New Site

Just a quick note to let you know a new website has been created as a sister site to YHH.

It's called Tuff Phit. When you really don't feel like working out, you get tuff and do it anyway. That's what makes the difference between the fit and those who never make a true commitment. It's the days when your tired and get in your workout anyway, which makes all the difference in your attitude and body.

Tuff Phit will be edgier, tuffer, and give you something maybe Your Happy Hearts hasn't. With much of the same format, the articles will include heavier working out, more weights, and tuffer eating habits.

Please check it out and subscribe today. You don't miss a thing, giveaways and all. Thanks for being dedicated readers to YHH. We appreciate your loyalty.

Tuff Phit also has a fan page on FB, like us for daily inspiration!

Vermont Soap Review

I am always thrilled to bring you an Organic product review. I believe this is something which is either over looked, or not given enough time to, in the fitness industry. It's not always about the biggest biceps or the flattest abs. It's simply about being healthy inside and out. Your environment has a huge affect on your hormonal system and how you react to weight loss and simply being "healthy."

Vermont Soap Organics is a company which has been around since, well I was going to say 1984, but as the story goes, it was few years after that. For the fully history of Vermont Soap read the ever so engaging story.

When YHH received their package of fabulous Vermont products, the smell filled the room. Wow, you could smell all the natural ingredients as soon as you peeled away the tape of the box. With a box full of goodies and travel sample sizes, YHH decided to share. We passed on the travel size soaps to friends and family for their input.

One of the best products is the bar soap. YHH received several different "flavors" but the verdict was the love of the smell of Citrus Sunrise. Made with Coconut, Palm Kernel, and Olive oils, it leaves your skin feeling clean. Orange oil, Orange peel, and Rosemary extract give it a great fresh smell. And the best part? These soaps are one of the few organic soaps which actually foam. They are certified organic by Vermont's Organic Farmers and USDA Approved. (Travel sizes for only .99 each)

Another soap favorite is the Butter Bar for soothing relief of dry and sensitive skin. I personally have always had dry skin and this was just the answer. A full 3.0 oz bar will last quite a long time if left to dry each time in your shower. Soap trays are available and come in handy. You can purchase all soaps un-boxed/per dozen for only $29.98. A dozen bar soaps should stock you up for quite sometime. Or wrap them yourself for great little gifts.

We also received the Foaming hand soap. I must say, the smell cuts through just about anything. Leaving your hands smelling fresh. Even after cutting an onion, the smell was gone. The Lemongrass Zen is the scent we have tested. It foams to a thick soap and only one pump is needed. Again, making this product something which will last longer than the store bought foaming hand soaps. These retail for $6.22 on sale!

The Shower Gel is getting great reviews in my home as well. Add it to a buff puff in the shower it goes on smooth and leaves your skin feeling amazing. We received the Sweetgrass scent which has almost a woodsy type smell which is great for men and women. The shower gels retail for $8.78 or you can buy a gallon to refill your bottle for $39.98.

With many organic products to choose from, check out Vermont Soap Organics when making your next soap purchase.

*Email Subscribers click YHH to view this on our home page. Don't be missing out on great links and information only on Your H.A.P.P.Y. Hearts!

30 Day Shred Challenge and Giveaway (Special Post)

YHH has never promoted a DVD workout like we have the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. With lots of DVD choices, this is one of the best and top of our recommendation list. (retailing for only $10.99 on her website.)

One of the great benefits to this workout is the simple fact it's habit forming. With 30 days, at 20 min. each, it's a good way for a beginner to get in there and get moving. By the end of 30 days, not only are you shedding weight, but a new routine and life style has taken place. Also, only 20 min. each day, there is no excuse of not having the time. You can fit this in first thing in the morning, right after work, or in the evenings when the family is tucked in bed.

There are three levels. Level 1 is your first 10 days. It's not easy by any means, but work at your own pace and by the end of the 10 days you won't believe how much better you are doing and how much stronger you are. Then move on to Level 2 starting on Day #11. It gets harder and then again with Level 3. Some (as I do now) will do a Level 1 back to back with a Level 2. If you are an advanced fitness individual this will work perfect for you. Jillian's DVD is great for men and women. Even though it's women on the DVD, does not mean a man can not do this workout. My husband does it all the time!

Jillian also has a Yoga DVD for only $12.99. This DVD includes 2- 30 min. workouts with warm up and cool down. The Level 1 yoga is quick movement for maximum calorie burn. My personal favorite type of yoga. I don't want to just sit and hum. I want to burn those muscles and challenge them in new ways. Level 2 will add more twisting and balancing moves to challenge you even more. This DVD is now available for purchase.

Take the challenge of 30 Day Shred. Workout in the morning, to get your day started, and end your day with a yoga routine to stretch and get you ready for a good nights sleep. With many of my readers starting the 30 Day Shred, I am asking you, my blog readers and subscribers, to take the challenge with us. If we do this together we can encourage each other along the way. Leave me comments, email me back, or write on the YHH facebook wall. To help you get started I am giving away a FREE 30 Day Shred DVD!!!

Here's how to enter:

Subscribe to Your Happy Hearts.com if you are not already. Leave a comment "I subscribed." and you email for contact information (spam blocker is engaged) If you are a subscriber, please leave me a comment "I am a subscriber." for an extra entry. (All subscribers receive one enter automatically. But let me know your out there if you are interested.

Become a Fan of YHH on Facebook and leave a comment your are entering this giveaway.

Suggest YHH on Facebook to your friends and family and let me know you suggested. Have each of them leave a comment on our wall stating you sent them. The person with the most comments wins!

Good luck and I will announce the winner on Tues. the 31st. Contest ends Monday the 30th at Midnight!

Also look for the release of Jillian's NEW DVD being released September 7th. You can pre-order your DVD at JillianMichaels.com!

Adobo-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin

This recipe is brought to you from The (original) Eat Clean Diet book.

Pork:

24 oz. pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut into 3 or 4 oz. pieces

6 Tbsp paprika

2 Tbps freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp coarse salt

1 Tbsp chili powder

3 pinches cayenne pepper

1/2 cup arugula, loosely packed.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix paprika, black pepper, salt, chili powder and cayenne together in a bowl. Thoroughly rub both sides of each piece of pork with spice mixture. Heat an oven safe skillet over medium-high heat and pan-sear each piece of pork on both sides until golden brown. Pan-searing seals in the meat's juices. Transfer pan to oven until pork is completely done (6-8 min. for each inch of thickness).

Pico De Gallo:

2 cups cooked black beans

4 medium tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup red onion, diced

1/2 cup green onion, chopped

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tbsp jalapeno pepper, minced

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients. Garnish plates with arugula, add pork in equal portions and sprinkle with 1/2 cup Pico De Gallo on top and serve.

Enjoy!

(photo taken from The Eat Clean Diet recipe page.)

*Email Subscribers click YHH to view this on our home page. Don't be missing out on great links and information only on Your H.A.P.P.Y. Hearts!

Zuii Organic Makeup Giveaway

Zuii Organic Floral Makeup, it's the only thing I use.

YHH has previously reviewed Zuii and can't say enough good things about their products.

When someone makes a life choice to live healthier and watch what they put in their mouth and how they take care of their body, organic living should be a part of that as much as possible.

It's not realistic to think everything you eat and use can be organic. We live in a fast past, hectic world. But making one change here and there will eventually add up and make a difference in how you feel overall. Zuii organic makeup is one of those daily changes that is very feasible and highly recommended.

When was the last time you used an organic mascara? Better yet, one that smelled like roses? This high definition and long lasting mascara is reinforced with a unique blend of plant extracts to nourish your lashes. I can't get over how good this smells. Not something you would ever find with a drug store mascara. Zuii Organic has given me several mascara's to share with my readers. Follow the instruction below if you would like to enter to win a gift pack of Zuii Organic.

I was very excited to receive my new brush set. Packaged in a great Zuii logo holder, these brushes are nothing less than to be expected from the Zuii company. The set is small enough to toss in your makeup bag or your purse. The brushes are high quality and shed very little. This set includes a foundation brush, blush brush, eye shadow brush, powder foundation brush, and eyeliner brush. The set retails for $59.95 but is free with any purchase over $150. But yet again, Zuii Organic has sent me a few of these too. So don't delay and enter this giveaway.

The last product which Zuii sent me, to get into my readers hands, is there amazing talc free blush. I was never a blush user until I tried Zuii's. The colors are amazingly sheer and just add the right hint of color for a professional over all makeup look.

Each one of Zuii Organic Flora makeup products is made with high quality floral ingredients. The most amazing and exciting news, is the release of these products into the United States. Zuii, up to this point, was only an Australian based company and available only to the US through internet sales. So keep an eye out for Zuii Organic to start making appearances at your high end retail stores soon.

I have three package sets, which I am going to be passing on to you. All to include the products listed above. Here's how to enter:

#1 - You MUST be an email subscriber to Your Happy Hearts. Please fill in your email information in the box provided on the home page and verify in your email. If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment you are entering, at the bottom of this review on YHH for your one entry.

#2 - Visit Zuii Organic and let us know what you like about the company or what product you would most likely use. Leave your comment at the bottom of this article as well.

#3 - Follow Your Happy Hearts on FB. Here you will receive daily inspiration and link suggestions to help you in your healthier lifestyle. Leave a comment on the FB wall you are entering the giveaway!

Contest will end 08/27/2010 at midnight. Good luck!

*Email Subscribers click YHH to view this on our home page. Don't be missing out on great links and information only on Your H.A.P.P.Y. Hearts!

Vegetable Frittata Recipe

Another great recipe brought to you from: 1,000 Low Fat, Salt, Sugar, and Cholesterol Recipe book.

A frittata is a type of Italian omelet - you can add almost anything to the eggs. It is also delicious eaten cold and makes an ideal picnic dish. It's an omelet that you can eat with your hands!

Ingredients:

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

8 oz. zucchini, thinly sliced

3 tomatoes peeled and chopped

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese (or cheese of your choice)

salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1~ Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a skillet. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until softened.

2~ Break the eggs into a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Beat lightly and stir in the onion and zucchini mixture, the beans, tomatoes, parsley and basil.

3~ Heat the remaining oil in a 9 1/2 inch omelet pan, add the egg mixture, and cooke over low heat for approximately five minutes until the eggs have almost set and the underside of the frittata is golden brown.

4~ Sprinkle the cheese over the top and place the pan under a preheated moderate broiler for 3-4 minutes or until set on the top, but still moist in the middle. Cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.

Calories: 310; Protein 18g; Carbs 24g; Sugars 4g; Fat 17g

I have added one of my favorite Food Network gals, Giada to show you how she makes her Frittata's.
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*Email Subscribers click YHH to view this on our home page. Don't be missing out on great links and information only on Your H.A.P.P.Y. Hearts!

Body Temple.net Review

Thanks to Body Temple, I am always sporting something new from their collection. From comfortable workout clothing to hoodie sweatshirts, evening wear to competition wear, there is something for everyone. Guys and Gals.

Featured here is the spaghetti strap, with ribbed bottom, dress/top. I was sent this dress in a mustard yellow, with this same tie died look, but over a leopard print. This photo is from the Body Temple.nets site. I really wish it was a bit better of a picture. This is a great piece of clothing. If you want to wear it as a dress it's a comfortable summer outfit. Also, adding some leggings to it, would give it a totally different look. Or put on your best pair of jeans and pull the ribbed bottom up and you have a soft flowing tank top. It's nice and snug around the chest, and stays snug around your lower waist. For those of us who don't have that six pack ab yet, or are still on a journey of weight loss, it's amazingly comfortable around your stomach area as well. This is available in five different patterns for only $30.00. This will for sure get a lot of future use from me.

Another fun item I received is the Racer back tank top sublimated on both sides. I received this tank in a great pink color with a little added bling of rhinestones. I like how it's extra long and covers the problem of the low rise pants. Check out Body Temple.net for other colors available. Also, a heads up for those of you who care about washing instructions. This is a hand wash only item. Lay flat to dry. But with the bling and the material, I could see the dryer really shrinking this up and possibly stealing your rhinestones. The sizes do run true to form. I was given a small at it's perfect and extra comfortable.

If you are in the market for a comfortable sports bra, this is also a great choice. I received one which was embellished with the Body Temple name in Rhinestones across the bottom. It's a great top and made of very soft to the touch material (92% nylon and 8% spandex). This bra is a light weight activities bra, and with no harsh seams there is no pinching or binding. This could be something you wear every day. It comes with removable pads and fits sizes A to D. For only $15.00, you can afford several. Available in black and white!

This last item I have not received to review, so I can not comment on fit or feel. But found it to be an amazing top/dress and wanted to point it out to my readers. It has a triangle top with mock turtleneck and added necklace giving this an added glam look. Stretched down, this top can then be worn as a dress. But I love the look here with the spandex pants. Possibly wear with a full skirt for a more formal appearance.

With so many different options to chose from, Body Temple.net is always keeping their styles fashion forward.

And don't fret men, Body Temple.net has you covered as well. Check out their men's line for workout clothing and comfortable fleece.

Alcohol Calorie Reference List

There's going hardcore and never drinking alcohol again. There's giving it up for a fitness competition for a desired amount of time. Then, there's drinking in moderation or for special occasions. Whichever you choose you should be making good decisions when ordering.

Here is a quick reference list (compiled from Calorie King). I suggest printing it off and carrying it with you. Then next time you are about to order a beverage, you can reference which will fit with your caloric intake for the day. But remember, too much of a good thing will lead to unnecessary munchies and possibly a day following without a workout.

Liquor:

Vodka - 103 cal. for 1.3 oz. jigger (close to one shot).

Smirnoff Twist of Lime Vodka - 91 calories for 1.5 oz. (equivalent to one shot).

Tequila - 97 calories for 1.5 oz.

Rum - 97 calories for 1.5 oz.

Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum - 87 cal. for 1.5 oz.

Parrot Bay Captain Morgan's Rum - 97 cal. for 1.5 oz. (11g sugar)

Gin - 96 cal. for 1.5 oz.

*All of these on the rocks would be a smart choice. Squeeze in a real lime or lemon for a different flavor.

Mixed Drinks:

Mai Tai w/ 2 oz. Rum - 260 cal. 17g sugar for a regular size cocktail glass

Tequila Sunrise - no lime slice, collins 5.7 oz. glass, 200 calories (7mg sodium, 18g sugar, 25g carb).

Margarita - standard 153 cal. (583mg sodium, 4.3g sugar, 7g carb)

Tom Collins - standard cocktail size 120 cal.

Bloody Mary - standard cocktail size 125 cal. (461mg sodium, 6.8 carb, 24 mg. calcium)

Apple Martini - standard cocktail size 235 cal. (11.5g sugar, 11.6 g carb)

Chocolate Martini - standard cocktail size 438 cal. (59mg sodium, 24g sugar, 24g carb)

*As you can see with these, not such a smart choice. Although the Chocolate Martini sounds yummy, that's a lot of calories in one little drink!

Pre-Bottled Drinks:

Mike's Hard Lemonade - 240 cal. 38g carb in one 11.2 oz. bottle

Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails any flavor - 170 cal. 28 carb

Bacardi Breezer Passion-fruit - 220 cal. 39g carb

Bacardi Silver and Raz - 225 cal. 32.5 carb

Bartles and Jaymes Malt Based Coolers - Raspberry Daquari - 216 cal. 36g carb, and 33g sugar

Bartles and Jaymes Malt Based Coolers - Pina Colada - 270 cal. 48g. carb, 45g sugar

*These again are loaded with calories and sugar. Read labels carefully before purchasing a case.

Beer:

Budweiser Select - 99 cal. 3g carb

Bud Light - 65 cal. 3.9 carb

Bud Ice - 88 cal. 11.3 sodium, 5.3 carb

Miller Light - 57 cal. 1.9g carb

Miller Genuine Draft - 65 cal. 4.1 carb 3.5 mg. sodium

Coors Regular - 138 cal. 6.8 carb, 17.6 mgs sodium, and 162.3 calcium

Guiness Draught - 126 cal. 10g carb, 20.0mgs sodium

Blue Moon Ale - 228 cal. 18.3 carb., 10.7mgs sodium

*Beers are a good choice when it comes to calories, just watch the sodium intake as well. I personally don't care for the beers due to the carbonation and unwanted stomach bloating.

For a more extensive list, join Calorie King and download this valuable tool.

Spinach Omelet

This recipe is brought to you by the 20 Second Fitness Program food guide.

This program not only includes all the DVD's (review coming soon), the strength training bands, jump rope, exercise mat, workout tracking calendar poster, but... a great little food guide.

I just started this program and will let you know how it goes as I progress through. I really wanted to share a recipe or two from this book, so look for more to come.

Spinach Omelets:

3 tsp olive oil

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 small onion, minced

5 oz. chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1/2 cup egg substitute

1/4 cup skim milk

Pinch of salt

Dash of blackpepper

1/4 cup salsa

Heat the olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Add spinach and heat through for one minute. Beat the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together and add to the garlic-onion mixture. Stir occasionally and remove from heat when eggs are well set. Spoon salsa over the top and serve.

Enjoy!