MB's Red Carpet Ready Transformation

Labor Day Weekend SALE at Valslides.com

2011-09-01T13:43:00.006-05:00

Don't miss out on some great savings from fitness trainer Valerie Waters!! Sale runs Friday 9/2 - Monday 9/5.

http://bit.ly/cJIC3z

(I can't seem to make this a live link....you'll need to copy and paste into another browser window in order to open. Sorry!)

A great opportunity to try her Valslide products and programs if you never have OR stock up on some gifts for yourself and friends/family!! (Christmas is just around the corner ya know!!)

Valerie's new "Fast & Furious" Workout!

2011-09-01T11:22:00.004-05:00

Hi y'all!! Wow, it's been a while since I've updated my blog!!

Here's the latest with Valerie Waters.....this is her new "Fast & Furious" Workout inspired by her new Bikini Body Express Program. I'm going to go through this workout today myself....can't wait to sweat!! Just watching Valerie go through the moves here is really inspirational and motivational to just get up and start moving!! Whooo hooo!!

Get ready for her 3-day Labor Day Weekend Sale too!!! More details to come!

Enjoy!! Thanks for this awesome workout, Val!!

xoxo MB

Valerie Waters: I Want My Bikini Body Express Workout from valerie waters on Vimeo.

01-09-11 Week 3 RCR Mini Challenge - Portion Control

2011-01-09T19:13:00.001-06:00

12-30-10 RCR Club Mini Challenge Week 1: Water!

2010-12-30T18:18:00.002-06:00

Need a motivation boost?! Join us in the Red Carpet Ready Club with our 2011 January mini-challenges!! This week...drink your water! 80-100 oz. daily.

Weekend Sale - The CORE Bag only $99!

2010-11-28T19:02:00.001-06:00

Sheila and Ryan of Live Well 360 are running a Black Friday weekend sale, runs through Monday (Nov. 29) on their Core Bag.

Click on the bag logo link here on this page over on the right and it will take you directly to their sale page.

If you don't have one of these bags yet, now's your chance to pick one up at a great price! I use my bag specifically for an airline carry on and LOVE it!! The bag is super quality and has held up well over the past 6 months of traveling I've done!

Very cool bag! You know you want one!

MB

Mandy Ingber Yoga - Jennifer Aniston Self Magazine 2006

2010-10-10T08:57:00.001-05:00

Valslide and MB mentioned in the Wall Street Journal today! 08-30-10

2010-08-30T22:32:00.001-05:00

Congratulations Valerie on the great press!! Very excited for you!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703369704575461493143640492.html?KEYWORDS=valerie+waters

05-09-10 Sunday Day 7 Week 3 Tone & Tighten Challenge

2010-05-09T11:21:00.003-05:00

Here is what I made for breakfast this morning....wanting to incorporate lean protein, healthy fats, and fiber!! A dose of fresh complex carb strawberries on the side.

Seedy Protein Pancake!
2 egg whites
1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/4 scoop Designer Whey protein powder - vanilla
1 tbsp milk thistle seeds
1/2 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp Barlean's Essential Woman omega blend oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp oat bran
2 tbsp Uncle Sam Flax cereal
cinnamon; cooked in 1/2 tsp raw organic coconut oil
topped with 1/2 cup diced strawberries
1 tbsp agave nectar
So yummy!

05-08-10 Saturday

2010-05-08T15:40:00.002-05:00

This weekend has been crazy busy and I'm in fact getting ready to head out the door....meeting up with some friends in downtown Fort Worth this evening for a yummy dinner at Bob's Steakhouse which is located inside the new Omni Hotel. I have never been there before so I'm sure it will be a fun time! Surely I can find some RCR-friendly selections!

On a sad note, I'm mourning the loss of my dear RCR friend Michelle's sweet husband Bob. He left this Earthly life late last night after a courageous battle with brain cancer. My heart is just breaking today for Michelle and her family. Please keep them in your prayers!

xx MB

05-07-10 Day 5 Week 3 MB's "Tighten & Tone" Challenge

2010-05-07T15:25:00.002-05:00

Here I am nearing the end of week 3 of 16 on my little personal "Tighten & Tone" Challenge. So far....so good!! I've really been watching what I eat, with a few little treats here and there (which, honestly, need to stop if I want to see results sooner!) and have been keeping pace with my exercise.

I'm kind of doing a mixture of things....Food (loosely following Tosca Reno's Clean Eating), Exercise (of course, working Valerie Waters' workouts....soon to come, her new "I Want My Bikini Body 3.0" Circuits) and then for pacing, I'm loosely following Rachel Cosgrove's "Fit Female" as a guide, increasing effort depending upon the week of the month. So, we'll see what happens.

