NEW YEARS DETOX WITH RECIPE AND EXERCISES 12/31/12

It's New Year's Eve day:) We are in for a busy, busy day!!! After my day's workout, I will be shopping for my New Years detox!!! Then, off to The Mountain for a day of skiing, snow boarding and tubing with the kids. Then, Just dance on the Wii as we wait for the ball to drop.

My New Years detox is complicated because there are so many components involved into a healthy detox.

First is your diet cleanup. Cleaning up my diet is the first and main component.
I will start tomorrow will a great detoxifying juice for breakfast (looking for foods and spices to aid in digestion, alleviating gas and bloating) fennel, celery, lemons, ginger etc...)

Lunch: A detoxifying soup (lots of spices... coriander, cumin, low sodium veg. broth)

Dinner: EGGPLANT STEW....Why? because eggplants are a great detoxifying food and this recipe is low in carbs, calories and very filling. This recipe serves 10!! So, adjust accordingly.

EGGPLANT STEW from sparkpeople.com

1 eggplant (1 and 1/2 pounds), cut in 2 inch cubes (approximately) ; the eggplant can be either peeled or unpeeled. the recipe works either way.
3-4 zucchini, sliced
2-3 summer squash, sliced
sliced mushrooms (8 oz.)
garlic crushed ( 1 teaspoon)
1 large onion, chopped coarse
1 can of diced tomatoes (15 oz.)
olive oil (1 tablespoon)
1 can of chickpeas (optional)
salt
pepper to taste
1 tablespoon of Szechuan sauce or chili powder if desired

Directions

In a large pot (about 10-12 quarts) add Olive oil, garlic and onion. Cover and cook under medium flame about 5-10 minutes, then add mushrooms. Continue cooking, 5-10 minutes, and add tomatoes.
When the mixture begins to bubble add eggplant, reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, then add the zucchini and the squash. Continue cooking for approximately 30 minutes longer until all the vegetables are tender. Add chickpeas and spices.

This meal plan will take me thru Wednesday. I will post Thursday meal plan on Wednesday.

 

The SECOND component to my detox is exercise.

First, you need a lot of cardio to burn extra fat. (anything you prefer....walking, jogging, hiking, skiing)

Strength training to increase your metabolism throughout the day and night!!!(body weight or weights)

And great yoga stretches to help alleviate blocked digestion and aid in fluid retention.

Here are a few great Yoga stretches.

 

Extended Triangle Pose

Utthita Trikonasana

Extended Side Angle Pose

Utthita Parsvakonasana

Continue stretches for as long as you need!!!!

Ending with a restorative pose.

 

Reclining Bound Angle Pose

Supta Baddha Konasana

Here are the benefits to this pose.
▼

Benefits

• Stimulates abdominal organs like the ovaries and prostate gland, bladder, and kidneys
• Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation
• Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees
• Helps relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, menstruation and menopause

I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years eve!!!!
Until Wednesday!!!
LIVE, LAUGH AND LOVE!!!!

12/29/12

I just realized it's Saturday. I was soo busy yesterday, I forgot to write in my blog. We have been having snow storm after snow storm. I have to say it has been nice but, only because we've been off from work and school. It won't be so nice once school starts. My diet has been about the same: something lite for breakfast, Lunch is soup or salad or crackers and hummus, etc... dinners are the usual- hummus, pizza night, etc...

My workouts: I have been starting to increase the intensity a little since I'm feeling better. Plus, nothing and I mean nothing, makes you feel better than a great workout on a cold and blistery day. It raises your metabolism, increases blood flow and mood. I cannot think of one negative about a great workout on such dreary days!!! Meet a friend at the gym or if gym's are not for you walk/run on the treadmill or some strength training....even dancing around the house or a wii just dance game!!!! That's one of our favorite family night things to do.

Looking forward to posting and chronicling my New Year's Cleanse and New Workouts!!!
Enjoy the weekend everyone!!!
Oh Yeah, It's my birthday tomorrow!!!:)

Merry Christmas!! 12/26/12

It's over:( I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!! We sure did! Just being home with the family is all the gift I need. I'm still recovering from having a cold or flu... not sure. My workouts have been light. Just walking/running on the treadmill.

Todays workout is a long needed spin class with a friend:) Then, we are off to the Movies. A big snow storm is rolling in tonight so, homebound again on Thursday. Not sure what we are having for dinner. I can't really think about food right now. Until Friday!!! Enjoy your day everyone!!!!

I am working on my New Year's Cleanse and clean eating menu!!!! I will post menu and ideas soon:)
Along with a at home workout plan!

