Red Ace Organic Beet Juice Energy Shots

I've never been a big fan of "energy shots" since my experience with them has been limited mainly to the ones you find on the counter at truck stops. I understand that folks are interested in a way to boost their energy pre-workout, on roadtrips, or during the late afternoon zombie hours of cubicle workdays, but too often these gimmicky shots are sugary, overcaffeinated legalized crack that will wake you up, but are pretty likely to leave you with a raging headache and a jittery, lingering sense of remorse.

Unlike other energy boosters, Red Ace Organic Beet Shots are all natural. Each two ounce bottle is filled with 100% organic beet juice, the equivalent of 3 whole beets, densely packed with nutrients and antioxidants to enhance your performance and improve your overall nutritional health.  They're a quick and delicious way to get long lasting, clean energy with no sugar crash or caffeine fallout. 

Beet juice reputedly helps to lower blood pressure and increase oxygen levels, boosting your stamina and overall cardiovascular health. But juicing organic beets at home can be cumbersome, time consuming, and expensive. Red Ace helps you get right to the beet benefits you want, just by twisting the cap of their recyclable glass bottles. No peeling, roasting, juicing, or composting required. And an added bonus: once you peel off the shrink wrap, Red Ace bottles are a great size and shape for storing bulk spices or knick knacks.

Red Ace Performance Shots are available in three varieties: Original Organic Beets - lasting energy, Organic Beets & Turmeric - quick recovery, and Organic Beets & Greens - cleansing and detoxification. I enjoyed them all but the Turmeric is a particular favorite, for its gingery flavor and anti-inflammatory properties. It's not the recommended usage, but adding a Red Ace shot to your favorite Bloody Mary recipe adds some excellent flavor, nutritional value AND hangover-relieving properties…

You can order Red Ace Organic Beet Shots online (use code superdumbsupervillain at checkout for 15% off!) , or look for them at a grocer near you. I found them on an end cap in my local Whole Foods!

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines, I am disclosing that I have received product samples to facilitate this review but all opinions here are decidedly my own.

#CheatClean with Quest Nutrition Protein Chips

Snacking is the great diet killer. Unless you have unusually strong willpower, you have probably given in to the urge to nibble on something crunchy and salty or chewy and sweet. Quest Nutrition is all about giving you better options for snacking, so you can satisfy those pesky urges without ruining all your hard work. 

Their latest creation, Quest Protein Chips, is the world’s first high-protein snack chip. Available in three flavors, Sea Salt, Barbeque, and Sour Cream & Cheddar, they pack a whopping 21g of protein into a single serving 120 calorie bag. They don't taste exactly like junky junk food, probably because they are baked instead of fried, but they are satisfyingly crunchy and flavorful. Plus they get bonus points since, like all of Quest's products, they are made from high quality natural ingredients without sketchy chemical additives. Did I mention that they are low carb and gluten free? Take that, evil cravings!

Quest Protein Chips are available online at QuestNutrition.com and select retailers nationwide.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received product samples to facilitate this post but no compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, strictly my own. 

Shaklee 180 Month One Vlog

Remember when I told you I was a Shaklee 180 Blogger? Well, one of my responsibilities in my six months on the program is to make a monthly video blog to tell you about my experiences. One of the things I hate most in life is being photographed, so you can imagine how thrilled I am about being videotaped, particularly when I'm supposed to be talking about weight loss. Of course, that's one of the reasons I want to lose weight in the first place– so when I look in the mirror, I see someone who looks more like who I feel like. That's one of my big goals.

Anyhow, I did put this off until literally the last minute and had to sneak it in while dinner was in the oven and the kids were distracted, hence the weird grainy lighting at dusk. Sorry about that. Hopefully my cinematography skills will improve as my diet goes into full swing… 


For more information, join Shaklee on their social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/ShakleeCorporation http://pinterest.com/shakleehq/ http://twitter.com/#!/ShakleeHQ https://www.facebook.com/Shaklee180 https://twitter.com/shaklee180 http://www.youtube.com/shaklee180

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics , I am disclosing that I am a #ShakleeBlogger and will receive product samples, online support and incentives for my participation in this campaign . All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own. People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180™ Program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

I'm A Shaklee 180 Blogger!