Also, I've started my own little Sun Saluation Challenge for the month of May. For each number of the day (say today, May 7th) I will do that many Sun Salutations. So for today's count I'll do 7 salutations. By the end of May, I will be doing 31 salutations at once. This will help me in preparation for my yoga studio's "108 Sun Saluations" Class in June, where we work through 108 salutations in a row!! Holy Cats'! But hey, just think how toned my arms and core will hopefully be!

I just got a new Flip Camera so I will hopefully be having an easier time with my video blogging....it really helps keep me out in front and accountable in my actions if I "think" others are watching. Who knows how many people read this blog or not....even if only 1 person is, then I feel like I have to be good!! :0)

Ok, gotta run. Heading out to dinner tonight...will be sure to make RCR-friendly selections!

Have a great weekend everyone!

xx MB

Valerie Waters new I Want My Bikini Body 3.0 Launches tomorrow 5/3

2010-05-02T16:11:00.001-05:00

I Want My Bikini Body 3.0

My new "Tighten & Tone" Challenge

2010-04-20T14:26:00.002-05:00

Well, it's Week 1 Day 2 of the new little 16 week challenge I created for myself....my "Tighten & Tone" challenge. My aim is to drop 3 inches in my waist, hips and thighs, and 2" in my bust. Not sure where the scale will go, as I prefer measurements as a more true representation of where I want to be, but psychologically I'd like to drop about 15 pounds in total, or gain even more lean muscle mass.

So, I'm continuing to be consistent with my workouts, which include 3 days a week of strength circuits by my fitness trainer Valerie Waters, 2-3 days of interval cardio workouts (mainly running, either outdoors or on the treadmill),and 1-2 day of rest.

My real challenge is to become more consistent in my diet....I tend to slack off at times on getting all my veggies in and have lately slacked some on protein. Also, I plan to continue experimenting adding in new Super Foods, some that I've found in David Wolfe's book "Super Foods". Not only am I eating for a leaner body, but for great health as I want to age gracefully and never get sick, if I can help it!!

To help me stay accountable and on track, I plan to keep up with my video blog. Putting myself out there makes me stick to it. I'm going to look into getting a little Flip camera that will simplify my blogging process, as my HD camera is pretty time consuming as I have to convert the video, etc. So, that is a goal for this week!

Stay tuned!! My 16 weeks are up around the first week of August I believe.....then my Red Carpet Ready 2nd Year Reunion is out in Los Angeles at the end of September. I will be a different person by then...LOL!!

xx MB

It's Tone It Up Tuesday!!

2010-04-20T14:25:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day workout by Tone It Up!

2010-04-15T15:38:00.001-05:00

Hah, I'm a little late in posting this but so much great information! Thanks to Katrina and Karena from Tone It Up!!! Love the "Call On Me" song towards the end!

20% Discount on Action Hero Babe Training System - Limited time only!

2010-04-15T08:55:00.004-05:00

Valerie is offering a limited time only 20% discount on her Action Hero Babe Training Program....if you don't own this yet, now is the perfect time to get your very own system!! It's so totally worth it, and much less expensive than a fancy gym membership! I do all of my training at my house so this was perfect for me! Thanks Valerie!!

http://bit.ly/buwWmN

Great Valslide Exercises for the butt!

2010-04-12T14:40:00.002-05:00

Bikini Season is right around the corner and there is just enough time to whip your big 'ol butt back into shape! Thankfully Valerie's Valslide is just the ticket to help you achieve success!! Thanks, Val, for this little reminder video!! xx MB

Exercises for a Great Butt from valerie waters on Vimeo.

03-31-10 MB and Amy Grant in Plano

2010-04-04T15:08:00.001-05:00

Amy was in town promoting her latest CD "Somewhere Down The Road"....I stopped by to say hi and while she was meeting & greeting, I stayed for a couple of hours visiting with her manager Jennifer Cooke and my pals Kevin and Jeff. After leaving Texas, Amy flew on to NYC.

02-17-10 Wednesday Day 3 Week 5 Diamond Club 2

2010-02-17T11:37:00.002-06:00

Today is about 1/2 way through Week 5 on Valerie Waters's Diamond Club 2. I'm in the process of continuing to add more veggies to my diet and trying to go a bit more 'raw'. Eating veggies hasn't always been easy for me...ever!! But I know they are so good for me and so I'm really making a huge effort to get more in and enjoy them!

Here is a photo of my lunch from 2 days ago....will probably make it again today. It consists of sauteed fresh and finely chopped baby spinach, brocolli, orange bell pepper, mushrooms, plus black beans, ground flax seed and some Tony Cashere's Creole Cajun Seasoning. Topped with scrambled 1 egg + 2 egg whites and about 2 tbsp roasted red pepper salsa! So filling and so delish!!

