BABY OH BABY

Cara Langsing Tanpa Menyiksa Diri

2011-02-01T19:42:00.000+07:00

Banyak orang, terutama kaum wanita yang tidak mengetahui cara langsing yang benar. Mereka melakukan diet ketat yang menyiksa diri. Cara diet semacam ini tentu saja bukan cara diet yang benar.

Memang sih, badan gendut merupakan masalah besar. Selain tak sedap dipandang, tumpukan lemak di tubuh kita akan mengundang banyak penyakit. Namun, program diet seharusnya menyenangkan dan juga menyehatkan. Terapkan cara langsing yang menyenangkan dan membuat kita enjoy melakukannya. Jika kita sampai stress gara-gara diet, akan timbul masalah baru.

Berikut beberapa tips cara langsing yang bisa Anda terapkan:

1. Kenali cara kerja tubuh Anda sendiri, terutama terkait metabolisme. Dengan mengenali cara kerja tubuh Anda, akan lebih mudah menentukan kebutuhannya dan menerapkan cara langsing yang sehat.

2. Makanan sehat seperti buah dan sayuran memang makanan terbaik buat program diet Anda. Namun, tak perlu berhenti ngemil sama sekali. Boleh-boleh saja sesekali ngemil kue dan kripik, asal tahu batas takaran wajarnya.

3. Jangan melakukan tindakan bodoh seperti tidak makan sama sekali demi mencapai tubuh langsing dalam waktu singkat. Ketahuilah, jika sel-sel tubuh Anda kelaparan gara-gara kurang mendapat asupan makanan, metabolisme Anda justru melambat dan berat badan malah tidak turun-turun. Yang terbaik adalah makan dalam porsi sedikit tapi sering. Makanan yang disantap pun harus mengandung nutrisi yang seimbang.

4. Makan makanan karbohidrat kompleks seperti gandum, pasta dan buah-buahan untuk menjaga kadar gula dalam tubuh Anda tetap normal. Makanan jenis ini akan membuat Anda tetap bertenaga dan memenuhi kebutuhan tubuh akan serat sehat.

5. Merasa selalu ingin ngemil kripik atau kue? Turutilah, tapi dengan porsi kecil. Lakukan pengurangan porsi ngemil secara bertahap sampai Anda terbiasa dengan pola makan sehat tanpa ngemil.

Bagaimana? Cara langsing yang mudah, bukan? Dengan tekad kuat, insya Allah program diet Anda berjalan mulus. Ayo, siapkan diri Anda untuk melaksanakan diet sehat!

Karbohidrat Bikin Langsing!

2011-02-01T13:29:00.000+07:00

Karbohidrat bikin bodi melar? Tidak sepenuhnya anggapan itu benar! Sebab, studi terbaru justru membuktikan bahwa orang yang makan karbohidrat secara teratur malah lebih langsing ketimbang orang yang memantangnya.

Asupan Karbohidrat

Dalam penelitian tersebut, disimpulkan bahwa tubuh langsing akan diperoleh jika Anda memenuhi asupan karbohidrat sebesar 64% dari total kalori yang Anda santap, atau sekitar 361 gram. Jadi, kalau mau langsing, jangan sampai tidak makan karbohidrat sama sekali, ya!:-)

Tipe Karbohidrat

Namun demikian, perlu diperhatikan tipe karbohidrat yang menjaga bodi tetap langsing. Bukan sembarang karbohidrat, lho! Karbohidrat yang dimaksud adalah tipe karbohidrat resistant starch atau sari pati.

Sari pati bersifat memperlambat proses pelumatan makanan dalam tubuh. Walhasil, nafsu makan Anda menjadi ditekan, terjadi pembakaran kalori lebih banyak, lebih berenergi, stress berkurang, serta sedikit kolesterol.

Tipe karbohidrat saripati yang melangsingkan ini banyak terdapat dalam kentang, pisang, oatmeal, buncis, jagung, dan pasta.

Kenapa Melangsingkan?

Ada beberapa alasan yang menjawab pertanyaan kenapa sari pati bikin langsing secara sehat:

Sari pati tidak dicerna oleh tubuh. Ia masuk ke usus besar dan berfungsi seperti serat yang membantu proses diet. Ini berbeda dengan tipe karbohidrat sederhana seperti gula yang sangat cepat dicerna dalam tubuh sehingga cepat menimbulkan rasa lapar yang berulang.
Sari pati membuat sensasi kenyang yang lebih lama, sehingga Anda tidak mudah lapar. Mengapa? Sekali lagi, karena zat ini lebih lama dicerna dibandingkan makanan lainnya.
Terkait mengendalikan nafsu makan, sari pati meningkatkan level hormon pengatur rasa lapar dan kenyang, lalu memberitahukan pada otak agar menekan nafsu lapar. Hormon tersebut juga mengatur metabolisme dalam tubuh serta membuat sel-sel tubuh lebih sensitif terhadap insulin.
Selain bermafaat untuk diet, karbohidrat jenis sari pati dapat mengontrol kadar gula dalam darah. Riset yang dilakukan oleh Beltsville Human Nutrion Center membuktikan bahwa partisipan yang mengonsumsi sari pati dapat menurunkan kadar gula dalam darah hingga 38%.
Sari pati dapat mempercepat metabolisme tubuh, karena melewati sistem pencernaan dan melepaskan asam lemak yang berfungsi mendorong pembakaran lemak terutama di bagian perut. Asam lemak tersebut menjaga masa otot dan membantu Anda menurunkan berat badan dengan cepat.

Tips Diet Karbohidrat

Jika Anda sedang melakukan diet karbohidrat, bukan berarti Anda harus meniadakan karbohidrat dalam menu Anda. Kombinasikan asupan karbohidrat Anda. Walaupun nasi beras merah lebih baik ketimbang nasi putih, namun nggak ada salahnya jika dicampur dengan sedikit nasi putih. Kombinasikan pula dengan buncis, jagung, atau makanan lain yang kaya sari pati. Ini akan lebih baik ketimbang memantang karbohidrat sama sekali.

