On Winter Break

(photo via Inside My Head.Tumblr. editing by Me!)

Due to the Holidays (both Christmas & New Year's), several things I'm having to take care of with my wreck case (learn more about my car wreck in 2010 on Blue Eyed Beauty Blog: The Car Wreck page), and planning a wedding I'm a bit stressed and not keeping up with things well. Hopefully this short break will give me the chance to prewrite posts and resume regular posting on January 2nd.

Please feel free to continue to submit Tidbits, submitting Recipes, & if you're interested in having your blog featured please comment there as well! I will be getting in touch with you as you write me and we'll figure things out from there!

I will still be checking email and monitoring comments so don't hesitate to comment on any posts! :)

Happy Winter everyone and Merry Christmas!

Tidbits on Friday #3

Welcome to week #3 of Tidbits! Be sure to submit your tidbits so they can be featured next week, or the week after...when ever you can submit them! :)

I want your Tidbits too!! Anyone can submit a post so just click this link and read details and then submit something that you think other readers who are apart of Exercise Encouragement Group Community would like to know about as well.

Tidbit #1. DIY Water Cup @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog.

Last week I got my hostpital water jug which I saved from being gotten rid of and cleaned it up so it'd be something I'd actually want to use...the tutorial is on my main blog, but I wanted to share it here since I am using it for the purpose of drinking more water!

Tidbit #2. The Wooden Roller Coaster.

Thank you to Cindy @ The Wooden Roller Coaster for linking up on the {Link Up} page! So gald to have you as part of this community!!!

Tidbit #3. Fit In My Red Soles Shoes.

Thank you to Kathia @ Fit In My Red Sole Shoes for linking up on the {Link Up} page as well!! :) Welcome to the community of exercise/fitness/health!

Tidbit #4. That Friday Blog Hop.

I've been linking up each week with That Friday Blog Hop @ Let Them Eat Cake for a very long time now with my regular blog: Blue Eyed Beauty Blog. Now it's time to start sharing EEG with the hop friends as well!

Motivation Monday: Don't Ever Stop!

(photo via Pinterest)

 

I just love this! I hope that I never stop taking chances. I know there are some chances I can't take, but there will always be the opportunity to take a chance and there are some worth taking!

25 Day Challenge | Days 3-9

 

My goals for this month are:

 

#1 Drink 80 ounces of water a day.
#2 Do my arm workout 3 times each week.
#3 Get in bed by 11:30 p.m.
 

Here's How I Did Each Day This Past Week

 

December 3rd {Monday}: In bed by 12 pm. 30 oz. of water. No weights.

 

December 4th {Tuesday}: 30 oz. water. In bed by 1 am.

 

December 5th {Wednesday}: 30 oz. water. In bed by 12:30 am.

 

December 6th {Thursday}: 30 oz. water. In bed by 12:30 am.

 

December 7th {Friday}: 40 oz. water. No weights as planned, In bed by 1 am. I stopped taking one of my medications today so this may effect the rest of my week's goals.

 

December 8th {Saturday}: 50 oz. water. In bed by 2 am. I had a lot of trouble falling asleep so I just sat up on my laptop for a few hours and did some things while I waited on my body to settle down enough to sleep. This was mostly due to my body missing the medication I stopped taking.

 

December 9th {Sunday}: 40 oz. water. In bed by 1 am.

 

What I Plan To Do This Week

Really focus on doing my arm workouts. I have yet to do them this month! I did try getting up earlier the first part of last week, but it had no effect on my falling asleep that night even though I didn't take a nap or rest any of the days. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do about my not being sleepy.

 

Related Posts: 25 Day Challenge w/From Thick To Thin, 25 Day Challenge: Days 1-2, @From Thick To Thin: Goals For 25 Day Challenge & Update. 

Tidbits on Friday #2

Yay for making it two weeks in a row for Tidbits!! This is a HUGE accomplishment for me since I have 6 daily posts which run on my main blog and then the three which I like to run over here (and do a terrible, awful job at, sorry!).

I want your Tidbits too!! Anyone can submit a post so just click this link and read details and then submit something that you think other readers who are apart of Exercise Encouragement Group Community would like to know about as well.

Tidbit #1 Visit Fit In My Red Soul Shoes!!

This Tidbit was submitted by Kathia, the blogger behind Fit In My Red Soles Shoes. Kathia's blog is about the balance of healthy food, sharing her love for shoes, purses, clothes, fitness, and maintaining a healthy social life.