Have a great day everyone!

xx MB

Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 7

2010-02-15T11:33:00.003-06:00

Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 6

2010-02-15T11:33:00.001-06:00

Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 5

2010-02-15T11:32:00.001-06:00

Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 4

2010-02-15T11:31:00.000-06:00

Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 3

2010-02-15T11:30:00.000-06:00

Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 2

2010-02-15T11:29:00.000-06:00

Revisiting for inspiration Season 1 Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 1

2010-02-15T11:28:00.000-06:00

Happy, Healthy Valentine's Day!! xoxo

2010-02-14T15:30:00.004-06:00

Today, in lieu of giving caloric chocolates for Valentine's Day, I made a new concoction by my favorite chef, The Healthy Irishman....Gavan Murphy. It's called "Simple & Healthy Flourless Chocolate Cake". I made Version A, as there is also a Version B, and it was divine! The batter made enough for one 12-count mini-muffin tin plus a 3-4" heart tin. I served with diced fresh strawberries and a tiny melon ball size scoop of frozen non-dairy coconut milk. What a tasty and healthy treat without breaking the bank! Thank you Gavan!! Cheers!

You can find the recipe on Gavan's website http://thehealthyirishman.com/2010/02/simple-healthy-flourless-chocolate-cake/

02-06-10 End of Week 3 - Diamond Club 2

2010-02-06T20:23:00.001-06:00

The book I'm currently reading is by Christian Northrup, M.D. "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" http://www.drnorthrup.com/
(Sheila at LiveWell360.com had recommended reading this as it might have some helpful info with regards to hormone issues, etc.)

Hope everyone is having a great week!!!

Green Protein Smoothie with Pickles and Relish

2010-01-30T14:07:00.002-06:00

Here is a pic of my yummy, nutrient packed Green Protein Smoothie, along with my sweet kitties Pickles (in the background) and Relish (up front and center, of course!)

I vary what I put in here depending on what fresh ingredients I have on hand and depending on if it's a snack size portion or a meal.

Here's to healthy living!! Cheers!

New 2010 Diamond Club 2 -- Week 2 Day 5

2010-01-30T09:50:00.003-06:00

I am just now getting around to posting a blog entry while being in this new Diamond Club 2 by Valerie Waters. The new year has turned out to be busier than ever so I'm not finding as much free fun time to create the videos. But I need to try! It keeps me in line!!

Here is my 1st entry on this journey---Week 2 Day 5

Check out Valerie's recent segment on The TV Guide Channel..you even catch a glimpse of me in there!

2010-01-19T10:52:00.001-06:00

Building The Hollywood Body from valerie waters on Vimeo.

Cheers to Nikki for doing such a great Valslide demo!!

Friday 12-18-09

2009-12-18T15:14:00.001-06:00

(**I have got to start working on cutting out all the 'ums'!!**)

Saturday morning 12-12-09

2009-12-18T15:13:00.001-06:00

Hurry! Only 10 Hours left in Valerie's Merry Fitness Sale...to get a 20% discount!

2009-12-16T15:46:00.004-06:00

Hurry...only 10 hours left to grab some fabulous fitness gear by Celebrity Fitness Trainer Valerie Waters at 20% discount at her Merry Fitness Sale!! I just ordered my own copy of her "Movie Star Fitness" DVDs...both the Men's and Women's in this package...I know I'll use both workouts!!

Click here:
http://bit.ly/8JdIvk

Bumped into an old friend yesterday at the Dallas Cowboys game!

2009-12-14T16:41:00.001-06:00

12-14-09 Dallas Cowboys vs. San Diego Chargers at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, TX

We had seats 3 rows below and directly in front of Jerry Jones' box on the 50 yard line! This is the Founders Club area....very cool!

Look who I bumped into yesterday in the founders Club lounge? Old friend Darren Woodson, former Dallas Cowboy! Last time I saw him I was with my sisters Nell and Francie on an American Airlines Flight from NYC to Dallas twelve years ago! He looks just the same!

Day 16 and counting down...

2009-12-12T12:31:00.003-06:00

I have been so super duper busy the past few days that I haven't had a chance to get in here and post my daily self-affirmations! However, that doesn't mean I haven't kept up with them!

Day 16 --I am thankful for my hands and arms. Where would I be without them? I spoke with a woman today who happened to work in the building next to our downtown convention center where currently there is some type of convention going on for challenged persons. She was in the Starbucks that services both buildings and there was a gentleman in there who did not have any arms. He was going to town on his PDA with his feet and toes! She told herself that she just had to go meet him...she did and she asked him about his situation. He said he was born without arms and has managed to live his life as productively as possible without them! Nothing, or next to nothing, holds him back. He was the motivational speaker that afternoon at the convention! Can you imagine life without your hands/arms? Not being able to do the basics or even touch and feel? I am so thankful that I have mine and try not to take them for granted!

To be continued....

Update: 12/17/09 Things have been so super crazy this past week that, although I have been continuing in my 25 Days Countdown to Christmas with Clean Eats, I have had to take things off my plate that were slowing me down...and unfortunately that included 25 days of self-affirmation! I do know myself though, and know that one trait I do have is saying 'no' when I need too. I don't like feeling stressed out if too overwhelmed so I have to 'clear my plate', so to say, and just do the things that I [I]CAN[/I] do effectively. So, even though I'm super thrilled I started off with a bang I am sad to end 1/2 way through. Maybe another time!

Day 17 and counting down....

2009-12-08T17:21:00.003-06:00

Today's Self-Affirming selection: I'm thankful for my love of reading....I rarely allow myself the time to read but this was a love that was ingrained in me early as a child, by my parents and my English teacher paternal grandmother. When we were bored, we were told to read a book. No tv, no video games, no internet....just read. And I loved getting into a story and just being totally absorbed! So, when I do allow myself the precious time to read, I really enjoy it even more...very nice with a hot cup of coffee or tea too!

Check out Valerie's Merry Fitness Sale!!

2009-12-08T09:39:00.004-06:00

Are you ready to get some great fitness items for yourself and others for this holiday season of gift giving?
Check this out...

http://bit.ly/8JdIvk

Get the cute Action Hero Babe and Red Carpet Ready Burn Out tees while they're h-o-t!

Merry Fitness, y'all!

Day 19 and 18 counting down....

2009-12-07T09:32:00.000-06:00

Day 19....I'm thankful for my sound mind, a mind that has qualities from both of my parents....solid, business-like sense from my dad (he's a business graduate like me, a lawyer, and for the past 4 years has been Justice of the Peace in our area)...very analytical and calculating...weighing problems and crafting solutions...a creative sense from my mom, being clever and creative....putting solving problems and providing creative, artful solutions to them. (yes, I can work a skill saw and many power tools to build things!!)

Day 18....I'm grateful for my 3 tiny tattoos...LOL! These were each thoughtfully decided upon and were attained at certain little milestones in my life that were important to me

20 Days and counting down...

2009-12-05T20:41:00.001-06:00

Today I am grateful for the virtue of patience that I somehow seem to possess. I am typically a calm person....a solid rock. I don't excite easily and am supremely patient with myself and others. This is a good thing!!

21 Days and counting down...

2009-12-04T10:31:00.000-06:00

Wow, only 21 days (3 weeks) until Christmas!

That means I'm 4 days done with 100% clean eating....and another day to be thankful for something about me....hmmm....today I'm thankful for my eyes....they are the exact color of blue of my paternal grandfather who we called "Granddad". He was the sweetest, kindest, most gentle man! Of the 2 of my sisters and brother who also got blue eyes from our parents (my dad has Green, mom has blue and my 3rd sister has hazel color) mine were the bluest of the blue, just like Granddad's. I love this little thing I inherited from him. I miss him dearly, as he passed away when I was just a sophomore in college. There were so many things now, as an adult, that I would have loved to talk with him about.

I'm thankful not only for the color of my eyes but that they are still 20/20 vision (no need for glasses yet, at age 41) and healthy, and I am thankful that they try to 'see' the good that is in every person I come in contact with! Sometimes eyes see the first impressions of people they meet for the first time, but then later hopefully they can see deeper into the soul of people for not just what's physically seen on the outside but what's truly on their inside!

25 Days of Self-Appreciation....

2009-12-04T10:28:00.003-06:00

I am joining my friend Sheila Viers in adding some self-appreciation to my 25 days countdown to Christmas....check out her blog post at http://www.LiveWell360.com.

How can we love (appreciate) others if we don’t love (appreciate) ourselves first?! We as women, especially, can be so hard on ourselves…we beat ourselves up because we don’t accomplish everything in a day that we want to, or we don’t love our bodies as they are this minute (we take for granted that we can eat, laugh, breathe, walk, run….even if perhaps we still have a few pounds we may want to lose), etc., etc..

So, to get caught up with my own 25 Days of Self-Appreciation let me state what I’m thankful for now:

1) I’m grateful for my health…I am healthy and vibrant and can do so much for myself and others!
2) I am grateful for my corny sense of humor….this helps me keep things in perspective and not take myself or situations too seriously, which I can tend to do sometimes (many times in fact!! It is so good to laugh!!
3) I am grateful for my age….I only recently turned 41 and feel I am at the best time in my life!! Having a few years up in age has garnered me more wisdom and self-assurance…not too bad, eh?!
4) I am grateful for my legs (they are still not 100% trim and toned like I’m working on them to be but they work! The get me out of bed in the morning, on the treadmill, out the door, jumping jacks, etc.! Where would I be without my legs? I do not take them for granted at all, especially after seeing someone on my recent vacation to Sedona, AZ who had had both legs amputated below the knees and with metal prosthectics in place. They were still out hiking which was so awesome! So, that really puts things in perspective…I’m grateful for my legs!)

