Hello Fit & Firm Buddies!

So, I had another good week this week and saw another drop of 2 pounds.

I see a bit of a difference and in all honesty, the first thing you lose is water. Regardless, I’m glad that the number is going down!

While stepping on the scale, I noticed that I haven’t been measuring my progress with inch loss. This week, I’m going to take my first measurements and see how many inches I lose.

Measuring inches is so important to me because I am not really watching the number on the scale, more so I want to focus on how my clothes fit and how many inches I lose. I tend to gain muscle very quickly so that can play tricks on me on the scale.

I have a wedding gown to get into, that’s what I remind myself all the time!

Short term goal.

Long term goal is to continue to live a healthier life. 

But, to be quite honest, once you get the icky stuff out of your system, it’s much easier to get back to eating healthy. Cravings subside and you can stick to it. Sure, there are days when I crave something sweet but, there are plenty of healthy ways to satisfy that craving.

I also have to report that I’m slowly navigating my life with less to no Diet Pepsi. Today, I only had one and had water with 2 of my 3 meals and snacks!

*GASP*

This delicious recipe helped this week, I made in about half an hour. My Hanover’s Organic Trail Bars that had just the right amount of sweetness, tons of fiber, anti-oxidants and lots of potassium.

Check it out!

I hope you all have had a great week! If you had a rough week, just keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day and you can start fresh!

Don’t give up!

What better time then to start then now?

Grab Our Button!

Also, make sure to visit Sober Julie on Monday to report or share your progress or motivation for Motivated Mondays!

Til then, cheers m’deres!

So, as many of you know, healthy options and natural whole foods are a must around these parts.

Especially for my girls.

I often go the extra mile to make snacks or treats or meals at home, that way I know what is going into the food that they are eating. Foregoing the easy way may seem like a huge feat but, with a bit of planning and just a little extra time–you can bet that you will be giving your kids exactly what makes you comfortable.

You can even treat yourself too!

If you are a huge pretzel fan (which I am), you have definitely heard of Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels. They are a delicious snack that is low-calorie if you are trying to watch your intake and want a snack that definitely tantalizes your taste buds. Well, Snyder’s asked me to share a recipe with you guys and if you know me, I’m a chocolate and peanut butter gastronome!

This is my alternative to traditional boxed granola bars, they are packed with fiber, protein, good fat, potassium and antioxidants. Now the version I made are almost organic because the Kroger’s I went to was out of the Whole Wheat & Oat Sticks. But, this is the type that I suggest for this recipe if you are looking for an organic version. If not, any Hanover’s pretzels are delish!

By the way, head on over to check out all their products. They have plenty to choose from and if you’re not close to the border like me, you can get them in Canada, United Kingdom, France–pretty much all over the globe!

Hanover Dark Chocolate PB Banana Trail Bars:

Things you will need:

• 2 cups of toasted Organic rolled oats
• 1/2 cup of split Hanover Organic Whole Wheat & Oat Pretzel Sticks
• 1/4 cup of pure, organic dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup of Natural peanut butter
• Pure organic vanilla extract. (3 drops)
• 2 packets of Stevia (optional)
• 4 ripe organic bananas
• Nuts (optional)
• Dried fruit (optional)

Instructions:

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Measure 2 cups of your favorite organic rolled oats and spread the oats evenly onto a baking pan/sheet.  Roast them for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. This is also a great time to roast your peanuts if you are adding them to your recipe.

Step 2:

Take your organic bananas, cut the ends off and begin to mash with a fork. Mash until you reach your desired consistency. Add the mashed bananas to pot and turn on the low heat setting.

Step 3:

Measure 1 cup of your favorite organic or natural peanut butter and add it to the mashed banana mix in the pot. Slowly fold the mixture and keep it at low heat until completed melted.

Step 4:

This is where you add the couple of drops of the pure organic vanilla and the 2 packets of Stevia (natural herb sweetener) to your banana, peanut butter mixture. Keep folding until it is smooth and be sure to be watchful while doing this step since it can burn quite easily.

Take off the heat and cool for a few minutes.

Use a large mixing bowl, add the oats into the mixture and fold until they are completely covered and almost like a dough.

Step 5:

Take your Snyder’s of Hanover pretzel sticks and measure about 1/2 a cup or depending on how salty you want your bars and split them into pieces. That way they are still bite size and will pack a powerful, delicious punch to your bars!

Step 6:

Fold in your Snyder’s of Hanover pretzel sticks into the mixture until evenly distributed. Keep folding the mixture until oats and pretzels are completely covered.

Step 7:

This is where you add the dark chocolate chips, dried fruit or peanuts. Fold them into the mixture until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough-like mixture.

Step 8:

Once you’ve folded the mixture completely, place the oat bar mix onto a greased pan or you can use parchment paper if you prefer. Place it evenly and use a spatula to square it out. Press it down to your desired thickness and place in the oven for about 25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. The oven should be at 350 degrees.

And there you have it folks, enjoy!

Be sure to let your trail bars cool before you cut them. Use a serrated knife or a pizza cutter to cut them into the shape you’d like. I chose for a chunkier and bigger piece for a serving. You can always cut them thinner and longer as well. Throw them in your favorite glass or BPA-free container and you will also be litter-free!

Cooking Info:

Prep Time: 15 mins.

Cook Time: 25-30 mins.

Calories: Approx. 195 calories for the thicker, wider version pictured above.

Portions: 1 starch, 1 fat and 1 snack.

What is your favorite pretzel recipe?

The possibilities are endless, you can make appetizers and desserts and much more! I wanna hear all your snacks and apps you make using pretzels!

Let me know!

P.S.- These make for a perfect snack for your #FitNFirm week ladies! :)

Til then cheers m’deres!

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program and was compensated for my participation. For more information on how you can participate, click here. All thoughts expressed in this post are my own and have in now way been influenced.

Are you feeling daring?

Ever wanted to try something new and exciting?

Well, I sure did.

Since my American neighbors will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week and I’ve much to be thankful for–I thought it the perfect opportunity or should I say–shoppertunity to come up with a Thanksgiving inspired cupcake recipe that will tantalize your taste buds!

I decided to make the recipe ALMOST organic and add in an explosive (not literally but, it’s delish) ingredient that you may not expect and replace the milk in my recipe. This lowers the calories, makes it light and moist and adds a punch of flavor that will send you over the edge.

If you haven’t guessed yet, it’s Clear American Water and in this case it’s Golden Peach!

I headed over to Walmart in Michigan to do some shopping with my family, I was looking for some alternatives to make a cupcake recipe lighter and less calorie dense and I had the opportunity to scope out Clear American Water for #CBias. It was so easy to find too and stood out among the rest because of it’s size and vibrant colors.

Now, for 68 cents you can’t go wrong, especially since I was planning to substitute it for the milk in my recipe. The bottle is fairly large and you really do get bang for your buck. For my frugal peeps, this is a great buy.

If you aren’t sure what Clear American Water is, it’s carbonated flavored water that has 0 calories, Caffeine Free and Sugar Free. It’s also Kosher and Sodium free and “Naturally” flavored.

You can “like” them on Facebook, here . As well as follow them on Twitter, here –for more information.

We don’t often buy flavored water in our household but, I rather buy it than give Gabs pop (or soda like my American friends say) on a regular basis. Milk and water are a staple in their diets so, in our house, Clear American is  a nice, occasional and refreshing treat! Hubby bought a Black Cherry and my eldest bought an extra Golden Peach and my youngest, Mimi, skipped it!

So are you ready for the recipe?

My Apple Caramel-Peach Explosion Cupcakes!

Directions:

Wash and peel about 2 of your favorite type of apples. Once peeled, cut them into quarters and then cut those quarters in half. I chose organic Gala Apples because I love how crispy and juicy they are. Some prefer to use a more tart apple in their recipes but, I like naturally sweet so I opt for this variety.

Get a measuring cup and measure about 1/2 cup of Clear American Water in Golden Peach. Add it to a cooking pot and add 2 TBSP of organic butter or margarine. Add the 1 TBSP of cinnamon and stir until it is melted. Once it is simmering, add the apple slices and switch your oven to low heat, cover and let simmer until apples are soft.

Add a TSP of organic brown sugar and stir into the Clear American-Golden Peach infused apple mix, shut off heat and cover. Once cooled, drain apples and collect the Golden Peach-infused mix into a measuring cup. Do NOT throw it out. Set apples aside to cool.

Once you’ve collected the Clear American Golden-Peach infused mix from the pot, add more Clear American water to make about 1/2 cup of mix, if needed. This is replacing the milk in the recipe and cutting calories too!

If you haven’t already, mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. The flour, baking powder, cinnamon and brown sugar. This is where you add the 3 egg whites and the Clear American Peach-infused mix and vanilla extract, blend until creamy.

Go back to the cooked apples you have set aside and dice them to your preferred size. Pick out your most Thanksgiving inspired baking cups and get ready to POUR!

Once you’ve evenly poured the batter into the baking cups, go back to the caramel you have set aside and spoon the caramel on top of the cupcakes. Place baking tray in the center of the middle tray in your oven for about 15 minutes. The time may vary depending on your oven, so until golden brown. Test if they are ready by poking them with a tooth pick. If it comes out clean, they are ready!

Top with your cream cheese frosting and decorate them with your favorite treats. I chose fall colored sprinkles for a very simple decor. I also left some cupcakes without frosting for a less sweet option.

Last Step: Enjoy!

Now, what’s Thanksgiving without a bit of sharing. My folks are having a small get together at their house tomorrow and they will be having these very cupcakes for their after dinner coffee and dessert. My kids loved the light flavor and my Hubby said that these are the best he’s tried so far. He much prefers the fruity cupcakes while I love my chocolate.

So, how’s that for daring?

You can substitute your eggs and milk with Clear American water in almost ANY baking recipe and they have so many flavors to choose from. From Key Lime, Black Cherry, Raspberry and even Pineapple Coconut. The possibilities are endless and if you are already having a treat, why not make it a bit lighter?

How do you make your recipes light?

I wanna know and before I go, Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! Wishing you all the best!

Til then, cheers m’deres!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, which is a vendor for Cott Beverages Inc., the manufacturer of Clear American^® brand beverages. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are solely my own and have not in any way been influenced.

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t  looooove peanut butter and chocolate.

They are practically made for one another and I’m not one to come between a perfect relationship.

Well, cookies aren’t necessarily part of a healthy diet but, I choose to live by the 80/20 rule, eat well 80% of the time and treat yourself 20%. So, if I have a bit of a sweet tooth I love to whip up my Decadent Dark Chocolate PB Cookies! I can enjoy a treat and not feel guilty about it!

What You Will Need:

• 1 cup of your favorite peanut butter.
• 1/2 cup of your choice of sugar. (I use organic brown sugar for the girls.)
• 1 egg.
• 1/4 cup of bittersweet dark chocolate chips.
• Will make about 24 cookies.

Instructions:

It’s Wordy/Wordless Wednesday!

It’s been a pretty busy week over here at Whispered Inspirations, if you haven’t noticed–we have The Great Canadian Blog Bash happening right now where you can link up your posts, Twitter and Facebook! And where you can meet lots of great Canadians and celebrate Canada Day by blog hopping and entering TONS of giveaways!

If you haven’t entered our giveaway, there is still time!

It’s a great giveaway sponsored by great Canadian companies–Enter here!

And–you know we’ve been having a big party on Twitter since June 23rd following the hash #TGCBB!

Well, it was a busy week last week in the home of the Polanco-Chansavangs! We had lots of soccer to attend to, two games and a practice! My Peanut’s team is currently undefeated and they have 4 games left in the season! They are doing so well and having fun while they are at it! Here she is before practice and before her game!

Hubby and I also have our own little home-based business that we run, Ambrosial Delights! We had a bridal shower cake order and I thought we’d share. It is a Red Velvet, 2-tier, butter-cream frosting cake. All parts are handmade and edible (organic available), I love doing it! Hubby is very creative and I give him so much credit for his patience and ability. And I, well, I  just ADORE baking! Here is the finished product and not to mention the bride-to-be and her guests loved it! Which is always awesome to hear!

So, today–it’s the last day of school, FINALLY! I am super stoked for this because I love having our Peanut home with us all summer long! We have lots planned and we are both thrilled! For the last day goodies, I was inspired by our bridal shower cake, I made similar cupcakes for Gabs’ classmates! Here is my PeanPean on her last day as a Grade 1, my baby has grown so much. But, she’s still my baby!

Where does the time go?

So, the kids loved them and even Mr. M indulged! So, it was a busy week filled with the kick-off of The Great Canadian Blog Bash, a lot of blog-hopping, soccer, snack making, the last school week and even my normal work! Which in itself was pretty crazy with all the patients being call-bell crazy!

But, guess what?

I survived!

And now, bring on Summer ’11!

It’s going to be great!

Do you guys have any plans? Let me know!

I’m linked up over at Live and Love Outloud, Parenting by Dummies and 5 Minutes for Mom, go and check them out!

Til then, cheers m’deres,

-NPC

We spend the entire first year of our baby’s life doing what we think is best for them nutritionally. Make sure they take vitamin supplements if they need them, breastfeed or provide formula for nourishment and when the time comes we make organic babyfood so that they have clean food in their bodies.

Why should baby’s first taste of cake be any different?

Considering they are still so itty bitty?

While the whole “organic” and “natural” thing may be a bunch of mumbo jumbo to most people, my family included, I drive them nuts with it. But, they are starting to understand why it’s a concern for me.

I say don’t deprive children because after all they ARE children but, live life with the motto of 80/20.

And if it’s still mumbo jumbo, I’ve been told that we survived just fine beforehand sooo, it’s entirely up to you! These recipes are just as good if you decide to not make it organic and much cheaper too!

Well, in March, Mimi turned 1 years-old! I made her an organic yellow banana cake!

Some of you asked for it, so here is the recipe!

What You Will Need:

• 3 cups of organic flour
• 1 cup of organic softened butter
• 1 organic banana
• 2 organic/natural/free-range eggs (I prefer Eggland’s Best) (If your child has a sensitivity to eggs, skip the eggwhites)
• 1 2/3 cups of organic white sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups of organic milk of your choice
• 1 cup of organic vanilla/banana pudding
• 1/3 cup of organic olive oil

Instructions:

• Preheat oven at least for a half hour on 350.
• Use organic butter or spray to line your pan.
• Mix the butter, vanilla and sugar until creamy.
• Mash banana with fork until desired chunkiness. I prefer it really thin.
• Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
• Alternate mixing in the butter/sugar mixture into the dry mixture until it is completely mixed into a batter.
• Add mashed banana to the batter.
• Pour batter in desired pan and bake for 30-45 mins or until golden.

If you prefer a chocolate cake just add 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, skip the banana and substitute an organic chocolate pudding cup instead of vanilla.

Organic Frosting:

Things You Will Need:

• 1 tablespoon of organic butter
• 1 lb of organic powdered sugar
• 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups of softened organic cream cheese
• Any food coloring of your choice. (OPTIONAL)

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients and mix well until fluffy with an electric mixer.
• Decorate as desired.
• Piping is optional.
• Fondant shaped into a “1″ was solely for display purposes.

So there it is, I hope your little one enjoys it as much as Mimi did!

Happy Birthday to your little one!

Til then, cheers m’deres,

-NPC

Halloween is a great time to bust out your creative side.

Holidays are big for me or I should say more so for my chillums, I go ALL out for them. Last time I got all handy and creative for a Halloween costume for myself was yearsssss ago (last year I was really preggo and took the easy route, you’ll see later on in this post) and I think that it turned out pretty cool. During my adult stint with Halloween, I’ve always preferred to be a powerful character, sexy and confident. Not trashy nor hoochie or something that comes equipped with hooker heels. Nothing against it, it’s just not my style.

So, what was my coolest costume?

Not only the Ms. Lara Croft from one of my favorite video games. Tomb Raider. One that I played religiously might I add. I made the costume myself, my dad is pretty crafty with leather work and he made my gun sheathes. The rest I hand-made and used second-hand materials from a thrift store. Along with my own clothes and boots. I think I even won the cash prize for best costume that year.

What do you all think?

Now another way I like to let my inner Picasso loose is through baking. With every holiday and season come different designs and appropriate colors. It’s actually one of my favorite things to do. I love sharing them too, so Hubby’s work gets them pretty often. LOL. Here’s a few pictures of my creations, they were yummy too!

Now last year, I was about 7 months preggo and I was REALLY pregnant.

Gabby wanted me to dress up so I thought I’d do something really easy. I bought a witch hat from the dollar store, threw on a few layers underneath a shaggy black cocktail dress I had hanging in my closet. It was stretchy and worked wonders for my bump! LOL. I added a gold belt I had lying around and wore black tights and striped “witchy” looking leg warmers. I put on some pretty crazy wicked makeup and off we went. It was very inexpensive, green and Gabs had a laugh! She went as Super Girl and Hubby as Clark Kent, with the “S” on his chest underneath his business gear. It was a lot of fun! I donated the hat to Value Village on my last donation run, so hopefully someone else is putting use to it!

This is how it turned out:

How do you let your creative side loose during the holidays? Do you prefer to make your own costumes, swap or just purchase them? I can’t wait to see what everyone else has in their posts! I’m going to check them out right now!

Til then, cheers m’deres!

And…

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

This post is inspired by: