Chicken Pizza Recipe!

Have you seen my tabs UP at the top? (Healthy Breakfast, Healthy Lunch, Healthy Dinners etc)

I like to put some of my go to dinner recipes up there.
I have some qualifications when it comes to my dinner recipes.

1- Simple, healthy ingredients: I do not have all the time in the world to make dinner.  Between Karate, Art class, Piano lessons, Dance lessons, basketball and my own training schedule, 5 course dinners do not happen around here!

2- Must taste good:  bottom line. Healthy food must taste good to me. It must be moist, have flavor, and can not feel or taste like cardboard.

3- Quick and easy: Quick to assemble. Easy to throw together! (advanced prep work is always necessary for healthy meals however. Bottom line...you must prepare or shop with a purpose, in advance, or your meals will not be beneficial for your health)

4- Protein packed, and vegetabley filled: (I made up that word if you couldn't tell)
Protein = satiation people! It also equals muscle.  So if you are looking to improve your figure, eat your protein!  And I hope none of you rolled your eyes when I said vegetabley filled...veggies are an awesome carb source and really who can't find at least one, hopefully two vegetables to like? (And no corn is NOT a vegetable...)

On a side note, I went to a seminar a couple weeks ago and Dr. Tracy Gibb was one of the speakers. He was absolutely hilarious and entertaining, which was great, but he also knew his stuff.  He said if every mommy would feed their kids 1 little piece of broccoli at dinner, EVERY DAY, their immune systems would bump up drastically.  Broccoli is nutrient packed and is also an immune system defender.  He said the broccoli with the biggest bang for your buck, are the florets that still have a blue tint to them.

I just added one of my favorite recipes "Chicken Pizza" to the Healthy Dinner section. It's fast and easy and my kids love it, cause they get to create their own pizza.  Go check it out and let me know what you think.

I love this picture. 

My bootcamp ladies might not however.

This is is at 6:30am in the morning.

They had just finished doing as many push-ups as they could, in 1 minute.

They are awesome.

Because they are conquering fear.

Because they are forcing themselves to make their health a priority in their life.

That is not easy for us momma's to do.

Doing push-ups is not easy.

Waking up at 5:30am is not easy.

Being uncomfortable is not easy.

There is no growth, in being comfortable.

Loves,

Jill

I need your help!!

On September 1st... 

there is going to be a 

BIG, 

HUGE, 

ZUMBA PARTY

at 

UVU!  

And all's that I need is YOU to come and support me and the event!  

If I get 10 people who register and put my name as the instructor they would like to see there, then 

I get to be up on stage performing!! 

Please, oh PLEASE help me out! 

Here is the link and where you go to sign up:

http://youshouldbedancingutah.eventbrite.com/

This is an example of what options you have in coming to this awesome event (click on the link above for more info):

Registration Information

Registration Type	Sales End	Price	Fee	Quantity
Spectator   more info This ticket provides unlimited daytime access to vendor and activity booths and access to spectator seating to observe Zumba® specialty classes (until 6:00pm only).	Aug 30, 2012	$5.00	$1.27
Full Day Event Package - Discount Jun 1 - Aug 15   more info	Aug 15, 2012	$20.00	$2.09
Fitness Concert Only (ages 14+) - Discount Jun 1 - Aug 15   more info	Aug 15, 2012	$15.00	$1.82
BONUS! Zumba Instructor Business Photo Package! - Discount Jun 1 - Aug 15   more info	Aug 15, 2012	$17.50	$1.95

One more beg...PLEASE!

O K, that's it :)

Loves,

Jill

Recipe Share! My Breakfast Omelet

Jill's Breakfast Omelet:

Omelets are not an uncommon thing around my house.

I'm always switching ingredients to make it interesting to my palate and to keep it healthy!

This is what I did this morning:
2 egg whites
1 egg
1 Tbl milk 
Ham (preferably not lunch meat) chopped up into small pieces
Mini peppers chopped up into small pieces.
1 slice of laughing cow cheese (cut into small pieces)

Mix the eggs really well, then add the milk, and mix again.
Lightly spray your pan with cooking spray if needed. (I suggest using your smallest frying pan)
Pour the egg mixture onto the pan and let cook until completely done on one side.  (Mine looks perfectly browned, then I flip it over.)
With the browned side on top, and the other side cooking, add the chopped ham, mini peppers and laughing cow cheese onto the top of the browned side.
Once the bottom side is browned, fold it over (in half) and then put it on a plate and enjoy!

I eat this as is, no salt, pepper, or ketchup needed ;)


*I buy the mini peppers at Costco in the vegetable section...they are sooo good, even to eat alone! Or my favorite is to dip them in roasted red pepper humus. (I saw the mini peppers at Wal-Mart the other day too)

I would love to know what you eat for breakfast...would you mind sharing? Leave it in the comment section!

Loves,
Jill

12 Days of Fitness

Here are two posts in one, due to my missed post yesterday:

Adult Obesity 

(Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images)

IS among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. 

IS unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. 

IS costly.  The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly $100 billion.

We all have heard that obesity is rising and taking over America, but I thought I would bring it home a little more and provide you with some statistics:

• 12 states now have obesity rates above 30% (4 years ago there was only one)
• 20 years ago no state had obesity levels above 15% (today 38 states have obesity levels over 25%)
• Regionally, the highest obesity levels are in the South (9 of 10 states with highest obesity rates)
• Mississippi has had the highest obesity rates for the past 7 years running
• Fastest growing number of obese per capita are in Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee
• In 1995 only 4 states had diabetes rates above 6%. Today 43 states have diabetes rates over 7%
• Highest obesity rates are among racial and ethnic minority groups and the least educated and poor
• Adult obesity rates for African Americans are over 40% in 15 states, >35% in 35 states and >30% in 43 states
• Adult obesity rates for Latin Americans are above 35% in 4 states and over 30% in 23 states
• Adult obesity rates for Caucasians are over 30% in 4 states (Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia)
• 33% of adults who did not graduate from high school are obese, compared to 21.5% who graduated from college

(taken from the here)

Now lets talk about something that makes me so sad and mad in the same breath.  

Obesity amongst our children.  

Who teaches a child how to talk?  Parents right?  

Who teaches a child how and what to eat?  Parents.  Enough said.  

Even if our parents didn't show us how to change, we can be the change for our kids.

Yes of course genetics may play into childhood obesity, but I just heard a statistic that our behaviors and habits are enough to over time change our very own genetic makeup.  

Therefore we consistently overeat, and whatever chemical process that affects within our body, may very well become permanent, and even passed on to our children.  

BUT- On the flip side of that thought, doesn't that give us power to change...possibly our genetics?  Words for thought.

Childhood Obesity Facts and Statistics

• One out of every seven low income children in America is obese.
• More than 70% of the obese youth are at higher risk of heart diseases.
• The hospital costs for children were 35 million in the 1980s and these have increased to 127 million today.
• Type 2 diabetes has reached to the levels of 8-9 %; a two-fold increase from the early 1980s.
• Obese children are at a higher risk of developing liver diseases, asthma and Sleep Apnea (problems in breathing while sleeping).
• Children with obesity have a low self-esteem and the chances of developing psychological problems like depression and anxiety are higher.
• Obese children have lesser concentration levels and get tired easily, which can pose challenges in their education and their participation in other extra-curricular activities.
• Obese children are subject to a lot of social discrimination and this may cause them to stay away from exercises and social interactions.
• Most of the people who complain of arthritis are middle-aged, but obese children are at the risk of developing this disease early on in their lives.
• Obesity also takes a toll on the financial health of a family as estimates suggest that a family with an obese child spends 30% more in health costs and 77% more in medication costs.

 Factors that Contribute to Obesity

• One of the prime reasons for obesity in children is their eating habits as instead of having healthy fruits and vegetables, children are more inclined to have processed snacks, fried foods, burgers, pizzas etc.
• Another reason that is contributing to obesity in children is that earlier children used to spend their evenings playing with children of their neighborhood but now they like to spend their time playing video games, watching television and catching up with each other on social networking websites.
• The lifestyle of Americans has changed to a great extent in the past two decades and it has had a bearing on young children as well. There was a time when children used to bike a few miles to the pool and jog to the local park, but time constraints and safety precautions have limited even these activities.

                                                                    (taken from here)

What can we do?

Start with a personal investigation. 

What are you feeding your kids daily? 

Do they get a good source of vegetables and protein each day?  

Do that have treats everyday?  

Do you pack processed/packaged food in their lunches?

Start with asking yourself these questions...and answer honestly.

Next give yourself a big hug, and realize there is more to showing love and giving love then through the food you eat.  

And you all know you love your children way more then feeding them a consistent diet of dangerous food.

Next post, I'll discuss the next step.

Loves (and caring), 

Jill

12 Days of Fitness

 The 12 Days of Fitness:

I taught SPIN class this morning, and when we were done with the spin portion and had moved to the floor to work our core, I asked the participants this question... 

"Who has treats at their house right now?"

And guess what...

Every one of them raised their hand! 

Tis that time of year!  

So, I layed a 

challenge 

on them.  

I challenged them to abstain from any and all treats for today.  

Just today.  

Pretty easy right?  

Then tomorrow they have to report, if they were successful or not...

What do you think...would that be easy for you or not?

I'm extending a challenge to myself (and to whoever else wants to come along) for 2012.

You ready?

I have picked...

Wednesday's to be TREAT FREE!

And I have challenged myself and all of you to do it the whole year of 2012! 

Pretty doable don't you think?

 

So as it stands, I officially declare,

NO TREAT WEDNESDAY'S IN 2012!

I know I'm going to need some moral support here, 

(because I'm a girl that enjoys a little piece of chocolate everyday) 

so who's in? 

I know some of you may be saying... WHY would you do this?  

so simply I say to you...

 

WHY NOT?

The benefits of not eating treats one day by far outweigh the benefits of consuming SO

WHY NOT?

Let's. do. this.

it may be easy and it may not be, but were going to find out!

Which brings me to my favorite fitness item:

I just bought some NIKE leggins to run in and oh how I love them so!  

I couldn't find the exact pair I bought online, but I did find a close looking pair and they look something like this...

Cutest Leggins EVER

But the ones I bought were long leggins not capri's.

I wore them to teach Zumba last week and I swear it made me have a better class :)

Isn't that funny how new clothes can brighten your day?

See you tomorrow for another installment of the 12 days of FITNESS!

Loves, 

Jill

DIY Sweater Christmas Stockings & 12 days of FITNESS!

I just finished the Christmas stockings and jumped right on the computer to post'em up!

This was the easiest project ever, and it was pretty fast from start to finish (once I worked out all the details :)
Here is the step-by-step:

First I went to the DI (our local thrift store) and found 5 sweaters that I liked. The price was 5 or 6 dollars each.
Then I layed the first one out on the table and put my old stocking on top to size it up...

Then I cut around the sock leaving about an inch seam allowance as I cut...

After it was all cut out, I turned the pieces inside out, and then pinned them.  Then I headed up to my sewing room, and sewed around the sock (except for the opening) Don't be jealous of my 1950's sewing machine!! It sews straight and that's about all I need it for :)

Then I turned it inside out and that was it! Except, it was a little bigger then I cared for and boxier (?) too.  So I took it in on both side quite a bit, since I wanted a skinnier sock.  Once I did that it looked like this.

So easy huh!  One of the sweaters I bought had a hood with two strings, so I used that for my hook and sewed it on.  Such an easy project that I decided to keep going.  I made three grey stockings and two white ones.  All the boys have grey and me and my daughter have white.  They turned out great and took me one night to do.  But they were missing some fun Christmas embellishments.  I needed to get our name or something on them.  So I decided to take some of the leftover barnwood that I have from my Bathroom Vanity project and I made some "name tags" and added a little fun to it...

Here is how I did it...

I found a stencil set at Walmart (3 or 4 bucks) and then I had some white acrylic paint and I got a paintbrush and dobbed it in. Dobbed is an interested word I know, but I didn't paint it, I more like dobbed it haha.  I didn't want a solid stroke look...you're with me right?
Here they are waiting for the final touches.

 What do you think?

Easy to do and I really enjoy the comfy feeling of them.


Also today marks the day! 12 days left to Christmas!!
So I thought I would do a 12 days of Fitness series on the blog (since you know one of my true loves is FITNESS)

DAY ONE
So.  My question for you is this:

What can you do in 2012 to make fitness more of a priority in your life?
It may be something such as:

Workout 3 days a week at home
Go to the gym 4 days a week
Try something new, like...Zumba, or running in a 5k race
Or maybe something Nutritionally based, like drink no less then 8 glasses of water a day,  or stop eating sugar for 30 days.

WHAT  WILL YOU COMMIT TO?
WHAT CAN YOU COMMIT TO?

Both are important questions.  And I dare you before you close this page and venture on to the next blog to commit to something. Anything.  And write it down.

Did you do it?  2 minutes is all it takes to commit to something.
Post it up in the comments, I love to read your comments :)

I'll be back tomorrow to post something else fitness, and I am going to share one of my new OBSESSIONS.  Don't miss it :)

Loves,
Jill

thinkThin GIVEAWAY!

 

 I was in a hurry this morning.  I taught a PUMP class and had to leave at 8:50, I also ran home from that class, another 3.5 miles workout.  I had to have all my kids ready to go and breakfast in them before I could leave for class.  Some mornings are crazy and when they are I eat one of these natural, satisfying, high protein bars (because I NEVER skip breakfast!)


Here's why I think they are aaaaamazing:
(I'm getting this from the label)
Total Fat 9g
Sugars  0g
Protein 20g
Total calories 230
Calcium 6%
Iron 6%
GLUTEN FREE
Best of all, they curb my hunger! In fact it goes away, and I have the energy I need until the next meal :)


SO, I'm giving away, not 1 bar, but a whole box (10 bars) because I know that you will love these as much as I do.  And very rarely a product comes along that actually lives up to it's name! (thinkTHIN!)

 What you need to do to enter:

1. Leave me a comment, and tell me how many days a week you workout.

2.If you want a second chance to win, find me on Facebook and become my Friend. Then come back here and leave a second comment saying you're now my friend :)

Jill on FB 

Make sure you leave me an email if I don't have your info with the comment :)

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, November 2nd 2011

Good Luck!!