Veteran's Day Ceremony and Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce

We had the most wonderful Veteran's Day (weekend)! Lots and lots of family time.

First snow fall for the year!

Luke with Boy scouts during a Veteran's Day ceremony!

Saturday's complimentary class went very well and was a lot of fun!!! The rest of the weekend was just some great family time. I really need my weekends and family to recoup and re-energize.  Now I'm ready for the week. Tonight is my Pilates class at the Hospital:) Love it!!!

WORKOUTS:

Sunday ran then did pilates leg/ab series. ( no clients)

Monday ran then Pilates inner thigh/lower ab workout. (no clients)

Tuesday early am client then kids off to school my workout 8-9am. walked very fast alternating with moderate speed up hills. Ending with Pilates planks and hamstring workout:) 

MENUS: Everyone loved the kale enchiladas so much we are having them again tonight. I also found this wonderful peanut sauce for my rice or quinoa or just to dip my veggies in. 

Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce over Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Rice

Author: Cookie and Kate

Recipe type: Main

Prep time:  10 mins

Cook time:  40 mins

Total time:  50 mins

Serves: 4

Bold and spicy Thai peanut sauce drizzled over roasted sweet potatoes and bell peppers on a bed of rice. The sauce would also be great on stir-fries and salads, or as a dip for raw vegetables. This is a healthy vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free recipe.

Ingredients

Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup reduced sodium tamari
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar, to taste)
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons water

A MUST TRY!!!  Enjoy the rest of the week!  Comment on any of these recipes and let me know what you think? 

Stephanie

COMPLIMENTARY PILATES CLASS

I Am Offering a "COMPLIMENTARY" Pilates class at Young at Heart Studio on Saturday November 9th @ 9am. Class is filling up fast so please click the link above and preregister.

Stephanie

This is why we plank

I was right!!! Those enchiladas were pure deliciousness:)   Since we are not vegans, I added real cheese and it was a little spicy. But, Still oh so good. A must try.

Today's workout for me is a great run and then Pilates class tonight at the Hospital. Feeling energized and ready for the rest of the week.

Today's focus is :  PLANKS

Enjoy Your day everyone!!!!

Kale and black bean enchilada recipe!

It is a beautiful fall Sunday morning!! I'm preparing for my work week and came across this deliciousness,
http://veganyumminess.com/black-bean-and-kale-enchiladas/



Actually this is tomorrows dinner. Tonight is Quinoa with all kinds of goodies in it, cucumber, feta cheese, olives, raisins, etc.... with a great salad!! Can't wait to try this deliciousness!!!

As for my workout, I had a great run then ended with a pilates leg series and stretches:)

A busy week coming up.... Pilates, Pilates and more Pilates classes!!! LOVE IT!!
I am ready for the week. Last full week of school for the kids this month . Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!!

Halloween workout and Healthy butterfingers

Halloween tonight. Everyone is so excited and I am looking forward to it as well. 

Started my day with a great Pilates class at 6 am. We did standing leg series, planks and pilates fabulous 5 ab series.  One more Power Pilates Class tonight at 4 pm.

I am looking for some great Halloween recipes.

Since butterfingers are my favorite candy bar, I am making these remakes today

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/10/18/healthy-butterfingers/

What is your favorite candy bar?

Eating to balance the thyroid

Danielle, This post is for you. I came home and looked it up right away before I forgot. 

Actually my last post is a good recipe for you. Thyroid is a lack of iodine in the body, which helps regulate metabolism. Eating Sea Plants (water-earth) like nori, agar, dulse, kelp,etc... the Vegan Tuna has dulse flakes in it. 

Also, eating soups (earth-water) making it  slower to eat.

Great Pilates class today. Today is full of errands and good family activities!!!

Enjoy today! And Class tonight at 6:30

New Raw Vegan Tuna salad recipe & Ladies night in at Heywood Hospital, Gardner,Ma

Hello Everyone, Shocker...two posts in two days!!  Preparing for my evening Pilates class at Heywood Hospital. Then, after class at the hospital is a Ladies' Night in event for breast cancer awareness month. Here is the link.  http://www.heywood.org/event.html?newsid=253584


Tonight's dinner is a Vegan "Tuna" salad with a warm soup:)
 http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2012/06/raw-vegan-tuna-salad/
*** I didn't have a lemon so I used a cap full of apple cider vinegar and i did not have parsley so i used dried coriander. I also, added about a Tbs of drained capers. it's Yummy!!

