Time For a Little Fun in the Kitchen

Ladies Cute Kitchen Aprons

When I was approached by the kind ladies at Jessie Steele to review their designer aprons, I jumped at the chance.  I thought for sure having one would help give me the little (OK I kid, BIG) push I need to get in the kitchen and cook.  Kev cooks all the time and I oversee.   So it’s about time I get in there and try my hand at it.  He was jumping for joy when I told him the plan.

When I opened the package, I found not only one but TWO ladies cute kitchen aprons.  Getting back to the kitchen (and preparing healthy meals) and spending time with family is what it’s all about.  Look at these adorable aprons. This first one is the one I chose. I thought the print was perfect to share on this blog. It has a fruit bowl, food scale, tomatoes, mixers and more.  Cutest apron I have ever seen!

Then there was the more sophisticated black and white apron.  I wasn’t expecting this additional apron so one of you lucky blog readers is going to win it.  Instructions on how to enter to win are at the end of this post.  Jessie Steele products have been on TV, in film, print and on the runway.

Here I am modeling this vintage kitchen apron (the top part doesn’t fit entirely across the chest but I don’t think I have ever tried on an apron that did).  So I’m not cooking in it BUT this past weekend we picked up some tomato and pepper plants and I’m going to try my hand at growing veggies. OH.MY.  But I promise, I’ll get in the kitchen and cook up something.

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Healthy Exercise: Treadmill Workouts

Low Section View of People Running on Treadmills in a Gym

Healthy Exercise: Treadmill Workouts

I really want to get back on the treadmill.  I miss it because it’s a great workout if you don’t get bored easily. My favorite things to do on the treadmill are walk with weights and walk on an incline and I *might* like to throw a quick one minute run in there too.  I like to change things up to make treadmill workouts a challenge for me.  Walking indoors or out is a very healthy exercise. Make sure you have the right shoes and you’re good to go.

As many of you know, at the beginning of last year, I started training to run a half marathon in Jamaica.  I had an extremely hard time with running both on the treadmill and outdoors (due to breathing issues).  Well you can now read my story about how I completed my first half marathon just 3 months ago and what a struggle it was.  BUT it was also an amazing accomplishment!  I am pretty sure long distance races are not in the cards for me but never say never.  There are a few races I would like to do for FUN (hello Disney Princess!) and I’m OK if we have to walk them.  A treadmill at home could really help with the training for future races though.

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Congrats to the Engine 2 Diet Book winners

Congrats to the winners of the Engine 2 Diet book.

cutecynicalchubbygirl

Michele C

Annette

Kim V

Carma

Thank you all for participating!  I will be in touch with you tomorrow (Wednesday) to get your mailing address or if you read this before I touch base, feel free to send me an email with your info (remember no P.O. boxes). The book will come direct from the company.  I really appreciate you taking the time to read my review of the Engine 2 Diet book & for helping to spread the word.

I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the book once you have had the chance to read it.  Feel free to come back to the Engine 2 Diet book review post to leave your thoughts.

 

The Engine 2 Diet book review & giveaway

I was given a great opportunity to review The Engine 2 Diet book.  I chose to review this book because the title immediately brought back memories of the firehouse being my family in my early childhood years.  My dad worked for many years at the fire department.  I also know that my dad and mom have been trying hard to work on losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle so I wanted to read this book and pass it on to my mom so they can see if it would be a diet that would suit them.

AND I have FIVE copies of this hardback book to give away to my readers so be sure to read the review and if you think it’s a book you might be interested in reading enter for your chance to win.  Instructions for entering the giveaway are at the end of this review.

I really enjoyed The Engine 2 Diet book.  In the beginning the author, Rip Esselstyn tells why he decided to create this diet and also shares his personal story.  This is a plant based diet and a 4 week program that will help you reach your health goals.  There are 2 plans available, one is a more gradual approach and the other is for someone who wants to jump right into and go for the full program.

I enjoyed the quick testimonials and pop quizzes that are placed throughout the book.  Exercise is also incorporated into this diet which I was very happy to see and in the book there is an exercise section with images to help you perform a variety of moves.

This is not a program that would fit into our lifestyle right now but it definitely has me intrigued. The book has taught me many ways to eat healthier such as using much less or no olive oil or any other oil for that matter, try more whole grains and legumes and focus on less processed foods.  This diet seems to really focus on lowering cholesterol too.

You can find a lot more great information at their website The Engine 2 Diet.  Watch the film that they provide and you’ll have a better understanding about the diet and what the book is about.  My favorite part of the book was the chapter on label reading.  It was a real eye opener.  And the recipe and meal plan section has a bunch of great suggestions, kitchen tips, etc.

GIVEAWAY! I have 5 copies to give away to my readers.  Open only to U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes.

Here’s how to win: CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED

Head on over to The Engine 2 Diet website and tell me one of the most common questions people have about THE DIET or tell me one thing you learned from watching THE FILM.

Extra entries: (separate comment for each entry please)

*Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (leave the link to your tweet with your comment)

*Blog about and link to this review/giveaway post AND to the Engine 2 Diet website (leave link to your blog post in the comment section)

This giveaway begins March 30th and ends April 6th at 9 PM Central.  Winners will be randomly chosen and announced here on my blog on March 7th.  I will send an email to the winners and you’ll have 3 days to reply or we’ll re-draw.

Remember this giveaway is for those in the U.S. and Canada.  No P.O. boxes.

If you don’t want to wait for the giveaway to end, you can go ahead and purchase a copy of The Engine 2 Diet

 

Weight Watchers Online Subscription Giveaway

Mel over at A Box Of Chocolates blog has a giveaway opportunity going for a chance to win a Weight Watchers Online subscription.  I personally haven’t had any recent experiences with Weight Watchers but I used to go to local meetings with my mom when I was much younger.  Those were very positive experiences for me so I decided to enter to win this subscription because I would like to be able to review the program for my readers who have asked me what I think about those types of programs and I also think it would be a benefit to my own weight loss endeavors.  What a great opportunity.  You should stop on by Mel’s blog and enter yourself.  That would be cool if one of my readers won.

If you are already familiar with Weight Watchers Online, please feel free to share your thoughts here.

 

Free Bike Giveaway: Fuji Crosstown 2.0 bike

Diana over at Scale Junkie has a really cool giveaway going for a chance to win a Lipton branded Fuji Crosstown 2.0 bike. All you have to do is visit her blog and leave a comment for your chance to win. If you want to double your chance, just post about the giveaway on your blog and comment on her blog (don’t forget to let her know you posted about it to). Easy!

Diana wants to know how winning this bike will help me embrace my youthful spirit. To be honest, Kevin and I just bought bikes for ourselves. He has been wanting one for quite some time and I kept putting it off. I really didn’t want a bike but he was going to get one anyway and after taking my first Spin class a few weeks ago, I had changed my mind. We both got bikes but he settled on a bike and I believe he would really love this Fuji Crosstown 2.0 bike instead and so that is why I am entering. I know by both of us going bike riding together we will be able to embrace our youthful spirit. We have been working out together for a few months now and have increased our energy and have had fun doing it. And winning this bike would work in our favor because my stepson can have the other one and join us for a family bike ride.