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Thursday, June 30, 2011

are YOU frumpy or fabulous?

This morning as I headed out for my run I put on my shorts, an old college t-shirt(faded and worn out), grabbed my 5 year old iPod-I might have the first model created?!, put my hair in a pony, filled my water bottle and headed out!
I'm at a great pace and then I see Fabulous, looking like she just walked out of an Under Armour commercial, matching from head to toe! Looking like a superstar! and then there's me...


So, I started to wonder...Do I look like a serious runner? Does being a serious runner involve dressing the part? If the answer is yes, then I better reach out to all of my bloggy friends for a WORKOUT WARDROBE MAKEOVER!!!

Kid-friendly snack: As most of you know, I'm always trying to create fun snacks that my kids will LOVE. I'll share a fun, little recipe that seems to be a huge hit with my boys right now and they're so simple to make!

Move It Momma's Vanilla Wafer Buttons

You'll Need:

vanilla wafers

natural peanut butter

thinly sliced bananas and strawberries-or any other fruit of choice!


These have become my boys MOST favorite snack! Take vanilla wafer and top with small amount of peanut butter and a small slice of your favorite fruit! To make this snack even more fun and kid-friendly, cut shapes with the fruit! Star-shaped bananas and heart-shaped strawberries are SO fun, right?! The possibilities are endless and think about the 4th...create these using blueberries and strawberries and you'll have a healthy, star-spangled snack!

My boys like to help out with these. I top with PB and they add the fruit!

What else could you add to these buttons to make them even MORE delicious?



What about you? Are you frumpy or fabulous when you workout?

a great run AND a new Independence 5K sponsor!!

Just my iPod and I on my run this morning! Songs that kept me going: "Drive" Incubus, "Down In It" Nine Inch Nails, and "I am Woman" Jordin Sparks...ha, what a mix right? I was SO tired of my E.T. Katy Perry-they've overplayed it on the radio :( and "Born this Way" Lady GaGa. I guess this means I need new iTunes downloads ASAP!

As for the actual RUN, it was awesome! 6am...sticky, hot but whew, it felt good! I told myself I would finish 45minutes of straight running! It may not sound like much but lately with the heat and humidity, 30 minutes is all my body can take! I did it! 4.3 miles in 45minutes! Woohoo!! Today I totally felt in the groove. I really think just SIGNING up for this half marathon has given me the added motivation I needed. I feel great, unstoppable and that I can and WILL do this! Now, did my legs ache? Oh YES. Did I start cramping in my side after mile 3, oh YES. But I kept going...and I think I'll focus on that today :)

want more exciting news??! We have ANOTHER sponsor for the Independence Virtual 5K Race!!! WaterGeeks! Hope you've heard of them, because they're giving away a stainless steel filtered water bottle to one of our lucky participants! I received mine last week and have been using it ever since. I requested yellow and LOVE it! It's super functional and I bring it with me everywhere! I love that each time I want a drink and I'm on the go, I don't have to stop for a bottle of water, that gets annoying AND expensive! Plus, I have a four year old and a two year old, who wants to pull over and get them out of the car every time I'm thirsty! I took this bottle on my run this morning...I definitely needed the hydration with all that sweatin' I was doing! For those of you that haven't heard of them, here's a little about WaterGeeks and why I think their water bottle is so fabulous!







Ergonomic Design
For style and function
Diverse Color Selection
Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Red, Stainless
Steel, White, Yellow
Safe Material
Unlined, BPA, PVC and Phthalate-Free, non-leaching
stainless steel
Certified Lead-Free paint
Highly Functional
Wide mouth neck with easy to clean threading
Durable and dent resistant
Child through adult sizes available
Dishwasher Safe
Private Label
Laser Etched Logo for life long product awareness



If that's not enough about this super functional water bottle, the small, built-in filter is perfect too! I filled it from several places on the go and I admit, I was excited that I wasn't having to stop to pay 2.00 for a bottle of water! Woohoo!


The new “Pure Blue” filters are a portable
and affordable solution designed to reduce
chlorine, chromium, heavy metals and other
potential contaminants that may be present
in tap water.
Enjoy healthy, safer, great tasting water
anytime,/anywhere, without the cost and
waste associated with bottled water. Save
time, money and the environment by simply
filling up at any tap and filtering water as you
drink. It's that simple!
These filters can be used in the WaterGeeks
Pure Blue Filtered Bottles, Widemouth Bottles,
Kid Friendly Bottles and any competitor’s
bottle with a 1.75" thread design.
Filter Capacity: 80 gallons (800 12oz servings
or 400-24oz servings).


Some other WaterGeeks products I'd like to try...

The transition Sip Cup! How cool is that? This would be perfect for my two year old! They come in three stages, so that you find the one that's right for your child. These also come in 11 colors and they provide the Avent or Born Free sippy top! In my opinion, my kiddos can look cool while feeling safe knowing what they're drinking won't harm them!

The EA Free Bottle- the safest, plastic bottle on the market! Fits in most bike, bottle cages and is perfect for those on the go! I'd say this bottle would be a great addition to your gym bag too!


What do you think? A great addition to our wonderful sponsors?

Click here to see all of the items up for grabs! I'm excited and I hope you are too!!!

...and there's still time to sign up, so email me at rissarose80@yahoo.com and don't forget race week is July 3rd - 9th!


What's on your playlist right now? Is it better than my 90's alternative/pop not-so-greatest hits MIX?! Whew, I need an iTunes makeover! Hmmm, do those exist?


Disclosure: I received a WaterGeeks stainless steel bottle in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

How cool is this? and a shout out to the motivational bloggers out there!!!

Has anybody else noticed that MOST coupons, discount codes involve not-so-healthy food items??! It drives me crazy when I attempt to save money and clip coupons and 90% of the time, I clip NOTHING. It's all sugary cereals, high-fat foods, mayo and butter??! What the heck!

Here's what I found out about Zipongo.com:
They will offer "healthy deals" at 50-90% off natural and healthy foods.
Subscribers, pre-purchase the featured brands online and redeem them at their local grocery store at that low cost!
Can't wait to learn more about that and I'll keep you informed as I do!

Today's Workout...was super sticky and humid-yuck! But it went pretty good! I felt like I could have kept running! That's strange for me, since I'm usually looking for the finish line! Maybe I'm all hyped up about this half-marathon and feel myself gaining strength and speed! Woohoo! Or maybe it was just a day for a good run?! My running buddy and I are really focused and I'm so happy that I have her there with me each morning to stay motivated! I'm serious...having a workout buddy seriously helps!

Healthy Tip: when you find yourself losing control of your diet, exercise plan...whatever. STOP. Figure out what's going wrong and tweak it until it feels right for YOU. Things won't change around you until YOU make it happen! Face your fears head on this week and crush those goals that you've set for yourself!



Motivational Bloggers?!: I don't know about you guys, but I seriously find DAILY motivation through my blogging buddies! When I'm lacking the energy to get out there and do it, I find my favorites, read their posts...laugh, cry and then BAM! I'm ready!!! Their stories, struggles, happiness is what sends me out the door running with confidence each morning! I know that if they find a way to make it happen each day, I can too! Anybody else feel that way? Like we're all one, big support system!!! In my day to day life, a lot of my friends and family don't share a passion for fitness and health, the way that I do. So blogging allows me to stay surrounded(via the internet) by motivational people that share the same interests! It's great! Even my hubby likes to get on here and read some of your posts! And the best part? I find more every day! If I look at my favorite bloggers, read their comments, I'll find even more motivation bloggers to add to my blog roll! I love it...


Do you have bloggers that motivate YOU?! If not, where do you find it?




**Independence 5K...there's still time to sign up! Send me an email to rissarose80@yahoo.com and I'll add you to the list and send you a BIB!


-Don't miss out on the super cool prizes up for grabs :)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

what this marathon means to me...

I posted that we made the Aramco Houston Half Marathon BUT I don't think I mentioned what it means to me...

This will mean that my weight loss journey has come full circle and my hubby's too. This race will put into perspective how far we've come.
For me, I started off a lazy, college girl who didn't even know who she was anymore. I was ready for change, found help and saw results that I had wanted for SO long. My life was forever changed. I was a new person, no longer hiding. No longer covering my emotions with food. I felt great. Months later, I met Brandon. He's my best friend, the best father and husband to us...and so much more than that too.
Years passed and he let his weight take control. gaining as he became more comfortable with our lives together. No longer active and would sit in front of the TV with remote in hand for hours. I was not innocent either. I had gained here and there through both pregnancies. Something snapped in him and so we both decided to get our lives back...that very moment!
He found running and fell in LOVE. He found a stress relief through it, confidence as he gained strength and speed! Lost over 100lbs and he's a totally different man. He's running 7 minute miles! AMAZING. LOVES to be outdoors, active with our boys, brings them fishing, running, biking... you name it, they're doing it! I love the influence that he is on our children these days...so positive and showing them a healthy way of life. Jacob running his first 1K a few weeks ago felt amazing. Jacob sees us being active and healthy and he wants to be a part of it!
And me, I'm on track too. I've lost 11lbs since my running journey began about 2-3 months ago! Although I never, ever gained all of my weight back, I had lost control of eating. I let myself slip up. Just because it was "healthy" food I was indulging on, I was NOT in control. Too much of a good thing, turns into a bad thing and it did for me. So, let me say...
the McClellen's are back and stronger than EVER!
We will finish that half marathon on January 15th, which also happens to be our 7 year wedding anniversary!!! We WILL earn our first medal with hopefully more in the future. Our boys will meet us at the finish line and that'll show them both that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

Monday, June 27, 2011

We made it!!!



That's right! Our FIRST half marathon and we made the lottery!!

My hubby, ME, and our two friends :)


I am nervous, excited, anxious, TERRIFIED and totally do not know what to expect?!

But there's no turning back now...we're doing this!!! Yay!

And the race date is January 15, 2012-which is also our anniversary!!!

13.1, here we come!!!!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Independence VIRTUAL 5K...is almost here!!!



That's right! One week left! The Virtual 5K race begins July 3rd and ends July 9th! You have the entire week to complete the race and send me an email with your race results by July 11th at midnight! Have you seen the prizes up for grabs? And all you have to do is participate to be eligible to win!!


To learn more, look HERE and for prize info, look HERE!

Signing up is EASY-just email me at rissarose80@yahoo.com, tell me that you're signing up and that's IT! Upon completion of the race, send me an email with your finish time and you're entered to win!

Mandatory Entry: emailing me that you're joining the race and you MUST be a public follower of Lets Move It Mommas. Then an email with your finish time the week of the race (1 entry). It is NOT based on time, only that you've finished the race!

Extras: (mandatory entry must be completed first)

1. Sending me a picture in your best 4th of July race attire! (2 entries)

2. Posting about this virtual race on your blog/facebook/twitter (1 entry for each)

3. REFERRING A PARTICIPANT: If someone emails me that YOU sent them over to enter, you get an extra entry! Pretty cool, right?! (1 entry)

"Cool" contest by CoolSculpting

I learned about CoolSculpting a while back and featured them once before. They like to host challenges to help people lose weight and get in shape! This time, they've really stepped it up when it comes to the prizes up for grabs...

They offer a grand prize of this non-invasive procedure, but they don't stop there. They also offer weekly prizes that include a sport watch, Biggest Loser scale, a pair of Nike shoes and even the P90X fitness program, and that's just to name a few!

They make it simple to enter weekly, by pledging each week to make ONE healthy lifestyle change...that's it! Pretty easy, right? So, what are you waiting for?

