The Holiday Wind Down...

Hey Everyone!

While I may be a tad late to wish you all a Merry Christmas, it's not too late for a Happy Holiday or a Happy New Year!!!

Not posting a specific Christmas blog was actually on purpose! lol (seriously, I considered it and decided to do something a little different).

I am a self proclaimed Christmas fanatic... I love everything about the season! This includes the snow (or in our case lack of :( this year until Boxing day).
Crowds, craziness and alike add to the fun for me, yep I know it's not for everyone but I really do love it all!

This year for some reason I felt an absence of excitement. Maybe it was because this is the first Christmas without my Dad? Maybe the lack of snow which I love so much? Regardless, I found myself forcing the whole Christmas feeling much of the time.
Regardless of the reason, I decided to keep my "holiday" blog until closer to New Year.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas was great. Time spent with friends and family was much needed and appreciated.

Now back to my blog! lol

If you turn on any tv channel or radio station you'll notice a trend... lists! Top 10 moments, sports plays, songs, movies etc. etc.

Sooooo, who am I to mess with a good thing?! Lol

I have decided to compile a partial list of some of my favourite moments of 2012!!! Notice I said PARTIAL!!! :P and in NO particular order!

Sidney breaking her first board!!! lol

Pretty EPIC moment at the Chinese New Year celebration :)

The birth of my niece Elliott :) seen here with my niece Pea (Payton).

Seeing PITBULL in concert!!!! 

Experiencing the Arnolds Sports fest with some AMAZING people!!!

Helping to build a Habitat house :)

Finally getting my chandelier tattoo!!! 

All of the amazing and inspiring friends I have met! 

Some of my favourite memories (work wise) come from being part of my Brides wedding day and this year was no exception! 

It would make for an insanely long blog to post all my weddings/events from 2012 but here is a couple of highlights ;)

Clearly not a wedding but such an incredible honour to get my Coach and friend ready for a photo shoot!

Getting longtime friend and fellow boot camper Trixie ready for her wedding!

And last but certainly not least... one of my BFF's Vicki :)

Getting Vicki ready for her big day was a blessing and highlight of my year!

So there you have it folks! While I'm sure I've left out a bunch of awesomeness, this is just a taste of the greatness that 2012 brought!

It is so easy to dwell on the past and the sadness or heartbreak it may have brought.

I could sit here and label 2012 as the year I lost my Dad... that is true BUT what good does it serve to blanket a year in one sadness when so much happiness was felt as well?!

At least that's how I'm choosing to look at it all :)

So now what? 

Well this is probably the part where I'm supposed to blurt out a bunch of resolutions for 2013 right? lol

Giving much thought to resolutions has left me with one definite... keep on keeping on! 

That's all I've got for right now and that is perfectly fine with me. :)

In the words of my Poppy (my Dads father).. "Be happy". Sounds like a good plan to me and I wish the same for you all! ;)

Until next time, 

Happy New Year Hugs...

-Crystal :) xo

Holiday Cravings!!!

Hey Everyone!

I bet many of you are feeling the same, Holiday treats EVERYWHERE!!! What's a girl (or boy lol) to do?!?!

My holiday cravings fall into two very specific categories...

1. Chocolate

2. Cinnamon/Spice (I include fruitcake in this category, I love fruitcake... don't judge!) ;)

I will leave the topic of chocolate alone... for now :P (I will address that in another blog)

Now cinnamon...Mmmmmmmm....cinnamon!!!

Nothing feels more like Christmas and the Holidays to me then the smell, and better yet, taste... of cinnamon!

Great bonus of this wonderful spice is that it has a whack load of health benefits!

Check out this (partial) list...

* regulates blood sugar and suppresses hunger
* helps lower bad LDL Cholesterol
* shown to help decrease pain associated with arthritis
* may help to decrease signs of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's
* aids in minimizing menstrual pains (this does NOT mean go eat a Cinnamon Bun and skip your cramps!) lol

Ok, so Cinnamon is awesome!
What next? Step away from the baked goods!!!

There are super simple ways to get the same riboflavin (my fancy word for taste ;) without killing your entire week of dieting efforts.

Try adding cinnamon and maybe a little stevia or honey to your greek yogurt, for instance.

Because I AM a BeautyFit girl, the new Sin-o-bun BeautyWhey is a staple for me.
It really is kind of ridiculous that it tastes so good! lol No complaints here though!!!

So this is my favourite oatmeal!! 

May not look like much but I would take someone down if they stood between me and this bowl of goodness!!!

The recipe is so difficult that your head may explode...

1/2cup dry oatmeal (not instant)
water to cover plus a little more
put it in a microwave safe bowl
nuke for 3min
add 1 scoop sin-o-bun BeautyWhey
stir... eat

WHOA BABY!!!! ;) It tastes like oatmeal cookie dough!

If you're looking for something on the frozen treat side, try this...

This is the closest thing to drinking pumpkin pie!!! Mmmmmm!!!

In a blender combine 1 scoop Sin-o-Bun BeautyWhey with 3 cubes of frozen pumpkin puree (incase you missed that blog, I freeze pumpkin puree in ice cube trays).

Add approx 6oz - 8oz of water and blend.

That's it!!! 

So between these two quick fixes, I have my cinnamon/spice craving covered!!! ;) 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a robot, sometimes a girl just needs...

FRUITCAKE!!! :D

(Insane yummy Fruitcake made by my friend Lindsey!) 

Remember the whole dieting/eating clean and healthy throughout the holidays thing is NOT rocket science. Just remember...

Til next time...

Fruitcake hugs... Crystal :) xo

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all well and enjoying the first tell tale signs of winter coming!!! (Hey, stop your groaning lol I LOVE Winter!!! AND CHRISTMAS!!!)

While there are valid arguments to be made for keeping the past in the past, there is also a benefit to not forgetting where you started.

I'm actually writing this because I made a promise to a couple of the ladies at bootcamp.

This whole weight loss/ lifestyle change has been 2years in the making for me. I tend to forget that many of the women I meet don't know that I was obese until they add me to Facebook or hear my story through others at camp and check out my blog.

Each time a new boot camp starts, I get the chance to meet the "newbies"! lol This truly is a term of endearment as you are only a "newbie" for one hour... after that, you're one of Coach Compton's Beauties and therefore... a sister!
I'm a social kind of person (understatement of the year ;) and love chatting it up before and after camp.
It's inevitably, during one of these conversations that someone asks about how hard it was for me to start.

I've unfortunately seen too many women give up on themselves because they thought, like I did, that they were a lost cause OR that working out is too hard.

Well, here is the story of my very first training session with Sam... it's my way of showing you that it is possible if you want it bad enough...

Late August 2010, (stargate log... hahahaaaa sorry my inner nerd wrote that! ;)

It's a Tuesday morning, the first day of my new "journey". I'm determined to make it stick this time... I'm PUMPED!!!
I'm wearing size 22 black yoga pants and a red tshirt that is bedazzled with the words... ADDICTED TO GLAMOUR (still have the shirt btw!) OH and I'm wearing mascara!

Sandra comes to my home (can't go AWOL at your own house lol) with a duffle bag of stuff and a blue exercise ball.
I'm all stoked because I have an elliptical... wooooooo me!!! lol
I'm told to do a warmup of 10min on said elliptical, on the easiest setting I might add.

10min pass... I'm winded as HELL and beet red in the face I'm sure!

Sam brings out the big blue exercise ball and shows me how to do wall squats with it.... I do one set, then get 3 into the second set....

BOOM!!! Dizzy, seeing spots, want to hurl badly.

Next thing I know, I'm on my couch being fed sugar water.
I have strict instructions to take it easy and eat some fruit. I feel like a complete moron... and a failure!!!
Well, it was nice knowing Sam... even if it was for a short time. There is no way I'm going to see her again, I'm sure she doesn't do lost causes!

I get a msg from Sam a few hours later... asking how I'm doing. That's nice! Making sure I'm not dead lol I'm fine, she can move on knowing I'm still breathing.

Wednesday, another message making sure I'm ok and telling me to go for a walk. Wow, she's really going above and beyond before she fires me.

Thursday, HOLY $#!T! Sam's at my door! I really did not think she'd be coming back.
While I thought I was a lost cause, she clearly did not agree.
SO if this woman is willing to give me another go at it, who am I to waste her time?!?!

Guess what? I did that entire 1hr session. Was it hard? You'd better effing believe it!!! I will never forget the training sessions at my house!
Walking lunges from my kitchen to my living room, wall squats and pushups on my stairs. Each one of these were the hardest things I've ever done... until the next thing!