Off to the gym:)

"Happiness" and Interval Training Routine 12/21/12

Good Morning everyone!!! I can't believe it's Friday already:) I have been so busy just like all of you. I have been working on a "Happiness" piece for the blog when one of my Pilates client Said " Happiness is: Being happy with what you have" I think that sums it up pretty well!!! So, as look at my c-section scar, Instead of wishing it away...I'm very thankful for my son. Instead of wishing for anything material this Christmas, I am very thankful for all that I have; My wonderful family!!!  I could not ask for anything else! :)

My diet has not been on target...lots of cheeses, chocolate!!! But, this is the Holidays and it is to be enjoyed:)

My workout today is a strict regiment on the treadmil. If you do not have any equipment at home, you can do a quick Interval routine. Start with Push-ups and do 5 more than you think you can do....when you think you can't do 1 more, do 5 more. Then, go right into Mt. climbers....from a plank postion, bend one knee as you bring it up toward your chest and keep alternating legs until you can't do anymore. Then flip over onto your back and do as many criss crosses as you can do...bicycles for abs. That's one cycle. rest for 30 sec. and keep going until you can't do anymore. End with a great stretching routine....

http://youtu.be/5DPKzUP_aB0

 

 

Just looked at my Tittle, Happiness is Interval Training:)
Enjoy your Friday before Christmas! Or whatever tradition you may celebrate!

Healthy Spinach and Artichoke Dip 12/17/12

8 days until Christmas!!! I am so excited. I think I am more so than the kids:) I am still recovering from this weekend. saturday we hosted a Wine/ Cheese tasting party. So, two decadent pairings ever. I had too much cheer and way too much cheese. However, everything in balance. This gathering couldn't have come at a better time. After the shooting in Ct., I believe some down time of friends, family and laughter is just what the doctor ordered. Much need!!! Thanks to everyone that attended...making it so fun.

This morning my Pilates class was cancelled due to the weather! :(  So, I decided to clean, do laundry and run, run, and more running!!!!:) burning off that cheese and wine! Then ended with a great Yoga/Pilates for core work and stretching!

I did make a healthy Spinach and Artichoke dip here's the recipe: Give it a try. You'll love it.

• 4 oz mascarpone cheese (or 1/3 less fat cream cheese) but, mascarpone is richer so I can use less
• 1/2 C. Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1/4 C. Grated fresh Parmesean Cheese
• 1/4 C. Grated  fresh Ramano Cheese
• 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
• 1/4 tsp. garlic
• 14 oz jarred or canned artichoke hearts(drained)
• 1/2 C. Thawed Frozen spinach
• 1/4 C. Mozzarella
• Salt and Pepper to taste( I did just pinches of both)

Mix 1-6 together in a large bowl. Then slowly add in Artichoke and Spinach and mix until all combined. place in a greased 8x8 dish. top with the Mozzarella bake at 350 for 20-25 min. Until top is golden and bubbly.
You can serve with homemade pita chips or veggies crudites. We like Carrots, celery and broccoli.

So Sorry Newtown, Ct 12/15/12

First of all, Just say prayers for all those families that lost someone in the Newtown, Ct. school shooting. One of our dearest friend, was personally affected by the shooting. And for that, I am so saddened by this senseless act.

For me, I deal with news of tragedy like this by running to increase my serotonin and decrease my anxiety levels. Along with lots, lots of yoga.

Enjoy your Saturday everyone!!! say lots of prayers! 
Hug your loved ones a little tighter and longer today and every day!!!!

:(

Work harder and smarter, not longer! 12/12/12

Today is 12/12/12..... I know that should mean something but, I don't know what??? This morning has started as usual. I sleep in until 7 am on Wednesday's. It's my mid-week indulgence!!! I have a 9am class then, I'm off to spin class, making a video then errands... Christmas is getting soo close.
I have been already recieving Christmas cards and I'm having a hard time getting my kids to stand still long enough to take their pictures!!!

So, today's focus is An all over body workout. Focusing on Interval training of 1min. of Cardio 1min. Strength (to include and upper body and lower body together) and 1min. of core work. 30 sec. rest and repeat for at least 20 min. Working harder and smarter not longer!!!!

Example workout: 1 min. Cardio of speed skaters....1 min. of plie squats (toes turned out) with military presses....then 1 min. core of plie squats, hands behind your head and bring one elbow to same knee as your squating. 30 sec plyos and rest either 30 sec to 1 min.

Here is just a few minute sample!!! Enjoy All!!