Lima Orang Terberat Sepanjang Sejarah (WoW!!)

2011-02-01T13:26:00.000+07:00

Gaya hidup buruk dan makanan tak sehat mengakibatkan penderita obesitas kian bertambah. Dunia kedokteran mencatat ada lima orang terberat yang pernah ada di dunia kedokteran.

Berikut lima orang paling berat yang pernah sepanjang sejarah, seperti dikutip dari blindloop.com.

Carol Yager: 727 kg

Carol Yager

Berat badan Carol pernah mencapai 727 kg, dan langsung masuk kategori terberat di dunia. Dia juga terkenal sebagai orang paling sukses menurunkan berat badan secara alami. Carol kehilangan 362 kg beratnya hanya dalam tiga bulan.

Namun serangan infeksi bakteri pada kulitnya yang menggelambir paska diet ketat. Carol pun mendapat perawatan di Hurley Medical Center hingga meninggal dunia. Yager tak dapat berdiri atau berjalan karena otot-ototnya tidak cukup kuat. Dia meninggal dalam usia muda, 34 tahun akibat gagal ginjal, kegagalan multi organ dan obesitas morbid, pada 1994.

Berbobot tubuh 727 kg membuat Carol Yager menyandang gelar pemilik tubuh terbesar di dunia .

Jon Brower Minnoch: 635 kg

Jon Brower Minnoch

Sejak kecil, Ayub Brower sudah menderita obesitas. Di usia 12 tahun beratnya telah mencapai 132 kg. Ia menikah dengan Jeannette, seorang wanita berat badan normal dan memiliki dua anak. Minnoch dirawat di rumah sakit selama 16 bulan dan kehilangan 419 kg. Namun ia kembali gemuk dan meninggal pada tanggal 10 September 1983, pada usia 42 tahun.

Manuel Uribe: 597 kg

Manuel Uribe

Seperti penderita obesitas umumnya, Manuel Uribe menghabiskan 9 tahun terperangkap di tempat tidur sejak 2001-2009. Pada 2008, Uribe menikah dengan pujaan hatinya, Claudia di tempat tidurnya. Saat mengucap janji pernikahan, ia berkata, "Saya adalah bukti nyata bahwa Anda dapat menemukan cinta dalam keadaan apapun. Sekarang saya memiliki istri, berkeluarga dan hidup bahagia."

Walter Hudson: 544 kg

Walter Hudson

Kebiasaan makan yang tak terkendali membuat warga Brooklyn, New York ini terserang obesitas sejak usia muda. Walhasil, Walter yang makin membengkak terjebak di pintu kamar hingga tim penyelamat harus menghancurkan dinding rumahnya. "Saya makan apapun." katanya soal penyebab tubuh jumbonya tersebut. Meski mengumumkan rencana pernikahan, Walter meninggal dunia beberapa minggu sebelum mengikrarkan sumpah pernikahan.

Rosalie Bradford: 544 kg

Rosalie Bradford

Tubuh raksasa Rosalie Bradford memang terlihat sejak masa kanak-kanak. 'Foodaholic' ini mencapai 92 kg di usia 14 tahun dan naik menjadi 140 kg pada ulangtahun ke-15. Rosalie menikah dan punya satu anak. Setelah menikah, dia menghabiskan sebagian besar waktunya di rumah dan semakin gemuk.

Sebagai upaya menguruskan badan, Rosalie menggunakan berbagai obat-obatan penurun berat badan hingga beratnya mencapai 136 kg. Dia meninggal pada tanggal 29 November 2006 di usia 63 tahun.

(Sumber: vivanews.com)

Ice Breakers Frost Sugar-Free Mints Review

2011-01-31T07:40:00.001+07:00

Ice Breakers Frost™ mints are the only mint frosted with an intense combination of xylitol, cooling and flavor crystals to deliver a surprisingly powerful and enjoyable experience. The Hershey Company invites consumers to embark on this powerfully cool taste experience now available at retail.

• Sugar-free Ice Breakers Frost mints feature a flavored core coated with xylitol, cooling and flavor crystals to deliver both taste and power for fresher breath.

• Ice Breakers Frost mints are available in two surprisingly cool flavors – Wintercool™ and peppermint.

• Ice Breakers Frost sugar-free mints are available in 1.2 oz. containers at participating mass, grocery, drug and specialty retailers.

• New Ice Breakers Frost mints expand on the popular Ice Breakers mints line, first introduced in 1999.
• The Ice Breakers brand offers a variety of mint and gums products that provide a mouth-freshening lift. Each of the great tasting mints and gums contain revitalizing crystals to deliver delicious and cooling taste sensations.

• The Ice Breakers brand product line includes Ice Breakers® stick gum in coolmint and wintergreen flavors; Ice Breakers® Ice Cubes® Gum in peppermint, spearmint, raspberry sorbet, kiwi watermelon, strawberry smoothie, bubble breeze, cool lemon, mango kiwi whitening gum and wintergreen whitening gum flavors; Ice Breakers® Sours in original and berry assortment flavors; and Ice Breakers® mints in coolmint, wintergreen, spearmint and cinnamon flavors.

• For more information on Ice Breakers Frost mints or other Ice Breakers mints and gums, visit www.icebreakers.com

I had the pleasure of reviewing Ice Breakers Frost in Peppermint. I loved it! I love a strong mint that lasts in your mouth after the mint is gone. At first taste, you get the flavor crystals which I think of as a signature of Ice Breakers. When you get to the core, it was refreshing and tingly, just the way I like my mints. The container snaps shut so I know the mints aren't going to fall out all over my purse. I enjoyed this mint and will be purchasing more when I run out.
I received this product free of charge for review on my blog. All views and opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Babies 'R Us Sweepstakes Sponsored By Baby Brezza

2011-01-31T07:40:00.000+07:00

From January 13th until February 13th, you have the chance to win your entire Babies 'R Us registry*, just by adding the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker to your registry. That's right, one lucky mom-to-be will win her entire wish-list, including the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker! It is the only baby food maker that steams and blends in one simple step.

