Family Room - Custom Wall Unit

 Here in Northern Michigan it is not uncommon for homes to have basements and unfinished ones are the most common. When I moved in I found just that.. a beautiful unfinished basement just asking to be finished. The main problem I would find is that when Ed built the home he never really planned to do anything with the basement so shorter ceilings and exposed well... everything is what I had to work with. 

Our basement is setup in a way that it encourages me to want to finish it. The major question is how. Ed had previously finished or sorta finished three spaces; gun room, utility space and guestroom. Another space was sorta mapped out as a family room but longs to be finished and used as such. This space will be my first of many I will get my hands on and turn into a great space for our big beautiful family to use and enjoy. 

As with all my projects I did not want to spend a ton of money. Ed is so handy but asking him to build something from nothing is not something I wanted to do... so I got onto Facebook marketplace and started shopping. What I found were two entertainment systems, solid oak with similar styles. Both have lights and both were $75 each. The next item I found was an electric fireplace insert for $10. We loaded everything up in the truck and took my finds home where Ed was left to put the puzzle together. See I strongly feel the best tool one can have in a family room is a main wall unit with plenty of storage. With a ton of games, video game systems and toys we need a ton of storage. Plus, I want a space with room to setup an air mattress for extra sleeping space when kids come home so I don't want big bulky storage solutions here and there rather one big beautiful wall unit. 

Slowly piece by piece my wall unit went up. 

Ed build sides walls to connect the first set. Then it was time to add set two; securing the pieces together as he went. 

I don't have a picture of it but we had this small entertainment center before that was had storage below the tv and one cabinet along the side. The lower part would also be used as center portion of structure and where the fireplace insert would placed. 

With some framing and stone work a custom fireplace would be added. 

Wire up the lights from both units to work as one.. 

and what you are left with is a beautiful custom build wall unit for under $250. Man look at all the storage.. I am in love.

Now onto painting walls, adding some wood accents, drywall the ceiling and add some awesome barn door for privacy. Stay tune... 

  

Zucchini Pineapple Carrot Muffins

 ZUCCHINI PINEAPPLE CARROT MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 C oil
• 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
• 2 C sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 C shredded zucchini
• 3/4 C shredded carrots
• 10 oz crushed pineapple, drained
• 3 C flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 C chopped nuts (optional)

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil and applesauce with a whisk. Add the sugar, vanilla, zucchini, carrot and pineapple then mix well. Add all the dry ingredients and mix together just until combined. Do not overmix!
3. Divide among 24 muffin tins lined with paper liners. Bake muffins for 20-22 minutes

 https://www.mykitchenescapades.com/healthy-zucchini-carrot-muffins/

20 Reasons why I am not a loser!

1. Plateau

Weight loss plateau may be explained by muscle gain, undigested food and fluctuations in body water. If the scale doesn’t budge, you might still be losing fat.

2. You're Not Keeping Track of What You're Eating

Keeping a food diary can be helpful when you are trying to lose weight.

3. You're Not Eating Enough Protein

Low protein intake may bring your weight loss efforts to a standstill. Make sure to eat plenty of protein-rich foods.

4. You're Eating Too Many Calories

 If your weight loss seems to have come to a standstill, it’s possible you may be eating too much. People frequently overestimate their calorie intake.

5. You're Not Eating Whole Foods

Make sure to base your diet on whole foods. Eating too much processed food could ruin your weight loss success.

6. You're Not Lifting Weights

Strength training is an effective way to lose fat. It prevents the loss of muscle mass often associated with weight loss and helps maintain long-term fat loss.

7. You're Binge Eating (Even on Healthy Food)

If you frequently binge on food, it may explain why your scale doesn’t seem to budge.

8. You're Not Doing Cardio

Make sure to do cardio regularly. It helps you burn fat, especially around your midsection. Lack of exercise could be one reason for a weight loss plateau.

9. You're Still Drinking Sugar

Avoiding all sugary beverages is an excellent weight loss strategy. They often make up a significant portion of people’s calorie intake.

10. You're Not Sleeping Well

Lack of quality sleep is a strong risk factor for obesity. It could also hinder your weight loss progress.

11. You're Not Cutting Back on Carbohydrates

If you are unable to lose weight, consider trying a low-carb diet. Many studies show that a low-carb diet can be an effective weight loss strategy.

12. You're Eating Too Often

Eating too often may result in excessive calorie intake, curbing your weight loss efforts.

13. You're Not Drinking Water

To reduce your calorie intake, drink a glass of water before meals. Drinking water may also increase the number of calories you burn.

