10 Day Cleanse Results

Just a QUICK update to give you my final weight after the 10 Day Herbal Cleanse.... lost a total of 6.2 lbs. 6.2 pounds in 10 Days!!!!! I'm very happy with this number...and I'll keep you posted over the next 2 weeks to let you know how the max phase is going! :)

1 Week Later

Alright, I weighed in at 142.6 lbs this am. That is 4.2 lbs lost after just 7 days. I feel great and I have a ton of energy. And it's only been 7 days!
Now when I first posted about starting this challenge, I said I'd fill you in on all aspects of it. Lets start with exercise. I haven't. Truly, I do love working out, and even enjoy jogging. But this week has been busy enough that I've not exercised. Aside from the norm, chasing 2 kids, pushmowing the lawn (mine is not self-propelled, it's Jen-propelled), working, cleaning, etc. Obviously exercise is important, and I'm not saying our products can replace diet and exercise. HOWEVER, 4.2 lbs in 7 days isn't too bad when I haven't done anything more than usual. Less than usual, if anything.
Moving on... Diet. I have a Chocolate Meal Replacement Shake every morning. A snack is allowed mid-morning, although I never need it. For lunch I generally have a salad... lettuce, carrots, celery, mushrooms, green onions, sunflower seeds, sometimes some turkey, grilled chicken, or hard-boiled eggs, and a low fat or fat free dressing of my choice. I like salad, so this isn't bad. I just avoid the cheese, croutons, and full fat dressings that I normally would add.
For dinner I usually try to mix it up a bit, although sometimes I do a salad for dinner too, because they're quick, easy, and good! I've eaten quite a bit of homemade vegetable soup (I can't take credit, my mom made it and gave me a HUGE container of it! But it's a healthy and good option to step away from the salad now and again), but I generally do a bit of meat with some steamed veggies. Snack-wise, IF I snack, I've been eating an orange, a hard-boiled egg or 2, or some nuts. Now yesterday was my nieces 1st birthday party, and I did cheat and eat a pink lemonade cupcake and drink a Coke Zero. I won't lie to you. BUT that's all I've cheated so far. I'm determined to lose this weight! Since so many of us are on the 24 Day Challenge that were at Campbells birthday party, (we're definitely an AdvoCare family!!) my sister found an incredible recipe online for Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I don't know what website she found it on, but it's VERY good! I'll post that recipe below so you can all try it! We also had fresh fruit and fresh veggies. Now honestly, when I have a plate in front of me with a lettuce wrap, lots of fruit & veggies, I don't miss the chips/pretzels/dips/cheese/etc that I normally tend to eat! I enjoy healthy food, but for one reason or another tend to cook unhealthier foods. My kids don't complain that I'm dieting, they love fruits and veggies, they loved the soup, and I just make them a sandwich or something to go with it. My kids are the type to go to Pizza Hut and order the salad bar, so it's really pretty easy to eat healthy around here. In fact, the 3 of us tend to fight over the hardboiled eggs, celery & pb, and cucumbers!! I don't buy chips or cookies as it is, so aside from Easter candy, I don't have too much unhealthy temptation in the house, which helps also.
Now, on to the recipe!

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients
1-1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 T plus 1/5 t peanut oil, divided
3/4 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained and diced
1 T minced fresh gingerroot
2 T rice vinegar
2 T reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce
1 T reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 t garlic powder
1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes
1-1/2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup julienned green onions
12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves (We used Boston and they were perfect)
1/3 cup slice almonds, toasted

Directions
In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken in 1 T oil for 3 mins; drain. Add the mushrooms, water chestnuts, and ginger; cook 4-6 mins longer or until chicken is no longer pink. Drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and remaining oil. Stir in the carrots, onions, and chicken mixture.
Spoon onto lettuce leaves, sprinkle with almonds. If desired, fold sides of lettuce over filling and roll up. Yields 6 servings.

They were fantastic! The mixture would be good just to eat on it's own, too! I can't wait to make it myself so I have leftovers! Let me know if you try it, and what you think!

4 Days Down, 20 to Go!

Alright, after day 4, I'm down 2.8 lbs. That's not much, I'm aware. Trust me. But I'm not overly upset (just a little bit...). At the VERY beginning of day 2, mother nature came a knocking with my monthly visitor. Too much information? Probably. BUT, that's why I'm not concerned about the small amount of weight loss thus far. If you're a girl, you know that we bloat up and put on water weight during that week. If you're a guy, you know we're moody, emotional, and all around crazy during that week, but you may not realize we actually put on weight! But I'm looking at it this way... I'm still in the cleanse phase. So truly, my body is really being cleansed. I'll walk into the Max phase (weight loss phase) knowing that ALL of the old CRAP is out of my body, and I'm ready to get to WORK! So I'm still hoping for a big loss in the end. And even though I haven't lost a lot, I feel AMAZING! Guys, I'm telling you, this stuff is what dreams are made of! Seriously. I feel so great when I'm using these products, and I've heard all positive raves from others, as well. I've never heard anyone that didn't feel at their best when they're using AdvoCare. AdvoCare makes a difference, reaches goals, and changes lives. WHY wouldn't you want to be a part of this?!!!

24 Days Can Change Your Life!

I'd guess that 99% of you that read this blog know me. If not all of you. Even if you don't, you've seen pictures. I'm not a skinny girl. I'm not as big as I once was... because a little opportunity called AdvoCare has changed my life. I have lost 40 lbs and countless inches since I first started using these products. 40 lbs! Now, when I was just out of high school, I weighed somewhere around 115-120 lbs. Never did I think I'd have 40lbs to lose, let alone much more than that! But I got married, I got comfortable, I had a baby, got even more comfortable, had a 2nd baby and a divorce, and then I really turned to food even more. It happens to the best of us. Food is a comfort. It's a 'friend'. It makes you feel better....at that precise moment. And the thing is, at least for me, I didn't realize how much weight I was gaining. I knew I was getting bigger, but I didn't realize I was getting BIG. Then it seems like 1 day I looked in the mirror, or more likely, saw a picture of myself, and I saw. I saw who/what I'd become. It was shocking, devastating, and embarrassing. I never ever thought I'd have rolls! I never ever thought I'd wear double digit sizes. I never ever thought I'd be so self-concious and humiliated when shopping for clothes. "I'll try a 10. Nope...grab me a 12. OMG That doesn't fit either, can you get me a 14? Ewwww Just forget it. I give up. I'm going home!" And then go home to comfort myself by eating Taco Bell and washing it down with Bud Light. Because that'll get me into a smaller size.

I never wanted to talk about any of this. It's easier to pretend you're thin(ner) and can justify eating what you want than to admit that you're heavy and need control. It's not easy, even now, to tell you my weight. But I'm going to. I'm going to because I know damn well that I'm not the only one in this position. I know damn well that 99% of you are not 100% happy. You're not happy with your weight. Or you're not happy with your finances. Or you're not happy with the amount of time it took you to run that mile. Or whatever. But I do know that this company I've become involved with can turn all of that around. We can't solve ALL of your problems, but we can sure help with money, weight, fitness, and health! Who doesn't want to be healthy and financially stable?! Silly question, right?!

Today I started another 24 Day Challenge. 24 Days to an even better ME! I'm going to post about the next 24 Days frequently. I'll tell you how I feel, what I've been eating, IF I've been exercising, and how many pounds I'm losing. I'll be completely honest about all of it. I'm even going to tell you my starting weight! Just for the sake of holding myself accountable and expressing the awesome-ness of these products!!! Are you ready?! My starting weight is 146.8 lbs, as of 7:30am this morning. For those of you who think 147 lbs isn't too much, I'm only 5 foot 2. According to http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/, that puts my Body Mass Index at 26.8. Normal Weight goes to 24.9, and Overweight begins at 25. Then Obesity starts at 30 or higher. That means I fall right into the 'Overweight' range. I don't want to. I'm not going to anymore! That's all going to change, starting today! My goal weight is somewhere between 120-125 lbs, eventually. 125 puts me squarely into the 'Normal Weight' range. I'd look and feel better, not to mention be so much healthier!! Totally worth it in every aspect! SOOO....I'm not asking you to tell me your weight, but I'd love for you to follow me on this 24 Day Challenge, and consider challenging yourself! Let me know if you'd like more information on our products or the business opportunity with this amazing company. It's normal to be uncomfortable taking a leap of faith. It's ok to keep on doing what you're doing...if you don't expect anything to change. But in order to get different results, you've got to make changes. Why not start with becoming healthier and making some extra money?!!?

The One Where Your Vote Counts!

Ok... time for the great debate!!

I want your opinion.

I need your opinion.

This is an extremely serious, personal topic, so I'd appreciate you being honest, but gentle.

I need to know....

Does my hair look better STRAIGHT or CURLY?!

Do you understand the seriousness of the situation?? :)

Straight

Curly
{I differentiated which is which for you, although if you couldn't tell the straight from the curly on your own, I don't think I want your opinion. Please quietly leave my blog. Thank you.}


OK....So...here goes...
What do you think?
Which looks better on my face?
Which is flattering?
Which is hideous?
Should I shave my head and start all over?
Which makes me look like an Asian Monkey with Fifths Disease?
(I'm not sure Asian Monkeys can get Fifths Disease, but I'm giving you options....)

Please comment!!!!!
Please be honest and tell me!
1....2....3..... GO COMMENT!!!!!
Thanks.

Photo Shoot {Biberstine Style}

We were snuggled up on the couch before bed last night, and had ourselves a little photo shoot!

I took a few pictures, and each of the kids took one. These were all on my cell phone, in a poorly lit living room, so the quality isn't great. But we had fun and these pictures make me SMILE! :)

I tried the flash on this one...a little too bright, but for some reason I really like it!



Silly faces!

Jordyn took this one... that'd be her finger on the side...

Drew took this one. Slightly blurry. ha! I think I look like a midget or something...

I'm appear to be the same size as my 6 year old. I assure you, I'm not. She's much, MUCH bigger than I. Or something...

Saturday

Saturday we didn't leave the house once. Not once. It was pretty fantastic, really!

We stayed home, played games, read books, baked muffins, took bubble baths, and

did some laundry. Drew helped.

See?

Then Drew dared his big sis to climb into the dryer. I was standing right there.

Parenting 101 most likely teaches you to keep your children out of appliances.

I, however, failed Parenting 101, and play by my own rules!!

I helped her into the dryer, and took a picture!

See?

Then I helped her out.

And helped her brother in.

See?

*No children or dryers were harmed in the making of this blogpost.

'The Other Brother & Sister'

Tonight I'm going to share a little story. This is quite the interesting, imaginative story that my 3 yr old told tonight, and I actually took notes so I could post it to the blog and never forget it! Here goes...

I took the kids to my parents for dinner tonight. As we were eating, Mom and I were talking about brothers and sisters with the kids. Asking Drew if he knew who my brother & sister were, who Moms (Grandma for him) brothers and sister are, etc. He takes a bite of food, chews, and casually says "I used to have another brother and sister." Another bite of food, continuing to eat as though he hadn't said a word!! Mom and I began 'prying' for information about his other brother and sister, and it came in bits in pieces, in a different order than I'm going to share, but I'm going to try to put it together into a story form so it's easier to follow. SO... here's what we know about the other brother & sister....

Drew had a sister named Bella, that was 2, and a brother named Conway, who was 9. When we used to live in our old black house by the river in Michigan (????), they came to stay with us because they didn't have any parents. They didn't have a car, or any shoes and socks, so they just had to walk around barefoot. They climbed to the top of BIG trees, bigger than houses, and ate a lot of leaves. {Mom asked Drew why they ate leaves, and serious as could be he said "they never told me..."} They were a mom and dad, but they looked for kids to have and couldn't ever find any. {If only it were that easy to have a child, just go outside and find one!!} Drew doesn't remember them very well, because they died a couple years ago, when he was just a baby. Apparantly he had invited Grandpa (my dad) up to Michigan to our black house, but dad didn't come because it was snowing and it was Christmas. So we went to their house to open presents instead, but Bella and Conway didn't come. While we were opening presents they ate too much pink stuff...pink flamingos...and died. Now there's no more flamingos in Michigan because after Bella and Conway died, the other people shot all the flamingos.

Wow. Quite the imagination!!! We all had tears from laughing so hard by the time he was finished telling the story!!! What a character! :)