I didn't mean to hold out on you for so long but what with Roo's birthday and starting a part-time job, things have been a little hectic over the past few weeks. I am happy to announce that I am a Shaklee 180 Blogger! 

If you're not familiar with the Shaklee Corporation, it is the #1 natural nutrition company in the US and has been leading the way in natural cleaning products and supplements since 1956- well before the current trendiness of green living. The Shaklee 180 Turnaround is a weight loss and management program that seeks lasting change and I am very excited to be starting my journey.

The core of the program is substituting two meals per day with Energizing Smoothees and Meal-in-a-bar, clinically-tested products which aid in burning fat instead of muscle. You also take a Metabolic Boost tablet with each meal and can snack on a variety of veggies or protein-packed Snack Bars. I was worried that the Smoothees would not satiate hunger, having tried shake-based diets in the past, but I am really impressed with these. Blended with ice and an avocado or banana, they are not only delicious but filling, too! And check out the nutrition stats:

My favorite so far is mixing the chocolate Smoothee with coconut milk and a tablespoon of almond butter. I add a shake of flaxseeds, too. Better than a Frosty, y'all, and WAY better for you.

The Shaklee 180 app lets you track your calorie intake and activity, so it really makes you think about what you're eating and why. This concrete measure is really going to be a game-changer for me, I think. I haven't decided if I'm going to share my "before" pictures with you. Hopefully I will have some impressive changes to show you before too long and then I won't feel as icky about it. I literally cannot wait to get to what Shaklee refers to the After-After stage!

I'll tell you more about the program as I learn more about it myself- I am going to be blogging and vlogging about it a couple of times monthly during my six-month journey. For now, this video is a great introduction to the program:

Shaklee 180: Take your shape in a whole new direction

For more information, join Shaklee on their social platforms:

https://www.facebook.com/ShakleeCorporation http://pinterest.com/shakleehq/ http://twitter.com/#!/ShakleeHQ https://www.facebook.com/Shaklee180 https://twitter.com/shaklee180 http://www.youtube.com/shaklee180

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am a #ShakleeBlogger and will receive product samples, online support and incentives for my participation in this campaign. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own. People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180™ Program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

BluePrint Cleanse - Detox with Juice

I recently had the opportunity to try a three day juice detox from BluePrint Cleanse. Read my guest post about the experience over at DietsinReview.com.

Here's a spoiler: I ordered a juicer yesterday.

Mamavation Monday - Week Four

This has been a very long week, even though technically it is just beginning. Holidays always throw me off balance but even moreso when we've spent the past few days in and out of a cold medicine-induced haze. Yes, the nasty flu bug that's had my husband down for almost two weeks now finally got one kid, both kids, and then me. Argh.

Coincidentally, I developed my plague symptoms on the same day that the very expensive BluePrint juice cleanse was supposed to arrive. (I'll be writing about my thoughts about the plan for Diets in Review soon and will share the link when it posts.) I did make it through the three day juice fast with no issues and it was probably a good thing, since I couldn't motivate myself to do much exercise at all, aside from the awesome core workout you get from deep-body hacking coughs.

I'm still sick, although I think I'm on the upswing, finally. I lost almost seven pounds over the three days of the juice cleanse. Yes, I know that it's probably mostly water weight but I do think that swooshing antioxidant fruits and veggies through my body is something I'm going to have to look into for the future. I could definitely see juicing for a healthy snack option throughout the day. I was surprised at how satisfied I was with the six bottles of juice per day and my skin looks pretty darned glowy for feeling as rotten as I do. My stomach feels less bloated and I feel like the clean nutrients probably helped me kick the cold faster than my typical comfort foods would. I can't imagine how great it would feel if I was able to work out while doing a juice cleanse! I'll definitely try it again in the future but with homemade juices. I'm not sure how normal people could justify the $80/day price tag of having them delivered to your door. Note to self: gotta get a juicer, like pronto.

Do you have a juicer to recommend?

