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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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10 Reasons Why I Love Jenny Craig and You Will Too

March 1, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 76 Comments

Disclaimer-Jenny-Craig

Today will be two months I’ve been on Jenny Craig.

So far I’ve lost 16 lbs. I couldn’t be happier with my success and know that Jenny Craig will continue to be my answer to FINALLY getting to my healthier me. I still have 35 lbs. to lose, but I know with the skill, support and convenience of Jenny Craig, I can continue to reach my goals! And now I’m giving the same gift I was given to one of you (just keep reading to find out how!)


Jenny-Craig-Food-MamaChallenge

10. Jenny Craig makes it easy for me to lose weight by taking the thinking out of it.

9. Triple Chocolate Cheesecake and other sweets make it easy to feel like I’m indulging while I’m still losing weight.

Jenny-Craig Red-Velvet-Cupcake
8. My counselor, Natalie is my backbone for weight loss. I look forward to our weekly meetings and she is my support when I need it most.

Jenny-Craig-Counselor-MamaChallenge
7. Jenny Craig helps me to make time for me. I sit down to enjoy meals and snacks instead of just putting unhealthy junk in my month.
6. With Jenny Craig I don’t feel like I’m missing out. Pizza, turkey burgers and chicken enchiladas, I get to eat them all with Jenny Craig.
5. Even when I need a bag of chips or a late-night snack, I have options like Kettle Corn, Black Bean Chips and even Smores bar.

Jenny-Craig-Popcorn-MamaChallenge
4. Jenny Craig has taken my favorite foods and made them healthy and easy to prepare, so I’m always looking forward to meal time.
3. Jenny Craig is flexible! When I’m on the go, I can bring my Jenny Craig with me – in my purse, in my desk and even in my car.

Jenny-Craig-Listens-MamaChallengef
2. With Jenny Craig, I never feel hungry! I’ve got shakes, bars and snacks as well as delicious meals to keep me and my metabolism all day.
1. Jenny Craig has retaught me to eat the right way with portion control and nutrition proportion.

So are you ready to find out what Jenny Craig can do for you? 

Jenny-Craig-Giveaway

Jenny Craig will set you up as a member on the program so that you can experience the program first-hand, with a weekly one-on-one consultation with a dedicated consultant who will be with you every step of the way from identifying your challenges, mapping out goals and tracking your progress. In addition, you’ll get a month supply of delicious, portioned food for every meal like our Cinnamon Swirl French Toast or our Baja-Style Chicken Quesadillas. Members following our program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. a week.

What are you doing to be the healthiest version of you? 

 

Zo Delicious: Zoes Kitchen Helps Families Serve Healthy Meals on the Go

February 17, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 20 Comments

SponsoredPostDisclaimer

Is your family as tired of rotisserie chicken as my family is?

While we still love a roasted bird, serving it three times a week as my quick solution to healthy takeout is starting to get old. And it sure isn’t make the little bit of time we have together very interesting hovering the same ole meal.


Zoes-Family-Meals2-MamaChallenge

One of my favorite places for lunch also just makes great sense for time-pressed families is Zoës Kitchen. Zoës Kitchen Mediterranean Family Meals are a complete dinner solution designed to serve families of all sizes. You can choose chicken, steak or shrimp kabobs, grilled chicken entrees or Zoës’ famous Roll-Up combos, along with two fresh sides of their choosing, Greek salad, and pita bread. All meals are made from scratch, and prepared by hand using fresh produce and lean proteins that are predominately preservative and additive free. You won’t find any fryers or microwaves at Zoës Kitchen. Mediterranean Family Meals can be enjoyed at the Zoës Kitchen table or at your own kitchen table, making it a simple way to bring the family together for dinner.

Zoes-Family-Meals-MamaChallenge

In one quick phone call, online click or even their new app, I was able to bring home a hot and delicious meal that we all enjoyed and can look forward to eating again and again. While everything in our Mediterranean Family Meal was fresh and delicious, there were a few standouts that make me want to find another reason to make another order right now:

Braised White Beans
Don’t tell me you don’t like beans because this will be the exception! With an aroma of rosemary, garlic and olive oil, you could devour these beans and their sauce as a mean meal within itself. It’s perfect for those days when you are looking for something to warm you up on a cold day or for me, any day that ends in the letter y.

Orzo Tabouli Salad
Like the White Beans, this Pasta Salad isn’t like anything you’ve ever had, so get the idea of a traditional noodle salad out of your head. Made with orzo pasta (that looks like a fat piece of rice), mint, tomatoes and their zesty dressing, the orzo tabouli salad for a side that can’t be beat. I mean I tried to after I found this orzo tabouli salad recipe from Zoës in a TV segment, but my version didn’t come out quite like Zoë’s . It was an ok second when in a pinch, but it’s just not worth it when you can have the real thing that’s healthy to eat and so easy to get your hands on!

Hummus
If you’re a hummus eater, you know the difference between good hummus and “it gets the job done” hummus. Zoës hummus is full of flavor with only fresh ingredients, including chickpeas, tahini, virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and spices – which is why it tastes so good. While nibbling on the sliced cucumbers is a great starter (and magic for getting kids to eat their veggies) when it’s paired with the toasted pita bread, it’s so addictive. Then they went and made it triple amazing with the launch of the Hummus Trio.

Zoes-Kitchen-Hummus-Trio

Expanding off their traditional recipe, Zoës added a basil pesto hummus and a red pepper version. The Basil Pesto Hummus is infused and topped with a made-from-scratch basil pesto prepared with fresh basil, spinach, chopped garlic and parmesan cheese. The Red Pepper Hummus is a delicious, zesty version of the classic hummus with a variety of additional spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper, mixed with roasted red peppers, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.

Zoes-Family-Meals-K-Bobs-MamaChallenge

While it’s obvious I love my Zoës, what did the rest of the family think? The kids loved eating “off a stick” with their hands and we all came back for seconds on the sides. And the leftovers? Mom and dad both took them the next day for lunch at work AND we even had salad left for dinner the next night.

That’s a home run for us!

Ready to find out what you’ve been missing at Zoës? You have a chance for $25 gift card to Zoës Kitchen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information or to find a restaurant near you, visit www.zoeskitchen.com, Like Us on Facebook or follow Zoës Kitchen on Twitter.

Zoes-Family-Meals3-MamaChallenge

 

ClassPass: All the Class with One Pass

January 30, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 14 Comments

Disclaimer

I like to work out.

I like to work out as long as it’s something fun.


If you tell me my workout plan is two, back-to-back days of the cardio machine, I’m out.

But who wants to pay for five memberships just so you can enjoy your yoga in one neighborhood but your crossfit in another? No one. That just doesn’t make sense.

Class-Pass-Logo

But this does: Meet CLASS PASS, the new pass to be able access hundreds of workout studios all over Dallas/Fort Worth with one pass and one price. For less than $100 a month you can hit up everything you could want to try and didn’t even know existed, with just one price.

Sounded like a good idea on paper (or online in this case), so I decided to take my CLASSPASS (affiliate link) for a little test drive to see if it was as easy as it says.

Opening my account I was able to search neighborhoods for participating studios as well as different types of classes.

First stop: Spin. 

Off-The-Saddle

I love spin. Really, I do. I have enjoyed many spin class at FlyWheel Dallas, but this time it was time to see what Cowtown had to offer at an aptly named, “Off the Saddle” studio.

I was able to learn about the studio, my instructor and with a quick click, make an appointment for the day I wanted to come in. (You’re asked for 24 hours to make your appointment online and/or to cancel a reservation.) Done. 

I got a nifty reminder of my class (actually a few so you don’t forget). Once I got there, I have them my name, they checked me off and I was ready to ride. That easy and no special paperwork or nothin’. Sweet.

Off-the-saddle

So was the ride of my whole new kind of spinning – literally off the saddle and almost standing the majority of the class. It rocked. And as compared to spin classes I’ve taken in Dallas? It just like when you compare Dallas to Fort Worth…Dallas is like a big, kickin’ party and Fort Worth was fun, laid back and just the right speed. Both gave me awesome work outs; it was all about my mood for the day. But both of them definitely utilized the disco lights. (If you’re really confused, then you should go to both just to see what I mean.)

Seeing it was really THAT easy to try something out, I decided to go really wild for a Lyra Hoop class. Don’t worry that’s not like hula hooping in your pantyhose, but a hoop suspended from the ceiling that you dance, move and stuff through. Well, just look here.

Lyra-Hoop

Was it hard? Um, yes. It was a workout once I got my ass in the hoop, but as you see there are not pictures of that since I left my camera on the floor as I got in the hoop and then was too tired to jump down to get it and try to get back in. That literally a one-time shot and I missed it. But I got up there. Really, I did. Mostly I wanted these women slither in and out like fairies in total amazement thinking: “go do some situps, Autumn.” This work out is not for the faint at heart, but man it’s lots of fun (think bachelorette party!)

What was crazy about Moving Canvas Dance Studio was its location…two miles from my house and I had NO idea. It offers all kinds of other workout fun like hip-hop dancing (calling to my inner Beyonce) or Burlesque (channeling the early-years inner Cristina Aguilera.) And then I came across even more fun with silks…Yep Arial dancing.

Silks

I thought Lyra was hard, well silks was harder…and it wasn’t. There was some stuff I couldn’t imagine doing and then some other stuff like a hanging cow (that wasn’t really the name, but I felt like one) that I was able to get up there once I started singing the “Rocky” theme sock in my ear. I was awesome for about two minutes. I still have ever intention of channeling my Cirque de Soleil, but until then I think there’s a little more Jenny Craig and some pull ups in my near future.

To finish off my 10-day try-it out challenge, I went a little less wild. I decided it was time to try Bikram Yoga of North Texas.

Bikram-Yoga-Arlington

I love yoga and have done it for a long time at a lot of places (if you really want a laugh you should read about my yoga pose: passing wind), but I had never done true Bikram. At 105 degrees I wasn’t sure how different it would be except hot and sweaty, which it really was for the entire 90-minutes I was there. But it was AMAZEBALLS. I looked like a wet cat and smelled like a boys locker room when I got done, but I could tell I had detoxed, burned calories, increased flexibility and avoided my smart phone for 90-minutes. I felt the zen – at least until I picked up my kids, but it was totally worth it. And then I went back a few more times since it only gets better the more you go.

