Chicken Tortilla Soup

I thought when I moved to California I would always be warm. Not so. It has looked like this a lot the last month or so and it's cold! Not Utah cold, but definitely California cold and it has put me in the mood for a nice HOT bowl of soup. So how about a recipe for one my favorites from my friend Sandra. Chicken Tortilla. YUM. If I start now, it will be done in time for dinner!

Chicken Tortilla Soup:

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp Olive Oil

-saute until clear

2 c. shredded chicken

2 c. whole corn (canned or fresh)

2 c. black beans rinsed and drained

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 10 3/4 oz can of tomato soup

2 14 oz cans of chicken broth

2 T. Jalapenos chopped

2. medium zucchini's sliced

1tsp cumin

1tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp chili powder

Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour

Top with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced avocado.

Now let's talk a little KTF. I don't have any tips or any interesting information for you today, just a little story of my own that may or may not motivate you to go work out.

So, I had a surprise workout yesterday that just about did me in. What I mean by surprise is, me and my girlfriends showed up for our favorite class at 10am and SURPRISE, we had a sub and we didn't do turbo kick. We did Body Pump instead. What? Holy Moly - that was crazy. Heavy weights, a million reps, a *motivating instructor who was a combination of singing Disney princess and a drill sergeant, and my weak, weak muscles has has turned me into kind of lame-O today. To top it off I decided to do the Turbo Kick workout this morning at 9am to make up for the one I missed yesterday. Don't get me wrong - it was awesome, but my legs feel like jelly and one of my knees buckled on me today. I almost fell over into the street!

I think I might change into sweats and some warm and fuzzy socks, turn on Pride and Prejudice ( i love that movie) and stay in bed for the rest of day. Then I'll have my kids bring up soup and hot chocolate and give me hugs and kisses and tell me that they love me, like I do for them when they are wiped out or sick. I want my mommy, but since she lives in Utah - the kids are going to have to fill her shoes.

I can't believe I just said I want my mommy.

Oh and some home made chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Hartman makes good cookies. After all I think I burned 2000 calories these last 2 days, so I can have a cookie. Right?

Don't listen to me! Go get your gym shoes and work out. Work out until you can't stand anymore. My body hurts, which in turn makes my brain hurt and I'm rambling. Go work out!

*Disney Princess Drill Sergeant Body Pump Instructor: Definition: A pretty girl who talks so sweetly to you as she explains the routine and the suggested amount of weight to add to your bar (in some cases it was two times the amount you warmed up with). Once the music starts she starts you out slow, warming up your muscles, she sings along with music, and then she builds on it and your suddenly moving faster. When you are about to die, she tells you that there are only 2 rounds left of this segment! She makes this yelling/growling sound at you saying, "come on team, push through this you can do it, don't give up, let's do this!" Then she looks straight into your eyes and almost dares you to quit. You kind of want to, but you don't. Then, when you're done and you almost drop the bar on your foot because your arms don't work and your legs can't support you, she says "cool." - Strangely, she is very motivating and somehow without saying a word, convinces you that you need to come to her class more often.

Papa Pique Product Review

This is kind a fun idea that I have been wanting to do for awhile now. Product Review! You send me a sample of a product you are selling. I sample it, photograph it, and then write up a review on my blog about it with a link to your site. It's a good way to advertise and bring in new customers and you can be sure that I will be one of them :)

First up is Papa Pique. They sell adorable hair accessories! I love her choice of fabrics and colors and she has tons of options to choose from. I am a sucker for anything polka dot so I chose to feature a skinny pink polka dot headband and a red polka dot flower barrette.

They are really well made and comfortable! Her website is very user friendly and she offers free shipping on orders over $30!

I also wanted to mention that my aunt Lila is giving away a beautiful quilt on her blog! Is she crazy or something, because this quilt is to die for! I have seen this quilt up close and the detail is beautiful! Hurry over and get your name in the drawing because you never know, YOU could be the lucky winner!

For more info on product review email me at: vcbdesign@gmail.com

Kill The Fat....With Exercise

Not like that!

Like this! Follow the tips below to get started. Once you get going, you won't be able to stop!

Tip #1: You've got to jump in with both feet. It's my opinion that the only way to get going on a good workout program is to start out strong, going every day, and don't make excuses to not workout. You have to make a habit of it or you'll end up quitting. Make yourself do it 5 to 6 times a week for an hour a day for 3 weeks straight. By the end of that 3rd week, you'll find a desire that wasn't there before! It happened to me :)

For the last 3 months I have been exercising a minimum of 5 times a week for a minimum of 1 hour a day. It was hard at first and after the first couple of weeks I started to feel worn out, but I pushed through it and now I'm at the point where if I miss I day, I don't feel as good. I have to work out!!!

Once you get going one of two things is going to happen. You'll either start to see results fast and the weight will melt away, which in turn will motivate you to keep at it. By the time you get to where you want to be, you'll be in the habit of working out and it will be as easy as taking a nap! OR you won't see weight loss results right off the bat, but you will notice a change in your energy and the way you feel. The changes will also come in loss of inches as you build muscle first and build up your endurance. You'll start to feel more alive and as you push through the grind of working out everyday, you'll soon be in the habit. It might take a few months to start seeing actual weight loss, so be patient. Focus on the inches and how you feel and remember muscle weighs more than fat and muscle burns fat. Once you build the muscle the fat will start to melt away.

That is actually where I'm at right now. Slow going on the weight loss, but I know my body is changing. Right now I can see the most results in my arms and my back! Those aren't the 2 places I would have chosen to see results first, but I know it's only a matter of time before it starts to spread.

Tip #2: Make sure you rest on Sunday. God told us to rest on the Sabbath and so did my trainer! I wouldn't disobey either one, so take this serious! Your body has to rest and recuperate. It needs to re-energize and if you don't let it, you'll burn out. Also, make sure you get 7 to 8 hour of sleep each night for the same reasons as resting on Sunday. Your body needs that time to re-boot.

Tip#3: Moderation is key. I hate dieting. I think it is the absolute worst! When I try to do it, I feel deprived and it makes me grouchy. My body needs carbs an some sugar every now and then! It needs food and I need to like what I'm eating. Food is a blessing and one of my top 5 reasons for living! Seriously. Eating good food that tastes good makes all the difference to me. I honestly don't think cutting stuff completely out of your diet is the way to go. Because then your body craves it and you are more likely to binge later on. Plus you are depriving yourself of important nutrients you need to stay healthy. Moderation is key here and watching what you eat and the amounts you take in is very important. Picking the right kinds of carbs is important as is cutting down on sugar, but don't cut it out completely. That will just make you sad. Oh and of course, drink water...lot's and lot's of water. I really liked THIS article about watching what you eat and staying healthy.

Bottom Line: You need to be burning more calories than you eat. I am saving up for one of those calorie counter watches to help me keep better track. I'll let you know if helps.

Tip#4: Join the GYM! If you haven't already, but you really want to, try these workout DVD's:

Turbo Jam

Zumba

Power 90

Insanity (warning) this really is insane!

Turbo Jam and Zumba will get you ready for some of the classes at the gym and give you a little head start on some of the moves. Do these for a couple of weeks and you'll find it a lot easier to get the routines in the classes. Power 90 and Insanity will just kick your butt and make you feel like a rock star!

I recommend having these in your workout DVD library at all times. When I can't make it to the gym or for some reason the gym is closed I pull out one of these and I'm set.

Tip#5: Keep checking in to Kill The Fat. The way you eat is about 75% of where your weight loss will come from. Staying informed on healthy eating and good recipes are really going to help with that and I'm working hard to stay on top of that so you don't have to do the research. Just check the right side bar under Kill The Fat Posts to stay up date.

Let's Live Long and Prosper together. V

Happy Valentines Day!

The winners from my followers list are: Tricia Brown, Adorabilatee, IZaBZ, Melifaif, Karen (Bighon), Crystal, Katie Vogler, Stitch'n love, and Gina! Email me at: vcbdesign@gmail.com to claim your prize!

If you aren't already a follower be sure to add yourself (right side bar) for next months giveaway!

Kill The Fat...Apple Butternut Squash Soup

I'm still working on my KTF exercise post, but here is a soup recipe to get you through the week. Don't forget to eat a bowl of soup every day to help with weight loss. It flushes out the toxins!

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 large)
• 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
• 5 pounds butternut squash (2 large)
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet apples, such as McIntosh (4 apples)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups good apple cider or juice

Directions

Warm the butter, olive oil, onions, and curry powder in a large stockpot uncovered over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the onions are tender. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot.

Peel the squash, cut in half, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into chunks. Peel, quarter, and core the apples. Cut into chunks.

Add the squash, apples, salt, pepper, and 2 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes, until the squash and apples are very soft. Process the soup through a food mill fitted with a large blade, or puree it coarsely in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade.

Pour the soup back into the pot. Add the apple cider or juice and enough water to make the soup the consistency you like; it should be slightly sweet and quite thick. Check the salt and pepper and serve hot.

Kill The Fat...HOT DOG

I know I told you before that I joined the gym and I love it, but nothing beats a good workout video when you can't get out of the house. Check out my newest additions to my home video workout collection. Body Flex and Boogie Body:

The Lion:

Boogie Body:

I was dying I was laughing so hard! I just ordered my Oomp

Loompa workout outfit and I can't wait to wear it to Moe's Turbo Kick

class next week! To be honest, my dad actually

bought the Lion when I was in highschool and I tried it for awhile.

It didn't make my abs tighter or my arms more toned, but neck

definitely felt like it was skinnier.

Seriously though, I do have a new kill the fat post in the works that will

focus on working out, but I haven't had time to finish it. Soon, I promise.

In the mean time, do the Lion and don't forget, you ain't got nothin but time,

get loose, and everybody's got a little soul in their hips! Hot Dog!

Don't you L O V E a giveaway?

Oh Valentines day! I LOVE it so. I love pink and red. I love chocolate and strawberries. I love hearts and hugs and kisses. It really is one of my favorite Holidays. I love going on a Valentines date with my whole family. The kids love it too! (I'm going to be using the word LOVE a lot in this post).

I have a couple of ways I have decided to show my love to you. First I am going to extend the Pattern of the Month contest through the end of February. I know that the Nie Nie skirt takes some time to make, so I thought those who were participating would love some extra time.

Second I am going to add another pattern to the contest. MOD GIRL!

I personally love this pattern, but the rest of the world doesn't seem to understand my feelings. Mod Girl is a love that I feel is dying. It started out hot, but as of late the sales are almost non existent. So to rekindle the flame I have decided to give away SEVERAL of these patterns to my followers. (See the followers image on the right side bar) You have to be a follower to be entered, so click on it and link up! I am also going to give away a couple of kits that include the pattern and all the fabric needed to make a cute pair of jeans. And last, but not least I am going to be giving away the Jeans seen on the pattern cover. They are made from GAP jeans size 4 Ultra Lowrise Regulars (if you want them for yourself), but they would also make a really cute Quilt shop display! I would give you the purse too, but a friend of mine already swiped it.

The Giveaway will happen on Valentines Day so be sure to check in. If you don't win, you can buy the pattern for a VERY low price of $3 in my ETSY store. Um. WOW! Besides, those jeans are so cute! You teens need to not be scaredy cats! Stand out and start a new trend at your school. Sewing your own stuff is cool and you know all the other girls will be so jealous! Wearing one of a kind pieces is totally hot (especially if you make it yourself).

oh oh! How about this! Any teen who submits a picture of her mod girl jeans or purse that she made herself will be entered to win a feature on my blog and a free Hippy Chick Teen Stripwork Skirt pattern KIT with some of Amy Butlers LOVE fabric included! This is my newest Pink Fig Pattern and will be available in March! (Sneak peek coming soon)

Send your entires to: vcbdesigns@gmail.com

In the meantime. Good LUCK and don't forget to add yourself to my followers because starting in March I'll be doing a giveaway a month from that list.

XOXO

So most of you know this blog isn't just about sewing, oh no! I like to blog about whatever crosses my mind, or my ears. Like this really, really good band Neon Trees.

I like a lot of different kinds of music, but my favorite (if you listen to my playlist this won't be a big shocker) is Alternative Rock. So naturally, I am loving these guys. My good friend and soul sister Emilie of Emilie Campbell Photography is married to a real live Rock Star! Brandon Campbell is one of the guitar players and he's awesome! Also, I have got to say, I love the girl drummer. I'm kind of jealous of her and I want her jacket.

You can listen to them on my playlist right now or check out their single HERE and you can watch them live on Jimmy Kimmel on March 16th. Be sure to call in requests to your local radio stations because they NEED to be heard!

Emilie if you are reading this I want to come to the Grammy's with you! You know I would make an awesome groupie. Call me.