I started this blog because of a school project. We were to create a blog on something personal, something we know, something unique and something others could relate to. Originally the main focus was going to be on running 5ks but after a rundown of information I ran out of things to say. I needed to expand my topic. This blog will be all about loving yourself and working towards a healthy lifestyle along with a few fun and challenging 5ks to challenge and reward yourself with.
Happy Sweat Fest Sunday...........how many of you need this after Thanksgiving? Did you eat a lot of great food? I made mashed potatoes, stuffing and tofurkey - complete carb overload.
I should warn you all, I am a Christmas fanatic. I absolutely love it. Starting tomorrow I will probably pull out every Christmas movie I own and start a marathon as soon as school lets out.
The reason I am telling you this is because one of the videos I am going to post is a HIIT Santa workout....you'll see below. The other is a dance video - not sure how many of you would actually be interested in learning it but I promise if you want to look at good at the choreographers then you're going to have to do the tutorial again and again and again. It will definitely be a workout.
This is the finished product - Tutorial is posted below
Step by Step Tutorial
This video here is called the Santa Claus workout and I won't lie I mainly posted it because it is Christmas related. For people new to working out it isn't all that realistic as it calls for some equipment. Mainly dumbells, rope, a duffle bag and 50lbs of sand. If you have all that go at it, or if you're like me you can improvise and just put your pudgy cats in a bag and drag them around (not really - I don't advocate animal abuse)
Wow, I just wrote a long ass post about perfectionism and the pros and cons of it etc. and then deleted it all. I want to write something happy. Something that doesn't revolve around expectations and disappointments. Something that doesn't revolve around good grades or the perfect weight. Today I want to talk about your bucket list. Yeah, I know bucket list is a list you come up with of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. A bit morbid but realistically it's just a list of things you want to do during your life. Now this isn't a 'goals' list - no dream jobs, or places you want to move or how much money you want to make. This list is simple of THINGS you want to do and PLACES you want to see. Comment below and tell me some things on your list and I will share mine.
I love to travel. It could be a Sagittarius thing, or maybe because I moved around a bit as a child. When I was 3yrs old my mother packed us up and drove from New York to Arizona. I don't remember a single bit of it, except the story I was told again and again about when we stopped in PA I beeped the horn while climbing out the truck and scared out cat and she nearly ran away.
When I was 7yrs old my mother and I took a bus from Arizona to New York for me to see my father. I spent the summer there and flew back on my own.
When I was 8yrs old my mother packed us up again and drove from Arizona to North Carolina. I don't remember much of that trip either.
I've been to Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico and back and forth to Arizona countless times to visit family. While I have never been out of the country I do like to travel.
So I don't have an actual bucket list written down - these are just places I want to see and things i want to do that have been stuck in my head for a long time.
Sierra's Bucket List
Carmen Del Playa, Mexico
Greece
Niagara Falls
Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell
Disney World
Hawaii
Skydive and/or Bungee Jump
Pole Dancing Class
So that was a pretty long list, the last one probably threw a few of you for a loop. What are some things you would include on your list?
I found this article awhile back and I am not sure why I haven't used it yet but I think it is a perfect fit for Foodie Facts, I guarantee out of the 10 myths listed there will be at least one you thought to be true.
1.) Kale is our healthiest green FALSE
A 2014 study at William Patterson University ranked fruits and vegetables by their nutrient density, based on their levels of 17 different nutrients that have been linked to improved cardiovascular health. Not surprisingly, the top 16 were all leafy greens, which pack the most nutrition per calorie. (Coming in at #17 was red bell peppers.) But kale didn’t even make the top 10. In fact, simple spinach and even Romaine lettuce beat the alleged supergreen, as did parsley and chives. Even stuff you normally throw away—the greens atop beets—pack more nutrition.
2.) High Fructose Corn Syrup is worse than table sugar. FALSE
Here’s what you need to know: In a 2014 review of five studies comparing the effects of sugar and HFCS, there was no difference found in changes in blood glucose levels, lipid levels, or appetite between table sugar consumption and HFCS consumption. In other words, your body can’t tell one from the other—they’re both just sugar.