Okay, that catches me up through day 4 (or really, Day 22 counting down…)

New Red Carpet Ready Apparel site launches! Check it out...

2009-12-03T18:13:00.003-06:00

http://www.redcarpetready.com/apparel/

Don't ya just love my Santa hat?! Too fun! Happy Holidays y'all!!

Day 22 and counting down...

2009-12-03T17:20:00.001-06:00

Good news.....after 3 days of clean eating the scale has budged and I'm down 1 pound...yay!!

Sheila of LiveWell360 is joining me in the '25 Days to Christmas Clean Eating' Challenge!

2009-12-02T10:17:00.002-06:00

http://livewell360.com/2009/12/25-days-til-christmas-clean-eating-challenge/

I won!!

2009-12-02T10:15:00.002-06:00

My friend Sheila at LiveWell360 posted a little contest, which I entered....and won!! Yay!! Thank you Sheila!

All proceeds from sales go towards a very good cause....shop much and often!

http://livewell360.com/2009/12/winners-of-the-live-well-360-gear/

Countdown to Christmas with 25 Days of CLEAN EATING! Day 25

2009-11-30T13:14:00.002-06:00

There are now 25 days until Christmas...why not count them down by focusing in on clean eating??!! Maybe even drop a few pounds and continue with good health habits along the way! Join me!

**I got my apple pie stories switched! Meant to say "Anne" instead of "LeeAnne" here, although both tossed their leftover Apple pies, Anne was the one who actually looked at the ingredients and changed her mind! Sorry!
**Also, be sure to include healthy fats in your diet....I failed to mention this in the video!
**One last disclaimer, when I say I got grossed out by the unshapely/unhealthy people, it wasn't the people themselves, as I'm sure they are good people, but the fact that they are not taking better care of their bodies made me think of the junk they are eating and that grossed me out!

My sister Nell's father-in-law Don Valdez on the local news about hot yoga

2009-11-28T12:28:00.001-06:00

Love the Don! He's hilarious and such a cool father-in-law! Way to go with the hot yoga!

Red Carpet Ready TV is back!! Season 2 begins today....

2009-11-16T15:42:00.002-06:00

Join Valerie Waters for the 2nd Season of her Red Carpet Ready TV and look to see excerpts from Season 1 where Cody and I were put through Val's 6-week RCR program and got in great shape!!

Red Carpet Ready TV, Episode 8 from valerie waters on Vimeo.

http://www.valeriewaters.com

My recipe made it to the Starbucks website!

2009-11-05T12:11:00.002-06:00

MB's Starbucks Java Chip PRO-Frappucino

http://www.starbucks.com/via/occasion/athome/post/1929#content-anchor

My version has way more protein and fewer calories.....got to be RCR you know!!

Baylor Thetas Reunion in Dallas 10-17-09 at Uncle Julio's Restaurant

2009-10-18T21:36:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, twenty-two of us gathered for a Baylor Theta Reunion in north Dallas at Uncle Julio's Mexican Food Restaurant! This is our first reunion in about 18 years! So much fun seeing everyone and it's amazing just how many of us are still in the metroplex area but just haven't had the opportunity to get together! We had so much to talk about and catch up on....we are already planning our next gathering in 6 months. Felt so great to be Red Carpet Ready...if we had done this reunion a year ago I wouldn't have felt as healthy and as fit as I do now!! (Thank you to Valerie Waters for sharing your fitness philosophy through your Red Carpet Ready club!)

(Left to right: Paula R. (my little), MB, Betsy W. (my big), Holly F. (my grand-big) (In the group shot: MB front row, 4th from left)

10/15/09 Week 2 Day 5 AHB - Coffee, Tea, and Me!

2009-10-16T15:50:00.000-05:00

10/12/09 Monday Week 2 Day 1 AHB Challenge

2009-10-14T15:33:00.001-05:00

and a few more...

2009-10-12T11:15:00.004-05:00

and a few more photos...

2009-10-12T11:03:00.004-05:00

A few photos from our RCR 1-year Reunion in LA

2009-10-12T10:44:00.003-05:00

09/24/09 - 09/27/09 Los Angeles/Santa Monica Red Carpet Ready Club 1-year Reunion!

While in LA, I met Sheila and Ryan from LiveWell360!

2009-10-09T10:35:00.003-05:00

Recently, while in Los Angeles for our Red Carpet Ready Club's 1-year Reunion, I had the opportunity to meet up with Sheila and Ryan of LiveWell360 and finally meet them in person! They are just the best!