Bikram-Yoga-Pose

So what are you waiting for? With a no-contract, no-fuss CLASSPASS you have all the flexibility you want as well as all the ease. And if you really want to try it out really cheap…right now they’ll even give you a 10-day pass for $10. Can’t really beat that or all the calories you can burn just by going first class with CLASSPASS.

What workout or new fitness trend are you excited to try? 

 

Modmarket: Smart. Happy. Healthy. Food. Now. in Dallas

January 27, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 8 Comments

When you think about what you want to eat shouldn’t that make you happy? But is it so much to ask for food that makes and keep you happy and healthy?

That’s the smart idea that brought Modmarket to Dallas/North Texas area (straight from Colorado) around a year ago to Flower Mound, then Plano and now to Dallas’ Preston Hollow neighborhood.

Our eating philosophy is quite straightforward, actually. We serve real food, which means using whole ingredients (things like whole grain flour, raw vegetables, fruits, legumes…you get the idea). We also incorporate real butter (gasp!) and quality meats and cheeses in our recipes. And we cook it all the way it was done hundreds of years ago – raw, grilled, or cooked in a stone hearth oven. We avoid things like preservatives and artificial sweeteners and keep our ingredient lists short and sweet. We make things from scratch, which is a total pain, but it makes our food taste better.


There’s a little bit of everything from breakfast to dinner and whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or a total carnivore, you’ll come out happy with any of the dishes they have. However, it’s the pizza, sandwiches and salads that make me the happiest. Here’s a few we felt the need to “research…”

Modmarket-Corn
Corn on Pizza? With creme fraiche, bacon, spinach and fresh corn, you just need one bite to know this is the happy part of the menu…the healthy not as much, but today it will make you happy.
Modmarket-Corn-Pizza
I’m hungry and love this closeup photo of all the goodness that is this pizza. You could go gluten-free if you wanted. What does it matter when you have this on top?

Modmarket-marg
Mmmm…M’Rita: Fresh Mozzarella, Organic Red Sauce, Basil, Whole Grain Dough.
Modmarket-Buffalo
Of course, we’re in Texas so we’d BBQ it: BBQ BBQ Sauce, Roasted Chicken, Red Onions, Green Onion, Pepper Jack Cheese, Cilantro, Whole Grain Dough

Modmarket-Steak
Go Meaty with the FLAT IRON: Mixed Greens, Grilled Steak, Roasted Potato, Gorgonzola Cheese, Tomato, Caramelized Onion, Balsamic Vinaigrette
Modmarket-salad
Better to chew than gum with the Wintergreen: Spinach, Goat Cheese, Roasted Potato, Walnuts, Apple, Dates, Agave Herb Vinaigrette

Modmarket-Chicken
This basil chicken sandwich isn’t kidding. It’s
Modmarket-Calories
Your calorie count of what you ate is included on your reciept.

Get the whole menu for your preferred Modmarket location online.

FLOWER MOUND
3651 Justin Road
Suite 100
Flower Mound, TX 75028
P. 469.312.5180

PLANO
8400 Preston Road
Suite 100
Plano, TX 75024
P. 469.573.6074

PRESTON HOLLOW
7949 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75230
Opening February 4

Ready to go get you some healthy, happy, fresh and fantastic food at Modmarket? One lucky winner wins $25 Gift Card to Modmarket.

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Does Jenny Craig Food Really Taste Good?

January 25, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 27 Comments

Disclaimer

Does Jenny Craig food taste good? That was my second question after, of course, whether or not Jenny Craig would work. While it’s food that’s already made for me that I would microwave or in some cases, just open straight from the cabinet…why would it taste any different than a frozen Lean Cuisine that I had been eating for years? Jenny-Craig-Lots-of-Food But this year was going to be different and I was going to do something different. I need to be healthier. I want to look better. I have to be a better version than the woman I am today. After my first appointment at Jenny Craig and my weigh in, I was loaded up on two huge bags of food for the next 7 days. Additionally, I would also add veggies, fruit and Greek yogurt to the menu. Even if this food was bad, there was no way I was going to be hungry… Jenny-Craig-Meal-Plan Like a good kid I went to my meal planner journal and plucked out the first box from the freezer. Following the instructions, I patiently waiting for 3-4 minutes for the plastic dish to be ready for me to devour. Let’s see how this good this is… Jenny-Craig-Sesame-Chicken-box Before I dug in, I decided a nice plate my make things better. Presentation means everything. Jenny-Craig-Sesame-Chicken

SESAME CHICKEN


One bite into the Sesame Chicken, I was pretty taken. With noodles, vegetables like red peppers and water chestnuts, and the tender breaded chicken, I was actually excited about what I was eating. Not because it was “diet food,” but because it was good. And when combined with 1.5 cups of veggies as required by the plan, I was full. Actually it was like I was eating my normal Friday night Chinese from down the street – but healthy. Thankfully what it wasn’t like was loaded with MSG, salt and all the other stuff that might make traditional Chinese takeout taste good, but fill you full of so much stuff you body doesn’t need.  Not bad for the first dish, but I wondered if the other entrees on my meal plan would get any better. Jenny-Craig-Stuffed-Shells

 STUFFED SHELLS

Soft, cheesy, and sauce covered, I was delighted to eat this for dinner one night, especially paired with Italian green beans. And apparently, Italian is definitely my weakness since I had Chicken Carbonara on the menu and was over the moon. Again the meal was really tasty with a creamy alfredo sauce with BACON and chicken. To up the veggie intake I threw in some steamed broccoli along with my side salad and Jenny Craig balsamic dressing, I still couldn’t believe I was eating healthy food.