Hurry up and enter!!!

HERE'S HOW:

The CoolSculpting 12 Weeks to Change Challenge
(http://apps.facebook.com/coolsculpting/contests/116889?wfrefid=7ff84fef3457)
Reclaim your body just in time for summer! Join the CoolSculpting 12 Weeks to Change Challenge for the chance to win a FREE CoolSculpting procedure* − valued at $1,500 − and cool weekly prizes.
Join the challenge by pledging each week to make one healthy lifestyle change.
We’ll give away a featured weekly prize for 12 weeks to help you reach your health and fitness goals. And you can enter each week to increase your chances of winning one of the grand prizes: two CoolSculpting treatments* (one for a male and one for a female grand prize winner) valued at $1,500 each to help you get rid of unwanted fat and reclaim your body.
Official Rules: http://apps.facebook.com/coolsculpting/contests/116889?wfrefid=7ff84fef3457

Links to the Contest:
On the CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/coolsculpting - click on the CHALLENGE tab
Direct link to contest on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/coolsculpting/contests/116889?wfrefid=7ff84fef3457

Prizes
Grand Prize: Two CoolScupting Treatments valued at $1500 each, one awarded to a male winner and one awarded to a female winner
12 Weekly Prizes:
Week One: Tech40 Accelerator Pulse Sport Watch: Measures speed, distance, calories, steps and heart rate − $89.99
Week Two: Bodylastics Resistance Bands Basics Tension Edition − $53.95
Week Three: REI Gift Card − $50
Week Four: Biggest Loser Nutritional Food Scale − $50
Week Five: Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar − $25.49
Week Six: FitBit: Tracks distance, calories burned, sleep quality, and uploads to your computer − $99
Week Seven: Eat This Not That Book − $19.95
Week Eight: Pick a pair of your favorite Nike shoes (maximum value of $100)
Week Nine: One-Year Subscription to Men’s Fitness OR Shape Magazine print and digital editions −$30
Week Ten: Omron Fat Loss Monitor −$30
Week Eleven: Spa Finder Gift Card − $100
Week Twelve: P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program − $140

Prize Eligibility
Only persons residing in United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Contest Ends
August 6, 2011 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

*Disclaimer: CoolSculpting is not intended as a weight-reduction program or for overweight individuals. Each grand prize winner must first be assessed by a CoolSculpting provider of ZELTIQ Aesthetics’ choosing to ensure he/she is a good candidate for the procedure. Only after being assessed as a good candidate will the grand prize winners be eligible for the grand prizes. The best CoolSculpting candidates are near their ideal body weight with pockets of diet- and exercise-resistant fat.

About CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting® is the coolest, most innovative, non-invasive and natural way to quickly lose those annoying bumps and bulges of stubborn fat.
Here’s the skinny: developed by Harvard scientists, our unique, patented, clinically proven procedure involves freezing fat cells without damage to your skin. There’s no knife. No suction hoses. No needles. No lasers, even. After your treatment, you get on with your busy day. How cool is that?
For more information visit: www.coolsculpting.com

Disclosure: I received compensation for promoting CoolSculpting contest. All opinions are 100% mine and I was not compensated in any other way for my opinions of the product.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Broccoli Salad-perfect for summer!

I think I've found a great summer salad that's healthy, light and delicious! It has great flavor and it's SO easy to prepare! I love broccoli so any excuse to cook with it, is great for me! Move It Mommas Broccoli Salad

You'll Need:

5 cups broccoli florets

1/4 purple onion(med. size) chopped

1 can chick peas-garbanzos, drained

1/4 cup turkey, lower sodium, turkey bacon-cooked and chopped into small pcs.

1/2 cup mayo-I'd use less because it was a little too much!

1 tbs red wine vinegar

1 tbs sugar


Mix mayo, vinegar and sugar. Set aside. Add all ingredients to bowl and stir in dressing.