Recipe Wednesday: Western Chili Mac

So many times we have no problem coming up with healthy breakfasts or snacks, but dinners...a whole different answer! Well, today I want to share with you this recipe from my blog which is actually quite healthy and has great flavor!

If you are interested in submitting a recipe please view this post!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's recipe comes from Blue Eyed Beauty Blog (my main blog, in case you didn't already know!). I wanted to share this recipe with you because I know that for me finding healthy options for breakfast or snacks is never hard, but finding a filling dinner is usually a difficult task.

View the Western Chili Mac Recipe @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog!

This recipe makes 12-15 servings.

Ingredients
1 large onion

1 lb. ground beef
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
2 cans (15 oz.) Tomato sauce

1 can (12 oz.) Tomato paste
2 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 lb. elbow macaroni noodles

Directions
1. Chop up the onion and put it in a large skillet. Add in the raw beef. Cook on medium heat until the beef is browned.

2. In a saparate pot, bring water to boil to cook the noodles.

3. Add in the chili powder, garlic powder, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to the browned meat.

4. Cook the noodles in boiling water.

5. Turn the meat and sauce mix down to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

6. Pour the cooked noodles into the sauce mix. Add the diced tomatoes and stir well. Serve warm.

To: Fit In My Red Soles Shoes

I was just getting to the comments moderation for EEG and my mouse locked up on my laptop...when it came back around I accidently deleted the comment you were so kind as to leave me! Unfortunately I am unable to contact you any other way right now, so if you read this I do hope you will comment again and let me know what the tidbit was you would like me to look at and possibly share! Thank you so much!

Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
Exercise Encouragement Group Blog

Sumbit A Recipe

I'm so glad you're visiting this post! I hope this means you are interested in submitting a recipe for me to share with the readers of Exercise Encouragement Group Blog! If so continue reading for directions!

To submit a recipe you've already published on your blog:

Just leave me a comment below with the link to the direct post. If you would like me to contact you via email when I have the post ready and scheduled to go out please say so in the comment! Also, you may (or may not) need to leave me an email address to contact you at. If you're not sure, go here to see if you're a No Reply Blogger!

To submit a recipe that's not already online:

If you've tried a recipe from your own cookbooks at home or you'd like to submit a family recipe that is just as good too! Feel free to leave me a comment with the type of recipe you have that you'd like to share and a way to get in contact with you (aka your email address!). I will email you as soon as I can to have you send me the recipe and a photo of how it turned out so I can share it with others. When I have the post scheduled to publish I will let you know when it will come out!

RULES
1. Please do not submit recipes that are not your own or aren't of your own creation! Thank you!!
2. Please include a way to contact you (an email address) so that I can email you if I have questions concerning your recipe and so I can let you know when it will be scheduled to be published.
3. Please include a photo. If you don't have one on the original post that is okay, I will email you and then you can email me the photo for the post on EEG. Otherwise I will not be able to post the recipe, sorry!

I will include all recipes on a new page so that they can be easily seen and scanned through. I will also include a link directly to the blog where the recipe came from (where this applies of course) so that others can find you!

Thank you all for submitting a recipe! I can't wait to see what all comes of this new feature to EEG and I can't wait to see what all you have to share with the group!!

This Post Was Shared!

• Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays

25 Day Challenge: Days 1-2

As I wrote about last Tuesday, I am doing a 25 day Challenge with From Thick To Thin. Here are my three goals for this challenge:

#1 Drink 80 ounces of water a day.
#2 Do my arm workout 3 times each week.
#3 Get in bed by 11:30 p.m.

Here's how I did:

December 1st: 30 oz. of water, didn't do arm workout, was in bed by 1 am instead of 3 am.

December 2nd: 30 oz. of water, didn't do arm workout, was in bed by 1 am instead of 3 am.

What I Plan To Do This Week
In order to improve this week I plan to fix a specific cup to drink out of each day so that I can get in all my water (hopefully). I also plan to do my arm workout on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. As far as getting in bed: I know this is going to be a real challenge for me as I have already seen in just the past seven days (I've been aiming for an earlier bed time since last week). I will continue to do my best and work with the struggle of not falling asleep quickly, and my brain wanting to keep running at 12 or 1 am. In order to do this I've decided to try and get up earlier. This will be anywhere between 7:30-9 am in the morning.

Related Posts: 25 Day Challenge w/From Thick To Thin, 25 Day Challenge: Days 1-2, @From Thick To Thin: Goals For 25 Day Challenge & Update.

