topless pot pie!

Quick and Easy!

Step 1. Grab your Bisquick box. Use the ingredients for a biscuit  Knead as directed then layer on the bottom of a cupcake tin. Be sure to grease the tin. Mine came right off, I am unsure if it would come off easily without greasing it.

Step 2. Bake for roughly 7-9 minutes (as directed on the Bisquick box) or until golden brown on top.

Step 3. Remove biscuits still in cup form. While baking the cups, be sure to prepare what you will be adding to your pie. In this particular batch. I had Kirkland shredded chicken, Idaho instant loaded baked potatoes and corn.

Step 4. Add all prepared ingredients to the list.

Step 5. ENJOY!! Dinner for a family in less than 15 minutes!

Are you keeping track?

Monday - did what I said I would. Although that experience was less relaxing than doing yoga with the boys within an ear shot. But it was what it was.
Tuesday - just did level two of Jillian Michael's, I came down with a nasty head cold that had me feeling like spongebob when he visits Sandys house with a water tight helmet!
Wednesday - I wanted to kick the cold out of town. So I did CardioX. Good evening boost. Helped a ton!
Thursday - I'm lending a friend my Jillian Michaels for her to burn. So I did the level 3. I did this one ONCE before and it was tough! This go around, not as. This makes me happy :) plus I did an additional AB ripper on top of it! Good stuff right there.
Today- some legs and back that was cut off 20 minutes short because my computer was going bonkers. Tried some strengthening yoga for ten minutes and some other leg working stuff! Totaling an hour. Proved to me today that I need to up my weights! Yes! Strong = Happy
As for the cold, slightly lingering, but that evening workout Wednesday really brightened my mood.

4 days til San Diego!!!!! How many days til the 30 mark? I don't even know!

Day 18 - 21....

Day 18 Thursday was a p90x chest, shoulders and triceps kind of day. It was pretty good and I got through it like a champ I must say!

Day 19- I woke up with absolutely zero urge to jump or jerk in any way whatsoever. Insert 30 minutes of the yoga x, perfection. These 30 minutes were jammed pack with great vinyasas and stable poses that made me sore for two days!

I skipped another Saturday. Im sad about this with the exception that I felt really good about my catch up workout on Sunday! Because of this, I'm not counting it as a day, throwing it out and not letting it drag me down.

Day 20 - this was filled with legs and back and the remaining hour of yoga. I have never been good at balance poses, but hot dog I rocked tree that morning like I was a yogi pro! It made me so proud I almost wanted to start another 30 day regimine of yoga after vacation! Personally, there is something mindful and peaceful about yoga that I never am in satisfied with my "practice".

Today day 21 - I'm switching it up and working out after work. This will contain a short trip on the elliptical or treadmill and a yoga session at the gym :)

What's your workout for today?

Day... 12-17

Holy Cow. I am so far in posting.. I had to count on my fingers how many days were past! Let me preface that I feel stronger. I feel more confident and yet, still fight with those inner demons asking "why waste your time?" I know that by leading a healthy lifestyle and showing my boys a healthy lifestyle it will pay off. I am doing my best to be aware that its not causing them to feel neglected or overlooked. Their behavior has proved that they do not feel this way. I know that I have a longer patience threshold and I am able to take things in stride.
I couldn't do this without Sterlings support.
On to my days...
Day 12 was Friday. Sadly, I am unsure what I even did on this day!! I know I worked out but I'm not exactly sure what I did! I think it was one of those, Jillian Michael's + Ab Ripper X kind of days!
Day 13 was busy. So busy in fact didn't beat myself up over the fact that I didn't get my 30 minutes in. What did I do? I did go out with my husband and have dinner with some friends! That was so worth the "rest"!
Day 14 - Sterling and I tackled P90X plyometrics. If you have ever done this series, you are aware that this is "the mother of all workouts". It truly is. By the end you are basically drowning in your sweat on the floor while you recover. Tough tough tough. I somehow caught a second wind and did a set of Jillian and AB Ripper again. If I don't have abs of steel by the end of this 30 days... I might beat someone up with my new and improved biceps!
Day 16- Monday. Jillian level 2 with some yoga after. Good short workout after the madness of the day before!
Day 17- I completed Core Synergystis from P90X, this workout is 55 minutes and pretty nicely put together. Not defeating but difficult at the same time. I got home and felt the urge to fit in another workout! After we put the boys to bed I went to the gym and put in a good hour. If felt great!
Day 18- today. Classic 30 day shred kind of morning. Wanted to get my 30 today done and over with. Tonight u will have to fight the urge for working out again, more important things will be done tonight! Family time!
14 days til San Diego! 12 more of my 30 days to a healthier me! So far, I don't regret taking on this mission. I just hope my family knows that I am searching for a healthier me, to be healthy for them!

Day 9 10 and 11!!!

Holy cow, 3 days have passed. Don't let that fool you into thinking I have thrown in the towel. Oh no, in fact, I've amped up my expectations a bit.

Day 9 was......... July 3rd.
On this day, I had planned to do Cardio X but turned to Jillian Michaela 30 day shred level 2. Obviously a step up from level 1, but I certainly haven't mastered that yet, it's just a good change in pace for the work out. On top of this I added in about 10 minutes of trampolinage with the boys, at their request, how could I not?
Day 10... Holiday! Not for my workout!
My dad took the boys to a movie and I took his opportunity to dive into the P90X legs and back. Holy momma. I pretty sure my glutes and thighs hate me, I hopping they pack their things and hit the road! I still felt that I could get in a little more FUN :) so I tossed in the X-stretch (basically yoga) and it treated me well for 30 more minutes

Today - Day 11.
Oh geez. I'm wring this at 1140pm why you ask? I had an Ah-mazing 2 hr personal session at home! I wanted to do the P90X chest, triceps and biceps. I put it on and probably completed 40 of the 55 minutes. I just couldn't do one more gosh darn push up and the one handers are way out of my upper body strength league. Working on it, just not there yet! Popped in Ms. Michaels level 1 (my go to!) completed it, then for the grand finale.... Drum rollllll.... Ab ripper X. In Tony's words "I hate it, but I love it!) phew!!

What will tomorrow bring? Not sure yet, but until then... Going to attempt to catch some Z's
Thanks for checking in!

Day 7 and 8 - creating an insatiable hunger....

Last night I convinced Sterling to do Kenpo X with me. Funny thing is, it was his idea, then when it came down to getting it done, he wavered. But, nonetheless, he made it through with me! Great workout, although, I wonder if it have me night sweats because I was burning up through the night. I tried to research the effects of "burning calories" and it brought up a thought. When discussing the "burning" of fat, does this create a significant amount of heat to the point where you notice it hours later? If so, sweet! Do any of you have an answer? I'd love to know.

This morning I powered through 30 day shred level 2. Satisfied after, but was left wanting more through my day. More of strength training. More muscle forming, fat losing more! Tomorrow am I plan on some Cardio X. Hope this satisfies this hunger I have. Since it will be an early morning, I'm putting my nose into "The Happiness Project" ... Exercising the mind hopefully before a good nights rest.

Day 5 and 6 - stepping up the anty!

Day 5 - instead of yogaZone I felt the need for intensity. After my sore muscles were fighting me on day 4, I found that as motivation in that sore muscles show that I pushed myself.

Day 6 - the gym was calling me and it sure delivered!
15 minutes on treadmill at 5.4
15 minutes on elliptical with an incline of 6 and resistance of 9.
Weights for 15 minutes.
20 minutes on the stairs. This machine killlls me! I mixed in leg moves and side stepping alternations. It was tough!
While stretching, "where have you been" came on over my head phones and I was still pretty pumped. I finished stretching and jumped in the treadmill for 8 more minutes at 5.6! Felt so empowering to go beyond what I had already accomplished.

Being so sore today helped me stay away from those fresh cinnamon rolls out of the oven. Talk about will power!

Today the husband is going to join me on some Kenpo X. Pretty stoked.

Day 4 - 30 days to a healthier me! Bondiband!

Today was particularly difficult. Why? Well, Imagine day 4... aching sore muscles, pleading for rest. NOPE.
Not happening. I can almost compare my muscles to the voices that try to mesemrize those who carry the ring in "The Lord of the Rings"...
Something like this...
"Ashleeyyy.. you completed a total of 4 workouts in 3 days... call it even and restttt for ussss... Just stop for today."
Me- "shut your pie hole! Should have done that prior to today and the 58 bazillion cupcakes I have eaten in the last 2 years!"


I told me!
Anyways... 
I am wrapping up two of my classes this evening and I needed a boost anyways to get these loose ends tied nicely. Jillian Michaels helped with that. Oh! And did I mention my mom was selling bondibands for Team in Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma society)? Well she is, if you would like one let me know and I can arrange for the trade off. One for 10 or Two for 15. WMG, aka Julie Costello, was kind enough for us to have them out for a day or two... They are pretty dang cute and some pretty comical.

I wore this one tonight!

You can always visit her support site @ http://pages.teamintraining.org/az/nikesf12/ehemerka

Browse their website and Ill let you know if she has it in stock! Bondibands.com
(when you go asking yourself... why is she selling them for 2 bucks more? Think of shipping cost and the money that goes straight to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. THANKS!)

Day 2 and 3!

Day 2... came and went like a flash! I took the whole day today to research, hypothesis, brainstorm and dish out my 8 page paper on the FLDS sect and it was all too draining... BUT I have great news about my 30 days to a healthier me!

Lets start Day 2. Jillian Michaels. Man that girl can certainly pack a punch into a 25 minute workout. To all those who think they don't have time to workout, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing her 30 Day Shred ... It does wonders in the strength training department. I only use my 5 lb weights and it just rips your shoulders and your biceps. Strong is what I need my scrawny arms to be.

Day 3. Since I was home writing my paper all day, I needed an energy boost before I got started. I knew that if I didn't get my workout in before I began, I could have easily axed it all together. I am forever grateful for the mastermind behind taking out Tony Horton's commentary and just leaving his voice for changing sequences. I blasted my run playlist and it made my workout ah-mazing. Not that P90X's Cardio X needs help with that, but not hearing about the two that met in the test group and are engaged to be married for the 1500th time, it made me smile.

Playlist: Don't knock it until you have it playing during your workout! You'll see why I add the disclaimer.

Not in any particular order.
Eminem - Cinderella Man
Usher - Yeah!
Linkin Park - Papercut
Fort Minor - Remember the Name
Fort Minor - In Stereo
Paramore - Crushcrushcrush
Paramore - Pressure
Jay-Z - Renegade
Rihanna - Where have you been
Britney Spears - Womanizer
Justin Bieber (Feat. Ludacris)- All Around The World
Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
Katy Perry - Firework
Katy Perry (feat Kanye West) - E.T.
Justin Timberlake - (oh no) What you got.

It was a blast working out to my own playlist. I rocked it, happy to say. About four o clock rolls around and a little birdie (Anndrea!) asked me to join her for some hot yoga.... considered declining because I had already worked out pretty dang good and Sterling insisted that I go. He knows me all too well, I have a small love affair with Yoga. I went. I do not regret it for one second. It was hot. But it was fruitful.
Onto tomorrow... what to do what to do... I know I am going to be sore... but I need to get my 30 minutes in. Maybe some YogaZone Stretching... :)

Until then!

Day 1 - Healthier Me.

Today... Started off slow. Did some yoga before work because my hair was clean and I despise nothing more than ruining perfectly cleaned hair. Moms with long hair, you understand!!


I fell back on some videos I found on Hulu a while back when we didn't have cable or a gym membership. They may be super cheesy but they get the job done. They have all sorts of variations choose from.. yoga for strengthening your legs (which I did) arms and back. Yoga for a stronger core... fat burning yoga... meditation. You name it. 


Yoga Strength Part 1.


I also did Part 2 for 10 minutes because Part 1 is only 22 mins. Baby steps... I can't conquer the world. Sometimes I need to be brought down from my clouds to remember I am, in fact, human. 


Another aspect for my health I am changing is my face care regimen. I have NEVER had clear skin. Its something that I know I have to live with. I tried proactive when I was a teenager and it dried me out some fierce. After having two kids and no longer needing birth control (snip snip!) I have decided that my skin is a mess!! Sterling uses proactive and we have an abundance in stock under our sink. Day 1 for this face care regimen was yesterday. If it improves, I will share the picture I took of my face.. without makeup... on Day 1. I enjoy NOT wearing make up every now and then, I hope I can get to the point where I wont depend on foundation to cover up my pimples... zits and everything else that makes me look like a middle schooler who eats wayyy to much pizza!


Tomorrow... is a new day! 

30 days to a healthier me!

Looking back... I stretched myself too thin for a goal that has no necessary deadline. I put a time stamp on when it could be done, could is an exaggeration. Working full time, while maintaining a happy and healthy family was causing me to be less healthy! I am scaling back my school work and putting my graduation date at a more responsible spring.
Why 30 days? I heard somewhere that of you do something 30 days in a row than you psychologically make it habitual. I want a healthy habit. I am committing to 30 days of exercise with a photo to prove. 30 minutes minimum. Instead of pigeon holing myself to one particular regimen, I am going to leave this part flexible. A little yoga one day, some p90x another, Jillian Michael's the next, a good run another. The sky is the limit and I will fill my 30 min with something! Follow my progress and make sure I am sticking to this healthy change! See you in the morning!