Jenny-Craig-Chicken-Carbonara

 CHICKEN CARBONARA

 While there were several other dishes I enjoyed like the White Fish and Mushroom Risotto (yep, risotto!) and probably one of my absolute favorites the fish and chips. After a long day or when the kids were eating pizza, this one was almost like I was cheating…but I’m not.  The only few things I haven’t like as much were the chicken or tuna kits (but I don’t like them any way!) Jenny-Craig-Mediterranean-Style-Egg-Sandwich

 MEDITERRANEAN EGG SANDWICH

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, but with our schedule it seems it’s around 11 am before I have time to make it…And then the crazy roller coaster of my day begins and I’m left waiting until 2 pm to eat lunch. That’s a lot of problem about waiting sometimes until dinner to make up for the rest of the day and I’m starving. But with Jenny Craig I’m excited to get up for breakfast and to enjoy the variety of different meal items available especially this Mediterranean egg sandwich and the Florentine Pizzas are A-mazing.  Having dishes that could be portable are really important to make sure I stay on my meal plan, so I lean towards these rather than the egg scrambles. But those are so good, too.

Jenny-Craig Red-Velvet-Cupcake

 RED VELVET CUPCAKE

I had no idea when I started Jenny Craig dessert was even part of the plan, much less a Red. Velvet. Cupcake. With creamy icing and a moist red velvet cake, I was in H-E-A-V-E-N and still on the Jenny Craig plan. Then there chocolate cakes, brownies and the triple chocolate cheesecake Oh, my it was everything I needed…so much so I forgot to take a photo before I gobbled it up. But believe me it was good. Real good.

Jenny-Craig-Kettle-Corn

 KETTLE CORN

Snacks are just as much fun to eat on Jenny. I’m not much of cheetos-kinda-girl, but they have a version of that. Kettle corn, black bean chips and yogurt dream bar make it easy to make it through an epioside of Downton Abbey or a late-night on the computer. And the portions for the snack are definitely huge, so you never feel like your have a bad case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out.)

Jenny-Craig-Sample-Kit

Still not convinced Jenny Craig food is good? Then consider trying a Jenny Craig Sample Kit. A Taste of Success 3-day Sample Kit gives you an opportunity to try Jenny Craig food without signing up for the entire plan. And best of all, when you order the Taste of Success Sample Kit and then join Jenny Craig, they’ll credit the cost of your sample kit towards your next Jenny’s Cuisine in center or Jenny Craig at Home purchase.

Stay tuned to my Jenny Craig weight loss journey: I’ll be sharing my progress on Facebook and Instagram along the way.

*I was provided a free trial program and a discount on the Jenny Craig meals. However, the opinions and writing are entirely my own. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs per week.

Lose Weight with Jenny Craig – First Appointment

January 13, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 16 Comments

Disclaimer

I’m going to let you in on a little secret…

If you ever wanted me to quit talking, ask me to talk about my weight.


The topic makes me sad…not just because it reminds me that my figure definitely is far from where I am comfortable (especially for a gal on TV), but even more so because I have two children I am responsible for and would love if their mom was “skinny.” Somehow when my six-year-old says he thinks I am beautiful BUT…he would like if I was smaller…just kills me.

Me too, buddy. Me too.

So once again, another year, I’ve resolved to finally lose that weight. My post-wedding weight. My two-week-eat-my-way-through-Italy weight. My post-baby weight (and my youngest is three.)

Right before I got married I was able to lose around 50 lbs. But that wasn’t without work. Lots of it.

Easter-Reos

But I can’t just let me go. I have to keep trying. If not for me, for them.

Looking at my biggest issue…it always comes down to the food. I’m not good at planning meals and I can’t handle grilled chicken and veggies for six months straight. It’s just not me.  I need good food that’s good for me and takes no time to prepare.

Meet my new best friend Jenny. Jenny Craig that is.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up, but on the day of my appointment, I walked in ready to go. At least with my new friend I felt like I could brave up to the scales.

Afterwards, we sat down and talked about my triggers that made losing weight hard for me.

JC-Breakdown

Saying them aloud actually made it easier to face up to them instead of keeping them secret – just like when I clean the kids’ plates after dinner and take a few bites…

Next we made a menu. One of my favorite activities in the world; I was able to look over my predetermined menu and decide if everything sounded good for me. Pizza bites? Chicken Carbonara, Fish and Chips? Don’t mind if I do. 