3.) Diet sodas help keep you slim. FALSE
One Purdue study discovered that rats took in more calories if they’d been fed artificial sweeteners prior to mealtime, and a University of Texas study found that people who consume just three diet sodas per week were more than 40 percent more likely to be obese.
4.) Yogurt is good for the bacteria in your belly. FALSE
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the bacteria you want to look for, with yogurts that say “live active cultures.” But most yogurts are so high in sugar that they do more to promote unhealthy gut bacteria than anything else. (Unhealthy bacteria feed on sugar in your belly the same way they do around your teeth.)
5.) Foods labeled “natural” are healthier. FALSE
The FDA makes no serious effort to control the use of the word “natural” on nutrition labels. Case in point: 7UP boasts that it’s made with “100% Natural Flavors” when, in fact, the soda is sweetened with a decidedly un-natural dose of high fructose corn syrup. “Corn” is natural, but “high fructose corn syrup” is produced using a centrifuge and a series of chemical reactions. Other “natural” abusers include Natural Cheetos, which are made with maltodextrin and disodium phosphate, and “natural advantage” Post Raisin Bran, which bathes its raisins in both sugar and corn syrup. The worst part is, you’re likely paying a premium price for common junk food.
6.) Dark Chocolate is good for you. FALSE
Plenty of studies have shown that polyphenols—nutrients found in darkly colored plant foods like chocolate—can do everything from lowering blood pressure to raising our ability to burn fat. A 2013 study in the journal Diabetic Medicine even found that eating dark chocolate lessened the effects of high blood sugar in diabetic patients. Unfortunately, the more chocolate is processed, the more of the polyphenols are lost. Creating “Dutch” chocolate, in which an alkalizing agent is added to the cocoa to reduce acidity, destroys up to 77 percent of the nutrients in the cocoa. To get the health benefits that have been touted since the time of Montezeuma, look for a dark chocolate that says 70% cacao (or higher) on the label. The rest? It’s just candy.
7.) Comfort food chases away the blues. FALSE
In a 2014 study in the journal Health Psychology, aptly titled “The Myth of Comfort Food,” researchers showed participants depressing films to “induce a negative effect.” Then they gave them either comfort food, foods that weren’t considered comfort foods, or no food at all. Result: The subjects got over their bad moods in equal time, regardless of whether or not they ate.
8.) Peanut butter is a health food. FALSE
In its best form, peanut butter actually is a health food. That’s because peanuts are packed with monounsaturated fats, the heart-healthy fat that actually helps you lose weight. Here’s what the ingredients of a healthy jar of peanut butter should read: Peanuts. But most peanut butter doesn’t look like that. Here’s what the label of Jif Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread reads like: Peanuts, corn syrup solids, sugar, pea protein, salt, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, mono and diglycerides, molasses, magnesium oxide, niacinamide, ferric orthophosphate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride.
9.) “Multi-grain” and “wheat” breads are better than white bread. FALSE
“Wheat bread” is generally white bread with caramel or molasses added to make it look dark and healthy. “Multi-grain” just means that different kinds of junky refined grains may have been used. Always look for the words “100% whole wheat” or “100% whole grain” on the package.
10.) Nutrition bars are actually nutritious. FALSE
In a world where we really called it as it is, nutrition bars would be known by another name: calorie bars. Most of them are so polluted with additives that their ingredients list looks like Charlie Sheen’s blood test results. For example, PowerBar Vanilla Crisp touts itself as “fuel for optimum performance,” but unless you’re talking about a performance by The Chemical Brothers, we’re not sure exactly what they mean. With four different types of sugar, it packs more of the white stuff than an adult woman should eat in an entire day. If you like the idea of a snackable bar that packs in the nutrition, read the ingredients carefully: Brands like KIND, Larabar, and Clif have plenty of smart offerings. But most of what’s out there is just candy.
Happy Thanksgiving all! I hope you had a great day with your families and ate a lot of good food. I attempted a homemade tofurkey which, for my very first try, didn't come out so bad. I think I just need to work on the spices a bit but overall it was good. I also made a vegan mushroom gravy that came out perfect - I am so proud lol. I love to cook and do it often but normally I make a vegetable lasagna or something so this was new and I'd say successful.
