ABpetite

Bye Bye You Can Find Me...

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:12:00 +0000

Packin' up our bags and headin' to the beach in Florida!

Make sure and follow me on Instagram to stay updated :).

Oh and while I am gone we will be having a very fun Guest Post so don't miss it! Hint hint!

Follow Friend Friday {Bloglovin'}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:18:00 +0000

Click here & USE CODE Groupie15 NOW!

Paleo Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:02:00 +0000

Meet Sarah she blogs over @ Fueled a Flame. Cute Sarah has a very inspiring blog about her weight loss journey, she shares great recipes, oh and today she is having a freakin' awesome giveaway! Want a $50 Visa Gift Card? Yeah me too. Click here to enter! Who doesn't need a little inspiration in there lifes? I know I do so thats why I follow Sarah and you should too! When I asked Sarah what special recipe she wanted just for her she informed me that she had started to do the Paleo Diet and to make her a recipe that she could munch on. So I came up with these bad boys! Alright they aren't bad they are good! And super duper easy to make. So easy that I have made them 3 times sense creating them for Sarah. The family loves them, I hope you AND Sarah will too!

Blog // Bloglovin' // Instagram // Pinterest

Here are Sarah's Paleo Cookies!

_________________________

Servings: 12

Serving Size: 1 cookie

Calories: 97.5

Fat: 9.6 g

Carbs: 6.3

Fiber: 1.8

Protein: .6

Points +: 2

Old Points: 2

__________________________

Needed:

2 medium bananas

1 cup unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup semi sweet dark chocolate chips

Create:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash bananas. Melt chocolate chips. Mix all ingredients together. Dabble mixture in cupcake tins. Cook for 30 minutes.

Oh one more thing!! Groupie Ads are 15% off today!! Use promo code Groupie15

Oh Life

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:26:00 +0000

You know when that awesome thing called life just gets right in the way of the things you need ta do? Well that’s precisely why you haven't been seeing me quite as much as usual. Dudes I haven't been cookin'.. I have been livin' life ya'll! I feel like I need to apologize to you guys.. What I am meaning to say is sorry.. Sorry like as sorry as I am when I tell my husband that "Sorry babe I totally forgot to pick up your gel from the store today!" When in all actuality you remembered in every way you actually thought about it way too often but, just didn't want to stop by the store. Well... Not that store you wanted to stop by the mall after work instead.

As sorry as I am when I tell my son KJ "Sorry that you can't get a cheese quesadilla today from Cafe Rio they are out of cheese!" {Yes I have used that excuse twice now}.

As sorry as I am that I have a terrible singing voice and my darling sister in law had to listen to me sing her a lovely song. Sorry Cassidy. Love you!

As sorry as I am that I am putting this picture of myself and the hubs on the blog today when he told me not to. Sorry babe!

Live life peeps! Do something YOU want to do today!! Instead of what everyone else wants/expects you to do!

Follow Friend Friday {Bloglovin'}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:43:00 +0000

Stuffed Mushrooms

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:38:00 +0000

I made this recipe just for Tiffany @ My Smile Saga! She requested a recipe that she cook take to her tailgating events. So I decided to share a family fav with ya'lls just for Tiffany! I have been eating these yummy stuffed mushrooms for just about every family event sense I can remember and they are goooood. I promise. Don't tell my family but I have been skinnying them on up for the past two times I have made them! How have I been doing that? By switching to TURKEY sausage and good ol' FAT FREE cream cheese. Meet Tiffany! She is ready. set. go. for football season!

Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Facebook

_________________________

Servings: 18

Serving Size: 2 stuffed mushrooms

Calories: 116

Fat: 6 g

Carbs: 1.2 g

Fiber: .37 g

Protein: 13.4 g

Points +: 3

Old Points: 3

__________________________

Needed:

24 ounces white raw mushrooms

1 ream of Jeanie O hot turkey sausage

2 tablespoons Worcestershire

1 cup fat free cream cheese

Create:

Brown sausage. Add cream cheese and Worcestershire to mixture. Rinse mushrooms and dry them. Pop the stem out of each mushroom. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of cooked mixture into each mushroom cap. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the top of the mushrooms are browned.

Just Cause I Love Ya

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:59:00 +0000

Simply Free invited me to share you this awesome giveaway I am a part of!

We have teamed up to share some awesome goodies with you, because we just love our followers, we are sharing some love! Take a few minutes and show each of them some love and see what YOU could win below.

ONE lucky reader will win over $200 + of goodies from these lovely bloggers!

Check out each blogger below to see what they are giving away and show them some LOVE!

1// Lauren // 1 month Large Ad Space

2// Teressa // 1 month Large Ad Space

3// Samantha // 1 month Ad Space & Custom Design Mood Board

4// Caroline// 1 month Ad Space

5// Ashley F. // Devotional Book

6// Ashley C. // 1 month Large Ad Space

7// Lauren L. // T-shirt of Choice from her Etsy Shop
8// Clara // ten emmy-jay hair ties
9// Gayle // 1 month Ad Space
10 // Ashlee // Super Duper Skinny Ad Space
11 // Marquis // 1 month Medium Ad Space
12 // Joy // $20 Target Gift Card
13// Logan // 1month Espresso Ad Space

Be sure to check out these lovely ladies, and enter below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cinco De Mayo Fresh Salsa

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:51:00 +0000

Hi ABpetite readers, it's me again...Stephanie from Never The Same Spice Twice! I wanted to do something special for my guest post, and thought this was perfect! I could LITERALLY live on salsa....I'm pretty sure of it! I love all kinds of salsa - hot, mild, medium, restaurant style, green, fire roasted, jarred, fresh....you name it!!!! Here is one favorite way that I like to make it fresh at home!

Ingredients:

5 tomatoes (really ripe*)

A LARGE handful of cilantro

1 1/2 cups of tomato puree

3 Tbsp. of lime juice

1/2 yellow onion

1/4 red onion

1 jalapeño - (seed and ribs removed if you don't want it super spicy)

3 cloves of garlic

1 Tsp. of salt

1 Tsp. of cumin

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor, and pulse until smooth.

2. Enjoy for a few days...this makes A LOT!

(*If you can't find really ripe, fresh tomatoes... then use a can of whole peeled tomatoes, and eliminate the tomato puree)

__________________________________

What a PERFECT Cinco De Mayo recipe right? Totally made THIS this last weekend and it really is just as amazing as it looks with the BEST flavor! Can't wait for you to try it. Share your love with Steph and follow her! Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest //

Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe friend. So happy to have you in my life and so is my belly!

Follow Friend Friday {Bloglovin'}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:20:00 +0000

Heart Shaped Sweat

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:45:00 +0000

This post is going to just brighten up your Thursday. If you don't already know Kristine @ Heart Shaped Sweat well you are gonna be SOOOooo glad you did just in time for summer. This girl will get you healthy and in shape in a snap. Read her inspirational blog, follow along, love her, do what she says {obviously she knows her stuff} and you will be all set! I was lucky enough to interview this lovely and you get to see what she said :).

Bloglovin' // Twitter // Pinterest // Facebook // Instagram

Why did you start blogging?

When my husband stopped listening to me! kidding, he's a sweetie and would listen all day :) I started blogging because a few friends were asking for fitness/health advice. It was such a wonderful feeling to share with them my stories and get them up and motivated. I take that inspiration to the blog.

What do you do as your day job? Do you have a day job?

I work in dentistry, and by April I will have reduced to just two days a week! I'm beyond excited to have more time at home with my two boys and potentially be more of a day blogger than night blogger ;)

What is your blogging goal?

it's yet to change. To always motivate and inspire. and leave a little trail of me and the fam.