JC-Chicken-Carbonara

We packed all my food and then I was off to the grocery store to pick up only a few other things like water, veggies and yogurt. And then I was ready to go.

Thankfully, I was now prepared. Prepared to deal with my crazy schedule and all the things that get in my way of taking care of me.

So what do I think so far?

Jenny-Craig-Lots-of-Food

Just after one week I was down six pounds and I have had to work to find room to eat chocolate cheesecake. Really!

Make sure to stay tuned as I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the food, how it works and of course, if it helps me to continue to reach my goal weight loss of 50 lbs!

Are you looking to lose weight? Right now Jenny Craig is offering $0 to join AND $50 in free food!

Jenny-Craig-Deal

Just like I experienced, you’ll be able to meet your consultant, make goals together, create a menu and workout plan and also outline how you’ll be able to overcome those challenges that keep you from your goal weight.So join me! I’ll be sharing my progress on Facebook and Instagram along the way.

*I was provided a free trial program and a discount on the Jenny Craig meals. However, the opinions and writing are entirely my own. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs per week.

*I was provided a free trial program and a discount on the Jenny Craig meals. However, the opinions and writing are entirely my own. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs per week.

Start Your Family Dinner Project with Healthy Comfort Favorites {Recipe}

January 7, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 12 Comments

At the bar. Standing next to the fridge. In stages throughout the night.

Is this the way your family eats dinner?

With all those busy family schedules – work, school, play and all that in between – it keeps us from being what we are supposed to be – a family!


Family-Dinner-Project

The Family Dinner Project seeks to help all of us to get back to the things that matter like food, fun and conversation at mealtime. A program led by Project Zero at Harvard, the FDP is full of recipes, conversation starters and research to back up the basic concept that a family meal is good for the spirit, brain and health of a family. Actually 15 years of research shows families that eat together experience:

  • Better academic performance
  • Higher self-esteem
  • Lower risk of substance abuse
  • Lower risk of teen pregnancy
  • Lower risk of depression
  • Lower likelihood of developing eating disorders
  • Lower rates of obesity

So now that you know that you know that dinner time together is a good thing – give them something they can’t resist at dinner…fried chicken and macaroni and cheese!

But since it is a new year and a new you and you want to help your whole family be healthier, here are a few twists we’ve made to make sure that dinner doesn’t just taste a-mazing, but is also healthy, too!

I’ve taken fried chicken to new heights with this gluten-free oven fried chicken that uses gluten-free cereal for a crispy crust. And don’t worry, I didn’t forget the sauce either! Paired with this copy-cat signature recipe from a certain chicken spot that has an affinity for cows, you will be making this recipe again and again – and finding new reasons to put this sauce on everything. Add a little (or a lot) gluten-free mac n cheese (with a little healthy twist of winter squash), you will love your time together – eating, talking and just being together.

Gluten-Free-Oven-Fried-Chicken

 

Gluten-Free-Mac-N-Cheese

 

 

New Year New You with Weight Loss Helpers

January 2, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

None of these are endorsed by GMT or MamaChallenge as diet remedies, but the newest trends in support that viewers and readers have shared for weight management. Check with your doctor before starting any regimen or weight loss program. 

The Cabbage Diet. The Hot Dog Diet. Or my personal favorite from The Devil Wears Prada, I Don’t Anything Diet Until I’m About to Pass Out and Eat a Cube of Cheese Diet.

diet-main-pic

PerezHilton.com


None of them sound good, but certainly have worked to help anyone have long-lasting weight loss. The reason why of course, is diets don’t work.

The last time I was on Good Morning Texas I shared the secret of a long marriage. Today I’m going to share the secret to losing weight: Eat healthy food, practice healthy lifestyle with exercise. Period.

But for many of us that’s a lot harder than it sounds!

However, people are realizing it’s about a lifestyle change; a mindset; a shift, to a healthier version of you!

So we asked our viewers and MamaChallenge.com readers to tell us what they are doing to lose or maintain weight and here’s what we found!

SKINNY STIX BY ZANTREX3

  • Actress, Host and Ex-Playboy bunny Jenny McCarthy is the spokesperson for Skinny Stix, a proprietary blend you add to 16 oz. water. 1-3 times a day.
  • SkinnyStix formula was originally designed for weight loss, but it’s been benefitting everyone for powerful appetite control, mood elevation, increased energy, fat burning, stamina, and improved focus.
  • Starting yesterday you can find Skinny Stix at Walmart for a pack of 21.

DAILY GREENS

  • Juicing is not a way to lose weight but help you to get in those fruits and vegetables you might not be getting in your regular diet. Take a look – this one bottle has 6 lbs of produce!
  • Austin-based Daily Greens is a raw, cold-pressed juicing company with products available for sale at Whole Foods and other specialty stores as well as online for nationwide, overnight delivery.
  • Shauna Martin created this company after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 and discovered juicing was her way to restore her health.

ADVOCARE

  • A locally based company, Advocare has a strong reach – I bet many of our viewers have tried it or know someone who sells the products.
  • It’s an overall wellness program to kick start a healthier lifestyle and designed to help you feel better, look better and perform better.
  • The 24-Day Challenge™ is a comprehensive supplementation and nutrition program. Give your body the jumpstart it needs to help you reach your goals.* There’s something for everyone: weight management, energy, overall body composition or overall wellness.

