Visalus Body by Vi !!!!!

So..this is a post from my Family Blog...I held off posting on this blog because I try to keep it dedicated to SAVING MONEY...now this product fits the bill!!  I am saving money and adding years to my life..i think it's time to blog about that!!  I am blogging about VISALUS or Body By Vi !!!


"My sister and I have been going to the gym for 13 months, pretty regularly, like 2-5 times per week.  We even hired a trainer to kick our butts.  We altered our diet to reduce fast food, increase veggies, and even started juicing!  We journaled what we ate, tried to cut carbs out after 4pm and definitely felt better, more healthy, though a bit deprived of evening snacks!  Anyways, I am so glad that we started this journey, but to be honest...I lost some weight, gained some back and kinda did the roller coaster thing...at the end of an entire year of being conscious and exercising, I have lost 13lbs. 

I went to the doctor for a check-up, maybe there is something else going on that is making weight loss so difficult, but nope, thyroid, blood pressure, cholesterol...all great!  I'm glad, but was kinda hoping that there was a "reason" that all my effort wasn't enough. 

Around that same time, my sister kept telling my about one of her friends on Facebook...claiming she was losing weight, getting her health back and really changing her life with a product called Visalus.  I didn't have much interest...I doubted it would help "us", plus I didn't know this friend of hers...my sister was so amazed at the transformation of her friend that she bought us some shake mix to share.  We loved the taste, especially since we were trying out different protein powders in our smoothies...yuck!  This stuff tasted delicious, I figured I could at least try it.  We loved the energy we felt, the way it kicked my carb/sweets cravings, and we started to see the scale inch it's way DOWN!!!  Really?!?!  I thought it might be "in my head"...still trying to doubt this product!  We refused to tell anyone about it until we had proof!  We started our official 90 Day Challenge on November 30th....and the numbers are in!!

I have lost 11 lbs and 5.5inches, I keep thinking that I could have done better, but let's face it....it was over the holidays and the numbers moved in the right direction!!  I should be thankful that I didn't gain, I doubt there has EVER been a holiday season that I didn't gain!!  I feel great and can't wait to get back into the routine of working out and continuing my Visalus Challenge!  First month down and 2 more to go!!!" 


I will blog more about this because we have decided to become promoters and are already getting checks in the mail!  YES, we are actually getting paid to help people get healthy...this is like a dream come true for me!!!

Workout for Cheap!

I was at Costco today and noticed tons of workout videos, including...Tai-bo, zumba, yoga, pilates, biggest loser, jillian micheals, etc...all for $7.99!  I thought that was pretty cheap, but then I started thinking about how I've bought them before and not liked them and then it's not cheap, it's a WASTE of money...so...you can go to the library and check them out for FREE...or you can rent them at your local video store!  At Family Video, they are only 99 cents for 3 nights...that's plenty of time to see if you like it enough to buy it!!  Happy working out!!!

FREE REDBOX RENTALS

Click here to rent a redbox movie or game online!  Have it on hold at your favorite kiosk!  It's even cheaper to reserve it online!  Get your free online code here!

http://redbox.tellapal.com/a/clk/3jGbk

"Dressed Up" Stuffing

I bought a box of stuffing to go with our turkey dinner this year...I decided to add in some extras to make it special.  I removed the neck & giblets packet from my turkey and placed in a sauce pan with 2 cups of chicken stock.  Simmered it for 20 minutes, discarded the neck, and chopped up the giblets & liver, add back into saucepan of broth.  I sauteed some diced celery & onions with butter, then added it to the saucepan too.  You could add cremini mushrooms too for a really special treat!  Add in the box of stuffing and a bit of sage.  If it gets dry just add some more stock.  If it's too wet, keep it on the heat until it's to your liking!  This was our best stuffing yet!

My Sister's Famous Sweet Potato Casserole

5-6 sweet potatoes
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
dash cinnamon

TOPPING
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup flour
2/3 stick butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat eggs, sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, & cinnamon in bowl.  Boil potatoes until fork tender, let cool enough to handle, peel and then place in bowl with egg mixture.  Mix well.  Place in casserole dish and bake 20-30 minutes.  Mix topping and sprinkle over casserole and bake additional 10-15 minutes.

Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Mix together:
2/3 cup sour cream or greek yogurt
1 cup cream cheese-softened
1/3 cup mayo
2 tsp minced garlic or garlic powder
1/2 tsp dry basil

Then add in:
2 cups shredded parm cheese
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed & drained
1 can artichoke hearts, drained & thawed

Spread into greased dish, bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 mins.  Sometimes I add shredded colby/jack or cheddar a few minutes before removing to oven to add another yummy layer of gooey flavor!

Brine Recipe for Turkey

This makes the juiciest turkey ever!!

2 gallons of cold water or 1 1/2 gallons plus ice. 
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbs each of Rosemary, Thyme,  and Sage

Put water/ice mixture into a cooler that will fit your turkey,  IGLOO coolers work great or we use our turkey frying pot.  Mix salt, sugar, and herbs in bowl with some water to dissolve.  Then add to water.  Place turkey in brine for 12-24 hours before roasting. 

When ready to cook, drain turkey, pat dry, cook as you normally would.  This seemed like a pain the first time, but the results were soooo yummy that it is worth it!!!