A Workout for Wednesday

Haven't done one of these in a while so I though now would be a great time. The weather sure is getting nicer so feel free to do this one outside or at a park while the kiddos are playing. You can do this 3-4 times if you feel so inclined :). Enjoy!

Let me know your thoughts on how you did and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #HurleysHotties



 

Friday Favorites

I wanted to share some of my favorites, both personal and fitness related.

My favorite workouts this week :

I decided to get back into Nike's NTC workouts. They are truly great, although most of the time they are circuits, which aren't my favorite, but they go so quickly that it's worth the work. NTC's programs are mostly HIIT, but there are also yoga and stretching routines. If you haven't, you must give it a try.

I also stumbled upon Bar Method's Dancer's Body Workout, which was such a challenge for me. I loved it so much, that I'm hoping to get it in again today. I was so sore from that workout.


I've also been loving creating salads. In case you missed it, I shared how to create a sensational salad.

And like always I've been loving reading in my free time (early mornings and late nights).

What are you reading? Any fun plans this weekend?

Linking up with Heather and Jill

                                 



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How to Make a Sensational Salad For One

I was blessed in college to have had roommates who knew very well how to make salads, a foreign concept to me. Typically my salads were potato or pasta based. I never knew how amazing salads could truly be. I typically thought that salads had to be carefully planned with exquisite ingredients like hearts of palm (my favorite) and goat cheese. Not the case at all. My dearest friend is a master at salad creations (and creating in general), that when I think I've got a good one, she blows my socks off with her combinations. I then stumbled upon PowerCakes, who creates Powerbowls, and that was my first real introduction to experimenting with flavors and ingredients, combining quinoa, beans, lettuce, and fruit with my veggies. It may sound odd, but it's oh so good. I have now found that carrots and celery are rarely found in my salads because there are so many more tastes I rather enjoy.




















Lately, I have found myself simply using half a lemon, salt, and pepper to season my salads. I'd say that I've always enjoyed more simple vinaigrettes than ranch, so this may not work for you.

The ingredients that I have found to create fabulous salads at lunch are
Lettuce Mix
Mango
Tomatoes
Green Onions
Cucumber
Basil
Radishes
Apples
Cheddar Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Chia Seeds


I don't combine these all together, but its a nice base for have several different varieties of salad. It starts with a wide bowl and a large handful of salad base (sometimes I use Spinach or Arugula). Then one whole fruit, and at least 3 vegetables. I like to vary textures and tastes with the vegetables I choose. As you can tell, I don't shy away from unpopular veggies, but the savory taste of mango, with lemon tartness paired with radishes, its so delicious, it's similar to a fruit salsa.

I've not yet mastered the task of creating a large salad for my family, but I sure;y look forward each lunchtime for one of these scrumptious salads.

What do you like on your salads? Any tips and tricks?

 

Mommy Workouts: How to Get Them In

The need to stay healthy and fit has become an hot topic; however, it really is about being healthy and not about being skinny. I've found that raising my daughter I have to be careful on how I talk about my size and how I view myself. With that being said, I found how important it is have energy and strength throughout the day.


I found that morning runs and walks were very easy to get in. I'm a part of a Moms Run This Town, which is helpful to stay motivated and accountable for getting those workouts in. I've found it to be a supportive and encouraging environment for feeling like a capable mommy on those stressful mornings. Post nap walks have also become very popular at our house, it buys the time before dinner.

 

After having my daughter I stumbled upon Tone It Up, a community created by fitness enthusiasts like myself, Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott. These ladies inspire and support women out there looking to get healthy. They have a membership for $150 dollars that is a lifetime membership and you receive discounts, exclusive emails, and countless recipes to accompanying your fitness lifestyle. I'm not a member but have benefitted greatly from their Youtube Videos and Beach Babe DVD (Their 3rd one is rereleased now!!). The combine fun with their Fine Toning Method. Most of their workouts are between 7-20 minutes, easy for the mom on the go. Typically, I'd pair 2 workouts during naptime. They have recently committed to providing a weekly schedule for you.

Whatever it is that you are interested in find a way to make time for it or include your family with you. Often times our family will plan a day to go running together, it makes family time fun and also shows your children that staying fit is important. Many of my friends take their kids on bike rides or have them join in running with them. Also remember that having a healthy lifestyle is a journey and not a goal, one day at a time.

You can read my post on having a healthy lifestyle here.

How do you manage time and parenting with staying healthy and active?

These are all my opinions. Links included were done so to be helpful.

How to Make Fitness a Lifestyle and Not Just a Routine

How to Make Fitness a Lifestyle and Not Just a Routine

I've walked the fine line of working out and healthy living, and working out to lose a few pounds and working out obsessively, that for over a year, I never took a rest day.

Extreme exercise was ever present after having a child. I typically ran 6 days a week, about 28 miles a week. I also included an additional 60-90minutes of strength training on top. Occasionally I'd add a hot yoga session in on days that I didn't strength train. I was the fittest I'd ever been. I had energy that allowed me to play with my daughter and went to work happy that I had exercised. However, on days that I woke up late, or didn't get lots of rest (this happens from time to time as a parent). I found myself grouchy and frustrated, thinking "I have to get a run in." Then 1-2 after a run, I'd be a happier person.























However, I knew this wasn't healthy, in the back of my mind I often put exercising over personal health, I devoted EVERYTHING to making sure that I was able to wake up in the morning an fit into my jeans (which is ironic, because I worked out so much that I usually just stayed in fitness clothes all day).

Eventually, I have come to let it go and be more moderate in my exercise. Instead of size being my motivator, it is more about endurance. Do I have enough endurance to run 3 miles? Am I getting stronger? Can I do the splits? Focusing on cardio, strength, and flexibility, seems to be a better overall achievement when it comes to fitness and healthy living.

I have read several books on myths of exercising, and I'm sure you have seen articles boasting about shorter jogs being better for you than long distance. Sure you will shead more pounds the more you work out, but are you compromising your health as you are doing it?























Here are a few tips on how to focus on staying and keeping fit, while making time for other things.

1. Create a morning routine: I usually wake up, get coffee, read my Bible, and then make time to workout. Occasionally, I will meet up some of my friends for a stroller run, so on those days I have time for cleaning, blogging, or other activities that need my attention in the morning. I enjoy working out in the morning because there are still quiet moments and then I've already exercised and can actually put on those jeans.

2. Make time for other activities in your life: This past Christmas I got a Kindle Fire, and was so excited to be able to read on the fly, without working about a giant book fitting in my purse.

3. Have REST days: REST is just as important as exercising. Not only is it physically healing, but also mentally rewarding. It becomes part of your routine more when you have the availability of have a few days off. If you need to schedule them do so. I operate the fact that I plan to workout everyday, os if something comes up and I'm not able to, then I have a rest day, and something ALWAYS comes up. :)

4. Have fun: Look for activities that are fun. Incorporate some thing new into your routine, whether it is a new workout, location, style of exercise, keeping it new and exciting will help your will power on those difficult mornings.

5. Find a friend to workout with you: As I mentioned I have friends who run with me on occasion. We strap up our kids in the stroller and head off on a 3-5 mile route. It is so much more fun having someone there to keep you entertain as you climb hills or burn those thighs.

6. Self-evaluate: Check in from time to time about how you are feeling while working out. Try to step back and look at the overall picture. Are you spending too much time? Are you not spending enough? Is a part of your life suffering due to this schedule? This helps keep fitness in perspective. and that it is a journey and not a finish line.


I hope you find this helpful. Share in the comments below ways that keep you motivated and in check about your fitness.






 (This post was originally posted on The FIThusiast)

Taste Test: Rau Chocolate

Rau Chocolate

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this delicious and unique treat. While enjoying a similar product, Pressed Juicery, Drink Rau Chocolate encouraged me to give it a try. I was lucky enough to have a Whole Foods nearby that supplies the product. When I first went in, I found that Whole Foods was carrying their Cold Brew Mocha and Mint. Since I had already consumed my fair share of coffee that day, I selected the Mint. At first taste it was a bit chalky and similar to the taste of cacao bits, which is a large ingredient in the drink. The mint taste was very present in the drink and stronger than most mint chocolate products I've tasted. I believe that the chalky taste that I experienced was due to my not shaking the product enough. Sediment does occur and it is necessary to make sure that any sediment is mixed in the product to ensure a smooth taste.

After having a yummy experience with Mint, I decided to give the Cold Pressed Mocha a go, but when I got to Whole Foods, they had Drink Rau Chocolate Original and Mayan Spice, a new flavor I was longing to try. I decided that the Mayan Spice was a must. This was a delicious treat in the morning, much smoother with a spicy kick after each swig. It tasted much more chocolaty and really was a fusion delight, my taste buds were extremely happy. The serving size is for 2 servings and I would agree that consuming a whole bottle is overkill, it ruins the experience and you appreciate the flavors melding together more, especially with Mayan Spice, my mouth was needing some reprieve, surprisingly Annie's Cheddar Bunnies is a great compliment.

Finally, I tried the Drink Rau Chocolate Original and was so satisfied. This is truly delicious, it tastes like chocolate milk, but it's dairy free...INSANE!! It's super smooth and creamy. It really was my favorite out of the other two I tried. I would definitely start with this one prior to try the fun other flavors.

At 5 bucks a pop, I'd say that this is an extremely great deal.  Drink Rau Chocolate is vegan, dairy free, sugar free, and organic. I can't express how much I truly enjoy great products like these. I am a believer that whole food does the body good and although it's not practiced all the time in my life, it's great when it does. Finding products like Drink Rau Chocolate are typically expensive and I usually forgoe them all together, but this is a great buy and product.





