AdvoCare's 24-Day Challenge... Part 1, The 10-Day Cleanse

Since this post did not work on my facebook page, I thought I'd post it here and see if it worked better.

Hello Friends and Family...

As some of you may know I started the 24-Day Challenge 7 days ago. My objective was and is, to manage my health (not that I have any pending issues that I'm aware of), gain more energy, become more mentally alert, and of course, shed some pounds. Not that I am (or was) a couch potato to begin with. I'm just the typical stay-at-home-mom whose feet hit the floor in the morning and keep going until I fall into bed, exhausted, at night. About the only time I actually sit during the day is when I'm driving my teens to and from school or a grocery run. I also felt that I ate pretty healthy, for the most part, as well, covering all the basic food groups. This cleanse has poven otherwise and has made me "re-think" my relationship with food. Now, don't get me wrong, or go into panic mode... I STILL love to cook! And, I still have a love for food. I just may do some things differently in the future, that's all. My point is, most days I felt I had "foggy head", even after two and three cups of coffee in the mornings. By mid-afternoon I sometimes needed another boost of caffeine (either a COKE or a Micky D's coffee). And overall, I just felt bloated and sluggish and mentally tired. I needed to change something, and after learning about the 24-Day Challenge, I knew that's what I needed to do.

The first 10 days is the "Cleanse Phase"... and yes, it's been trying and down right difficult at times. And, I cannot lie... Yes, I have cheated, slipped up, got off track, and blew it a few times. But it's ok. I'm not beating myself up or throwing in the towel just yet (that's one things I like about myself ;)). One of the best things about this program is, it gives you an 80/20 rule... and that is "Shoot to be 80% compliant with the eating plan so that you get the results you want". It's not super strict and that's why I've been able to "forgive" myself and keep going. However, I have had to discipline myself and have a strong will power to succeed at times. And yes, I have been hungry, even starving, at times... but I found, it was when I hadn't eaten in a while. I have actually been keeping a food log and have been amazed at how much food I have eaten... even kinda grossed out. ;)But like I updated today as my status, being on the 24-Day Challenge (and only for 7 days), I have increased energy (with out feeling jittery), I feel more mentally sound and awake, and best of all, I have lost inches. I don't have a scale in mi casa because I feel you can get too caught up on weighing a certain number. Every body is different, and for me, it's mostly about how I look and feel. I do, however, own a sewing tape measure (I think that's what it's called) and I took my measurements on the first day. Here's what they were...
~ Bust: 41 inches
~ Waist: 35.5"
~ Hips: 39"
~ Thighs: 25.5"

And here is what the tape measure says today, day 7...
~ Bust: 41" (damn!)
~ Waist: 33"
~ Hips: 38"
~ Thighs: 24.5"

And, I ain't lyin'! 'Cause if I lie I break out in hives... and I hate hives! ;)

So, for everyone that is interested, here is a link to two short videos explaining what it is and how it all works.

And here are the instruction and eating guidlines for The 10-Day Cleanse and The Max Phase, days 11-24 for the 24-Day Challenge.

If you have any questions or are interested in doing the 24-Day Challenge, just message me... It is changing my life!
I will be sharing more soon... A yummy veggie soup recipe and maybe even a few pictures.  Maybe.
Peace, Love and Good Health!
Rolo

triple layer chocolate crunch brownies...

These should really be called "To. Die. For. Brownies"... or,
"The Best Brownies I've Ever Had"... or,
"I'll pay your mom forty bucks if she makes me some of my
very own Brownies"!
Ha ha ha, on that last one...
I packed one single brownie in my baby homegirl's lunch yesterday.
She shared with many... don't ask me how. *Cringe*
Anywho, when I picked her up from school she told me that one of her friends couldn't believe how awesome it was and told her that he'd pay me forty dollars to make him his own batch.
After I stopped laughing, I stopped by the store to pick up what I needed to make more!

These are incredibly easy to make and oh so darn delicious.

~Triple Layer Chocolate Crunch Brownies~

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips, divided use
20 whole Oreo cookies, divided use
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~Butter and flour an 8x8 cake pan.
~Mix together in a bowl the butter and sugar until fluffy.
~Add the eggs one at a time.
~Add in the vanilla and the cocoa powder. Mix until combined.
~Add the flour and salt, mixing until well combined and smooth.
~Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
~Spread into the 8x8 cake pan.
~Sink 9 Oreo cookies into the batter and press down slightly to partially submerge.
~Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
~While baking, crush the remaining Oreo cookies in a Ziploc bag.
~Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1/2 cup chocolate chips and the crushed Oreo cookies.
~Put back in oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
~During this time melt the remaining chocolate chips and peanut butter together in the
microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and melt again.
~Remove brownies from oven and pour melted chocolate mixture
over the top, spreading with a spatula. Be sure the chocolate gets down
into the Oreo crevices, as it is the "glue" that holds the top to the bottom.
~Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
~Let sit at room temperature about 15 minutes before cutting.
~Have a giant glass of milk ready.
~Take one humongous bite.
~*faint* Make 'em this weekend... sharing is optional.

transforming...

We're at it again. A transformation is taking place. Messes being made.

Homegirl using power tools. Homegirl is so excited...