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Monday, December 27, 2010

Resolution Time 2011

Yep, 2011 is here...well, ALMOST here!
So, what's your New Year's Resolution?
*For Momma, its for me to step up my running...I must admit, I'm pretty pathetic when it comes to distance and speed and for 2011, I'm looking to step it up!
Then, I PROMISE to sign up for a half-marathon and/or triathlon. I am ALMOST 31 years old, mom of two and wife to my best friend and I owe it to myself and my family to make 2011 the HEALTHIEST year yet...
I've got some great things planned for Lets Move It Mommas for 2011:
  • GREAT RECIPES
  • GREAT WORKOUT TIPS
  • TIPS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED with all of your goals for the New Year
  • AND much, much more!!!
  • , and I'm excited to ask you to take this HEALTHY journey with me!

Monday, December 20, 2010

let's BOOST our immune system together!

With winter here, we MUST do our best to fight off the cold, flu, and other illnesses...together, we can boost our immunity by simply changing up our diet a bit and adding some SUPER foods that'll help our bodies fight these off!! Eating a diet high in fruits and veggies is a definite plus for your overall health, but there are some foods that are higher in antioxidants
which are vitamin C, D and beta-carotene.
Vitamin C can be found in red, green or yellow peppers, strawberries, oranges, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli, snow peas
Vitamin E can be found in broccoli, carrots, mustard or collard greens, nuts, pumpkin, spinach
beta-carotene and other carotenoids, can be found in beets, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, kale, asparagus
*TO GET THE MOST BENEFIT, EAT THESE FOODS RAW OR LIGHTLY STEAMED
Studies have also shown both zinc and selenium also help in boosting our immune systems!
zinc: oysters, red meat, beans, nuts, seafood
selenium: tuna, beef, poultry, Brazil nuts
So, get out there and BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM :) I know I sure will!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Holiday Travel with CSN stores!

Instead of the holidays being focused on FOOD, why not spend it traveling and finding destinations that keep your family active and healthy??!
If you decide to take a FUN trip, you'll need luggage and I know that my family is in desperate need of some NEW ones...what about you?? If so, then these luggage stores are right for you!
With the HUGE selection, I'm sure to find something that works for our family...and you can hurry on over and find something that works for your family too :)
Move It Mommas Healthy Holiday Tip:
Organize something fun and active to do after gathering around the dinner table with your families! Try a walk, bike ride, hike, football, making snow angels, ANYTHING that keeps your family active while making memories that will last a lifetime!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Sponsored Post: CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ Treatment

When I was contacted by my friends over at the Mom Bloggers Club to share this exciting contest with my readers, I jumped at the opportunity! I have seen this treatment before and the results, especially for problem areas(we ALL have 'em, right?!) are amazing!

And the BEST part...CoolSculpting is having a New Year, New You Contest...I can't think of a better way to start off the New Year, can you?? First of all, lets talk about what IS CoolSculpting by Zeltiq:
It is a patented, non-invasive, clinically proven procedure, to selectively reduce fat layers in problem areas using a patented cooling technology. It is a safe procedure cleared by the FDA that gently cools fat cells in the body to induce a natural, controlled elimination of fat cells.

Now, lets talk about this awesome contest:
CoolSculptin by ZELTIQ is offering the opportunity to win a FREE, yes FREE procedure for you and a friend, valued at 3,000!! Just tell us in 100 words or less your health or fitness goals for the New Year and why CoolSculpting might help you reach those goals.
  • So, first visit the CoolSculpting website www.coolsculpting.com to learn more.
  • Visit and "like" CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ on facebook www.facebook.com/coolsculpting and tell us in 100 words or less your health and fitness resolutions for the New Year and why CoolSculpting will help you reach those goals
  • and lastly, encourage your friends to vote or comment on your entry

You'll find the official rules at http://www.coolsculpting.com/rules

Here are some links to the contest:
CoolSculpting Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/coolsculpting click on the contest tab
and the direct link to contest on facebook page: CLICK HERE
I already told you about the grand prize worth $3,000 but there are other prizes as well!
So, if you're looking for a New You to bring in the New Year,
You better HURRY UP!
CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ contest ends January 31st!!!
*This is a sponsored post that I will receive payment for writing, I have not tried CoolSculpting but have shared my knowledge and opinions on the product and the contest being offered through information provided for me from this company.
Good luck to all who enter!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

just FREEZE it and an upcoming challenge!

I have found that frozen fruit is a GREAT way to snack because...
it keeps your portions in check
AND gives you some much needed vitamins and nutrients!
Try this:
1/2 FROZEN banana-right in the peel-1tbs. peanut butter is great w/ this too!
10-12 grapes-clean and FREEZE, the small amount of water from washing
gives them a great crunch!
5-6 strawberries wash and FREEZE
ANY other fruit of your choice will work too, just keep in mind PORTION CONTROL!
I have found that the frozen version of these fruits take A LOT longer to eat,
so it helps you control your snack cravings! Give it a try...
COMING SOON : "Move It Mommas Six-Week Challenge":
Starting January 1st, 2011... whether you're looking to shed some unwanted pounds, set higher exercise goals, find healthier foods for your family, WHATEVER, I've got the challenge for YOU!
We will be a support system for each other!
I will be working on an email list, to where I am able to communicate with my readers to find out what key factors they'd like to focus on, that way its geared toward YOU, individually!
It will be a six-week challenge with the reward being a HEALTHIER you!
So if you're interested, send an email to me at rissarose80@yahoo.com letting me know you'd like to take part AND include your six week health-related goal you're setting for yourself for the challenge!
P.S. If ANY of my readers can help me create a button for this challenge, I'd be MORE than appreciative :) I have NO clue how to do that??

Friday, December 3, 2010

a cake from a website I L.O.V.E!

Apple Cake
(As Seen On Meal Makeover Moms' website HERE!)
I sprinkled powdered sugar on top to make it look even BETTER!