Honest Moments | The Truth About My Scale

(photo via Eat, Drink, and Be Aware)

I just love this photo!! So many people depend too much on what this number tells them when really being healthy has very little to do with a number on the scale. For me personally I used to weigh myself every single week...actually more like three or four times a week. I was beginning to get depressed because I could see that there really was no difference in the numbers and in fact sometimes it even looked like I had gained a pound. I became so depressed with my weight, even though it really wasn't so bad (only 170 at that time) that I had to force myself to stop weight constantly and only weight once a month. Now I weigh on the first day or once during the first week of the month and THAT IS IT! Don't become so obsessed with the number on the scale that you are unhappy...you really are worth more than that!!!

Tidbits on Friday #1

Welcome to the very first Tidbits on Friday post! My goal with these posts is to open the post and have it in draft and then add bits to it throughout the week, publish it on Friday and then immediately start a new post so that I *should* have lots of tidbits to share with everyone!

Of course I want reader input and tidbits too...as you may have seen in this post! Anyone can submit a post so just click on that link and read details and then submit something that you think other readers who are apart of Exercise Encouragement Group would like to know about as well. I want this to feel more like a community and I think Tidbits on Friday is one way that can draw us together.

Tidbit #1 Now Linking Up With GFC Blog Hop!

This is a lovely blog hop I've joined with my personal blog and am now linking up with EEG! I hope that EEG will gain as much exposure as my own blog has through this awesome blog hop which is open each Monday so you should stop by and join in the fun and hop around yourself!

Tidbit #2 Now Linking Up With Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays!

Not only does Danielle's link up offer great Gluten Free recipes and frugal tips, but this is also a link up for people who are striving for a healthier lifestyle and that's what I'm all about! I've been linking up with her since the third week and now on week #7 EEG has joined in the link party!!

Recipe Wednesday: Frozen Yogurt Bites

To kick start this Wednesday recipe series I've decided to start with recipes from my own blog since that is what I have at this time. Of course if you have a recipe that you wouldn't mind sharing with others in the group feel free to comment below and leave me a link! I will work on a 'submit a recipe' tab much like the 'get featured' and 'submit a tidbit' tabs I already have. Basically what I will do is add the photo (which I hope you will already have for me!) and then the recipe ingredients & directions as you have them on your post. I will also write in the beginning who submitted the recipe or where it came from so that everyone who reads it will find the original creator and have the opportunity to visit your blog(s)!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, on to today's recipe, which is obviously from Blue Eyed Beauty Blog (my other blog, in case you didn't already know). This is one of my favorite snacks on earth. I could sit and eat these all the time and they only take a few minutes to fix and then a few hours to freeze so they're totally worth it! Especially if you're like me and you love ice cream, but are trying to be healthy...this is a great choice for you!

View the Frozen Yogurt Bites Recipe @ Blue Eyed Beauty Blog!

Ingredients
4 6 oz. containers of yogurt (any flavor)

Directions
1. Use a cookie sheet and cover it with wax paper. Once you measure and cut the wax paper flip it over so the rolling edges are held out by the edge of the pan.
2. Stir the yogurt before you use it to make the bites. Take a small spoon or teaspoon and fill it with yogurt. Let it drop off the spoon onto the wax paper. Continue until the pan is full or the yogurt cup is empty and go on to the next cup until they are all done. MAKE SURE to keep each drop separate from the others around it!! I can usually get 48 drops on one cookie sheet.
3. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until they aren't soft to the touch.
4. Pull the wax paper up off the pan and pop each bite of yogurt off the paper. Put in a bowl to eat right away or in a zip lock bag to store in the freezer immediately. Make sure not to keep them out of the freezer for more than a few minutes when you transfer them off the pan because they will start to melt quite fast

Notes
~You can also use Dannon Vanilla yogurt which is what I used for the bites in the photograph for this post. Those are my absolute favorite and that is the best yogurt for you that you can buy from WalMart, or so I've been able to find out thus far.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

That's all! I hope you all will give this 'recipe' if you could call it that, a try! And if you've written a healthy recipe yourself send it to me so that I can see if it's something I can share here on Exercise Encouragement Group!!!

25 Day Challenge w/From Thick To Thin

Ladies and Gents I have exciting news! My blogger friends Erica & Allison over at From Thick To Thin are hosting a 25 Day Challenge which will start on December 1st and end on Christmas Day! Basically the challenge consists of YOU creating a REASONBLE list of things to do during that time to IMPROVE your health and/or fitness.

