February 2011 - The Sensible Mom

Week 7 Weight Loss Update

Written by Sandra on February 28, 2011 · 7 Comments

Okay, time for the weekly update on how much weight I’ve lost. This week’s weight came in at 217 lbs., so, I lost 1.5 lbs. from last week! Altogether, in seven weeks, I’ve lost 11.5 lbs., and I’ll well on my way to losing my goal of 50 lbs. this year.

I’ve been exercising steadily 2 times per week at the school’s fitness center for 1.5 hours each time I’m there. I mainly walk on the treadmill and ride the bike so that I can read. I usually spend the first 30-40 minutes reading my Bible, and lately I’ve been reading a school book for the remainder of the time because I’m being eaten alive by how much reading some of my classes require.

This week, I’m also going to get back to exercising with Ruben in the mornings. It’s going to be us, some weights, and a Biggest Loser DVD. Fun!

Overall, I’m encouraged at my weight loss thus far, but I’d really like to be losing two pounds a week instead of one. I know part of my problem is that I have a homemade frappe almost every day. That most certainly has something to do with it. I’ve tossed around the idea of putting the frappe machine away up high so that when the thought crosses my mind to have a frappe because the frappe machine is out of reach, I’ll just say, “nevermind….”

I’m not there yet, though.

I need my frappes. Perhaps I’ll try to have one every OTHER day only. Hmmm….we’ll see if I can do that this week.

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Check out my first ever Blogger reDesign!

Written by Sandra on February 24, 2011 · 3 Comments

I’m so excited to share my very first Blogger blog redesign with you guys. I did it for my friend, Elisabeth, of Trusting His Perfect Plan. Elisabeth blogs about her family life and raising her two precious boys, one of which has special needs. It was a pleasure working with Elisabeth, and I’m forever thankful to her for allowing me to redesign her blog. In doing so, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge when it comes to designing in Blogger, and I now feel more confident than ever about opening up shop and taking on clients who’d like their Blogger blogs redesigned. Please head on over to Elisabeth’s blog to take a peek for yourself!

I also wanted to mention again that I’ll be hosting another blog design giveaway on March 14th when I officially start taking design orders.

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I’ll soon be taking orders for Blog Design!

Written by Sandra on February 22, 2011 · 1 Comment

I’m finally just about ready to open up shop and start taking blog design orders. I just wanted to give you guys a head ups in case you are interested in a new design for your blog or any a la carte items like a header or a blog button, etc…

I’m looking to start around March 14, 2011, and to begin I will only be taking Blogger (blogspot) design orders and orders for any a la carte items. I’ll probably start taking orders for WordPress designs somewhere around the end of April (possibly sooner).

I have learned so much both inside and outside of school and with this web design program that I’ve been taking. I can’t wait to share all that I’ve learned with you! I’m going to unveil our business’ URL with another blog design giveaway that I’ll be hosting on March 14th. Stay tuned!

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Week 6 Weight Loss Update

Written by Sandra on February 21, 2011 ·

I’m going to give just a quick update this week on my weight loss because I’m not at home (I’m doing the web design program today. It’s thankfully ending tomorrow. I’m glad because this has been a tough month for my children with me having been gone more than usual. David has been acting especially weird lately, and he’s extremely attached when I am home.), and when I get home tonight, it will be brief because I have a 3.5 hour class this evening.

Weight Loss Journey

I lost one pound this week, so, my weight came in at 218.5 pounds on my weigh-in day. Very exciting! I’m happy to have finally reached my pre-fourth child weight.

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Recipe: Homemade Vanilla Frappes w/homemade chocolate syrup

Written by Sandra on February 17, 2011 · 3 Comments

I’ve been blogging the last few weeks about how I can not get over a serious homemade frappe addiction, so, I thought I’d share with you just how I make them and encourage you to make them as well. I’ve also discovered a delicious chocolate syrup recipe in my raw foods cookbook that is perfect when drizzled on top of frappes. Only I’ve slightly adjusted the recipe to include less raw cacao powder because the original recipe calls for way too much.

To make the frappes, I use a Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker. Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Water

3 Tablespoons Coffee Grounds

2 Cups of Ice (or fill to “max ice” line)

1/4 Cup of Organic Milk (you can also use almond milk)

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2.5 Tablespoons of Raw Sugar

Directions:

Lift the lid on the top of the frappe maker, add water and coffee grounds in there respective compartments (there a small compartment in the front for a coffee filter and coffee grounds and then you pour the water into the compartment behind the coffee grounds). In the actual frappe cup, remove lid and, in this order, add ice, milk, vanilla extract, and sugar. Replace lid and secure the frappe cup in place. Push the “Power” button and then immediately after that push the “Frappe” button. Wait for the frappe maker to brew coffee and blend frappe. It takes about 3 minutes. Enjoy!

You can also enjoy homemade frappes WITHOUT a frappe maker if you have a coffee maker and a blender.

Simply add the ice, milk, vanilla extract, and sugar into a blender. After you’ve added these ingredients and before starting the blender, add 1/2 freshly brewed coffee. Then blend until smooth and enjoy!

Frappes are also delicious with whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top. I have yet to make a raw whipped cream. It’s one of those things I’m making plans to try, but I have made raw chocolate syrup which is a nice accompaniment to the frappe when drizzled on top or even mixed in.

Raw Chocolate Syrup:

3/4 Cup Cacao Powder (This is not cocoa powder but looks very similar. You can find it at Whole Foods or online. You may even find it in the organic section of your local grocery store.)

1 Cup of Agave Nectar (Looks like honey, and you can find it at a Super Target or your local grocery store in the baking aisle.)

1 Cup of melted Coconut Oil (just melt the coconut oil in the microwave and you’re good, you can also find this at the your local grocery store or even Target)

1/2 Cup Water

Directions:

Add cacao powder and agave nectar to a food processor and pulse until smooth. Then slowly add the coconut oil while pulsing. After that, add the water and pulse. Enjoy!

This chocolate syrup goes well with anything you’d regularly use chocolate syrup in.

And there you have it guys. It’s the treat I enjoy regularly and still manage to lose weight.

This post is linked to Thrifty Thursday because making homemade frappes is a real money saver. It’s also linked to Ultimate Recipe Swap to share the frappe love.

By the way, for those who need a visual, agave nectar looks like this:

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