Incase you missed the "secret" here it is... regardless if you're on your first workout or your 700th, this is the one truth...
Your workouts will never get "easier"... it's YOU thats getting stronger! PERIOD!

Stick with it... one day at a time.

And on that note...

Here is one of my fave "getting pumped up" jams ;)

Till next time,

Hugs from memory lane!

-Crystal :) xo

How to Survive Hallowe'en!!! Aaahhhhhhh!!!!!

Hey Everyone!

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!!!

Let me start by saying... I am a HUGE CHICKEN S#!T... yep! It's true!!!

There is only one person to blame for this....

Freaking Michael Myers... ***SHIVER***

I'm deleting that pic off my computer ASAP!!!

Seriously CREEPY, scares the shiite outta me!!!

OK... Bunnies, unicorns, rainbows.... 

I'll attempt to continue :P

Back on track.... lol

This is my 3rd Hallowe'en sans gluttony! lol

Soooo I thought I'd share what has become my Hallowe'en tradition to avoid mowing down on chocolate etc....

Sugar Snap Peas!!!

They're crunchy and sweet and yummy (especially if you have some hummus)!!!

SSP's have been my go to since I first began my weight loss mission. From Hallowe'en to late night munchie cravings, they've been there for me.... *sigh* LOL

The next trick to avoiding ghastly gobbling ;) Buying treats you DON'T LIKE!!!

While some people (like my family) love NIBS etc. I am a chocoholic... Period! :P

These treats pose zero threat to my diet. YAY Me!!!

Now to avoid the hoard of mini chocolate bars that will soon enter my home.... :S

Wish this could be longer for you but my doorbell keeps ringing!!! ;) 

Til next time...

and speaking of Protein... my Sin-O-Bun BeautyWhey is here!!! 

Make sure to order some, it's ridiculously delicious! (More to come in a later Blog ;)

Hallowe'en Hugs.... BOO!!!

-Crystal :) xo

Happy Thanksgiving!!! (Canada) ;) and recipe!!!

Hi Everyone!

For all of my Canadian friends and family... Happy Thanksgiving!!! and for all of my American peeps, I will celebrate all over again in November in your honour! lol (any excuse for TURKEY!!!)

This pretty much sums up how I feel about this time of year! (wait til winter hits ;) lol

Wanted to share with you all some photos from my new favourite spot...

There is this great natural area just up the road from my house. Its been outfitted with some paved and unpaved trails, bridges, lookouts....

and strategically placed flat boulders which just beg to be jumped on! lol

I seriously ran past these my first time on the trail and backtracked to do plyo jumps!!! :P It was almost a moment of WWSD (what would Sam do?!) hahahaaaa

There are 6 of them in this spot, 10 reps on each = better legs and backside! :D

This is the view from one of the lookouts onto the pond.

As many of you know, I'm not a natural "runner", I force every step. BUT, for whatever reason, running is where I end up when I'm missing my Dad. This place has just become very welcoming for me :) 

I find trail running a great challenge! Because of the constant change of terrain, its not "boring" and I find myself being continuously challenged with inclines, declines and ever appearing branches! lol

I didn't go to the trails here once during the spring or summer but the lure of fall colours were too much to resist. Low and behold, I have a new "home" to add to my list. Being that this is my first Thanksgiving without Dad, it's perfect.

Ok! I also promised many of you the recipe for my Clean Pumpkin Muffins!!!

So here it is...

Clean Pumpkin Muffins

Preheat oven to 350*F

1 egg + 2 whites

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) canned OR homemade

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup wheat bran

1 cup oats (not instant)

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup dark organic chocolate chips (at least 70%cocoa)

approx 1/2 cup skim milk

*optional 3/4 cup mild cheddar cheese cut into mini cubes

1. In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and honey

2. Add olive oil, pumpkin and vanilla

3. In a large bowl, mix remaining dry ingredients and make a well in the centre

4. Pour liquid ingredients into well and mix just until combined using the skim milk to loosen the batter if its too stiff

5. Divide batter into a lined muffin tin and bake for 25-30min 

*it may sound weird but the cheese is really yummy, especially for kids!

Try substituting the pumpkin for mashed bananas, applesauce or even organic carrot baby food!

And if you don't know what to do with leftover pumpkin puree...

I freeze it in ice cube trays!!! Each cube is approx. 1oz 

Try adding 2-3 cubes to your vanilla protein shake with some cinnamon! Mmmmmmmm!!! 

Again, hoping you all had a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!

Warm, fuzzy autumn hugs...

-Crystal :) xo

Back to school, routine and BROWNIES!!!

Hey Everyone!

Well for all our Canadian kids today is "Back to School" day!!!

While I know many of us look at this time of year with the relief of not having to combat summer boredom, I love this time of year for many reasons!
Yes! Not having to deal with the "what are we doing today" or "I'm bored" is definitely a plus BUT I really love the routine that comes with going back to school.

While I don't have a "routine" 9-5 job, having even a basic set routine for my household makes so many things more manageable!!! I'm not talking about a full timeline of the days events broken down by the quarter hour... though that does work for many! (bless them for being that organized!!!) Lol
I can do a school drop off, hit the gym, come home to clean up and work etc. etc.
Just a simple routine can feel like a weight has been lifted (at least for me).

So this is my monkey on her first day of grade 7!!! Yikes!!!

I also find that September is like a new beginning, the same kind of feeling many get at New Years. 

Goal setting and organizing feels natural to me this time of year, maybe it has something to do with Christmas coming "soon" OH NOOOOOO... I said CHRISTMAS!!! In September!!! lol I LOVE Christmas!!! And since it's my blog... hahaha ;)

Anyhoo.......

So with all this talk of routine and such comes the dreaded... packing of lunches!!! Aaahhhhhhh!!! lol

I know I've talked about the Clean Eating cookbook brownies before, they are a great alternative to prepackaged baked stuff. (Coach Compton and I even did a video on them! see the link below)

But for those just hearing about them or wanting the recipe to copy and paste... here it is!

Clean Black Bean Brownies (Single batch)

• olive oil cooking spray

• 1oz dark baking chocolate (pref. organic)

• 1 1/2 cups soft cooked black beans (I use canned, rinsed very well)

• 2 eggs + 1 white 

• 2tbsp olive oil

• 1/4 heaped cup cocoa powder

• 1tsp. baking powder

• 1tsp. pure vanilla

• 1/4cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1/2cup honey

• chopped walnuts (optional but I don't add them ever due to nut allergies in school)

Preheat oven to 350*F and spray a 8x8 pan with olive oil spray

Melt baking chocolate in a saucepan or in microwave on low.

Layer the remaining ingredients in a large blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Add melted chocolate and blend. Stir in walnuts by hand, if using.

Pour into baking pan and bake for 30min.

Let cool completely before cutting! Makes approx 9

Thats it!!! Super simple! :)

And if you want to see the video...

Until next time...

Back to school and brownie hugs... Crystal :) xo

Cheesecake anyone?!

Hey Everyone!

I can't believe I totally forgot to post this for you all to see!!! lol I started it way back in March and it must have gotten lost in the mix :( 

Well better late than never!!!

Below you will find a photo of me that was taken by a dear friend of mine Vicki when we ventured off to see her all time favourite group... HANSON in Buffalo, NY (Yes I said Hanson! They're amazing in concert BTW!).

We ended up at Cheesecake Factory cause really, why wouldn't you?! lol

The funny thing about this photo is that it was taken about 2 weeks before I met Sandra "Coach" Compton. The rest you could say is history! lol

Now... Fast forward a year and a half later....

Here I am once again at the Cheesecake Factory after the Arnolds Sports weekend in Ohio!

This photo was taken by Jimmy the BeautyFit man after I showed him the above photo (which was the last time I was at CCF).

He quickly commented on how I had even shrunk in height... I attribute that to the loss of my "booster seat" LOL!!!

On the days that I feel like I still have so far to go, I stop to take a moment and try to really remember how far I've come.

There are many like me, that have overcome severe obesity and many many more that don't think it's possible for them.

I was one of those... one of the millions who had almost thrown in the towel thinking I was just destined to be fat with a nice personality. I say ALMOST cause clearly... I have lots of fight left in me ;)

It's different for everyone, the catalyst or moment you realize that being obese isn't who you are... it doesn't define you or in my case, become a really convenient reason to hide in the shadows or be less successful than I want to be.

When you get to "that" point, you'll know it and feel it... and when you've decided enough is enough, for real this time... just know that it CAN be done. Not overnight and not using a gimmick...

Til next time...

What starts with Cheesecake... ends with the treadmill ;)

Hugs... Crystal :) xo

P.S.

Here's some Hanson for you all! Dedicated to Vicki ;)