Serve chilled!

Today's Workout: Jillian's 30 Day Shred 1 AND 6 week 6 pack 1! Oh yea, two videos baby!

I lost 2 lbs this week and I truly owe it to changing up my workouts. I had focused SO much on stepping up my running and when I realized it's TOO hot right now to increase mileage, I think it made a difference. I'm running 3 days a week and cross training on my off days :) I gotta say, I think it's working!!!


INCHES AWAY!!!:

Our third meeting took place last night and we ALL lost inches! Woohoo! Some lost 1in. in areas and other's lost 2.5 in areas! Awesome, right? SO proud of our hard work, it's sure paying off and it feels good to work together to achieve our goals!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

raising healthy, active kids and a way to earn an extra entry to virtual 5K prizes!








Hosted by My Fitness World, Lets Move It Mommas, and Living Smart Girl.


Link up and HAVE FUN!!! Follow the hostesses and spread the word about our hop!


**This week, if you link up and spread the word about our hop, I'll add an extra entry to our Independence 5K(you must sign up AND participate in this virtual 5K as mandatory entry, and linking up and adding button/post will give you 1 extra entry for THESE great prizes)**




Raising Healthy, Active Kids...Am I doing enough?

It's no secret that I've battled weight most of my life, especially as a child/teen. When I started my weight-loss journey, I promised myself I would do EVERYTHING possible to raise healthy, active children! Expose them to everything outdoors and encourage them to find what they LOVED to do for exercise! When I taught P.E., I noticed how certain activities excited certain kids and others would cause that child to completely shut down. ?? I know that there is no RIGHT or WRONG way to raise your children, but how do we know that we are exposing our preschoolers to all of the right things when it comes to exercise, fitness and nutrition? Will it be enough? Will they choose jumping, playing, and hide and seek VS. video games and watching TV??

We play outside often...


they join us for our 5K races...



We play at the beach...



...and lots of swimming too! Am I doing enough? I know that I'm being paranoid and it's most likely because I grew up overweight and do NOT want the same for our children...



*An article about this topic that I found on Parents.com :


"When parents promote fitness as an important family value, preschoolers are more likely to remain active throughout childhood -- even as many of their peers turn to television shows and computer games," says Michelle May, MD, an advisor to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Americans in Motion fitness initiative. "One in seven preschoolers is already overweight, and the number rises in the elementary- and middle-school years. Prevention begins at home."
According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, preschoolers should have several hours of free play daily plus 60 minutes of supervised, structured physical activity. Even if your child always seems to be on the go and her weight is healthy now, it's still important to keep activities -- especially the structured kind -- fresh and exciting. A smart strategy: Present your child with a realistic challenge. "It's one thing to say to preschoolers, 'Let's see you jump,'" says Jennifer Romack, PhD, professor of kinesiology and specialist in preschool motor development at California State University, Northridge. "But it's another to say, 'Ooh, this is going to be tricky. Let's see if you can jump and then land super, super quietly. And the next time, let's see if you can do it like you're jumping in peanut butter.'"


What do YOU think about this topic/issue?







Today's Workout: less than 3 mile run outside in the sticky weather! It was great, my oldest rode his bike, youngest in the stroller and we stayed in our neighborhood this time to beat the heat and TRY to find shade from our trees! We were still pretty exhausted afterward, but hey...WE DID IT!!!



Healthy Tip: Give your protein a boost! If you incorporate protein into each of your meals, you'll leave less room for empty snacking (sugary snacks, chips, cookies...)









Monday, June 20, 2011

she kicked my booty!

I woke up this morning, looked out my window(this pic is proof that I really looked out my window!!!) and it just looked HOT...is that even possible? The sun was already beating down on my car and as I looked out of the window I thought, there's NO way I'm running today :( So, I chose Jillian's 6 week 6 pack!

