions or fitness goals that affect your meal planning?

I’m a Fit Yummy Mummy so I definitely have to take that into consideration when planning meals and cooking.  I find it’s not that difficult to combine the two, but I do tend to spend more money than I would if I wasn’t trying to eat so much fresh produce.

4.  Are you a cook by the recipe kind of girl or just until it looks right?

I like to have a recipe to help me figure out proportions and give me an idea where to start, but I’m definitely an “until it looks right” kind of cook.  I often leave things out or use what I have on hand when I cook.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t!  I’m not a very creative cook, I’m always looking for recipes on the internet and such that will give me an idea to start with.

5.  What is your favorite kind of food to cook?

I definitely enjoy baking, I love to make desserts!  Definitely my downfall 🙂

6.  What is a budget saving tip you use?

I like to use fresh produce early in the week and canned or frozen later in the week so there’s no waste in produce.  My husband always takes leftovers for lunch which saves a ton and I always freeze leftover breakfast items (pancakes, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, etc.) for him and the kids to grab and go in the mornings.  Then I don’t have to get up to cook for them and he doesn’t eat cereal!  My kids don’t like to wait for me to make them breakfast and I can workout in the morning before my breakfast.  I also like using coupons for things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, etc.  I haven’t paid a cent for these things in years!  Then I can use our grocery budget on healthy foods.

7.  If cost was no option, which food would you buy more of?

Nuts.  I love pistachios, pine nuts, almonds, pecans.  You name it!  I’d probably buy all organic chicken, too, but it’s just too expensive for all of us!

8.  Tell us about the recipe and how you came to tweak it.

My aunt sent me this recipe years ago when she worked at a cute little shop/lunch spot.  This was just when fruit in salad started to become really popular (at least in my little world!).  When I first started making it, I think I left the chicken in the pot too long and it always turned out dry.  I now add 2 cans of mandarin orange juice and cook it for less time.  This makes it juicy and so yummy.  Just recently I heard you can put the cooked chicken breasts in the kitchen aid mixer and it shreds it perfectly!  Honestly, the crunchy salad topping makes this salad.  I’m often out of sunflower seeds and make it with just the ramen noodles and almonds or whatever nuts I have on hand.  It’s still really yummy.  My kids love to put their salads together by themselves and they love the addition of the chow mien noodles on top.  I love that we can eat this salad all year long because it uses canned mandarin oranges, but in the summer I often add fresh strawberries to make it extra tasty!  Something else I do that makes this salad seem a little more like a restaurant salad is chop the salad in small strips.  It’s easier to eat looks prettier, too.  I hope you all enjoy it!


Mandarin Chicken Salad  My kids love this!

Salad Topping

3 oz. sliced almonds
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
2-3 oz. ramen noodles, crunched well
2 T. sugar
1/3 c. butter

Melt butter on medium heat.  Add sugar and all other ingredients.  Stir constantly until lightly brown.

Poppy Seed Dressing

3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
2 T. poppy seeds
1/2 medium white chopped  onion
3/4 c. oil
1/3 c. vinegar

Mix in blender.  Shake before serving.

Chicken

Put 2 lbs. frozen chicken into a kettle with juice from 1 can mandarin oranges.  Simmer until juice is gone (about 1/2 hour)  Cool and break into small pieces.

To put salad together:

Lettuce, crunchy salad topping, chow mien noodles, mandarin oranges, and chicken on top.  Serve with poppy seed dressing.

Time for a Recipe! Italian Stir Fry

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We finally have an offer on our house!  It’s a terrible offer, insulting really.  But we took it.  We aren’t scheduled to close until August 29th–and a lot can happen between now and then.  If everything goes smoothly, it will be a relief to only own 1 home.

This recipe serves 1, but can easily be multiplied for  a family.  This is a typical lunch or dinner for me on the Fit Yummy Mummy program.

You can vary the vegetables to suit your taste.  I just grabbed what was on hand.

1/4 onion, sliced

4 oz Italian spiced ground turkey (I buy this from Aldi, and sometimes spice my own ground turkey with basil, rosemary and garlic salt, with a pinch of cayenne.)

3 baby bell peppers, sliced

1/2 cup summer squash, sliced and quartered

1 cup fresh or frozen green beans

1 cup spinach

Saute onion and ground turkey together until turkey is almost cooked through.  Add additional vegetables and saute until crisp tender.  Season with garlic salt.  You can also stir in 1/2 cup of marinara sauce at the end.  This is very filling, but very low in calories. 1 protein serving and 4 veggie servings!

Summer Recipe Contest Winners!

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Choosing winners was hard!  There were hundreds of recipes to sort through and  all of them looked delicious.

Before I tell you who our top 3 winners are–I want to thank my readers that have already sponsored Heidi or I on our 5K run to benefit the pro-life cause.  Your generosity has catapulted us to first place in fund raising! My free gift offer is still there until July 15th–you can get the details in the previous post. If you would like to donate for the gift, consider going to Heidi’s page. She gets so excited when she gets a sponsor and it just makes my day to see her so happy.

Now back to business.  Drum Roll Please…..

First place is Beth Nepote with her recipe for Greek Tortellini and Spinach Pasta Salad

Second place is Nicole Cotts with Mandarin Chicken Salad

Third Place is Mary Frank with Peppers and Spirals Salad

I will contact the winners tomorrow and reveal the recipes in their individual blog posts where we can get to know the author better.  Everyone who submitted a recipe is a winner in my book and will receive a copy of the ebook “Grocery Shrink Reader’s Summer Favorites.” With their recipe inside! The ebook is almost finished–somehow the Dessert portion of the book was erased…so I’ll be redoing that tomorrow.