Tina!!

Ok.. So I meant tUna! Haha :)

Here's my recipe for the best ever tuna salad.

•single serving packet of white tuna in water
•little orange tomatoes (smaller than cherry tomatoes, I can't remember what they're called. Really, any tomato will work, but these are my fave!)
•pickles (about 5 dill chips, spicy is better!)
•raw (or roasted unsalted) sunflower seeds
•yellow mustard

Chop tomatoes & pickles. Mix everything up. Stuff into a whole wheat pita and chow down! Or, use a huge lettuce leaf (or collard leaf) instead!

Yum! Today I paired mine with my favorite- steamed French beans with garlic & cholula.

Meet Janelle!

This is Janelle :)

She is competing in my Bikini Challenge all the way from AUSTRALIA! How amazing is that? I just love the internet and how it connects people from all across the world together! Lovely!

Starting weight: 145.5 pounds

 

We Aren't Scared Of Sugar: Tell us your favorite motivational quote.

Janelle: "Nothing tastes as good as being in shape feels" from Craig Harper book, Fattitude.

WASOS: What is your favorite healthy recipe?

Janelle: Beef Tacos (not low carb but low fat and super tasty)

Serves 2

• 1 piece of rump or porterhouse steak
• 3 large tomatoes deseeded and chopped
• 1/2 red/spanish onion chopped finely
• 1/4 bunch of fresh coriander (cilantro)
• 1 lime
• salt & pepper
• Low fat cheddar cheese
• Low fat/high fibre tortillas

1. Make salsa with fresh tomatoes, corriander (cilantro), red onion, salt pepper & a squeeze of lime juice
2. Grate some low fat cheddar cheese
3. Slice jalapenos or used pickled ones in jar
4. BBQ or grill one piece of rump steak that has been sprinkled with Mexican seasoning.  Slice thinly when cooked
5. Heat low fat tortillas and add fillings to eat

WASOS: What is your ultimate fitness goal?

Janelle: My end goal as well as fitting back into my pre-pregnancy jeans, is to make eating healthy and exercising a part of life so that I don't have to think so hard to keep doing it.  I now have a 3 month old daughter so making sure that she grows up in an environment where I am not constantly stressed about my weight all the time is really important. 

You can "like" the We Aren't Scared Of Sugar facebook page HERE, and keep up with the Spring Break Bikini Challenge on twitter HERE! :)

 

 

Meet Amy!

starting weight: 163.6

We Aren't Scared Of Sugar: Tell us your favorite motivational quote.

Amy:  "There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." -Nelson Mandela

WASOS: What is your favorite healthy recipe?

Amy: I don’t really have any healthy recipes (just really started cooking not that long ago…everything I “cooked” would come from a box) 

Here is a recipe I found from Pillsbury and have adjusted some things in it. Pillsbury Grands Easy Taco Melts: 

Ingredients:

1lb. ground turkey, cooked and drained1

 ½ cups picante sauce (the recipe calls for chunky salsa but I don’t like the chunky stuff)

1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits (they have a low fat one)

½ cup Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, shredded

Directions:In 10-inch skillet mix cooked beef and ½ cup of the salsa (I just a whole cup). Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until hot. Press each biscuit into a 6-inch round. Spoon 1/3 cup meat mixture and 1 tbsp. cheese into the center of each round. Fold dough in half over filling; press edges to seal.Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 9-14 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with remaining salsa. 

WASOS: What is your ultimate fitness goal?

Amy: To be healthy and happy for myself and no one else. Once I do that then it will trickle down to my boys and husband, but I’ve realized that if I’m not happy with myself then I can’t be the best mom and wife I know I can be!

You can follow Amy on twitter by clicking HERE.

And if you haven't already, you should go like the We Aren't Scared of Sugar facebook page by clicking HERE. 

Finding my "umph"

Gahhhhh This has been the longest week ever. But not even the week- I started feeling sick LAST week. I took 2 days off. I went back to the gym, back to running. Felt worse, took a few more days off. Taking time off to be sick means... cheese. Yeah. Everyone has their own comfort food, right? Well, in my family... we put cheese on EVERYTHING growing up. So, cheese and crackers (always reminds me of my late great grandma Poole) is my number one comfort food, especially if I'm sick. So, I didn't eat my weight in cheese or anything, but, I definitely ate more than I normally would.