First, I met Sheila for coffee with Michelle and Lauren from RCR. We had a fabulous one hour visit over coffee, catching up over the past few months of Tweets, FB, and live chats with Valerie Waters. Some great conversation flowed over healthy eating and incorporating a truly healthy lifestyle.

Then, on Saturday, at a group dinner at Valerie's house, Sheila and Ryan joined us for all the fun. They are both such dear people and it was a pleasure to visit with them and get to know them better.

Thanks Sheila for being flexible with our crazy schedule that weekend! It was so wonderful to finally put a 'real' you with your onscreen personality!

Hugs!
xx MB

10-08-09 Thursday Week 1 Day 4 AHB - Lunch at The Kimbell

2009-10-08T15:50:00.001-05:00

Life Post-Challenge

2009-10-08T09:54:00.003-05:00

Here's a bit of wisdom I've learned from Valerie over this past year, with regards to life at the end of a fitness Challenge:

I think, after working so hard and being so focused on a Challenge or getting geared up for an event, like our RCR Reunion, that it's good to mentally relax and rest for a few days to about a week afterwards and just be good to yourself, not so hard on yourself. Don't go overboard, just be a bit more relaxed, both with the workouts and eating. A few treats will not wreck things. And we all know that rest and sleep keeps the stress hormones at bay so we won't store fat.

Then, pick back up and get back in the groove of focused eating and exercise. A no brainer.

xxMB

Lunch today at the Love Shack So7

2009-10-07T18:36:00.003-05:00

Today I ate lunch at a new little place in town (it's actually a 2nd location for this joint) that opened this summer called the Love Shack So7. I have been putting off eating there because, well, you know, it's not completely RCR!!! But, I haven't had a good, juicy, fabulous hamburger in well over one year now and I was just dying to try it out....it's such a cool, hip little joint in the middle of all the new renovation that is happening out over on West 7th Street. Plus, I was hoping to meet the owner, celebrity Chef Tim Love! http://www.cheftimlove.com

So I decided to work the cheeseburger into my diet for the day and made my way over there. I had the incredible "Love Burger" with its incredible Love Sauce, with a small fry (only ate about 1/3) and iced tea (with splenda). Oh my gawd!! It was soooo delicious!!

And, I got to meet Tim Love and grab a photo with him! He was super nice and I chatted for a few minutes with his assistant Marla too. He just got back this weekend from Austin City Limits music festival where he served over 10,000 Love Burgers and cooked and enjoyed private dinners of long bone rib-eyes, pig ear salad and cocktails with Ben Harper, Perry Ferrell, Eddie Vedder, Kings of Leon, Pearl Jam, C3, etc.. He'll be out in Anaheim later this month cooking for Tiger Woods' charity event, with Sheryl Crow headlining as well. Busy man...gets around!

I'll have to go back one day....so yummy! See, everything in moderation...you gotta live life (but be sensible!)

xx MB

10-07-09 Wk 1 Day 3 AHB

2009-10-07T18:27:00.002-05:00

10-06-09 Tuesday Week 1 Day 2 AHB

2009-10-06T10:39:00.003-05:00

Hey guys!

I am starting my latest challenge.....working through Valerie's recently released "Action Hero Babe" Fitness Transformation System!

As part of her Diamond Club this past spring, I was able to work through her AHB strength training circuits, as these were a 'test' at this point and time. She has since tweaked and refined them to be produced into her new DVDs, which I have on order and should be arriving any day now! (I sure hope I'm one of the First 50 people who placed their Early Bird Special order so I can get all the Bonus goodies!!! Goodies are always good!!)

xx MB

Recap from Val's "I Want My Bikini Body" program a few months ago

2009-10-06T09:48:00.001-05:00

End of September 2009 chat - Valerie and guest Jennifer Garner

2009-10-06T09:30:00.001-05:00

Valerie has been working her client actress Jennifer Garner through her "I Want My Bikini Body" fitness program. This is a live web chat with the members of Val's Red Carpet Ready club and others who've joined in....with special telephone guest Jennifer!

RCR 1 year Reunion in Los Angeles/Santa Monica 09/24-27/2009

2009-10-02T14:34:00.003-05:00

So much transpired last weekend at our 1-year reunion of Valerie Waters' Red Carpet Ready Club! I'll post two pics and will have to post a few more later. It was so much fun meeting up again with some of the fabulous ladies I've come to know throughout the past year, as well as a few new faces! Everyone is so full of charm and grace and are well on their ways to the life-changing methods promoted by Val!

A photo of Valerie and me on the morning of our group workout as well as a pic of Cody and myself, as you know we first met this time last year in Chicago to begin filming as the stars of Valerie's Red Carpet Ready TV.

More later....
xx MB

The new Action Hero Babe System by Valerie Waters

2009-09-21T14:09:00.001-05:00

Check this out! You don't want to miss it!!

http://www.actionherobabe.com/tease/

08-18-09 Summer Challenge Round 2 -Week 5 Day 2

2009-08-18T15:14:00.001-05:00

Here's what's up with me TODAY!!

08-12-09 Recap of Week 3 on Summer Challenge Round 2

2009-08-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

(Wow, I talked for 6 minutes! Sorry so long....)

Some new Ab moves featured in Valerie's latest "I Want My Bikini Body 2.0" workouts!

2009-08-11T13:26:00.003-05:00

The Alligator - forward and back
The Mini Pike
The Mountain Climber
(put all three together and they are known as the Triple Threat!)

Here is Val's assistant Ryan giving a demonstration at ProGym in Brentwood, CA.....

Super Alligator Walk from valerie waters on Vimeo.

08-04-09 Week 3 Day 2

2009-08-04T11:07:00.001-05:00

08-03-09 Recap End of Week 2

2009-08-03T16:46:00.001-05:00

My high protein ice cream experiment!

2009-07-29T14:52:00.000-05:00

Summer Challenge Round 2 - Week 1 Recap

2009-07-29T12:51:00.001-05:00

07/29/09
(**It totally cracks me up how YouTube freezes the video! I always look dazed & confused! Ha!)

Pantry reminder!

2009-07-23T09:44:00.001-05:00

Summer Challenge Round 2 Begins - 07/20/09

2009-07-22T11:20:00.002-05:00

Week 1 Day 3 07/22/09

2009-07-14T21:13:00.001-05:00

Today I decided to visit the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington, Tx for a tour! They started giving tours recently in late June. Very cool!

The tour lasted about 1.25 hours and was simply fabulous! It is amazing how incredible $1.2 billion dollars looks! Wow! First class all the way....I sure hope to be able to attend at least one game there in my lifetime! We went all over the stadium, including the press room, the radio media boxes, a Star Box suite (these run $1-$5 million each for a 20 yr. lease plus $350 a seat per game within the box!), the Event level, the Cowboys' 50 yard line entry area, etc.

Tours will be given continually except on game days. You should go! Very cool to see!

June 1-4, 2009 LA Girls trip!

2009-06-24T15:29:00.007-05:00

On June 1-4, 2009 four of us girls from RCR club decided to meet up for a fun few days in LA to hang out, workout and have some girl fun! (MB, Jen Hardy, Stephanie Clavenna, and Dawn Cutler)

June 1 we took a Core Fusion class at Exhale Spa located in the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica and then a fabulous dinner with Valerie Waters, Ryan and Nikki at The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel in SM as well.

June 2nd we had personal workouts with Valerie at ProGym in Brentwood and then facials in Hollywood with skin care expert Nerida Joy! Later some shopping, a fun bikini photo shoot at the Santa Monica pier beach with our professional photographer Jim Cutler (Dawn's super fabulous hubby), and then a lovely casual dinner at Wilshire.

June 3 included more shopping and then dinner in Hollywood with Dawn and Jim and a bunch of their friends at Magnolia.

I couldn't have asked for a better time with these lovely ladies! They are all the picture of RCR style and grace and I hope we remain friends for many years to come! I had the best time! So much laughter and fun! Thanks girls!!

Here are a few highlights from ou r trip! (some of these pics are out of order...I cannot seem to work this blog program properly to align the photos!)

Something fun to come from Nell at www.cowtowncameragirl.com

2009-05-28T16:08:00.000-05:00

05-28-09 End of 10-week Bikini Body Challenge

2009-05-28T12:20:00.001-05:00

(why oh why do I say 'uh' so much?! Please forgive me!)

Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 11/18/2008

2009-05-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

Red Carpet Ready TV - Episode 11/25/2008

2009-05-20T15:05:00.001-05:00

Red Carpet Ready TV - 12/02/2008 episode

2009-05-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Gavan "The Healthy Irishman" LIVE at Valerie Waters' Bikini Body Launch Chat on 05/18/09

2009-05-20T14:17:00.003-05:00

From Gavan Murphy (www.thehealthyirishman.com):

Just in case you missed the feed from yesterday:

Did you miss me live on Monday? This is what I got up to with my friend Valerie Waters as she launched her new fitness program. Here we are just shootin' the shit, answering your questions. Take a gander.

Valerie shares 5 Food Tips to keep you fit!!

2009-05-18T16:15:00.000-05:00

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/entertainment/Glam_Slam__The_Friday_Five_-_Five_Foods_To_Keep_You_Fit_.html

Are you bikini ready?!

2009-05-14T14:28:00.001-05:00

I am! Thanks Valerie!

Check out the latest from Valerie Waters....