My workout for today was short but to the point. I ran for 15 min. to warm up then, Pilates standing leg series.

Now I'm off to get the kids!!! can't wait.

Young at Heart Open House with Pictures

I finally found a minute to post. The Young at Heart Studio had it's Open House last night and all went well. A great showing and lots of great people. Had a great two classes this morning!

It's always great to focus on the fundamentals of Pilates. That was and is the focus today. Also, remember the fundamentals.   1)Center 2)Focus 3) Breath 4) Control and so on....slow and precise movements.

Here is a photo and  the link to the paper http://thegardnernews.com/index.asp

Have a great day Everyone!!! Out the door to get Madi and Luke and then off to swim practice:)

New class schedule and juicing recipe

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. I met with Paula today, owner of Young at heart and I have the link to the website to register for classes. Thank You Paula for the wonderful lunch and it was great to meet Amanda. Great crew to be working with.

Made some wonderful applesauce with all our apples from apple picking!Yum!!

a great juicing recipe:

4 or 5 celery stalks
1 cucumber (2 small)
1 or 2 apples
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 inch of fresh ginger
fresh hot peppers ( choose wisely) I like my peppers hot but, add a little at a time....

This juice recipe is full of vitamins c, Iron, folate, fiber and it's also great for rehydration.


Enjoy the week!

New Studio Schedule for October 2013

Hello everyone, I finally have the schedule for Young at Heart Studio in Westminster,Ma starting in October.

This week has been much of the same. Gaining some new insight on all areas of my training. I love bringing it to my classes and clients.  Tonight's dinner http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/campanelle-with-spicy-mint-sauce-recipe/index.html   Pasta with spicy mint sauce!! Yum:)

Pilates 5 and planks

Just to clear up some confusion, My Pilates classes are Mat for all levels. The reformer is done on a private only session. Loving the fall weather. It's just starting to turn a little chilly at night and in the morning, with that crisp feel in the air.  I am able to do my sessions or classes outside with this cool weather. Just finished another busy week. Loving my own Pilates classes that I am taking for myself.

This weekends focus is the Pilates 5 (single leg stretch, double leg stretch, lower and lifts, single straight leg stretch, and criss crosses)and Planks!  When doing these focus on the slow and concentrated move. Working your breathe through the movement. Doing about 12 reps each! All body workout done in about 20-25min.

Last night for Pizza night I had:   Sun-dried tomato hummus and pizza on a flat bread tortilla, which consisted of feta, olives, sun dried tomatoes and olive oil. Yummmy!!!

Off to baseball game!!
Also, my husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary:)

Reformer workout 9/10/2013



today's workout



 This morning started with a great early morning run, then getting kids off to school so, I could go to Concord for my stuff:)

Welcome Back!!! New Classes & Recipes

Welcome back everyone! First blog of the season after a very fun filled family summer. I have begun new training and lots of new classes. Some new classes are still enrolling for October. More info to come. Today, is my catch up day! Looking forward to setting up new videos and nutrition information. I will also include new recipes.  Speaking of recipes, and since it's Friday Night Pizza:)    I have my very own Pizza dough recipe.

My pizza! Non dairy cheese, olives, spinach & mushrooms

1 can Chickpeas (drained and rinsed well)
1/2 cup Organic Quick Oats
2 TBS Psyllium husk fiber
2 Garlic cloves( or whatever you prefer)
Olive Oil (drizzle)
Lots of seasonings(fresh tyme, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, etc) seasonings or limitless. Whatever you like.

