Addi's Busy Day

Monday proved to be a busy day for Addison & Mimi (me)! I picked her up at 10:45am.....her brother had a doctor's appointment and I was relieving Addi's daddy of having two kids at the appointment!

Addison and I first went to the beauty supply store so I could get a new blow-dryer. Yep---mine bit the dust. Of course, Addison "needed" a new brush and some nail polish. {I think I got out of there pretty inexpensively!!}

When we left, Addison said she was hungry....so we went to Papa's Pizza (one of our favorite local spots) to get some lunch.

Addi ordered "plain" spaghetti ("I need parmesan!") and a big glass of milk. {I'm not sure what's up with this new "pose", but she 'struck' it several times during our day!!}

*Silly* faces while waiting on our food!!!

OH!! The joys of slurping up spaghetti!!!!

After lunch, we went to visit Great-Gramma!!

Addison was showing Gramma "how-to" do Mimi's hair!!

*Lovely, eh??

~~Tickle-Fight-Time~~

"Joe Cool" in Mimi's sunglasses! {I told you that this 'pose' would reappear!}

We left Gramma's house and went back to Mimi's so Addison can play with the dogs; Jack & Beau.

Addison and Jack immediately plopped on the floor in the living room and watched cartoons on TV. *Best dog EVER!!!

After some playtime outside, Addison and Jack are 'exhausted'! They've curled up on the couch and are watching a movie!! *Ruff Life*

After a full-day of fun, it was time to take Ms. Addison back to her own home...at first, she didn't want to go....but I reminded her that Andrew would be recovering & happy to see his sister. That's all it took!

While I was putting her in her car seat, I said, "You look tired, baby!" Of course, she insisted that she was NOT tired! *Ah-hem....we hadn't driven but a couple of blocks when I saw this in my rear view mirror!!!

FUN DAY!!

P.I.N.K. Method Girls

Since I started the P.I.N.K. Method, I have found incredible support from literally HUNDREDS of women on the same path. We have an awesome page on facebook where we share our triumphs, our downfalls and our deepest secrets. I have never been part of such a large group of absolutely supportive and encouraging women before.

This group of women have shown me that it IS possible for women to get along, motivate each other and not have ANY of the gossiping~~back-stabbing~~or negativity. It is BEAUTIFUL!!

My best friend also started the P.I.N.K. Method after seeing my success and happiness and we've had so much fun sharing our new lifestyle, foods and JOY over the pounds we've 'released'! (We don't say 'lost'~~~we don't want to ever 'find' them again!!!)

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to meet a couple of the girls from our P.I.N.K Method Support Facebook Page! We met in downtown Asheville and had lunch at the Laughing Seed Cafe on Wall Street.

We took pictures, we talked, we laughed, we shared ideas & recipes~~~and best of all?? We got to 'know' each other, in a face-to-face way. Sharing honesty, fears, feelings and understanding.

It was an incredible afternoon and I am so thankful for these awesome friends I have created. I'm looking forward to May, when hundreds of us P.I.N.K. girls will descend upon L.A. and walk the PINK carpet!!

Thank you, Diane, Mary and Amanda for such a FUN Saturday!!!

Amanda, Mary, Me & Diane

Mary is taking a picture of me taking a picture!!

This is Diane's *yummy* salad!!

Amanda, Mary & I had the Raw Spinach Manicotti....OMG!!! Can you say---"lick the plate clean"???

What a *lovely* table of healthy foods!!!

Diane, Me, Mary & Amanda at The Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville, NC. Just love this picture of the four of us!! Between us, there's over 50lbs of 'released' weight and LOTS of inches gone!!

Thank you, my P.I.N.K. girls for your inspiration, your motivation & your true caring and support.

The P.I.N.K. Method & Me

As so many of my friends and family already know, I've been using the P.I.N.K. Method for losing weight, eating healthier and getting into much better shape. {You can go to www.pinkmethod.com for more information on the program}

I started on Jan. 2nd and so far, I've lost 18lbs. and about 12" off my body. It's been a process of learning to eat healthy and whole foods~~~and enjoying them!

I've been asked for recipes, so I decided to do a blog on some of the most requested *yummies*!

First, here are some of my favorite veggie 'chips'.......

These are beet chips and crispy spinach. I had a 'slight' problem while slicing the raw beets....lets just say that I've learned to ALWAYS use the vegetable 'holder' while using my mandolin!! :)

Recipe for Kale/Spinach Chips:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse and pat dry vegetable "leaves". Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray or with your own oil spritzer. {I use the "Mister" filled with my olive oil.} Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to taste. Bake in oven for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until 'browned' and crispy.

This photo is the VERY scrumptious sweet potato chips and surprisingly good kale chips! The kale is very crunchy and delish!!!

Recipe for Veggie Chips:

Ingredients: 2 cups veggies (can use beets, parsnips, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, squash, carrots, etc. or mix and match!), washed and thinly sliced 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil Celtic sea salt, to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place veggies in bowl and pour extra virgin olive oil on top. Mix until veggies are well coated. Sprinkle lightly with Celtic sea salt. Arrange slices in a single layer on baking sheet and bake until crispy and slightly brown on edges.

My new favorite treat is the Cauliflower Poppers~~ I SWEAR they taste like you're being 'sinful' and eating fried potatoes!! So very, very decadent!!!!

Recipe for Cauliflower Poppers:

2 heads of cauliflower 1/4 cup of olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1 teaspoon of pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Wash and clean the cauliflower. Cut off and discard the stem. Cut the cauliflower up into small pieces. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower pieces and thoroughly coat each piece. Place cauliflower pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for one hour and turn 3 times during cooking until each piece has a nice brown coloring. The browner they are the better. Remove from oven and enjoy!

This was my dessert last night.....banana "ice cream".....such a simple creation and soooooo good!!! And the easiest 'dessert' I've ever made!

Recipe for Banana Ice Cream:

Slice 1 banana, place in a baggie and freeze.

When ready to eat, place in your food processor and blend until creamy.

*THAT'S IT!!!!!

Let me know if you try any of these recipes! You'll never believe you're eating 'healthy' or 'diet food'!!