Joyce Chen Spiral Slicer Zucchasta! Zucchini Pasta

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We’re calling it Zucchasta! Yeah we know it’s weird, if it makes them eat it I’ll call it whatever they want.

Since doing the Whole Food Detox I’ve really been adding more and more, well, whole foods into our diet here in the little purple house. My oldest doesn’t love past but loves vegetables. Middles loves pasta, not so much vegetables.The littlest doesn’t like anything. I’m not even kidding.

So I figured two out three isn’t so bad so I took a chance. To try to achieve this culinary coup we’ll be using the Joyce Chen Spiral Slicer.

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Turns out …

they liked it. They didn’t love it. But they’ll definitely eat it again. The Joyce Chen spiral Slicer made it easy.

After slicing it all up I put it in a salad spinner to get some of the excess water out. Then I tossed it with some salt and pepper and popped it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. I just wanted to warm it and soften it up a little bit. Topped it with some warm marinara and we were good to go!

While the spiral slicer is nice, you have to have a certain size and shape zucchini to fit in that thing. It also brings the seeds along with it. You have to pick those out. For the couple of times a month (or more ) I may use this I think it’s a fine little piece of plastic.

Although this might do the job too…and it fits in a drawer ;-)

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Disclosure – those are affiliate links up there for the slicers :-)

My not so resolute New Year’s ideas

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Yeah, that’s what I’m calling it. You don’t like it, well how are your resolutions going? Hmmmmm? Still at it? Well I hope you are! Me? I never made it past the first week. I gave them up years ago.

So it’s the first week in January and I have some very definite ideas about what I’d like to accomplish this year. Goals, if you will. I’ll work hard towards them, but I will not name them resolutions. Nuh uh.

I’ve been spending some time with this be-atch the past couple of days…

Gaaaaaaaah!

I’ve also started eating the 4Hour Body way again. Which means my husband is all 4HB again. He’s grouchy ;-) Two years ago I had amazing results from 4HB and I really loved it. I made some modification and kept on with it. Then I started eating chips and bread again, and my tummy is back. Sigh.

I feel stronger already. I have more energy already. Why do I always forget how GOOD eating right and exercising make me feel. WHY?

Being healthier also makes me a more patient mother and wife. And a happier one.

Professionally, I’d like to build the blog more, Hence doing a course called 30 Days to Build a Better Blog. I started in in December but it fizzled out because I had the flu. In case you didn’t notice I was absent over the week around Christmas. Holy Hell was I sick. So I’m starting it again this week. We’re building here people!

I’d also like to do some more video work now that I have a new camera. Wooohoooo!

So there you have it some stuff I’d like to do.
What are you doing with the New Year?

Tim Ferriss – I want my boobs back.

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I have been using the The 4-Hour Body way of eating for 8 weeks now and my body fat has gone down to an amazing 14.5%.  My husband and I have lost over 30 lbs and many inches. The fat loss is staggering really. I have also been using the workout recommendations from the book. I enjoy it so much that I expound on its benefits to anyone that will listen and have inspired others to take up this new way of eating.  Even wrote a little ditty for newbies to help them out.

I have expanded my horizons food wise. I have never eaten and loved so many beans in my life (yummy Taco Salad I’m looking at you). I have new recipes that I will continue to use after this experiment is finished. Love the new food I’ve discovered.

I have started running. I am amazed how much easier and enjoyable running is when I don’t have 20 extra pounds to bring along with me.

I have more energy to keep up with my kids. Three kids under five require quite a bit of it!

So all in all, I’m stoked about the whole thing. But last night I got kinda pissed at Tim Ferris and his stupid #4hb.

Nowhere in the book did it mention one particular side effect and I am wondering why. WHY? Before bed I was checking out my new look in the mirror. Maybe it’s my own fault, I have been focused on my backside quite a bit. With the whole perfect posterior exercises how could I not be? And it does look good! But how could I have missed this? It’s right there in front of me!

It is clear Tim has an affinity for women, the way we look and, um, pleasing us. How could he not tell us!

So there I am standing in front of the mirror wondering why he didn’t mention with all that fat loss that some of it might come from my BREASTS! My boobs are a shell of their former selves Tim Ferris, and I blame you.

So I don’t want my money back Tim, I just want my boobs back. Buyer beware.

And no, you pervs, I am not posting any other pictures.

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Disclosure: Amazon Affiliate Link above.

Carry your weight in your phone

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I blur the numbers so you don’t focus on MY numbers. Focus on your own ;-)

I am carrying my weight in my phone now and NOT my hips :-)

Thanks to the Measurement Tracker.

I downloaded this little app the other day to keep track of my measurements and stats as I continue on this 4-Hour Body journey.

All you have to do is pick the date and input the stat. Do it a few more times. Press graph and there you have it. Visual affirmation of your downward progress! You can even back date, so you can take your initial scribbles and get them in here. The geek in me loves being able to see it on a graph with the swipe of a couple of buttons. I wish that the list function went from oldest to newest, because that’s how my brain works (but that’s just me, and what updates are for ;-)

I’m handing out some promo codes that Zach at They Used a Pencil kindly gave to me so you can get started tracking your stats. Just leave a comment here or like The Life of Reilly on Facebook and you’re name will be thrown into the virtual hat. That’s all.

Disclosure: They Used a Pencil gave me a promo code as well to try it out. Just so you know. I’ll stop taking names 3/25 at Midnight EST.

Gratitude and Inspiration

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I am so thankful for all the kind words and thoughts I received over the weekend regarding the death of my brother. Even though it was so long ago, it made a difficult weekend a bit easier. Knowing the love others had for him, and have for me, was such a gift.

I am especially thankful to my friend Lynnette. She reminded me of a story I told in one of our Masters degree classes about my brother. I found that story in my notes up in the attic and I will make it into a book for my children. A book about their Uncle Danny. I can’t wait to get started.

Lots of people and things inspire me. Words, pictures, films, gestures, nature, my children…  I am so tickled that I have become an inspiration to others. Little ole’ me!

Mamas from all parts of my life, a childhood friend, a high school cheer leading teammate, a college friend, and a new online friend I’ve haven’t even met yet. And there are countless others that follow me on twitter. We are a mutual admiration society of people giving each other virtual high fives.

It all has to do with the 4 Hour Body and the success I’ve had on it.

So just thanks everyone. It was an interesting weekend. Much love. Thanks.

*Those* cravings

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I have PMS. If talk of periods and PMS offends you, stop reading.

Ok, so who’s still here?  Let’s continue.

I get cravings for certain types of food while I have PMS and during my period. The usual suspects, anything salty or chocolate-y. These things aren’t really on the approved list of 4HB foods, are they?

Last night I wanted chocolate so bad. If I didn’t get some, heads were gonna roll. I gave in. Yes, that’s right I didn’t just write it down on my cheat day list. Are you kidding? Stop it.

This was urgent, serious, chocolate-y business. I have removed all sweets except for my kids cookies. So I had 3 Chocolate Joe Joe’s. For those of you that don’t know they are Trader Joe’s Oreos. And they are SO GOOD!

So now we can talk about it. Don’t be afraid, you are not alone in your time of the month cheats.While we are confessing, last month I ate at least a quarter of a bag of the M&M’s I was using for my daughter’s potty training. :-) Ahhhh, that felt good. Now you go.

What do you crave and how do you manage it? Do you give in or replace it with something else?

Also, is there a fucking 4HB candy bar? Because I would seriously pay BIG money for it right now.