Grilled Apples

I've had so much fun creating delicious, healthy food using my George Foreman grill! Here is one of our favorite snacks - grilled apples.






Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. HOWEVER, ALL opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

Ten Things I Love About VBS

Seriously. I write about my love for Vacation Bible School every year at this time. But I really, really love it!

1. I love that exhausted feeling I get after being with the kids for three hours. The fall-into-bed-exhausted-and-sleep-so-good feeling.

2. I love leading music with my husband. I love that we're a team and that this is a ministry we can do together.

3. I love seeing the young boys look up to my husband. I know that some of them don't have male Christian role models, and I'm so happy that my husband can be that for them.

4. I love seeing Ladybug (4 years old) get excited about her memory, the Bible story, and all the fun things at Bible school.

5. Heck, I love seeing the joy on ALL of the children's faces as they learn more about Jesus!

6. I love hanging out with the other adults and teens of the church. We have really AWESOME volunteers!

7. I love seeing "The Deaconator" in action. She's our children's minister, and her passion for sharing Jesus with children is AMAZING!

8. Vacation Bible School helps me stay excited about Jesus.

9. Although it hasn't been excessively hot thanks to some afternoon thunderstorms, I am not sweating it out in capris this year. I.AM.WEARING.SHORTS.IN.PUBLIC. This is a huge thing for me!

10. I accepted Jesus at VBS when I was 8 years old - I know this ministry makes an impact!


For more Top Ten lists, be sure to visit ohamanda.com

Knock Out The Fat Week 11

Wow. The George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is winding down - it has gone by really fast! (Which means the summer has gone quickly too.)  I still have a couple of videos to put together showcasing some of my favorite ways to use my George Foreman grill. Look for those later this week!

It was an up and down week. My energy was low, and I had a 48-hour migraine. Plus we had several days of 100+ degree temps. I never struggle with water intake but I did this past week. I couldn't get enough water! I know I had close to 100 oz. every day, but I still felt parched.

Fitness: I did some form of cardio every day, although I usually do take a rest day. Thursday and Friday were light cardio days because of that blasted headache. I jumped into the Gruntstyle 2-week challenge, although I'm a week behind due to vacation (I'm doing the modified version). And I missed Saturday's workout because I ran in the morning and the rest of the day was super busy. (I find that I can't do strength workouts right after I run, so I try to do them in the afternoon on running days.)

My new running shoes arrived and I LOVE THEM! They are lightweight and make my footfalls quiet. And they're pretty!

Monday - a.m power walk, PMP workout
Tuesday - exercise bike, Sore Winner workout
Wednesday - a.m. run, Paralyzed workout
Thursday - exercise bike
Friday - exercise bike, Sweat Monster workout (in the pool)
Saturday - a.m. run
Sunday - exercise bike, Sore Winner workout

Nutrition: Not a perfect week. I didn't feel well, which led to no appetite. I had to make myself eat. I hate that blah feeling.

The challenge this week will be the busy schedule of Vacation Bible School in the evenings. Dinner is provided as part of the program, but I'll be making my dinner and taking it with me. I'll either make a large salad with grilled chicken or steak, or a grilled sandwich with lots of veggies on the side.

The Scale: Since it wasn't a stellar week, I'm happy with a .4 lb loss. I've lost a total of 6.8 lbs with the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. My current BMI is 36.2.

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. HOWEVER, ALL opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

Six Tips for Camping with Young Children

My Hubs and I enjoy camping, but we have not been camping since our daughter Ladybug (4 years old) arrived. Not because we didn't want to. Time seems to get away from us.

But we recently had the chance to do a little bit of camping during our family vacation. One thing we quickly realized: camping with a preschooler is quite the adventure! Here are a few helpful hints to make your camping trip a little less stressful and a lot more fun.

1. Explain what camping is to your child, in terms that he or she will understand. This will make your time more enjoyable because you won't have to explain everything a BAZILLION times to your inquisitive youngster. Explain tents, campers, RVs, campfires, community bathrooms, etc. Really, it will make your life easier!

2. Enlist your child's help according to his or her abilities. We had Ladybug help with site clean up before and after our stay, laying out the tent stakes, even using the rubber mallet (with assistance) to pound the stakes into the ground.

3. Keep It Simple, Sweetie! Don't have grandiose visions of sitting around the campfire, singing songs and roasting marshmallows every night. Remember that little ones do not like to sit still. They want to explore all the new things around them, including the patch of poison ivy.

4. Have plenty of activities planned, and have a few in reserve just in case your child runs through all of them in a hour. Thankfully, Ladybug is at the age when she is learning card games. She is also learning to throw/catch a frisbee. Go for a nature walk, enjoy the campground's amenities to their fullest!

5. Make rest time mandatory for yourself and your child. Even if neither one of you nap, you both need the down time. Your child needs time to process all the newness and fun activities. We love to read but didn't want to take tons of books, so Hubs found some good fairy tales on the web and read them from his smart phone.

6. Maybe I should have listed this as #1, because this is most important. Explain safety rules to your child before you even get to the campsite. Never play in the campfire, do not leave the campsite without an adult, do not play in the bushes where there might be poison ivy (there was, and we had to repeat ourselves MANY times to make her understand that it would be very bad!).

There are a lot of things you take for granted because you've been through this before. But this is all new to your child. Think through all the circumstances that will be different from your every day situation. Explain how camping is different, expect to be utterly exhausted at the end of the day, and plan to have lots of fun and makes many new memories!

Photo Credit: stock.xchng

Knock Out the Fat Week 10

Last week was our family vacation. I took my George Foreman grill with us and loved showing family how versatile it is (more than just hot dogs and hamburgers!). I think I worked out with more intensity, knowing that I didn't have total control over my food options. It was a great, healthy vacation!

Fitness: My "usual" workout schedule was not possible, not only because of traveling, but I also blew out the heel of my right running shoe. I knew it was time for a new pair, I had been procrastinating. New shoes should be here Monday or Tuesday!

It was good to shake up the usual, and because we had lots of down time, Hubs and I did strength circuits together. That was fun! I wasn't able to start the two week Gruntstyle challenge due to lack of internet most days. I should have printed off the workouts before we left, but I didn't think about it. I was able to access Daily Mile on my phone (but Twitter was sporadic, it was SO weird!), so you can check out what we did for circuits on my DM page.

I also had the privilege to meet up with a fellow Mamavation sista, Carrie, and power walk/chat while our kiddos played on the playground. That was so much fun! We talked about fitness, nutrition, and family while we got our sweat on. There is an awesome new fitness trail at the park that I used to play at when I was a kid - love it!

Monday: traveling day, ab circuit, short after-dinner walk
Tuesday: hilly a.m. run, leg circuit
Wednesday: afternoon power walk, core/upper body circuit
Thursday: a.m. power walk
Friday: a.m. power walk (almost 4 miles total!), leg/core circuit
Saturday: traveling day/rest day
Sunday: full body circuit

Grilled Halibut

Nutrition: I think I did well, considering it was vacation and there were lots of choices. I did pre-pack healthy snacks to eat while in the car. I am absolutely in love with pistachios! Did you know that studies show that you eat about 41% less if you have to shell them before you eat them? We also used the George Foreman grill A LOT, grilled veggies, grilled apples, tilapia, halibut, salmon, hot dogs (for our big picnic), etc.

This week, I'll be focusing on proper portions and balance. Here's our menu plan for this week.

The Scale: Considering it was vacation week, I'm pleased with a .2 lb loss. Who says you have to gain weight on vacation? Not this girl! I've lost 6.4 lbs total during the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge, and my BMI is currently 36.3.


Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. HOWEVER, ALL opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

Right of Way: Runner v. Dog

I recently encountered a couple of stray dogs during one of my morning runs. They were medium sized dogs, and I knew they didn't belong to anyone in our neighborhood. I was a little nervous about seeing them in the early morning light, especially since they were not restrained. 

I know I'm not the only runner or walker to encounter dogs while getting some exercise, so I asked my good friend Kristen, who teaches obedience classes for locals dogs and dog owners, to share some words of advice with my readers of what to do when encountering a dog, whether on the leash or off. Thanks, Kristen, for sharing! 

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I have been on both sides:  The runner whose course it is to pass the leashed or stray dog, and the dog-walker who is being approached by the runner who clearly will not change course.  Something’s gotta give or the risk for dog bite is high.  So, what gives?  What’s the best course?  Who has the right-of-way?

As responsible human beings taking to the public streets and parks, it is our responsibility for our own safety and the safety of others.  If you’re a runner in a world of dog owners, here are some tips for you: 

Photo Credit: stock.xchng

When encountering a dog-walker:

• First and foremost:  Don’t assume the dog walker will move.  Acknowledge the dog walker.  Don’t expect the worst and don’t incite a situation by running past quickly.
• If you can, “go wide”.  Cross the street when you see the dog, or run widely around the dog and walker.  If you are far enough away that the dog is not interested, you can keep your pace and re-cross later. 
• Can’t cross?  Slow down.  The slower you move, the less likely the dog’s instinct for a game of chase (i.e., prey drive) will ignite.  
• Remember this:  Don’t assume a dog on a leash is safer than any other; it doesn’t mean he won’t growl, bark and lunge.  This is called “leash aggression” and sometimes even the best behaved dogs have it.  Don’t panic, just use the advice above.

Encountering an unleashed or stray dog?

• If the dog is close or coming closer, slow down or stop.  If the dog hasn’t yet seen you, don’t surprise it from behind.
• Avoid eye contact.  It challenges the dog to “fight or flight”, and you don’t want to wait to see which one he chooses.
• Talk quietly (no eye contact).  “Hi puppy.  Good puppy.”  You should get a sense of whether he is friendly or anxious.
• Be still.  Don’t make sudden movements with your arms or body.  At best, you’ll look like a play thing; at worst the dog will defend himself. 
• Don’t shout.  Sounds like barking.  See “best” and “worst” above.
• If the dog tries to jump at you, turn your body (and head) away while using your forearm to push him off.  Turn and push with one fluid movement.
• By following these steps, the dog will eventually lose interest in you.  You can then begin walking slowly ahead – without looking back.  The more distance you can put between you and the dog, the more you can increase your speed.

We can all share the streets and parks, while remembering that safety is the best course and the only “right-of-way”. 

Knock Out the Fat Week 9

It was a crazy, busy, hectic week at our house. I felt like I had a lot of plates spinning, and it was constant battle to keep everything going. No major crashes, but I definitely felt stretched a little thin.

A quick recap of the past week...

Fitness: I did cardio on 6 days out of 7, for a total of 178 minutes. Because it was such a busy week, if cardio and strength training didn't get done in the morning, it didn't get done. There just wasn't enough time some days. I'm not the type of person who can exercise at night, I don't have the mental fortitude to do it after a long day.

It was a fabulous week for running. I had my fastest paced run on Wednesday, and I'm steadily working toward my goal of a 12:00/mile pace by the end of the year. And thankfully, I haven't had any post-run headaches since I got my "super girl" bra. I definitely feel like super girl when I run well!

Monday - running 30 minutes
Tuesday - exercise bike 10 minutes, Sore Winner workout 18 minutes
Wednesday - running 28 minutes, squats/lunges/calf raises
Thursday - exercise bike 10 minutes, Puke Me Please workout 15 minutes
Friday - exercise bike 30 minutes
Saturday - running 37 minutes
Sunday - rest day

Nutrition: It was a spot-on week! Lots of fruits and veggies. Other than the 4th of July, we only had one other special events/occasion to eat out, so that helped me stay disciplined and on-track. As much as I'm sick of keeping a food journal, I know it's SO helpful because it makes me aware of every morsel that goes in my mouth.

I haven't had a chance to menu plan for the coming week yet. We'll be visiting my mom so we'll sit down and plan meals together. I am taking my George Foreman grill with us - it's so portable!

The Scale: Woot! I'm down 1.4 lbs since last week - that seems to be my magic number. I'm very excited to be back into the 220s! For the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge, I am down a total of 6.2 lbs. My total weight loss since January 2010 is 38 lbs! My current BMI is 36.3.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!!


Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. HOWEVER, ALL opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.

Knock Out the Fat Week 8

Where have the last eight weeks gone? Wow, the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is really flying by!

This past week was a good one. A week full of determination and nose to the grindstone.

Fitness: I did cardio 6 days out of 7, for a total of 194 minutes. I started doing the Gruntstyle workouts in place of the fitness circuits this week. Wowza. Those are definitely a challenge! I'm looking forward to the official challenge starting next week.

Although I understand how it got its name, I don't care for the title of the first workout. I saw someone on Twitter question whether our goal was to make ourselves throw up after working out. I don't want people thinking Mamavation is promoting eating disorders - we're not! Mamavation is about making HEALTHY changes for ourselves and our families.

Monday - running 28 minutes; Puke Me Please workout
Tuesday - exercise bike 10 minutes, Sore Winner workout 21 minutes
Wednesday - running 30 minutes, Paralyzed workout
Thursday - exercise bike 30 minutes
Friday - exercise bike 10 minutes, Sweat Monster workout 20 minutes
Saturday - running 45 minutes
Sunday - rest day

Nutrition: It was a solid week in the nutrition department. I kept a careful eye on proper portions. I managed my carb intake (always my weakness). I ate LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies! Lots!

I have learned that is the secret to me feeling satisfied and managing any cravings - lots and lots of fresh produce. And it's definitely easier at this time of year to get a great variety of fruits and veggies. Peaches are in season here, and they are DELISH! And of course, I love grilling veggies on my George Foreman grill.

Here's my healthy menu plan for the week.


The Scale: Yay! I'm down 1.8 lbs this week! I've lost 5 lbs during the George Foreman Knock Out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge, and 36.4 lbs total since January 2010. My current BMI is 36.6.

Thank you to everyone for your words of support and encouragement on last week's post. While I have to post my scale pic and BMI for the Knock Out the Fat challenge, I will continue to focus on the Non-Scale Victories!


Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. HOWEVER, ALL opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own.