Visit http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=10802151 for full contest rules and to enter.

I was entered for a chance to win a gift card and Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place

CSN Stores...

2011-01-31T07:38:00.000+07:00

If you read my blog at all, you've heard of CSN Stores. I've done several reviews and giveaways with this great company in the past and there will be another one very soon. CSN stores is like a virtual mall. You can shop in the comfort of your own home while searching anything and everything including toys, modern decor, kitchen appliances and more.

Check back soon!

homemade box of chocolates

2011-01-29T00:21:00.000+07:00

I love chocolate. Every year when Valentine's Day comes around I get excited to see all the chocolate that permeates the aisles at the store. There are so many boxes of chocolate, but I often find that unless you spend a large sum of money to get the good stuff, most of the heart shaped boxes just don't satisfy. You don't get much bang for your buck. This year I thought I would make a few of my own mini boxes of chocolate to give to some friends.

The process was really simple, and much cheaper than buying a box of chocolate. First, find yourself a box and some decorative paper you love.

Next cut a piece of paper that is big enough to fit your box. I picked two papers. One for my box and one for the lid. I then cut slits at each of the four corners so you can easily fold the paper up to glue one side at a time. Use a brush to apply mod podge to the sides of the box.

Pull the paper up and press it on the side of the box to cover it completely. Smooth any bubbles out. Repeat the process until every side is covered, trimming any excess paper as needed. Follow the same process to cover your lid.

I filled my box with my favorite chocolates. Oreo balls! They are so delicious and easy to make. I am not promising any health benefits, however. You can find the recipe at the bottom of a past post HERE.

Tie on a pretty ribbon and you are finished! A pretty, delicious, homemade box of chocolates for you to surprise someone with (it can even be for yourself, I won't tell!).

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Scones

2011-01-28T01:00:00.000+07:00

A warm gluten-free scone. Hot tea. Breakfast bliss.

Are you sick of the snow yet? My heart goes out to you. So many of you have been hammered this winter. Spring will arrive this year not a moment too soon. My advice? Bake some scones. Scones are easy to throw together. The oven warms up the kitchen and chases off the chill. And in less than half an hour you have a tender gluten-free morsel to share and savor. Gently spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and studded with sweet bursts of raisins, I predict these cinnamon raisin scones will make you smile.

And speaking of predictions, Punxsutawney Phil better man up and predict an early respite come February 2. My fingers are crossed for all of you shoveling out from under. Not that I'm superstitious, or subscribe to the precognitive powers of double furred rodents, but. I remember the long dreary bouts of cold and gray all too well. I spent almost fifty-five years in the grip of Old Man Winter, praying the illustrious marmot would not see his shadow.

Will we have an early spring?

I hope so, Darlings. I hope so.

Menu Sarapan Pengaruhi Porsi Makan Siang

2011-01-26T10:02:00.000+07:00

SARAPAN SEHAT F1 SHAKE

“Mbak, saya pengen banget diet, tapi saya hobi banget ngemil. Gimana ya caranya ngerem nafsu ngemil?” demikian curhat yang sering kali saya dengar dari calon customer saya.

Bila mendengar hal semacam ini, saya biasanya akan langsung bertanya, “Pola makan selama ini gimana? Biasa sarapan, nggak? Menu sarapannya apa?”

Maka rata-rata akan menjawab, “Sarapan? Jarang! Nggak sempat soalnya…”

Nah, itu dia masalahnya!

Tahukah Anda, jika kita tidak sarapan, kita memang akan cenderung memiliki nafsu ngemil yang besar selama seharian?

Menu Sarapan Sehat dan Tepat

Menu sarapan yang sehat dan tepat juga berpengaruh terhadap nafsu makan kita seharian itu. Walaupun menu sarapan umumnya adalah soal kebiasaan dan selera, namun perhatikan jenis makanan yang dikonsumsi saat sarapan. Karena itu juga berpengaruh terhadap nafsu makan dan pilihan makanan kita di siang harinya.

Jika Anda membiasakan diri dengan menu sarapan yang terdiri dari sumber karbohidrat dengan indeks glikemik (IG) rendah, insya Allah itu akan mencegah Anda makan berlebihan saat makan siang.

Makanan indeks glikemik rendah adalah jenis makanan yang dicerna tubuh secara lambat sehingga kadar glukosa dalam darah dapat dipertahankan. (Baca lagi artikel terdahulu tentang Memahami Indeks Glikemik Makanan).

Penelitian tentang Pengaruh Sarapan

Berdasarkan sebuah penelitian, disimpulkan bahwa orang yang menu sarapannya berindeks glikemik rendah, cenderung akan makan dengan porsi kecil saat makan siang dibandingkan mereka yang sarapan dengan makanan berindeks glikemik tinggi atau bahkan yang tidak sarapan sama sekali.

Penelitian dilakukan terhadap 20 responden, yang masing-masing diberi menu sarapan dan makan siang sebagai berikut:

Minggu pertama: sarapan roti cokelat (100 gram)
Minggu kedua: sarapan fruit soy bar (100 gram)
Minggu ketiga: tidak diberi sarapan
Setiap hari mereka diberi menu makan siang nas uduk 125 gram.

