Wear Your Music.org

Let's take a break from working out. Yup that's what I said. It's time to learn about a good cause.

My husband has been a musician in our church band for several years. It's a rockin' church mind you and he is a rockin' guitar player! I admire him for his passion of music and thank God for his gift which he can share with others. Music is something that can touch so many with different styles, lyrics, and feelings. Different styles of music is created for all of us. So no matter who you are, this is a something we all can get involved with and help charities across the world.

Musicians for years have given back to charities through donations of concert tickets, profits, and of their time. Wear Your Music.org created a website that brings it all together.

The bracelet shown here is made of real guitar strings (the Fashion Bracelet), is unisex, one size fits all and can be purchased in several different colors to wear alone or stack. They retail for only $9.99 and make great gifts. A percentage of the profits are given to different charities that support music.

Wear Your Music.org also sells bracelets made of guitar stings from all your favorite artists. The musicians donate their strings which are then sold on WYM.org. The money collected is given to a charity of the musician's choice. Prices range, depending on artist, from $75.00 up to Eric Clapton's at $500.00.

Bracelets donated by musicians are packaged in recycled DVD cases with certificates of authenticity.



Artists include:
Brian Adams, Buddy Guy, Carrie Underwood, Eric Clapton, Joan Jett, John Mayer, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, even Larry the Cable Guy.



Visit Wear Your Music.org today and start Christmas shopping for the musician in your life. Plus, help a great charity at the same time.

If a bracelet is not your thing, visit their more merchandise page for necklaces, earrings, and charms.

Become a fan of Wear Your Music on Facebook and be entered to win free stuff each week until Christmas. Including a chance to win an artist bracelet. Upload a picture of yourself on Twitter, wearing your bracelet, and get a free Wear Your Music sticker.

Also, now available are gift certificates! Let that special someone pick out the artist of their choice.

Quick Youtube Workout

Wanted to share a short video with you I found on Youtube. I don't want you to think I am saying this is it for the day, but wanted to share the great ideas. I do something similar with my workout group at home. We do jumping jacks, jump rope, squats, high knees, and butt kicks for 8 1/2 minutes. I love mountain climbers and the "burpee to pushup" exercise. They jack your heart rate up fast.
Crank up the tunes, do this twice as long and you have your WARM UP! Now go grab some weights!!

Good vs. Evil

Who says you have to starve when you start eating healthy. Make the right choices and you can eat a lot more than you think. Take a look at this comparison. I figured all the numbers by simply entering them in the Calorie King computer program. This program is just amazing and well worth the $45.00.

Green Peppers: 10 peppers @ 15 calories = 150 calories VS. 29 Cheese Nips



1 cup Air Popped Popcorn = 31 calories and .6 mgs sodium VS. 1 cup Carmel coated Popcorn = 978 calories and 467.2 mgs. sodium (Hmm...won't be visiting that one at the next town carnival)

Home Made Ham and Cheese Omelet (6 LARGE eggs, 3 ounces cheese, 3 ounces ham) = 924 calories and 341 mgs. sodium VS. Perkins Deli Ham and Cheese Omelet Breakfast = 960 calories 1830 mgs. sodium (Had to use 6 large eggs to even come close to the calorie count of Perkins breakfast)


65 Pistachios @ 4 calories each = 260 calories VS. 1/2 cup Ben and Jerry's Pistachio Pistachio Ice Cream. (Have you ever tried to eat a 1/2 cup ice cream? I bet you can't).

Miller Chill = 100 calories VS. Smirnoff Twisted Raspberry Alcohol "Soda" = 240 calories


20 Olive Garden Bread Sticks @ 140 calories each = 2800 calories VS. Outback Aussie-Tizers Aussie Cheese Fries = 2900 calories (and if you order a meal with your appetizer you just ate almost THREE DAYS worth of food in one meal!)


20 Tbsp. Greek Yogurt = 300 calories VS. 3 Tbsp Mayonnaise (You can substitute Greek yogurt in lots of recipes. Try it in your next casserole)

3 ounces of Dark Chocolate 73% or higher = 51 calories VS. 1 ounce Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar (Yup, you can have three times as much if it's dark)

Green Beans (raw): 70 beans @ 2 calories = 140 calories VS. 11 Doritos (Yup, just 11)

All you have to do is make wise choices. And how do you make those choices? Educate yourself so the next time you go to Olive Garden you know off the top of your head a bread stick is 140 calories. Can you have it? Absolutely. But maybe one or two with your meal. Be smart. And DON'T ORDER THE AUSSIE CHEESE FRIES!!!

No More Boredom

Getting into a rut can happen quite frequently as you continue to workout. A once favorite routine becomes old and boring after some time. Working out and staying fit should be a way of life not just something you do for 6-8 weeks, get bored and give up, as is the case for many.