Preheat oven to 450 and grease a pizza pan. Place all ingredients except for Olive Oil in a food processor. As you process the mixture drizzle the Olive Oil a little at a time.... Only about 2 TBS. Only enough to be able to press the dough mixture out onto the pan, because the chickpeas are already pretty moist. I bake without toppings for about 20 minutes and check bottom often. You may also flip over if one side is cooking faster than the other side. Then place your toppings on until ready!! 

http://strengthandcore.blogspot.com/2013/02/blizzard-2013-cauliflower-pizza-crust.html

Woke up this morning and ran!!! It is so beautiful out. But, since there is soo much pollen out, I ran on the treadmil which faces the outside so, I felt like I was outside. I only run for time, not distance. I ran for 50 min. then a 3 min cool down. But, the last 5 min.'s of my run I do a cool down jog...so, it's very slow almost a walk. I ran with Madison's music... tracks like, John Mayer's "Heartbreak warfare" for warm up motivation or kick my butt music like, Icona Pop " I Love it" or "Blow me one more kiss" (I think Pink) to chill out music to Katy perry, Jessie J, Cold Play, etc.....love having a teenager, they have all the good music:)


Friday night Pizza night was my cauliflower pizza topped with Alfresco Garlic and Chicken sausage with onion and herbs. It was really good. The chicken sausage has 140 cal. per link, 7 g. of fat, 15 g. of protein. I wasin need of more protein thats why I added the chicken:)  I mean a good meaty protein.

http://strengthandcore.blogspot.com/2013/02/blizzard-2013-cauliflower-pizza-crust.html

Today, we are off to do kids sports and birthday parties and sleepovers.....So, basically all kids stuff:)

Oh, that reminds me! I just saw this amazing video... you have to google it on You Tube. It's called "The Gift of an Ordinary Day". Love it!!!


I also forgot our Mother's Day Pictures



Lunch in Freeport, ME



Playing pictionary













QUESTION OF THE DAY? What is your favorite music to run to?

Have a great weekend everyone:)

Vitamin C rich foods to decrease Cortisol

Today I just realized that in one month, my little girl will have survived middle school. That is such a hard time in life. My focus this summer is to prepare her for all there is to come in High School. I'm excited for both of my kids for what next year will bring to them.

No wonder I have been so stressed out. Raising kids is sooo hard but, yes "oh"

so worth it!!!

Today's focus is on the top stress fighting foods. Foods containing vitamin c help to reduce "Cortisol" the stress hormone.

Vitamin C "prevented the expected increase in cortisol levels, it prevented the animals from exhibiting the known signs of physical and emotional stress, including loss of body weight."

"Vitamin C is present in fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits and red and green peppers. One eight-ounce glass of fresh orange juice provides 97 milligrams of the vitamin.
It's also found in papayas, cantaloupes, strawberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, asparagus and parsley. There's no vitamin C in animal food, and a small amount in raw fish."

Check out more on :

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/vitamin-c-stress-buster


So, this weekend I am focusing on reducing our families Cortisol levels with Vitamin C rich foods and healthy doses of exercise.
Tonight's menu is: Dip night ( Hummus of all different kinds...) Then using all the vitamin c rich foods for dipping. ( especially bell peppers:)!!!)

Friday Night Pizza will be the Cauliflower Pizza crust with roasted veggies ( Cauliflower, Bell Peppers)
Saturday may have to be a huge Veggie Salad!!!

Enjoy your week:)

Eat your Vitamin C :)

New Chia Smoothie Recipe

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I sure did, camping in our new RV:)   So, I had to spend all day yesterday catching up. I had the usual Monday morning Pilates class. Then, an afternoon run.

Today was an intense circuit workout. I did Sprints on treadmil, legs/ shoulders and chest and tris.... ended with a great stretch. Now, I'm off to do more errands. Stocking up the RV.

Every 10 days or so I try to switch up my routines.

I have a new smoothie recipe:       *** This is my post workout recovery drink
8oz of almond milk plus protein
1 banana
2 TBS of chia seeds
1 cup of any frozen fruit ( I like strawberry and blueberries)
1 to 11/2 tsp vanilla  extract
cinnamon to tase

http://www.nuts.com/cookingbaking/chia-seeds/premium.html

Breakfast I start my day with the no carb bread up top but I add frozen fruit instead of water and add vanilla extract and cinnamon, top it with coconut(shredded, unsweetened) and slivered almonds. Yummy!!