Belly Fat Diet for Dummies

The Belly Fat Diet For Dummies is not just another fad weight loss manual. Author Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE is a nutrition and fitness expert who is more concerned with finding the right tools for each individual's healthiest lifestyle, rather than just making sure you look hot.

Don't get me wrong, the ultimate goal is still to slim down but her focus is making sure the dangerous visceral belly fat is targeted and that the weight loss and health consciousness is maintained in the long run. To that end, Belly Fat Diet for Dummies includes plenty of information on the difference between subcutaneous and visceral fat, along with how they affect your overall health. Palinski-Wade offers diagrams and formulas for determining your body type and BMI index. She also acknowledges that human beings are prone to slipping up and that you need to recognize your personal cravings and find healthier substitutions to nip them in the bud.

Realizing that stress hormones can cause your body to store more abdominal fat gives a lot of credence to the idea that your diet and exercise plans are only part of a holistic lifestyle. Sleep patterns, even. I know that's a hard one for most people but getting enough sleep is important for mood, metabolism and just about everything. Everything is connected! There are breathing exercises for stress reduction along with lists of belly fat-fighting foods and appropriate serving sizes.

One of the things that I thought was really different about the Flat Belly Diet approach is that the meal plans are flexible. You can go whole hog with the Turbo-Charged plan, take the middle ground with the Moderate plan, or choose to change your eating over time with the Gradual-Change plan. Since I'm a mom and cook for my husband and two kids, following strict diets is pretty problematic for me. It's easier for me to try to integrate little changes that might fly under the radar, so I don't ruffle too many feathers with a sudden influx of healthier food! We already try to eat more whole foods but I've been dialing down our carbs and it seems to help a lot. The recipes are very simply laid out and easy to execute, using ingredients you probably already buy.

The exercise component of the Flat Belly Diet gives you guidance from choosing the right shoes to keeping motivated. All of the exercises can be done at home, using your own body weight, although you will eventually want to get some hand or ankle weights for more resistance as you gain strength.  My very least favorite is the Spider Walk, although I have to admit it's effective.

Overall, the Flat Belly Diet for Dummies is a great read, with tons of practical advice.

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a copy of the book to facilitate this review . As usual, all opinions are my own. 

Mamavation Monday - Week Three

The new year hasn't been especially productive for me, on the fitness front. Bob's been battling the epic flu of 2013 for a week or so now and that basically means single parenting, at least in the mornings, when I usually like to get into the gym. It's also been ridiculously cold which tends to make me want to hibernate, so that's been a hurdle.

On a brighter note, I've been experimenting with some healthier recipes and discovered that the kids both like green smoothies and kale in spaghetti sauce. I've developed an obsession with oatmeal for breakfast and have been drinking water like crazy. I ordered a balance board and have been playing around with that at home, which has been fun. 

I'm also excited about the little things you can do to boost nutritive value for your food. I've been adding flax seeds to anything baked. I tried using almond milk instead of water in my oatmeal, which I do not recommend. Still, trying new things is something I feel like I should model for the kids as much as possible. Like, for example, taking a zumba class when I have absolutely no rhythm. That's my goal for this week.

Set Your Table with eMeals

One of my constant struggles is meal planning. I'm just not very good at it. It's not that I'm a bad cook– I'm actually pretty good in the kitchen. I've just never established a system for cooking for a family, in a regular pattern. Stocking a pantry with essentials instead of random gourmet nonsense, for example. I tend to get bored of leftovers and eating the same stuff over and over, so I tend to wait until the last minute to decide what to make for dinner. 

It's not the healthiest way to do things, especially with kids. Too often I'm making one thing for Bob and myself and a plainer, more kid-friendly version alongside it. We use way too much bread, way too much cheese. And instead of concentrating on mealtime as a happy family occasion, I'm rushing to get something ready and getting cranky in the process.

I thought it might be a good idea to try something new in 2013, so I signed up for an eMeals meal plan subscription. There are ten different styles to choose from, ranging from low carb and low fat options to gluten-free and vegetarian and simple gourmet. Not all of the plans are specifically tailored for weight loss but quite a few are. My family has been wanting to eat healthier and leaner, so I signed up for the Paleo Meal Plan, which focuses on meats and fresh produce, eschewing grains and processed ingredients. 