Fruit Pizza 12/10/12

Good Monday Morning All!!! I feel so refreshed this morning. I just love our weekends. Lots of family time of playing together, baking together working together just lots and lots of family time. Love it!!! Since, the week days are so busy I often feel lonely, not bored just lonely.

My Monday has started as usual.... Up at 4:30 to run at 5am   Then strength training - I worked chest/tris and did some squats and lunges. Pilates class at 9am this morning. Then off to do errands


Yesterday's Menu- Meatless chilli. It was sooo good. And my husband made fresh, healthy cornbread with spelt flour and cornmeal!!! I also, made a wonderful fruit pizza!!!Yum!! I never made one before from scratch. It was good but needs some tweaking. I just used 2 cups bread flour and 5oz of liquid. (i used agave to sweeten so the total amount of water and agave should equal 5oz.) if you use crystal sugar then use 5oz of water. Then, I seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice. Bake as you would a normal pizza, let cool then, decorate. The frosting is healthy too... Just tofu/softened cream cheese agave dash of salt and blend all together!!

Usually I don't eat a big breakfast before my Pilates class but since, I have to run errands after my morning class I thought I would start today off right. I made an egg/mushroom frittata and a baked 1/2 grapefruit sprinkled with a little agave and cinnamon!!! Yummm!!! I'm taking my cucumber/lemon/ginger water!!

Enjoy your Monday everyone!!!

100 push ups and 100 Pilates criss cross 12/8/12

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Today's workout is to concentrate on 100 push-ups and 100 Pilates criss cross abs.
You can do 10 push ups then immediately turn on your back and do 10 criss crosses. Doing 10 at time 10 times throughout the day. You can do push ups at work....lean into your desk with your feet way back so that you are at a slant then do as many as you can. As for your abs, sit in your chair, hands behind your head twist and bring your elbow to your opposite knee, doing as many as you can.

Today, I started with my class. Then, I had exactly 30 min. so I did 20 minutes of sprints(since yesterday I ran uphill) then I did 35 push ups and 35 criss crosses 3 times. Now I'm ready to embrace the day.

****These workouts are very hard...I do struggle, I push my way through. It's still very hard but such an accomplishment. Just remember no matter how much you do, it's better than nothing:)

Enjoy your weekend everyone!!!

Manic Thursday 12/06/12

Well, I should have said Manic Week instead of Manic Monday! Here it is Thursday and I'm just now able to sit and write in my blog.

This morning, I got a very sad email. One of my Pilates class member and a dear friend, lost her dog last night. So, we cancelled class since class is held at her house. My deepest sympathy goes out to her and her family in this time of mourning!!!!

As for me, still not a moment to waste.... I was flying around my house trying to get cleaning done, organizing and paying bills and then settling down to do my own workout.

My workout consisted of running uphill on the treadmill.  5 min. warm up
                                                                                    30 min run up hill
                                                                                     3 min. cool down
*** Let me tell you, I really had to push myself!!! It was a really challenging run. I really struggled through, almost not making it... but I did!!:) I think I was so distracted about all the other things I need and should be doing!
I also did some strength training...Plie squats with front raises(heavy) 15 reps each arm.
squats into Military presses (heavy) step-ups with weight.
Then ended my workout with a great yoga stretching routine.

As for meals, On Monday when I was so undecided I ended up making egg salad sandwiches with homemade bread....It was delicious. Tuesday night we went out and even though I choose healthy options I still get sick from eating out, so I made a healthy meal last night. I made a Caesar salad with a healthy dressing, homemade croutons from Mondays bread, roasted veggies and a spinach/artichoke dish... Yum. Tonight's menu is up in the air again since everyone but me is busy and gone. It will definitely be something light and healthy.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!!!
Hopefully I can write tomorrow:)
Enjoy all!

Manic Monday 12/03/12

Today is just another Manic Monday!!!   Up at 4:30 to run at 5am for 45 min. Then, getting the house up and going. I put on coffee and prepared for my strength workout. I did squats/military presses.....lunges/lateral raises.....chest/tris:) Then showered and made my Juice for the day.

Today I am off to teach my Pilates class:) Can't wait!!! I need a good stretch.

I am stumped for dinner ideas??? I had planned chilli, but now that it is pretty warm today I'm thinking of something lighter. Plus, we all ate sooo much over the weekend. Need a clean eating day... who am I kidding;0...need a clean eating week:)

My breakfast - I made a flax seed blueberry muffin with cinnamon:)
lunch - leftover hummus from Saturday.
Dinner - ???

Here is a pic from our Town's Christmas Tree lighting. Madison is in there somewhere!!!

Enjoy your Monday everyone!!!!