But onto the whole point of today's blog. I promised myself I would post every day and that means even on holidays.
The two drinks I am going to post for you today is a hot toddy also known as hot totty/tottie and a traditional Puerto Rican drink called coquito which is kind of like an alcohol version of eggnog.
Combine the lemon, sugar, and water in a small, 2 to 3-quart slow cooker set to high. Cover and heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely, 20 to 30 minutes. Add the Scotch whiskey and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and serve warm with lemon slices and freshly grated nutmeg.
Coquito
There are actually a few different ways to make coquito and it really is just up to the person and their desired tastes. People use flavored rum or spiced rum, coconut cream, lemon zest, ice cream, ginger, ground nut horchata, vanilla, chocolate and evaporated milk just as different ways to change it up or add sweetness to it. However if you are looking to go the traditional route the recipe is below
Ingredients:
28 oz Coconut milk
2 cups Rum
14 ounces Condensed milk
2 egg yolks
vanilla, to taste
Cinnamon Nutmeg
Directions: Place ingredients into blender, blend until well mixed. Pour into a bottle and refrigerate until cold. Serve in small glasses and sprinkle top lightly with nutmeg and cinnamon.
Do any of you workout with your dogs? Go jogging or running with them? Let them pull you when you rollerblade or skateboard? My cousin has a Belgian Shepherd, Jade, and she is roughly 85lbs. Jade goes running with the cousin and runs/walks along side my cousin's husband when he rides his bike.
My puppy can't do that, he's not technically a puppy but he has the body of one. My guy is around 8lbs full grown and anything below 80 degrees and he is freezing.....say hi to Tyson.
That made me think about how to keep our fur babies warm when we workout with them or just take them for a walk. My post last week was about layering for your body but what about theirs? So wardrobe wednesday isn't for the humans today but for our best friends/fur babies.
First on the list is a sweater or coat - I'm not talking about dressing them up like people do on halloween, this is solely to keep them warm. Tyson HATES his sweater and coats but it really is a necessity with a puppy as small as he is.
Almost everything humans have to keep warm, dogs have to:
Scarfs
Hats
Boots
Coats
All of the pictures and products above are from Petco and depending on the size of your pup, prices range from $7.99-$40.00. Not saying to overheat your dog or make him into a little human just keep them warm and protected - personally Tyson would bite me if I tried to put half of this on him but he always goes out in his sweater whether he likes it or not.
So there you have it - Wardrobe Wednesday for your fur baby
In honor of Thanksgiving I decided to post Thanksgiving themed goodies for you all today. It was NOT easy finding "healthy" Thanksgiving meals.
Fruit Turkey
How adorable is this? I thought it was so cute and while it's not a traditional meal (I am not sure if there is a such thing as a traditional breakfast with a Thanksgiving theme) it is healthy and gets us in the spirit.
There isn't really a set recipe for this breakfast dish, its exactly what it looks like. The body of the 'turkey' is a half of a pear. The feathers are green grapes topped with blueberries and the nose and legs are matchstick carrots.
Easy, affordable, healthy and cute. Could you ask for anything more?
Crispy Turkey Tostadas
This is for a few days after Thanksgiving when you are just tired of the same old thing.
Makes:4 servings, 2 tostadas each
Active Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, preferably with jalapeños 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 3 cups shredded cooked turkey, or chicken 8 corn tortillas Canola or olive oil cooking spray 1 avocado, pitted 1/4 cup prepared salsa 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions:
Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven;
preheat to 375°F.
Bring tomatoes and their juice to a boil in a medium saucepan
over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is
soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add turkey and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray.
Divide the tortillas between 2 large baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until
crisped and lightly brown, about 10 minutes.
Mash avocado in a bowl. Stir in salsa, sour cream and cilantro
until combined.
To assemble tostadas, spread each crisped tortilla with some of
the avocado mixture. Top with the turkey mixture, lettuce and
cheese.