So to help you out I have listed some ideas to keep things fresh.

1. Buy used DVD’s from places like Goodwill, garage sales, online (Discount Workouts are really inexpensive). Get several different style workouts from weight lifting to yoga to cardio and kickboxing

2. Try new equipment. This can also be purchased at garage sales, Craig’s List or keep on eye out for end of season sales. Just after Christmas is a great time, as stores stock up and then need to move inventory quickly after the rush is over. Also good sales for those trying to make a New Years resolution. Ask for a deal on floor models. Or buy from friends after they don't continue with their resolution. It doesn't have to be a large piece of equipment, just something affordable and different. Even just a step or core board!
3. Change the room in your house in which you workout. If you have a full gym in your house, every so often pop in a DVD in the living room, in your bedroom, or on your computer in your office and do something that doesn’t require lots of space. The change of scenery may break up the boredom and get you motivated again.
4. Find a workout partner. Instead of working out alone and wondering if you really have energy that day, visit a friend and workout at their house or find a mutual gym you both like or live by. Having someone else counting on you to show up will for sure get your butt out the door.
5. Go for a jog but not in your usual places. Get in the car, go for a road trip first and find a new trail, park, or neighborhood to run/walk in. Having something new to look at takes focus off your workout.
6. Have your TV set up to come on automatically during shows on the Fit TV. (Try Gilad) Then if you are being lazy and just watching some mind numbing episode, when Gilad comes on, you will feel guilty and get up to workout with him. He can do that to you!
7. Get your kids or pets involved. Make a play date with them to go to the park, run around outside and make your workout routine for the day something fun and elementary like. Remember those run/sprints that you used to have to do in gym class? How about a jump rope or hoola- hoop? We did several run/sprints at Phat Camp. Burned a ton of calories and your kids and/or pets will love doing them with you.
8. Search Youtube for new workout ideas, proper form, or cooking shows (Check out Brooke Griffin for easy recipes). Any of these will jump start you back to a new you.

If you have any other ideas, please share. I may give you props in another post. I love to hear from you. Questions, comments, problems, I love it all. Contact me anytime here or at findyourfit@charter.net. Visit YHH for the link to find me on FB for more daily encouragement and tips.

Easy Smothered Salmon

Taken from The Maker's Diet by Jordan S. Rubin: (Page 241) who references The Lazy Person's Whole Food Cookbook by Stephen Byrnes. My additions in italics.

2 cups canned salmon (or 6 fresh salmon fillets)
3/4 cup diced celery
2 slices turkey bacon, chopped
1/2 cup boiling water
2 tbsp melted extra virgin coconut oil or butter (real, not artificial)
3/4 cup onion, chopped
1 tsp sea salt
2 thin slices lemon
2 jalapeno peppers (we love things spiced up a bit)

Combine oil or butter, turkey bacon, celery, onion, and salt; fry until light brown. Place salmon in center of greased baking pan. Arrange vegetables (jalapeno peppers - optional) and turkey bacon around salmon. Add water and cover. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 min. Remove cover and cook another 10 minutes. Serves 6.

Serve with a helping of fresh steamed veggies!

Diet and Zero Calorie Sodas vs. Your Health

As I continue to do my research on this soda "pop" junk, no matter what I find, there are no positives. OK I found one. The fact it contains water. Seriously. The one positive to pop is: "it's water content". That, a direct quote, from a book I was thumbing through while waiting in my chiropractor's office. I was so amazed by these few pages, the receptionist made me copies.

So this is what I have put together. I hope this helps you make the no "pop" choice.

Not thirst quenching: Due to the sugar content and other chemical substances, many soft drinks leave an after-thirst. This leads to even greater thirst than before.

Empty Calories: Sugar-sweetened soft drinks contain many calories, which are "empty". In order for the sugar in a soft drink to be transformed into energy, B-group vitamins and minerals are essential. Since these are absent in soft drinks, they must be obtained from the body's own reserves, thus depleting them. In other words, when an individual is not physically active these sugars turn into FAT!

Dental concerns: The combination of sugar and acids attack dental enamel VERY aggressively. Soft drink consumption is a factor in dental cares.

Decalcification: Several acids including phosphoric acid, are added to pop. It acidifies the blood which then the body tries to neutralize by releasing calcium and other minerals from the bones. This can be very harmful in people with osteoporosis.

Allergies: Many of the additives in soft drinks can cause allergies, which then cause skin irritations, stomach pain and digestive disorders, heart burn, nervous irritability and hyperactivity.

Urinary Stones: Regular consumption of pop/soda increase the risk of urinary stones.