Then my smoothie from above, Lunch is usually a salad of some sort. Then, I juice for afternoon snack and rehydrate.

Dinner is whatever these days:) busy,busy with sports. Tonight is a light dinner for me because I have my 5:30- 6:30 evening Pilates class at the Hospital.

Enjoy your day everyone!!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mothers! We are taking our new RV to Freeport, Maine for the weekend:) Yay!!! Lots of family time, hiking, reading and shopping!

Also, Started my herb garden. I have been waiting to do to that forever. Pictures to come soon.


I can't wait to try this new salad dressing when I return.
It is a Oil free, sugar free dressing
http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2013/05/oil-free-raspberry-salad-dressing/#more-12644

So, A weekend off from the usually workouts:)

Hello to all!!! It is a beautiful rainy day:)

I started my new evening Pilates class last night. All the students are awesome. So, positive and great energy in the class. I love it.

As for today, I woke up early and got my morning run in. Since it's rainy out, I will not be running this evening so, I had to run on the treadmil:(

Just finished my morning class. Now off to the Hospitals Health Fair.

Tonight's dinner is some kind of Hummus. I haven't decided yet???  I'm missing a good Hummus with my veggies.

Enjoy your Wednesday everyone. Will write more on Friday! I hope.

Another beautiful morning! Today, I am jammed packed with classes, errands, kids, etc....

Starting my day with my am Pilates/ weight class. Then off for a day full of errands. It's all good though!!

So for my diet, I have to juice it today.

Breakfast is a smoothie
Lunch - Juice
mid day??? maybe a protein bar.
Leftover Cinco De Mayo dinner

Enjoy the Day!!

National Walk to school day

Here it is Wednesday again, and it is a beautiful morning. Today, is National Walk to school day so, I walked Luke to the school bus stop:) Since it's too far and dangerous to walk all the way to school.

Today I am starting with my am class ( usually weights and ending with pilates) then off to spin class and then when My daughter goes to swim in the evening I usually go running while I wait for her:) Then, I can come home and relax! If there is ever such a thing.

Last night for dinner, I made roasted veggies but, the faily had grilled pizza so, I did have a few bites. I was soo good. Then, the kids made smores' so, of course I had to have one. You gotta live right:)

Yesterday I made this awesome bread.  Recipe to come later.

Enjoy your Day!

3 main ingredient tarte

Good Monday Morning!! I want to give a big "THANKS"  to all my wonderful comments that I have received.

It was a beautiful weekend. This week looks awesome as well. Here's a little glimpse of our weekend.

We started our spring clean up. Preparing my herb garden. Photo above was our dessert. Totally vegan:)

Crust recipe.   1 cup almonds (soaked 1 hr)

                       1 cup walnuts  (soaked 1 hr)

                       1/2 cup dates

                        dash salt and cinnamon to taste.  

Directions:      After nuts have soaked, put almonds and dates in food processor for a few pulses. Then add walnuts, salt and cinnamon then blend until crust starts to fold in. You want to be able to have all nuts grounded but still have a moist enough crust to spread. Just keep an eye on it. Then top with favorite ingredients and enjoy!!!

Today's workout: Am Pilates workout focusing on Upper boddy strength. Then, a quick sprint later when I get home. Enjoy outside time if you have great weather!!

Hill work, circuit training

It is another beautiful day out today:) Love it!!! However; I have been stuck inside this morning finishing my paperwork. I truly despise paperwork, don't you???

Today's workout is a run on the treadmill at an incline of 5- I am going to run for as long as I can. Then, I am going to do a circuit of heavy legs, (squats) Plyo jumps( squatting down and jumping up as high as I can) then sprinting on treadmill (Incline 1, level 9) Then another round switching to, lunges then lateral lunges.

Then, I have to prepare for my PM Pilates class. And ending my day with my sons baseball game:)

Enjoy your Thursday everyone!!!

A lighter fare tonight? Last night was hummus:)
Friday night is Pizza night again. Can't believe it's almost Friday already.

Earth Day 2013

Happy Earth Day!!!