Here are my goals for the 25 Day Challenge this December:

~Drink 80 ounces of water. This is half my body weight (160 lbs.) in water which is how much each person should drink each day in order to be healthy.
~Do my arm workout 3 times a week. For two months in a row (August & September) I did really well with this, and since I have done horrible. I need to get back into the routine.
~Get in bed by 11:30 p.m. No lights on, no laptop, in bed to sleep. I need to start getting in bed earlier period, but this will be a huge jump for me. Lately 3 a.m. is when I'm shutting down and that's starting to not work so I need to get back to a decent bedtime.

These are my three goals for December. What goals do you have?

Be sure to stop by From Thick To Thin: 25 Day Challenge and follow along & link up so that we all know who's doing this challenge!!!

Related Posts: 25 Day Challenge w/From Thick To Thin, 25 Day Challenge: Days 1-2.

This Post Was Shared!

• Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays #7

Lazy Girl Fitness Junkie

(photo via Violet Sage)

Are you a lazy girl fitness junkie? If so then you totally need to check out this post written by Violet Sage. I just love the idea of doing simple exercises while you are doing regular things such as brushing your teeth! There are a whole bunch more ideas you can scroll through here to get your brain moving and possibly come up with some of your own ways to get yourself more active in your day to day life!

Sumbit A Tidbit of Information!

No matter how big or small if you have something you would like to share with the rest of the group this is the place to leave me a note so that I can be sure it is included in the next issue of Randomness! (Which will be posted each Friday, just so you know!)

Things I'm Looking For
~New blogs to feature, if you are submitting your own then check out this post instead!
~Healthy recipes to share with the group!
~Websites which have helped encourage you in your progress.
~Anything related to fitness
~Submit links to your latest posts/updates on your own personal progress for others to read and be encouraged!
~Anything related to living a healthier lifestyle

Thank you for taking the time to submit a tidbit!

Schedule for the Remainder of November

I have decided to take a new approach for this blog since there are a lot more things I can be covering besides just the fun photos...I will still plan to write and publish a post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but instead of having a Challenge and follow up Motivation posts I am going to do themed days instead.

Monday
Photo Inspirations. Photo's I usually find via Pinterest which have great sayings on them for motivation. I'll be posting one of these a week!

Tuesday
Fitness/Exercise Tips & Tricks. I have like 200 pins on Pinterest of all sorts of ideas for tightening and toning areas of the body...of course some of them I won't be able to share since the links are invalid, but I will start going through those and getting them posted up here until I run out of those to share with you all!

Wednesday
Healthy Recipes. I'll share my own healthy recipes, healthy recipes from the blogs I've featured, and then I'll also share recipes which I've found via Pinterest!

Friday
Randomness. Tidbits of information that you might like to know about, things you submit (I'll be adding a place for you to submit info so if you come across something that goes along with the focus of this group submit it along with your name/blog name and I'll give you the credit!).

Featured Blog | Get a Taste of Nutrition

Hello dear readers! I am very excited to share with you this wonderful blog today! I ran across it a few weeks ago and am just now getting around to writing up a feature post...I've been quite busy, but this is a must view for anyone who is interested in the healthy eating and fitness department!!! Please take a few moments to visit: Get a Taste of Nutrition!

 

(click photo to view blog!)

 

I had the wonderful opportunity of email back and forth quite a bit with the lovely Brish, author & director of Get a Taste of Nutrition. Here is a little bit about her which she has allowed me to pass along with you: Brish is 19 years old. She was born and raised in London, UK. Her parents are form a gorgeous island called Mauritius. "I am incredibly passionate about health and nutrition and take the welfare of others to be my sole priority. I believe food is medicine."

 

Recipes

1. Easy Peanut Butter Cookies.

2. Chicken Teriyaki.

3. Pumpkin Pancakes.

 

Other Posts of Interest:

1. Fitness.

2. Food Intolerance.

3. Healthy Skin.

 

Be sure to stop by Get a Taste of Nutrition and leave Brish a comment! There are several ways to follow along with her blog and it is for sure one with following!

Challenge | Make A New Ending!

I saw this on Pinterest last week and knew it was something I had to share with you readers. I know that not everyone has this hard of a path to follow, but you all DO have a challenge and you have realized that you don't like where you're headed and want to make yourselves a new ending! I'm here to encourage you to keep working towards your goals because I know you can do it!