If you haven't heard of the Meal Makeover Moms', then you're missing out and should go and check them out NOW! They are Moms that make Healthy meals that are kid-tested and approved! Check out this delicious, Apple Cake recipe they recently posted on their site! YUM and as always, I added my flaxseed meal and made it EVEN better! This was SOOO good, and the entire family LOVED it! The apples were so moist and delicious,
I used Gala because its what I had already in the house.
They have a cookbook out right NOW(my son's picture is in it because we helped test one of their delicious recipes!) that's called "NO WHINE WITH DINNER" and you can buy it HERE
This is where I find a lot of inspiration for healthy meals for my family...
So, HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE WHAT YOU'RE COOKING
IS HEALTHY FOR YOUR FAMILY??

Friday, November 19, 2010

PEPPERlicious snack!

grab some colorful bell peppers, clean and slice 'em thin!
Add neufchatel cheese and wrap in one slice of oven roasted turkey,
hold together with a toothpick and you've got a great, HEALTHY snack alternative
that still packs the same crunch as those unhealthy snacks :)
ENJOY!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

EASYand DELICIOUS!

YUMMY Bean Enchiladas
You'll Need:
1 can black beans-drained and rinsed
1 can refried beans
2 cans Healthy Request cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel
Mission Carb Balance Tortillas
2% shredded cheese
1/4 pkg. low sodium taco seasoning
Mix black beans, refried beans and 1/4 pkg taco seasoning together, set aside.
Mix cream of chicken and Rotel, set aside.
Layer tortilla with bean mixture, then 2% cheese, roll up and layer in 13x9 pyrex.
Top tortillas with extra shredded cheese, then Rotel mixture!
Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes, until bubbly :)
This was a HUGE hit with the familly...next time I might even add ground turkey to the bean mixture??! And of course, I am SO sneaky and put flaxseed meal on top of cheese before adding Rotel mixture....I just can't help myself!!
ENJOY :)
Workout Tip:
Fall/Winter is a great time to find kid-friendly activities outdoors in your community! We are trying to make the downtown Reindeer Run (5K run/walk) a family tradition to keep us active during the holiday season...you might see if there's one near you?!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Got SOYmilk?

Have you tried it yet?!
If not, then you SHOULD...right now!
I am not a fan of drinking milk(although I should) and I'm really not a big fan of chocolate(I know, I'm crazy) BUT this Silk SoyMilk is G.O.O.D :)
What's not to love?
  • It's heart-healthy
  • 100% lactose and dairy-free
  • 90 Calories per serving
  • 6 grams of protein per serving
  • Tastes great too!

**Keep in mind, the serving is 1 cup...so if you follow the serving suggestions, this can be a great way to get added nutrients into your diet!

My husband and I have a glass of Silk Light Chocolate after dinner, almost makes you feel as though you're having dessert without the added calories and fat :)

Disclosure: This is 100% my opinion and I was not compensated in any way to share my review of this product!

Monday, November 8, 2010

winner, workout tip AND a recipe!

and the winner is....
Congrats Melissa and thanks to all that entered...
I am emailing you now and you have 48hrs to respond :)
Workout Tip:
For all the Momma's out there, our tummy area isn't quite what it used to be pre-Momma, right?! I suggest some abdominal exercises at least 4 times a week ALONG WITH YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE! Start simple: grab a soccer ball or any other type of ball that your children have at home, sit with back straight in a V-position with heels on the ground, twist side to side, keeping posture and back straight and as you twist, tap the ball to the floor. Perform 2 sets of 25 before working out, and 2 sets of 25 after!
Add these to your workout routine this week, even if your workout is a simple walk through the neighborhood or on the treadmill, you should feel better and that tummy will feel stronger over time! Keep in mind, what you're eating is KEY
but these simple abdominal exercises will change your workout routine and give it some Wow! :)
TRY THIS RECIPE N.O.W:
remember THIS post??! Well, I've made it twice and it's SO good! The boys LOVE it,we can't get enough of it and it freezes great too :) Doesn't get any better than that, huh?
**The only change I made was adding 2 tbs flaxseed meal(Bob's Red Mill brand) to the mix!
* I tried using whole wheat flour and I think the bread turned out a little dry, so this time I used regular flour, but the flaxseed adds fiber and omega 3's to the not-so-great-for-you, white flour...give it a try!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Funky Monkey Snacks-review and giveaway!

Recently, I was given the privilege of reviewing Funky Monkey Snacks!
We have a picky 18month old who will NOT touch fruit, so when I saw this product, I was THRILLED to give it a try-Ok, readers...
these snacks have 3 servings of fruit in every bag!
I was sent the sampler pack, which included 1 bag of each of their 7 flavors.
We tried "Applemon" first...and it was a HUGE hit! He ate the entire bag!
Needless to say, I was very happy because as I said before, this boy eats ZERO fruit!
Before I let you know IF my boys liked the other flavors,
here's a little about Funky Monkey Snacks:
  • They are freeze-dried fruit, 100% natural, 100% real fruit
  • three servings of fruit in every 1oz bag
  • no added colors, flavors, sugars or preservatives
  • they use full slices and pieces(not dices) of fresh fruit
  • Funky Monkey is made in Brazil and uses tropical fruits at the peak of freshness
  • all products are gluten-free, certified Kosher, and certified non-GMO

When we tried the other flavors, we were TOTALLY impressed with the freshness, the tastes, the crunchiness, and I was SO happy that my boys LOVED every bite! Of all the flavors to choose from, my favorite was "bananamon"...which is freeze-dried organic banana and organic cinnamon-YUM! I will definitely be buying these for my boys, especially my picky eater who, thanks to Funky Monkey, now eats FRUIT!

And the generous people at Funky Monkey snacks have offered a sampler pack, which includes 1 bag of each of their 7 flavors to one of YOU, so you can give the "fruit that crunches" a try for yourselves!

Mandatory Entry:

Go to FunkyMonkeySnacks.com and tell me which flavor you'd like to try MOST!

You must be a follower of my blog and tell me that you follow in your comment!

*Leave a valid email address, so that I may contact you if you win!

GOOD LUCK, giveaway ends Monday, 11/8 at midnight!

Funky Monkey is also on facebook and twitter, if you follow both, 2 extra entries! But you must do mandatory entry for extras to count :)

I was given a sampler pack in exchange for my honest review of these products, and therefore the opinions are 100%mine.

Monday, November 1, 2010

SNEAKY mac n cheese!

Move It Momma's, SNEAKY MAC N CHEESE!
TOTALLY kid-approved!
*our 18month old is SUPER picky ,
so after being sick and tired of feeding him mac n cheese
that required piling some
powdery-cheesy processed
substance ...
I thought, there MUST be a better way!
You'll Need:
Wacky Mac noodles or any tri-colored pasta
(I'd prefer using whole wheat noodles, but my picky eater wont touch 'em!)
2tbs flaxseed meal
1 slice 2% american cheese
2 slices 2% colby jack cheese
1 tbs tub margarine
splash of skim milk
Boil noodles as directed, once cooked, drain and add above ingredients,
the milk will help keep it creamy once flaxseed is added!
That's ALL! ENJOY! Your kids sure will!
My boys ask for this almost every night...seriously!
This is not rocket science,
but it sure beats cheese powder,
full fat butter and noodles, huh?
It helps when you find a super cute,
soccer ball bowl like the one pictured above :)
ENJOY!!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

drum roll please...

and the winners are... Kendra @ My Bliss Equals This
and
Kimberly @ Davis Daily Dose
I am emailing you NOW!
Congrats to the winners and thanks to all of you for entering...
I have another review/giveaway coming up VERY soon!!
stay tuned...

Saturday, October 23, 2010

a seriously DELICIOUS, healthy creation!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE!
Boy, was I happy to taste DELICIOUSNESS as soon as this popped out of the oven!!
This was a hit with the entire family and my vegetarian neighbor too :)
Just wait 'til you try it yourselves! Move It Momma's Spinach Lasagna
You'll Need:
1 medium onion-chopped
6 cups thawed frozen spinach OR 10 cups fresh spinach
1 1/2 cups 2% mozzarella shredded cheese
2 tbs. parsley
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper-I'd add a bit more!
1 egg
2 egg whites
1 15 oz part-skin ricotta cheese
1 15 oz fat-free ricotta cheese
3 cups butternut squash-peeled and diced
1/2 jar of roasted garlic tomato sauce
12 oven ready-whole wheat lasagna noodles-
-I find those at Target(Market Pantry brand!)
fresh grated parmesan cheese
Heat skillet with cooking spray, add onion and spinach, saute about 5 minutes or until onions become transparent. Seperate bowl, combine shredded cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, egg/egg whites, and ricotta cheeses, then add that bowl mixture to the skillet w/ spinach mixture!
Stir to combine and remove skillet from heat.
Meanwhile, place diced squash in microwave safe bowl,
cover and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender.
Spray pyrex w/ cooking spray and line bottom with 5-6 lasagna noodles, then THIN layer of sauce, then layer of spinach and cheese mixture, then layer of butternut squash, layer again until you have two layers of noodles and top with parmesan cheese.
Cover and bake at 375 for about 45 minutes!
**WARNING:**
This was DELICIOUS!
It was easy and because there were so many veggies packed in there,
I was able to layer less of the noodles and MORE of the "healthy" stuff!
The squash gives it a sweetness that is soooo good!
We had this for leftovers today and it was EVEN better!
Now, go and try it for yourselves...
and a workout tip:
Try finding a group of friends or a friend to exercise with each day! It will give you motivation like crazy and you both can chat, share stories and it'll pass the time like you won't believe...a nice evening walk is PERFECT this time of year, give it a try and tell me what ya think!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

being featured AND a giveaway!

I am BEYOND excited to be featured in the Nestwork this week!
I love Mama Hen with her precious posts and sweet comments
and if you haven't joined the Nestwork,
you should head on over and tell her that Lets Move It Mommas sent YOU!
If you're a new follower,
THANK YOU and WELCOME to my healthy living blog.
I hope you'll stay a while and read some previous post
and maybe get some good exercise tips and recipes while you're here :)

AND in honor of being featured,
I am hosting a fabulous giveaway...
remember THIS post?
Well, the publishing company was so thankful for my shout out,
they sent me LOTS of these books to give to YOU!
That's right, 2 of my lucky readers will get a "Nutrition In The Fast Lane"
catalog with nutrition facts from over 50 of the most-popular restaurants!
This book is the perfect size to keep in your car,
so even when you're on the go...
you'll hopefully make a healthy food choice when dining out!!

Mandatory Entry:
Make sure you leave a valid email address with your comment,
so that I am able to contact you if you win :)
1. Leave a comment telling me why you'd like this book
2. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me that you do,
or if you already follow, leave a comment telling me!
*Both must be done in order to be entered into giveaway!
Giveaway will close Wednesday, October 27th at midnight! GOOD LUCK!!!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

did someone say, Burrito?!

Well, here ya go...
You'll need:
6 carb balance tortillas- I used Mission
1 lb ground turkey
2% shredded cheese of your choice!
1 can black beans
1 can refried beans
Topping options: salsa, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce
Brown turkey meat, drain and rinse black beans.
Spray Pyrex w/ cooking spray!
Heat oven to 375 degrees too!
Layer tortilla with layer of refried beans, black beans, cheese
and then turkey meat, seal off both ends of burrito
(so the goodies don't spill out!) and lay open side
down into pyrex and repeat until all filled.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until tortillas are slightly brown and crispy!
*I also put on high broil for about 2 minutes to get 'em extra crispy :)
Serve with any of the topping options listed above
and the serving is ONE burrito (keep portions in mind!)
I served them with sliced avocado-YUMMY!
These are VERY filling and DELICIOUS too!
My boys love them, but I don't make their burritos crispy,
I layer and make them quesadilla-style, just fold 'em over and enjoy!
Variation: If you like taco salad, you'll LOVE this...
Use same carb balance tortilla and roll up a ball of foil, lay tortilla over the foil,
bake for about 20-25min or until crispy, when you remove from oven,
they should be flipped over and be shaped like a "taco bowl"!
Fill w/ above ingredients and ENJOY! It's a nice way to repeat this meal
by changing up that one, simple step...
you'll think you're eating a totally different meal :)

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

be prepared!!!

*the picture below is from a handout I used with my P.E./Health students to help them understand a well-balanced meal and what it should look like :) I always strive to give my family the BEST, most nutritious meals, but I am TOTALLY aware that things get crazy and life gets in the way, and there are days when this ideal
"picture-perfect" meal doesn't make it to our dinner table!
Anybody else have those days??!
So, when the meals aren't "perfect", I try to make sure our fridge and pantry are FULL of nutritious and delicious QUICK SNACKS!!!
The BEST suggestion I have for making snacks
nutritious AND quick/easy is to...
*PLAN AHEAD!!!
*Seperate snacks into a baggy -this way you watch PORTION CONTROL at those moments when you're hungry and are likely to eat more than usual...
(I try to do this on Sunday, so we're prepared for the week!)
some good snacks we enjoy :
-10 grapes and sliced cheese
-1/2 banana with 1 tbs peanut butter
-celery sticks-cut up with peanut butter
- oven roasted turkey slices with 2 tbs. neufatchel cheese
-1/2 whole wheat sandwich thin w/ 2tbs. of my EASY hummus spread!
-romaine lettuce or spinach wrapped with slice of turkey and small cut of 2% string cheese-I roll these up and cut them to where they look like pinwheels or "fake" sushi and the boys LOVE 'em!
-roasted almonds-check the serving size before putting them into the bag!
-Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal-a great snack that's full of fiber and protein!!
I always have FRESH FRUIT cleaned and sliced...and to make it fun, I use skewers and make cheese and fruit kabobs! Use any fruit and layer, one piece of fruit, one piece of cheese and alternate-makes it fun and gives kids the perfect portion on a STICK! and to really kick it up, use a cookie cutter to make cool shapes with the cheese!!
These pre-made snacks will stay good for the week, and I make a couple of each...that way when ANY of us want a quick snack, its MUCH healthier than grabbing a bag of chips, cookies, crackers, or any other not-so-healthy snack :)
What's your favorite HEALTHY snack?!
I am SOOOO excited to have a feature for Healthy Kids, Happy Families event hosted by Kim @ Chubby Cheeks Thinks....head on over HERE and check it out! the button is on my sidebar too!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

fresh OKRA deliciousness!

I LOVE OKRA, but always have a hard time finding ways to prepare it,
especially in a "healthy" way!
Then I found these and they are DELICIOUS...just wait 'til you try 'em!
You'll Need:
3-4 cups fresh okra, finely chopped
1 c onion
1 tsp salt
1/2 black pepper
1/2 c water
2 egg whites
1/2 all purpose flour-(I used half whole wheat, half reg. flour)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 c cornmeal
2 tbs flaxseed meal
1/2 tsp garlic salt
*Mix okra, onion, salt, pepper, water, egg white in a bowl.
Then stir in all dry mix into okra mix and combine!
Heat just enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of your skillet-
(I used very little oil and they turned out YUMMY, so don't over do it!)
Drop spoonfuls into skillet, allowing to cook 2 minutes on each side, until browned.
Remove from oil and dry on paper towel!
These are YUMMY...watch out!
**and it was such a SNEAKY way
to get my boys eating their veggies!
I might try baking these next time, but we NEVER fry ANYTHING,
so I figure every now and then isn't that bad, right?! RIGHT!
My husband and boys LOVED these, they have great flavor
but make sure you watch portion control, these can be addicting :)
I served them with grilled chicken and turkey sausage without the skin!!

ENJOY!!

Friday, October 8, 2010

I'm trying this!

Fall is my favorite time of year...well, that and Christmas!
However, most of the holiday traditions involve F-O-O-D, right? RIGHT!
So, I've been looking at ways to create the best holiday meals in their HEALTHIER version, if possible. I am excited to share some of my healthy creations with you VERY soon, but for now I will link to this amazing blog I found with her "light" creation for Pumpkin Oatmeal Bread! YUM, right? I'm her newest follower and can't wait to see more of her delicious, healthy recipes! I think I might try using whole wheat flour instead of regular and see how it turns out and as always, add 2 tbs. of flaxseed meal for added omega 3's AND fiber!
I'm trying it out and I'll let ya know how it goes!!
Keep in mind, Fall is a great time to get outside and get MOVING! It's great weather, which gives you a lot of options on ways to get motivated as a family!
What we're doing:
Making a habit of walking as a family after dinner AND making sure we involve the boys in our workouts...we want to make sure they SEE first hand, the importance of EXERCISE!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

SO worth a visit to yours...

Picture above and description below, taken from Jazzercise.com
"Burn up to 600 calories in one fun and powerfully effective 60-minute total body workout. Every Jazzercise group fitness class combines dance-based cardio with strength training and stretching to sculpt, tone and lengthen muscles for maximum fat burn. Choreographed to today's hottest music, Jazzercise is a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing. Start dancing yourself fit and change the shape of your body today!"
So, I can remember Jazzercise in the 80's and I'm sure you can too!
Tights, leg warmers, sweat bands and neon leotards!!
However, it has TOTALLY changed, just look HERE if you don't believe me!
My mom asked me to come to one of the classes she was attending and
1. I thought I was going to be the youngest one, but I wasn't!
2. I thought I was going to be bored and not break and sweat and I was SOOO wrong!!!
3. I thought the music was going to be lame, I was WRONG again!!!
More importantly, that class was like a little family....there for each other always. Totally embraced me coming into their class!
The support system is HUGE, so if you're stuck at that point where you won't step foot into a gym, and can't find the motivation on your own,
this might be for YOU!
**Our local instructor here is BEYOND amazing...there are NO words to describe the person that she is, the motivator and strong woman that she is...no words. I can't promise that you'll find what we have at our location, but I can say I think you might give it a try!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Some of our favorites...

*Breakfast/Lunch FAVORITES!*
Now that my husband is almost at a 90lb weight loss-YES, THAT'S RIGHT, 90 lbs!
(Don't worry, this Momma is trying to keep up but its FLYING off of him)
I have had so many people ask, "what do you cook and what are your favorites?"
So, here are a few...These cinnamon-raisin biscuits served with a slice of turkey bacon and scrambled egg whites are a family favorite-my boys LOVE these biscuits and I bake 'em, stick the rest in a freezer bag and thaw as I need them :) Keep in mind, PORTION CONTROL! We eat one biscuit, one slice of turkey bacon and about 1/2 cup egg whites!
You'll Need:
1 1/2 cup any baking mix-I used Bisquick
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup skim milk
1/3 cup sugar-I use a little less
1/3 c raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbs flaxseed meal-once this is added, I add a little water because the batter will get thicker!
Bake at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes!
Whole Wheat pumpkin muffins-
sorry, no pics of this one but it's SO good!
You'll Need:
1/2 veg oil
2 eggs
1 2/3 c whole wheat flour
2 tbs. flaxseed meal
3/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 c water
1 c canned pumpkin puree-I use almost the whole can!
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Mix eggs, pumpkin and oil, until well blended
mix dry ingredients and then slowly add to other bowl
Mix well, bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes!
These freeze well and are perfect for FALL!! SO good for the whole family!