Open Faced Turkey Sandwich
This one seems pretty easy, average or boring but it was my grandma's FAVORITE thing to make with leftover turkey. In memory of her.......my grandma's favorite (and incredibly easy) sandwich
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb
leftover turkey meat, sliced
1/2 cup
or so of leftover turkey gravy
Stock or
water (to thin the gravy if needed)
4 large
slices of rustic bread
Directions:
1 Heat gravy in a
skillet until bubbly. If the gravy is too thick, thin with a little stock or
water.
2 Add pieces of sliced
cooked turkey meat to the gravy. Coat with the gravy on all sides and heat
until the meat is heated through.
3 Arrange a slice of
bread (rustic French or Italian loaf would work great) on a plate. Top with
sliced turkey and gravy.
I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving, cook a lot of great food and get to spend time with your families. While I think it is horrible, if you are going to black friday, please be careful not to get injured and do your best not to injure those around you. Material possessions aren't worth a trip to the ER or someone's life.
We're winding down! Today's musical Monday is the 25 top workout songs from the 2000s. That is between 2000 and 2010. I googled, I looked at votes AND I looked over Billboards top singles from the past decade to compile this list. I hope you enjoy and get a nice blast from the past.
And I am back! I missed doing my sleep saturday post - I think those are my favorite because I get to talk about anything. Oh well. The important thing is my mom is home from the hospital and resting. I am still tired but with her home now I will be able to rest but not before Sweat Fest Sunday!
With Turkey day around the corner maybe you want to step up the intensity? I have never done P90x, I don't think it's any secret I'm not a fan of hardcore cardio but if you here is a 10 minute snippet of what a P90x workout is like. Maybe it will sway you to buy the dvds or possibly run for cover. You will need hand weights for this workout.
If you want an equally tough workout without the weights this one is for you. Rather than paying money to tone your muscles this uses your own body weight for resistance.
Hello all, I didn't want to skip sleepy saturday but I have been at the hospital all day and am exhausted. My mother hadn't been feeling well so I took her into the ER first thing in the AM. After running some tests they decided she needed her gallbladder out. It was a very long day and I am just too exhausted. My apologies
How many of you like peanuts? Or cashews, almonds, pecans etc? I love cashews and when I was younger my grandmother always had a canister somewhere. When she would go to sleep, or go the bathroom and leave me alone I would dip into the cabinet and literally scoop out a handful. As if she wouldn't notice the huge indentation next time she went for some. I don't keep nuts in the house because I am lacking in willpower and the amount of calories for the small serving size just does not work for me. However, if you do like eating nuts, most of them are good for you, this post is for you. I came across an article that actually breaks down the best and worst nuts to eat:
BEST NUTS ON THE MARKET The lowest-calorie nuts at 160 per ounce are almonds (23 nuts; 6 grams protein, 14 grams fat); cashews (16 to 18 nuts; 5 grams protein, 13 grams fat); and pistachios (49 nuts; 6 grams protein, 13 grams fat). Avoid nuts packaged or roasted in oil; instead, eat them raw or dry roasted, says Caplan. (Roasted nuts may have been heated in hydrogenated or omega-6 unhealthy fats, she adds, or to high temperatures that can destroy their nutrients.) WORST NUTS ON THE MARKETOunce for ounce, macadamia nuts (10 to 12 nuts; 2 grams protein, 21 grams fat) and pecans (18 to 20 halves; 3 grams protein, 20 grams fat) have the most calories—200 each—along with the lowest amounts of protein and the highest amounts of fats. Best nuts to/for your..... Heart: Walnut Brain: Peanut Men: Brazil nut and pecans Prevent Disease: Almonds
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20585485,00.html The link above goes in depth about why walnuts are best for your heart and how almonds help prevent disease. It also tells you the best and worth brands, health wise, to buy.
So no facts or about what to drink and not to drink today. Today I am going to post 3 drinks you can make at home to keep you warm in this winter weather. I will say these drinks aren't exactly in line with my healthy theme I normally have going so be warned. But holidays are a time to indulge a little right? And as long as you don't drink all 10 servings I think you should be fine. I have never tried any of these drinks but I hope you do and enjoy - I may have to give in and try the last one.
Eggnog Latte
Prep time: 5 minutes,
Cook time: 1 minute
Serving size: 1
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup 2% milk
• 2/3 cup eggnog
• 1 shot (1.5 ounces) brewed espresso
• Nutmeg (optional)
Directions
1. Pour milk and eggnog into a steaming pitcher and heat to between 145-165 degrees F, using the steaming wand.
2. Brew the shot of espresso, then add to mug.
3. Pour the steamed milk and eggnog into the mug, using a spoon to hold back the foam. Spoon foam over the top. Sprinkle ground nutmeg (or grind fresh nutmeg yourself) on top of the foam.
Hot Buttered Lemonade
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Serving Size: 4
Ingredients
• 3 cups water
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 4 cinnamon sticks (optional)
Directions
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, simmer water, lemon juice, sugar and lemon peel until sugar is dissolved.
2. Pour into mugs; dot each with butter. Drop in a cinnamon stick if desired.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1-4 hours
Serves: 9
Ingredients
• 1 cup powder chocolate milk mix or powder cocoa mix
• 8 cups hot water
• 3/4 cup chocolate syrup
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Directions
1. Pour cocoa mix in a 3-4 quart slow cooker.
2. Carefully stir in hot water.
3. Stir in chocolate syrup.
4. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or on high for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
5. Whisk in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.
It is currently 36 degrees out, and I am freezing. I am always freezing though, that's nothing new. My mom calls me a "bag lady" when I am home and not planning on going anywhere because I layer up and it isn't pretty. Usually my "bag lady" attire consist of cartoon character PJ pants, an over sized shirt that often hangs to my knees and then a sweatshirt or hoodie and the shirt hangs out from under the hoodie. Yeah I have no shame. Not like I am going out or taking a selfie to post to Facebook so as long as I am warm I am all good. So the point of the semi-embarrassing reveal of my "bag lady" layers is this awesome post I found with pictures to help us know how much to layer for the cold weather and how much is too much. You don't want to put so much on that mid run you're overheating and stripping in front of the little kiddies at the park. So, now pictures of clothes today but a helpful guide instead:
To stay with the fall season, today's tasty tuesday breakfast is pumpkin scones. I have never tried these but a ton of my friends love just about pumpkin everything. Hope you like pumpkin too and will enjoy. A plus? This recipe comes with a video how to.
Makes 8 Scones
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 18 mins
Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups of Flour
1/4 cup of Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup of Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
8 Tbsp Cold Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/2 tsp of Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup of Pumpkin Puree
2 tsp of Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Egg
Egg wash (one egg beaten with 1 tbsp of water)
Raw Sugar
Directions
1) Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2) In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt, mix just to combine.
3) Add the cold butter and mix it just until the butter has broken up a bit and distributed evenly throughout the dry ingredients.
6) In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, pumpkin puree, cream and vanilla. Add it to the dry mixture and mix until the dough comes together.
7) Dump it onto a floured board and shape into a circle or a rectangle that’s about 3/4 inch thick. Cut the scones into desired shape and place them on the parchment lined baking sheet and brush the tops with the egg wash and sprinkle them with the raw sugar.
8) Bake for 17 to 18 minutes or until golden brown, let them cool completely.
Tomato and Avocado salad with Creamy Garlic Cilantro Dressing
INGREDIENTS
DRESSING:
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 scallions, washed and trimmed
2 cloves garlic (use 1 if you want a milder garlic flavor)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
SALAD:
1 cup heirloom baby tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (about 1/4 of a small onion)
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 avocados
1 lime, halved
DIRECTIONS
For the dressing: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the yogurt, oil, scallions, garlic, cilantro, lime zest and juice and cumin and season with salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
For the salad: In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, onion and cilantro and season with salt and pepper; set aside.
Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from each half. Slice off a small amount from the bottom of each half so that they sit flat on your platter. Squeeze a little lime juice on the cut side of each avocado and season lightly with some salt. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the tomato mixture inside each half (it's good if a little extra falls around the avocado) and drizzle with some of the dressing. Serve right away!
