Shrinkin' Violets- Part 2 Read Here

[Daisalana 33]

And now for your daily tip(s).

That first peak is the best place to pause and look back, to see if you took the easiest route, to learn the lessons from the first climb. And it is the best place to examine the terrain ahead, to change your plans and goals, to take a deep breath and begin climbing again.

- By Michael Johnson

7 Tips to Improve your Metabolism!

1. Get regular exercise

While it seems like a simple solution, most people still don’t get enough exercise on a regular basis, and then wonder why they’re not burning any calories. Regular activity such as walking, biking, swimming, and hiking will help to speed up your metabolism and keep it at an elevated level even after you are done exercising. It’s easy to incorporate mini-workouts into your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or taking a walk instead of using the car. Cleaning the house and doing yard work will also help to increase your metabolic rate.

2. Get adequate sleep

Researchers have discovered that a lack of sleep negatively affects the way our bodies metabolize carbohydrates. This results in glucose intolerance and can possibly lead to a slower metabolism with increased hunger. A lack of sleep also affects our levels of energy throughout the day and can cause us to forgo exercising because we’re too tired.

3. Eat regular meals

Skipping meals is perhaps one of the most detrimental things a dieter can do to their body. Contrary to popular belief, skipping meals doesn’t merely save calories, it actually decreases metabolism causing you to burn calories at a much slower rate than normal. The body goes into a “starvation” mode to try to protect itself and compensate for the lack of calories and nutrition. The body then tries to hold onto its existing fat supply and will actually burn lean muscle instead.

4. Eat enough protein

Protein is essential for the body to build healthy, strong muscles. A good rule of thumb to follow is about one half gram of Protein per pound of body weight. Which means that a 180 pound man would need up to 90 grams of protein per day.

5. Get enough calcium

Research has shown that three to four servings on a daily basis of low-fat dairy products can help the body to burn fat at a faster rate. Calcium, of course, is also essential for healthy bones.

6. Drink green tea

Drinking green tea appears to slightly raise metabolic rates, and also speed up the oxidation of unhealthy fats. Green tea has other health benefits as it contains a significant amount of antioxidants to protect the body from diseases such as cancer and heart ailments.

7. Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption

Scientific studies have shown that after drinking alcohol, the body burns fat at a slower rate than usual. It is believed that alcohol may actually play a role in suppressing the body’s natural ability to burn fat

When Looking for the best results for speeding up metabolism, I also read that spicy foods up your metabolism for HOURS after eating it. So keep that in mind too!

[TracyinKS 7]

HOLY MOLY LAURA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is WONDERFUL! both the 240's AND the Project Runway app! COOL!

[mdrai 3]

Wow, Laura! A famous designer in our midst!! Definitely let us know when & where to watch & cheer you on!! Very cool!!

Congrats on the 240s, too!! You & are are running this race together!!!

Love your tips, too!!!

[mdrai 3]

That should say "...you & I are running this race together." duh.

[mdrai 3]

This is the trip list so far... have I missed anyone?? Just posting here so we don't miss anyone!! (Thanks, Terri!)

1. me

2. Jennifur

3. Terridoodle

4. Judy

5. Kat

6. Pam

7. TracyK

8. Laura

9. Jane

10. Haydee

[mdrai 3]

Jane... I feel your Ebay pain... I just finished packing up 12 packages to take over to the PO now! Phew!

[Daisalana 33]

Ya'll seriously, I have not been this excited since the day before my wedding LOL!

I'm trying to find out where it'll be televised, I sent the people an e-mail, waiting anxiously to find out.

My mom is excited, she said maybe real designers will see what we make and think we have good ideas, and hire us for designs etc. Could you imagine?

And let me tell you what she is doing, it cracks me up. Remember my rant about my mom always wore the sexy clothes, and growing up I could never get them in my size. It's been beyond wonderful that NOW I can finally shop in the same catalogues. I'm wearing the XL sweater from victoria's secret today, getting lots of compliments, and I LOVE it. It's a LITTLE too tight on the boobs, but if that's the only problem.. I can deal with it.

Anyway, so most her catalogues go to 16-18, and XL. So we've been browsing the same stuff.

Today she comes in with a new catalogue. It has such beautiful coats & sweaters, we were oogling them. Then I notice, the highest size they run to is 14 and L! HAH! So she just had to find a new place to shop that I couldn't shop at. That's my mom.

[Haydee 2]

Woo hoo Laura!! I completely missed you getting to the 240's. So sorry!! You are fast catching up to me and will pass me very soon!!! You're doing great, keep it up!

I can't believe the project runway news!! Can't wait to see some of your stuff. Keep us in the loop...

[Haydee 2]

sounds like my younger sister. she was supremely surprised when i put on her pants and not only did they fit but they were actually too big on me! so now when we go shopping together she only wants to go to the stores that carry stuff for "younger" girls that she knows i wont like. that way i wont try anything on...

[Haydee 2]

oh i need help. i dont even feel like thinking about dinner tonight. i've had chicken for the past week it seems like. i defrosted a big family pack of boneless chicken breasts that i had and i've been trying to use it up this week. this week i've made chicken mole, chicken flautas, chicken enchiladas, baked chicken, chicken tetrazini, stir fry chicken. can anyone share a good chicken breast recipe? i wanna just finish the last of it so it doesn't go bad...

[Haydee 2]

let me rephrase that. I doesn't "seem like" i've had chicken everynight for the past week, I "have" had chicken for 6 nights straight. i might start clucking! i've just got two chicken breasts left and i'm done with that gigantic pack. i usually buy the huge family pack and then vacuum seal two or three breasts in smaller bags. But a few months ago when i bought this one i remember coming home sick and Juan put up the groceries and he just stuck the whole thing in the freezer. so. I saw that huge pack last week and it was starting to get freezer burn and i hate the way food tastes after it's been in the freezer for ages so i decided we were going to eat chicken until we finished the whole darn thing.

[Daisalana 33]

I'll share my fav. chicken recipes. Since I have a hard time eating it (I don't like white meat), there are 2 recipes I like chicken in.

Chicken soup!

Add a little EVOO to the bottom of a big pot, sear both sides of the chicken (I use 1 breast per person, can use more), then add diced onions, some minced garlic or garlic salt, 2-3 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil, add salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and sage. (I use dried herbs, never fresh.) This is where you can add veggies, I opt not to.. but, you could add diced celery, carrots, peas, etc. Simmer for an hour. Remove chicken and either shred it or cube it, and put it back into the Soup, and ta-da!

Chicken casserole..

I microwave the chicken till cooked (1lb), shred it into a casserole dish. Mix 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of cream of celery soup (or mushroom), 4oz of sour cream, & 1/2 can (from the soup) with skim milk. Mix all together.. I also put a can of drained french cut green Beans in there too, so I don't have to make anything else with it. Cook for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

[Daisalana 33]

That reminds me, the leftover lamb I had from the other night (was a lot, at least 4lbs). I decided to make a stew with it. Couldn't find any yummy recipes, so I improvised.

Cubed it, cut off all the fat (lamb fat is nauseating some reason?!), added it to a big pot, added a diced onion. Cooked till everything was warmed up.. add 1c of chicken broth, 1c of beef broth.. some garlic salt, some more random herbs.. 2tbsp of red wine. Boiled for a while.. and then made parsley dumplings (bisquick dumplings with rosemary and parsley in them), dropped into it and voila. Ended up pretty damn good. Lots of leftovers tho, DH went to bed early and I only ate about 1/2c and 1 dumpling.

[mdrai 3]

My MIL e-mailed me this funny...

A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Honey, pack your bags. I won the lottery!" The husband said, "Oh my Goodness! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?'' "Doesn't matter," she said. "Just get the hell out."

tickled my funny bone for some reason...

[TracyinKS 7]

Haydee: LOL... cluck cluck... we will let chicken marinate in a bottle of italian dressing all day then then cook it on the george foreman grill, or outside grill....... or I dump it into a baking dish and put some bacon on it and bake it.

I just had chicken tortila Soup for lunch! (restraunt)