PLEXUS

  • Plexus Slim is a natural drink that contains a variety of plant extracts helpful in balancing blood sugar, hormones, cholesterol, and lipids.
  • Plexus Slim was originally designed to help patients with diabetes regulate blood sugar, but when it was noted that all test participants lost weight, it was then decided to market it as a weight loss product.
  • Many have had success with relief from auto-immune issues in addition to weight management.

PERSONAL TRAINER FOOD

Successful weight loss is about 20 what you do and 80 what you eat. So if you can’t afford to have one of those celebrity trainers to watch your every move and thing you put in your mouth, you have Personal Trainer Food!

  • Personal Trainer Food is a direct home healthy meal service based in Fort Worth!
  • It’s just real food without the processed fillers – that makes it easy for you to eat right because it’s easy to do. No grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning, no calorie counting – just a way to learn to eat right.
  • The food truly tastes great. Many people are afraid of trying the food because they’ve tried Nutrisystem, Lean Cuisine, Jenny Craig, etc. However, it really is restaurant-quality food.
  • It is realistic on this program to lose 2-4 pounds per week just by eating right and walking 15 minutes/day. They also offer weight loss coaching with all programs.

RISE

There are tons of apps that can help you stay on target, but you have to find the right one for you.

  • One of the ones that is getting a lot of praise is Rise, an app that is highly endorsed by Good Morning America contributor Tory Johnson.
  • Rise connects people with their very own nutrition coach – all registered dietitians – with one-on –one, 24/7 access.
  • She talks about how Rise helped her in her new book, Shift, a book about how she was able to find the SHIFT within in her to change her life for good to a healthier living and lose 65 lbs. in a year.
  • Just for Good Morning Texas viewers, you can visit Rise.us and use the code SHIFT for 20% off your first payment!

 Have you used any of these products? What do you do to lose or maintain a healthy weight? 

Meet this Mama: Autumn Rose Reo

Get REAL Solutions for REAL Parents that Work! From recipes, things to do, parenting tips (and fails) and how to cope with everything in between, she'll share all the best ways to take on your (mama) challenges... http://www.mamachallenge.com/about/

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📌ArlingtonTX
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I put it off all day because I didn’t want to ha I put it off all day because I didn’t want to have to start the inevitable, but here we are the first #SeniorSunday for Jackson Benham Reo. (I’m so not ready.)
Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq for being named #7 in @texasmonthly 2025 Top 50 BBQ! 

We’ve done our own BBQ stop shopping this last year from our own @hurtadobbq, @smokenashbbq and @225bbq in Arlington, @goldeesbbq and @panthercitybbq in Fort Worth, @zavalasbarbecue in Grand Prairie and @franklinbbq in Austin, no one can say that BBQ is BBQ. It’s as vastly different as the landscape as Texas. Now I’m off to @burntbeanco - #sequin here we come with the rest of the state!

#bbq #texasbbq
I can’t believe these are my people…my people I can’t believe these are my people…my people are supposed to be toddlers with Thomas the Train and Disney Princess backpacks! 

Goodbye 11th and 7th grade!
🚨 ACT NOW: Keep Public $$$ in Public Schools! 🚨

Click Here (takes less than one minute): 
https://www.txpta.org/take-action

Tomorrow, March 11, the Texas House Committee on Public Education will hear HB 3. Let’s make it clear: Public money demands public accountability!

Texans have rejected vouchers since 1957—yet lawmakers are once again pushing them through with SB 2 and HB 3.

💰 Vouchers drain public school resources.
📉 They don’t improve student achievement.
❌ They aren’t about "parent choice"—private schools choose their students.
🏫 Texas parents already have school choice.

Governor Abbott is making vouchers a priority, but Texans are pushing back. Lawmakers are feeling the heat from voters who refuse to let public schools be undermined.

📲 Take 1 minute to make your voice heard NOW!

📷Jackson and Taylor are 2 of the 5.5 million reasons why Texas must keep public dollars in public schools. I was a product of public schools and had an amazing experience in a rural community with some of the best teachers. Change needs to happen, but taking away resources like these from schools is not especially when they ste already underfunded and our teachers’ morale is at an all time low. Communities work better together not when you separate them further apart. 

#studentsrworthit
#txptarally25
❣️…Pressing pause (for while)… Forgot wha ❣️…Pressing pause (for while)…

Forgot what it feels like to RELAX? The Sanford House Inn & Spa is ready to help you “Leave Your Worries Behind” with packages to treat yourself (or someone else) this Valentine’s Day! 

You “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with multiple options including a Hot-Stone Massage, Facials, Spa Manicure + Pedicure, Blowouts, Foot Reflexology and even lunch (with wine!

Just take a look at my face - I was able to “turn it off” (for a little while) and when I left my dry winter skin was just glowing - plus I learned how to make it stay that way from my very  knowledgeable esthetician! 