I got back in the gym today and it felt great. My throat is still scratchy and raw, and I'm still coughing a little... I couldn't wait any longer. You know.. in the movie Tommy Boy where Richard tells Tommy "I can hear you getting fatter!" .. That is how I have felt with every passing day that I didn't get in the gym. I ran a 2 mile HIIT (treadmill, not elliptical! Ouch to my shins, but what a feeling of accomplishment!), and did arms/shoulders/chest.

Then I came home, and conducted girl scouts. After my scouts left, I prepared Olivia's & my favorite dinner! Chicken stir-fry over quinoa. Its so easy and fast, and by far one of the heartiest dinners (to me).

Easy peasy lemon squeezy..

• sautee organic boneless skinless chicken in some pam and a dash of olive oil until they're white on each side. Remove from pan, dice (you can probably chop them up completely raw but.. I'll gag. So I have to cook them a little first!) Put back in pan.
• add a dash of low sodium soy sauce. cook until chicken is almost finished.
• add in 1/2 bag of frozen stir fry veggies (plain, no sauces/butter added! I use great value brand since its cheap, simple, and walmart is the local grocery store). 
• add another dash of low sodium soy sauce, 1/8c water, bring to boil. Cover, reduce to simmer.
• Meanwhile, you should have had your quinoa cooking. haha.
• Scoop finished quinoa onto your plate (measure your serving, of course! PORTION control!), top with stir-fry goodness, & sprinkle with sesame seeds.

enjoy! 

Meet Gabrielle!

Gabrielle is the 4th lovely lady featured on the blog for my Spring Break Bikini Challenge!

her facebook profile picture :)

starting weight: 197

We Aren't Scared Of Sugar: Tell us your favorite motivational quote.

Gabrielle:  "If you don't love yourself BEFORE, you won't love yourself AFTER. It's your body, adore yourself at every weight."

WASOS: Tell us your favorite healthy recipe.

Gabrielle: Hunter’s Chicken - weight watchers value- 4 points or 203 cals a serving

 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about (5 oz each if you do Flex)
 Or use thighs if you like dark meat
 ½ tsp salt
 ¼ tsp pepper I added 1/2 jar of stuffed green olives
 3 tsp olive oil
 Cooking spray
 1 large onion chopped
 3 cloves of garlic, minced
 2 large bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/2 pieces
 ½ pound fresh white mushrooms, sliced
 1 celery stalk, chopped
 1 (1 pint) container refrigerated fresh tomato pasta sauce
 fresh thyme (optional)
 1.) Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat large nonstick skillet,
 spray and add 2 tsp olive oil. Brown chicken over medium heat, about
 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from skillet, put on plate and set aside.
 Cut each breast in half.
 2.) Add remaining oil into same skillet and add onion and garlic. Stir
 until softened, about 3 minutes. Add peppers, mushrooms and celery;
 cook. Stir occasionally until softened, about 5-6 minutes. Add back in
 the chicken. Add the Sauce and stir so the chicken is coated. Bring to
 a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
 You can serve this right away, or make it in advance as it tastes even
 better the second day. This is an easy “bring to someone’s house”
 dish. This would also be excellent as a buffet dish, served in a
 chafing dish or on a hot tray. The chicken is good cold the next day.

WASOS: What is your ultimate fitness goal?

Gabrielle:  My end goal for this challenge would be 165-175. My over all goal would be to just be healthy, I want to run around with my kids and not worry if my flab is hanging over my pants or if my shirt is to tight. I want to be the person I know I can be for my husband, the better I feel the better I can be for him. Life is to short to waste wishing "what if" I have to do it now before it's to late.

You can keep up with the Spring Break Bikini Challenge updates by making sure you "like" We Aren't Scared of Sugar on facebook! Or you can follow the SBBC list on twitter, HERE. 

Meet Tasha!

Contender number 3 for the Spring Break Bikini Challenge!! :) 

Yes, I stole her facebook profile picture. :)

Starting weight: 164lbs

We Aren't Scared Of Sugar: Tell us your favorite motivational quote.

Tasha:  Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. -Mahatma Gandhi

WASOS: Tell us your favorite healthy recipe.

Tasha: Right now my favorite (I know it's not a recipe) is Asparagus. Mostly grilled b/c it's fast, easy and delicious but I will take it in any dish. I used to avoid it because of the canned stuff. I never knew it had such amazing potential!

WASOS: What is your ultimate fitness goal?

Tasha: Overall I would like to see my weight decrease by 10-15lbs but that isn't firm. I am in great physical shape but I want to take some extra pressure off of my joints because I have Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. The longer I am healthier and mobile with my children and husband the better. I went through a two year period where the disease owned me and now I take each day and give it all I have.

You can keep up with the Spring Break Bikini Challenge updates by making sure you "like" We Aren't Scared of Sugar on facebook! Or you can follow the SBBC list on twitter, HERE. 

The Challenge

Well, as most of my readers know, I am hosting (and have been hosting) a little fitness challenge. I used to call it a weight-loss challenge, but that is not the case. I am definitely a contender (although, by default I cannot win my own competition!), but I am at a point where the number on the scale doesn't matter to me (much). My ultimate goal by hosting & participating in these challenges is to gain muscle, and confidence.

I realized this morning, as I was going through the various posts from the contestants, that this challenge is a lot different than the first one I hosted. This is my 3rd time to host something like this. The first challenge I did through my business, "Kandice Poirier Photography." I had intended for the challenge to be more of a local thing, and I even got a few local businesses to donate prizes. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of interest where I live... and I ended up opening the contest to people nation-wide. The prize was ultimately a "glam session" by me- and the winner was a dear friend of mine that currently resides in Germany. In order to participate in the first challenge, the contestants were required to submit a bio to me, complete with full frontal and side view photos of themselves in tight-fitting clothing, a swimsuit, or shorts & sports bra. These photos were showcased on my photography facebook page and served as a reminder to one and all how hard these girls were working. Their end results were also showcased next to their "before" photo. This was great motivation.

The second challenge I hosted lasted only six weeks, but instead of attempting to do a local challenge (again, not enough interest), I nixed the prize packages and the entrants were only required to pay a $20 entry fee. At the end of the six weeks, the winner (biggest loser in weight %) took the cash. This was great motivation. The rules were only that you had to post your before photo (in a private group on facebook) and that you post a photo of your weight on the scale every Sunday by midnight. There was no special way to showcase the entrants, especially since I didn't host the challenge as a "business sponsored event."

The challenge that is currently going on started on 22January, and runs until 18March. I have 16 awesome women participating, and a prize of $320 to the biggest loser. I am so excited and pleased with the motivation and love these women show each other and me. It really takes a special group of people to nourish and educate one another in a positive way. The rules for this challenge are a little different. Each contender was required to pay the $20 entry fee, create a twitter account for checking in (and to be exposed to the amazing number of resources shared via social networking), create a toneitup.com free account (my life has been forever changed by the fabulous TIU trainers & team), post a "before" photo in the facebook group, and post their weigh in & measurements every Sunday.

After getting the group rolling, some of the ladies were a little uncomfortable with twitter (sometimes I forget that not the entire world has embraced social networking exactly as I have), and asked if that rule could be omitted. I obliged, but put in a bonus: if the winner at the end of the challenge HAS used twitter & TIU to their advantage, and not just once or twice, I will send the winner a TIU shirt or firedaughter shirt of their choice. This is a personal little gift from me to the winner, because I want everyone to be motivated enough to USE the resources at hand.

... Back to where I was going with this post! I want to take the time to showcase each competitor in this challenge individually, because I believe in these girls and I know that they have so much potential! I am going to showcase a few girls every week until I have gone through the entire group. Today I will start with the winner of my last challenge!

Meet Beth!

(I stole her facebook profile picture!)

Beth started my last challenge weighing in at 187.8lbs and came out the winner weighing in at 169.0lbs. 

Beth is a mother of one, a sweet little boy named Jacob. We actually "met" through our babies- yes- on the internet. Actually, on an iphone app called "baby bump." Our children are the same age, only a little bit apart. After my family moved back to Tennessee Beth & I realized we were only 2 hours away from each other. And since then she has actually grown to be one of my best friends. I know this because when something good (or bad) happens, aside from my husband, she is the first person I tell. I am so thankful for the internet bringing such amazing people in to my life!

We Aren't Scared Of Sugar: So, What is your favorite motivational quote?

Beth: "Eat to live, not live to eat." It's something I struggle with- eating because it tastes good, or I'm bored, or sad. Not because I'm hungry and need fuel.

WASOS: Tell us your favorite recipe.

Beth: My grandmother makes what she calls "eye-talian chicken tenders." Cut up some chicken into strips. Season with Mrs. Dash. Put the chicken in a pan with a little bit of butter or something to keep it from sticking. When the chicken is white on the outside but not done yet add about 1/2c zesty italian dressing (I've started using fat free dressing to make it healthier). The dressing will cook into the chicken. When the dressing is absorbed and the chicken is finished, add about 1/2c more of dressing. Cook on low until the dressing makes a thick sauce, then its done. It tastes a million times better when cooked in a cast iron skillet. Its really good served over brown rice, or quinoa. Its super easy to substitute the high fat ingredients with low fat options. And it makes awesome left-overs.

WASOS: What is your ultimate fitness goal?

Beth: I want to be healthy. I want to feel good and have energy. I want to look in the mirror and love what I'm looking at. I want to buy clothes because they are cute, not because they have one big enough for me, or that particular style hides my tummy. I want someone to look at me and say "I wish I looked like that."

See!? Isn't Beth inspirational?! Yes, she is. You can follow Beth on twitter @beth_winfield, and read her blog HERE. I think she should start a facebook page :) so we can all become her "fans." :)

You can keep up with how the girls are doing over on the We Aren't Scared Of Sugar facebook page! If you're not a fan already, go ahead and "like" it. :) 

fitspo

So today, I'm pretty grossed out and disgusted with myself. Why? Well its day two of my 7 Day Slim Down. Only... my lunch made me GAG. seriously. I am so over chicken and spinach and well... to be honest I haven't even tried to get creative with it. And that, my friends, brings on the self loathing. I ate mac and cheese. Granted, it was organic, but we ate the whole box. As big as Sophie is... I just can't blame much of that on her.

Tomorrow is a new day, and with it comes new motivation. Fresh. I need to be better at respecting my body. I have a HUGE wealth of knowledge about food.. diets, lifestyles, health, fitness... growing up half the time in a home that revolved around chocolate and sweet tea and the other half with a diet-obsessed parent constantly berating her body image (which was smaller than me!).. well, I've had my share of struggles with food. I'll leave it at that. I do not want to put that on my daughters. I refuse. My kids will hear me talk about food, but Olivia already knows the secret to being happy with your body is to eat organic, fresh, and to exercise regularly (doing something you love). I am actually impressed with all of the food knowledge Olivia has retained, and how she will tell me about her healthy choices, or how good her lunch was when they ate crap at school (or someone's mom sent a dozen cookies for them as their afternoon snack).

I did, however, get up to do my bootycall today (I did yoga) and I felt good about that. I really felt great until after lunch, when I couldn't finish what I was trying to eat (ugh, chicken- so over it. From now on my protein will be tofu, or black beans.. at least for a while). Then a package came from my awesome cousin Kylea.. loaded down with SO MANY SUGARY TREATS... so I sampled a bite.. and then Sophia needed lunch so we made Annie's organic white shells and cheese. Let me tell you... I felt guilty with every bite and afterward I felt SO SICK. I'm sure it was all mental, because I felt like I was failing my TIU 7DSD girls... and I did. :( I'm so sorry.

So with that... guilt.. tomorrow I bounce back. I felt a little sad (a lot sad) all day, actually. Maybe that is part of why I was so easily swayed. I realized today.. just how lonely I am! I need a BFF that lives close. I miss spontaneity. I miss laughing so hard I cry (Anna Ramirez you were the best for this one). I miss champagne brunch and tea parties (another thing I really, truly miss Anna for!). Kayaking.. road trips, gossip, heart to heart talks. I miss having someone. Living here is really starting to get to me. All the more motivation to work harder, I suppose.

What keeps YOU motivated? Not just fitness motivation.. but  motivated in life. I would love to know.