I have been trying to write in my blog all day! It is just too busy around here. But, spring is here and the sun is out today so for Earth Day, try to get outside and do something grounding and calming. Clean up your neighboorhood, your yard or just enjoy some gardening:) Just get outside today.

In a bit we are off to swim practice, it has been so nice with no more Religious ed classes. I mean it just takes a lot of our time out of Mondays.

Dinner tonight is a Quinoa casserole with Kale, raisins and walnuts. Yummy. Then I made a chickpea flour bread and topping it with a kale pesto. I love to eat good food:)

Tomorrow, Is my early morning client. I will do my run and legs workout then off to BJ's.....I am starting to stock up for our trip. I can't wait.

Let me know what you do on Earth Day???

veggie/protein dish ideas

Living in Massachusetts and some what near Boston, the bombings of the Marathon has hit home. I just want to give my deepest sympathy for everyone involved. I wish our world was a more peaceful place. Such senseless acts of violence.

As for today, It is a beautiful Friday morning but rain will be moving in. My husband has been home all week and with all the fun we have been having, I'm up 3 lbs for the week. Those who play must pay:)  

So, there's always next week! I will need to increase my cardio, strength training and reduce my caloric intake while increase my veggie and protein intake. It's really not as hard as you may think. Here are a few meal ideas:  Spinach egg omelet, veggie wraps with nutrional yeast, quinoa with roasted veggies, lots of roasted veggies, hummus with spinach or any other type of veggies.

What are some of your favorite foods to get back on track?

Today's workout is: One strength training class and then walking the hills with a friend....always the way to workout:)

Enjoy your friday everyone!!!

Roasted beet hamburger

Still continuing my hill workouts. My endurance is increasing:) Running up hill lots. The weather is finally starting to warm up so our meals have been light....spring like. Last night was a salad, soup and quinoa. But, the night before we had this beautifully colored hamburger!!!

Roasted Beet-Tofu Burgers

by Susan Voisin

Let me know if you'd like this recipe. It was delicous!!! The roasted beets gave the burger a nice smoky flavor! Food needs to taste good so you enjoy the whole family sharing experience.

Today's workout:  Hills on treadmill... I take the treadmill as high as it will go Incline level 12 and will walk to warm up then, run 1 min.then, walk 1 min. (repeat) until I die. Then, I'll take the incline down to 1 and sprint until I die.

Enjoy the day everyone!

Killer hill work out

This morning I am off to Trader Joe’sJ  My morning workout was hill work again on the treadmill but, this time I upped my challenge by running up hill a little(well a lot). Killer, Killer workout!!! Then, I did some intense yoga poses for leg strength and then ended with a great stretch. I feel absolutely amazing today!!! 

Already planning my lunch. Maybe something at TJ will trigger some ideas.

Keep me posted with your updates and progress!!!

Enjoy the day everyone!

Hill workout for the treadmill

It is going to be a beautiful day today!!! And I don’t have anything to doJ   All my chores are done, no running kids around, and classes are done for the day. So, what will I be doing???  I plan on doing my hill training on the treadmill, downloading new music, practicing for my new class and taking the dogs for a long walkJ

Treadmill workout:

MIN.         SPEED           INCLINE

0-1                                       3                          0

1-2                                    3.5                       0                 

2-3                                 4                           0              

3-4             4.5                      0

4-5             3                         3

5-7             3                         5

7-10           3                         6-8

10-13         3                         10

13-15         3                         12

15-17         3                         3

17-18        3                         5

18-20        3                         6-8

20-22       3                          10

22-25       3                          12

25-27       3                          3

27-30       3                          1

30-35       5-7                      1(RUN)

35-36       SPRINT 5-10 SPEED

36-37       WALK LEVEL 3 ISH

37-38      SPRINT

38-39     WALK

40-41    SPRINT

41-42    WALK

42-43   SPRINT

43-44  WAlk

44-45  SPRINT      *Then walk it out for at least 3 min then stretch

My nutritional information of the day, is my new favorite "food" , which is nutritional yeast....Yummy!!

Check it out

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/10/what-the-heck-is-nutritional-yeast.html

This site has some wonderful recipes too.

Enjoy your day everyone!!

http://strengthandcore.blogspot.com/2012/09/veggie-burgers-and-blue-cheese-walnut.html

Wow!! What a busy week we just had. This morning already my husband took my daughter to swim practice from 6-7:30am. I can't believe Madison got up and went. I'm so proud of her:) And for Rob for taking her, both are not morning people... as for me, I ran for 45 minutes on the treadmil and then did hills for another 15min.  I then did some leg sculpting exercises on the floor and then ending my workout with some Yoga stretches!!  Relaxing on our new couch!!

It is going to be a beautiful Saturday! Hope you enjoy the day where ever you are.

Nothing on the menu for tonight. We will be out for a benefit Hockey game tonight so, dinner will be on the fly... Tomorrow is another day. Maybe a good casserole for tomorrow.

Maybe veggie burgers....

http://strengthandcore.blogspot.com/2012/09/veggie-burgers-and-blue-cheese-walnut.html

Good Morning on this beautiful Tuesday!!! These past few weeks have been extremely busy. On top of everything else going on, the kids spring sports have started. There is softball, baseball, and the swim team. I do bless my lucky stars that my kids are healthy and happy. Today started as usual... an early morning client then busy with the kids. I managed a great run and stretching routine.

We had a great relaxing Easter!! Saturday we spent early morning shopping and prepping then we colored eggs.

Hope the Easter Bunny was good to everyone. The snow is finally melting. I will be working off my Easter candy for a while. I am very excited about starting my new Pilates class at the Hospital soon. So, I have been studying and focusing on that. I always like to refresh on new client and beginner modifications. Enjoy the day!!!

Good Friday:)

On this Good Friday, no matter what you believe, just take today to reflect on your body, mind and spirit. Consciencely think about what is going into your body, what your thoughts are and how you are treating others. On that, note just enjoy your day. Slow down, reflect and have an excellent weeknend!!!

NATURAL EGG DYE

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/EasterEggDye.htm

EASTER BANANA CAKE WITH BEETS

http://veggienook.com/2012/04/06/easter-banana-cake/

Losing weight through respiration, perspiration and hydration

Happy hump day!!! A full day of activities again today.  Started my day with my Weight class then, off to spin with MadelineJ

Luke requested Egg salad sandwiches tonight for dinner. The kids have swim lesson tonight….funJ Spring is here.

Respiration

Deep breathing as in Yoga or Pilates provides your body's cells with oxygen, which helps you, absorb nutrients. Respiration stimulates your lymphatic system to get rid of toxins. When your breath is shallow, also known as chest breathing, your cells are receiving fewer nutrients and your lymph system may be more sluggish, both of which may lead to weight gain, according one study.

Gentle or restorative yoga may help you lose weight by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. The Parasympathetic nervous system counteracts stress by calming your mind and balancing your body. A few benefits of this, is that your metabolism slows down to aid in digestion which can help you lose weight. However, too much stress may cause more rapid, shallow breathing, a quicker heartbeat and tight muscles, which may cause anxiety and less ability to quell cravings.

Perspiration

When you sweat, you are breathing faster, your heart is working harder, your circulation improves and your metabolism accelerates, all in an effort to resume your normal body temperature. An increased circulation during sweating, releases many of the toxins and impurities that your body has stored through your open skin pores. This is a good reason to exercise to the point of sweating or to sit in a steam room regularly.It is believed that the immune system also benefits from sweating. When your body heats up, your body generates more white blood cells. This strengthens your immune system.

Hydration

Almost two thirds of the human body is made up of water. Its roles include everything from removing waste to regulating body temperature to lubricating joints, just to name a few. Water also acts as a natural appetite suppressant and aids in metabolism. With all these functions, the consumption of water is vital to the normal functioning of the body.

Monday's workout

Today has been another busy day, after a very busy weekend. However, I did manage to teach my Pilates class, do my strength training and even run a little.

Pilates was a whole body workout. Strength for chest/shoulders, inner thighs after which I ran just for about 25min. Then, I had a great stretch. But, I did one of my biggest no-no’s…. I ate my leftover dinner of Hummus for lunch but, while I was unloading the dishwasher. So much to do and not a enough time. Still, I should have taken a few minutes and ate my lunch.

My eating is still the same. I had homemade breakfast bar for breakfast, leftover hummus for lunch and roasted red pepper/tomato soup and salad for dinner.

Enjoy your Monday everyone.

Tomorrow is Cardio Tuesday. Then I’m tour another private school for my kids. Wish me luck.

***I have not been able to update my menu at the top, maybe tomorrow:(

IT IS SPRING!!! I don’t care if there’s still 2 feet of snow on the ground. It’s SPRING!!! So, with that being said, I’m continuing my spring cleaning….mind, body and soul.

Today is 3^rd day with no coffee, and my dr. oz juice cleanse. Eventually, the snow will melt and we’ll shed our clothes….. Are you ready???

Today’s workout:

Heavy weights for chest/tris and shoulders

Pilates for core, legs and overall body strength/stretching.

Cardio: Spin class

Menu for tonight: Quinoa spaghetti with lentil “meatballs” and salad

Enjoy your Wednesday!!! Celebrate SpringJ

Today has been the usual Monday morning. Kids off to school and I was off to teach Pilates with weights.

So, after a weekend of a not so good eating weekend, I am doing the Dr. Oz 3 day cleanse. However, I am modifying it a bit. Instead of having just juices all day, I am only doing the juice cleanse for breakfast, lunch and then having our normal dinners. So far I have had the breakfast, lunch juice…..really good or maybe I’m just use to weird foods combos. Tomorrow I am having the dinner juice for breakfast since I did not hat it today. Speaking of tomorrow…..Another snow day is coming!!! 8-12 inches of snow.

Tonights menu is leftovers. I got my inspiration from this recipe.

http://www.elanaspantry.com/chicken-with-cauliflower-and-olives/

I added more veggies and used soy/tofu free chicken alternative!!

Tomorrow will be the oatmeal pizza with a salad

Here’s the link    http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-3-day-detox-cleanse-one-sheet 

TODAY’S WORKOUT:

Am Pilates class with light weights

Cardio ~ running on treadmill, walking and running uphill and some speed walking.

Strength~ Heavy weights for back and bis working out in the pm with the familyJ

Ok, Enjoy your week!!!

Circuit training

AHHH WEDNESDAY!!!  It’s another beautiful morning. It is amazing how good I have been feeling. I went from a terrible sinus infection, feeling like crap to feeling like I’m walking on clouds. So, full of energy.

Today’s workout: my morning class of weights and Pilates

Cardio: spin class!!!

Yesterday had a great circuit routine. So, My circuit looked like this:

I started with a warm up walk for 5 min., then a light jog for 10 min.

·        Squats- Military Presses- Sprints(1 min. each x4)

·        Lunges- Chest presses/flys-Sprints(1 min.ea x4)

·        Skull crushers-narrow presses- kick backs-sprints(1 min. each or 30 sec each arm x4)

Then off to parent teacher conferences and working the school book fair!!! It’s all good though.

Tonight’s menu is leftovers.  Which I have to say that I made the Lentil Meatloaf and ohhh my Gosh… It was awesome. And, The “Vegan” Tuna salad was just as delicious. Even, my 9 year old loved it. I made some healthy bread to go with itJ The only thing now is my Husband, whom doesn’t even like sweets, is requesting some more creative and fun desserts!!!

Any Ideas???

Enjoy your day everyone!

VEGAN MEATLESS MEATLOAF

The kids actually had a full day of school! I thought I would have all this time to catch up on things but here it is after and I’m just now able to write in my blog….

I am making this awesome “vegan meatloaf” I am posting it at the top. It looks too good not to share. Then mashed cauliflower (instead of potatoes) and some roasted veggies….

Today, I feel awesomeJ  I started my day with my grapefruit juice. Then did my workout….

Cardio on the treadmill. Iam increasing in endurance and speed. Then, I did some weights and about a million burpees. They never get easier!!!

Madeline and I tried to get into spinning but it was already full. I was soo hoping to get out of the house. The weather was nice and I could have ran outside but the snow is piled so high, It’s really not safe. Oh well, I know it will come eventually.

Tomorrows workout is much of the same: More of a weight dayJ I always start with a light jog to warm up then hit it hard with the weights.

Chest/ tris/shoulders and then legs…

Have a wonderful Monday!!! Looking forward to a busy week!

Whey Protein

Today started off with a wonderful workout with Karen:) She is making great strides and showing big progress!!! Way to go Karen!!!
And here is the Juice drink recipe:
2 medium ruby red grapefruits or 1 large
4 or 5 carrots (or to your taste)
1 inch of fresh ginger
either put all through juicer or blend in blender then, I add 1/2 scoop of vanilla whey protein, mix and enjoy!!!!

***Note*** after being off all dairy for 1 year to see if my allergies would get better but, I still got a sinus infection in January ( like I do every January)
So, I started adding back in some important dairy (for protein) back into my diet.
Whey Protein has the highest concentration of branched chain amino acids (bcaa's)which are the building blocks for muscle repair and development. Whey also helps with cognitive function in stressed individuals, lowers resistance of cancer cells while enhancing the immune system, helps with calcium absorption for bone density and most important helps the body release a hormone after eating to give a sense of satiation that aids in weight loss. Whey protein out of all the proteins, increases skeletal muscle growth best.
So, this is why you will start seeing some of my recipes to include whey.

 I did my workout of 30 minutes of a moderate run, then ending with sprints.
A great ab workout and finally stretching.

Anna, How's your running been this week? How many miles are you up now?

Now we are off for some more RV shopping!!! Maybe I will post pictures.
Enjoy your Saturday everyone

Another Storm!!

Hi all!!! I wanted to post yesterday but got busy running around in preparation for “another” Storm! That’s right we are getting another 10 inches today (Thursday). So, needless to say kids are home again.

Today’s workout is a family workout. We are getting ready to head downstairs and hang out and just workout…. Have fun, exercising with the family.

Today’s menu:

I started my morning with my protein pancake. Dinner is listed at the top (eggplant)

Maybe… I will make a new video? Not sure because everyone is home and it’s so hard to keep everyone quite.

Today’s self esteem project for the family is: everyone is to focus on one positive character trait on other family members….not so easy for siblings!!

Enjoy your day! If you’re experiencing snow enjoy!!! And if you’re enjoying a nice sunny day…well…enjoy that too!!

Give your self esteem a workout!

I have been working with my 13 year old daughter to build and enhance her self esteem, when I realized it is the same thing we should all being telling ourselves. When it comes to health here are a few words of wisdom to live by:

1.       Understand the power of your attitude toward yourself and views about yourself.

·         celebrate the fact that you are a valuable person

2.       Learn to overcome a fear of self-love

·         Healthy self love is about being your own best friend

3.       Trust your own feelings.

·         Self-worth requires that you learn to listen to and rely upon your own feelings and not automatically respond to the feelings of other people.

4.       Analyze yourself

·         What are my strengths? Stop focusing on your weaknesses; you've probably done that long enough.

5.       Stop making your self-worth conditional on other people

·         Try not to live up to an image of what you think others want  you to be, you lose self-worth.

6.       Tell yourself that you matter

·         Tell yourself you're special, wonderful, lovable, and loved.

7.       Prove to yourself that you matter.

·         Responsibility is about owning up to the fact that you are in control of your attitude, your reactions, and your sense of worth.

8.       Heed opportunities

·         My friend Anna is a good example of this, she signed up for a half marathon. Heeding the opportunity and determination in her quest to be better.

9.       Value yourself regardless of your job and earnings

·         In societies that tend to value people by what they do rather than by who they are, there is a great risk of undervaluing your self-worth because it's tied up in earnings and job prestige. If you ever find yourself replying "Oh I'm just a ..."

10.   Value your time.

·         spending time with your family, or ensuring that your own life is running smoothly

11.   Follow through

·         it will take a lot of courage to make the changes needed and there will be some people who find the new, more assertive you a little confronting.

Todays workout: Pilates am class / weights for back and biceps.

Tomorrows plan is cardio dayJ

Enjoy your Monday everyone!!!