14. You're Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are generally high in calories. If you choose to drink alcohol, spirits mixed with zero-calorie beverages are probably the best options when you are dieting.

15. You're Not Eating Mindfully

Always eat mindfully when trying to lose weight. Mindless eating is one of the main reasons people struggle to lose weight.

16. You Have a Medical Condition That Is Making Things Harder

Medical conditions like hypothyroidism, Sleep Apnea and PCOS may be hindering your weight loss efforts.

17. You're Addicted to Junk Food

If you have strong food cravings or food addiction, weight loss can be very difficult. Consider seeking professional help.

18. You've Been Starving Yourself For Too Long

If you have reached a weight loss plateau, you may simply have been dieting for too long. Maybe it’s time to take a break.

19. Your Expectations Are Unrealistic

People’s expectations are sometimes unrealistic when it comes to weight loss. Keep in mind that losing weight takes time and not everyone can look like a fitness model.

20. You're Too Focused on Dieting

Dieting is not a long-term solution. If you wish to lose weight and keep it off in the long term, focus on adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

Weigh In Thursday

It's Weigh Day Thursday! Another sad week on the scale but I lost weight. I only lost 0.6 but same my support team says "a loss is a loss". So I will celebrate the loss but fighting the struggles. 

207.4

Pizza Roll Ups

Pizza roll ups

Mozarella slices (or any sliced real cheese you like)

Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning

If you like spicy add chili flakes 

Add pepperoni slices

Put in a preheated at 350 oven for 5 minutes

Let cool until you can roll up comfortably

Serve with a keto-friendly marinara (or no sauce)

Big Mac Salad - Cheeseburger Salad

BIG MAC SALAD – CHEESEBURGER SALAD RECIPE (LOW CARB, GLUTEN-FREE)

This easy low carb Big Mac salad recipe is ready in just 20 minutes! A gluten-free, keto cheeseburger salad like this makes a healthy lunch or dinner.

INGREDIENTS

Salad

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 8 oz Romaine lettuce (or iceberg if desired)
• 1 cup Tomatoes (chopped)
• 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1/2 cup Pickles (diced)

Dressing

• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp Pickles (diced)
• 2 tsp Mustard
• 1 tsp White vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tbsp Powdered erythritol (or any sweetener of choice; adjust to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook ground beef in a skillet over high heat. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Stir fry, breaking up the pieces with a spatula, for about 7-10 minutes, until the beef is browned and moisture has evaporated.
2. Meanwhile, puree all the dressing ingredients in a blender. If dressing is thicker than you like, thin out with water or oil and puree again. Adjust sweetener to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Combine the remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Add the ground beef. Toss with dressing.

Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake

Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake

An easy Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake made with raspberry jello and coconut that tastes just like the Hostess Raspberry Zinger snack cakes.

• 1 (18 ounce) box white cake mix
• 10 ounces diet Sprite
• 2 egg whites
• 1 (3 ounce) box raspberry Jell-O gelatin sugar free
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 8 ounces Cool Whip
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut

1. Take dry cake mix and add the 2 egg whites and soda. Mix well with electric mixer. Pour into ungreased 9×13 dish and bake as directed on the box. Let cool for 15 minutes

.2. Then take the boiling water and add the jello. Stir until jello is dissolved.

3. Poke holes into your cake with end of spoon. Then pour jello mixture over the cake. Cover and refrigerate 2 hrs or overnight. Then spread on the cool whip and top with coconut.

Weigh Day Thursday

It's Weigh Day Thursday! I wish I could say that I had amazing success but I can't. Stepped up on the scale and bam 0.2 GAIN.

208.2

Really?! I went to the gym Tuesday night and did 4.5 miles on elliptical. Repeated Wednesday with another 4.5 miles. I have been watching my calorie intake. I will admit I should be doing better with this part. I am sure I have not been reporting well enough to get honest assessment of how each day is stacking up and what my deficit is. Weight loss is just a frustrating, discouraging journey. I am going to try to stay positive and not give up.. but it is hard not to.

Breakfast Egg Muffins

Breakfast Egg Muffins

3 in 1 recipe: 3 types of Breakfast Egg Muffins

Spinach Tomato & Mozzarella
Bacon & Cheddar
Garlic Mushroom & Peppers

iNGREDIENTS

BASE:

• 12 large eggs

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion, (red, white or yellow/brown)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

TOMATO SPINACH MOZZARELLA:

• 1/4 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped

• 8 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

BACON CHEDDAR:

• 1/4 cup cooked bacon, chopped

• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

GARLIC MUSHROOM PEPPER:

• 1/4 cup sliced brown mushrooms

• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, (capsicum), diced

• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1/3 teaspoon minced garlic

INSTRUCTIONSPreheat oven to 350°F | 180°C. Lightly spray a 12-cup capacity muffin tin with nonstick oil spray.In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and onion. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.Add egg mixture halfway up into each tin of a greased muffin tin.Divide the three topping combinations into 4 muffin cups each.Bake for 20 minutes.Serve OR store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat when ready to serve.Enjoy!

how to freeze breakfast egg muffins

Let the egg muffins cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag. They will last for up to 2 months.