Hasilnya:

Saat tidak sarapan, mereka cenderung makan nasi uduk dengan porsi berlebih atau harus menambah makanan agar perutnya terasa kenyang.
Saat diberi menu sarapan fruit soy bar, mereka makan siang sesuai porsi (nasi uduk 125 gram).
Saat diberi menu sarapan roti cokelat, mereka cenderung menambah makan meski porsinya tidak sebanyak orang yang tidak sarapan.

Indeks Glikemik Karbohidrat

Karbohidrat sederhana (terigu) dalam roti cokelat memiliki indeks glikemik yang tinggi. Walhasil, makanan ini cepat dicerna tubuh dan cepat pula menimbulkan rasa lapar. Sebaliknya, pilih makanan tinggi serat dan protein yang indeks glikemiknya rendah untuk menu sarapan Anda. Makanan jenis ini membuat perut Anda kenyang lebih lama sehingga porsi makan siang Anda pun relatif sedikit.

Dari uraian hasil penelitian di atas, dapat disimpulkan bahwa sarapan dan menu sarapan sangat penting untuk menjaga kestabilan berat badan. Menu sarapan yang sehat dan tepat bukanlah jenis makanan tinggi karbohidrat dan lemak (nasi, roti, mie, bubur ayam, dsb.) seperti yang selama ini menjadi kebiasaan banyak orang.

Menu sarapan yang dianjurkan adalah yang mengandung karbohidrat kompleks, protein, serat, vitamin, mineral dan sedikit lemak.

my top 5 favorite fabulous craft bloggers

2011-01-25T16:00:00.000+07:00

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend's wish!

A friend asked me the other day how I keep coming up with new ideas for this blog. I told her I believe there are very few "original" crafting ideas out there. All of us are getting inspiration from things around us and making them our own, whether it be a clothing catalog (think Anthropologie) or a another blogger. I'm not talking about stealing ideas, just taking in colors, concepts, and techniques and molding them to fit your creative needs. I don't spend a lot of time blog-hopping (I would like to, but I just don't have the time!), but there are 5 fabulous craft bloggers that I follow religiously, and they all have something wonderful to offer the crafting world from their own creative perspective. These are a few women who truly inspire me.

Cluck, Cluck Sew
Allison from Cluck, Cluck Sew is a quilter, and she dreams up the most wonderful quilts. My favorite thing about her quilts is the way she puts fabrics together. Not only does she have great taste in fabrics, but she has a real flair for pairing them. That is a real talent! Many of her quilts are pretty simple, but the fabrics make them amazing. She's also got great quilting tips, sewing tutorials, and patterns for sale. She inspires me to make gorgeous quilts! And my husband curses her for all the fabric I've bought and not made into a quilt (yet!). Her posts are short and sweet because who wants to spend all their time on a computer when they could be quilting?

V & Co.
I am also a huge fan of Vanessa Christensen, blogging as V & Co. She is super talented and creative, but also just so REAL! I love the way her voice comes through in her posts. You feel like you know her. She is hilarious! And she's always really honest about, well, everything, but specifically I love how she's honest about how blogging/crafting fits into her life. She has her priorities and if her blog doesn't happen to fit into what's most important to her, she gives herself permission to not blog. So refreshing. Plus, she thinks of things my brain is NOT capable of contriving, like this amazing houndstooth quilt that I am obsessed with! She has lots of great patterns in her shop as well. Love you, V, and all your references to pooping your pants.

Dear Lizzy
One of my friends accused me of having a little crush on my next favorite blogger. It's true--I would like to be her when I grow up. Elizabeth Kartchner is a scrapbooking celebrity to be sure, but her blog is so sweet, silly, humble, and yes, majorly inspiring. I have about 20 of her scrapbook pages bookmarked for future scraplifting, and I looooove her photography. She inspires me to take more pictures and enjoy life more!

HowDoesShe?
The next fabulous blogger on my list is actually several bloggers--friends who collaborated to answer the question How Does She. . .? Their categories include How Does She Celebrate Seasons, Cook & Bake, Love Her Family, Make It, Run A Household, and This & That. All those things that we as women wish we could do! I love their printables and amazing home projects, not to mention their recipes (you've GOT to try their cinnamon bun pancakes--they'll rock your world!). The site is so organized and chock full of stuff--I could get lost in it for days! They've definitely answered the question of how I can do it all--I just go to HowDoesShe.com!

Make and Takes
My final top fabulous blogger is Marie from Make and Takes. This site is all about crafty moms and kids. She has the best ideas for simple kids crafts, plus parenting tips, holiday ideas, recipes, and even home decor (that's me--I'm a regular contributor!). But what I really love about this blog is how simple and clean it is. It's easy to navigate, the ideas are fabulous but not over the top. She inspires me to get back to basics with my kids. Think about what's fun for them, not just for me. She strips out all the fluff that I often find myself wrapped in and presents great, wholesome ideas that you can actually do something with. Whenever I get a little stressed out about a post I'm working on for Make and Takes, I think, Marie keeps it simple. You can keep it simple. (I think I can, I think I can.) Marie inspires me to simplify and really enjoy time with my kids!

As a blogger, I know how much time and effort these amazing women put into their sites, and that is inspirational to me. But what I really love is knowing that they're all just regular women, with kids and jobs and homes and everything else we have on our plates, who also have a passion for what they do. I'm so glad they are all willing to share some of that creative energy with me! I hope you will check each of them out and give them a little comment love. And leave me a comment with your favorite craft blogger--who inspires you?

Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend's wish. I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

self-bound receiving blanket {idea and link}

2011-01-25T06:25:00.000+07:00

I've got a couple of baby showers coming up quickly--I'm so glad to have this great idea (and a link to a great tutorial) from our friend Jennifer. I love these blankets!

Self-Bound Receiving Blanket

Now that Christmas is over and all cleaned up its time to turn my attention to the next big event in my life. I have two daughters expecting their first baby in March and its time to start making baby things. I was in Idaho in September with one of my daughters and we went to a wonderful craft/fabric store called Porter’s. They had so many beautiful flannel fabrics. My daughter didn’t know what kind of baby she was having, but she was sure that it was going to be a girl, so we bought cute girl things. The other daughter knew she was having a boy, so I also bought cute boy things. I even bought extra just in case. Well sure enough after their ultrasounds, both girls are having boys and I am glad that I bought extra.

I wanted to make a self bound receiving blanket for them. I really like the look of having the back fold over the front. The directions looked simple and I figured that it would only take about an hour. Boy was I wrong. The mitered corners were a lot trickier than I expected and I only had written directions, no pictures. After I spent the whole day working on it, it occurred to me to hunt for a tutorial. I found a great tutorial here.

First blanket – all day. Second blanket – just over and hour, but not quite perfect. Third time's the charm.

Just a couple of additional tips: *I prewashed my flannel because flannel shrinks. *My flannel dimensions were 40” back and 30” front, but you can make *My flannel was made by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake and perfect flannel for babies, soft and the perfect weight. *These receiving blankets are so much nicer than the single layer flannel ones that you buy.

Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Stew

2011-01-24T04:08:00.000+07:00

Hearty and tasty gluten-free slow cooker stew.

Here's a bright and delicious slow cooker stew recipe with sausages - and it's tasty using any sausage you choose, from free-range roaming buffalo to furry-friendly vegan. Scrumptious. Seriously. Make it for the Big Game. You know, the one with a pigskin ball and helmeted men in shiny tights. Throw all the ingredients in a Crock Pot and go root for your favorite tight end. Make a hot artichoke dip and grab some gluten-free chips. Game on.

Go Cubs!

chili con queso dip recipe {it's superbowl party time!}

2011-01-22T15:57:00.000+07:00

We had this appetizer on Christmas a couple of years ago and I fell in love. It was so delicious, I could hardly stop thinking about it until I got the recipe from our friends and made some more! It's now our go-to appetizer for holidays, football game parties, or Saturday nights. Not only because it's mouth-watering, but because it's so cheap and EASY!

Queso Dip Recipe

Ingredients:
1 can regular chili (just beans, not meat--we like Nalley's or Hormel)
1 can jalepeno chili (same brand)
1 8 oz. block cream cheese (use the full-fat stuff--it's worth it!)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until cheese is melted and combined well with the chili. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

We usually transfer the dip to a mini crockpot to keep it warm (I seriously went out and bought one of these JUST for this dip).

In case you're looking for other great Superbowl Sunday recipes, here are links to a few more that we love!

Cowboy Caviar

Sweet Chex Mix

Veggie Dip

Sloppy Joe Turnovers

Egg Rolls

MORE GAME DAY RECIPES: Bacon Wrapped Sausages, Super Bean Dip, Hot Artichoke Dip, & Game Winning Meatballs

Sudah Makan Banyak, kok Masih Lapar, ya?

2011-01-21T06:17:00.000+07:00

Apakah Anda tergolong “pecandu” makanan, alias selalu merasa lapar padahal sudah makan? Wah, bisa bahaya, tuh. Karena berat badan Anda bisa melonjak terus.

Masalah lapar memang problem yang lazim dialami banyak orang, khususnya bagi mereka yang tengah mencoba berdiet untuk menurunkan berat badan. Rasa lapar inilah yang kerap menjadi biang keladi gagalnya program diet seseorang.

Jika Anda kerap merasa lapar padahal sudah makan, perhatikanlah hal-hal berikut ini:

1. Sudah Sarapan?

Jika Anda tidak sarapan, Anda akan cenderung memiliki nafsu ngemil yang gila-gilaan seharian. Karena itu, selalu awali hari Anda dengan sarapan sehat. Jangan memilih menu sarapan berjenis karbohidrat dan tinggi lemak. Di samping membuat ngantuk dan tidak produktif, menyantap karbohidrat berkalori tinggi saat sarapan juga membuat Anda kerap ingin ngemil. Pilih sarapan kaya protein dan serat untuk mengawali hari Anda.

2. Makan Terlalu Cepat

Seperti yang pernah saya bahas dalam artikel terdahulu tentang Penyebab Gemuk, dengan makan terlalu cepat berarti Anda tidak memberi kesempatan sinyal kenyang memasuki otak Anda. Maka, Anda akan merasa lapar walaupun baru saja makan. Sebagai contoh, berdasarkan penelitian, seseorang yang makan es krim secara lambat memiliki sensasi kenyang yang lebih baik ketimbang mereka yang makan es krim dengan cepat.

3. Kurang Protein & Serat

Protein dan serat adalah jenis makanan yang membantu terbentuknya hormon untuk menekan rasa lapar. Maka, banyak-banyaklah mengonsumsi protein dan serat dalam menu makanan Anda sehari-hari. Jenis makanan protein dan serat juga menjadi alternatif camilan sehat yang mengenyangkan.

4. Emang Kurang Makan, sih!

Mungkin Anda beranggapan dengan mengurangi makan, Anda menjadi cepat langsing. Ini adalah pendapat yang keliru. Mengurangi makan justru akan memperlambat metabolisme Anda. Jika Anda kerap menahan lapar, tubuh justru akan “menghemat” pembakaran lemak karena “mendeteksi” adanya “krisis makanan”. (Seperti kita menghemat pemakaian tabungan saat baru di-PHK, karena kita menyadari tak ada lagi pemasukan buat menunjang kehidupan.) So, makanlah dengan porsi sewajarnya.

5. Gangguan Kesehatan

Sejumlah problem medis seperti diabetes atau kelenjar tiroid yang terlalu aktif juga menjadi penyebab rasa lapar yang berlebihan. Sejumlah obat-obatan tertentu juga menjadi pemicu rasa lapar. Untuk problem yang satu ini, Anda bisa mengonsultasikannya ke dokter ahli.

self-sorting laundry {quick tip}

2011-01-21T01:00:00.000+07:00

Any extra second I can get during my day means more time for creating! Here's another quick tip from Jennifer that will give you a few extra minutes each week.

If you ask anyone in my family they will tell you that I will never win the housekeeper of the year award. I think I am just too creative to be neat.

Every once in a while I happen upon a system that is simple and saves me time. An example is my self sorting laundry. I have three medium size laundry baskets in my bathroom closet. When we undress we throw our clothes in one of the three baskets, whites, lights and darks. On laundry day my laundry is already sorted. I just take one basket out and throw it in the washing machine. Now I wish I could just figure out how to make the laundry self-folding. . .

another sweet canvas deal {think valentine's gift!}

2011-01-20T15:55:00.000+07:00

How sweet--The Canvas People are offering our readers another chance to get a canvas print for a huge discount, just in time for Valentine's Day! This would make the sweetest gift, especially if you missed the offer at Christmas.

The deal is 40% off your canvas (any size, and you'll want to upgrade to at LEAST an 11x14) PLUS free shipping, and 50% off additional canvases! I'm thinking of getting a few to group together like one of the cute gals at HowDoesShe did with photos of her kiddos. Or our family picture from our Christmas card. Do you think my husband will mind if I give him a Valentine's gift that's really for me? :)

Since you're our friends, we want to let you know that this offer is only good through February 14, so don't forget to order. And be sure to order by Feb. 3rd if you want your photo canvas by Valentine's Day. That's how much we love you!

Gluten-Free Carrot Muffins

2011-01-20T01:22:00.000+07:00

Wake up with a warm and lovely carrot muffin.

This is my first muffin recipe for the New Year. A tender little bundle of gluten-free joy. So cute and sunny. I love the color. The subtly fragrant texture of finely grated organic carrots, coconut flour and breakfast quinoa flakes. A hint of cinnamon and ginger. A bite of raisin. Seriously chai worthy. And more fiber rich than say, a powdered donut. Or your average gluten-free bagel which is nothing but starch. This a treat you can eat without too much guilt.

Just a smidge.

crochet hook clutch tutorial {get organized}

2011-01-19T15:13:00.000+07:00

I've been carrying my crochet hooks around in a plastic bag for some time now. When they started escaping through little holes in the bag, I knew it was time for me to finally make that crochet hook organizer I've been meaning to make for the last two years. I loooove the way it turned out! I keep opening and closing it, running my fingers over the row of shiny hooks. It feels so good to be organized for once in my life! It's going to make crocheting so much easier now that I won't be digging through my bag for the right hook. Here's how to make your own crochet hook organizer clutch and get organized!

Crochet Hook Organizer {Tutorial}

Supplies:
*2 pieces of fabric cut 16.5" x 7.5" for clutch
*2 pieces of lightweight fusible interfacing (I used Pellon Val-u-fuse)
*1 piece of fabric cut 10" x 12" for hook pockets
*1 piece of fabric cut 2" x 1.5" for yarn needle pocket
*Elastic (I used a child's hair elastic)
*Button or fabric-covered button and tool
*Fabric marking pen or chalk
*Coordinating thread and sewing machine
*Iron and ironing board
*Scissors

1. Iron interfacing to back of each 16.5" x 7.5" pieces according to interfacing's instructions.

2. With wrong sides together, lay a dinner plate on the short edge of the two pieces. Trace around the edge of the plate to create the rounded edge of the clutch. Cut along your line.

2. Fold and iron the 10" x 12" piece of fabric in half lengthwise, so it's now 5" x 12". Lay this piece on the inside piece of the clutch body along the bottom, straight (not rounded) edge, with the raw edge along the bottom of the clutch body. Pin in place.

3. Lay your crochet hooks out on this piece to see how many pockets you need. Using a ruler, draw a line with your marking pen or chalk to mark the where you'll stitch lines between each hook to create hook pockets. Below are sample sizes I used for my pockets. I made them quite snug so they wouldn't fall out when the clutch was folded up. I also included a spot for my little scissors, and a couple of extra spots for duplicate hooks (I have two of a few hook sizes).

N - 3/4"
K - 3/4"
J - 5/8"
I - 5/8"
H - 1/2"
G - 1/2"
F - 3/8"
E - 3/8"
D - 3/8"
C - 3/8"
7mm or smaller - 1/4"
Scissors - 1"

4. Take the piece you cut for your yarn needle pockets and fold under and iron each edge 1/4". Measure and mark your lines for your needles. My lines were marked about 1/8" from each other, with a slightly larger spot for a stitch marker to fit. Pin to inside piece of clutch near the rounded edge.

5. Stitch each marked line to create your pockets. Be sure to fold under the right side edge and stitch it close to the edge. Don't worry that the left hand edge and bottom of the hook pockets are still open--you'll close them up in the next step.

6. Time to sew on your button. Take the other piece of 16.5" x 7.5" fabric and fold over the straight-edge side 6". Fold the rounded edge over. This will help you see where to place your button. Your button should be about 1/4" from the rounded edge (remember that there will be a 1/4" seam allowance when you sew the body together, so the button will end up being 1/2" away from your rounded edge). You can use a regular button, or create a coordinating button with a covered button kit and a little fabric. Stitch your button in place.

7. Next, pin your two pieces of the case together with right sides together. Pin your elastic band in place in the center of the curved edge. I folded my clutch up first to make sure it was going to be the right length to reach the button.

Be sure to leave a 3" opening on the top edge for turning your clutch right-side out!

8. Stitch around the edges using a 1/4" seam allowance. I stitched and backstitched over the elastic a few times to make sure it was secure.

9. Clip your corners and turn right-side out through your 3" opening.

Fold in your 3" opening so the edges are flush. Iron flat.

10. Top-stitch around the entire case, close to the edge. This will close your 3" opening.

Load your hooks, scissors, and needles, fold it up and button it closed, and you're organized! Ahhhh. . .

Now I just need to come up with a good way to organize all my yarn that is taking over the family room!

{capture my heart} sterling silver necklace at half price!

2011-01-18T12:41:00.000+07:00

My husband loves to surprise me for Christmas, but this year we had a limited budget, so I did some major hinting at what I wanted. Usually I let him surprise me because it's so fun, but it was also so fun to get what I really wanted and couldn't otherwise justify spending the money on (a trip to the CHA show in LA this month!). And of course he still surprised me with something else. Bonus! So I think I'll try it again for Valentine's. I'm pretty sure he'll go for it when he sees the price!

I found out that Monday and Tuesday this week only, GroopDealz is offering an amazing deal on this gorgeous, sterling silver, custom necklace , designed by Chantelle Nicole. Forward this link to your husband or boyfriend, because today on GroopDealz, you can get your customized ‘Capture my Heart’ necklace for HALF PRICE.

Isn't it gorgeous? It's sterling silver on a sterling chain and complemented with a freshwater pearl. You could get your sweetie's name in the middle with the kids' names around the edge, or your pups' names, the location of a favorite vacation or hometown, a short quote, your word or motto for the year--whatever you want to keep close to your heart!

So what's half price for this gorgeous piece? Chantelle Nicole USUALLY sells this custom necklace for $65.00, so that means today it is only $32.50! That is a seriously sweet deal!

If you're loving this gorgeous necklace, send your husband this link. Hopefully he’ll get the hint and get you one for Valentine’s Day! Or maybe your mom needs one for Mother's Day--way to plan ahead! And if you share this with your friends (hurry, this ends Tuesday!), you can earn GroopDealz referral points!

PENYEBAB GEMUK: Makan Terburu-buru

2011-01-18T04:55:00.000+07:00

Mau tau penyebab gemuk? Salah satunya adalah makan terburu-buru.

Tanpa kita sadari, kita kerap mengunyah makanan cepat-cepat. Entah karena sibuk dikejar waktu, atau karena saking enaknya makanan yang kita santap. Ini bukanlah kebiasaan yang baik, dan merupakan penyebab gemuk.

Mengapa makan terlalu cepat menjadi penyebab gemuk? Hal ini disebabkan otak membutuhkan waktu 20 menit untuk mengirim sinyal ke otak bahwa Anda sudah kenyang. Jika kita makan terburu-buru, kita akan cenderung makan berlebihan (karena merasa belum kenyang) sebelum sinyal kenyang sampai ke otak. Sebuah alasan ilmiah yang tak pernah terpikirkan oleh Anda, bukan? Saya juga baru tahu setelah googling dan mendapatkan referensi mengenai hal ini. :-)

Dan ini bukan perkara main-main, lho. Berdasarkan penelitian, jika Anda terbiasa makan cepat, maka peluang Anda untuk menjadi gemuk tiga kali lebih besar dibandingkan mereka yang makan dengan tempo relatif lambat!

Di samping menjadi penyebab gemuk, makan terburu-buru juga tak baik bagi kesehatan karena membuat usus kita bekerja lebih berat. Tubuh kita juga akan kehilangan banyak nutrisi penting sebelum makanan sempat dicerna secara sempurna.

Agar tak keterusan dengan kebiasaan penyebab gemuk ini, kita perlu membentuk kebiasaan baru memperlambat ritme mengunyah makanan. Tips berikut bisa Anda coba:

1. Jangan makan di depan komputer
Jangan membisakan diri makan di depan komputer. Pasalnya, saat ada email masuk atau ada yang mengajak chatting, pikiran Anda akan terfokus pada hal itu sehingga buru-buru menyelesaikan makan.

2. Makanan pembuka
Santaplah sedikit makanan ringan sebelum menyantap makanan utama, misalnya makanlah buah 20 menit sebelum Anda makan siang.

3. Makan bareng teman
Makan bareng teman bisa menjadi solusi memperlambat ritme makan Anda. Anda bisa makan sambil berbincang-bincang sehingga kunyahan Anda cenderung lambat.

4. Porsi makan
Kurangi porsi makan, namun dengan ritme mengunyah yang lebih lambat. Dengan demikian, sinyal kenyang sampai ke otak Anda sebelum suapan terakhir masuk ke mulut Anda. Maka Anda tidak akan merasa lapar walaupun porsi makan Anda lebih sedikit.

5. Letakkan alat makan saat mengunyah
Setelah menyuap makanan, jangan pegang alat makan Anda. Jika Anda tetap memegang alat makan (sendok dan garpu), biasanya Anda akan cenderung terus menyuap makanan padahal makanan di mulut Anda belum sempurna dikunyah. Masalah sepele, namun boleh dicoba dan buktikan keampuhannya!

crystal pendant tutorial

2011-01-15T01:54:00.000+07:00

Crafting with friends is one of my favorite things in the world. Stacy may not be a regular contributor to this blog anymore, but she's still our dear friend, the crafting queen, and a major inspiration to us! We got together with her for some crafting this week and made these gorgeous crystal pendants. I couldn't believe how easy they were!

Crystal or Glass Tile Pendant Tutorial

You will need:
-a crystal pendant (this one is from Connie Crystal-Stacy bought it at our local Ben Franklin) or glass tile
-a pair of scissors
-patterned paper
-a pinch bale (Stacy bought ours at Ben Franklin)
-A clear crafting glue like Diamond Glaze, Crystal Effects, or Glossy Accents
-a chain (any length you like, we chose 24")
-a pencil

First, pick out a patterned paper that you love. The possibilities are endless; you should have seen us trying to choose one! Once, you have chosen, trace the pendant on the paper and cut it out with scissors.

Add some Diamond Glaze / Crystal Effects / Glossy Accents glue to the back of your pendant. Use sparingly, if you add too much it will bleed out the edges after you press the paper on.

Now press your paper face down on the back of the pendant so it can be seen through the other side. Press firmly to release any air bubbles.

Once it it firmly in place, you can trim any excess paper from the sides with a pair of scissors or Exacto knife, and then file with a nail file to make sure there is no paper sticking out. Be careful not to file the crystal--it will scuff easily. To protect the paper, we suggest applying a thin layer of Diamond Glaze to the back of the pendant as well.

Once, the glue has dried you can pinch your bail through the hole in the pendant. If you're using a square glass tile (you'll find these from tons of sellers on Etsy), use some Diamond Glaze glue to attach a glue-on jewelry bail like these.

Hang your pendant on a chain and you're done!

You can also make an adorable necklace with square or oval glass pieces, which can be found online at Etsy. I made a bunch of these on a girls weekend last year and they are wonderful! I love that I can pick one to match many outfits and they also make fabulous gifts! You can make these following the same steps above and gluing a glue-on bail on the back.

Warm Winter Coleslaw with Chili-Lime Dressing

2011-01-14T15:36:00.000+07:00

Warm winter coleslaw recipe kicked up with chili sauce, lime and mint.

Need a little kick to warm your chilled winter bones? How about a warm and slightly spicy coleslaw with crunchy cabbage, chili, lime and ginger? It's a healthy vegan side dish your body will love. And the best part is, it's easy to throw together. You can do it in no time flat. Which is why I always keep a cabbage in the fridge (don't you, Darling?). You never know when hunger pangs will strike, what with all this detoxing and sugar shunning and working out with Jane Fonda's new Prime Time DVD -- which I must confess, I love to pieces. Jane is gentle and warm and encouraging (I don't respond well to bullying and drill sergeant meanies, do you?).

altered window message board {tutorial}

2011-01-14T01:24:00.000+07:00

Since I am seriously organizationally-challenged, I try really hard each new year to work on getting myself to clean up and declutter. And it's hard. But it's a little more fun when I can craft something to get organized! I created this message board to keep all the clutter off my fridge--wedding invitations, baby announcements, cute pics. Now they are enjoyed in the hallway while we hang up our coats. It's so fabulous. And super easy!

This vintage window frame originally had glass panes (similar to this one) and was going to serve a difference purpose, but while I was inside getting painters tape to tape off the glass before painting it, my little one decided to prance on the glass (or should I say through the glass?). I'm just thankful he had shoes on. It didn't turn out to be the worst thing in the world--I love this bulletin board more than my first idea!

Catch the full tutorial over at Make and Takes where we're guest posting today and get organized!

valentine's day ideas

2011-01-13T03:55:00.000+07:00

I have a stack of fun stuff to start making Valentine's projects with, but for those of you who really like to plan ahead, we set up a page (link is found at the top of every page) showing some of our favorite Valentine's projects and treats from the past couple of years. Check it out!

menu planning saves me money at the grocery store {true story}

2011-01-10T15:39:00.000+07:00

Since I know we're all still thinking about resolutions for the new year, here are some awesome menu planning ideas from Jennifer that will help you get organized and save money. This would work great in conjunction with our weekly dry erase menu board!

Menu planning saves me money at the grocery store. I love grocery shopping. I especially love going to upscale grocery stores like Whole Foods and Central Market. My favorite aisle is the fruit and vegetable aisle, I love seeing how they are displayed. My love of grocery shopping usually overcomes my food budget and I gather everything that looks good to me into my cart. Recently my budget has been protesting about all the extras that I bring home. Sometimes I have so many fruits and vegetables that we can’t eat them all before they go bad. Something needed to change. I have tried several different meal planning methods over the years, but this time I found something that the whole family could live with.

Our family usually eats at home every night, we only eat out once a month or so. Here is how I plan my menus to save time and money at the grocery store.

*To have seven meals worth of dinners I discovered that I needed to cook 5 nights. The other two nights were leftover nights.

*I chose themes for our meals, something broad enough that everyone in the family would like it. The themes that we are using right now are: breakfast for dinner, Mexican, Chinese/Thai, soup (winter)or salad (summer), and beef or chicken.

*I organized all of our favorite dinners into one of these categories and put them all in a tabbed notebook.

*When its time to go grocery shopping I look through my notebook and choose 1 meal from each category. I add what I need my shopping list and voila, I have a week's worth of menus planned and a shopping list in about 10 minutes. I used to have a night for each theme, but I discovered that I needed more flexibility. Now I just have a list of meals for the week (sometimes I do two weeks at a time) and I usually decide in the morning what we are going to have that evening.

I have found that just this few minutes of meal planning saves me tons of money by buying only what we are going to eat this week, not what looks beautiful. This method gives me plenty of flexibility to try new recipes. I usually try something new at least weekly and sometimes several times a week. If we love the new recipe, I put it in my notebook behind its tab and we eat it again. If we didn’t like it, I just throw the recipe away. A couple of tips:

*When someone loves a recipe I write on the recipe who liked it and the day we ate it so I can make sure to have it again and put it in the notebook. This has brought several new family favorites into our dinner rotation.

*I usually clean out the fridge and check the freezer and pantry just before I choose my menus. This gives me a better idea of what I already have on hand so that I don’t buy things I already have. I stock up on things that we eat all the time when they go on sale. Things like beans and pineapple tidbits. I know that they will get eaten and they taste better when they are on sale.

*Leftover nights are really fun at our house, I either take all the leftovers out of the fridge and put them on the table and let everyone make up their own dinner or I tell everyone that I am too tired to cook and its “nuts and berries” night. On “nuts and berries” nights they forage in the cupboards and the fridge and come up with their own meal.

We hope this system will help you reach your goals in 2011, or at least save you a little more time and money for crafting!