Fat Fast Cookbook: 50 Easy Recipes to Jump Start Your Low Carb Weight Loss

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Margaret

I received this eBook from Carbsmart.com in exchange for a review. The Fat Fast Cookbook was written by Dana Carpender, Amy Dungan, and Rebecca Latham.

I am one of those people that struggles to lose weight, even on a low carb diet. I wanted to try a Fat Fast to break a weight loss stall. There is a lot of information online, but I like that with the eBook everything you need to know is in one place.

Most online information will suggest cream cheese or macadamia nuts for a fat fast. This cookbook has various recipes that includes many more ingredient options. Who wants to eat just cream cheese for 3-5 days? Not me!

The book also explains WHY someone might want to try a fat fast, the history behind a fat fast, and the science behind how it works.

Currently the Fat Fast Cookbook is only $5.99

Ordering Options:

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Awaken: 30+ Egg Free and Grain Free Breakfasts

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Margaret

I received a copy of the eBook Awaken: 30+ Egg Free and Grain Free Breakfasts from Karen at Living Low Carb…One Day at a time. Karen follows a low carb and gluten free way of living.

I was impressed with this eBook  It gives you enough recipes to give you a jump start in thinking about other breakfast options. I also liked the substitution charts she has included. I will be saving this eBook to refer back to!

I’ve tried the pork sausage recipe – that was good and nice to know what was in it! The Raspberry and Cream “Oatmeal” was pretty good hot “cereal” option (has flax, chia, & coconut in it). I will make this again.

I also made the cinnamon cereal (a cold cereal option) out of the oven – YUM! Tastes wonderful with a splash of cream. For those that miss granola type cereal, this would work wonderfully. It would also be tasty on yogurt too.

You can see a sample of the book here

Ordering Options:

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7 Secrets to Feeling More Content and Happy

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Margaret

1 – Focus on what you DO have!

2 – Do NOT compare yourself with others! You are YOU!

3 – Think about where you’ve been and realize you have moved forward.

4 – SMILE!

5 – Do something for someone else. There really is more happiness in giving than receiving!

6 – Get Enough Rest – not just sleep, but un-plug for a while. Take a nice hot bath, read a good book, something that can relax you.

7 – Move your body – it’s a great stress reliever

Ok – they’re not secrets, but sometimes when we are feeling down or stressed we forget the simple things in life. Often it’s the simple things that can make us happy.

What’s your secret for being more content & happy?

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Update on Margaret Ropp

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Margaret

I haven’t written much lately, and I’m not sure why, oh wait…I am an expert at procrastination! :(

What’s new…I have tried some new fitness routines. P90X and ChaLEAN Extreme – both are DVD workouts that you can do at home. My daughter and I did the P90X program together – we didn’t complete the full 90 days, but stopped around day 70. It’s incredible how quickly you build strength with this program – IF – IF – IF you do the program and actually PUSH yourself! After a 2 week break we went to the gym to see what improvements we could see. For EACH machine, our weights we were able to life went up by 15-20 POUNDS! Amazing!

My goal now though is to focus on weight loss. So for me ChaLEAN Extreme is less intense and the workouts take about 1/2 the time. So I’m hoping I’m not as FAMISHED after working out. I am loving these workouts – they still are very effective and I feel soreness in  my muscles – a good kind of sore!

I like the workout so much that I became a Beachbody Coach. If you want more information about the workouts or perhaps you’re curious about being a coach, visit my Beachbody site!

I am also more focused my diet. They say fitness is 80% in the kitchen…so I’m focusing more on my diet. I’m choosing to go low carb. I love how I feel eating this way – and shucks, who doesn’t like bacon! If you want to see what I’m eating you can add me as a friend on www.myfitnesspal.com where I track my food. My user name is mropp.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

~Margaret

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Thermo-O by Aquaovo

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Margaret

I was thrilled to review a glass drinking container from aquaovo. I love to use Young Living Essential Oils to flavor my water, and plastic drinking containers just are not a good mix with essential oils. Glass however is wonderful!