To reheat, unwrap from the plastic wrap and fold them in a damp paper towel. Heat in the microwave in 20 second increments until warmed through.

NUTRITION

Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g 

Boredom Eating

I've been there and I'm sure you have also standing in front of the fridge; door open, aimlessly staring at the food choices. Not really hungry, but nothing else to do so why not eat.  Sound familiar?
If you have found yourself eating to pass the time or to break up the same old routine, it may be time to talk about boredom eating and the negative impact it can have, not just on your weight but your overall health, too.

When you are hungry, you eat because you need to eat. Your body requires energy and nutrients to survive and thrive each day. When you eat for reasons outside of physiological need, it’s unnecessary eating. Boredom eating falls into this category and can cause you to overeat or prioritize less nutritious foods over those your body needs.

Boredom eating can quickly turn into emotional eating. Whenever we eat for the wrong reasons, there is a chance we’ll feel even worse after the poor food decision. This emotional response can trigger further unnecessary eating and perpetuate negative food experiences over and over again.
The food you eat wasn’t designed to solve boredom or to quench emotional distress. Unfortunately, it often serves as the answer to both because of how readily available food is to us and the quick gratification it can provide.

8 ways to kick the boredom eating habit:

1. Become Aware Once you figure out your true hunger the easier it is to know the boredom or emotional eating cues.

2. Plan Now that you know what boredom eating looks and feels like you can create a plan to combat it. Create a plan for each of the life triggers once identified. It may mean you go to bed an hour earlier if boredom eating always strikes at the end of the day when you’re overly exhausted. Or perhaps it means taking a walk at three o’clock when you know you get restless at work.
3. Move! Your body is meant to move. If you feel boredom strike, consider moving! Take a five-minute walk or a little yoga.
4. Pick up a new hobby. Time to tackle an old unfinished project. Look through Pinterest board for a new hobby, take an art class or pick up a new book. One activity at a time. Don't over think it.
5. Embrace boredom We are so use to always doing that we forget to take it easy and just relax and yes allow ourselves to become bored. There is nothing wrong with slowing down from time to time. Enjoy the down time and recharge.
6. Keep nutritious foods front and center. Okay so you open the fridge and what do you see? Leftover pizza, or maybe an apple pie. Or you open the fridge and see precut veggies and washed fruit. If you still attempt to tackle your boredom through food, you'll have done so with more nutrients than fat.
7. Keep a list on your fridge. To further ensure that your new habits stick, consider listing out all the great nonfood ways you can deal with boredom on a piece of paper on your fridge. This will serve as a helpful last-minute reminder to try something new before reaching for the food behind the door of the fridge.
8. Ask for help. Eating can be complicated, and it’s OK to ask for help. People inside your home, accountability partner local or online, a dietitian or personal training. Anyone you can check in with when you find yourself bored and turning to food.
.
Being bored is no fun, but food isn’t the boredom cure-all. Instead, look for ways to bust boredom that won’t sabotage your weight loss or maintenance goals.

Weigh Day Thursday

For the next 11 weeks (at least) my new weigh in day is Thursday. I started off this morning feeling pretty good but still a little scared as to what the scale would say. I started my Reboot Challenge last week Thursday; did really well Thursday and Friday morning and then... surprise weekend trip out of town with my wonderful man. I have zero self control so nice dinner out lead to midnight hotel snacks which lead to out of town breakfast followed by..... you get it; a very bad weekend. Sunday night back on track and damage control. I wasn't able to make it to the gym Sunday so I did my go to WATP 3 mile workout at home. Felt good to workout again but didn't feel like enough. Wednesday night I crawled into the local YMCA hoping to get some sort of workout done. Tired from a long day and feeling the time crunch of transporting kids to and from I hit the Elliptical. One hour and 4.5 miles later I had finished an amazing workout and felt pretty good.

All of this brings me to the scale Thursday morning.. I took my shoes off and stepped on.. to my surprise I lost 2.4 pounds. With a little bit of pride and a ton of past weekend regret I will take it. Here's to a better week and hopefully additional pounds dropped off forever.