Friday, June 28, 2013

Health and Fitness Week 27




I've been needing to adjust my running schedule due to going back to work and the recent increase in temperatures. It has caused me to run less or at weird times of the day. Sometimes at the hottest parts of the day. However, I was able to beat my record of distance this week. I ran 16 miles!! It felt great! I ran on a gorgeous Sunday morning, luckily the Delta breeze made for a great day.


Saturday:REST
Sunday 16 miles
Monday: 3 mile run
Tuesday: 2 mile run, 3 mile walk
Wednesday: 3 mile walk, 2.5 mile run, 1.5 mile run, 5 minute plank, St. Tropez workout by Tone it Up
Thursday: REST
Friday: planned- 7 mile run and sunkissed abs by tone it up.


How was your week in fitness? Any goals you've smashed?

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Book Review: Why We Get Fat (and what to do about it)

This was a great read!
FULL of information and I'd probably need to reread it to understand it all.
Luckily Taubes repeats his research and references it often enough to where I was able to follow along.

However, once again I am confused on what to eat.



Taubes main message boils down to a no starch, no sugar diet. This also includes some fruits (bananas) and veggies (potatoes). It also requires eliminating grains and beans.
But is heavy on eating meat.
His basis is that humanity relied on meat and didn't have all the cancer, heart, and obesity issues we are seeing in today's population.

After reading this, I ate more meat and tried to eliminate starches.
I tried a week.
I'm sure I could have gone longer.

But the following week I ate more green, grains, and fruits and felt so much healthier.

That is what works for me.

I can cut out sugar, but dark chocolate will still be my go to sweet.

My purpose for reading all these books is to have knowledge to share and to figure out how I can keep my family healthy.

Please feel free to ask me any questions. Where I may not be a nutritionist (yet), I love to learn and share what I have learned.
Guess thats the teacher in me. :)

I gave this book a 4 out of 5 hearts.


A great read, and necessary, but a little over informational.
Not a bad thing, but I like books with more application than information, I suppose.


Are you a meat eater? Not a fan of veggies? 


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Monday, June 24, 2013

What's For Dinner: Week 3

Meal Planning isn't always perfect. See how I executed last week's meal plan below.


Last week planned:

Monday: Chicken Quesadillas (I found this on the side of a Crushed Red Pepper shaker)
Tuesday: Burgers
Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Thursday: Chicken Piccata (excited to make this one)
Friday: Stirfry
Saturday: Dinner with Family
Sunday: W.Y.C.F (whatever you can find)


What actually happened:
Monday: Chicken Quesadillas (I found this on the side of a Crushed Red Pepper shaker)
Tuesday: Burgers  Leftovers from Monday (hubby out of town)
Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Thursday: Chicken Piccata (excited to make this one)
Friday: Stirfry  Fries with Lentils Madras and Cheese
Saturday: Dinner with Family
Sunday: W.Y.C.F (whatever you can find)


So see.. sometimes things don't go according to plan, but it definitely helps to plan ahead. I feel so much more relaxed knowing that I have meals planned, and most of the time, organized.

Here is this week's plan:

Monday: Stirfry
Tuesday: Spicy Macaroni and Cheese
Wednesday: Pitas and Tabbouleh Salad
Thursday: Anniversary Dinner
Friday: Fondue
Saturday: Wedding
Sunday: Burgers



So what are planning for this week?


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Sunday, June 23, 2013

Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas




I found this recipe on the side of McCormick's Crushed Red Pepper shaker. To say I was desperate for a new recipe is an understatement. But this is a MUST TRY!!

It's simple, tasty, and you can make it ahead of time, which is great for a busy mommy.


Ingredients:
corn tortillas
3 chicken breasts
1T of olive oil
1/4 c chopped green onion
1 chopped tomato
1/2 t of the following: crushed red pepper, thyme leaves, allspice
2 c shredded monterey jack cheese

Directions:
Saute chicken in olive oil on medium low heat. Turning about every 5 minutes until done.
Combine green onion, tomato and spices in a bowl.
After chicken is completely cooked and cooled. Chop into small pieces. Combine with spices.
Place tortilla in pan on medium low heat. Add chicken mixture and cheese and cover with another tortilla. 
Flip over quesadilla after about 4 minutes or golden brown.
Enjoy.


I like monterey jack cheese, but feel free to use whatever kind you enjoy!!



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Friday, June 21, 2013

Health and Fitness: Week 26

YEAH ANOTHER WEEK!!

Well...I'm back drinking coffee. Errrr....
Its really the feeling of luxury that it brings me.
It invites a spirit of rest, that I desperately need sometimes.
:)

I CANNOT MAKE COOKIES ANYMORE.
I have this good intention about making cookies and freezing them for an occasion when I don't have time.
But I end up eating them.
Self Control Hannah!!!