Listen up y'all, JILLIAN kicked my booty! I was yelling at her through my TV! But I'll admit, it was a nice change from running! It's just been so hot lately and the humidity almost takes your breath away in the morning, it's awful! Don't get me wrong, I love running HOWEVER it's nice to change things up! I love workout DVD's(I know some of you hate them!!) and before running, that's all that I did. I think I'm going to run three-four days a week and incorporate these DVD's on my days off??! Wish me luck as Jillian puts me through virtual bootcamp!


Half Marathon Update: We find out on June 27th, whether or not we made the Houston half marathon lottery...I'm a nervous wreck waiting to see! If not, no worries...we'll sign up for another one, because we WILL reach that goal!


Get Healthy group SUGGESTIONS??! My group meets this Wednesday and I'm not sure where to take the focus? We've discussed nutrition(probably could do a little more) and last week, we talked about exercise and their goals and resources to help them achieve those exercise goals! Hmmm. What do you think we should discuss at our meeting this week? If you were part of a group, focused on reaching a weight-loss or fitness goal, what would you want to know?

Sunday, June 19, 2011

What do YOU think

...of the new MyPlate replacing our good 'ol Food Pyramid? Truth is, I'm not sure how I feel about it! I'm being totally honest. I like the visual MyPlate gives children and adults. However when I taught health, I believe the children did respond to the food pyramid when it was taught correctly. I have a few concerns such as, What size plate is this? There are no specific measurements and if I'm looking at this, I'm thinking WOW that's A LOT of food, right? You might laugh but we're in Texas where the famous saying originated, EVERY THING'S BIGGER IN TEXAS...so our plates are outta control! Seriously. When I show people a portion or the plate that we use at home, they flip out saying, "that's too small" or "I'll never get full off of that little bit"! But that might be a Texas thing?! Not sure. And another concern, people-especially children enjoy sweets/fats on occasion, right? Where are sweets/fats listed? So, because it's not on THIS MyPlate, does that mean there's no specific portions for those? I liked showing children, "Look here's the fats, oils, sweets and they are in a very small triangle toward the top. This means in moderation and in small amounts, we can add these to our diet at certain times!" Am I wrong??! I might be too critical because I am a health educator and from a teaching stand point, I'm not sure the entire message is being sent with our new symbol. BUT, I was not 100% happy with the pyramid...so, WHAT DO YOU THINK?Here's a little info that I found on their website. I'd love to know your comments, questions and concerns about our new symbol of healthy eating as well??


Balancing Calories


Enjoy your food, but eat less.


Avoid oversized portions.


Foods to Increase


Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.


Make at least half your grains whole grains.


Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.


Foods to Reduce


Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.


Drink water instead of sugary drinks.



**Today's Workout: Includes laying out by the pool, playing with my boys and hanging out with family over at my in-law's. Hey, at least I'm being honest right??!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Berry Mango Smoothie, compliments of Trainer Momma

Trainer Momma is one of my favorite sites and right now she's posted a Berry Mango Smoothie and it looks so yummy...I'm headed to my kitchen, grabbing my Magic Bullet and going to make one right NOW! I'm always looking for variations on a good smoothie, so I figure I'll give this one a try!

Today's Workout: 4 mile run at 5:45am (42 minutes), before sunrise and it was perfect weather for about 20 minutes. But as time went on, the sun started peaking through and that darn humidity started to set in...suppose to be heat index of 107 today :(. The sweat started pouring and I looked like I had just jumped out of a swimming pool...sooo gross!

Healthy Tip: I'm hosting my friends wedding shower today and one thing that I'm a sucker for is shower food...all those munchies that you can pop in your mouth and totally forget about calories and everything else...SO, to prepare in advance and practice moderation, I will eat a nice and healthy lunch before heading out and choose a few items to try at the shower, this way I am not STARVING and I won't allow those shower food munchies to control my day!!!
How are you beating the heat when it comes to exercise?
Am I the only one who LOVES shower appetizers?

Thursday, June 16, 2011

cucuzza sticks...are you confused?!

As most of you know, I am Sicilian and I grew up knowing Cucuzza and watching my grandmother prepare Cucuzza stew!(pronounced Ko-KOOTZA or "googootz") but for most of you, you are probably TOTALLY confused...here's a little about them: Cucuzza looks like a smooth, pale zucchini with an elegant curvature and can be up to three feet in length. Its pale green skin needs to be peeled, and the white flesh is generally cooked rather than eaten raw. The flesh has an extremely mild taste and, even when peeled, holds its shape well when cooked. If the seeds are tender, you can eat them, but they start to get harder as the squash matures. If the seeds are hard, discard them. Cucuzza can be steamed, grilled, fried, baked, sauteed, stuffed, or used almost any other way you would use summer squash, as long but make sure you peel it first. My boys wanted to hold the baseball bat squash(that's what we used to call it!) cucuzza! And now that we're growing these in our backyard garden, we are trying to come up with fun and healthy ways to prepare! So, my first Cucuzza recipe...Cucuzza Sticks! YUM!



Move It Mommas Cucuzza Sticks

You'll Need:

1 lb cucuzza-peeled and sliced into strips, removing seeds

1/2 c Italian breadcrumbs

1/4 c panko breadcrumbs for some added crunch!

1/4 c parmesan cheese-grated

2 tbs flaxseed meal

2 beaten egg whites


Dip sticks in egg white, then breadcrumb mixture, lay on foil covered pan and bake at 425 for 8 minutes on each side or until golden brown! These are sooo yummy! We served with my Greek yogurt Ranch Dip(plain greek yogurt, 1/2 ranch dry packet and mix!!) SO good! I'll be making these more often!
















Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Get Healthy-Week 2

I'll start off with a pic of my boys and I! Oh how I love them!
MYSELF and my FAMILY are reason enough for me to be healthy! What about you? What pushes you each day to make good choices for you and your family? That's how our meeting started off tonight...


  • We talked about Balance and focused on how each of us can find it through diet and exercise. My aunt has lost THREE POUNDS in our first week! I am SO proud of my group, showing up and admitting that you want/need help is THE hardest part!

  • We discussed fiber. Soluble, insoluble and why fiber is SO important in our diet.

  • We will fill in the blank this week and post it throughout our home, This week I will ____. How will you answer that?

  • I introduced them to Exercise TV through ONDemand and how they can find workouts for FREE, 24hours a day, at ALL fitness levels.

  • Most importantly, we discussed how to overcome our greatest challenges!

I want to make sure they are all aware that I KNOW what they are feeling, going through, what they are doubting. I felt all of those emotions too. Sometimes we doubt ourselves because we have failed in the past. THIS time is different. No more excuses, they will change their lives. Some participants printed their food journal from myfitnesspal, so I was able to see their weekly meals...very cool, right? SO PROUD.


Today's Workout: I changed it up and decided on Jillian's 6 week 6 pack 2! It was awesome and sadly, I think I'm already sore. I was SO focused on stepping up my running game, that I totally forgot about my other favorite workouts...but they're back and I feel 'it!


Healthy Tip: Get your kiddos in the kitchen! I prepare meals with my children, when possible. I have my boys grab the veggies, help me wash and once they are chopped, they will add them to the dish. They love to stir, sprinkle and TASTE the healthy foods I prepare. If a made from scratch meal is not possible with the family's busy schedule, no worries...try a family walk around the neighborhood-talk about the day, relax and enjoy that time. * When I taught P.E., children used to run into the gym and tell me all about their family walk, bike ride, or other activity they did together! They were SO proud. I think of those children as I make healthy memories with my own family :)


As for my morning run, I am totally ready to break that 5 mile barrier...I think my longest run to date is 5.37 miles, so I will PRAY and FIGHT for 6 miles, however...5.38 will make me smile too!!! Ha ha!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Another sponsor and Wednesday Workout Hop!

