Positive = we are only one more day away from the weekend!
Negative = we are one day closer to finals week! BOO!
Another Positive (always got to end on a good note) = It’s time for another…
TEACH ME THURSDAY!
I don’t know about anyone else out there, but you ask me my most dreaded body part, I’d have to say those not so lovable love handles. Oh man, they just LOVE to stay long past their welcome! So I decided this week I’d find a few exercises to hopefully target those pesky obliques.
Happy Wednesday! It’s always great knowing we’re half way through the week!
I’m coming back with another recipe for you all! We did pork last time, so I thought we’d switch it up with a chicken dish this time! Yet you could use any meat, or tofu for you vegetarian readers, and top it with the black bean sauce. The sauce is what really makes this dish so amazing!
They ring in at only about 330 calories for one whole chicken serving, trust me that is all you’ll need!!!
How did you all like last weeks Full Body Workout?! My legs were burning, gotta love that feeling!!!
Well for this weeks TEACH ME THURSDAY I thought I’d try incorporate a little more summer time activities. One of my favorite things about summer is the pools, I love swimming!
I usually just like to float in there and a get a tan, but when you are actually swimming it can really make for a great workout!
Did anyone out there get a chance to try out the Sweet Potato, Peach, and Pork Packet recipe I posted last week?! I’ve only made it twice since then, not obsessed right…
Well if you haven’t given it a try, here are some reasons why you are missing out!
First I wanna say a big THANK YOU to AnderBeth for letting me write a guest post on her amazing blog! I was so honored she asked! If you’ve never seen her blog Eat Simply. Live Healthy., go check it out!!! Or even if you have, go check it out again! It’s amazing!
She has such a passion of healthy living, and has some amazing looking dishes on there!
So THANKS AGAIN lady!!!
So now on to what we’ve all been waiting for….TEACH ME THURSDAY!!!
Hope you all enjoyed last weeks Sexy Leg Workout! Was a killer right?!
Well now that our legs are getting ready for those summer time shorts, we gotta make sure the rest of our body is up to par as well.
I thought this week we’d focus on the whole body, not just one body part. Those swimsuits are going to be getting busted out soon, if they have not already, and we gotta make sure the whole package is lookin’ good!
I found some moves all over the internet to incorporate and just made up my own little workout! Try it out, it’ll target it all!
Full Body Workout
Stretch and start with a 5-10 minute warmup on the treadmill
repeat these 4 moves 3 times- resting 60 seconds between each set
Start in plank position with legs hip distance apart and dumbbells in hands.
Pull your navel to your spine to activate your core!
Exhale and stabilize your torso as you lift your right elbow up. Place your right weight back on the ground, and lift your left elbow. This completes one set.
Remember to repeat these4 moves 3 times- resting 60 seconds between each set!
Finish off with a 5-10 minute cool down and some stretching!
Should result in a killer all body workout! Let me know what you think!!!
What is your favorite full body exercise?
I’d have to say mine is the burpee, although it’s a killer, it gets the job done!
Do you like doing full body workouts, or just focusing on one body part a day?!
I like mixing it up, but when I’m short on time I like getting a full body workout in to make sure I’m targeting a lot of parts in a shorter amount of time!
I know I said a while back I wanted to start incorporating more recipes and healthy eating on here, but have yet to do so! So I thought it’s about time!
Who says you cannot eat flavorful, delicious eats that are still healthy?! Well that is why I am here to show you, it can be done. These pork chops are full of protein, and along with the peaches and sweet potato it will give you that sweet flavor you’re looking for! This meal will only take you about 45 minutes, yet will taste that you slaved away hours on that grill!
1 large dark-orange sweet potato, peeled thinly sliced
Dash salt
2 tablespoons butter
4 boneless smoked pork chops
2 medium peaches or nectarines, peeled, sliced
Dash ground cinnamon
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
DIRECTIONS:
Heat gas or charcoal grill. Cut 4 (18×12-inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil; spray with cooking spray.
Place ¼ of the sweet potato slices on center of each sheet; sprinkle with salt. Cut butter into small pieces; sprinkle sweet potato. Top with pork chops and peaches. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bring up 2 sides of foil so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight ½-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.
Place packets on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 20 to 22 minutes, rotating packets ½ turn after 10 minutes, or until sweet potatoes and peaches are tender.
To serve, cut large X across top of each packet; carefully fold back foil to allow steam to escape. Sprinkle with onions.
Promise it’s delicious! Don’t let the picture fool you!
Nutritional Information Per Serving (per pork chop):
240 Calories (110 calories from fat); 12g Total Fat (5g saturated, 0g trans); 55mg Cholesterol; 1120mg Sodium; 17g Total Carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 11g sugar); 17g Protein
Try it out! Let me know what you think!!!
Made this last week, and personally I LOVED it!
Do you usually find recipes or making up your own?!
I am not very creative when it comes to the kitchen, so I usually find my own online or in my cookbooks, I know they’re usually quality as with my own creations, they may be questionable! ha
How was everyone’s Easter weekend?! Mine was amazing! I was able to get work off and go back home for weekend to see the family! It was an amazing time!
An Easter weekend home sure played a toll on my fitness regimen though! Every time I visit home for a weekend, I slack a little on working out being that I just want to be with my family and friends I haven’t seen in a while, not hitting the gym! I think it’s okay to take a weekend rest and that at times it is definitely what our bodies need. But getting back in the workout mood after a fun relaxing break does get hard sometimes.