Colas are dangerous for children, those suffering from insomnia, and cardiac disease!

So what about diet, zero calorie, zero sugar, zero whatever? If it has zero in it, then ask yourself "What is in it?" The zero pops, or "diet" pops, are NOTHING BUT CHEMICALS (oh and water).

So this is yet another challenge I make to you. GIVE UP THE SODA POP. It has been proven time and time again, that giving up pop and changing nothing else (no added exercise or food changes) people lose weight. The average man can lose 10-15 pounds just by switching beverage choice.

So do yourself a favor and find a beverage which does not contain High Fructose Corn Syrup, Aspartame or other artificial sweeteners and enjoy!

Water Challenge!

We all know our bodies are mostly water. So why don't we drink enough to supply our bodies with what it needs? Water helps your skin look fresh and young, helps you stay awake mid-day, flushes out toxins, reduces cravings, and helps you lose weight. Your body only retains water when you are dehydrated.

If you drink water your body won't think it's in need and will let the "retention" go. Yes, you have to run to the bathroom a lot, but think of it this way. If you work in an office job, you have an excuse to get up every 30 min.

I just purchased a great water bottle. Ever watch a little show called Biggest Loser? Of course you have. They all carry the awesome nalgene water bottle which is bpa free and a great solid, long lasting, plastic. As much as I love the green bottle they use on the show, I could not resist, I had to get the pink. It's 32 oz. featuring the narrow mouth. It's also really comfortable to drink from. And with the measurements on the side, I can keep track of my water intake.

So here is my challenge to you, and yet again, to myself. I want you to try and drink either 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight or one gallon. Your choice. One gallon equals four of the naglene bottles. This is my goal. I completed three today by 9:30 PM. Wow, have to be a bit better tomorrow.

I promise within only a few days of this you, will see extra weight fall off.

Good luck and let me know how it's going. Tell me your goal (1 ounce water per pound or 1 gallon). I love to read your comments.

Be Blessed.

Mushroom Omelet Melt

Just passing on a great morning fast breaker!

6 egg whites
pepper to taste
3/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
1/2 Roma tomato, chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper (optional) no seeds, chopped
1/3 cup shredded canned chicken
1 1/2 ounces low fat cheddar cheese, shredded

In small bowl, lightly beat the egg whites with a fork and season to taste with pepper.

Coat a small nonstick saute pan with cooking spray and place over med. heat. Add the veg and cook until tender.

Add egg mixture and cook until set on the bottom. Sprinkle the cheese over top, fold omelet in half, and cook a bit longer until cheese is melted and eggs are set.

191 calories; 3 g fat; 38 g protein; 7 g carbs; 29 mgs. cholesterol; and 696 sodium

Add a cup of coffee using Whey Sensible Chocolate Protein from PGN Nutrition instead of creamer for a yummy cafe' mocha.

Couldn't get any better than this!

100% Pure Giveaway!!

Being healthy is not only working out and watching what you eat. It goes beyond that to what you put on your skin. I highly recommend as you make changes to your diet and workout routines you make changes in your daily products. This effects your metabolism and hormones as your skin is the largest organ.

As we get healthy and fit, women start making drastic changes. We go shopping for skinny clothes, get a new hair style and color, and buy new makeup. Losing weight is a total transformation inside and out.

100% Pure is a fantastic easy to use site with lots of products to choose from. I have been using the Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream and just love it! These products are all 100% natural and 100% vegan. Some of the organic ingredients in the eye cream include: Green Tea, Green Coffee, Vitamin E and C, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, and coffee extracts. Just to name a few! One pump of this awesome smelling lotion is plenty for both eyes. One pump goes a long way. It beats out the grocery store/pharmacy brand creams by far. Say goodbye to dark circles and puffy eyes.

Who doesn't love organic dark chocolate? How about in a body scrub? 100% Pure offers an Organic Chocolate Mocha Body Scrub. With 99% organic ingredients including: Dark Belgian Chocolate, Hawaiian Kona Coffee Beans, Grapeseed Oil, Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Beans, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary and cinnamon. (again to name only a few!).

100% Pure body creams come in 23 amazing scents ! These lotions are thick and rich. You won't be disappointed. These lotions will go a long way as they have nice coverage.

One last product that I just have to tell you about is the Carrot Facial Scrub. I have to say this is about one of my favorite facial scrubs. I enjoy the larger beads when scrubbing my face in the shower. It smells great and leaves my skin really smooth. This is a must buy.


By visiting 100% Pure you will find cosmetics, shower gels, facial skin care, hand creams, body washes, bath salts, gift sets (great Christmas idea and not too soon to think about), hair care and even lotions for kids!

So now that I told you all of this, what fun would it be if I didn't give you the change to win something? I have one Chocolate Mocha Body Scrub or a Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream to giveaway. I am letting you chose your gift!

Here's how to enter:

#1 - Be a subscriber to YHH. If you already are, leave a comment "I subscribe". Or subscribe today and leave a comment "New subscriber." And let me know if you want the body scrub or eye cream.

#2- Enter again by following me on FB at Angie Happy-Hearts for daily quotes of inspiration. When I get your friend request that is a second entry!

#3- Visit 100% Pure and let me know what you like about their site and/or your favorite product. (Winners have been chosen based on comment alone so make it a good one)!

#4-Be a follower of YHH. Leave me a comment "I follow" or "New follower".

YOU MAY ENTER EACH DAY until contest ends!

Contest will end on October 24th at midnight! Good luck.......

Phat Camp Schedule for 2010

Exciting news: The new Phat Camp schedule is out for 2010. We are fast approaching a new year. Set some goals and make one of them attending Phat Camp. You have plenty of time to register, get the money together, and do a trip that will change your life. Believe me, it did mine.

This next year Jen is adding the "Phitness Retreat". This is also a 2 1/2 day camp but all are in N. Carolina and consist of smaller groups being between 10-20 girls. Phat Camp can be anywhere from 30-100 ladies. So now you have two choices. Phat Camp is $300 and you can find a location near you or Phitness Retreat is $400 and have Jen's team plan your airfare and hotel and make a vacation out of getting Phit!

With the Retreat you also get an opportunity to go to Jen's house and have dinner as she lives in N. Carolina. You can count me in for this one. I am just trying to decide now what date will work for me next year. I am putting this on my list of things for sure. I love having the thought of Jen and Heather yelling at me to push through. Makes me workout in my home gym harder knowing I have to face them again.

So check out the schedule and Jen's sites and make that commitment to do this in the next up coming year. It's time to STAY....Start Thinking About You!

2010 Schedule: www.getphatwithjen.com

January 23-25 Jen's Phitness Retreat
January 29-31 Calgary , CA
February 5-7 Tampa , FL
February 19-21 Jen's Phitness Retreat
March 19-21 Vancouver , CA
March 26-28 Jen's Phitness Retreat
April 9-11 Atlanta , GA
April 23-25 Edmonton , CA
May 1-3 Jen's Phitness Retreat
May 14-16 Cleveland , OH
June 11-13 Boston , MA
June 25-27 Jen's Phitness Retreat
July 16-18 All Women’s Weekend Charleston, SC
July 30-August 1 Honolulu , Hawaii
August 27-29 Jen's Phitness Retreat
September 10-12 Dayton , Ohio
October 1-3 Jen's Phitness Retreat
October 8-10 Toronto , CA
October 15-17 Kenosha, Wisconsin

Sleeping off the Fat!

This article is for me. I am just letting you read what I need to be telling myself in hopes that you need to hear it too.

In a very loud, you better listen to me voice, I say to myself: “Get some sleep. Seriously”.

OK, so the “seriously” is always the voice of Jillian Michaels. When you watch BL and listen to her pod-cast, you realize how much she says it. But I love it. Seriously. Especially when she says it with the big question mark. Like, are you joking? Seriously? My husband and I use this on each other all the time. But anyway….

I have not been doing a very good job of getting my sleep as of late. I am sliding into my late night habits again. My alarm goes off at 5:30 AM so it’s important not to pull an all-nighter. Going to bed at 11:30 or midnight is not working for me. It’s only been about a week or two but I can tell it’s starting to catch up with me.

So why is sleep so important? It balances your hormones, (which makes up your metabolism), you burn fat, and your muscles repair while you sleep. Your Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels are very high when resting which is important to your recovery. If you aren’t sleeping, your recovery time is less and your muscles will not be ready for the gym the next day.

Another reason? You tend to snack to stay awake. How does a bag of Doritos sound from a when you’re feeling sleepy? Probably better than when you’re well rested and have your energy to hit the gym later. You also want to snack more after a good handful or two because it’s loaded with chemicals to make you crave another. (Doritos are the worst by the way!) See why you need your sleep?

I work a 7:30 – 5:00 job and it’s very sedentary as I sit all day. Which drives me crazy but that’s another post. So by 3 o’clock I feel like I need a nap. I used to think it was because of my pour food choices, which I am sure played some role. As I feel I now have that under control, I am convinced it’s the five hours of sleep I am getting instead of the 8-9 that my body needs.

A study was conducted at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleep deprived subjects. Were tested over a matter of 11 days and they all gained an average of 3 pounds. While the well rested subjects gained no weight. That’s enough right there to make me put my head on a pillow right now and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz