Show Those Pearly Whites!

I ran across a very interesting article called, Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body? The Impact of Teeth, Breath & Gum Problems, on WebMD. It listed 6 ways that having healthy teeth and gums helps boost overall health.

1. Boosts your Self Esteem and Confidence
2. May Lower Risk of Heart Disease
3. Preserves your Memory
4. Reduces Risk of Infection & Inflammation in the Body
5. Helps Keep Blood Sugar Stable
6. Helps Pregnant Women Carry to Term

To read about each one…visit the article for some interesting information! But this got me thinking about my own dental hygiene. It is good but not great. I typically brush twice a day (morning and night) and floss once or twice a week. I use just plain old Aquafresh toothpaste and a plain old soft bristle toothbrush. Now let’s take Keith. He brushes his teeth easily 3 to 4 times a day, flosses every night, uses the Sonicare toothbrush and rinses with fluoride a few times a week. He is clearly better at his dental care than I am. Yet I don’t have cavities when I go to the dentist and despite my coffee addiction I have very white teeth, I never have a lot of tartar or plaque build up and the only real problem is that I brush too hard and am causing my gums to recede. But I will say that in all my areas of ‘health’ this is where I tend to slack of the most. I will shamelessly admit that there have been many nights where I have gone to bed with a ‘dirty mouth’ out of the sheer laziness of getting up to take the 5 minutes to brush. And I will admit that on occasion a ‘tooth-brushing’ event might only last about 30 second.  Hum…probably something I need to work on! 🙂

Do you have a good oral hygiene regime in place?

On another childhood obesity note! (YAY YAY for awareness) Anna Miller sent me this link today because she thought it would be something my readers (and me) would be interested in. SHE IS RIGHT!! 10 Ways to Fight Obesity in Your School! Great read! I urge you to read and forward it out! I am loving all the attention you guys are giving to this issue! MY READERS ROCK!

Advertisement

Who’s Who Wednesday

Good Morning!!!

Good morning peeps! How is everyone doing this fine Wednesday morning. I am gggrrreeaaattt! (think Tony the Tiger!) I just busted out an awesome 10 mile run at 7.0 with a 1 % incline (had to treadmill it this morning because I gotta lot going on and had to start early) I feel awesome! I am currently doing the breakfast thing: coffee, egg whites and yesterday’s cinnamon raisin steel cut oats before heading out to meet Janet for a nice 3 mile run. Janet is my running lady on M,W, and F and I have to brag on her really quickly.  About a year ago she came to me not being able to run 5 minutes without stopping…and now sheesh…she is a running fool! She can easily go an hour without stopping! It is amazing what hard work and dedication can do! GO JANET! Woot! Woot!

Another person I need to mention is one of my best friends, Hilary!! She and her husband are AMAZING and Keith and I love love love them! Well she has entered the blogging world! YAY! And I urge you to go check her out. She is a good soul and I am lucky to know her (and live about 10 minutes away!!! JEALOUS? You should be!) She ran my first marathon with me, has been there for me through good and bad times and basically just rocks! Anyway…go check her out here! And for good measure I am posting this adorable self portrait of her:

Aint she cute?

Dinner last night was an easy easy one. Keith had grilled some fresh red snapper and flounder (THANKS JAMES) the other night and I just reheated that and paired it with a big salad (mixed greens, avocado, cucumber and sunflower seeds) and we were good to go.

Easiest dinner ever...thanks Keith!

Thanks for everyone’s opinion on the Brazilian Butt Lift post from yesterday. I think after doing a little research and thanks to Ellen’s advice, I am now considering the Physique 57 Program. I am one that needs a program like this. I can run all day everyday and am easily the most self-motivated person on the planet when it comes to running. But for weight lifting I need a class…hence why I do body pump…and this program looks like something that would be very complimentary to my workout routine (of running and body pump). What do you think about this one? I am also planning on being Katie’s Insanity Partner when she finishes P90X in a few months! That is going to be F-U-N!

Has anyone done the Physique 57 Program?

Okay last thing, then I gotta jet out of here. Is there one thing that, no matter how bad the day, always makes you smile? For me it is simply completing the daily crossword in the paper (in pen). There is just something about opening the paper and finding the blank crossword and then making it all work that makes me happy! 🙂 And with that…guess who finished today’s? Today is gonna be good….

What simple pleasure do you find each day?

Mama Knows Best (and more great recipes)

One of Keith’s favorite things is egg salad. I have tried time and time again to make it for him and each time he smiles, eats it and tells me is was good. (not great, not fantastic, not please make again…just good) Then every time we go visit the in-laws in Dallas his mom makes egg salad and Keith is over the moon, tongue hanging out, drool slowly sliding down his chin, excited! Obvioiusly…mama knows best! So I called Keith’s mom for the recipe and today is Keith’s LUCKY day because I made him his mama’s egg salad. He tasted it…I waited…and ever so slowly that look of sheer food coma bliss started to emerge! I DID IT! I successfully recreated the classic and I owe it all to my mother-in-law! 

EGG SALAD from the mother-in-law’s kitchen! 

Mom's Egg Salad

• 12 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 jar of green olives & pimento (5 3/4 oz)
• 2-3 ribs celery
• 2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• salt & pepper; to taste
• paprika for dusting

 In a food processor, first dice celery. Remove. Cut the eggs in half and add them to the food processor and pulse a few short times. Then add the entire jar (juice included) of olives, the celery, the mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Pulse a few more quick times to incorporate everything. Pour into a container and dust with paprika! Tada…yumminess awaits! 

I also made up another batch of steel-cut oats in the crockpot. This is the way to go people! Forget the stove top! They come out so creamy and delicious. Today’s rendition: 

Cinnamon Raisin Steel Cut Oats 

Cinnamon Raisin Steel Cuts

• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins

Mix everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. PERFECT! 

Serves 6-8

(based on 8 servings) 125.1 Calories; 2.8g Fat (1.2g saturated fat); 3.9mg Cholesterol; 150.9mg Sodium; 24.7g Carbohydrates; 2.8g Fiber; 5.4g Sugar; 3.3g Protein

What dish do you (or your significant other) love that ‘mama’ just makes better? 

On a more serious note, Jill, wrote this post last week and it is AWESOME! Please go read this. She commented on my blog that this was right up my alley and she knows me! It definitely hits to the heart of the childhood obesity problem that I am so passionate about! WAY TO GO JILL!

Tuesday Fighter

Hey everyone…thank you so much for all the feel better wishes you sent me yesterday. I got sick on Sunday and it lasted until about yesterday afternoon. I am feeling much better today and I am determined to fight my way through this! There has been a NASTY stomach bug going around mine and Keith’s gym and I guess it was just my turn to get it! UGH! But being down for the count I was able to complete my personal training rectification test and get that mailed off. It was due by April 9th so I was definitely pushing the envelope. I just couldn’ make myself sit down and do it these last few weeks because the weather has been SO gorgeous! So at least that is one positive coming from this stomach blah! I also literally think that is 2 days I probably got close to 24 hours of sleep…seriously. I needed it! Keith was great…he actually told me I was beautiful (even though  hadn’t showered in 2 days and was not smelling the greatest)..what a guy! 🙂

When you are sick what makes you feel better?

Today, I am going to take it easy. I did run 10 mile this morning but at a comfortable (8:34) pace. I am still feeling a little dehydrated but the run felt awesome…I needed to stretch those legs out! I am a F-I-G-H-T-E-R and I am going to knock this thing OUT!  Just you watch!

In between bathroom runs, while laying awake in the middle of the night on Sunday I was watching infomercials (don’t ask) and I came across a 30 minute spot for a product called Brazil Butt Lift – A Brazilian Butt Lift Workout by Leandro Carvalho.

Brazil Butt Lift

Has anyone heard of this?

I must admit, in my sick state I did find this kind of appealing. I tend to not be a believer in gimmicks but this actually caught my attention. Now before you ask, no I did not whip out my credit card and order this system at 3:00a.m. (you thought that didn’t you??) but I did make a mental note to ask you guys about it. Truthfully, my bum has always been my ‘trouble spot’ and I am always on the lookout for something to help with it. But I don’t want to be one of those gimmick-suckers either. So c’mon people…give me you opinions!

To Brazilian butt lift or not?

Monday Woes

Hey guys…just a quick post to pop in and say I am SICK! Like…sleeping on the bathroom floor, not holding anything down…kind of sick. Be back tomorrow….

Saturday Re-Cap

So last night was a BLAST!!! We went to  Fogo de Chao and Keith was so surprised! Like I said he has been wanting to go there forever so when we pulled up in front of the restaurant he was so happy. To see him light up was the best part of the night!!

Here is the set up:

Step 1: Sit down, relax, and enjoy a drink while we explain the Fogo^® dining experience.

Step 2: Visit our gourmet salad and sides bar. Enjoy over 30 items including fresh-cut vegetables, imported cheeses, cured meats and Brazilian side dishes.

Step 3: Turn your card green side up, signaling that you are ready for our gaucho chefs to begin tableside service.

Step 4: Choose from the 15 cuts of delectable fire roasted meats that are brought to your table, sliced, and served by our gaucho chefs.

Step 5: When you are satisfied, flip the disc to the red side until you are ready for more offerings.

Step 6: If you wish, end the meal with one of our delicious desserts.

The salad bar WAS amazing and I could have easily just eaten that!!  The main meat I dined on was lamb while Keith sampled ALL! It was so fun!

Let the night begin!

Our favorite dining partners!

Eat Up Baby!

We got complimentary desserts for the birthday boys! Keith got NY style strawberry cheesecake!

Jim chose Key Lime Pie!

We had so much fun!!

 After we left the restaurant we headed back to my mom’s house to watch the second half of the West Virgina/Kentucky game and eat Guinness Cake!

Guiness Cake Ala ME!

It was SO good!

We went home full and happy!!! Happy Birthday Keith and Jim!!! 🙂

A Saturday To Remember

Happy Saturday! How is everyone this fine morning? I am SUPER excited because tonight we are celebrating Keith’s birthday!! Woot Woot!! It has been a weekend long process. On Thursday (his actual birthday) he got his cake and then on Friday he got to open his gifts! In honor of being 40 he got 40 gifts!!

40 GIFTS!!

One Happy Boy!

Then tonight we are going to a surprise dinner at Fogo de Chao which is a Brazilian steakhouse. Keith has been wanting to go here FOREVER and tonight he will finally get his wish! According to their website here is how the dining experience works:

Step 1: Sit down, relax, and enjoy a drink while we explain the Fogo^® dining experience.

Step 2: Visit our gourmet salad and sides bar. Enjoy over 30 items including fresh-cut vegetables, imported cheeses, cured meats and Brazilian side dishes.

Step 3: Turn your card green side up, signaling that you are ready for our gaucho chefs to begin tableside service.

Step 4: Choose from the 15 cuts of delectable fire roasted meats that are brought to your table, sliced, and served by our gaucho chefs.

Step 5: When you are satisfied, flip the disc to the red side until you are ready for more offerings.

Step 6: If you wish, end the meal with one of our delicious desserts.

Should be quite the experience. My mom and stepdad, Jim, will be joining us as well because TODAY is Jim’s birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!! With that enjoy your Saturday!!

Have you ever eaten at a Brazilian steakhouse? What was your experience like?

Jim is so AMAZING and in honor of his birthday I wanted to do something special as well. Jim LOVES (and that is probably an understatement) Guinness Beer. A few months ago  I ran across a recipe for Chocolate Guinness Cake and I have been saving it until now! So after dinner tonight we are going back to mom’s house to enjoy my homemade Chocolate Guinness Cake! YAY! Here’s the recipe (WARNING…this is NOT low-calorie or healthy in ANY way, shape or form…haha! But that’s what birthdays are for, right?!?)

CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE

Cake:

1 cup Guinness
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups superfine sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350° and grease and line with parchment paper a 9-inch springform pan.

Pour the Guinness into a large saucepan and add the sliced butter. Heat until the butter is melted and remove from the heat. Whisk in the cocoa and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla. Add the sour cream mixture to the Guinness mixture in the saucepan. Finally, beat in the flour and baking soda.

Pour the batter into the greased and lined springform pan and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. (I baked mine for 53-55 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness and it came out well. Your oven may vary.) Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

For the frosting, beat the powdered sugar and cream cheese together until well combined and creamy. Add the cream and beat again until it’s a spreadable consistency. I found slowly adding the cream and beating the icing very well gave excellent results.

Guinness Cake

HAVE A GREAT SATURDAY!

Weight Loss THAT IS Fat Loss

Based on my post, Body Fat Decoded, it was requested that I do a post on weight loss that was actually fat loss! Sometimes people lose weight but it is muscle mass they are losing and not fat. Here are a few things that I believe will ensure that your weight loss is fat loss.

There is no way to pick what part of your body you want the fat to come off of. (Although wouldn’t that be nice?!?) Whether you have excess body fat in your midsection, thighs or arms, the procedure is exactly the same:

First, let me start by saying that eating foods that have fat in them will not necessarily make you gain body fat. The only thing that will make you gain excess body fat is excess calories. Carbohydrates and protein can equally make you gain just as much weight when consumed in excess! The only way to lose body fat is a combination of reducing calorie intake through your diet and burning calories with exercise (also known as a caloric deficit) The best exercise to create a caloric deficit is something that will burn a lot of calories such as running, biking, swimming and most team sports. Basically something that will get your heart rate up and get that metabolism burning HOT! But wait, at rest muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue does. Therefore, you also need to include a good strength training routine in your workout to build more muscle that will help you burn even more calories throughout the day. Especially for those who have sedentary jobs! So when it comes to exercise the BEST thing to do is to combine cardio (to burn a lot of calories and create that calorie deficit) AND weight lifting to build muscle tissue to burn more calories after your workout is over! And most importantly BE CONSISTENT and don’t skip your workouts. Consistency is vital to reaching your fitness goals. Make the choice to invest time every single day to work on your body.

Lastly, check out this table to see body fat guidelines:

Do you think knowing your body fat percentage is important or valuable to know?

It’s FRIDAY!!

Woot Woot…Friday is here?! Wow…this was a fast week but I had a ton going on! The tasting at Fion’s, Keith’s birthday, and then some mucho birthday celebrating tomorrow night! Oh Sunday’s post will be F-U-N!! I also managed to squeeze in body pump on Tuesday an Thursday…so today…um…hello entire body! Sheesh…I went up on all my weights and I am feeling it big time. Pick a muscle, any muslce…yeah they all ache! But ache in that “hurt so good” kind of way! 🙂 This morning I just finished up a 10 mile feel good run (7.0 @ 1% incline) and will be meeting my running group later for a lake run! LOVE THOSE!

Last night, as promised, I got Keith his mint chocolate chip ice cream cake! He was SO excited. Even more excited that he gets to eat the WHOLE thing! haha! I know I have addressed this via twitter but for those of you who don’t know…I personally find the combination of mint and chocolate to be N-A-S-T-Y! So eat your heart out baby!! haha! 🙂

Happy Birthday Keith

Blowing out the candles…wonder what he wished for?

Keith’s little slice of heaven!

Do you think it is weird that I don’t like chocolate and mint? What flavor combination do you not like that most people do?

Tell Me A Story…

Thanks to everyone for the sweet birthday wishes to Keith. I made him read all the comments and he was blushing! haha! I totally agree with ALL of you…he is a hottie!! HOLLAR for birthdays! 🙂

Okay, do you want to hear a story? I knew it!! I want to take you into my childhood and show you a glimpse of how I grew up, specifically in terms of dinner time. I was VERY fortunate (and I do recognize how lucky I was) to have 2 parents who cared deeply about the importance of “family time.” We were (and still are) a very close-knit family and we did a lot together, including dinner. From as long as I can remember we always had dinner at the table as a family. And yes, both of my parents worked full-time jobs during the week. But the value they placed on eating dinner as a family at the dinner table was never overlooked no matter how tired they were or how hard their day was. We didn’t turn on the television usually and the answering machine took the phone calls (and had cell phones been around we would not have been allowed to text or tweet, etc, during the dinner hour) This was the time when my brother and I got to tell about our days. It is still a family joke to talk about how those conversations went:

• Mom or Dad: “So Josh (my brother) how was your day?”
• Josh: “Fine”
• Mom or Dad: “And Kelly, how was your day?”
• Me: “Well first it started when I woke up. I walked down the hall and went to the bathroom. Then I came downstairs to eat breakfast and had….” (You can see where this is going! haha…what can I say I am a talker)

But ultimately the point was that we shared a valuable experience as a family (this continued all the way through my adult life…we still do this when we all get together now). I was constantly shown that my parents cared about me and about my brother. We never ate dinner on TV trays in front of the television, never ate dinner with a plate in our lap on the couch…but at the table in our same spots each night.

Do you think it is important to eat as a family at the table?

Personally, I do think it is important. This is where we learned proper table manners (important in today’s society I believe), where we were served nutritious meals, where we saw that even though my parents both worked a good dinner was a priority, and where we bonded as a family unit. So important that today, Keith and I always eat at the table. We don’t eat on the couch or in the living room but at the kitchen table every single night. I also set the table and this is where we reconnect after a busy day. We talk about the highs and the lows of the day. The television is off, we do not answer our phones and we just enjoy the company of one another over a relaxing dinner from a usually chaotic day. With that said…I want to know about you.

How do you eat dinner in your adult life today? Does it differ from how it was when you were a kid? What level of importance do you place on eating at the table?