If you haven’t tried this gem in the middle of Arlington, you’re missing out! The Spa is just part of experience with its 12-room Inn and acclaimed 506 Restaurant (don’t sleep on the brunch), @thesanfordhouse is your little piece of heaven in the middle of downtown!

Think it’s only a little dream? It will be if you don’t make an appointment or nudge your loved one this is what you NEED for Valentine’s Day! (But don’t worry you can still get a great experience anytime!)

Link is in my stories for full list of Valentine’s Day packages! 

📍506 N. Center Street, Arlington, Texas
(Less than 1 mile from @attstadium)

#valentines #dfw #ArlingtonTx #sanfordhouse
Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights Thi Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights

This is the last weekend of the “Christmas lights you can see from space” from the twinkliest town in Texas, @visitjctx!

You have until Sunday…and while you’re there you should hit up @halterranchtx, my other new favorite.

#gofredtx #fredericksburgtx @visitfredtx @visitfredericksburgtx
FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the st FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the station doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a Classic Christmas (and we have the keys!)

@ClassicChristmas has been extended until Sunday, Jan. 5, so if you haven’t been enjoy this VIP experience with ice skating and snow tubing! 

Giveaway includes 4 Tickets to Classic Christmas + 4 Premium pass upgrades plus: 
🎟️ Exclusive Express Lane entry to popular activities 
🎟️ $10 merch credit at the Classic Christmas Gift Shop  
🎟️ Coca-Cola Beverage

To enter:   
⭐️ Like this post  
⭐️ Comment what’s your favorite Christmas song 
⭐️ Tag a friend who would love the chance to come
⭐️ Share this story as an extra chance to win!

The giveaway is open now through December 30 at 11:59 pm and you’ll have December 31 - January 5, 2025 to enjoy the fun! Winner will be contacted by DM so profile must be public.  (Giveaway is not associate with Instagram/META.) 

#classicchristmas #cocacola #Arlingtontx #ArlingtonTexas #cocacola @enchantdallas #dfw #dfwevents #mamachallenge #dfwinfluencer #dallasinfluencer
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of Trees

 🎄 Tour of Trees at Trinity Falls in McKinney
 🗓️ Now through Dec. 15 (so hurry up!) 

Know what’s better than touring homes? Touring homes with beautifully decorated Christmas trees! 

@trinityfallstx has brought both worlds together by inviting the public to explore their model homes with professionally- styled trees by @absholidaydecor at the 5th Annual Tour of Trees. While you marvel at the homes and the trees, take your photos in front of the trees for a chance to win $500 Amazon gift card.  

TIP: Don’t miss the tree collaboration with #RHOD @dandrasimmons - it’s “beeutiful!” 🐝 

This event is FREE, but registration is required. (Link is in stories or DM “Tree” for the link.)

 #touroftrees #trinityfalls #trinityfallstx #mckinney #mckinneytx #mckinneytexas
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo Lights

🌲 Dallas Zoo
🗓️ Now - January 4 

Wonder what the @dallaszoo is like after dark? Once Upon a Wild Light comes alive with more than two million lights, 5:30 pm - 9 pm each night through January (so you can do this one with your family during the holiday break!) 

While many of the animals sleep, DinoLumia and DinoVision: a Jurassic adventure comes out to play, along with tons of holiday light photo opps and winter fun experiences. Enjoy catching up through self-guided, self-paced walk-through and spend time together while taking photos, which is ideal if you don’t like the holiday overload! And don’t sleep on Santa here, as he has a certain twinkle in his eye the kids always seem to like to catch up with (mom was even able to get a shot.) 

And for the even bigger kids over 21, Dallas Zoo: After Dark, goes wild on Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-9 PM with eats, treats and holiday drinks,live music, and games and other ways to get you in the holiday spirit! 

 @DallasZoo @ReliantEnergy #dallas #dallasholiday #dfwevents #dallaszoolights #holidays #zoo #dallastexas #mamachallenge
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Ch WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Christmas 

🌲 Coca Cola Classic Christmas - Choctaw Stadium in Arlington  
🗓️ Now through Dec. 29

Growing up @cocacola made the holidays magic, so when Coca Cola Classic rolled down the road, we had to go peek! Partnering with @enchantchristmas, the experience is part lights, part photo opps and for my kids mostly FOOD and overall a lot of fun - all washed down with (of course, a Coca Cola!) 

What was also great was a little walk through memory lane with Coke Christmas moments throughout the years - cue the polar bears and 18 wheeler!

Experience: 
🎅Market Square (definitely hit up the t-shirts - reading each one is half the fun)
🎅 Snow Tubing (always our favorite)Ice Skating (truth: we don’t skate, but it’s perfect people watching) 
🎅 Interactive Light up Dance Floor
🎅 @cinemark Theatre with holiday movies 
🎅 Coca-Cola Lounge - 21+ Cocktail experience (looked great to go with the girls)
🎅 Santa Landing

And of course, the Eatery! Eyes (and mouths) got big here with featured food from State Fair of Tex winners like The Drowning Tacos (SO GOOD we then ordered the Birria Tacos, too all cooked onsite and with all the sauce!) 

It’s the real thing!

#ClassicChristmas #ChoctawStadium #ArlingtonTx #CocaCola #Dallas #DFWEvents #DFWHoliday #DFWInfluencers
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Li WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Lights

🎄 Prairie Lights, Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie 
🗓️ Now through Dec. 31 (NYE) at 6 pm 

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without @prairielights- with a packed car with blankets, Santa hats, hot cocoa and coffee, and blasting holiday music while we sing them even louder.  

A stunning two-mile drive through light park complete with a midway stop - The Holiday Village with carnival rides, amazing bites (corndogs, funnel cakes and more, oh my!) And this year we were surprised with a new light tunnel, reimagined walk-through forest and new displays, great photo opps, gifts, visit with Santa, a lighted strollable forest.  It’s perfectly timed for food, fun and a little time on foot! 

PRO TIP: Go early, get tickets in advance and spring for the fast pass on the weekends and prime holiday times. And enjoy it and don’t try to rush it - enjoy it! That includes entry and the experience (so bathroom before you go, but thankfully there’s one at The Holiday Village and you get the corn dog.) 

#GoGrandGP @grandfungp #GrandFunGP #dfwinfluencer #Dallas #grandprairie #prairielights #dfw
Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there are still some ways to give a little love to Thanksgiving with a little DIY (hello old pumpkins!) from Mama Challenge! 

So excited to see my friends over at Good Day Fox 4 today for this fun segment!
Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 # Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 
#nationalcoffeeday 

#cinncinati #kentucky #newport #coffee #fall
Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebr Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebrating all month long with its #SaveTheTacos campaign, now - September 30.

Try and vote for “Best Taco in Arlington” from 12 participants:

🌮 Fiesta Fusion Shrimp Taco at Boiling Tails Co.

🌮 The Hunter Taco at Cut & Bourbon

🌮 El Jefe at Grounds and Gold
 
🌮 Jamaican Me Crazy at M’Jays House of Smoke

🌮 Champiqueso at Papaya Mexican Grill

🌮 What the Falafel at Prince Lebanese Grill

🌮 He’s Just a Po Boy at R Bar and Grill 

🌮 Celestial Pork Belly Taco at Rocketbelly
 
🌮 House Special Barbacoa at Tic-Taco
 
🌮 The Chicken of Wall “Street” at TJ’s Catfish & Wings & BBQ

🌮 Baja Shrimp Taco with Mango Salsa at Tom’s Burgers & Grill
 
🌮 Wanna Taco ‘Bout It at Zack’s Bistro

We can tell you which one is our favorite, but take away all the fun to find your favorite! 

(Link to Vote in Stories!)

#ArlingtonTX #TacoTuesday #SavetheTacos
Always great to see a few guys who work together l Always great to see a few guys who work together like each other, too.

It’s even better when they’re Texas Rangers and  we’re celebrating Hall of Famer Adrían Beltré!
And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and then they drove off!)
Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind e Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind experience in DFW. 🚨 

Named after Bangkok’s legendary road of entertainment of all kinds (Sukhumvit Soi 11), it seems fitting this newly imagined destination would find its home in Arlington’s Entertainment District. Anchoring the NEW @loewsarlington, @soycowboytx (also from @bbbutchers / @berghospitality) recently swung open the curtain this summer with an opening that made heads turn at every corner of this 12,000 sq. ft. of sexy space - with 3 unique bars, patio, viewable kitchen and dining room. 

To call it a “Pan Asian restaurant” doesn’t do it justice with its rich menu of fresh sushi, dim sum, caviar, truffle, lobster, waygu (all things you don’t find in the home of the margarita machine and ballpark nachos.) And if you’re looking for entertainment, just take a peek into the expansive kitchen and watch your rolls or omakase be made. The cocktail menu is just as extravagant with everything from mezcal to Japanese whisky, you’re eyes will be just as happy as your lips upon your first sip. 

While we experienced live music, fashion show and more as part of the opening, the cool smoke installation and the people-watching is definitely just part of the menu at Soy Cowboy you’ll have to explore. 

Food Nerd Note: SoyCowboy is on the upcoming @dfwrestaurantweek menu for just $39, so it’s a steal to take your own trip on a budget. (Make your reservation.)

Chon mean (or what we hope is Cheers in in Thai!)
NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 ( NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 
(Well today at least.)

Normally we’re always behind the smartphone camera, today we stepped out in front of the TV screen! The lovely folks at the new morning show Morning on Merit Street @morningonmeritstreet invited DFN for a little “roundtable” discussion about dining trends with our own Food Nerd @autumnreo / @mamachallenge and Bill Trevino of @craftandvinerestaurant CraftandVine along with hosts @dominiquesachse and @fanchonstinger for a little dishin’ on dining!

(If you’re able to take a look online, keep watching to see our new friend Pearl 🐶 and friends from @sweetpearlsicecream share their incredibly sweet story with @hungreehannah!) 

✔️ And just like we shared on the show, we want to know what you think! What do you think about Table Limits on reservations? Yes restaurants should have them or no way?
Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grad Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce! It’s hard to separate them, but we’re excited he’s so happy to be ready for this adventure!
July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the n July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the neighborhood shines!
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