Made it through "Birthday Week"

September is a very busy month for me. Usually school is just starting so our schedules change and have to readjust and wake up early. I also have three birthdays in one week. There are four people in our house. So, everyone but me has a birthday.

For the actual birthdays we have cupcakes and than I have a birthday party in which I buy a cake. I am proud to announce I have not gained any weight. I am down five pounds this month. Despite all the cake and cupcakes. I had a great time and found this year to be a lot less stressful than last year. The beginning of October I will add all my measurements and let you all know exactly how much weight I lost.

Ready to start your own challenge? http://shakeitoffwithlani.bodybyvi.com

I am addicted to Pasta

I love pasta. It is one of my favorite foods. I try to be good and eat it only once a week my kids love it too. One of the ways I have modified is using Barilla Plus Pasta spaghetti noodles. Its full of protein and Omega-3's. If you have ever tried the "healthy" pasta's you know most don't taste good or even taste like yummy spaghetti. I do really recommend this one. Even my husband who hates diet food and complains the second he sees any healthy words on a box eats it.

Today I got an email with a healthy pasta dish. Thought I would share. When I get to make it I will use the Barilla Plus Pasta. I got this from Self magazine which sends me recipes every week. http://www.self.com/fooddiet/recipes/2013/09/sun-dried-tomato-broccoli-pasta

Sun-Dried Tomato and Broccoli Pasta

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon grain-style mustard
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided
• 8 oz whole-wheat bow-tie pasta
• 1/4 cup raw slivered almonds
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

• PREPARATION

  1. In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp oil, vinegar, syrup, mustard and 2 cloves garlic; set aside. Cook pasta as directed on package until al dente; drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. In a large skillet over medium heat, toast almonds, stirring, 3 minutes; set aside. In same skillet, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, 3 minutes. Add broccoli and remaining 3 cloves garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add tomatoes and vinegar glaze and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in pasta, salt, red pepper and cooking water as needed to reach desired thickness. Serve topped with Parmesan and almonds.

  THE SKINNY

  432 calories per serving, 19 g fat (3 g saturated), 54 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 13 g protein

  
  

  Since joining the Body By Vi Challenge I make an effort to eat healthier but I refuse to give up on the food I love I just either eat it less often, smaller portions, or try to find healthier ways to feed my pasta addiction. If you try this recipe let me know what you think. More recipes can find on the link above.

  
  

  Ready to join me on the Challenge and start your own transformation. Its as easy as 1, 2, 3. Pick a Goal, Pick a Kit, and Get Started. http://shakeitoffwithlani.myvi.net/thankyou.html

Workout Motivation

This whole week I have been trying to get back in the habit of waking up at 6 am to workout. My youngest is in summer school so the goal was to work out early than wake up the boys and get ready for my day. The only problem is, so far the entire week I have been around 4 am than falling back to sleep after 530. So when my alarm goes off at 6 I am not able to workout. I have been tired all week. So today after I get my son from school this afternoon I am determined to workout. I am just a few pounds shy of my next I Lost it Video and entering to win another $1000. The entry is good for 10 weeks and I want another shirt.
Today's motivation is Mondays winners

This second I Lost It video I make also puts me at my weight I was in when I got pregnant the fist time in Jan 2012. Wish me luck!

Want to join me on the 90 Day Challenge? Check out this video for more information   http://shakeitoffwithlani.myvi.net/thankyou.html