Blogs

For all my fellow blogging friends and listeners out there, I'm just letting you know that I have a new blog..a few new ones. I won't be using this one anymore. This is where you can find me:
bubblybrit.blogspot.com <---personal blog
ctr89.blogspot.com <----my religious blog
presmonsonquotes.blogspot.com <---another religious blog, more focused on the Prophet
afoodaddiction.blogspot.com <----My recipe blog...which, by the way, I am still working on...haven't really started it yet. But soon. It's in the works :)

Please feel free to follow me on any of these other blogs. Thanks!

Facebook Terminated

Just so you know..I deleted my facebook temporarily. I will be back on eventually...but I really need a break from it.
If you do need to contact me, here is my info:
bjpierce13@yahoo.com
bcp25@hotmail.com
480-495-5081 (cell, so you can text also)

I will continue with my blogging, though.
Most of my blogging does go toward my church one, ctr89.blogspot.com.
Or you can just check up on this one..but I don't do it as often.

I hope things are going well for you all!
I would love to hear from you :)
Have a wonderful day.
Brit

Tres de Mayo

I made dinner tonight in remembrance of Cinco de Mayo (I couldn't do it on the 5th because I worked). I made some yummy food and it all turned out great! :) I was planning on making some homemade Mexican rice, but I forgot about it while making everything else..that'll be for next time I make a Mexican dinner (which probably come sooner than later).
Here are the dishes that I made:
Black Bean Salsa
I would give this a 3.5 star. It was pretty good, but hardly any spice. I still find my mom's recipe to be my favorite salsa, but I'll probably try this one again and tweak it again just for kicks.
Southwestern Egg Rolls
I would give these a 4 star. Really yummy! Definitely recommend these. I feel like there is still something missing in the recipe, but they are still pretty good as is.
Festive Spinach Queso Dip
I give this a 3 star. It was okay. I think it was the cream cheese that I didn't like too much. It seemed to mess with the taste (and smell...), which made me not like it as much. My dad liked it, which is why I gave it a 3 star. On the website where I got it, I found both good and bad reviews for it. So, didn't know what to expect for it. This was meant to be the dipping sauce for the egg rolls.

White Sauce Enchiladas
I give these 4.5 stars. I have been making these for a while now and I love them each time. They are a winner. Anyone that I have made these for they loved. So I definitely recommend them! I got this recipe from my cook book, actually. It's the Homes and Garden (pink) recipe book. Great book for recipes!!
Here is the recipe:

Cook 2 cups of rice (I actually only do about a cup. I found 2 cups was too much.)
1 can (6 oz) of green chiles
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 1/2 cup cooked chicken (can use hamburger)

Mix all together and place in flour or corn tortillas. Roll up and place them in a 9x13" pan.

Sauce:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup salse
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Cook on stove top and pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Red Sauce Enchiladas: Same as above for enchilada. 1 Enchilada sauce package, mix as directed. Pour over tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. And bake as directed above.

Note: I always do the red sauce, and it is oh-so good! I haven't tried the white sauce yet, but I am sure it is just as good. I will have to try it one of these times. I will let you know how it is when I do. Also, for the red sauce, you can also just buy a can of the pre-made enchilada sauce, it's the same thing.

If you try these recipes, let me know how it goes and how you like them! :)
Have fun!

Brit

A Conversion Story

There is this new family in my ward (the Ruth's) that just got baptized yesterday and confirmed today at church. Yes, the WHOLE family, all 5 members of it. It is actually an amazing conversion story.
The lady I visit teach is just so wonderful and her family is pretty close to the Ruth family. It originally started by example and how the 2 kids of each family (both are 14) liked each other. But the LDS kid said that he couldn't date till he was 16. Well, the 14 year old (non-member) girl was like "wow, I really like that" and told her mom about it and she, too, was very impressed. Sister Ruth went over to the 14 year old boys mom and had so many questions about their standards and why they choose to do these things and what-not. She was very surprised to hear from her but very happy to answer her questions.
As a stake, we had something called "Invitation Sunday", which means, we invite friends and family that are not of our faith to our church. So, after the Ruth family did more investigating in the church they were invited to this and came. They loved it. Apparently this was what they have been searching for for so long.
Sister Ruth would say, "where were you guys when I was a teenager?". Good question...no idea. But the Lord definitely works in mysterious ways and I found this story quite amazing and inspiring.
Anyway, sine the Invitation Sunday they continued to come to church each week, wanting to know more about everything (and still continue to learn...as we all do). And as of May 1st, 2011, the entire Ruth family was confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
For me, even though I barely know the family, I am so excited and happy for them. I can just see the joy in their faces. I can see their need for more spiritual knowledge and truth, which has helped them grow through this very process of conversion.
My heart jumps for joy for them and all members of the church, for it is a perfect church and it leads to happiness and Eternal Life with our loving Heavenly Father. Though the people of this church may not be perfect, the church is. I do know that this church is the only true gospel on this earth today and I hope to remain faithful with the teachings of my Savior so that I may return home again to Him some day.

P.S. The conversion story was basically a run down of it...I believe I got the story right. If I got something wrong (for those that know it better), please inform me of the mistake. Thanks! :)

I want to learn!!

I am determined. I am going to learn sign language...probably not everything (because, obviously, there is sooo much to learn), but a good amount at least. I also would like to learn how to speak Spanish. Also hopefully later in life, if I have some spare time (haha, yeahh..probably won't happen), I want to learn French. But, let's just start with sign language. :)

Brit out.

Almost there!

I have 5 more pounds to go to hit my weight loss goal!!! :) And you know what my reward will be?
#1

#2

#3

and then the 4th thing I can choose to get those awesome red shoes that I had mentioned before, or another pair of awesome shoes or something else that I decide I want more. But, my rule is that I can't get them all at once. I have to save up. But the swimsuit is the first to get...and I can't wait :) YES!!

Brittany out.

Light on Snow

Just finished this book tonight I liked it, it was a pretty good book. I give it 3.5 stars.
On to another book...

I was shopping with my friend, Hailey, the other day at Kohl's and I found a pair of shoes that I absolutely love and want so bad. And yes, these hot red high heels are the ones. Maybe when I have some extra cash to spend, I'll splurge on these :)

XO Brit.

14 Easy Ways to Burn More Fat

This is just something that I found online and I thought it was kind of cool and interesting. Here is the website: http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/15-easy-ways-burn-more-fat/slide/15

1. Don't diet
The Women's Health Diet isn't about eating less; it's about eating more—more nutrient-dense food, to crowd out the empty calories and keep you full all day. That's important, because restricting food will kill your metabolism. It sends a signal to your body that says, "I'm starving here!" And your body responds by slowing your metabolic rate to hold on to existing energy stores. (Video: See how to calculate perfect portion sizes.)

What's worse, if the food shortage (meaning, your crash diet) continues, you'll begin burning muscle tissue, which just gives your enemy, visceral fat, a greater advantage. Your metabolism slows further, and fat goes on to claim even more territory.

Bust out of your fitness rut!

2. Get to bed earlier
A study in Finland looked at sets of identical twins and discovered that in each set of siblings, the twin who slept less and was under more stress had more visceral fat.

3. Eat more protein
Your body needs protein to maintain lean muscle. In a 2006 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers argued that the current recommended daily intake for protein, 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, is woefully inadequate for anyone doing resistance training and recommend that women get between 0.54 and 1 gram per pound of body weight. (If you want to lose weight, use your goal body weight as your guide.)

4. Go organic when you can
Canadian researchers report that dieters with the most organochlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a greater-than-normal dip in metabolism as they lose weight, perhaps because the toxins interfere with the energy-burning process. In other words, pesticides make it harder to lose pounds.

Of course, it's not always easy to find—or afford—organic produce. But in general, conventionally grown items that you peel—avocado, grapefruit, bananas—are fine. But choose organic when buying celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale and collard greens, cherries, potatoes, and imported grapes; they tend to have the highest levels of pesticides.

5. Get up, stand up
Whether you sit or stand at work may play as big a role in your waistline as your fitness routine. Missouri University researchers discovered that inactivity (4 hours or more) causes a near shut-down of an enzyme that controls fat and cholesterol metabolism. To keep this enzyme active and increase your fat-burning, break up long periods of downtime by standing up—for example, while talking on the phone.

6. Drink cold water
German researchers found that drinking 6 cups of cold water a day (that's 48 ounces) can raise resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily—enough to shed 5 pounds in a year, with essentially zero additional effort. The increase may come from the work it takes to heat the water to body temperature.

7. Eat the heat
It turns out that capsaicin, the compound that gives chile peppers their heat, can also fire up your metabolism. Eating about 1 tablespoon of chopped peppers (red or green) boosts your sympathetic nervous system (responsible for your fight-or-flight response), according to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. The result: a temporary metabolism spike of about 23 percent. Stock up on chile peppers to add to salsas, and keep a jar of red-pepper flakes on hand for topping pizzas, pastas, and stir-fries.

8. Rev up in the morning
Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism so it's no accident that those who skip this meal are 4 1⁄2 times as likely to be obese. The heartier your first meal is, the better. In one study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology, volunteers who got 22 to 55 percent of their total calories at breakfast gained only 1.7 pounds on average over 4 years. While those who got zero to 11 percent gained nearly 3 pounds.

9. Fight fat with fiber
Research shows that some fiber can fire up your fat burn by as much as 30 percent. Studies find that those who eat the most fiber gain the least weight over time. Aim for about 25 grams a day—the amount in about three servings each of fruits and vegetables.

10. Eat iron-rich foods
Iron is essential for carrying the oxygen your muscles need to burn fat. Unless you restock your stores, you run the risk of low energy and a sagging metabolism. Shellfish, lean meats, beans, fortified cereals, and spinach are excellent sources.

11. Get more vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for preserving muscle tissue. Get 90 percent of your recommended daily intake (400 IU) in a 3.5-ounce serving of salmon. Other good sources: tuna, fortified milk and cereal, and eggs

12. Drink milk
There's some evidence that calcium deficiency, which is common in many women, may slow metabolism. Research shows that consuming calcium through dairy foods such as fat-free milk and low-fat yogurt may also reduce fat absorption from other foods.

13. Eat watermelon
The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to the Journal of Nutrition. In a laboratory study, adding this amino acid to the diet of obese mice enhanced the oxidation of fat and glucose. Snack on watermelon and other arginine sources, such as seafood, nuts, and seeds, year-round.

14. Stay hydrated
All of your body's chemical reactions, including your metabolism, depend on water. If you are dehydrated, you may be burning up to 2 percent fewer calories, according to researchers at the University of Utah. Drink at least eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses a day.

Some updates for you!

I have been doing very well with my workouts, and I even started running last week. But, the thing about that is I started doing that when it was strangely warm here. And, of course, we are back to the bitter cold and frozen roads, so I clearly cannot go running outside right now. But, I am sticking to the videos. I do have a treadmill.....but, for some reason it really hurts my knees and ankles, but I think I'll give it a shot any way. Plus, I can go to my parents gym (for free!) and do some elliptical and free weights, etc. I need to do those things. Plus, I can tan there too, and that is something I definitely need to do! But, once the weather starts getting warm again, you can count on me being out there again, running my butt off.

GOOD NEWS: I ONLY HAVE 10 MORE POUNDS TO LOSE..I might end up going another 5 more pounds after that, but we'll see if I need to or not. Kyle says that I shouldn't need to. But, we'll see!

Some other GOOD NEWS: KYLE GOT INTO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM AT BYU!!! HE ONLY HAS 1 YEAR LEFT, HALLELUJAH!! There is an end in sight! hah.

Also, I have been feeling very crafty lately, so I might make some scrap books of some sorts. A quote book with my favorite church sayings, favorite scriptures and good church notes on it. These ideas keep on popping into my mind..and I can't help but wanting to do those things. So, those are some things I will be doing..along with finding a REAL job. gah. It never ends, I swear. So ridiculous.
Anyway, I hope all is well with you!
Brit

My goal for this year: to work out 4-5 times a week. 2-3 of those days will have weights and the other days will be cardio. I am so excited. I lost 10 pounds back in December, so that has really boosted my confidence in this. I have already started working out a couple weeks ago. It was not so good the first week, but I've been really good since! The Crunch: Boot Camp Training (like shown above) is my workout with the weights. It gets my heart pumpin, my body sweatin and my muscles workin! I love it. I do want to expand from that for my weight exercises, but I haven't found one yet. I also have a bunch of other pilates, yoga and cardio workouts, and I love doing them all! This is much better than just running everyday...I have bad knees.

The goal I have with this is not only to get in shape and be fit and strong, but I really want to lose weight. My weight loss goal is about 15 more pounds. I know I can do this!! And I can't wait to actually fulfill my goal! I'll keep you up to date on how things are going.

I love playing the piano...it is something that I'll always love. It turns stress into feelings of relaxation and sadness into joy. It makes happiness turn into something even greater, like, feeling content, blissful and joyful.
<3

Return to Me

My aunt and I watched the movie "Return to Me" tonight and, for those that don't know me very well, it is one of my favorite movies. The song, "Return to Me", is also one of my favorites and I just wanted to share with you the lyrics..

Return to me
Oh, my dear, I'm so lonely
Hurry back, hurry back
Oh, my love, hurry back
I'm yours

Return to me
For my heart wants you only
Hurry home, hurry home
Won't you, please, hurry home
to my heart?

My darling
If I hurt you I'm sorry
Forgive me
And please say you are mine

Return to me
Please come back, bella mia
Hurry back, hurry home
To my arms, to my lips
And my heart

(for the rest of the lyrics, click HERE)

"Sometimes we live our lives normally but then, suddenly, we have several trials piled on us all at once. During these times a lot of stretching is required. When this happens, it is evidence that the Lord is confident that you are ready to learn and grow, and if we do our best to overcome these challenges, we are given strength and knowledge and wisdom."

This was a quote that my cousin heard on his mission, but he can't remember who said it. I really like it, so I thought I'd share it with all of you :)

So funny.

My friend, Lisa, posted this on her blog and I absolutely had to post it myself. It is simply hilarious! I hope you enjoy it like I did! :)
CLICK HERE FOR LINK.