Do you have any pets?

Zina! Weighing in heavier than me and the toddler together! An American Bulldog with the preppiest of manners.

Who is your favorite blogger?

WHAT?! how could I answer this in just one line, it would clear an entire post. So many beautiful ladies out there!

What do you do for a hobby?

shopping?! and any other extra time seems to go to exercise and blogging. We're an active family and by night when I could turn to hobbies, I tend to read and write next to hubs as he catches up on sports. But, I do love a good thrift find and purposing it within our home! That's a neglected hobby of mine.

What are some random facts about you?

I straighten my straight hair. I love wedges over heels. I swear by the beach, a good stretch, and bouts of laughter.

Where do you live?

Currently, Virginia. This summer we move to Colorado Springs!

How many kids do you have if you have kids?

Two boys! One a tween, One a toddler :)

What is your number one pet peeve?

number one pet peeve other than stubbing toe....would be sloppy table manners. close mouth, breathe quietly through nose!

_____________________________

Whats not to love about that adorable little lady am I wrong??

Your should follow Kristine on Bloglovin' // Twitter // Pinterest // Facebook // and Instagram.

Fashion Side of ABpetite Take 2

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:43:00 +0000

Hey girls I am trying out the fashion side of ABpetite again! Thanks to Ragazza Bazaar for sending me this Springy {yes Springy} yellow dress!

What do you guys think?? Want one? They are super cheap and even come with that cute little belt! Just fill out this form and get one today. Oh and did I mention that today is the LAST day for free shipping?? Also they have lots of cute ideas for your moms for Mothers Day. Your welcome for saving your butts. I am out for today friends.. See ya'll tomorrow!

What $60 Gets Ya!

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:18:00 +0000

What does $60 get ya the month on May?

Well...this is about to go fast friends so be ready for this Announcement and act fast! How would you like YOUR blog to be featured on mine ABpetite {of course},

Melissa @ A Mile in Her Boots, Ashley @ Wannabe Green, Stephanie @ Never The Same Spice Twice, Kristine @ Heart Shaped Sweat, Lauren @ Pink on the Cheek the whole month of May for ONLY $60?? Good deal right! So your blog or shop would be on ALL of our blogs as a LARGE ad that included a group giveaway will all of us girlies!

You want in right?? ONLY THE FIRST 10 PEOPLE WILL GET THIS DEAL!

Just click here and be a groupie!

We Did It!

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:11:00 +0000

Congrats lovers WE DID IT! The Green Smoothie Challenge was a HUGE success :). Thank you guys so much for your participation. How did you do? How do YOU feel? I feel so healthy right now that I am defiantly going to continue to drink my greens EVERY day.

Well here is a little recap of what went down this past week:

Katherine - Hope - Ashlee -Sally - Jezz - Kristine

Here are the pictures of all my greens the past 7 days

Did you make an awesome recipe you need to share for the challenge? Well you best share! Link it up!

One more totally fabulous giveaway!! You guys are gonna miss these huh?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Smoothie Time Link Up {Dos}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:49:00 +0000

Happy Friday Friends!

We are more than halfway done with our challenge! YAY! I thought I would talk to you guys a little bit about when and why I started eating healthy in honor of the Green Smoothie Challenge. It all started when I first got married.. I started cooking for our new little family I was finding recipes online that looked so scrumptious. I made lots of recipes and they ALL had SOOO much fat in them. When I saw how much butter, sugar, salt, cream cheese, and just fat were in the recipes I was cooking I seriously couldn't even eat it. So I decided to lighten up the recipes that I was making and surprisingly they still were just as good. I lightened up family favorites for family events and brought them to the parties.. no one could even tell the difference! So this is when my mission started. I started to come up with my own recipes and make them healthier. When I first got married I weighed 20 pounds more than I do now. I have to think that this has everything to do with my new eating habits. I worked out a lot then.. I probably work out more now, but, the diet is defiantly what helped me lose the weight. I can't even imagine going back to eating all the garbage. It really takes some mental help to help you lose weight. Thankfully this is what did the trick for me. Even though I was cooking healthy didn't mean I was eating enough veggies, I wasn't. So that is why the Green Smoothie Challenge has been helping me so much. Seriously every single morning I wake up I am totally pumped about making my family a smoothie {I know I am a nut}. But, it really just starts my day out right. What about you guys?

When did your healthy eating start? How do you feel about the smoothies?

Link up your creations and new recipes you have found for the challenge! We have had such a great turn out in this event :). So fun we are all getting healthy together.

If you missed the last yummy recipes check them out!

Follow Friend Friday {Bloglovin'}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:26:00 +0000

Its that time to start thinking about WHO to Sponsor with for the month of May..Use code Skinny Spring

4 Things 4 the 4th Day.. Hint: You Get FREE Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:54:00 +0000

Day 4 of the Green Smoothie Challenge can only mean 4 things..
1. Me {below}
2. Me holding my Green Bloody Mary Smoothie {below}
3 & 4. Two freakin' healthy delish giveaways. SunWarrior has sponsored this awesome giveaway so we can all thank them for the goods. Also Katherine cause without her this challenge wouldn't be possible..

Ormus Greens Giveaway!
Are 4 things of course
1. Grown and produced in America
2. 100% organic
3. Completely raw
4. Eco friendly

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Liquid Light Giveaway!
Is ALSO 4 things
1. Helps balance pH in your body
2. Replaces electorliytes
3. Goes great in smoothies, juice, or water
4. Awesome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wait 4 more things..
1. Thanks for entering to win :).
2. If you missed the Link Up yesterday check it out. There are some awesome smoothie recipes that you just gotsta try.. AND if you have a recipe you like then share the love with us!
3. Keep up the good work!
4. Come back tomorrow for more action!

Smoothie Time Link Up!

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:06:00 +0000

Today for all of you amazing participants in the awesomely awesome Green Smoothie Challenge we are linking on up to show off the goods... Tomorrow we are doing ANOTHER great giveaway... Hope you guys are having fun with this. We {Katherine - Hope - Ashlee - Sally - Jezz - Kristine} have been having a great time thanks to ALL of you guys particpating so thank you so much to all of you!

Berry Blast Green Smoothie {secret ingredient added}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:02:00 +0000

Happy Day 2!! How are you doing so far with the challenge??

It is going great here. My family is getting really into it so we have been creating new recipes together. This recipe was created by KJ and we all agree it is amazing!

Needed:
Makes 2 smoothies

1 cup mixed frozen berries
1 very full cup of spinach leafs
1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk

Create:
Blend! Enjoy!

It sounds a bit odd.. like REALLY odd I know but I dare you to try it! We tried it with and without the spinach and the spinach softens all the flavors and really brings them together..

I got your attention with this recipe huh? Any of you gonna dare to try it?? Please stop by tomorrow for the green smoothie link up!

Day 1 of the 7 Day Green Smoothie Challenge!

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:09:00 +0000

Hey Ya'll! Its FINALLY here the 1st day of our green delicious smoothies! If you didn't already sign up it's not too late its ONLY day 1 so click here.

Here is the skinny:
It is easy peasy, your gonna just love it, promise :).
1. Add 1 green smoothie to your diet for the next 7 days.
2. Visit all of us Green Smoothie HOSTS {Katherine // Hope // Ashlee // Sally //Jezz // Kristine} frequently during the challenge {and always hehe} this is a huge added bonus! Katherine @ Real Food Runner is giving all sorts of totally awesome things away. So make sure to thank the gorgous Katherine for putting this all together when you win!

If you need any pointers on the how to's of making a green smoothie, check out this how to that Katherine posted. I found it super helpful!

Here is the 1st giveaway to kick off the fun! What are we giving away?? Its called Amazing Grass two of you will win 1- 30 serving Amazing Meals {a $70 value for each}. Amazing Grass is an organic green superfood company.Winner picks flavor. Wanna try it?? You best be entering to win, like now.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today's Green Smoothie - Day 1

Ingredients:
1 grape fruit
1 banana
1 cup strawberries
1 cup berries
1 carrot
1 celery stick
1 cucumber
1 cup spinach
1 cup kale
1 large tomato
4 tablespoons of chia seeds

Most of these ingredients are Super Foods.. together they were super amazing. This made enough smoothies to serve 4 people a large glass. My darling sister in law got my family started on green smoothies. She is such a believer on living a green smoothie life style that she bought MY family a Vitamixer. I know I have the best sister in law on the planet! We are so excited to make this part of our healthy life beyond the 7 day challenge and we {all of us hosts} hope you do too.

What did you have in your DAY 1 Green Smoothie?? Have you ever had a green smoothie before?

Workout @ Home with an Embarrassing VLOG

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:32:00 +0000

I gust posted this awesome workout @ the lovely Ashley @ Wannabe Green. If you missed it well this is your time for you to be quilted into working out this weekend... SORRY! This is a kick A star star workout that takes NO time at all. Plus I posted some embarrassment of myself so you might be able to laugh at me through this intense workout. Hahha {if I say some stuff that doesn't make sense in the vlog well what else is new but it is because I made the vlog for my guest post at Wannabe Green.

Step 1 read the work out

Step 2 realize you are doing this workout

Step 3 laugh at me while watching the vlog

Step 4 move your dogs and kids out of the way for 10 minutes while you kick some A star star.

Now for the embarrassment!!

Salted Skinny Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:11:00 +0000

So here is a tease!!!!!! I am GUEST POSTING these over at KTJ Weighing In.

I will be posting a recipe on my girl KTJ's blog EVERY month! So be there or be square :)

Go ahead, go get the recipe I dare you.

OH and you should defiantly come back tomorrow for a super embarrassing vlog :)!

Follow Friend Friday {Bloglovin'}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:39:00 +0000

Have you met Coco yet?? Go say hi!

You Gotta Start Somewhere!

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:15:00 +0000

Hi everyone! I'm so excited that Ashlee is allowing me to guest post here again! I'm Katie and I blog over at KTJ Weighing In. I've been overweight my whole life and now I'm documenting my journey to finally lose the weight!

Weight loss in general is slow! It seems like it takes forever! I'm now 35 pounds in to my journey and have a tendency to qualify my weight loss saying I've only lost 35 pounds, but earlier this week I posted about it on my blog and compared a before and after picture and I'm amazed at how much 35 pounds can really be!

Here is my "in progress" before and after picture:

We all have to start somewhere!

If you are on a weight loss journey too, trying to lose 5 pounds or 100+, it can be frustrating. Eating healthy is definitely the key. There aren't any tricks, it is simple. That is what is so great about this blog, Ashlee has so many great recipes where you can enjoy low calorie, point friendly foods, without sacrificing taste.

The other aspect of weight loss is definitely exercise. Obviously, none of this is rocket science, but depending on your schedule it can be really difficult to fit in more exercise.

For instance, I'm an attorney. I have a sedentary job where I'm at my desk the majority of the day. The bulk of your week is really spent wherever you work. I wore a tracker for a little to see how much exercise I was getting during an average work day and I was shocked with how little I was moving!

But if you spend 8+ hours at work, when are you supposed to fit in exercise?

First, you have to stop making excuses. If it is important to you, you will find a way to make it work. But, we can start small.

Here are a few places where I've snuck in a little more movement in my day:

Sending papers to a farther away printer. Each time you print something you need to walk just a little bit further.
If you can take a lunch break, spend half of it walking outside.
Take the steps, not the elevator. I know this one is a pretty common suggestions, but I work in a city and so sometimes I'm on a 20+ floor. Walking up may not be feasible, but at the end of the day could you walk down? Or maybe take the elevator to a lower floor and walk the rest?
Take mini breaks. After sitting for an hour, get up and get yourself a drink, use the restroom. Get your muscles moving! It isn't being not productive, it helps your brain too. Give your brain a brief break and start your next task.
If you have an office you could consider getting an exercise ball, then you could be working your core while completing your office work!
At home put your snacks in your basement in a box. If you want to get a snack you then need to walk up and down a flight of stairs.

So many little things I'm sure you can think of to just get moving a little bit more throughout your day! Think of the exercise you did today. Now tomorrow, just try to double it! You don't need to run a 5k tomorrow, just try to make little increases.

What ways can you think of to get moving more during your day?

______________________________________________________

Thanks so much Katie you are helping SOOOOooooo many people get motivated and inspiring people daily. I look up to you so much and have to say that 35 pounds gone is a lot!!! Thank you so much for sharing your beginning with us all so we can make better decisions in our day to day.
One thing that I do regularly to get moving is I take the stairs everywhere at work. At our work we have to park on level 6 so I take tons of stairs in and out of work. Also, I work on the 4th floor in our building but our office has 3 floors. So no matter where I am going in our office I take those dang stairs.
Again, thanks for being here Katie you are the best!!!
I wanted to mention some exciting news to you guys about little miss Katie and I... Katie had a very fun idea that once a month {maybe twice a month} I am going to be posting a recipe on HER blog. Tomorrow is the first day that this is going down... So go check out what recipe I came up with! Hint: It's chocolate..

Have you met my friend Coco yet?? Go say hi!

Happy 1st Birthday ABpetite!

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:13:00 +0000

1 year ago today was my 1st Post EVER Olive Tomato Chicken.

I still remember my thoughts about starting a blog. I started writing because I found Kelly @ Eat Yourself Skinny's Blog. I was a regular to reading her blog. She just was beyond creative, fun, cute, spunky and top of all of that she was changing people's lives for the better. She was making people skinny. I thought, I want to be like her and I tried my hardest to, still do today.

I feel like I learn more and more about blogging all the time. When I think about what my blog looked like a year ago I feel like I should be embarrassed..from the web design to the recipes, to the photos. I did all the web design myself {still to this day}. However, I am not embarrassed whatsoever. It has been an amazing learning experience. When I look through my blog it has so many memories.

I have met so many of you amazing blog friends that have become real friends. Some of you blog friends I chat with even more than my real life friends. Thank you all for your love and support. This is such an amazing community and group of amazing people we have gathered.

Awhile back {a couple months ago} I was talking to one of my best bloggy friends. I was telling her that I was thinking of giving up. I was going on about the bad things about blogging.. The whole problem was I was obsessing over the numbers. I was looking at everyone elses numbers and comparing them to my own. This is the WRONG thing to blog for. What I remind myself constantly is that I blog for my dear readers, I blog to keep my creativity rolling, I blog for fun. AND that is what ABpetite is about for me.

KJ sang Happy Birthday Dear ABpetite as I took these photos. I told him that it had been a year sense I started this blog. He said, "Congratulations mom thats an accomplishment!" I thought to myself, "yeah, yeah it is!" A huge smile came over myself. I could have quit, I could have given up, I could have seen all of you amazing writers, fashionistas, cooks, bakers, inspirationers, fitnessests, web designers, Do it Yourselfers and so many other things that you ladies are and just given up. Threw in the towel and said thats enough I give up I can't compete with these fantastic women. But, you know what? Its NOT a competion. Its not, it makes me feel so special to be involved with all of you. Your creativity inspires me every day and I appreciate it more than you know!

Cheers friends. Cheers to many years of friendship to come.

Follow Friend Friday {Bloglovin'}

noreply@blogger.com (ABpetite) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:46:00 +0000