Teriyaki Salmon
Serves 4
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Ingredients:
1/3 cup of Soy Sauce
1/3 cup of Water
1 Clove of Garlic, minced
1 Tsp of Grated Ginger
2 Tbsp of Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp of Mirin
1/4 tsp of Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp of Cornstarch
1 Tbsp of Water
4 Salmon Fillets, about 6oz each
Directions
1) In a saucepan, add the soy sauce, 1/4 cup of water, mirin, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic, and simmer until the brown sugar dissolves.
2) In a small bowl, mix together the 1 Tbsp of water and cornstarch and add it to the simmering sauce. Allow it to thicken, turn the heat off and let it come to room temperature.
3) Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a large resealable bag and pour the sauce right over, make sure to flip the salmon around a couple times to coat the salmon.
4) Cover and allow the salmon to marinate for a couple hours in the fridge.
5) When ready to cook, preheat a non stick skillet over medium high heat, get the salmon out of the marinade but make sure to shake off excess marinade (reserve the marinade) and place the salmon in the hot skillet.
6) Allow the salmon to cook for about 1 minute on medium high, then turn the heat down to medium low, cover the skillet with a lid and allow the salmon to cook for a few minutes on each side or until the salmon is almost fully cooked.
7) At the last couple minutes of the salmon cooking, pour the reserved marinade in the skillet and let it cook for the last couple minutes.
8) Serve along side some steamed rice and veggies and pour the sauce over salmon.
This video is by the same woman that made the pumpkin scones. Do not forget it is okay to use brown rice vs white rice and it's alright to use light soy sauce so its less sodium. Hope you like today's recipes.
Last week I posted an playlist of the best workout songs from the 1980's. That was fun and kind of interesting because half of them I didn't know and the other half I loved (New Kids on the Block, GNR, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper.) The best thing about doing an 80's playlist was the wide variety of music. So I decided to continue on with the trend and today I am going to post the best workout songs from the 1990's. Comment and tell me if you know any of these songs and which ones are your favorite.
Welcome back to Sweat Fest Sunday! I was having a bit of difficulty finding a new video to post today. I wanted to find something I would enjoy doing and to be honest, I don't like working out that much. At least I don't like a ton of cardio - pilates is more my style. However, it is called SWEAT fest for a reason so here are today's videos.
If you are feeling challenged or just bursting with energy this video is for you. It is called the 54321 workout. 5 minutes of cardio, 4 minutes of lower body strength training, 3 minutes of abs, 2 minutes of upper body strength training and 1 minute plank. So if you want a quick full body work out, just look below and press play:
The next video, I always post two, isn't really a workout video you can do it home. I was looking for a sample video on youtube and this is the closest I could find. There is a very short example of what you can expect from POUND! if you go to one of the gyms that hosts the classes or buy the dvds and do them at home. Really, I am just interested in what you all think of this new workout. Do you think it is an actual workout? Or that is will become a workout craze and trend like previous workout videos? Take a look and tell me if you would attend a class - the actual routine starts around the 3:40 mark if you would like to skip the beginning.
Cassey Ho, creator of POP Pilates/Blogilates, posted this video yesterday and it is just too perfect not to share.
Awhile back, Cassey posted a video of what she eats in a day. She also posts pictures on instagram from time to time of her meals. In the the video above she discusses the hate she receives on a regular basis with people claiming she eats too much, she eats too little, she doesn't eat clean etc. You can watch the video to hear the rest but I've been where she is. I mentioned a few posts back that I am a vegetarian and I was quite surprised to find out how many people are bothered by it.
Let's start way back when. I was not raised vegetarian but roughly 10yrs ago my mother and I decided to try the south beach diet. The south beach diet may be different now, but back then it called for you to eat lean meats so we gave up pork and a majority of beef. From time to time I would still go to McDonalds for a burger but at home - no beef.
About three years ago I decided I wanted to be a vegetarian. My mother was concerned and unsure of what we were going to eat because she is a diabetic and can't eat too many carbs. I didn't jump right into being a vegetarian either, I slowly cut out turkey and then chicken and it wasn't until about 3 months ago that I cut out fish. I still eat dairy because I like cheese and ice cream and have not yet found vegetarian or vegan forms I like. So technically that makes me a lacto-vegetarian and is normally frowned upon by people that are vegan or fully vegetarian.
I think there is an assumption about vegetarian and that is 1.) they are going to be PETA crazy and dump paint on you for wearing fur, spew facts about the abuse animals face and and what meat eaters are REALLY eating. 2.) we are incredibly unhealthy, eat a ton of carbs, boxed/processed foods and missing out on major vitamins and nutrients.
Before I became a vegetarian I thought all vegetarians were pushy and would try and convert others. I don't know many vegetarians, I am actually the only one in my family (aside from my mother) and the only one in my group of friends. But seeing as I am the only one and still have plenty of friends I must not care too much about what they eat.
I don't brag about being vegetarian or even randomly tell people. The only time it comes out is if i am asked to dinner, or if you're on my facebook I may post recipes that give it away. However, even though I don't bother people, people bother me. I have had people tell me they would make me eat meat. I've had people post obnoxious articles to my facebook about why being a vegetarian is unhealthy and why I NEED meat, I have been in debates/arguments simple because people can't drop the subject. I have had people tell me soy products are no good for me, or people telling me what I eat is disgusting and that I don't get enough protein.
That is insulting because all of these people are insinuating I am stupid and assuming that I didn't look into this before becoming a vegetarian. I did my research. I am well aware that TOO MUCH soy is bad for me but it is okay to eat. I also know that the soy has to be organic and GMO free. I don't eat a ton of carbs, and I eat very few processed foods. I also take vitamins to make up for any I am missing out on. Lastly, beans, tofu, nuts, milk, and a lot of greens have protein that makes up for me skipping out on that juicy Texas Roadhouse steak.
Overall my point is, and this applies to every aspect of your life, if it does not affect you personally - mind your business. What I put into my body does not hurt the person next to me. What they put into their body doesn't hurt me. It's disrespectful to try and shove your thoughts and beliefs down someone's throat, quite literally in this case. Everyone wants respect but isn't willing to give it. For every article out there people find about why being a vegetarian is bad, I can find the same amount that says eating meat is bad. The thing is I respect people enough to let them do as they please. It's all about respect and realizing people are different and that's okay. Would you want everyone to think the same, be the same, eat the same, dress the same and look the same? I don't. I quite like me and don't want to be someone's carbon copy or clone.
I know friday is meant for fitness and food facts - hence they title of the post. However I decided to switch it up just a little bit and instead of facts why not share some of my snacks? Sharing some of my favorite snacks and hoping you'll share yours as well still falls in line with foodie friday, right? So I don't really have a sweet tooth - I love salty, which is horrible and I like chips and peanut butter (not together). I wish I could say I ate a lot of fruit and I like yogurt but I really don't. The only fruit I eat on a regular basis are apples, grapes, and nectarines. And yogurt I just can't do. I have tried so many different flavors and to me they all taste the same. Also just because it is posted below do not think I eat these things everyday or that I even keep them stocked in my house. These are just what I turn to when I do want a snack.
So there are just a few pictures of things I like to snack on, when I do snack. The popcorn is a staple because I get a lot for only a few calories. I also like waffles with peanut butter, cucumbers with low sodium italian dressing, or avocado toast. Don't think this doesn't mean I don't indulge from time to time because haagen dazs chocolate peanut butter is my weakness. If that comes in the house its over.
Have any of you ever had coconut water? It has soared in popularity over the last few years and just about every celebrity on the planet has been photographed drinking it. From the likes of Rihanna, Madonna, Tia & Tamera Mowry, Anthony Kedis and more. You can find coconut water at just about any grocery store and it's not even that expensive. So what is it? Why is it such a big deal?
Coconut water comes from green (baby) coconuts before they have matured. The water is considered to be a natural replacement for sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade. Coconut water has less calories (roughly 60 calories for 11oz), less fat, and less sugar than the sports drinks. Not only that it has more potassium (as much as four bananas) and contains high levels minerals and antioxidants. This wonder water also claims, but has not been proven, to aid in hangovers and kidney stones.
However, just like everything else store bought not all brands are created equal. Many companies want to save money making the product that you spend your hard earned money on. So, what are some things to pay attention to when buying your coconut water?
Hope this helps anyone that is wanting to add something new and refreshing to their healthy lifestyle.