I was surprised at how pretty this Therom-o bottle was. It has a larger opening which I love. It makes cleaning the bottle so much easier. It also allows a person to add sliced lemon, ice cubes, or other items and still be able to get them out of the jar. The jar also comes with a screen insert so that you can use loose tea, pour hot water over, and then remove for drinking. A great idea for tea drinkers. I personally didn’t use the screen.

They claim that since there is two layers, that you can use it for hot drinks too. So, I had to try it with my coffee. The jar gets a little warm, but definitely not hot. It was still comfortable to hold. My coffee didn’t stay as hot for as long as a traditional thermos, but it still kept it warm longer than just a coffee cup.

aquaovo also offers customization for these Therm-o containers. This would make a nifty promotional item. You can see samples of customization on their page here. Mine came with their company logo.

I truly love my Thermo-O jar and use it daily!

Aquaovo sent me a product sample in exchange for a review. The review however is mine.

Images were taken from aquaovo‘s website

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Book Review: Fire-Up Your Fat Burn! by Lori Shemek

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Margaret

Lori Shemek sent me a copy of her book for me to review. I was pleasantly surprised that a shorter ebook could contain so much useful information about weight loss strategies.

Lori  has a Doctorate in Psychology and has a Certification as a Nutritional Consultant and Life Coach. She is also the Health Expert for the ABC show GOOD MORNING TEXAS. Lori is also busy helping clients and others create weight loss success through radio shows, writing, and speaking.

From the book:

In life there are two things you can control:

  • How much you move your body
  • What and how much food you eat

I loved that, however sometimes we need to know where or how to start and that’s where this book comes in. Lori discusses some simple strategies and tips on what to eat and how to work out the most effectively. She gives some good examples of ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack option ideas.  This helps people to see that good nutrition is not as complicated as we sometimes make it. It also makes a great starting point for ones that are new to “dieting” and has some nice ideas for those that are looking for new meal ideas.

Towards the end of the book is a nice page “Quick Tips to Fat Loss Success” that gives succinct bullet points of simple tips, some that we might overlook such as getting enough sleep.

I think this is a great starter book on nutrition and exercise. You can order your copy of Fire-Up Your Fat Burn! here at Amazon  for only $2.99 (prices are always subject to change)

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High Protein Pancakes

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Margaret
High Protein Pancakes

High Protein Pancakes with Sorghum Syrup

Recipe:
1/2 cup cottage cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
dash of vanilla

Blend it up (I used my Magic Bullet) and put on a hot oiled griddle until nice and golden.

This makes 2 pancakes about 6 inches accross

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Venison with Mushrooms & Wild Rice

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Margaret

I received some ground venison as a gift from my sister – and have been craving wild rice. This is what I came up with – it was wonderful!

I cooked wild rice in water with some Better than Boullion Chicken Base, until done.

When the rice was done….I browned the ground venison. I used some bacon dripping to saute the mushrooms with pepper and salt….when all done, added a splash of heavy whipping cream and the wild rice.

This meal was only for one serving…

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Chicken and Salsa Soup

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Margaret

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup water
1 heaping tablespoon soup base
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 cups loose-pack frozen whole kernel corn (or a can of corn kernels)
1 cup chunky salsa
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

I put all the ingredients in my crockpot on high for about 3 hours, or on low for about 5 hours.

Serve with shredded cheese on top (cheddar, pepper jack, or what you have on hand)

Other serving options:

  • I love to dice 1/2 of an avocado in the bottom of my bowl and spoon the soup over the top.
  • Crushed tortilla chips on top is good too
  • My daughter likes sour cream in hers
  • We have also used as a filling in flour tortilla shells

 

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Exercise DVD – Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Margaret

The weather is icky – raining, cold, blech! So I didn’t do the Couch to 5K today. I also didn’t want to drive to the gym…so popped this in the DVD player. The workout was much harder than it looks! We’ll know what the “damages” are in the morning. My thighs were burning!

This DVD will guide you through Jillian Michael’s exclusive 3-2-1 Interval System that combines strength, cardio and abs to blast through calories for a dramatic 30 day shred. The program includes three complete 20-minute workouts which progress by level of intensity. Start with Level 1 and advance through Level 3. You can get it at Amazon.com

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