Every week, I'll receive a meal plan via email that features seven dinner recipes, including entree and side dishes. What makes eMeals so cool is that along with the meal plan, you also receive an itemized grocery list that can be customized for sales at your local grocery store. You get more organized about shopping, cooking and feeding your family every week, while saving a little money and potentially losing a bit of weight in the process. 

Obviously, the easiest way to lose weight is to watch your calorie intake. Here are some handy tools from eMeals to help you think about what your body actually needs versus what you're actually consuming. 

One of the best motivators for weight loss is supposedly keeping track of every calorie you ingest. I've never been very good about doing this but there are tons of free online calorie trackers and apps to make it easier. I like the My Fitness Pal app on the iPhone because it will calculate the calories in your personal recipes based on ingredients, which makes it very convenient. You could also start with a simple chart like this one:

Use code newyear to save 15% on your eMeals subscription! 

If you're a blogger and would like to try eMeals for yourself, apply for their Blogger Network. (Please mention Superdumb Supervillain in the "How Did You Hear About Us" field– I'll be eligible for a prize.)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/emealz

Twitter: www.twitter.com/emeals

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/Emealz/

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received a a complimentary subscription to the eMeals Paleo plan. No compensation was provided for this post. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Yoplait Light Two Week Tune Up

***WINNER PICKED 3/17 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, Melissa!!!***

her comment...
I need a 2 week tune-up so I can get in shape for my bathing suit.. vacation in Jamaica is coming in 3 weeks!




The last few days have been an amazing respite from the harsh winter. It's been fabulous to be able to go outside without a heavy coat or big, furry boots. On bright, sunny days it's not hard to get motivated to exercise and eat right, but I'm afraid we've got another round of arctic chill to get through before we can truly spring forward. I refuse to let slushy weather let me fall prey to comfort food and couch potato-dom! There's still plenty of time to lose weight and get back into the fitness groove before bathing suit season; I just need a plan.

Here's an easy one to try: Yoplait Light´s Two Week Tune Up Plan. By making a few lifestyle changes (like simply substituting your regular breakfast and lunch for a Yoplait Light yogurt, a whole grain, and a fruit and walking daily), you can lose five pounds in two weeks. The Yoplait website features useful weight loss tools such as a meal planner, healthy recipes and a daily food and exercise tracker to help you reach your goals.

I received a motivational kit from Yoplait and MyBlogSpark including a gym bag, wrist wallet and pedometer as well as coupons to try the Two Week Tune Up. I've been trying it out and although I can't say I've lost much yet, I haven't gained anything, which is just as important to me in this winter hibernation season. There are 33 flavors of Yoplait Light to choose from, so my tastebuds never get bored.

Click here to download a printable coupon for $0.75 off the purchase of four (4) Yoplait Light yogurts.

To enter and win a Yoplait Light Two Week Tune Up kit similar to the one shown above (including a gym bag, wrist wallet, pedometer and coupon for one cup of yogurt), please comment on this post with your reason for needing a Two Week Tune Up or your favorite Yoplait Light flavor.


Entries will be accepted through March 17th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.

For additional entries: 
- Post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar) 
- Follow my blog - Follow @superdumb on Twitter 
- Like Superdumb Supervillain on Facebook 
- Fave me on Technorati 
- Subscribe via email 
- Subscribe via reader 
Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.





Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!


***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

31 Days: Bonus Lean Cuisine Coupon

I spent last month participating in the 31 Day Challenge, trying to re-establish what healthy New Year's resolutions meant for me. Obviously, losing weight is always a plus but I think it's more important to contemplate how everything is interconnected– diet, exercise, sleep, attitude. These things all affect each other and you can't really expect long-term change without balancing all of them.

Bearing that in mind, I don't see my lifestyle changing much now that the 31 Day Challenge has come to a close. I've been pretty happy with my progress. (She says as her husband walks into the room bearing donuts…) I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. I exercise daily, drink water, try to be a better example for my kids. I have actually really enjoyed using Lean Cuisine as my go-to lunch menu and occasional dinner bail-out. They taste good, are quick and easy to prepare and great to stockpile in the freezer for your moments of weakness. I suggest stowing some Skinny Cow treats in the freezer, too, to stave off your sweet tooth!

If you're a Lean Cuisine lover, or just want to see what the fuss is all about, I have a great deal for you. As a member of the Lean 11, I was given a special "buy four, get one free" coupon to distribute:

Supplies are limited, so get yours now! (FYI, I do get brownie points for getting folks to download it. Healthy brownie points, that is, and a chance to win a prize.) It's also posted on my sidebar, so feel free to tell your frugal friends.



Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am being compensated for my participation in the 31 Day Challenge but all opinions are my own.

31 Days: Recap

Today is the first day of February, which means my 31 Day Challenge has come to an end. Officially, anyway. I think that the impetus to eat better and exercise more is going to stick around for quite a bit longer. My weight loss wasn't huge- only about six pounds- but I know that being more mindful of what I consume is a permanent change.

To check up on the progress of the rest of the Lean 11, visit the 31 Days website. Here's a Whrrl about my month.

More check-ins at home

Powered by Whrrl

before:

after:

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am being compensated for my participation in the 31 Day Challenge but all opinions are my own.

31 Days: Exercising Options

Here's way more information than you probably want to know about my workout regime…you will see how unnaturally obsessed I am with Jillian Michaels. It's true.

More check-ins at home

Powered by Whrrl

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am being compensated for my participation in the 31 Day Challenge but all opinions are my own.

31 Days: Reading Healthier

One of the biggest challenges in adopting a healthy lifestyle is changing the way you think about everything. Food, sure, that's a given but have you ever thought about how your outlook on other things impacts your eating habits and your physical activity? It may not be a really big surprise to you but I've only just realized how much everything in life is interconnected.

Soon after signing on to the 31 Day Challenge (check out the new site!), I read a provocatively-titled post by Julien Smith: How to Lose 20+ lbs in January 2011. It's not as much of a how-to as a call to action, less about losing weight and more about taking ownership of your body. I dig it. He points out some simple things to consider and provides a good reading list to get started with. I borrowed Tim Ferris' much-ballyhooed The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman from the library but was kind of put off by its macho swagger. (It had some good info but overall read like a phone book-sized Men's Health article.) I'm not interested in getting ripped as much as being moderately fit. Yep, I'm a middle-of-the-road girl sometimes.

I received a copy of Oxygen's Pick It Kick It to review. It's not necessarily something I would pick up on my own (its bright colors and lascivious design makes it look like a tabloid tell-all mag about junk food) but it's really pretty smart. Little nutritional factoids and tips can help you a make smarter grocery shopping and dining out choices. For example, if you abhor healthier whole grain breads and will only eat white breads, it suggests you consider choosing sourdough. Why? Because the lactic acid in sourdough aids digestion. Smart, right? It's all about thinking about what you're eating.

Pick It Kick It author Diane Hart is the Executive Editor for Oxygen Magazine and Editor In Chief of Oxygen’s Special Issue Publications. She says that “Eating right doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive – it is a simple matter of making the right choices and that comes from knowing what foods are better than others.” Amen, sister! Here are her tips for eating healthier when dining out:

1. Stick to restaurants known for their healthy food options
2. To cut down on fat intake, order low-fat salad dressing on the side, and then dip your fork between bites to get the flavor without the extra fat
3. To cut calories while keeping taste and nutrition, mix your OJ and other fruit juices with equal amount of mineral water, plain water or seltzer and give the other half to your dining partner
4. Avoid bagels and muffins: Portion sizes have doubled in size and calories over the years, while muffins contain the bad stuff
5. Swap artificial sweeteners for honey, a half-teaspoon worth is just the right sweetness
6. Takes up to 20 minutes for food to digest: chew food thoroughly and slow down
7. Don’t “save your calories” by skipping meals: Not only will you slow down your metabolism, but you will be famished by the meal and most likely overeat
8. Anything “creamed,” “scalloped,” “au gratin,” “sautéed” or “breaded” is most likely loaded with fat: Go for “smoked,” “barbecued,” “roasted,” “grilled” or “broiled”
9. Buffet-Style Dining: Avoid it but tips if you must-Do an initial walk around and find vegetables and other clean etc., next get the small plate and load up on the proteins and other clean foods. Watch out for sauces and fried foods, skip breads and pastas
10. Portion control: Most people underestimate the calories in a meal by 150 to 400 calories; box off half of your meal for leftovers, less calories and two meals out of one saves money

Bob has been reading a lot of spiritual books by world-renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and has told me a lot about his theories about mindful living. I'm anxious to check out Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life written by Thich Nhat Hanh with nutritionist Lilian Cheung, which combines diet and meditation for a holistic approach. I'm interested in learning how to approach weight loss without the vanity commonly associated with it. Losing not to achieve attractiveness but a sense of balance, if that makes any sense.

What do you think?


Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am being compensated for my participation in the 31 Day Challenge but all opinions are my own.

31 Days: Eating Healthier

I wrote a little last week about the  31 Day Challenge I'm participating in. It's been pretty easy to eat lighter and healthier after the overload of heavy Holiday food. We've kept a lot of fresh vegetables in the house and have been eating a lot of salads. I've stocked up on Lean Cuisine frozen meals and Skinny Cow frozen novelties, which I am using primarily for lunches and snack attacks. Here's a recap of my shopping trip to stock up on them:

More check-ins at Walmart Supercenter #1507

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I have been very surprised with how tasty the Lean Cuisine meals are, overall, although I think the real secret behind them is portion control. I could probably eat two meals in one sitting, although that would defeat the purpose! I try to supplement them with a salad or fruit and have gotten used to finishing meals without an overly full feeling. Bob suggested we use the kids' plates for our own meals and see how much weight we'd lose. I suspect he's onto something there!

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am being compensated for my participation in the 31 Day Challenge but all opinions are my own. 

31 Days

I've never had what I would really call a healthy body image. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years thinking I was fat, although in retrospect I was being silly. When I see old pictures, it makes me sad because I spent so much time hating my body instead of enjoying what it was capable of. I thought I was fat and clumsy and never wanted to join in any kind of physical activity, at school or at play. I consoled myself with thinking it was okay to be a bookworm, smart was enough. It wasn't until I was pregnant with Roo that I started thinking about my body in terms of health versus attractiveness. Looking good became less important than being fit and healthy. Food became a fuel source more than an activity. I actually wanted to exercise, to make labor and delivery easier and safer for myself and for my future baby.

Over the past seven years, with two natural childbirths under my belt, I lost my sense of personal well-being. Moms notoriously put others' needs before their own, but it's no excuse for my laziness. I never really worked to lose the weight after Jasper was born and our lives got busier and somehow, here I am almost four years later with an extra fifty pounds weighing me down both physically and mentally. Obviously, I am in need of some changes, so I was glad to be asked to participate in a 31 Day Challenge to start 2011 off in a healthier way. Lean Cuisine and The Skinny Cow have asked eleven bloggers to document the changes they're making this first month of the new year… allow me to introduce the Lean 11.

Mel/Mama Buzz
Zippy/Champagne Living
Nicole/SAHM Reviews
Wendy/The Local Cook
Tara/This Military Mama
Shelby & Steve/Glitterful Felt Stories
Eliza/The Life of a Home Mom
Brandi/Mama Knows It All
Ellen/Confessions of an Overworked Mom
Lisa/East Texas Saver
and, of course, me- Naomi/Superdumb Supervillain

Our goals vary, from weight loss and strength training to energy gain, but we're all committed to taking steps toward a healthier 2011. I've started doing the 30 Day Shred DVD again and already feel a change in my energy level and muscle strength, although I've actually gained a couple of pounds. I'll be reviewing other fitness games and books this month, letting you know how they work for me, and counting my calorie intaking using Lean Cuisine meals for lunches and The Skinny Cow treats. I picked up a couple of these to stock my freezer and was surprised at how much better Lean Cuisine meals look than I remember. Lots and lots of choices to suit most palates.

As a bonus, if you collect twenty codes from boxed Lean Cuisine meals before March 31st (excluding Market Creations), you can redeem them for a cute lunch bag. I am partial to the graffiti style, personally.

Okay, on to the accountability. Here I am, post-Shred, at the beginning of January.

I know, it's not pretty. One of my big resolutions for 2011 is to stop running away from cameras, like I've been doing since I was 9 or 10, so I am keeping it real with an ultra-rare snapshot of me in workout clothes. Shudder.

What are your goals for the new year? Share them with me!

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I am being compensated for my participation in the 31 Day Challenge but all opinions are my own.

Quorn-fed

Quorn is an all-natural, meatless frozen food. It's been sold in the UK since the mid-'80s and is the top selling retail brand of meat-free food in the world. It is meat-free and soy-free, being made primarily from mycoprotein, an efficient and nutritious protein source derived from fungi. Yes, it's true: Quorn is made from mushrooms!



I'm always on the lookout for things that my kids might eat that aren't chicken nuggets. Quorn makes Chik'n Nuggets that fool the pickiest toddler palate. I was impressed. Impressed enough to buy a box of Cranberry & Goat Cheese Chik'n Cutlets. While not tasting entirely like poultry, the texture is very satisfyingly "meaty" and they are actually quite delicious. I baked them in the oven along with a couple of Turk'y Burgers for the kids. These mycoprotein burgers contain 50% less fat than normal turkey burgers, which are already pretty lean! I liked them most with a bit of cheese melted on top.



Here is a cross-section of the turkey burger so you can see how "meaty" the texture is. Even my cats gobbled them up and begged for more!



I'm definitely keeping some Quorn in the freezer for quick, easy and HEALTHY dinners.

Disclosure: I received a box of Turk'y Burgers from Quorn but I'd purchased the nuggets and cutlets myself. And I plan on doing it again soon.

Zone Perfect Twitter Party Tonight! #GNO

Please join the #GNO launch party TONIGHT (Thursday, October 22) on Twitter from 8-10pm CST! The party hashtag will be #zoneperfect and there will be prizes and samples of ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares. Follow @ZonePerfect and @superdumb or use this special Tweetgrid to keep up on the action!




ZonePerfect is dedicated to making all-natural nutrition bars that help you live the healthiest life possible. Their goal goes beyond being simply nutritious, though. ZonePerfect bars are also one of the most delicious nutrition bars on the market. Now they've raised the bar (pun intended!) with the introduction of a new product: ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares.




ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares are decadent chocolate-y treats that come in three rich flavors: Caramel Toffee, Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse and German Chocolate Cheesecake. All three look and taste like something you might feel guilty about eating but at under 200 calories per square and at least 10 grams of protein and 18 vitamins and minerals, ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares are truly a perfect indulgence.





Another reason to love them: ZonePerfect's live.create mission statement:

Creativity. It’s all around us. In our thoughts and actions; in our hearts and minds. It exists to enrich our lives. We believe that the spirit to create and discover needs nourishing. And that taste - unique and delicious - truly inspires. Which is why we select ingredients and develop flavors that not only satisfy hunger, but can surprise and even delight you. And why we tour the country, giving people a taste of the latest all-natural ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars, while supporting the organizations that enhance our world. live.create.



With every single bar UPC code entered on their website, ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars will donate $0.05, and for every multi pack carton UPC code $0.50 to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, for a total donation of $120,000.

Please join the #GNO launch party TONIGHT (Thursday, October 22) on Twitter from 8-10pm CST! The party hashtag will be #zoneperfect and there will be prizes and samples of ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares. Follow @ZonePerfect and @superdumb or use this special Tweetgrid to keep up on the action!

Full disclosure: As part of Collective Bias, an online community group, I received a sample box of each flavor to try. The Caramel Toffee was probably my favorite although I did, indeed, like them all. It took some serious willpower not to snarf up a whole box in one sitting- they are that tasty! As a meal replacement or a nutritious snack, though, I think ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares are a great way to stick to my diet plan while still feeling slightly naughty.

Hollywood Cookie Diet

I'll admit it, I was skeptical when I was asked to review the Hollywood Cookie Diet. I mean, it's called the cookie diet, right? How could it possibly be anything other than a scam? How could you possibly eat cookies all day and lose weight? Of course, I also immediately agreed to try it just because it's called the Hollywood Cookie Diet. I am nothing if not a glamorous, a-list celebrity wannabe with a sweet tooth.