Grilled Cheese w/ a TWIST!
*Our boys LOVE these too :)
You'll need:
100% whole wheat sandwich thins
apple slices of your favorite apple!
sliced 2% cheese of your choice
small amount of tub margarine

I use the small amount of margarine to coat the inner side of the sandwich thins, so you don't lose the sprinkled grains on the outside, add my cheese and layer of THIN apple slices
and that's it! It's actually very filling and taste great too!
*Added bonus, I sprinkle 2 tbs. flaxseed meal that I told you about in THIS post
to the top as its grilling...gives added fiber and omega 3's!


Hummus Wrap!
Wow, does this have good flavor and its filling too!
You'll Need:
Whole Wheat, Low Carb Tortillas-we use Mission brand
Romaine lettuce
and my hummus was SOOOOO easy to make!
1 can 15 oz garbanzo(chick peas) drained and rinsed
2 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
Mix all in food processor in mini-chopper is what I use! Mix until well blended and almost a paste texture! This stuff is G-O-O-D! trust me!!! The garlic adds GREAT flavor!



Ok, later I will share (and hopefully take pics) some of our favorite dinner recipes! As for snacking, my husband and I love a small apple with peanut butter or
grapes with a slice of string cheese!

Eating healthier will help you feel good throughout the day,
have more energy and hopefully start to see results!
Since our weather in Texas has FINALLY cooled down a bit...
a family walk, bike ride or jog is a perfect way for us to be together as a family after dinner!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

guest post with a GREAT recipe!

I am so happy that Laura from The Gruneisen Family News
wanted to share a before and after meal with all of YOU!
If you haven't read her blog, you should check it out-she has a precious family and her recipes are DELICIOUS...just see for yourself with the recipe she shared with US! Laura writes:
Let’s face it – dieting is really hard! No matter what kind of diet you’re on – the basic principle is always the same: less food, less choices. For me, this was the worst part of trying to lose weight. I hated eating food that tasted like cardboard, and I really hated eating the 1 or 2 bites of the food I loved, and being left hungry after dinner. But I’m here to tell you that there are ways to still enjoy your favorite meals in a light and healthy way. Here I have a Before and After Chicken Taco Mac that I improved upon.

The Before recipe, found in Family Circle magazine, contained
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast 12 ounces garden pasta 1 medium bell pepper 1 tbsp unsalted butter 1 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/4 cup milk 8 ounces pepper jack cheese 3 scallions 2 ounces lime-flavored tortilla chips
for a total of 557 calories and 22g of fat (with 10g sat fats!).

I wanted to keep the basic idea and taste of the recipe, but make it something that I could enjoy without breaking my diet. I thought about what went into a taco, and then went from there. To make this a healthier meal, I did a few things:
· Reduced the amount of chicken to 8 ounces, and added a cup of whole black beans to add fiber.
· Replaced the butter with olive oil. Butter contains a ton of saturated fat (7.3g per Tbsp) and doesn’t add a lot of flavor in this meal.
· Added a medium onion, tomato, jalapeno and lettuce to make the portion size bigger and add much-needed vitamins.
· Added more flavor with spices such as ground coriander (gives a really smoky, citrusy flavor) and garlic powder.
· Changed the cheese to reduced-fat, and lowered the amount (only by 2 ounces) to make the sauce lower in fat.
· Used 1% milk in the sauce. When making a cheese sauce, I’ve found that using 1% works WAY better, because fat free doesn’t contain enough fat to thicken properly and make a creamy sauce.
· Used whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to add fiber. Every little bit helps!

By making these few easy changes, this lowered the total to 407 calories and 13.3g of fat (with only 4.7g sat fats). That’s 150 calories and 8.7g fat saved! So here’s the new and improved meal – enjoy (guilt-free)!

Laura’s Chicken Taco Mac (serves 6)
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small chunks
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup rinsed and drained black beans
1 jalapeno, finely chopped (feel free to add more if you like it hot!)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp whole-wheat flour
10 ounces pasta
1 large bell pepper, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
6 ounces reduced fat, shredded 4 cheese Mexican Blend (I used this cheese because my store doesn’t carry reduced fat pepper-jack. Feel free to substitute for pepper-jack with the same calories)
3 scallions, sliced
2 ounces tortilla chips
3/4 cup chopped tomato
3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
Cooking Spray
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to boil. While you’re waiting for the water, toss the chicken with the ground coriander, garlic powder, pepper, and ½ tsp of salt.
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a 1-second spray of cooking spray. Add the chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
To the water, add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to the same pot, along with the tomato and scallions. Set aside.
In the same pan, add the onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Saute until soft and the onions are translucent. Add the black beans and the chicken back to the pan and remove from heat. (This will keep it warm while the rest of your meal cooks.)
In a small pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the flour and whisk for a few minutes until the flour mixture is bubbling. Add the milk and whisk constantly until thickened slightly, about 4-5 minutes. Add the other ½ tsp of salt and the chili powder, and then remove it from heat. Add the cheese and whisk until combined and creamy.
Add the veggie/chicken/black bean mixture to the pasta, and then pour the cheese sauce over the whole mixture. Mix well, and then pour into a non-stick 9x13 baking pan. Crush the tortilla chips and sprinkle over the top of the pasta.
Broil the pasta in the oven until you can smell the tortilla chips, about 2 minutes. This step is mostly to heat everything through again and make sure the tortilla chips are toasty and crispy.
To serve: Spoon portion into bowl and then add ½ cup chopped romaine lettuce to the top. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t knock until you’ve tried it. It really does make it taste like a bowl of taco, and gives a great crunch to the meal. Plus it adds more fiber and greens. But if you’d rather not, no biggie – it still tastes great without!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

did YOU watch?