Pros
Healthy
Clean Eating
Sweet and Creamy
Delightful Flavors
Affordable
Sold in many stores
Low amount of ingredients
Raw
Sugar Free
Dairy Free



Cons
Shaking is necessary or can lead to an unpleasant experience.




Have you tried Rau Chocolate? What other health drinks do you enjoy?














I was not compensated for my review or sought out to do it. I paid for these products and this is my honest opinion.

Taste Test: Pressed Juicery

Taste Test: Pressed Juicery

I was able to attend an opening of Pressed Juicery. I have been following Pressed Juicery on Instagram for a while now and was so excited to be able to be attend. Pressed Juicery is very minimalist in their approach to a storefront, which completments When you walk in it is simply a bare room with three registers accompanied by three happy and friendyly workers, who are eager to help. Behind them is a large refrigerator similar to the ones you find in the grocery store, where you  will find a plethora of juice flavors. With prices ranging from 6.50-8 dollars a juice, although students get a 15% discount. The juices are made same day at a different location and shipped in.

Their juice descriptions are equally simplistic. Pressed has several categories (Greens, Roots, Fruits, Citrus, Signature, Water, Coffee, Classics, and Coconut). Each category has a few flavors and listed as Greens 1, Greens 1.5, Fruits 2, etc, followed by a list of ingredients that are in each juice.
This approach really allows the consumer to find exactly what they want easily. You can also sample any flavors when you get to the register to ensure you will have a successful experience.

I was able to try a Seasonal blend (green apple, guava, pear, red leaf lettuce, romaine, spinach), two Fruit Blends (Apple, Strawberry, Lime; and Apple Strawberry, Coconut), a Signature Blend called Brazil Nut (Brazil Nut, Dates, Kale, Romaine, Sea Salt, Spinach, and Vanilla Bean), and Roots 3 (Beet, Apple, Lemon, Ginger).

They were all extremely flavorful and delicious. The Brazil Nut is a must try, although it is green, it tastes like a yummy protein shake. The Apple, Strawberry, Lime is a sensory explosion and sure to delight the most hesitant when it comes to juicing.




Pros
Delicious flavors
Lots of choices
Healthy
Opportunity to create a juice cleanse



Cons
Price point is steep
Not made fresh on the spot (which may impact nutrients lost during delivery)


Have you tried Pressed Juicery? Have you tried a cleanse?

This was first featured on The FIThusiast

 

Friday Favorites: Spring Edition

Welcome and Happy Friday!!
Spring Edition

1. Carey Tee by Lorna Jane for 55.99
2.Water: Sea Me Run Shorts by Lululemon for $58.00
3. Low Rise Leggings in Futura by Onzie for $65.00
4.Tropicola Sonar Capri in Dress Blue by Athleta  for $74.00
5. StudioLux Artsy Capri in Faded Ink by Under Armour for $69.99
6.Inspire Capris by Zella for $64.99




Here are my favorite Blog Posts from this week:

Work Every Muscle With This Printable Bodyweight Routine by FitSugar

Turkey and Feta Burgers by Eating Bird Food

Skip The Squats, And Do These 13 Booty-Sculpting Moves by FitSugar

Peek At My Week-Oviparous Animals-Free Printable by Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

I Messed Up! RunFastMama is Here To Stay by Run Fast Mama



Linking Up today with Jill and Heather

Workout Wednesday: Sweater Weather Interval Run

Follow Mommyhood and Marathons with Bloglovin

Take Out Tuesday: Butternut squash Soup

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Fitness Friday

October is almost over. Last Friday before Halloween!!

Do you workout on holidays?

I feel like I have to because I love running so much I try to always run on the holidays, especially the ones where I will be consuming a large amount of food :).

This week I did get sick. This darn sore throat has made it hard for me to wak e up early, but by noon I’m feeling pretty good. So a few rest days were necessary. I posted on Instagram about how important it is to have rest days. I don’t often give them to myself, but am trying to learn to just rest and enjoy and not be such a fitness junkie.

Saturday:4 mi, Zova Fit Burpee Blitz, Zova Fit FUll Body Flow, and Barre CLass

Sunday-:10k

Monday-:30 minutes of yoga, Tone IT Up Abs and Arms and Zova Fit Quick and Easy workout

Tuesday-:REST

Wednesday-:Tone IT Up Kettlebell workout, Tone It Up Total Body 2, 5 mi run

Thursday-:Tone IT Up RUSH workout x4, Tone It Up Yoga, Blogilates Pilates Bootcamp for Arms, 4 mi run and Barre class

Friday-: REST, maybe a walk or some yoga

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

What is your favorite way to exercise?

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Workout Wednesday: HIIT IT

 

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