Motivation | Love Yourself

(photo via Nothing Is Impossible on Tumblr)

It's not about being skinny. It's not even about losing weight. It's about learning to take care of your body and learning what is right for you. Love your body!

Motivation | Don't Quit

(photo via Pinterest)

No matter how hard it is to workout, or how busy your life gets don't ever quit! The day you quit on yourself is the day you give up. This week's challenge is to lose one pound at a time, or one pound a week. Don't give up, don't quit!

Challenge | One Pound At A Time

(photo via Pinterest)

Sometimes we set too big of a goal for ourselves and get discouraged easily... one easy way to fix this problem is to focus on losing one pound at a time! I know it seems like a small goal, but once you add all those 1 pounds together they can add up to quite a bit! What is the amount you want to lose? Start by aiming to lose one pound a week. Not only is this reasonable, but it's doable as well!

Motivation | Not Easy, But Worth It!

(photo via Visualize US)

Sometimes you will find it very hard to get up and go workout, but those are the days you need to make yourself do it. You need to stick with it! It will not be easy to get going when you don't feel good, or when you've had a long day, or when you're still half asleep, or when your children are fussy, but it is worth it to take some time out for you!

Motivation | Make Normal It Like Showering & Brushing Your Teeth

(photo via Pinterest)

This week's challenge is to make exercise and a healthy eating part of your daily life. Not just something you do for a while and then stop. I love the example written in this photo above! How often do you think about taking a shower (or brushing your teeth) and just HATE to do it? I'm sure that for many of us it's not something we hate. I know I don't LIKE to take a shower, but it is NECESSARY for me as it should be for every human. It is a part of our lives no matter how much we love or hate it. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle need to be the same!

Challenge | Make It A Lifestyle

(found via Pinterest)

This week's challenge is to make your workouts and eating habits part of your daily life. Many times people set a diet or exercise plan which only lasts for a certain amount of time, and then once they've lost the weight they wanted they no longer continue the diet/exercise. What they don't realize is that if you don't make the change in your WHOLE life for the REST of your life, you will not be able to keep the weight off. I challenge you to make living a healthy life PART of your life from now on. Don't diet, don't do short term plans...make it long term and make those results last!

Motivation | Drink Less Soda

(photo via Pinterest)

I just love this photo. It has a great point! Many people do not consider how much sugar is in the soda's that they drink each day or multiple times a day. Your body doesn't need all of that extra sugar! In fact, eating so much sugar can cause a lot of health problems. How often are you drinking soda throughout the week? Can you limit how often you have a soda? Can you live without drinking soda at all? Or what about just having it on special occasions?

Motivation | The Healthy Cycle

(photo via Pinterest)

Each thing you do towards living a healthier life style helps keeps the cycle going. Eat healthy (this week's challenge!), drink plenty of water (1/2 your body weight in ounces!), Exercise regularly (30 minutes a day!), Minimize toxins, reduce stress....and it continues. As you work on one thing and take the next step you are putting yourself into a cycle of healthy living habits.

Challenge | Eat Healthier

(photo via Pinterest)

What are you C, R, A, P foods? Here are mine:

C = sprite
R = cookies
A = I don't really eat these...
P = chips & junk snack foods

Eat more F, O, O, D... Here are my favorites:

F = Bananas, Apples, Grapes & Cucumbers, Lettuce, Spinach
O = protein: dry beans such as Lentils & Kidney Beans
O = Tuna, Salmon
D = Drink half your body weight in ounces! For me that would be 80 oz. of water a day!

This weeks challenge: make your own list of CRAP and FOOD. Here is a link for foods high in Protein, and a link for foods with Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Eat healthier this week!

Motivation | Improve The Tomorrows

(photo via Pinterest)

As we wrap up this week of eliminating excuses remember that what you choose today can improve what will happen tomorrow, but if you don't make a positive effort then you will have a negative outcome. Keep working hard on eliminating those excuses!

Motivation | Don't Be Lazy!

(photo via Tumblr)

This week's challenge is to eliminate excuses! How are you doing with eliminating your three excuses? Be strong! You can't break habits in one day or even one week! It takes time to unlearn those things.

Challenge | No Excuses

(photo via 100 Days of Encouragement)

This week's challenge is to eliminate excuses for why you aren't working out. Just pick three reasons why you aren't currently working out (or why you keep putting it off) and get rid of them! Do whatever you have to so that you can get more active! If that means not turning on your phone until you've worked out then DO IT! If that means no internet until you've worked out then DO IT!

Name your three excuses, make a plan to eliminate them, take action to be more active!

Motivation | You Can Do It!!!

(photo via Joe Martin Fitness)

This photo says more than the words I could ever say. YOU CAN DO IT! Don't doubt yourself, don't put it off, just do it! :)

Motivation | Don't Wait on the Weather!

(photo via Money Ssaving Mom)

In line with the challenge from Monday (make a 45 minute playlist and take a walk), I wanted to share this post: don't wait on the weather!!! If you base your workouts on what the weather is like then you may never actually get out there and do it! If it's colder grab a sweater and some ear warmers and head out! Don't wait for a better day or it may never come!

Challenge | The 45 Minute Workout Playlist

(photo via Tumblr)

This week I challenge all of you readers to make yourselves a workout playlist. It doesn't have to be 45 minutes long, but that is a good amount of time to set aside each day for working out! Make this playlist up and put it on your MP3 player, etc. Go for a walk around your neighborhood and don't stop till the list is through!

To mix it up, put the playlist on shuffle so you don't hear the same order of songs each time!

Featured Blog | From Thick to Thin

Hello readers! I am so excited to share with you a new blog which focuses on anything and everything to do with fitness: From Thick to Thin!


Erica. (click photo to view blog!)

Allison (click photo to view blog!)

Two women put this blog together Erica Bodker and Allison Legnon. They are both moms who are focused on fitness. Erica has written many updates on this blog, including her latest showing her body transformation which is absolutely amazing! She has definitely been working hard!

Here are a few recipes shared on From Thick To Thin:
1. Green Beans without Bacon.
2. Lemon Peppercorn & Garlic Tilapia
3. Other fun food!

Other Posts of Interest:
1. Running Tips

Be sure to stop by this wonderful blog and leave an encouraging comment! There are lots of ways to follow along with From Thick To Thin so be sure to check those out as well!

Motivation: Don't Stop Til You're Done

(photo via Team Sparkle)

I wonder how many times I've stopped in the middle of a workout because I was "too tired" to keep going. I'm sure it's happened more times than I'd like to admit. However, I have sense learned that sometimes, even though it's extremely hard, it is better to keep moving until you've completed the whole work out. If you do this you will build more strength and endurance and...if you keep up with it...you will get stronger!

The Search For Perfection

(photo via Pinterest)

I honestly don't know very many people who are "happy" with the way they look. And generally speaking it is because they think that they're too fat. It wasn't very long ago that having a little "fluff" on your body was actually a beautiful thing. This is just a reminder that you don't want to go too far in your search for the perfect body weight. Not everyone is meant to be small, and not everyone is meant to be curvy. Each body is different! Remember that when you look at yourself in the mirror today.

(photo via Pinterest)

This is Marilyn Monroe. She's been considered the most beautiful woman in the world. She's gorgeous, and beautiful, right? But look at her stomach. Is it completely flat? Does she not have love handles, of course! But does she have perfect long skinny legs? No. She doesn't. Her pants size was a 9! She wasn't 00 or 1. She had CURVES. We all worry about our pants size, and our weight when, in reality, who cares? Why not live our lives and be happy instead of counting calories in our head? Love yourself, because if you can't love yourself, you can't love anybody, or anything else. Be free, be happy, and be healthy!

Featured Blog | Sweeping Mama

I am SO very excited that I have a second blog of the Blogger Feature Opportunity to share with all of you lovely readers! Today that blog is Sweeping Mama! (Now known as: Cupcakes & Carrots!)

Hilary is the author of this awesome blog which is about her life as a stay at home mom and her journey to lose 150 pounds. Here is a little piece quoted from her 'about' page: "I've struggled with my weight my whole life. I was a fat kid and now I'm a fat adult. But I feel the need to change that. I want to be around as long as possible for my children and I want them to grow up loving exercise and healthy food. I want to be able to keep up with them and be the best mom I can be."

Three of Hilary's favorite healthy recipes are:
1. Baked "Fried" Chicken. The recipe can be found at Spark Recipes and has great reviews!
2. Easy Baked Haddock. This recipe can be found at Spark Recipes and has great reviews as well!
3. Parmesan Fries. This recipe can be found at Spark Recipes and I can't wait to try it myself!

Some Health Related Posts From Hilary's Blog
1. Beginning of my 30lb. Weight Loss Goal.
2. Weight Loss Challenge: Made It Through My First Week.

Make sure to leave a comment when you stop by this awesome blog so she knows you stopped by! And if you love her blog be sure to join via Google Friend Connect and follow via Email, Bloglovin', and Facebook!