The season premiere was this week and I think I cried the ENTIRE two hours!
Was I alone?
It was soooo emotional, especially when the woman said her daughter had been starving herself because she didn't want to be fat like her mother. It tore me up. If this show isn't motivation, I'm not sure what is. The ONLY complaint that I have is that sooooo many people depend on the Biggest Loser for weight loss...
We ALL have that drive and strength behind us,
we just need someone there telling us that we CAN do it.
What I LOVED about this season starter was that they brought people that had found motivation AT HOME and they lost weight with NO help from others,
just the motivation they found from watching the show each week.
There were people that had lost over 100lbs with NO help at all!!
If you haven't watched this show and are willing...give it a chance. I think its great weekly motivation and it gets my head stirring on what I can do to promote healthy living in MY family here at home :)
and as a celebration of the Biggest Loser kick-off,
I have a delicious, healthy recipe to share!
Ranch Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast(I pound mine out for extra tenderness!)
light ranch dressing
Heat oven to 350
Dip chicken into ranch dressing, then into breadcrumb mixture, then onto baking sheet for 35-40 minutes until cooked and crispy on top!
**I serve this with sauteed zucchini. I slice 2-3 zucchini's, saute with extra virgin olive oil
pepper and a small amount of garlic salt and parmesan cheese-a little goes a long way!
We ALL ate on our appetizer plates (smaller portions!) and enjoyed every bite together!
and for beverage...lemon water! YUM :)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

now THIS is a cool book

If you are visiting from Welcome Wednesday this week, THANK YOU!
I am so excited to have been chosen as the spotlight blog of the week -thank you Ladies!
Check out my latest post below...

eating out? then you need THIS!!!
We all have VERY busy lives and sometimes fast food is the ONLY option. I've said before that you must find the healthy options that are available at each restaurant AND practice portion control, because how MUCH we eat can really make a difference!!
When I was teaching health and P.E., I was sent a sample of this book to share with the teachers and students. I think it's incredible and definitely something to have on hand at all times! The book is called, Nutrition in the Fast Lane, the website is HERE!
They list over 3,000 menu items for over 59 restaurants across the U.S! They list their most popular menu items along with nutrition facts and serving sizes for each. What I also love is that they list the carb exchanges for those customers with diabetes.
The BEST part...this book is only $6.95!
**I always look at nutrition facts, I want to know the BEST options for my family BEFORE we go in, and with this small book that fits in my diaper bag or purse
....it's SO easy!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

an AWESOME guest post...

Meaghan from Daily Dose of Fitness and I have been sharing ideas and swapping healthy tips lately! Her blog is where I won my Polar watch(woohoo)! We decided a little guest post is just what my readers needed and if you haven't checked out her blog, you definitely should. She has great motivational tips, exercise advice and MUCH more! She also has "myth debunking mondays" each week, which is what she's sharing with all of us right now!
After you read her guest post, head on over and tell her, Move It Momma's sent you!!
Meaghan writes,

MYTH DEBUNKING MONDAYS - TARGETING THE LOWER ABS
This is my 13th installment of Myth Debunking Mondays. If you follow me closely you know that I write a lot of health and fitness related articles and have exhausted many topics. So for now, this will be the last Myth Debunking Monday. I am thinking I will start a new theme: The Monday Move which will feature a new exercise every week.
So, without further ado, here is my final installment of Myth Debunking Monday.
The Lower Abs get a lot of hype. Everyone seems to talk about needing to work the lower abs, exercises to do for the lower abs, etc. The truth is, there is no specific lower ab muscle. The rectus abdominis is the main abdominal muscle that runs down the center of stomach. It attaches on both the ribs and the pubic bone and can pull from both directions (the only muscle to do so). Many of the exercises typically considered "lower" ab exercises are actually targeting the hip flexors which act to raise your legs up in front of you, and are not your "lower" abs. We are talking about exercises such as lying leg raises, leg throw downs, etc. These are targeting your hip flexors, not "lower" abs. You are also putting a lot of strain on your back, and if you have weak core muscles you could get injured.
If you want to work your lower abs because there is extra fat on your lower abdomen then you need to burn the fat away with cardio, not try to "crunch" it away. Spot-reduction is a whole other myth. If you are trying to strengthen your "lower" abs, just do crunches, planks and other core exercises, you don't need to try to work the lower portion, it is all one muscle. Hopefully finding out the truth about this myth will prevent you from doing some uncomfortable and unnecessary exercises, and save you some time at the gym from now on.
Check out my previous Myth Debunking Monday posts. If there is something you wonder if it is a myth or not, email or send me a comment. Maybe I will do a surprise Myth Debunking Monday post again.
Thank you!

Meaghan Massenat, MS, CSCS
http://dailydoseoffitness.blogspot.com
http://www.associatedcontent.com/meaghanm
http://www.bellorelbaby.com

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

a MUST TRY recipe and a bike ride!

Not even sure what to call this recipe, but it is G-O-O-D!!
What you'll need:
*4 cans low-sodium chicken broth (making your own broth would be best!!)
*1 head broccoli rabe-chopped (found near the cabbage and lettuce)
*2 cans cannelini beans, drained
*1 onion, chopped
*OPTIONAL- 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
In large skillet, brown Italian sausage...once browned, remove from pot and set aside. In same pot, place chopped onion and allow to cook for 3 minutes, add chopped broccoli rabe AND broth, bring to simmer about 5 minutes. Add sausage back to pot along with 2 cans of rinsed, drained beans and THAT'S IT! You can add salt/pepper to taste and the best part...
when you serve this soup, add the mozzarella cheese-it'll melt and be SO yummy!
My entire family LOVED this soup, it was filling and tasted GREAT too
give it a try, I'd love to hear what you think!
Sorry for not having pics of the finished product on here,
I am SO bad about taking pictures while I'm trying out a new recipe :( Sorry!
So, after a delicious dinner-why not take a bike ride?!
that's what we did!
I try to change up my workouts as much as possible, because I don't want them to get boring or repetitive AND since I have two little ones needing me at all times, and NO gym membership, bike rides are a perfect solution. This bike trailer is what I have and it's GREAT!
Hope you try that recipe soon
and that you find some motivation OUTDOORS with your family too!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

SET A GOAL and a motivational story you MUST read...

