My Very First Tweetaway!

I am so excited! Saturday, March 13, 2010 marks my three year anniversary with Beachbody!

Three years ago, I saw the infomercial for Hip Hop Abs on television and placed an order for it online. I made a decision to try Hip Hop Abs because:
* my blood pressure was dangerously high (168/101)
* my cholesterol was over 200
* my doctor told me I needed medication (more money I did not need to spend)
* my energy level was non-existent
* my self-esteem was in the gutter

Hip Hop Abs made exercise so much fun. It was like having a dance party in my living room, and when I finished, I was sweating like crazy! I also learned how to eat the right foods at the right times. I followed the six day slimdown meal plan and removed 6 pounds in 6 days. I continued exercising, eating well and taking supplements, asking my online fitness coach questions (she's been truly amazing in my life!), and connecting with the incredible people on the Beachbody message boards. Ten months later, I reached my goal weight of 135, regulated my blood pressure and cholesterol with absolutely no prescription medications, elevated my energy level, and my confidence level increased dramatically.

When I say Hip Hop Abs has changed my life, I mean it!!



The blessings did not stop there. I won $10,000 from Beachbody for having the best female transformation in February 2008, and I was also blessed to be a part of the newest Hip Hop Abs infomercial on television right now! Now I am helping countless others experience the same improvements in their bodies and lives as an independent Beachbody online fitness coach. These past three years have been so incredible!

So, to celebrate my anniversary, I am having my very first tweetaway!! I'm giving away a copy of Hip Hop Abs Level 1, the fitness program that totally transformed my life, to one of my amazing followers! I will give this away on 3/13/2010.

All you have to do is:

* Make sure you are following me, @mrscwin
* Retweet the following message:
I'm helping @mrscwin celebrate 3 years of health w/Beachbody & #hiphopabs! Win your own copy on 3/13/2010! http://ad.vu/xgfg

Let's celebrate having great health **together** and see who wins this gift of health on 3/13/2010!

Reasons We Should Be Dining In
Preparing meals at home can stop the unhealthy consumption from outside restaurants. This article shares four reasons why it is best to eat in instead of going out.
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The Healthy Plate for Portion Control
How does a person control portions in a society where excess and "supersized" portions are the norm? Here is a new way to look at portion control.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2241233/the_healthy_plate_for_portion_control.html

3 Months Left in 2009 - What Do You Expect?

Okay, everyone. Tomorrow is October 1, 2009. There are now three months left in this year. Where has all the time gone?

I want us to really think about what we are expecting to happen these last 3 months, as far as our health and fitness is concerned. We really should have an expectation of what we want to see happen for ourselves. It has been said that if we fail to plan, we plan to fail. So for today, we are going to revisit our health and wellness goals and ask ourselves some questions.

First of all, what are your current goals? This is the very best place to start. If you haven't written down your goals, no worries. You signed up with Beachbody for certain reasons, so take some time and think back to those reasons. Why did you want to start changing your health for the better?? Write those reasons down.

Once you have your current goals (or your reasons for getting healthy), write down the answers to the following questions:

* How far are you from your ideal weight?
* How far are you from your body fat goals?
* How much exercise do you do each week?
* Are you doing more exercise than you did in January 2009?
* Are your eating habits better than they were in January 2009?
* What foods are you eating daily?
* What does your typical day look like from morning to night?
* How much sleep do you get each weeknight?
* What will you improve in your exercise plan by the end of 2009?
* What will you improve in your nutrition by the end of 2009?
* How will you improve your stress level by the end of 2009?
* How will you improve your sleep habits by the end of 2009?

These questions are based on what has happened the past 9 months and what you desire for the next three months, so do not feel bad about any answer you put down. These are your answers - no one will see them unless you share them!

So, once you know what improvements you want to make, what are you going to do about them? Set up new action steps and then start taking actual steps toward achieving them. Do not put those goals away - you CAN make them happen THIS YEAR! I am here cheering you on to the end!!

Let's use TODAY as the starting point for the BEST of your 2009!

Delicious and Healthy Recipes for National Seafood Month
To celebrate National Seafood Month in October, here are four delicious and healthy seafood recipes for you to enjoy - and share with family and friends.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2216765/delicious_and_healthy_recipes_for_national.html

Healthy Labor Day Menu Ideas
Labor Day is almost here! You can have a healthy, nutritious Labor Day menu that coincides with your much healthier lifestyle. Recipes that are full of flavor and health are showcased in this article.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/2054779/healthy_labor_day_menu_ideas.html

Happy National Lasagna Day!!

HAPPY NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY!!!!

Oh my goodness! An entire day dedicated to LASAGNA?

You know what? If I had known long time ago that there was such a thing as National Lasagna Day, I would have done SO MUCH MORE to celebrate!!! The house would be decorated in Italian flags, I would whip up a few lasagnas to take to family and friends, I would probably found a cable station with nothing but Italian opera or a soccer match with Italy playing and enjoyed lasagna to my heart's content. (Yeah, it would have been that deep.)

Honestly, I believe that there is no more perfect food than lasagna. It has all of the requirements for a complete meal right in one sheet pan. You have your grains, your vegetables, your dairy, your meat, and your fat, layered together in beautiful harmony. The fragrance from the oven is so overwhelming that you cannot wait for it to cool a bit before tearing in. And the first bite....pure heaven. Plus, you have tons of leftovers that you can take to work for lunch or freeze for a later date - more joy - whoo-hoo!!

Now that I have adopted a healthier lifestyle, I love a good vegetable lasagna and a heart-healthy lasagna along with the version I grew up eating (the italian sausage and full fat cheeses). Speaking of which, it is so funny - I always grew up thinking my mama had been to Italy because her recipe was just the absolute BEST! I found out later in life that her recipe was the one from the back of the lasagna noodle box with added bulk Italian sausage. Oh well.... :)

To commemorate National Lasagna Day, I want to share a couple of recipes for lasagna with you. I pray that you enjoy this wonderful meal with me.

Vegetable Lasagna

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups zucchini, chopped in 1/2 inch dice
2 cups yellow squash, chopped in 1/2 inch dice
1 cup portabella mushrooms, sliced
1 cup carrots, julienned
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, drained
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (8 ounce) container part skim ricotta cheese
2 egg whites
1 package (5 ounces) shredded parmesan cheese
10 whole wheat noodles, cooked according to package directions
3 cups part skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add all other vegetables and cook over medium heat until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and tomatoes and heat through. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg whites, and parmesan cheese. Line a 13"x 9" x 2" pan with foil. Spread 2 ladlefuls of sauce at bottom, then layer 3 noodles over sauce. Add 1/3 cheese mixture, 1/3 sauce mixture, and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sauce and reserving 1/3 of mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, add remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake 15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly. Let cool before serving (if you can!). 16
servings.


Heart-Healthy Lasagna

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds ground turkey
2 jars marinara sauce
1 (8 ounce) container part skim ricotta cheese
2 egg whites
1 package (5 ounces) shredded parmesan cheese
1 package baby spinach leaves, washed, stems removed
10 whole wheat noodles, cooked according to package directions
3 cups part skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Saute onion and garlic until tender. Add ground turkey and cook for about 10 - 12 minutes. Add marinara and stir to combine. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg whites, and parmesan cheese. Line a 13"x 9" x 2" pan with foil. Spread 2 ladlefuls of meat sauce across bottom of pan, then layer 3 noodles over sauce. Add 1/3 cheese mixture, layer of baby spinach leaves, 1/3 sauce mixture, and 1/3 mozzarella cheese, then cover with noodles. Repeat, ending with sauce and reserving 1/3 of mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, add remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake 15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly. Let cool before serving (seriously, if you can!). 16 servings.


(p.s. If you REALLY want to do the regular version, go and pick up the Barilla Oven Ready [no boiling required] Lasagna Noodles and follow the directions on the box, adding 1/2 package of cooked Jimmy Dean Italian sausage to the meat sauce mixture. I know, sometimes you just need the full fat version of this amazing meal!)