2009-05-14T09:32:00.004-05:00

Some exciting things are coming your way thanks to Valerie! Check out the following...

www.valeriewaters.com (newly updated!)

and

Valerie's new "I Want My Bikini Body" program, which will officially launch on May 18th. In the meantime, check out all the free info she is sharing.....

www.iwantmybikinibody.com

Less than 3 weeks until summer begins....will you be bikini ready?! I will! Thank you Valerie!

Yummy "Cinnabon" Protein Pancake recipe!

2009-05-10T17:04:00.001-05:00

I got this from Katrina at ToneItUp.com. I needed some new ideas for getting protein in the diet and she gave me this suggestion....it's so yummy! I've had them 3 days in a row now! Thank you Katrina!

"Cinnabon" Protein Pancake
Mix together:
1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/4 egg whites (about 2 large eggs)
1 scoop Vanilla creme Protein Powder
(I don't have vanilla so I've used 'natural' flavor protein powder with 1/2 tsp. vanilla or almond extract)
Dash of cinnamon

Cook in a skillet just like regular pancakes. I like to make one large pancake and cut into quarters.

Top with 2 tbsp. agave nectar (a natural low-glycemic sweetener...instead of maple syrup) and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Serve with fresh raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or bananas!

Shape Magazine Fitness Model Workout

2009-05-06T14:13:00.001-05:00

Credit: Sarah Dussault, Boston Fitness Examiner
April 24, 2009
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1841-Boston-Fitness-Examiner~y2009m4d24-Lose-inches-with-Shape-Magazines-fitness-model-workout

05-05-09 Week 7 Day 2 of Bikini Challenge - RCR live Chat

2009-05-06T12:25:00.000-05:00

Check out the updated Valerie Waters' Red Carpet Ready site!

2009-05-01T14:20:00.001-05:00

Check out my weight loss and fitness results by using Valerie Waters' Red Carpet Ready program!
You can see me on video about half way through and then my before/after photo further down the page.

http://www.redcarpetready.com/

Very exciting! Thank you Valerie!!

Valerie's latest - "I Want My Bikini Body" workout

2009-04-30T15:51:00.000-05:00

Bikini Week 6 Day 2 - New bikini and today's protein smoothie lunch

2009-04-28T16:52:00.001-05:00

Baked Talapia - easy!

2009-04-28T09:04:00.002-05:00

With my intention of getting more fish in the diet this week, I have added a little video demonstrating one of my favorite EASY recipes! This takes such little effort and tastes soooo good!

Happy Eats!
MB

Adding in a bit more cardio this week (5 weeks left on Bikini Challenge!)

2009-04-27T17:50:00.001-05:00

1/2 Way thru Bikini Body Challenge - 5 more weeks to go!

2009-04-26T15:57:00.000-05:00

Yoga with Christa

2009-04-24T12:25:00.002-05:00

Hey guys!

How are you today??!! It's FRIDAY!!! Yay!!!

Just got done with my Vinyasa Yoga class. So awesome! Here is a photo of my cute, sweet yoga instructor Christa Bell with me this morning right after class....we are so relaxed yet energized!! She's from Germany and has the best accent! She also has the best positive attitude and life ethic! It's so wonderful surrounding yourself with positive, uplifting people! (www.christayoga.com)

I take her MWF 9:30am Class for 1.25 hours. I try to go as often as I can. It truly helps me stretch out my sore muscles from the RCR strength workouts! I hope it's helping me get more toned and lean as well! And I can't go wrong from the peace of mind I feel every time by the time the class is finished. Ahhhh!

Can you believe we are almost at the halfway point in the Bikini Challenge?!! I'm going to try and get some video posted today...Stay tuned!

MB

Relish

2009-04-23T13:55:00.003-05:00

Relish goes nuts when I make chicken salad for lunch! Here he is today on the counter with the 'relish'! Ha! He's a stinker!

Sorry I've been so remiss in posting video! I hope to get more uploaded soon!! Hope everyone is continuing to do well on this 10-week Bikini Body Challenge! We are currently nearing the end of week 5...almost 1/2 way there!

More later,
MB

04-16-09 Week 4 Day 4 recap

2009-04-16T16:59:00.001-05:00

04-03-09 Lunch with Carolyn Semple in Phoenix!

2009-04-11T17:10:00.003-05:00

Thanks Carolyn for meeting me for lunch in Phoenix! So fabulous hanging out with you again!

In these pics: MB and Carolyn at Camelback Resort in Phoenix, views from the trails in Sedona, and Mii Amo Spa at Enchantment Resort in Sedona (w here I stayed).

Week 2 Day 2 - Motivation - Books

2009-03-31T20:33:00.002-05:00

Week 2 Day 2 Bikini Challenge: Checking in....and, lunch...

2009-03-31T17:05:00.000-05:00