Can I Lose Weight If I Don't Eat Vegetables? {Weight Loss Questions & Answers}

Hi friends! We are just days away from having the first month of January 2015 complete! Take a look at your calendar. What did you mark off completed? What did you not get done? Did you have goals that you completed? Still have uncompleted goals? Maybe you never had any to begin with? 

Whatever the case, know that the past is the past and today is your present. A present is a gift and I want to give you a gift. My gift is to give you guidance on making and completing goals. I want to give you healthy tips, healthy recipes and healthier options for food and exercise which I have learned along the way in my own healthier lifestyle journey. That is why I started the "weight loss q & a's" because several of you have messaged me some of your concerns and questions. This way I can help them and help you!

So last Q & A session someone asked, "Can I Lose Weight Without Exercise?" I answered that question so pop over and check out my advice. This week I'm addressing, "Can I Lose Weight If I Don't Eat Vegetables?" and when I say veggies, I do not mean french fries, fried pickles, fried okra,... ahem you get the picture, right? My friend was talking legit veggies here....fresh, steamed and without the added butter. She is well aware that any fried veggie is not a safe bet for weight loss. 

She, we will call her Mz. Pickle (oh and she is not the only one asking this so don't think you are off the hook) wanted me to know that no way can she do the 21 Day Fix Healthy Eating plan because she does not eat veggies. Mz. Pickle wants to know how to do the eating plan without eating the 4-5 servings of veggies each day. She wants to know how she can lose weight without eating those darn veggies!

Raise your hand if this is your same question or if you have a friend like Mz. Pickle who refuses to eat her veggies! To be honest here, and it is my blog so I can do that, Mz. Pickle most likely does not eat healthy veggies because they haven't been a part of her life in the fast food world unless it is a french fry. So it doesn't surprise me that veggies are not her favorite thing to buy, make, eat at restaurants, etc. My heart literally breaks for those who do not like veggies. There are so many veggies that are being neglected because people just haven't had them in their daily diet. 

Guess what? Let's start with the basic here. If you want to get legit weight loss and make changes to be a healthier you then veggies will need to become your friend. How can you do this? You do this by picking veggies you do like and eat them and then start adding in new ones. You will give your body a chance to try new, healthy things and you can grow to like them. The 21 Day Fix has helped people learn exactly what you need to eat, how many veggies for example as well as give you ideas on how to eat them, what to season them with and more. 

If you are wanting to get your eating under control which is that 80% of weight loss then please please please consider purchasing the 21 Day Fix Eating Plan & Exercise Plan. This program is through BeachBody and it is serious. I have this program and my husband has loss over 20 pounds and serious inches the past 6 weeks using it. The program comes with containers to each you portion control and tells you how many containers to eat for each meal and for the day. I have started using the containers with my current routine as well and love how easy it is to know how much of what to eat. This program will help you eat veggies so you can drop pounds and inches! It will you find a way to eat healthy instead of excuses to skirt around eating them.

Post by Carl Daikeler.

I LOVE this video from Beachbody CEO, Carl Daikeler. He is the CEO of the billion dollar health company yet he openly admits that he isn't a fan of veggies. He has learned over the years that veggies need to be a part of his daily life and he created a video to show you just that. He also drinks Shakeology daily (so do I) which helps his body get the nutrients and super foods to help with his lack of veggie eating.  Check out his video - it is honest and fun! This is why I work for Beachbody. I love this company.

He made, "Carl's "Unrecognizable Vegetable Salad" which he eat about four days a week. He isn't on the 21 Day Fix but this can be eaten on the plan. 

Ingredients:
Baby spinach
Cauliflower
Carrots
Apple
Asparagus
Kale
Celery
Sunflower seeds
Quinoa

Directions: Finely chop up every vegetable so it becomes unrecognizable! Genius, right? Even though we love veggies, I'm going to make this salad for my family next week. We love mixing up our meals on the 21 Day Fix and this will for sure fit in.

What are your favorite veggies? Do you have any weight loss questions and answers? Leave them in the comments below or email me at cafescrapper@gmail.com

Click here to get the full scoop on the program, 21 Day Fix. If you do order it through me then I become your free health coach. I will be the one walking you through this program as much as you need me to.

10 Successful Weight Loss Tips:

1- Read more about 21 Day Fix and ordering information (ON SALE for January)
2- Make Time to Walk #MakeTime
3- Nutrition and Exercise Tips
4- How to Start Walking Tips #MakeTime 
5- Weight Loss Tips #MakeTime
6- Top 10 Healthy Changes to Make Today
7- Top 10 Ways to Make Exercise More Enjoyable #MakeTime
8- Follow my SusieQTpies Cafe for daily updates on Facebook
9- Join the Make Time Healthier Lifestyle Community on Facebook
10 - Join my FREE email list for at least 1-2 times a month updates on healthy living.

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When in your life has safety and security been most top of mind? #MasterLockCares

I'm a huge fan of the American Red Cross. They are always around when there is a crisis. I was most impressed by their quick action and dedication to the city of New Orleans almost 10 years ago. We lived in New Orleans at the time but had evacuated before the levee broke and the storm hit the city. We watched from 12 hours away at the ready response and help of the American Red Cross. I totally support this organization and have it on my bucket list to volunteer with them. Thanks to Global Influence and Master Lock for sponsoring this post. My own opinion are expressed here. 

When we evacuated from New Orleans, we took some scrapbooks, important papers and a few days worth of clothes. Our priority was to get out of the city before everyone started leaving. We didn't want to get stuck in traffic or in the storm. When in your life has safety and security been most top of mind?

Master Lock has a new campaign for 2015, "Safety Through Every Life Season" which is aimed at helping consumers stay safe through every stage of their lives. Right now, for every tweet about a time when your safety and security was a concern using hashtag #MasterLockProtects, Master Lock will donate $1 to American Red Cross for up to $10,000 on top of their initial donation.

Start tweeting now and through January 31st you'll be entered to win one of 20 Master Lock Prize packs of Master Lock products and a $100 Visa Gift Card. What a great company, right? The Master Lock Company is one of the most recognized brands around the world for security and padlocks. Their products include innovate security, personal safety products and more!

Stop in at the #MasterLockCares Twitter party on Tuesday, January 27th at 8pm EST. 10 winners will receive a Master Lock Safety and Security Prize pack as well as a $100 Visa Gift Card! One grand prize winner will receive the prize pack and a $250 Visa Gift Card!

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Twitter party (and follow @Resourcefulmom and @MasterLockUS).

Healthier Drink Recipes with 20% Less Guilt #IC #FlightSongResolutions #sponsored

We are almost one month down in 2015. How are all of your new year resolutions going for you? What goals and resolutions did you make this year? Almost everyone I know personally has at least one healthy related resolution which includes exercising more, eating healthier, cutting out soda and dropping 20 or more pounds. Do any of these resolutions sound like some of yours?
I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Brancott Estate Flight Song. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

I use to be that person who would set a goal to weigh less by the following new year. I would also wish it on my birthday to weigh less the next year. Up to 2012 those resolutions and wishes never came true. As of matter of fact as each year went by, I would be heavier, not lighter. Did this only happen to me? Can anyone else relate? Late winter/early spring of 2012 I set out to live a healthier lifestyle.  I did not set a specific goal or resolution, I just told myself that I will walk off my weight and be healthier by eating not so healthy foods. So from 2012 through today I'm down 100 pounds. I've learned to not have a set number but to continue, day by day to get stronger and healthier.

It feels good to be in the 3rd week of January and not have any broken resolutions. Have you stuck with yours or did you break some? Did you know that after one week, 75% of people have broken their resolutions. This is because resolutions are set, most seem realistic but they aren't if a plan isn't created to keep accountable for actions to reach the set resolutions.

If cutting back calories, even 20% less in every day eating is a goal or a resolution it can be done with a plan. The plan is a lifestyle change that allows you to still be serious about your goals but to remember that you still have to live and enjoy life. With this in mind, Brancott Estate was the first to plant and create the world's first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine with 20% lower in calories without changing the taste or quality. This product has since changed the course of our country's wine industry. By doing this, the Brancott Estate Flight Song wine will allow you to keep your healthy resolutions and have fun doing it!

Would you be willing to try a wine that has 20% less calories than similar selections of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio? I was skeptical that a company could create a pleasant wine by cutting out the calories. I do not like to over indulge and drink my calories but for special occasions it is acceptable and especially at a 20% less calorie savings! I took on the challenge and participate in this product sampling of the Brancott Estate Flight Song wines. 

I have to say that I was most impressed with the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio wines. I knew that they were less calorie but did not tell anyone at our Christmas Day meal. Guess what? No one noticed and everyone liked the wine. It was so refreshing to have a glass of wine or two without the guilt. 

I love adding fruit to my wine and had the extra options for my guest. We had blueberries, pomegranates, strawberries, cranberries, mint, basil, and blackberries which could all be added to the glasses of wine. This is perfect for a dinner, night time "wine" down, and even with pre dinner appetizers. 

Can you see yourself trying out the Flight Song wines? If you like wine this is a great one to try and will help you keep within your calorie goal for the day. Even if you do indulge, know that you are saving 20% in calories. 

{Healthy Recipe} Blueberry Orange Smoothie #IC #LittleChanges #sponsored

Happy New Year! What healthier goals and resolutions have you made for 2015? Are you going to focus on healthier eating? If so do you have a plan? What little changes have you already made this year? For almost 3 years I have been on a healthier lifestyle journey. I have learned over the years that you have to take it step-by-step and not rush change. Change is something that takes time and if you start today, you'll have a lifetime to create a new healthy lifestyle. I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. I received a stipend to facilitate my purchase for my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

One little change that I have made in my healthier lifestyle journey is to eat fruit instead of processed sugar laden foods. One fruit I love would be the delicious, plump, little blueberry that is found year round in my local market. I recently learned that the domestic blueberry season runs from April to September and then they are imported from Chile, Peru and Argentina. We will buy fresh, freeze-dried, and frozen depending on what we are making. These little bush dwelling fruits can be enjoyed by the handful and popped right into the mouth or tossed into a large glass of water. 

My little changes have added up to 100 pounds off my body which includes healthy eating and healthy exercises. These changes have been for me and for my family. They also exercise and eat healthy. So yes, they also love blueberries. We snack on them, cook with them and even blend them in with our healthy morning smoothies. They are also enjoy in with whole grain pancakes and waffles. 

By adding in more blueberries to our daily meals we have

• less unwanted calories
• less processed sugar products
• 80 natural calories per serving (one cup)
• daily recommended intake of fiber with 3.6 grams
• added vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese

Blueberry Orange Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

8 oz. almond and/or coconut milk (or combo of the two)

1 cup of blueberries

1 small orange

1 cup fresh spinach

1 cup of ice

1 cup of water

1 scoop of Greenberry Shakeology

1 tsp coconut extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp flax seed or chia seeds

Directions

Add the above ingredients as listed above in a blender. Run on smoothie mode. Drink up!

Kitchen notes

If you are using the 21 Day Fix eating plan then this smoothie counts as 1 Red, 1 Green, 2 Purple, 1 Yellow swap out, 1 Orange

Did you know that the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is hosting a sweepstakes through which you can enter to win a trip for two to LA for the Little Changes Kitchen Challenge alongside actress, author and TV host Alison Sweeney. There will also be runner up prizes which include four $500 Whole Foods or Lululemon gift cards for a refreshed pantry or workout wardrobe. 

The theme is Choose little, win BIG! The sweepstakes closes February 16, 2015. 

Click on over and enter the sweepstakes HERE. 

More Blueberry Recipes

Blueberry Peach Basil Iced Tea
Blueberry Orange Lime Jam

What are Your Biggest Bathroom Cleaning Pet Peeves? #IC #BehindClosedDoors #sponsored

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for

Scrubbing Bubbles®. I received product samples and a promotional item to

thank me for participating.

When it comes to cleaning the house, the one room I clean 2-4 times a week

or more is the bathroom. How about you? Which room do you clean the

most? The kitchen gets cleaned almost daily but that is because we use dishes and cook most everything homemade. Out of all the other rooms in the home, the bathroom is actively cleaned because I have several pet peeves that drive me batty.

In the bathroom I have trained everyone who lives here and regular family

and friends to always close down the toilet seat. I’m hoping that they do this

before they flush but I can’t guarantee it. Did you know that according to the

Scrubbing Bubbles® Dirty Work Index that 60% of people flush with the

toilet seat up? This is my #1 bathroom pet peeve because of all the

germs that gets sprayed around when the toilet is flushed. We also have

cats and I insist that the toilet seat goes down so that they do not play in

the water.

My #2 bathroom pet peeve is toothpaste left in the sink. Honestly it takes

about 1 cup of water and a few seconds to make sure the toothpaste goes

down the drain. Does this bother you, too? I can almost always tell who left

a glob of toothpaste behind by the color of the toothpaste and time of

day.

I also have another pet peeve. The #3 pet peeve involves things on the

mirror in the bathroom. Pure grossness! That also takes just a few second to wipe down after splattering who knows what all over it.

Finally my #4 pet peeve in the bathroom is going in and not having toilet

paper on the roll. Everyone here is smart enough to know when they take

the last square, replace the roll. They also know where new rolls are kept and sometimes they will use a roll but not put it on the wall but back in the cupboard! Honestly I live with the sloppiest people in the bathroom.

One way I deal with my pet peeves is to just clean the bathroom 2-4 times a

week. Some weeks I might even do it more if we have guest in the house. I

keep a bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles® Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner on hand

at all times to help make bathroom cleaning a breeze. I love that it kills

99.9% of viruses & bacteria which has really come in handy the past 2

months of this crazy flu and cold season. I also love the fresh citrus scent which really freshens up our bathroom. When I use Scrubbing Bubbles® Multi Surface Bathroom Cleaner, I know my bathroom is completely clean.

What dirty/clean bathroom pet peeves do you have? How about toothpaste left behind or sink soap scum? Or maybe empty containers in the shower or a hand

towel on the floor? 

How do you tackle your cleaning pet peeves? Leave your pet peeves and solutions in the comments below. Check out Scrubbing Bubbles® website more cleaning tips and products to help you tackle that messy bathroom! Check them out on Facebook and Twitter, too!

21 Day Fix {Healthy Recipe} for Extra Veggie Spaghetti

January is National Soup Month and I have a lot of tasty soups to share with you this month. Today I'm taking a soup break to give you a very healthy extra veggie spaghetti recipe hubby and I created together (something weird is happening to us...we will celebrate 22 years of marriage this year and all of a sudden we are eating healthy together, exercising together and even cooking together.) I posted this yesterday on my personal Facebook page what we were doing in the kitchen and my friends wanted more info. So this recipe is for them and for you! 

Hubby and I (our family) are eating clean with the 21 Day Fix. The healthy eating plan has been in our kitchen since October and it is the BOMB!  Not only are we eating foods super clean (means fresh foods, healthy foods and easy prep and cooking) we are also exercising and feeling great. Want in on our secret? Want to know more about the 21 Day Fix then click the link. Message, comment or follow me on Facebook and I can tell you and help you get started with this right away. 

Easy & Healthy Extra Veggie Spaghetti

3 servings

Ingredients

3 yellow squash (can substitute)
1 bell pepper (yellow, orange or red), coarse chopped
1 small onion, coarse chopped
1 28 oz. can non salt tomato sauce
1 tsp each of crushed red pepper, tarragon, basil, parsley, oregano, garlic powder
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp olive oil with dash of the above spices 

Directions

1- In a large sauce pan, bring bell pepper, onion, tomato sauce, minced garlic and the 1 tsp spices to a simmer. Cook for 20-30 minutes.
2- While sauce is cooking, get out the Vegetable Spiralizer and "spiralize" the yellow squash. 
3-Right before sauce is done and right before you are ready to eat, add 1 tsp olive oil to a large sauté pan. Once hot, add in the squash. Stir around for 2-3 minutes and add a dash of all the spices to the yellow squash.
4-Add squash noodles to your plate and top with sauce. 

Paderno World Cuisine A4982799 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer

Kitchen notes

1-I added in 3 chicken breast, large chunks into my spaghetti sauce to cook.
2-Perfect recipe for the 21 Day Fix healthy eating plan. 
3-I personally love making my spaghetti sauce in a crockpot. This can be added in a small crockpot for 2-4 hours on high.
4-I never make a small batch of spaghetti sauce. I quadruple this sauce recipe. I can use it for leftovers or freeze it for a later meal. 

Tips on using the Vegetable Spiralizer

• This is one of the easiest "kitchen gadgets" we own. It takes just a few seconds to add the blade of your choice. 
• Put in your veggie (you might have to cut to size) and spiral away. 
• It was super easy to rinse and clean off. We do not have kitchen space to leave it out so we put it back in the box and store on our extra appliance shelf. 

Keep checking in for more healthy recipes including recipes using the 21 Day Fix healthy eating plan. You can also follow my group, 21 Day Fix to get more ideas and to get more information on this healthier lifestyle eating plan. 

Check in daily and I'll share many new recipes this month. I'll also post them on my Make Time for Healthier Lifestyle Group (you can share there), SusieQTpies Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and Pinterest. So follow me on those social media channels so keep up and not miss some heart warming recipes. 

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January National Soup Month Recipes {Healthy Spicy Lentil Soup Recipe}

Did you know that January is National Soup Month?? Yep! Just in time since the polar vortex is headed our way. Soup warms the soul, feeds the senses and fills up the belly! Who needs anything else on a cold winter day?

I'll be sharing some of our old favorites and some brand new recipes this month. Check in daily and I'll share as many as possible this month. I'll also post them on my SusieQTpies Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and Pinterest. So follow me on those social media channels so keep up and not miss some heart warming recipes. 

If you have any favorites, share the recipe in the comments below. YES, share your links if they are on your blog! I'm going to do a round up of my top favorites, top viewed on my blog and I'll give you some shout outs, too!

Today's recipe was actually made by my hubby, Middle Eastern Spicy Lentil Soup! It was really the first "slow cooker recipe" he ever made or has made. When he did this a few years back it really was the first time he had made a meal in a long time. This is fine with me because I love cooking for my family. How about in your home? Who does all the cooking? 

If you are eating healthier for 2015 this is one recipe you will want to make. It is all healthy and very flavorful! Click over to Middle Eastern Spicy Lentil Soup to get this recipe. 

Need help eating healthy in 2015? Check out on my eating plan and the ever popular buzz word for healthy eating and healthy living this year, The 21 Day Fix. Do you ever wonder if you can drop pounds by not exercising? If so check out a reader question, Can I Lose Weight without Exercise and help with healthy New Year Resolutions.