Everyday Mom Ideas

Custom Dress GIVEAWAY From eShakti!!!

2012-05-26T10:20:00.000-06:00

What makes eShakti dresses so amazing is that you get to customize your dress not only by your specific measurements but you can also customize or add the sleeve, neckline and/or hem you desire! As if that wasn't cool enough already eShakti prices are more than reasonable as well.

Now one lucky EMI reader will win a free fully custom dress of their choice from eShakti!

I have two eshakti dresses myself and I just love them. I have never had any dress fit me so well and I recommend this store to all of my girlfriends. So Im so excited for one of you to get a dress from them as well. Heres how to enter to win:

(Leave a comment and valid email address for each entry)

Mandatory Entry: To win a custom dress of your own :

visit eShakti website and let us know which item you would choose if you won and follow eShakti on either Facebook or Pinterest.

Additional Entries: (you may do any or all of the following for more chances to win, as long as the mandatory entry is met.)

2. Sign up for the EMI Newsletter and get all the updates at EMI.

3. Follow EMI via Google Friend Connect

4. Follow EMI on Twitter and leave me your twitter ID (example: @everydaymom2005).

5. Tweet About this Giveaway and leave me your twitter ID.

6. Like Everyday Mom Ideas on Facebook.

7. Follow EMI on Pintrest.

8. Put the Everyday Mom Ideas Button on your Sidebar.

9. Add EMI to your blog roll

10. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to it

Open to US residents only, and must be 18 or older to enter to win
Giveaway Ends Thursday May 31st at midnight. (Mountain standard time)
Random winner will be selected through random.org

Good Luck!

Loaded Gravy Chicken (Light Recipe)

2012-05-22T05:00:00.000-06:00

I've recently lost over 30 lbs since January and one of the the main things that has helped me succeed the most is the fact that I have collected and created a huge list of Healthy low calorie recipes that I just love. It important to find recipes that don't taste like diet food. Recipes that are big on flavor, easy on the waist line and fills you up. There is this saying that goes like "Getting fit is made in the kitchen". You could have the most amazing abs in the world and work out everyday but if you have layers of fat over it no one will ever know it. And while exercise is super important you can't ignore what you are putting in your body. This is a great recipe that not only looks filling, but it is and it's also loaded with flavor along with some yummy sauteed veggies. Its also so low on calories you can add a great side dish to go along with it.

Loaded Gravy Chicken

Serves 4

Cook/prep time: 20-30 minutes

Calories: 160

Need:
2 TBS -cooking white wine
1TBS- soy sauce
Seasoned salt
4 medium sized chicken breast 3-4oz
Non-stick spray
1/2 onion sliced and then cut in half
1 7oz can of sliced mushrooms

Brown Gravy Packet

1. Spray pan with non-stick spray in a large skillet on medium high.
2. Lay chicken into pan. Drizzle cooking wine and soy sauce evenly over chicken breast. Sprinkle seasoned salt generously over chicken breast.
3. Add Sliced onions and mushrooms to skillet to cook with the chicken. Cover. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes on one side then turn chicken over and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown and no longer pink in the middle.
4. While chicken is cooking follow the instructions on the back of the brown gravy packet.
5. When Chicken and vegetables are done add them to a plate and top with 1/4 cup of brown gravy. Serve with a side salad or mixed veggies.

34 Pounds Down (May weight-loss up date)

2012-05-20T22:10:00.001-06:00

I've only lost about five pounds in the last month. The pounds are coming off slower and slower but my pants are getting bigger on me every week. I have actually dropped another dress size this month even though the scale has not budged much.

Some of the things that work for me the most are first really watch what you eat a big part of loosing weight starts in the kitchen and you can collect tons of low calorie recipes that you AND your family will enjoy. Also make sure you are getting 25 to 30 grams of fiber. You should be logging and adding up your calories along with your fiber. Second thing; besides finding a good workout you can handle to do three to five times a week also find a fun activity you love and invest some time each week to do that. I love to go on a 30 minute bike ride up a nearby canyon once a week on top of my workouts. And my husband and I have replaced every other movie night with trying to play tennis.

Loosing weight can seem like a whole lot of work and investment but it doesn't have to. Start off with just a few changes and grow from there. Don't try and take it all on at once you will just get burned out, but remember to keep challenging yourself and building on your healthy lifestyle.

I want to give thanks to Josh from Physical Fix, for believing in me so much. Even though I still have ten more pounds to go I know that I have the power to reach this goal and stay there and he and his program where one of the biggest contributors to my current success. I highly recommend this program if you have been struggling to carve out time for your workouts and working out on your own is just not cutting it. They also have workouts available to accommodate people with certain injuries as well.

If you are interested in trying this out for yourself, Physical Fix let's you have a free two week trial and you don't have to sign up for anything. Its totally worth checking out and seeing if its a right fit for you and it won't cost you anything.

FREE Digital Scrapbooking Quick Page "From Flab to Fab"

2012-05-07T05:00:00.000-06:00

Here is even more motivation for you to get fit before the start of summer. This free digital scrapbooking quick page was created for those fantastic "Before And After" pictures that are just waiting to be showed off.

Im all about fitness right now so if you have other fitness and health pictures you want scrapbooked head on over to this link and download the FREE Full Mega kit "Feel The Burn". Because I've been so blessed with support and encouragement during my weight-loss journey right now, I want to help as many people do the same in return. So I thought I would start with what I do best... scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking your fitness and health photos can be a huge motivator. Don't just scrap book pictures either, break out of the box and scrapbook some of your favorite healthy recipes, list the best songs to workout too, or paste in your favorite motivating quotes. Surrounding yourself in a fitness orientated environment and implementing it in what ever you can will only strengthen your willpower.

Download "From Flab To Fab" QP HERE at Mediafire

Please remember all my images and design are for personal use only. You are more than welcome to post your finished pages on your blog, just remember to give credit where credit is due. Also, I'd love to see what you made so feel free to email me or send me a link to your projects at everydaymomideas at hotmail dot com or on my facebook page.

This quick page is available for free, all I ask is that you please leave a comment in return.

Thank you. Happy Scrap'N

Rediscovering An Old Love

2012-05-04T05:00:00.000-06:00

As a child I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do more on a warm day in summer than jumping on my shimmering aqua ten-speed bike and heading out through the town. I remember feeling independent and free. Even then it was an escape filled with liberating wonder. Sadly, people grow up and we loose sight of how much joy the simple things can bring into our lives. The memories, of simply taking a bike ride to take advantage of a beautiful day, finds itself in the category of days gone by. Rediscovering my love of biking after all these years has provided me with not only an outlet but an form of exercise that I love.

Even though the suns hot rays are beating down on me, the momentum of my bike's speed carries the heat off my body by the wind I am creating. My senses are racing. The endorphins are dispersing up my legs as I pedal towards my destination. They overrun the tensions of the stresses of the day. At this same time smells speed on by, engulfing me for just a moment. Sometimes the scents come from nature and I just bask and try to soak in the season, others take me to a forgotten memory. I often find clarity in these moments. While my heart is racing as I push myself harder and harder, there is a moment of stillness inside of me. I feel so alive, strong, and in control.

From pounding the pavement in long distance running to stroking it out with swimming I have found my exercise. I knew it was for me the moment I realized It didn’t feel like a workout. It felt like a gift I was giving myself. It felt like me-time. Its become a thirty minute mini vacation, a getaway of exploration, adventure and of finding myself. I guess I could say its like a road-trip in a convertible and I am the engine. I am the power.

When I have returned home from my road-trip I wonder at how I ever went without this in my life. When was it I forgot about such simple pleasures? I am grateful for the reunion. This is no longer just an exercise, its become a friendship in where we edify each other. Now after all these years I have found myself, once again, waking up to a beautiful sunny day and thinking, “What a perfect day for a bike ride ”.

"Clear Day By The Bay" - Poster Art Print

2012-05-02T05:00:00.000-06:00

This is one of my favorite graphic design pieces yet! In fact I have this framed and hanging in my living room. This was an assignment for my design fundamentals class and we were allowed to use any medium. Since I am a graphic designer I chose to use illustrator. The assignment was to create a piece of artwork that has the effect of opaque layers, like tissues overlaying each other. This was a challenge to do. First I had to build all these tiny shapes and make sure they were in the right order than I had to add a specific type of layer effect to each shape. There is also a texture added to this to help it look more vintage. I was trying to go for an old travel poster.
I chose San Francisco because my family and I went there a year ago on vacation and we absolutely loved it. Its such an artistic city, full of fascinating sites and a rich history. We were completely charmed by it all, by the end of the first day there.
I just love how this project turned out and am thinking about making this a common style of mine. I can't wait to see what I do with other cities I visit, using this technique and style.

Three Cheese Artichoke Bread Recipe

2012-04-30T05:00:00.000-06:00

There is actually only three cheeses in this recipe. Oops. You can always add cheddar if you are feeling gipped. However, the three cheese will do the trick, trust me. Just adding my yummy three cheese artichoke dip recipe to the top of a loaf of french bread will do wonders!

Dip Recipe- Need:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 (7 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped small
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (topping)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Sliced lengthwise set french bread slices on baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, basil, garlic salt, pepper. Gently stir in chopped artichoke hearts and spinach.
Spread the mixture divided evenly on top of slices of french bread. Top with 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle top with a little basil. Bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until lightly browned.

From Trash To Treasure, Mosaic Magazine Art

2012-04-28T05:00:00.000-06:00

Here is a fun, time-consuming, piece that I did for my design fundamentals class. The assignment was to make mosaic artwork with pieces from magazines. Somehow I thought the peacock would be easy but finding the right colors posed most of the problems. And then I kept getting glue all over the place. I kept getting a lot of glue on my fingers, so much so, that the squares wouldn't get off my fingers when I pressed them to the page. I had to keep washing my hands after every five or so squares. This project took me two very long evenings. I do have to give a lot of credit to my boys who tried to help me find the right colors in the magazines, even if they did get board and started cutting out pictures of stuff they wanted instead of colors for mommy.