Ready to learn about Inperspire? Another sponsor for our virtual Independence 5K race, so if you sign up for the race, you are eligible to win...it's THAT simple!




Do you use a fitness towel? I must admit, even after working in a gym, I did not. That was until I found Inperspire! A fitness towel with motivation...how cool is that? For review, I chose the towel that says, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body"! So perfect!


The towel is super thick and not trying to gross ya out, but it totally absorbs my sweat after a nice, long morning run! At $10.95/towel, they are totally affordable and well worth it!


Since I recently signed up for my first half marathon, the next towel that I have my eyes on is, 13.1. Why not use a sweat towel that shows off my accomplishments, right?! Would make a great gift for a friend that completed their first race as well! And I LOVE "I am worth it"...couldn't think of better words to read while you're working hard to be healthy! The owners are very friendly, easy to work with and strive to satisfy every customer! Their website is easy to navigate and I think we will all be seeing a lot more from Inperspire in the future!


Tell me which Inperspire towel you would choose if you win?


...and how do you win? It's sooo simple! Send me an email at rissarose80@yahoo.com, saying you are signing up for the virtual 5K that takes place any day between July 3rd-9th and when you complete the race, send me an email with your finish time(honor system, because it's not about speed, it's about FINISHING!) and you are entered to win all of our fabulous prizes listed HERE and Inperspire is one of them! And don't forget about the extra entries for attaching a picture in your best 4th of July attire, or by spreading the word about the race through blog post, facebook or twitter! (One entry for each)!!




And now onto the Hop!!! Hurry and link up!












Hosted by My Fitness World, Lets Move It Mommas and Living Smart Girl!


This is our weekly hop, where we share healthy tips with all of you and it's also a great place to meet fellow bloggers, so LINK UP AND HAVE FUN!!!




*Follow all of the hostesses and spread the word...let's get some traffic to our HOP this week!









How about YOU?

I am often asked, do I enjoy exercise and why do I do it? Ha, seriously...I'm asked that A LOT.

My answer is simple..I exercise to stay healthy. To relieve stress. To feel better. Look better. Be stronger. Are there days when I do NOT feel like doing it? OF COURSE. But I push through, thinking about how far I've come and how I want to reach and crush the goals that I set for myself.

Is exercise fun? Well of course, if you find what YOU enjoy doing. If it's not enjoyable, you have not found the right one for you! It's true. Now, I would be lying if I said I skipped around the house waiting to exercise and sang with joy when it was time to hit the track...but I enjoy that after exercise feeling that I get. There's something about being totally out of breath and sweaty that makes me feel like I've accomplished something for the day! Ha, am I crazy?!

How about YOU?? How would you answer that question?!
*I seriously do NOT have a lot of entries into the Independence 5K virtual race and if you do not remember, I have TONS of great giveaways headed your way just for entering! All you have to do is try...complete the race at YOUR location and YOUR pace! Who could ask for more? Pretty easy, right? SO,
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??!

Today's Workout: Had a great run at 5:15am...it's a great time to run, especially before the sun comes up and it's not too hot! We did 4 miles and I think we made good time but sadly, I forgot my watch!
Tomorrow night is session 2 of my Get Healthy class at my house...it's going great and so far I've heard great things from my participants! I know one has lost over 2 lbs! WOOHOO!
Healthy Tip: My goals for the week will be ____. How will you answer that question?

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Run By The Bay 2011














To read about our race day(to see how awesome my son and hubby did) and see how far we've come...click HERE!






Gotta love Disney and another 5K!

source
Well yes, Disney World and Disneyland but also Disney's Magic of Healthy Eating! Did you know about this? I sure didn't until I received an email from them advertising their new program, the Tryathlon-encouraging children to try new foods and new ways to exercise! Brilliant, right? Why won't more companies geared toward children, do things like this?!
A little of what my email explained...
"Need ideas for healthy eats and fitness fun? