Victory! I made it through two days on the BluePrint Cleanse – and if it wasn’t so darn expensive I would have gone several more days!

This is my third time trying the BluePrint Cleanse…I love giving my body a “break” by exercising self control – and feeling that sense of clarity that comes along with cleansing.

This time around I did the “Renovation” cleanse…here are the claims by the folks at BluePrint:

“All of the juices are put through our hydraulic press so that when you drink our juices, the nutrients go directly into your blood stream, feeding your cells within ten to fifteen minutes. All this with no effort on the part of your body for digestion and assimilation. Our juice maintains 3-5 times the vitamins and minerals than juices from other machines.”

Boosts immune system
* Alleviates allergies
* Improves thyroid function
* Provides rest for the digestive organs
* Encourages physical rejuvenation
* Promotes normalized weight
* Promotes normalized blood pressure
* Reverses signs of aging

My juices came in the mail from NYC ice cold. I immediately put them in the refrigerator and starting the following day.

Day 1

7am -

I woke up and had some hot water with a splash of lemon. I followed that up with my first green juice – made up of kale, celery, cucumber, apple, spinach, parsley and lemon. I’ve read others say they hate this juice – I LOVE IT. It’s so crisp and refreshing – believe it or not it’s a better pick me up than my daily dose of coffee…and that’s saying a lot.

10 am -

My stomach is growling at this point. I keep saying to myself, “Mind over matter!”  I’d planned to wait until 11 to have my Pinapple, Apple & Mint juice but my hunger won’t let me. I sit and savor the sweetness of this juice. Hmmm, perfect.

12:30pm -

Time for my 2nd green juice. I down it and head out for a little run/walk.

3pm

Here’s where it gets tough. I pick up my daughter from school and head to the grocery store for a few ingredients for dinner tonight. Even though I won’t be eating, I still need to provide dinner for my family! Darn, I should have planned this out better. As I navigate through the grocery store, I starting thinking about foods I haven’t had in ages. Meatballs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets. WTF? The moment we get back to the car I down my 4th juice. Made up of lemon, water, cayenne and agave – Spicy Lemonade is refreshing, tasty and spicy. I like that kick – just the kick in the pants I need to get over my cravings and grab a few more glasses of water!

5pm -

I’ve done it before and at this very moment I cannot drink my Carrot, Apple & Beet juice. Of all the juices this one is NOT pleasant. I’d rather sip on water…and I do.

7pm -

I’ve made it past dinner time (yay), and now it’s time to enjoy the best part of the cleanse. The Cashew Milk! I SO wish BluePrint sold their juices individually at Whole Foods here in Seattle. (I’m jealous NYC!) Made up of water, cashew, agave nectar, vanilla bean & cinnamon – this juice is the perfect reward for a day with no food.

I go to bed happy and fulfilled.

Day 2

The next day just whizzed by without a hitch. I was busy all day chasing a story for work and so I had no time to think about food. I was only reminded when I had to pull over to use the bathroom way too many times!

By 6pm I was ready to take on my Carrot, Apple & Beet juice. Wow, it wasn’t as bad as I remembered…in fact I liked it!

That night, after I downed my Cashew Nut Milk I felt a little sad that this would be my last juice. It’s hard NOT to succeed on the BluePrint Cleanse. I just felt so good and full of energy. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford a longer cleanse.

PROS: At 1200 to 1400 calories a day – BluePrint juices are delicious, nutritious and fulfilling. In the end I could already see a difference in my skin and the bloat I was feeling days before was gone.

CONS: Cost. Two days costs $180 bucks. Whole Foods in NYC and LA offer individual juices – if they were sold here I would certainly supplement some of my meals with a green juice here and there. BluePrint offers discount codes from time to time. Follow them on Facebook for details and alerts – those codes are coveted!

Have you ever tried BluePrint? Share your story!

TV reporter/anchors Shon Gables and Tonya Mosley are chronicling their weight journey for NewNaturalista. Check out last week’s results here

Okay – I gave up fried chicken and practically everything cooked to a crisp in oil…

But I have a confession…nixing vegetable tempura AIN’T that easy!!

After all a woman’s gotta find happiness somewhere!

And my joyride slid me straight into a Thai restaurant that makes veggies taste like steak.

It was a great idea until I got on the scale.

I lost only 1 pound this week.

#REALITYCHECK

Even veggies dumped in a bucket of grease – will bloat you up!!

Note to self… tempura twice a week only.

I’m increasing water consumption…

I’m training for a half marathon starting next week (yes, running a race with my colleagues in March) and throwing caution to the wind

Life is short and I am going to enjoy the benefits of a life fearlessly lived thru faith and discipline - AT LAST!!!

Denim is getting pretty exciting lately!

Clockwise, Upper Left to Right: Citizens of Humanity “Mandy” floral print roll up jeans $189 (Navy print) www.shopbop.com, Citizens of Humanity “Mandy” floral print roll up jeans $189 (Cream print) www.shopbop.com, BDG Mid-rise jean in black floral print $68 www.urban.com, Kookai floral print jean $69.08 www.asos.com

The usual blues are inviting patterns and prints to play! The fashionable staple can be seen sporting bouquets of floral prints and wearing leopard spots! The past few seasons have been all about making a statement in your denim. While denim is usually the background player for your wardrobe – looks are now built around one strikingly patterned pair of dungarees.

The prints can be adapted to any wardrobe and anyone’s individual style. Love to be the center of attention? Big, bold and bright floral prints are the way to go.

Top Row, Left to Right: Tripp NYC all-over leopard jean $69 www.urbanoufitters.com, Tripp NYC bright leopard jean $68 www.urbanoufitters.com, Joe’s Jeans “Chelsea” leopard print jean $169, www.cusp.com, Snow Leopard jean $39.50 www.delias.com, Bottom Row, Left to Right:, Christopher Blue Smokin Printed Velvet Jean $61 www.neimanmarcus.com, Tripp NYC Leopard jean $66, www.urbanoutfitters.com, Current/Elliot “the Ankle” printed jeans $80 www.net-a-porter.com, 1969 leopard print Jeggings $59.99 www.gap.com

Would you rather be a little more low-key while still being in on the trend? Monochromatic animal prints are for you. There are printed denim options at every price point – even at the Gap! Either way it’s a super hot way to segue from the cold weather of winter to the warmer weather of spring!

NewNaturalista Rewind

Hello, my name is Tonya and I am addicted to Pho soup.

Yes, it’s that bad.

The little voice inside of my head says, “You had it yesterday.”  But my stomach says, “Gimme!” Pho soup (pronounced fah) is a traditional Vietnamese dish – a wonderful mix of noodles, meat (cooked or raw beef, chicken or shell fish), with the most flavorful broth! Fresh mint, cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, lime, sliced chili peppers are just some of my favorite accompaniments. Feeling adventurous? Try out this recipe:

Traditional Pho Soup

THE BROTH

• 2 onions, halved
• 4″ nub of ginger, halved lengthwise
• 5-6 lbs of good beef bones, preferably leg and knuckle
• 1 lb of beef meat – chuck, brisket, rump, cut into large slices [optional]
• 6 quarts of water
• 1 package of Pho Spices [1 cinnamon stick, 1 tbl coriander seeds, 1 tbl fennel seeds, 5 star anise, 1 cardamom pod, 6 whole cloves - in mesh bag]
• 1 1/2 tbl salt
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1 inch chunk of yellow rock sugar (about 1 oz) – or 1oz of regular sugar

THE BOWLS

• 2 lbs rice noodles (dried or fresh)
• cooked beef from the broth
• 1/2 lb flank, london broil, sirloin or eye of round, sliced as thin as possible.
• big handful of each: mint, cilantro, basil
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• 2-3 chili peppers, sliced
• 2 big handfuls of bean sprouts
• Hoisin sauce
• Cock sauce (Sriracha)

Char: Turn your broiler on high and move rack to the highest spot. Place ginger and onions on baking sheet. Brush just a bit of cooking oil on the cut side of each. Broil on high until ginger and onions begin to char. Turn over and continue to char. This should take a total of 10-15 minutes.

Parboil the bones: Fill large pot (12-qt capacity) with cool water. Boil water, and then add the bones, keeping the heat on high. Boil vigorously for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse the bones and rinse out the pot. Refill pot with bones and 6 qts of cool water. Bring to boil over high heat and lower to simmer. Using a ladle or a fine mesh strainer, remove any scum that rises to the top.

Boil broth: Add ginger, onion, spice packet, beef, sugar, fish sauce, salt and simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the beef meat and set aside (you’ll be eating this meat later in the bowls) Continue simmering for another 1 1/2 hours. Strain broth and return the broth to the pot. Taste broth and adjust seasoning – if you want a little more flavor, add a few dashes more of fish sauce, large pinch of salt and a small nugget of rock sugar (or large pinch of regular sugar).

Prepare noodles & meat: Slice your flank/london broil/sirloin as thin as possible – try freezing for 15 minutes prior to slicing to make it easier. Remember the cooked beef meat that was part of your broth? Cut or shred the meat and set aside. Arrange all other ingredients on a platter for the table. Your guests will “assemble” their own bowls. Follow the directions on your package of noodles – there are many different sizes and widths of rice noodles, so make sure you read the directions. For some fresh rice noodles, just a quick 5 second blanch in hot water is all that’s needed. The package that I purchased (above) – needed about 45 seconds in boiling water.

Ladling: Bring your broth back to a boil. Line up your soup bowls next to the stove. Fill each bowl with rice noodles, shredded cooked beef and raw meat slices. As soon as the broth comes back to a boil, ladle into each bowl. the hot broth will cook your raw beef slices. Serve immediately. Guests can garnish their own bowls as they wish.

Recipe from: steamykitchen.com

Television Anchor/Reporter Shon Gables and Tonya Mosley are chronicling their weight loss journey for NewNaturalista – click here for last week’s results.

Shon Week 3

I lost 12 pounds!

Losing it is hard, and the 30 I still have to shed, is clinging like a bad habit. (Yes, I’ve upped the amount I want to lose.)

It takes discipline to get it off,
It takes discipline to keep it off,
And it will require discipline to maintain the goal.

CHANGE MY FRIENDS WILL COST YOU…

All I can ask is “How bad do you want it”?

When you want something lbad enough you will shed ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING that impedes your success.

I am shedding fried food, empty calories, outrageous portions and stupid thinking.

It has cost me too much… and I will no longer pay for it.

Tonya Week 3:

More Than A Pretty Face

Shon’s goals make me think hard about my own success. I have a secret. I’ve never REALLY worked hard at losing weight. I’ve always maintained the idea that moderation and balance will lead to balance in my weight. And yes, I’ve balanced my weight – BUT I haven’t lost significant amounts of weight with this philosophy.

Shon is right – if I want to be the best me I can be I’ve got to up the ante.

My “clicking” moment came last week when someone said to me, “You have such a pretty face.” I mean seriously? Yes it’s a compliment – I hear it all the time – but it’s not lost on me that it’s a compliment you give to FAT girls.

That comment got me into gear – and so far this week I lost 5 pounds. Yay!

Let’s get it!

Check back next week for an update on Shon and Tonya’s journey!

Shon

No, I'M NOT PREGNANT

I am not going to fool myself, the 4 days I took off for New Year’s Eve and my hubby’s birthday celebration has me feeling bloated.

I didn’t stop working out and neither did my mouth!

I had German chocolate cupcakes, a Brazilian red meat fest, a good 10 pieces of French toast and countless baked chocolate chip cookies and garlic bread. Somebody just slap me.

I was bad…real bad. And now I am forgiving myself by adding a new element to my journey.

Seeking deliverance from gluttony.

I eat in excess.

I eat to pass time.

I eat to celebrate.

I eat to mourn.

I eat to pacify stress.

Food is fuel for your body… Not a freaking counselor.

And in my life-faith journey… I am a witness that some things come only through fasting and prayer.

I want God to be my source when I am unsure, anxious, curious and impatient… And trust me, no matter your gender, your race or your socio-economic status… You are coping somehow… But is it productive?

I have not been!

And now I am challenging all, to join me, and consider a short season of fasting and prayer. I need some divine help! I’m ready to destroy one of my many stumbling blocks that has manifested itself in food… But quite frankly could be impacting other areas of my life… I just can’t see it YET!!

#IT’SONANDPOPPIN!!

Be strong!

Weigh in next week!

Tonya

Go Shon!

For me, I chose this week to focus on balance. I’ve learned over the years that extreme diets, workout sessions etc. don’t work for me in the long run. So this week I focused on eating based on the new food pyramid guidelines.

The balance paid off – I shed 2 pounds!

Lately I’ve also been focusing on how foods make me feel. Dairy does a real number on me. White breads and sugar literally put me in a food coma. I can feel it coming on after the first bite. It’s not normal to feel like you need to take a nap after a meal – I hate that feeling!

My goals for Week 3:

1. I’m going to go to bed earlier and wake up an hour earlier to run/workout. Working out in the morning has always worked out better for me.

2. Finish up my hot yoga pass. With my natural hair I have no excuse!

What are your goals this week?

Originally from thekitchn.com:

This is the time of year when strawberries, blueberries and other spring/summer fruits can get expensive. Here are some ways to make fresh, creamy smoothies in the bleak months ahead. NewNaturalista especially likes the idea of adding peanut butter  - just keep in mind the caloric content!

• Bananas, bananas, bananas. They’re good (and cheap) any time of year, but in winter, they’re essential. Here’s the thing: FREEZE THEM. We think this is the key to making thick, creamy smoothies without having to add ice. Do you have a blender that won’t chop ice very well? Frozen bananas are your friend. Peel them before you freeze them.

• Use all frozen fruit—not just berries. The frozen rule goes for all of your fruit. If you aren’t using a banana, frozen mixed berries will also add thickness (we just really hate blending ice). If your blender has a hard time with big, chunky, frozen strawberries, let them thaw for a couple of minutes and chop them into smaller pieces. And use other fruits; frozen peaches are great, as are frozen tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.

• Add peanut butter or nuts. We like the idea of something heartier and less summer-in-a-glass when it’s frigid outside. This Frozen Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Milkshake is more of a dessert, but you could omit the chocolate chips and call it breakfast. Or add some chopped almonds or walnuts.

• Use tofu. This is another good year-round tip, but in the winter, it’s nice to have alternative ingredients when fruit runs low. Tofu adds a good protein and texture. Try thisLow-Sugar, High-Protein, Dairy-Free Smoothie.

• Add ground-up oatmeal. Just another way to give a smoothie some heft and warmth (can we call it warmth?), especially if you’re limited on fresh ingredients. Here’s a post all about it. We’re imagining a banana, oatmeal, yogurt smoothie with some honey or maybe flax seeds.

• Freeze some yogurt and add oranges. Citrus is plentiful right now, but it doesn’t exactly give you a soft, creamy texture. Try freezing some vanilla yogurt (almost like adding ice cream!) and making a creamsicle-ish smoothie.

What are some of your favorite smoothie ingredients? Share them with us!

Originally from the Daily Beast

Courtesy: The Daily Beast

Few in black Hollywood would have suggested or predicted Jennifer Hudson’s 2010 decision to use her full-figured frame, powerful voice, and sweet-faced charm to pitch the not-so-novel idea of weight loss. But Hudson had her own thoughts on how to pave and maintain a path to fame and fortune.

Although Hudson isn’t the first woman of color to star in weight-loss ads—Queen Latifah kicked off the trend on Weight Watchers several years ago—Hudson has perfected the art. And she may have singlehandedly provided a new and highly lucrative blueprint for others yearning to earn top dollar and gain maximum exposure while reigniting a waning fan base. Weight-loss companies often pay seven figures to have major names promote their products.

Now Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson have joined the bunch. Read the rest of this article here

Are these ads inspiring to you?

Shon Gables

I’ve lost 7 pounds! (See original story here)

Shon Gables

I consider this a major feat, considering I wanted to eat everything in sight Christmas Day.  I did not workout because of toe surgery, but skipped all desserts.  I had 3 chocolate chip cookies, because my (ever-so-supportive-hubby) shoved them in my face… and at that point I could not say NO!

I wanted to kickbox today, but reason PREVAILED OVER desperation.  I am going to jog 3 miles and see how my toe does.  The swelling has gone down, but I don’t need to re-injure… and to be honest, I don’t feel like 2 hours of straight hard core cardio after 2 days of mac-n-cheese, yams, collard greens, corn muffins and yes, I had a bowl of frosted flakes.  I even drank soda… good grief, no wonder I blew up.

Back to the grind… get these 3 miles over, P90X sit-up session and Nutrisystem.

Tonya Mosley

I did NOT lose 7 pounds.

Tonya Mosley

Shon Gables

The right clothes (and undergarments) can hide quite a few things…

Shon Gables On Location

But pictures don’t lie…and thank God they don’t.

I decided to take one of my gut, because I wanted to eat one of my 5 year old’s zingers.

No photoshop here!

This photo changed my mind quickly, I have a GOOD INCH I must knock out around the waist line before I even THINK about cheating!

I jumped on the scale as a joke recently.  I knew I was gaining weight, but had no idea it had balloned to 170!  I am 5 pounds from my top weight pregnant with my daughter.  It has been 5 years since I did NutriSystem for the first time and shed 15 pounds.

Here we go again.. this time its 30!  HELP ME JESUS!

I have always loved working out, BUT it’s these Texas sized portions that are out of control.  I’ll be doing NutriSystem is to help reign in portion control.  The exercise to tone it up and praying to remind me, this profits nothing if I am not doing it without a purpose.

So the purpose is to encourage others…your body is a temple…

Respect it.

Honor it.

Take care of it.  It profits you nothing to have a great family, great job and great purpose if you don’t have the health and energy needed to sustain it.

Here we go.  30 lbs in 3 months.  Let the fun begin!

Tonya Mosley

I don’t even take full body pictures anymore.

Even still, I can see the weight gain in my face. I’ve been playing the up and down game all of my adult life – but I hit an all time high after my daughter was born. The problem is, she was BORN 5 years ago. I can’t use the baby excuse anymore – really I have NO excuse.

I’m a pretty healthy person – fruits, veggies and water are daily staples – I also exercise at least two to three times a week. The problem is I don’t push myself hard enough. I’ve got to push myself beyond my comfort zone – no more leisurely runs – I’ve got to boot camp it!

I’ll be pumping up my exercise to 5 times a week – cutting down my portions of “the good stuff” – and remembering the mantra “You either do or do not, there is no try.”

Here we go. 30 pounds in 5 months. Let the fun begin!

Are you on a mission to lose a few in 2012? Join Shon AND Tonya as they both aim to lose 30 pounds by summer.

What are your goals, and how do you plan to do it?