Cola Marinated Steak Fajita Salad -Easy Light Recipe

2012-04-26T18:01:00.000-06:00

This taste like anything but diet food and has to be my all time favorite meal to eat when Im watching my waist line. Because its so filling and full of flavor. I would even eat this when Im not dieting, its that good! I love finding recipes that my kids will love to eat as well. I think its important to start kids early on eating right. And by the way this salad is huge. For some reason this picture just doesn't do it justice. Here is the recipe!

Skinny Cola Fajita Salad

Serves 4, Cook time 20 minutes, Calories per serving 280

Need:

1 bag of frozen pre cooked seasoned Fajita steak

1 red peper

1 green pepper

1 yellow onion

1 bag of salad

8 TBS of fat free sour cream

1 cup of salsa

1 cup of caffeine free, diet coke/or pepsi

1. In large sauce pan comine pepper, onion, steak, and diet coke. Cook on high, (uncovered) stirring occasionally until coke is evaporated, about 10-20 minutes.

2. Divide Fajita mixture in fourths. Add one portion to bed of lettuce. Top with 1/4 cup of salsa and 2 TBS of fat free sour cream

Enjoy!

Trying To Paint Like A Master Artist

2012-04-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

As most of you know, I am going to school right now in graphic design to refine my craft in digital designs. I recently took a color theory class wherein one of the assignments was to pick a professional artist and try and recreate one of his or hers works.

I of course was not thinking very rational at the time and picked one of my favorite artist for this "Master Recreation" project. I am just in love with his light house painting. I just wanted to do something that I loved, and did not think about the amount of blood, sweat and tears that would inevitably have to go into trying to paint something like this myself.

You really get to know an artist when you have to try and recreate something they did. And let me just tell you, Daniel Merriam is ridiculously talented! He see's and uses color beyond the scope of anyone I know. I tend to be like "water is blue so it should be painted blue" His water is actually mostly gray with a bit of light brown. His stars are actually light brown where as I just want to paint mine yellow like we learned in kindergarten. He has a way of using and combining unconventional colors but to us they look like they are the colors society tells us they should be. And my mind is just boggled with how in the world he came up with this painting in the first place. I could go on and on about all the things I learned about him through my thorough exploration of this painting.

Daniel did his painting via water colors (no room for error). I chose to use acrylic because I suck at water colors and I need to be able to cover up my mistakes. This painting took me probably over 72 hours over all. I listened to the entire audio book of The Night Circus and still was not finished with this painting. On the night before it was due I stayed up until three in the morning to finish it. By the end I did not want to paint ever again in my life. Then a couple of days later I realized I had never pushed myself to such excellence before and this project had opened my eye to possibilities I had never even flirted with. Even though this painting is far from perfect, I had no idea I had this in me. "What other amazing things am I capable of?" It's a strange thing to actually start believing in yourself.

3rd Month Weight Loss Update

2012-04-23T05:00:00.000-06:00

Its been three months now since I started my weight loss journey via working out and watching what I eat. I am now in my post pregnancy weight. It only took six years. My goal is to loose 16 more pounds and to keep it off. I am more fit now than I have ever been. I might have been a smaller size in high school but I was never this strong. I have fallen in love with what my body can do. Somehow I have fallen in love with fitness, and have even taken up bike riding once a week. And for date night this week my husband and I (instead of going to dinner and a movie) went for a fantastic hike up in the mountains and had a healthy picnic overlooking the valley.

I'm in love with living life to the fullest and have so much more to give because I am learning to love myself. Setting aside just 30 minutes, 3 days a week, to do my custom workouts at physicalfix.com is one of the best things I can do for my family.

I don't know how I can ever go back to the way things were, now that I have gotten a taste of all this. Its like developing a new zest for life is just a natural bi-product of getting healthy. It just happened as I put in the work.

I highly recommend this program if you have been struggling to carve out time for your workouts and working out on your own is just not cutting it. They also have workouts available to accommodate people with certain injuries as well.

I Heart Coral!

2012-04-20T23:23:00.000-06:00

It's so great to see fashion catching up with me, lol! If you haven't noticed already, by the color of my blog, I love orange! And coral is basicly light orange. I am just loving all the different shades and tints of orange that I am seeing all over in the stores and in designs. I especally love my new cardigan in coral! Coral has to be the "it" color for spring and summer this year and I am having a blast finding diffrent ways to wear this light knitted cardigan.

This is my favorite combination I've put together so far:

I love all things nautical and I thought this was a fun and creative way to add a beachy feel to this outfit. I can see myself wearing this to Hawaii or the Caribean. You can find this beautiful cardigan and other women cardigans at Fresh Produce clothes. They have tons of comfortable lookng styles for all shapes and sizes. The cardigan I got was a M/L and it has some beautiful detail on it with the knitting pattern. I also love the way it drapes and cascades a bit in the back.

What are your favorite summer colors and combos?

The Making Of A Handmade Journal- Digi Scrapbook Style

2012-04-09T17:48:00.001-06:00

This is the perfect project for you digital scrapbooks out there. Have you ever thought about making your own Journals? Not just a journal cover but an entire hand made journal! Not only are the possibilities endless but this would make the perfect gift for just about anyone. Especially because you can really personalize it to make it just perfect. You could even personalize the journal pages inside via digi scrapbooking.

I made this journal for myself usig computer printing paper and a few other materials. And Im excited to make more. If I wanted to make the pages specialized that would be easy. I could just print the pages through my computer after I designed the pages using scrapbookig software. And if you don't have scrapbooking software here is a link to a truly FREE photo editing software download to get you started.

Here a great beginning level tutorial I that is easy and low cost.

I used this exact technique and it only took me three hours on the first try. That includes drying time. The second time you make one you can probably do it within 30 to 45 minutes once you get it down. I plan on making many more journals. I just love how creative I can get with these.

What you've been up too (March 2912)

2012-03-31T23:37:00.002-06:00

I have to say that I am extra impressed with your guy's projects! And I just love how creative you all got. Sending me these links were so motivating. Its a lot of work to make these kits and tutorials and then turn around and give it all away for free so I can't tell you how easily I can get burned out or discouraged. But things like these keep me going.

A big thank you to everyone who sent in their links or emailed me their projects and creations.

Keep em coming!

Scrap paper tree by Vera

(utilized scrap paper tree DIY tutorial)

Hybrid card by Jili's Paiges

(Paper Patterns created with EMI's Dwelling Kit)

Scrapbook page by Jessica

(page created with EMI's Fast And Fur-iest QP)

Birthday Card by Nutty's News

(paper pattern created with EMI scrapbook kit)

Preschool NY Printable by Preschool Prinables

(EMI's city slicker kit)

Blog Design by Joy Transferred

(Background created with EMI Sun and Citrus kit)

Blog Design by Alice

(Header and background created with EMI digi scrap kits)

Scrapbook Pages by Of Pinks and Fairy Tales

Digi scrap page by Madd Scrappin

(created with EMI kits)

Tinker Preschool Printable by Preschool Printalbes

(Created with EMI's Tinker digi scrap kit)

Digi Scrap page by Craftiliciously Good

(page created with EMI's Foodie Kit)

Sticker Label by Camille

(made with EMI's Just My Type kit)

Church Flyer by Camille

(created with EMI's Foodie kit)

If you would like your projects (that you've made using any EMI stuff) featured on the next "What you've been up too" post email me link or photos of your creations to everydaymomideas at hotmail dot com.

Space bags are magical

2012-03-27T18:54:00.002-06:00

I have actually never tried Space Bag products before until they contacted me and asked me to review their high capacity cube. Like a regular space bag wasn't cool enough now they've got this thing!

I actually had to open it back up after I sealed it to stuff more blankets and such inside because their was still more room to use after I sucked all the air out of it. I also have to say that I was a little worried about the fact that my hose nozzle didn't fit over or in the hole, but that didn't matter. I just had to press my vacuum attachment against the space bag hole and it did the rest of the work effortlessly. It was also surprisingly powerful. Plus even after having my stuff sealed all up for about a month my blankets came out looking great and taking back its shape. The cube make for easier storage and halved the space my blankets where taking up. I stuffed about 4 quilts in this plus had room to stuff in some lap blankets. Very cool. I totally recommend this quality product.

Space Bag High Capacity Storage Totes combine Space Bag’s vacuum-seal technology with the functionality of a storage bin. The Tote features a canvas outer cover, handles, and a see-through window for easy identification of contents inside.

If you're wondering how to put the bag to good use, check out some of these usage tips from the Space Savers community: http://spacesaverscommunity.com/usage-tips/garage-attic-basement.aspx.

Little Monster Bash -Birthday Party Ideas

2012-03-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

The ultimate resource guide for making your own "Little Monster" Themed Party!

This is a great birthday party theme idea for kids ages 1-8 years old, for both boys and girls.

These cupcake towers are a inexpensive and fun way to display fun cupcakes. I just wrapped some boxes and even some of our board games with wrapping paper and stacked them on top of each other. Then I decorated the tower with drawings of spooky eyes and some cut up fabric. The great cupcake wrappers and toppers were costume made at Once Upon A Party etsy store. And we just decorated the other cupcakes with funny monster faces using mini marshmallows, tooth picks, Captain Crunch cereal for the noses and tube frosting for the mouth.

The fantastic birthday banner was also created at Once Upon A Party etsy store and she has so many cute party themes and party kits to choose from. And the quality is outstanding! My son just loved seeing that super cute birthday banner with his own name on it. It made the party just that much more special.

You never know what kind of things kids can eat or drink these days, thats why having fun little mini water bottles around for the party goers is such a good idea. The kids got a kick out of it being called drool and had fun joking around about drinking monster drool.

Monster Drool Lables for Bottled Water

This Mold-A-Monster was the biggest hit at the party. Not only does it make a great activity, but they can also take it home as a party favor at the end of the party. Just make a batch of homemade play dough (see recipe below) in different colors, divide up the dough in sandwich baggies, and add some googly eyes. Then you can use this already made Mold-A-Monster label printable and fold it in half and staple it to the bags of dough and googly eyes. I made all of these kits for a total of one dollar! I had everything already at home and just had to buy the googly eye at the dollar store.

Easy Home made Play dough

3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp. cream of tarter
3 tbsp. oil
3 cups water

Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a dough ball forms by pulling away from the sides. Knead dough until the texture matches play dough (1-2 minutes). Store in plastic container. Should last for at least 3 months.

Mold a Monster Kit Labels Printable

Games and Activities Perfect for a Monster Bash!

Make monster mask: Use a colored paper plates and fun embellishments like feathers, buttons, bottle caps, and crate paper, and let the kids get creative in making their own monster masks.
Play Balloon Air Tap: Have each kid pick out a balloon and when you say go they have to keep their balloon up in the air by tapping it with their fingers. If their balloon touches the ground they are out. Last one to keep their balloon up wins.
Little Monster Race: Decorate ping pong balls with monster faces and have the kids try to keep them on a spoon while racing. If they drop the little monster they have to start back over to the beginning
Monster Balloon Race: Have the kids draw monster faces on small balloon, then they have to race with the balloon between their knees to the end without touching the balloon with their hands.
Blind Monster Tag: Decorate a white bandana with monster features and use it to play blind mans bluff monster style.
Monster face walk: Print out pictures of monsters and use them for a cake walk type game
Play Monster Hunter: Print out 4x6 pictures of different silly monsters. Your going to need a lot of these pictures. About 30 to 40 will do. This is kind of like an easter egg hunt but with pictures of monsters. Who ever finds the most gets a prize. This is a great game to play over and over, if you need to burn some time.
Read Monster themed books: Kids this age still love to be read to, get a great story teller to read "Where The Wild Things Are"and they will be so engrossed you will hardly believe it.

Game Tip: Prizes are fun, its okay to give a special prize to the winner but have small prizes (like candy) to give out to the other kids for participating, to reduce pouting and tantrums.

A great way to set the mood is with fun themed songs.
Make a "Monster" playlist with these fun songs: (you can find all of these songs on itunes)
Monster Mash
One eyed purple people eater
Wooly Bully
Monster Mojo -Monster vs. Aliens soundrack
The Adam's Family
Monsters inc. theme song -Monster's Inc soundrack
Theme song from the Munsters

So there you go! phew! This post was a lot of work so I hope you take advantage of it. lol. I hope you have a lot of fun with these ideas and that they help with your little monster party planning!

Zesty Cajun Baked Tilapia and Western Style Brussel Sprouts Recipe

2012-03-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

This fish and vegi dinner is full of flavor but friendly to your waist line. Its also a yummy way to get your kids eating more healthy and trying new vegetables.

Zesty Cajun Baked Tilapia Recipe:
(110 calories per fillet)

1/2 lemon sliced
4 talapia fillet
1tsp pepper
2 tsp garlic salt
2 tsp dill
2 tsp blackening seasoning

Pre heat over to 375 F.

Mix seasoning in small bowl, set aside. Spray baking sheet with pam nonstick spray. Lay fish fillet gently onto baking sheet. Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly divided by the fillets. Top off with lemon slices.

Bake for 15-20 minutes

Western Style Brussel Sprouts Recipe:
(115 calories a serving, serves four)

1 lbs of fresh brussel sprouts.
1/2 cup water
2 TBSP of olive oil
6 garlic gloves cut into wedges
2 TBSP real bacon bits
2 TBSP of parmesan cheese
1 TBSP of sea salt
2 tsp. of pepper

Preheat oven to 450 f. In large baking pan add water and oil. Cut brussel sprouts length wise and add to baking pan. Sprinkle garlic wedges, bacon, parmesan, salt, and pepper onto sprouts. Toss brussel spouts unill evenly coated with seasonings and oil and water. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until browned. Toss once about 15 minutes through.

Add 1/2 a cup of corn to make it a three course meal for only 290 calories total!

Enjoy,

Down 20 Pounds - 8 week weight loss update

2012-03-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

This was hard for me to post these before pictures. And its sad to say that this is not even the heaviest I've been. I've actually have lost a total of 50lbs now from my heaviest weight. (I might be brave enough to show you some of those pictures some day.) I am feeling quite chipper today because I finally hit my 20 pound weight loss mark this week. And while I have noticed a much stronger body and I had to buy a bunch of new pants... I didn't think I really looked different until I looked up my before pictures I took two months ago, to do this post and as I started putting the pictures side by side and equaling the scale of me in the photo I got the biggest grin on my face. I thought to myself "Im doing it!"

I've still got 23 more lbs to go by July 18th and the weight is coming off slower and slower but Im excited to see where Im going to be. Thanks to Physical Fix Im not just loosing weight but I am getting fitter and stronger. I was actually this same weight last year but I was actually a whole pant size bigger. So I am a personal witness that muscle weights more than fat. Last time I weight this much last year I was so focused on just on the scale and sometimes I would only eat like 900 calories a day all week long. I grew weak and didn't have the strength to walk in the other rom let alone work out. Here I am eating more calories and working out five times as much and I feel great. I don't think I have ever had this much energy and endurance and I am not even at my half way mark.

How Im doing it:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, -30 minute online custom workout at Physicalfix.com
Tuesday, Thurday, Saturday, -30 minutes Stationary bike workout : 4minute warmup, 1 min of going the fastest I can, 2 minute cool down, repeat 1min fast, 2min slow, up until you get to 26 minutes and then cool down for the last 4 minutes. (you burn way more calories this way without getting too tired)
Sunday: FREE DAY! no working out, and I save my temptation foods for Sunday. Which helps me to stay strong throughout the week and save those treats and temptations for just one day.
I write down my calories... all my calories! I've started just ripping of a piece a paper and keeping it with me. I was always loosing my food journal. I write down what I eat and its calories and stay under 1200 a day. I also try and get at least 25 grams of fiber everyday(to fend off blockage ;) and keep me fuller longer).

Tips

Plan your meals a week to two weeks ahead. I know this sounds like a hassle but its actually the opoosite. Be mindful of the weeks events and plan more simple meals on the night when your really busy.
As you experiment with new light and healthy recipes keep a list of all the ones you like the most for a quick go to when planning your meals.
Before going out to eat go online and find out what items on the menu fit within your calorie limit. And plan what you are going to eat at the restaurant before you even get there. Hint: Red lobster has tons of yummy options, and so does apple bee's. And for a quick bite to eat try Panda express, get the panda bowl and substitute the mix veggies for the rice and top off with Black pepper chicken or pepper corn shrimp... its so good.

Remember 30 minutes isn't really a long time to dedicate to your health and fitness and as time goes by your healthier food options become a new kind of normal and you wont have to work so hard at it. If going to the gym is just not for you, I really recommend Physical fix. You can try it out for two weeks for FREE. Its a great way to get custom workouts just for you and your specific needs and not have to leave home to do it. To read more about my experience with Physical Fix you should check out this post here.

Im hoping to loose another 8 to 10 pounds by the end of this month so check back in a month and see how Im doing in my next weight loss post. I need all the support and encouragement I can get.

-Julia

Learning To Take Care Of Me, For Once

2012-02-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

It seems like this has been the year of self improvement for me. From going back to college after a decade, loosing 20lbs (and counting), and even getting my adult acne under control. Yep thats what I said... I am an adult and I wash my face twice a day and still struggle with acne. From the time I was 13 I have probably tried every face wash I could get my hands on at the store. I have even resorted to seeking help from my doctor and needing medication and harsh topical creams. I've never been a fan of taking medication that wasn't absolutely necessary so I quit the medication a few months after I started taking it. And while the topical cream seemed to work, after only using it for a week my skin would get so dried and red I would have to take a break from the topical cream every once in a while. Thats why I jumped at the chance and excepted the Skintactix Clear Skin Challenge. They have specific skin solution for different kinds of skin types. I literally noticed a huge difference overnight. The spot treatment overnight cream literally shinks the zit to almost nothing by the morning. The combination of the three applications left my skin feeling clean, soft, clear and not over dried. I like it so much I plan on buying some as soon as my samples are gone.

Not thrilled with showing you guys this picture but with sacrifice dignity for the sake of keeping it real. lol.

As so often many women and mothers end up facing... In the throws of motherhood, I forgot about myself. And while that sounds like not such a bad thing, it was. I thought that if I wasn't spending every waking moment of my life taking care of my family that I wasn't doing my duty or being grateful for my beautiful gift of motherhood and spouce. I had gotten to the point where taking a shower was guilt ridden. That is how far I had let myself go. Slowly I had less to give and slowly I became depressed. It has taken years for me to finally be comfortable saying "Im worth it", " Im deserving". I am more than a mother and wife, and while that is an important part of who I am, that is not all of who I am. Making time for me was one of things I struggled with most when it came to motherhood. Just because I get my nails done once a month doesn't mean I love my kids any less or am any less devoted to them. Just because I make time to work out for 1/2 an hour each day doesn't mean family is still not a priority. In fact it mean the opposite. I want to be mentally, physically and spiritually healthy... for my family. Spending a few minutes everyday to spruce up so I feel confident out in public and running errand with my family make a huge difference in not only me but my kids and husband. Being vain and worldly is not the same as taking care of yourself. And even taking care of our physical appearance can go a long ways. Weather its working out, primping, "getting acne under control" or taking some classes its important to take some time and care for yourself. If its one thing I've learned happyness its really about balance. If by miracle I have made time (even if its five minutes) for the important areas in my life in a day... that day is a beautiful day.

Fit Mom's For Life Giveaway!

2012-02-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of you lucky EMI readers will win a copy of Dustin Maher's "Fit Mom's For Life" book!

A fantastic guide to loosing weight realistically for busy moms.

There seems to be a strong fitness theme here at EMI (from weight loss stories to free fitness themed digi scrap kits) and I would like to keep it going with this great giveaway.

The truth is, loosing weight is about educating ourselves. And thats just what this book does. It not only educates us on nutrition and fitness but teaches how to get started the right way so that it will last, with things like taking your "before" picture, setting the right kinds of goals, printing out your food journals, learning positive affirmations, getting the whole family fit and healthy, and so much more. He even wrote about not going overboard and giving yourself some "free meals" a few times a week where you can eat some of your favorite foods. I love that this is such a realistic approach with smaller steadier steps towards transformation and its geared towards busy mom's and their specific needs.

(to read about my own personal weight loss story and extended review of this book check out this post)

Here's How You Can Enter To Win
(Leave a comment and valid email address for each entry)

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment here and share with us your motivation for wanting to get fit and healthy.

Additional Entries: (you may do any or all of the following for more chances to win, as long as the mandatory entry is met.)

2. Sign up for the EMI Newsletter and get all the updates at EMI.

3. Follow EMI via Google Friend Connect

4. Follow EMI on Twitter and leave me your twitter ID (example: @everydaymom2005).

5. Tweet About this Giveaway and leave me your twitter ID.

6. Like Everyday Mom Ideas on Facebook.

7. Put the Everyday Mom Ideas Button on your Sidebar.

8. Add EMI to your blog roll

9. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to it

Open to US residents only, and must be 18 or older to enter to win
Giveaway Ends Monday February 29th at midnight. (Mountain standard time)
Random winner will be selected through random.org

Good Luck!

Closed

Congratulations to Barb!!! Random winner number 2!

"Feel The Burn" -Free digital scrapbooking mega kit!

2012-02-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've got fitness and health on the brain so it seems, and was inspired to make a digital scrapbooking kit to go with my new lease on life and help promote health through my love of all things scrapbooking.

As new years resolutions are starting to get forgotten I hope this helps give you the extra boost or encouragement to keep going. This kit is perfect for displaying your before and after photos and will go great with any fitness activity photos. I have some great pictures of my little toddlers trying to work out with their dad that I am going to have to scrapbook now that I have the kit to go with it. If you haven't noticed already my kits are inspired by my own life and maybe that is what make them so special and unique. A little piece of me goes into each one. So I hope you love this kit and use it to its fullest.

paper preview

Please remember all my images and design are for personal use only. You are more than welcome to post your finished pages on your blog, I'd love to see what you made so feel free to email me a link to your projects at everydaymomideas at hotmail dot com. And it could be featured in my next "What you've been up too" post. With credit and a link back to your blog.

Download "Feel The Burn" Mega kit from Media Fire Here

This quick page is available for free, all I ask is that you please leave a comment in return.

Thank you. Happy Scrap'N

Becoming A Fit Mom For Life

2012-02-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

(picture taken while hiking bryce canyon national park)

As you all must know by now, I am an avid scrapbooker, and have been since I was about nine years old before people really knew what scrapbooking was. I have a passion for preserving photos and memories. And After having my beautiful boys there was even more passion behind my love of scrapbooking. They are now six and seven and when I look back on their early years there is something noticeably missing... me. And I can't blame it all on the fact that I was the one behind the camera. The truth is I deleted most of the pictures with me in it. Mostly because it shocked me at just how bad I had let myself go, and I tried not to think about it. But this self neglect seeped into every area of my life, until it became the elephant in the room. Like so many women I was sold on the hole idea of motherhood being an all encompassing job that I had to do 24 hours a day and If I did anything for myself I felt guilty and selfish. That that was time I could be using to benefit my family or home. I think I let the light slowly drain out of me and I soon had little to give. This turned into unspoken bitterness and joy became increasingly hard to find. I started not going out in public as much as I could get away with. I even loved getting sick because it was like someone was giving me permission to take time out and focus on myself for a day or two. This was now way to live. At 25 years old I thought all my best days where forever behind me and this was the rest of my new life as a mother.
I was sick of being in the back stage of my own life. I was missing so much. Something had to change. It wasn't until about a year after I started loosing weight and eating right that it finally donned on me that I needed this so I can give more. And that it was okay to not be 100% mother. That I am a dynamic person and have many areas in my life that need care and nurturing so I can grow and be productive. That I can be my own kind of mom (and wife) and draw on my strengths and have fun being a mom in my own way. I let myself be okay with not knowing how to sew or bake bread. I do other things really great, like making crafts and playing Uno with my boys, and going on bike rides. I'm not saying gaining new skills and improving isn't great Im saying if Im going them at the expense of a healthier lifestyle than its not right for me.
One of the things that Im grateful for in my weight loss journey is that I started this all when my kids where still toddlers so that they can be raised in a healthier home with healthier meals and physical activity. I want to help them be set up for success so that it wont be as challenging or foreign for them to be healthy when they become adult and move away from home. As a kid I grew up on spaghetti, mac and cheese, hamburgers, hotdogs, and top ramen. My husbands families' diet was even worse. They rarely ate fruits or vegetables ever. So talk about challenge. Over the course of four years we have had a lot of ups and down with getting our family on the right track but I will tell you one thing... every time we have a "down" our "up" goes a little bit higher each time.

If you are looking to make a life style change and not just loose some weight but get your family on track with you leading the way I completely recommend "Fit Moms for Life" written by Dustin Maher. My favorite part of the book was "Fit mom, fit family" section. There are some great advice for going about getting your kids active and healthy and doing it the right way not only physically but mentally too so they have a healthy outlook on health and fitness. One of my favorite things he wrote was "Talk about it in terms of health and energy and how they will feel and what their bodies will be able to do if the eat well and exercise." My mom used to get me up at 5am before school started to have me do a workout video with her. She would say things like "I noticed you are getting a little chubby" your cheeks are getting really round". And at dinner she would only let my brothers have seconds. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother, and I have not doubt she loved me. She just didn't know the right way to go about getting her kids fit and healthy, and doing it in a way that would last. I wish fit moms for life was around for my mom so I could have had the benefits that I am trying to give my kids. The truth is, its about educating ourselves. And thats just what this book does. It not only educates us on nutrition and fitness but teaches how to get started the right way so that it will last, with things like taking your "before" picture, setting the right kinds of goals, printing out your food journals, learning positive affirmations, and so much more. He even wrote about not going overboard and giving yourself some "free meals" a few times a week where you can eat some of your favorite foods. I love that this is such a realistic approach with smaller steadier steps towards transformation and its geared towards busy mom's and their specific needs.

I have kept off and lost 30lbs in the last three years and have lost another 18lbs just in the last six weeks and I feel younger than I did five to seven years ago and am doing things I thought I would never do like white water river rafting for my birthday. Now instead of cake calling to me on my birthday I rather go on an adventure every year. And this is just the beginning.

me: middle person with mouth hanging open, having the time of my life!

Next on the list: Try Surfing...

Wishing you a Happy Valentines Day with a GIVEAWAY from shabby apple!

2012-02-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of you lucky EMI readers will win this beautiful dress called "coco bean" from Shabby Apple, an online boutique of women's dresses!

(Available Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL)

What's better than chocolate for valentines? A chocolate dress, thats what!

Sweeter than a steaming cup of spiced chocolate, with the same amount kick, the Cocoa Bean dress is a confection in cotton poplin. The fitted bodice, spiced up with brass buttons, a trench flap at the shoulder and puff sleeves, descends into a fitted a-line skirt that falls to the knee. Slip your favorite lip gloss and keys in your pockets, throw on a pair of sassy pumps and you'll be steaming up the salsa club in no time.

Here's How You Can Enter To Win
(Leave a comment and valid email address for each entry)

Mandatory Entry: To win this great dress: a. “like” Shabby Apple on Facebook, then leave me a comment saying you did so along with telling us what other shabby apple dress is your favorite.

Additional Entries: (you may do any or all of the following for more chances to win, as long as the mandatory entry is met.)

2. Sign up for the EMI Newsletter and get all the updates at EMI.

3. Follow EMI via Google Friend Connect

4. Follow EMI on Twitter and leave me your twitter ID (example: @everydaymom2005).

5. Tweet About this Giveaway and leave me your twitter ID.

6. Like Everyday Mom Ideas on Facebook.

7. Put the Everyday Mom Ideas Button on your Sidebar.

8. Add EMI to your blog roll

9. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link to it

Open to US residents only, and must be 18 or older to enter to win
Giveaway Ends Monday February 21st at midnight. (Mountain standard time)
Random winner will be selected through random.org

Good Luck!

Closed

Congratulations to Journiebug (random winner number 51)

FIN-tastic Valentine Card Printable (FREE)

2012-02-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Valentines day!

FREE Swedish fish Valentine day printable for class mates and teachers! It reads "I'm so glad we are in the same "School"! Hope you have a FIN-tastic Valentines Day!" and "You are one cool "School" teacher! Hope you have a FIN-tastic Valentines Day

These are perfect for printing on your home printer or download it and take it to the printers. I took mine to the printers and got about fifty of these printed and cut out for both my boy's classes for a total of about $13.00. That's only $0.14 a card. I also printed some on my home printer as well and they turned out great.

You can some treat bags for about a dollar or two at hobby lobby, dollar store or just your local grocery store to put the fish in. You could also try little jewelry bags or sandwich bags. Or even just get the little packets of Swedish fish and tape it to the front.

Fintastic Valentine Free Printable Fintastic Valentine Free Printable for Teachers
I hope you have a wonderful Valentines and that you have fun with this printable!

The making of a dystopian world... (photoshop project)

2012-02-08T18:58:00.001-07:00

This was one of my favorite photoshop projects yet! And I have to say thank goodness for digital scrapbooking. What does digi scrap have to do with this? Well, this is pretty much fancy digi scrapbooking. Working with layers, and fun effects... Its like all my years of being a scrapbooker has groomed me to one day be a graphic designer. Sweet!

The man on the road is actually my husband who is such a good sport when it come to all my crazy projects. And why did I go with dystopian? Well, its because Im obsessed. It all started with Stephenie Meyer's "The Host" and I was hooked. From there it went to the Hungers Games and now its like Im on a personal mission to read all teen dystopian novels. I love reading about another angle or take on a post apocalyptic world and its socieaty. I am thoroughly fasinated with how creative these authors are. Right now I'm in the middle of reading the birthmark trilogy and the Pretties series.

So I thought I would try my hand at making a dystopian world of my own.