Here is my week in fitness.

Saturday: 6 mile run
Sunday: 3.1 mile run (fastest yet)
Monday:4 mile walk, 4 mile run, 50 pushups, 100 TIU Tummy Tucks
Tuesday: 6.2 mile run, Ibiza Yoga routine by Tone it up and 50 pushups, 100 TIU Tummy Tucks

Wednesday: 50 pushups, 100 TIU Tummy Tucks
Thursday: 8 mile run, 50 pushups, 100 TIU Tummy Tucks, 5k run
Friday: (planned) 50 pushups, 100 TIU Tummy Tucks, run/walk

I'm a Sweat Pink Ambassador now!! Yahoo! I love everything they stand for. Encouraging others while staying fit.

Also please check out the #IWILL campaign by Under Armour.

I'm at 75 miles this month!!! One more week to hit 100.


How do you stay fit during the summer? Any challenges you are doing?



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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Book Review: The Heavy

WOW!! 
What a book.

If you haven't heard about this woman, she hasn't gain the best reputation in the media.

Media, shemedia...we all know how they blow things out of proportion.

This book hit me like a ton of bricks.
I was convicted on my ease of being that judgey parent.

You know that parent that measures herself against everyone.
That not only feels like she's not doing a great job, but justifies that she is upon seeing another parent.


This story is about a mother who puts her daughter on a diet.
WHAATTT?
a seven-year old on a diet, she must be crazy.

Well I have to admit that I was judging this momma like crazy.

But it's not really my place to judge. Her daughter was diagnosed obese.

This is a very touchy territory, but one that hasn't really been touched upon
What do parents of obese children do?
They are either lazy for allowing their children to 'eat too much,' or looked at as indulging their children too much.

Its really hard!!

But Dara-Lynn summed it up with this comment "Parenting is hard enough without worrying about what others are thinking.




I give this book a 6 out of 6 hearts

Please read this! Its a beautiful story about a mother's love for her daughter.
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

My Week in Pictures

Here is our week in pictures

Began my first link up party on the blog: Meal Planning

Back to juicing!!


Needed these words

The morning I needed this coffee!!

Bravery week At Tricks Gym!!



I secretly love spaghetti night because of this face.

Started a new book

You can follow me on Instagram!!



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Monday, June 17, 2013

What's for Dinner: Week 2

Meal planning is a struggle. I am not an organizer by design, I really had to work on it. Kinda like running, once I started I couldn't get enough. Plus I LOVE printables!!
I recently just created my own planner, by searching Pinterest for some sweet organizational templates.

Meal planning has really helped me stay focused while grocery shopping. Since recently completing FPU and creating a monthly budget, its important that I spend money on what we need, not what looks good at the moment.

I used to grocery shop for the staples: rice, pasta, chicken, sausages, lots of fruits and veggies. And a then fun yogurts, healthy chips, sweet snacks. And even at 100 bucks a trip, I felt like during the week we didn't have any meals.

Its so interesting now, how like I mentioned, I over cook and have too much food. But ostly because something comes up in the week, like meeting friends, or dinner with family that gets in the way of eating leftovers.

Well on to the good stuff!!

Here are my meals:
Monday: Chicken Quesadillas (I found this on the side of a Crushed Red Pepper shaker)
Tuesday: Burgers
Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Thursday: Chicken Piccata (excited to make this one)
Friday: Stirfry
Saturday: Dinner with Family
Sunday: W.Y.C.F (whatever you can find)

There are some days when I overcook and we have tons of food left over. I call them Whatever You Can Find days, its more fun than 'leftovers.'

Hope you have a great week with planning!!

Have fun!!




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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Friday, June 14, 2013

My Week in Health and Fitness

We've been doing really well with eating well. I love the challenge of finding helathy meanls and it has become easier with meal planning. This past Monday, I hosted a link up party for meal planning. It wasn't as successful as I hoped, but I know that it will grow :) We'd love to have you :)

This week was a challenge. Baby is teething, weaning, and napping on her own. It has been hard to find the energy to do as much as I usually do.


Saturday: 8 mile run
Sunday: Rest (food poisoning)
Monday: 100 squats, 2 mile run, 1.5 mile walk
Tuesday: 7 mile run, 50 lunges each leg
Wednesday: 3 mile run, 30 burpees
Thursday: 6.6 mile walk, 5 minute plank (2)
Friday: (planned) 4 mile run

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!!