NOTE: Sweeping Mama has since been changed to Cupcakes & Carrots! Be sure to find Hillary over there now!

New Blog Schedule for October!

Well, in my attempt to have a more scheduled life (and so I will have less excuses for not posting on this blog) I have made myself a schedule of things I need to do for all of my blogs. My plan for Exercise Encouragement Group for the month of October is to write a post three days a week. These days will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! I do hope this will help me keep EEG more updated and fun! This will go into effect tomorrow...the first day of October!

Featured Blog | Calm.Healthy.Sexy

I am very excited to share the very first blog of the Feature Oportunity with you readers!

I myself have been following this blog for awhile now and really do appreciate the effort that Gaye puts into her blog posts! They are both inspirational and practical. I hope that you will take the time to stop by her blog and at least sign up for email updates so that you can see on a regular basis what I am talking about!

Healthy Food Posts
Grab-and-Go Breakfasts

Exercise/Fitness Posts
10 Ways to Add Exercise To Busy Days
Organizing Meals & Snacks Ahead of Time
Feed Your Body Well

These are just a few of the articles that have been written on this new blog (Established in July of 2012!). Be sure to stop by and leave an encouraging comment! :)

Now On Bloglovin!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin! Hello all readers! I am adding this blog to Bloglovin! I just recently created my own account and LOVE being able to follow so many good blogs in ONE place! I hope you will consider this option as well if you are a blogger!

Blogger Feature Opportunity!

Are you a blogger who shares healthy recipes? What about exercise tips? Do you post regular updates about your own personal fitness goals/plans? If so you are now being invited to be featured on Exercise Encouragement Group! All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and I will be glad to feature your blog!

What You Need To Do
1. Leave me a comment with your name and your blog link.
2. Also, leave me the link to three of your favorite healthy recipes!
3. Let me know what your main exercise/health/fitness posts are and I'll be glad to include a link to them as well!
4. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect.
4. Finally, grab the featured button just below and share it on your blog!

Thank you for considering this opportunity! I look forward to sharing new blogs!

Grab a button from my Button's page! There are three sizes for featured blogs so pick the one that suits you best or leave me a comment on that page and I can make a custom size! :)

Make Time, Don't 'Find' It

Link

Is this statement true of you?

Did you know that if you say you're going to "find time" to exercise then it's a whole lot more likely you won't end up exercising at all?

Make time to exercise.

Challenge | Share This On Facebook

I challenge each person who reads this post to share this photo on Facebook. I did this awhile back and got quite a few likes. I personally HATE push-ups, but the challenge I shared with other readers from the Exercise Encouragement Group on Facebook was worth it. Will you take the challenge and share this photo?



(photo originally found via Pinterest)

What Motivates You?

(photo originally found via Pinterest)

I just love this photo. It has an interesting point. Some of us don't have the motivation that exercise requires. In fact, the dinosaur could represent the laziness we have when it comes to exercise. I know that for the past few months this is certainly true of me. I have a huge lack of motivation. What I don't understand is why I have no motivation. I want to workout, I want to be fit, I just don't do it.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you are also struggling with finding motivation:
1. Why don't you want to workout/exercise?
2. What is holding you back?
3. Does your goal need to change? Is it perhaps too big?
4. How can you get going towards a goal?
5. What is going to motivate you now?
6. Is it reasonable?

My answers
1. I don't want to take the time. I've been lazy.
2. Me. I am holding me back. I don't want to do it, so I haven't.
3. My goal was to have fit arms in three months. I think I need to focus on a smaller goal of working out my arms three times a week instead and see how that goes.
4. I need to put my weights where I will remember to use them. I think this would be on my nightstand so I will see them every morning and night.
5. I want to be able to lift my boyfriend's 20 lb. weight with one hand and it not be hard. Right now I can lift it with one hand about 5 inches off the floor...and that's while sitting on my knees.
6. Yes, I think my goal and motivation are both reasonable.

Make It Important

What do you have to do to make exercising important to you?

Remove the excuses.

What Fruits Are You Eating?

This is an interesting photo I found via Pinterest. It linked to this blog post on Living a Changed Life.

Fruit's are so good for you! They have lots of natural vitamins which your body needs, and if you know what you need most then you can find the best fruit to add to your regular diet.

Here is a short list of some fruits and their top contributing vitamins and the calories for a recommended amount. If you click on the reference link you will be able to read a lot  more information on each fruit listed, and see where I got my information here from.

~Apples have a lot of Fiber and Vitamin C. One small apple is about 54 calories. (Reference/Read more!)

~Apricots have a good amount of Vitamin A. Other vitamins include: Vitamin C, Tryptophan, Fiber, and Potassium. One apricot is about 16 calories.

~Avocadoes have so many good vitamins in them! Fiber, Vitamin K, Floate, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Potassium, Vitamin B6. To eat one avocado would equal about 233 calories. (Reference.)

~Bananas have a lot of Vitamin B6. They also have good amounts of Vitamin C, Manganese, Fiber, and Potassium. One banana is about 105 calories. The potassium in this fruit is a huge bonus to people who participate in sports. (Reference.)

~Blueberries are highest in Vitamin K, but they also have Manganese, Vitamin C, and Fiber. To eat one cup of blueberries would equal about 84 calories. (Reference.)
Cherries

~Cranberries have a fairly small amount of the following vitamins: Vitamin C, Fiber, Manganese, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E. For a serving of one half a cup that would equal about 23 calories. (Reference.)

~Grapefruit's are packed full of Vitamin C! They also have a large portion of Vitamin A. Other vitamins include Fiber, Potassium, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B1. Half a grapefruit equals about 40 calories. (Reference.)

~Grapes have a large amount of Manganese. Vitamin K is also high in this fruit. Other vitamins include Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Potassium, and Vitamin B6. 1 cup is the recommended serving and that would equal about 61 calories. Grapes are really good for the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, immune system, inflammatory system, blood sugar regulating system, and nervous system. (Reference.)

~Kiwis have huge amounts of Vitamin C with Fiber and Potassium showing in much smaller amounts. 1 kiwi equals about 45 calories. (Reference.)

~Lemons/Limes have a ton of Vitamin C. For 1/4 a cup you would consume about 15 calories. Because of the large amounts of Vitamin C lemons/limes can be helpful in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. (Reference.)

~Oranges are well known for their large amounts of Vitamin C, but they also provide Fiber, Folate, Vitamin B1, Potassium, Vitamin A, and Calcium. 1 orange equals about 61 calories. (Reference.)

~Papaya's have an extremely large amount of Vitamin C. Vitamin A is second largest while Folate, Potassium, and Fiber are much lower. Vitamin's E and K are also present. One serving (about 304 grams) equals about 118 calories. (Reference.)

~Pears have Fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. One pear is about 103 calories. (Reference.)

~Pineapples have large amounts of Vitamin C and Manganese. These vitamins and minerals are also included: Fiber, Vitamin B6, Copper, Vitamin B1, and Folate. 1 cup is equals 82 calories. (Reference.)

~Plums have small amounts of several vitamins, but the prominent vitamin is C. The other vitamins are Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Fiber, Tryptophan, and Potassium. One plum equals 30 calories. (Reference.)

~Strawberries have a huge amount of Vitamin C. They also have: Mangnaese, Fiber, Folate, Iodine, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. One cup is about a serving and that would be about 46 calories. This fruit has a large combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients which can help in cardiovascular support and prevention of cardiovascular diseases; improved regulation of blood sugar which can decrease risk of type 2 diabetes, and preventions of cancers including breast, cervical, colon, and esophageal. (Reference.)

~Watermelons have a lot of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Magnesium. For a one cup serving that would be about 45 calories. This fruit can help the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. (Reference.)


My top five fruits:
Apples ~I can't eat them raw, so I enjoy baking with them and drinking Apple juice.
Bananas ~I like to include 1/2 a banana with breakfast.
Blueberries ~Great for freezing and eating a few when I get a craving for sweets.
Lemons/Limes ~I just love cooking with their flavors!
Strawberries ~I love to use these frozen in smoothies.

The Extra Mile

What is the extra mile in exercise? To me this means you do a little more than you do on a regular basis. If you are a non-exerciser who parks close to the building you work at...park further out, make yourself take a few extra steps today. If you exercise some, try adding something new. If you exercise a lot or do something like running, run a few steps more. Challenge yourself today. Make yourself go a little further than you did yesterday. Just one day, one thing, one time. You can do that!

Healthy Recipes from Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

Blue Eyed Beauty Blog is my blog which I created to post different things I love. One of those things is healthy recipes! Three of my favorite recipes I have shared below, for more please visit my other blog!

Healthy Oatmeal Crackers

Healthy Cucumber Salad

Healthy Snack | Frozen Yogurt Bites