Each box contains a dozen individually-wrapped cookies that are high in protein and fiber. The idea is that you substitute one cookie for breakfast and one for lunch, then eat a sensible dinner. You may also eat a cookie in lieu of a snack. Each cookie is about 150 calories, so if you eat four cookies instead of two meals and two snacks per day, you can cut a lot of calorie intake. The Hollywood Cookie Diet website notes that if your normal calorie count is 3000 daily, by eating four cookies per day (600 calories) and a healthy dinner (800 calories) you could lose 15 lbs in one month! Those results sound pretty dramatic to me but the Hollywood Cookie Diet can certainly be used to jumpstart weight loss or maintain it, especially when combined with an exercise regimen.

As a mom, I appreciated the ease of keeping a pre-packaged cookie in my bag in case I forgot to eat a meal or was tempted by a diet-crashing snack while out of the house. I was impressed with how well they curbed my appetite. I didn't think a little cookie could hold me from one meal to the next but they really are very filling. Taste-wise, they're not significantly different than other pre-packaged cookies you might buy at a convenience store (think Grandma's). The Hollywood Cookie Diet is available in three flavors: chocolate chip, lemon and oatmeal raisin. All three are okay but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the lemon flavor, since it's not usually one of my favorites. They're not a match for my homemade cookies, of course, but they also don't pack the caloric burden that mine do from all the butter and sugar. I also don't feel a big need to eat as many as possible in one sitting, so that's a plus!

At around $20 for a box of 12, the Hollywood Cookie Diet is a bit on the pricey side but comparable to other meal replacement options. I thought it would be more convenient to buy them packaged in one week supplies, which would be 28 cookies, but I think the sticker shock might scare potential customers off. One thing that is nice is that the Hollywood Cookie Diet seems to be widely available. I saw them on the shelf at my corner drugstore. I'm not sure I would keep them on hand all the time but they are great to kick off your diet or to keep yourself in line for a big event.

Full disclosure: I received two boxes to try the Hollywood Cookie Diet out at home.

Atkins Pantry Staples

Atkins, the name behind the low-carb movement, has just introduced their new Cuisine line featuring two pantry staples. Atkins All Purpose Baking Mix and Atkins Penne Pasta provide essential fiber, while lowering the sugar content to help your favorite foods fit better into your low-carb lifestyle.



I substituted the Atkins Penne Pasta for our normal brand with a carbonara sauce and it tasted basically the same. I didn't think there was a whole lot of variation in the dry pasta market, but this has a definite nutritional advantage. I compared the Nutrition Facts from the Atkins Penne Pasta box with that of the other brand I had in my pantry and was surprised to discover that for the same serving size (2 oz dry pasta), Atkins Penne Pasta has fewer calories (140 vs. 200), more dietary fiber (18g vs. 2g) and, most impressively, more protein (11g vs. 7g).



I wasn't sure what to expect with the Atkins All Purpose Baking Mix so I decided to make the Atkins Cuisine Brownies. How can you go wrong with chocolate, right?! It's a quick and easy recipe that substitutes Splenda for sugar and Atkins All Purpose Baking Mix for flour. It also calls for five eggs (!) which was a little surprising. I added a handful of chocolate chips and black walnuts to the batter and undercooked them slightly because I like gooey, fudgy brownies. I wasn't disappointed in the texture or rich, chocolatey flavor but I must admit that not licking the bowl was kind of a drawback– the batter had a vegetable-y flavor reminiscent of alfalfa sprouts which I assume has something to do with the soy flour or wheat gluten in the mix. Thankfully, that taste subsides when you bake them! I would definitely try them again, but I would probably use something like agave syrup instead of the Splenda.



To celebrate the launch of the new Cuisine line, Atkins is sponsoring an online recipe contest where you can share your own recipe featuring the Atkins All Purpose Baking Mix and Atkins Penne Pasta and win great prizes. Submit your recipes by September 30, 2009 to be eligible to win Atkins products as well as other fabulous cooking-related prizes.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Atkins and received samples to facilitate my candid review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.