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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Book Review: Hell Bent

This was a very interesting read. Definitely different from the other books on fitness.
But I seriously couldn't put it down
(well except when I had to return it to the library before I finished :)


What could be more interesting than competitive yoga.
Yep, I said it Competitive Yoga?
Sounds like an oxymoron right?!
It kinda is. We believe that yoga is serious, serene, peaceful, rejuvenating.
But not intense, painful, rigid.
(so of you may:)
Lorr writes about this secret society of Backbenders that manipulate their bodies to do insane postures. They work religiously on their practice.
This book is mostly centered around the Bikram style of yoga.

Bikram is a very specific type of yoga. It is conducted in a 113 degree room (give or take a few degrees). It is 90 minutes of 26 postures. 
I really enjoyed this portion of the book. Learning about Bikram and his type of yoga, his teaching, and his story.


I give this book a 4 out of 5 hearts.


A great read!! especially if you into yoga.

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Monday, June 10, 2013

What's For Dinner: Week 1



I've really been working hard this past year to get more organized. I've always struggled with planning and staying organized and it was a real challenge.

Well, Now I am making it your challenge. Every Monday you can link up here your meals for the week. It can be a picture, a post, or a link to one of your recipes. 

Don't have a blog?
Link up your Instagram and post a picture of your meal plan.

Let's encourage one another with new recipes. Who knows you may find your family's new favorite recipe here.

Monday: Grilled Chicken and Veggies
Tuesday: Tacos
Wednesday: Spaghetti
Thursday: Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf
Saturday: Burgers
Sunday: Family Night 



Good Luck!!
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Saturday, June 8, 2013

Recipes: Whole Wheat Pizza



I love Pizza!! I will have to say that Round Table is my favorite franchise. But I do love trying out diffferent kinds. 
I am a thin crust over deep dish kinda girl.

Well I wanted to try and make my own pizza dough and found out it was pretty simple.

Here is a link to the actual website I found it at. But below I have written for you also.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of warm water
1 T of dry active yeast
1 t of sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup of white flour
1t salt
1T olive oil


Instructions:

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and let stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.

Stir the olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture, then mix in the whole wheat flour and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour until dough starts to come together. Tip dough out onto a surface floured with the remaining all-purpose flour, and knead until all of the flour has been absorbed, and the ball of dough becomes smooth, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover loosely with a towel, and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
When the dough is doubled, tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into 2 pieces for 2 thin crust, or leave whole to make one thick crust. Form into a tight ball. Let rise for about 45 minutes, until doubled.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both of your fists, and gently pull the edges outward, while rotating the crust. When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well oiled pizza pan. Top pizza with your favorite toppings, such as sauce, cheese, meats, or vegetables.


Bake for 16 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness) in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges, and cheese is melted on the top.


Enjoy!!



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Friday, June 7, 2013

Health and Fitness Week 25

A new week is here. Come link up with us!!

This week we finally got back into juicing!! I feel so much better. Still been eating too much sugar, but I'm working on it. 

Last week I had my blood tested (just routine, no worries) and found that I am in great health.

It's nice to have my blood screened to let me know that all is well.


Here is my week in fitness.

Saturday: 1 hour yoga
Sunday: 3.5 mile run, Summer Slim by Tone it Up
Monday: 4 mile run, Santorini workout, 5 minute plank
Tuesday: 6 mile run, Thai Tush (2x)
Wednesday: 5 mile run (Biker Babes), Pura vida (2x)
Thursday: 4 mile run
Friday (planned): run and maybe some yoga

My goal is to still get 100 miles this month! Summer is almost here.

Remember!



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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Book Review: Crazy, Sexy Diet

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK!!
No seriously you must!!!

Kris Carr is phenomenal!
This book is full of great information, colorful pictures, great recipes, and encouraging words.
It made wanting a colonic fun?! Is that possible.
Kris' has a great story. She found out she had cancer and made a 360 degree turn with her eating and was able to stop her cancer growth.


Her book is solely based on a vegan/vegetarian diet.
I keep running into this concept. 
To eat meat or not.
If I raised my own cattle, I would definitely eat meat.
But she is right when she discusses its issues with digestion.
My favorite thing about her is that she has a 60/40 encouragement of this diet. 
A diet isn't really a quick fix, its a lifestyle change. I like this 60/40 because it allows you some freedom, but she also mentions working toward having an 80/20 goal of this diet.
Looking at my diet, I will say that I am very close with this, maybe 70% following and 30% not.
I've gotta work on eliminating carbs out of the diet. But they are cheap and easy.

I definitely give this book 6 out of 5 hearts. Get it now!!


I've also read the book above and it is filled with lots of quality recipes I am very excited to try out!!

How are you a clean eater?


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