Its a great idea to set a goal for yourself before you begin a journey toward healthy living
or healthIER living! I like to set goals to push myself and
to keep things interesting with my workouts :)
So, my goal will be...
** To do THIS!
I will register as soon as dates become available in my area...
maybe its something you'd be interesting in trying along with me??!
I love reading Big Mama's blog all about changing her life and the lives of others, one change at a time, I was featured last week and now this wonderful mother of 5 shares her weight-loss story and I find it SO amazing!! She has a beautiful story with a happy, HEALTHY ending...
PLEASE READ HERE for the story
and tell me what you think!!!

Friday, September 10, 2010

an award AND a contest...

I am SO happy to have received the Life Is Good blog award
from Cardio Bunny @ Fabulous n Free! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!
* You should check out her blog, she's an inspiration to all women!

I have promised to fully accept this award after this weekend :)

*Now for the CONTEST, I am SO happy to have been asked by World Martial Arts to be their "health professional" this weekend for their Biggest Loser contest kick-off!

It is a six week program, designed to help contestants achieve weight-loss goals in a short amount of time and make healthy changes that will last a lifetime! It begins tomorrow, with an introduction of the program and a one-hour bootcamp style workout!

(I will be taking contestants weight, BMI and measurements)


I invite you to join this contest along with us. Make SMALL changes that will give big results. For example, add more veggies and fruit to your diet this week. Make a commitment to exercise at least three days this week, no matter what the exercise may be! Eat on a smaller plate the ENTIRE week and see if you notice a difference in your appetite!

I will share with you the motivational tools I plan on using with the contestants and feel free to ask questions or leave a comment saying you're taking this journey with ME!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

MUSIC = MOTIVATION!


Not sure about you guys, but if there's NO music,
then there's NO working out for me!
I MUST have music to motivate and help me push through my workouts!
This has become much more difficult with children, because if I'm doing a workout video, I have to listen for the monitor for my youngest, so I can't have the music cranked up quite so loud, and when we're jogging or bike riding, I can't turn it up too loud, because I need to be focused on the things around me for safety reasons...however, when I have a chance to have a good 'ol Mommy workout ALONE, I crank up my iPod and GET MOVIN'!
I have a special section on my iPod dedicated to workout tunes and I have a HUGE variety of motivational songs to get my heart pumping and the calories burning!
**If you are stuck in a workout rut or can't seem to find an exercise that you like, then I suggest to try finding some of YOUR favorite songs, listening to them while you're walking, running, biking, at the gym or WHEREVER! Then let me know you feel...
So, what's your favorite workout tune?
and like I told you before, if nothing else motivates, turn on the tv to music choice, find some great new songs and have a dance party in your living room....
or wait, does that just happen in our house? Don't judge, I can get a totally great workout just by dancing like a crazy woman in the house :)

Saturday, September 4, 2010

diet pills/supplements

**I did my FIRST GUEST POST! CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT!**
now, back to my post...
So, I'd like to know what you think about
DIET PILLS/WEIGHT-LOSS SUPPLEMENTS?
Do you agree with people who take them?
Do you think they are dangerous and would NEVER consider it?
Maybe you think there are certain situations where its acceptable?
Have YOU ever taken them?
And, were they successful in helping you/or someone you know lose weight?
Here's my personal opinion...
I can't judge anyone on what they want to do, however from knowing people that have had SERIOUS complications and health issues from these "drugs", and with my health background and education, I would not suggest it!
**In high school, I was desperate to lose weight and decided to try Metabolife
(hope you guys remember what that was??!)
and it was VERY successful...I remember feeling my heart race each time I took it, but as a high school student wanting to "fit in" and lose weight, I was looking for ANYTHING that would work. I have to admit, it worked. I lost 30 lbs. very quickly but sadly when I stopped taking the pills, I gained every pound back, PLUS a few extra! ughhhh...
I can't say I stopped there, I took several other weight-loss supplements after that. Looking back, it scares me that I would have put my body in danger to look/feel good about myself...pathetic, right??! This blog has helped me realize and and open up all of those old emotions I felt growing up-so hard to re-live it sometimes!
This blog is like my therapy, if that even makes sense? and along the way,
I'm hoping to motivate others to learn from MY struggles and how my determination to change, became reality!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

So, I'm curious...

Why is getting healthy or healthier important to YOU??
For Me:
My grandmother was diagnosed years ago with congestive heart failure, we have TONS of heart disease in our family(both mine and my husbands), I was overweight and unhappy, sometimes weight loss and healthy living is contagious, I loved that I saw others around me trying to make a change too! I am still in need of losing a little weight, but I feel as though I am a MUCH healthier person than I was 15 years ago...
I never want to go back to that place, EVER!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Now Playing

...in YOUR living room!
If you have ON DEMAND through your cable provider, then you're in for a real treat :)
I have posted about this before, but I wanted to make sure you ALL take advantage of the great workouts available right in your living room FREE OF CHARGE!!
Ok, so some people are totally NOT into working out at home but since I stay at home with my two boys, and don't really want to bring them to a gym every day, this is my only option while they are young! If you'd be interested in trying it out, here's the simple steps:
(I posted about Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred a while back,
and some of her shred workouts are available through ON DEMAND as well)
* Go to ON DEMAND
* find SPORTS AND FITNESS
* find Exercise TV
* explore the 100's of workouts!!
* click on your favorite FREE workout(they are ALL free!!)
ENJOY YOUR WORKOUT FOR THE DAY!!!
I am the first one to admit, some of these workouts are SUPER cheesy, like Kim Kardashian's Butt Blasting workout...um, you barely break a sweat!! However, there is a great series called, Less is More-a great workout, thats only 30-40minutes! There are walking and low-impact cardio routines for beginners, interval training for more advanced, and like I said before,
I am in LOVE with the 30 Day Shred!
It's fun and a quick way to burn some calories and get your body energized and focused
ALL DAY LONG :)
So, give it a try and let me know what ya think? I'd love to know your favorites too!!
So, I'm curious...
Do you workout in a gym or at home/outdoors like me? Or if you're just getting started, what is your favorite type of exercise
that you might try in the future or have tried in the past?!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Black Rice?

(picture from CNN Health)
As of now, this black rice is only available at Whole Foods and other specialty stores but there is talk about trying to get it in ALL local grocery stores.
Why, you ask??
Well, here's a little info about this SUPER FOOD:
Like brown rice, black rice is loaded with antioxidant-rich bran which gets stripped away during milling to create white rice. But this black rice contains anthocyanins, found in blueberries, grapes and acai-which is linked to decreased risk of heart disease and cancer and improvement in memory and other health benefits as well! This has most of the healthy benefits of blueberries without the sugar contained in the berries, so its definitely a healthy alternative to brown rice-which is still a MUCH better choice than white rice. Because it is not widely grown in the U.S., this product when found, can be expensive-but it seems like its worth the price?!
What do you think??

I'm going to find some VERY soon and give it a try...
Let me know if you have tried it, or have found it and are up for giving it a try ??! I'd love to hear what you think?

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Write "It" Down and a recipe too!!

So, when it comes to motivating yourself to be healthy and exercise,
it can be a struggle...we've all been there, trust me!
My suggestion this week:
Try writing down your workout goals for the week and eating habits too!
*and keep it with you at ALL TIMES!
Taking the time to write these things down...
how many days a week you plan on exercising(even if its a walk around the neighborhood)
length of the workout (start small and work your way up!)
write down FOODS-maybe start by foods you might limit this week
or foods you will try to eat more of this week!
Also, try that "smaller plate" idea from the post last week...it'll be tempting to go for seconds, but DON'T GIVE IN-stay strong and realize you are only taking better care of yourself by doing so! If you stick to these simple rules, you WILL see results, I promise!
And I leave you today with a little recipe my ENTIRE family L-O-V-E-S! Found this in a diabetic cookbook-(a lot of diabetic-friendly recipes are GREAT for healthy eating, they are low in simple carbohydrates, and are great for following a high protein diet too!)
Ground Turkey Mexicorn Quesadillas:
mission carb balance tortillas
1lb. ground turkey
1 can black beans-drained
1 can Green Giant Mexicorn
1 pkg. low-sodium taco seasoning
1/4 c. water
Brown turkey meat, drain if necessary, Add 1/4 c water, taco seasoning pkg, black beans, mexicorn w/ the juices, stir and simmer for 15 minutes until sauce thickens!
Serve on ONE carb balance tortilla
(remember portion control...
it is VERY important when trying to lose weight and be healthy!)
We usually serve this quesadilla style for the kids with a side of plain yogurt for dipping!!
(tastes great and a MUCH healthier option than sour cream!)
For us, we serve burrito style with sliced avocado and/or salsa!
Try this and I promise you'll love it! Its a house favorite in our home, I think we fix it AT LEAST once a week and makes great leftovers too :)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

EDAMAME!


If you have tried it, hopefully you LOVE it...if you haven't, YOU MUST!
It's soybeans! They are delicious steamed and served hot or cold. High in fiber, rich in antioxidants, and High in protein too! What could be better than this??!
In the afternoon or whatever time of the day you feel like snacking...
enjoy these instead of a not-so-good-for-you, processed food!
Eat them with a dash of sea salt and they are a great, healthy snack alternative!!
PLUS they satisfy your NEED to munch :)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

what do ya think about this??!

Studies have shown that people tend to feel full after eating everything that is on their plate...they feel satisfied because all of the food is "gone" and most of the time that plate is holding WAY too much food, so to fix this problem in our house(and what has probably contributed to my husband's weight loss of 70 lbs. in three months),
we eat on a child's plate or appetizer plate right here at home!! We don't even use our larger plates...I'm always washing the "little" plates as my husband calls them! I know here in Texas, most of our restaurants serve food on plates that are THREE times the serving size, some even more than that...guess that's why they say, "every things bigger in Texas"(hate that phrase by the way!) TRY IT OUT AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK! Another key factor to losing those unwanted pounds is, EXERCISE! I know that we are all busy, we all have "other" things to do, but exercise should be like brushing our teeth! Do you think about brushing your teeth each morning and night? NO. So, if you treat working out the same way, it will just fit into your schedule! I am a wife, mother to two boys, NO gym membership, and each day I find ways to fit in exercise! I challenge you this week to find a form of exercise that makes you feel good! If you're not feeling good while exercising, then it sure won't feel like brushing your teeth, right?! RIGHT!
There are some days where I don't feel like jogging, or doing a video, so I turn on the tv to music choice, play my favorite songs and dance around the house until I'm drenched in sweat...Ha! Needless to say, my boys love this type of exercise, they think its hilarious to watch Mommy dance all over the living room :)

Friday, August 13, 2010

Comment Question Friday!

Thanks to all of my followers for their questions this week...I think I will have a "comment question Friday" each week TRYING to address the questions that have been left in the comments for the week!
This way my followers will feel that I am always here to answer ANY questions they might have!
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:
"so you just put it in anything?" in regards to the flax seed meal I posted earlier this week.
The answer is YES, you can totally add this to any recipe you'd like. Instant oatmeal, cold/hot cereal, sprinkle on whole wheat french toast, the possibilities are ENDLESS!
"what do you suggest for breakfast?"
I think a great blend of whole grains(fiber) AND protein give you energy for the day and give you that "full" feeling throughout the morning. Some of our favorites are, oatmeal or steel cut oats and instead of adding sugar, add a little pumpkin puree-you get the sweetness along with more fiber and GREAT flavor, - serve with a side of scrambled egg whites! Also Kashi makes a great line of high fiber, high protein cereals that taste GREAT
HOPE IT HELPS!! I will start posting great healthy recipes soon!
and several readers asked about that stubborn belly flab...my answer is simple!
EAT a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and protein-less processed and hard-to-digest foods and WATCH YOUR PORTIONS! -
I will share our portion control tips with my readers soon!
You must EXERCISE to feel fit and not flabby :)
I suggest Pilates for those stubborn areas...it's a great way to tone and strengthen your core muscles and I love these videos because they have beginner(which are step by step) all the way to advanced, so there's always ways to step it up!
Hope you found this helpful! Have a great weekend!
Try something fun outdoors with your family this weekend...take a walk, go to a local park and find a trail, the important thing is to stay active WITH your family, it will help stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle to your children too :)