Learning To Love My Lower Half :)

Hello all!  Since it is so windy today I have decided to keep my workout indoors!  I was doing some surfing on Pinterest and came across a lower body workout that doesn't include 1 squat!!! Sign me up!  I have done a little "how-to" step by step set up for you!

Summer is going to be here before we know it and it is time to get your rear in gear! I know that I have a far way to go, but I am proud of the progress that I have made!  Here is to a high and tight bum haha

  

 <3 Carlye

 

Third And Final Week Down!!!

The countdown is over!! I have completed the 21 days of restrictions!! I am so happy that I started this journey and have actually stuck to it!  My final weight and inches lost for the 21 days are 8.6 lbs and 7.25 inches!  Hoorayyyyy!!

I still have a good bit of restrictions for the coming weeks.  I will be introducing one restricted food per week.  I will eat it for 4 days and then not for 3.  The goal is to see which foods I may have an intolerance for.  First will be soy.  I haven't really introduced it in the last two days.  Liz and I figured that we may try to do one more week on the full restrictions and then start the intros next week.

I have had a rough time the last week with actually having the smoothie for breakfast and drinking enough water.  I am making a conscious effort to be better with it!  I made a smoothie for breakfast this morning and remembered how much I actually liked them!

Sweet Boy :)

I had off today and it was a gorgeous day!  I think the temperature reached almost 70 degrees!!  I decided that my exercise for the day should be a big, long walk with Drizz!  We walked to the park and took a couple of laps around the track.  He was a bit distracted by the kiddies and the other dogs, but he did really great!  He isn't the best runner-- so we stuck to walking.

I am going to continue to post any and all progress and cannot wait to see what is to come!

Have you made any lifestyle changes that have made you feel amazing??

<3 Carlye

Oh How Time Flies!

I cannot believe how quickly this time has gone! Sunday will mark the 21st (and final) day of the 7 food restriction!  I have to say... it was not nearly as awful as I though it would be!  I am actually enjoying a lot of the foods that I have been eating and have branched out!  I ate Bison for the first time and even used it as a substitute in my spaghetti! 

As proud as I was of myself for not cheating... I have some bad news to report.  This past Tuesday I ate... an Oreo! Noooooooo! I was doing so well!  But, the good news I guess is that I only ate one hahaha... that NEVER happens! I am still really proud that that is the only thing I have done in nearly 21 days.  Trust me when I say I have never been able to stick this long lol... I honestly think it has a lot to do with the blog and the support that my friends and family have been giving me!

Liz and I have been debating which food we would like to add back into our diets as of Monday.  I think the grand winner will be dairy... we really miss cheese ha!  This is obviously not going to be a heavy cream, cheese, butter fest... we are going to add it in slowly to see how our bodies react.  I have a feeling that my two main food intolerance issues are going to be with Dairy and Gluten :(  We shall see!

I am even tossing around the idea of keeping up the "restricted" diet for most days of the week and allowing myself a "cheat" day.  This isn't to say that I will have McDonalds for breakfast, lunch and dinner... I will simply allow myself to eat something that wouldn't be included in the restrictions.  I am not sure what I want to do in the future, but I do know that this isn't something that I want to completely give up.  To be honest... I have been feeling pretty good! 

Only two more days!! Woo hoooo!!

<3 Carlye

Adventures in Baking

Last night I attempted to bake a Gluten Free Coconut Flour Orange Cake with Coconut Oil Frosting that I had found on Pinterest.  Here is the recipe :)

I followed all instructions and this is how my adventure in baking went...

This is attempt #1 egg replacement

 

So, after seeing the finished product and tasting it... I decided to try another egg replacement that was recommended for all types of baking... 

This is the final product with the frosting...

 The final product tasted ok... but it doesn't look anything like the picture from the website where I found the recipe. I am pretty sure that the egg substitutes are what is making the difference.  First attempt at the baking on the diet was not a great one...

I will try again! I may wait until I can add eggs back into my diet and then see how it goes.  Have you ever had any amusing baking adventures?

<3 Carlye

Second Week Down!!

Hello! Hello! I know everyone is busy watching the Ravens game (hopefully their success), but I am busy celebrating my success!! I have completed the 2nd week of my 21 days of restrictions!  I am proud to announce that I am down 3.1 more lbs!!! Woo hoooooo! I am so excited!  Not only am I down a few more lbs, but I am also down a few more inches!  I am down a total of 4.25 inches this week!! I lost 2 inches at my ribs (bra), 1.25 inches at my waist and 1 inch off my hips!!

Total Weight Loss= 7.8 lbs
Total Inches Lost= 7.25 inches

This past week has been a lot easier than the first.  I am over the cravings and the bitterness of "not being able" to eat certain foods.  I have explored new recipes and discovered that I actually like cooking for myself!

One of my favorite things to eat is my Mom's homemade spaghetti.  This stuff is delicious.  I think it may be one of the only things I ever learned from my Mom to cook.  The only issue is that it is made with sugar and served over pasta with LOTS of cheese.  Tonight I was able to tweek it to my diet and it was amazing!  I substituted the ground beef with ground bison.  I also substituted the sugar with raw honey.  I made quinoa pasta and didn't use any cheese.  I must say *pat on my own back* it was really yummy! I am already looking forward to having it again for lunch tomorrow lol...

I know I said it last time, but I cannot tell you how much the support and words of encouragement have meant to me.  I have loved everything that everyone has said!  Thank you so much!

Here is to another week!!! Here we go!

<3 Carlye

Bucketlister

Thinking about all of the new things that I am doing with my life in 2013 has made me think about the things I would like to do this year and in the future. What would I like to accomplish? It doesn't necessarily need to be anything super serious... it could just be things that I would like to do.  Thinking about this has made me make a sort of "Bucketlist" for myself... Here are a few things that I have added to my Bucketlist :)

This is just a few haha... What is on your bucketlist??  I would love to hear!!

<3 Carlye

Bangles And Baubles and Bibs... OH MY!

Ohhhh ladies! I got to see the new Stella & Dot Spring 2013 Collection in person last night! Let me just tell you... I am already obsessed with so many pieces from this collection!  Wanna know what the best part is about this collection?? Almost 70% of the collection is UNDER $50!!!  This is the first time this has ever happened!  I took a few pics last night and am so excited to show them to you!!

 I have been waiting for this collection to be released!  If you would be interested in hosting a Trunk Show for you and your girlfriends let me know!  We can do a show at your home, your office, or even an online Trunk Show!  I am also looking to do a Mystery Hostess show coming up at the beginning of February!  Anyone who makes a purchase will be entered to win the Hostess slot and gain all of the rewards of the show!!  I will keep everyone updated on when that will be coming! 

Sparkle on ladies!

<3 Carlye

Busy, Busy Bee :)

I have been a busy bee in the kitchen today!  Sometimes I really don't like having to work 3 out of 4 weekends a month, but then I think about how I have days off during the week to actually get things done!  Today I made 2 soups from scratch and homemade whipped cream!

The first soup I made was a Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup.  It looks delicious!  I doctored it up a little with some Seasoned Salt and Oregano (and I used Coconut Milk instead of Almond and 1 tsp Thyme instead of 1 tbs fresh)... but this is the recipe in case you are interested!
Ingredients:

Photo Courtesy of Girl Makes Food

1 clove Garlic (peeled)1 Shallot (peeled)
2-28 oz canned whole Tomatoes
1 cup Almond Milk
1 tbs Thyme
1 tbs Celery Seed
2 tbs EVOO
Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.  Heat up and serve!

The second soup I made was a Butternut Squash and Sun Dried Tomato Bisque.  I followed this one to a "T."  This was a bit more involved than the last.  Here is the recipe for this one!

Photo Courtesy of my own kitchen lol :)

Ingredients:
1 Medium Butternut Squash
1 tsp Minced Garlic
1 Leek, cleaned and sliced
1/2 tbs EVOO
1 cup Sun Dried Tomatoes (not in oil)
2 cups Salted Veggie Broth
1 2/3 cup Coconut Milk
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:
About 1 hour before preparing preheat your oven to 350 °F,  slice your butternut squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Sprinkle the flesh of the squash gently with salt and then place face down on a baking sheet. Add about 1/4 cup water to the pan and cook 45- 60 minutes, or until the squash’s skin is tender enough to easily be pierced with a fork.

While the squash is roasting, saute the garlic and leek along with the olive oil over medium high heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Once the squash is tender, transfer to a high speed blender (or use a good quality immersion blender or food processor) and puree along with garlic and leek, the sundried tomatoes, vegetable broth, coconut milk, and cumin. Add a little more broth if you prefer a thinner soup. Blend until completely smooth, about 10 minutes. Warm gently if needed over medium heat until desired temperature is reached. Salt and pepper to taste.

The last thing I made is the one I was most excited about... Coconut Milk Whipped Cream! Here is the recipe for this one!

Again... Photo Courtesy of my own kitchen :)

Ingredients:
1 can Coconut Milk (full fat)
Sugar to taste (I didn't use any)
Vanilla to taste (I used sugar free)

Instructions:
Place can in refrigerator overnight to chill.  When you take it out flip it upside down and open the can carefully.  The thin white liquid that sits on top can be disposed of or you can keep it and drink it, make a smoothie with it... do what you want with it.  You want the harder, thicker white at the bottom of the can.  Scoop that out into a large mixing bowl.  Beat (with a hand mixer) until fluffy and smooth.  Add sugar and vanilla to taste.  

It is delicious!  Not exactly like homemade whipped cream, but it is good and will be a perfect topping when I attempt to make a baked apple dessert soon!!  Yay for food swaps!  Stay tuned!

<3 Carlye Guthrie

First Week Down!

Hello everybody!! This is my first "weigh-in" since I started my Virgin Diet journey!  I am happy to say that I am down 4.7 lbs and 3 inches!!
(Bust- .25, Waist- 1.5, Hips- 1.25) Yayyyyy!!! It has been a struggle, but well worth it!


Today we went grocery shopping and were able to find some really great "swaps" for the things we have been missing!

Here are our great finds from today's trip to the grocery store:

1. So Delicious French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
2. MaraNatha Almond Butter
3. Terra Vegetable Chips
4. Road's End Organic Mac n Cheese (Gluten, Dairy, Soy and Cholesterol Free)
5. Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour



The coffee creamer was an AMAZING find for me! I have been really missing the coffee/caffeine during my work days!  This is now a staple for my work day!  The almond butter is something I wasn't sure I would like.  I am now obsessed! It is so good on apples and slightly salted rice cakes!  Great for snacks... I also use it as my protein in my smoothies in the morning.  The Terra chips were an accidental find... they are a great swap for chips for dipping in guacamole or just as a snack!  I'm trying the Mac tonight and will report back later.  The flour is something I am excited about too... I will be attempting to bake soon.  That will definitely be a blog post for the books lol...


This has been a rough week, but like I said-- well worth it! I am so proud of myself and cannot explain how great the feedback from friends, family and strangers has been!  I look forward to the future and what it may bring!!

<3 Carlye