Flick Friday-Ice Age:Collision Course

***Disclosure-No compensation was received.  Informational post only.

Scrat is back at it....that darn acorn.
SYNOPSIS-Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters.  

ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE, opening in theaters everywhere July 22, 2016.

SCRAT'S FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ScratofIceAge

Miercoles Mudo-Playdough Days

Mas como - Play Don't

Tasty Tuesday-My Chicken Salad Recipe

I am committed to living a healthy lifestyle.  Living a healthy lifestyle is all about choices.  Choosing good today will help you live a healthier tomorrow . 

I will be sharing with you things that are helping me continue to live a healthy lifestyle.  One thing I have shared with you previously is that I use several apps, if you missed it, click here to read.  MyFitnessPal is helping me continue to keep track of my food.  I will be the first to admit I hate counting calories.  Since I am starting over this year, I going back to the basics. 

Counting calories can only work if you record everything you eat.  Good or bad.  It keeps you conscious of how many calories are in food.  You can set a daily calorie intake goal for yourself.  It makes you think twice about what you put in your mouth.

Did you know a little itty bitty Hershey's kiss is 22 calories?

My daily calorie goal is 1200 calories.  I am back to eating 5 to 6 meals a day.  Remember smaller meals to keep your body fueled.  I am also tracking my water intake.  We have decided less eating out and more cooking at home.  Today I am sharing my chicken salad recipe.  I have made chicken salad before but never have I counted the actual calories as I am adding ingredients.

 Independentmami's Chicken Salad-297 calories

-1 tbsp. mustard
-1 tbsp. mayo with olive oil
-4 baby dills
-6 oz grilled chicken
-4 egg whites

These are normally the ingredients I use with some tweeks.  I used the mayo with olive oil because it is less calories. 

regular mayo = 90 calories
mayo w/olive oil = 35 calories

I normally use the entire egg when I am making chicken salad for the entire family but when I make it for me, I only use the egg whites.

med egg = 70
med egg whites only = 14

I never weigh my chicken only when I meal prep.  I weighed out 3 oz of chicken and it looked like a little bit of food and since I still had calories available, I went with 6 oz of chicken.  I also want to be full and not want to sneak to the kitchen and do some midnight snacking.

vs

The chicken I had previously made for another dish and had left over.  So I just placed it in a plastic container to use for other meals.  I seasoned it with season all and grilled it on the griddle.  I like to buy the family pack of chicken breast.  Cook it and cut it up to use for several meals. 

Back to the chicken salad.  Boil the eggs.  Take out the yolk, yellow stuff.  Chop the egg whites into small pieces.  Cube the chicken.  Get your pickles and dice them.  You will need a measuring spoon for the mayo and mustard.  Add all ingredients in a bowl or dish to mix together.

This is a personal serving for myself.  I knew how many calories I could eat for dinner and I wanted to stay on track.  You can prepare this for lunch and pack it with you in a plastic container.  I did not think that far in advance this week.  I did not meal prep any meals either.  Dinner decisions can be the hardest.  When you are hungry, everything looks good.  I told my husband that this is why people choose to get fast food.  It took me at least 20 mins to prepare this and remember, my chicken was already cooked and ready to go.  So I recommend you prepare this before you get hungry and not when you are starving, like I was.

Dinner is served.

Do you have a recipe you can share?  Under 400 calories?  Have you ever tried to calorie count?

XS Energy Burn Review

***Disclosure-Sample product was received for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I have been so busy.  Some days I need caffeine to stay awake.  There are not enough hours in my days.  Trying to balance my family, work, and my health. 

All work and no play you say?  Lacking energy, tired?

Yes to all of the above. 

I received a pack of XS® Energy + Burn - Strawberry.  In my house what is in the fridge is game for anyone, so me and my guys put XS to the test.  We each have busy schedules.  Long hours at work and school, and trying to fit exercise in as well.

I like that XS helps with:

-clarity

-focus

-stamina

-ignite

-balance

How, you say?  Well each 8.4 oz can has:

-125 mg of Essentra® to help the body adapt to stress and deliver mental clarity.
-150 mg of WellTrim® iG (African Mango Seed Extract) to help the body feel fuller, longer and ignite the burn.
-A proprietary blend of herbs and vitamins for a boost of positive energy.

I liked that it helped give me energy for my day without the sugar fix.   XS Energy Burn is only 10 calories and total carbs are only 2 grams.  I liked the strawberry flavor.  I have tried other energy drinks and they have made me sick.  One even sent my heart into a soar, I thought I was dying.  

XS Energy + Burn helped us get through some though days. 

For more information, go to www.amway.com

Fitness Friday-Hitting the Reset Button

***Disclosure-Sample product was received for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

This is how I ended 2015....the workout thing was not working out for me.  There was so much going on but I believe that now I am ready to try this again in 2016.  I am ready to be successful.

I understand how life goes and how busy we get.  I am ready to hit the reset button like many others on January 1st.  I am ready to recommit myself to ME.  Being healthy is a lifestyle change.  I am human and like many we need to set some goals.

Last year I ran the Aramco Houston Half Marathon like previous years, I started and finished:

 I remember the feeling of accomplishment after this race.  I love that rush.  Do you do something that makes you happy?  Running makes me happy.  I keep telling you, it is something I never though I could do.  But I know I can.  Here is what I will be working on:

1)  Goal-I am setting a goal I can reach.  This year I am not running marathons.  I am trying to get back on the pavement.  No matter what is going on I want to run at least 365 miles this year.  Broken down, that is at least 1 mile a day.  I plan to walk 10,000 steps every day. 

2)  Balance-Family -vs-Work.  I have no secrets for you.  All I can say is that I have an awesome husband that helps keep me balanced.  This year I had a lot going on and balance was kinda one sided but it is has started to balance the right way now.  All I can continue to do is keep trying to find balance. 

3)  Focus-I am going to use the 80 20 Rule.  While my life may be falling apart, I cannot change or solve 100% of my problems.  I have spend past years trying to fight a fight I have lost.  A couple of years ago my life really fell apart more than ever and I never thought I was going to survive.  Though I have more support than ever, things really hit me hard and I really went there.  The place of no return.  I lost total focus in the most important things.  This year I did work on focus and the 80 20 rule really did help.  Someone special to me kept telling me chores can wait, life moments will pass us by.  So while I can't fix everything, I will start to focus where I can.  Focus my energy where I can and will make a difference. 

What will you be working on this year?  How will you achieve it?  Let's help each other.