So I’ve decided to dedicate this post to giving myself, and any others having a hard time getting back at it after this holiday weekend, a little motivation!! I’m sure we could use this on many Monday’s though, not just the one after Easter!
Now of course I went to my glorious Pinterest pages to look for some inspiration! Here’s some motivation I came across to get myself moving, hopefully it’ll help you too:
Alright now I’m off to get a good run in on my treadmill!!! Hopefully this gave you some motivation to do the same!
With the quickly approaching summer weather, you are not only going to want to be toning those triceps for those tanks like we talked about a few weeks back, but it means you are going to be busting out those shorts here soon, if you haven’t already.
I know I can’t be the only lady out there who has been hiding her less than perfectly toned thighs behind jeans these past few months, but with summer coming I have no more excuses!
Too many women hate their thighs, especially those pesky trouble zone inner thighs!
While doing my daily pinteresting I came across this awesome Sexy Leg Workout! Tried it last night, let’s just say I am definitely feeling the burn today!
Try it out, before it’s too late and your in those short shorts without the confidence you should be showing!
You know how I love my National Holiday’s, but the last couple have involved peanut butter…naturally of course! Anything celebrating peanut butter, I’m all over it!
But this one’s even better!!! American Heart Association declared the first Wednesday each April to be National Walking Day!
This day in age people are working more and more, and unfortunately more of those jobs consist of sitting at a desk all day! Technology is great, but it puts us working American’s in front of the computers for the majority of our days! (Or us bloggers!)
So the American Heart Association stated that on every first Wendesday in April, “employees are encouraged to wear sneakers to work and take at least 30 minutes out of their day to get up and walk. It’s a great way to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and to give your coworkers a friendly push toward a healthier life.”
Now I would suggest doing this every day, but I think they are suggesting at least trying it out one day and working up to doing this more and more! Baby steps…
You do not have to wear the sneakers to work, you can always just keep a pair at the office and on your breaks take a stroll around the neighborhood, or even around the building depending on how big your office is. No cheating and taking elevators, take the stairs!
Statistics are showing that “1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women are at risk for heart disease, and research shows that poor lifestyle is a major contributor.” Walking 30 minutes a day will help lower your risk for heart disease. You can even aim for two 15 minute or three 10 minute walks through the day, just get moving!
Now if you don’t get breaks at work, just find a treadmill and get your walk in on there! Ashley over at My Food N’ Fitness Diaries posted an amazing Walk It Off Treadmill Workout the other day that is a killer. It fluctuates your incline to help burn more calories without ever going too fast. Great for beginner exercisers! Check out her Workout page, she has lots of amazing workouts!
But here is her Walk It Off Treadmill Workout in spirit of National Walking Day:
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Try out this walking treadmill workout in honor of National Walking Day and reduce your risk of heart disease! Every step you take, makes you that much closer to a healthy heart!
What have you done to celebrate National Walking Day?!
Anyone’s office participate in National Walking Day?!
If you recall from a previous post National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day I went on to tell you all the benefits peanut butter has. Well we’re in luck, today is…
NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY!
any one else now have that peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time song in their head! So silly!
Many might think you’re classic childhood peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not very nutrition, yet if you are using the right stuff, a PB&J can be quite nutritious!
Make sure to use 100% whole wheat bread over white bread.
Bread is made from grain kernel, big shock there I know it! But the difference from white and wheat is how much of that grain kernel is left when added. A grain kernel has 3 parts: the bran, the endosperm, and the germ. When making white bread, only the starchy endosperm is added. The fiber-dense bran and the nutrient-rich germ are processed out. The refined grain is not as rich in fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamin E, magnesium, or zinc as the whole wheat bread is. When making whole wheat bread, all 3 parts are added. The fiber and protein from the bran and germ provide a more constant source of energy, this will keep you going long after the refined grain is already used and digested. The fiber in the bran can also prevent you from overeating by making you feel full longer.
Find a jelly that has no added sugar!
You can find many jellies out in your supermarkets that have no added sugar, especially whole foods stores. When looking at the ingredient list make sure there are no ingredients ending in “ose.” Look for jellies that advertise sugar-free, or 100% fruit. The added refined sugar will not only spike your blood sugar, but it will also add unnecessary calories. A tablespoon of the average regular jelly contains about 80 calories and 12 g of sugar. There are 4 g of sugar per teaspoon of jelly. The average 100 percent fruit jelly provides 40 calories and only 8 g of sugar per tablespoon, the difference being that this type of sugar comes from the fruit itself. Livestrong’s site gives a great step-by-step process on how to make your own jelly without added sugar if you prefer to make it rather than buy it. They show examples for grape and apple, but you could use any fruit of your preference.
Choose an all natural or organic peanut butter!
Many manufactures add sugar and hydrogenated oils to make peanut butter solidify at room temperature, which can result in adding trans-fat and is very bad for your health. Peanut butter should contain the following ingredients: peanuts. Yup that is it! Some may have 1-2% salt and/or oil for the creaminess which is okay too! You can read my latest peanut butter lovin post on why peanut butter is a healthy dose of fat and protein.
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Make sure to always read your labels! Manufacturers will try to trick you into thinking their products are “all natural” or “wheat”, but if there are added ingredients you wouldn’t add when making the product at home, they shouldn’t be either!
Now go enjoy a does of healthy fats, protein, fiber and fruit!
Anyone ate or planning on eating a PB&J in celebration of the national holiday?!
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So silly!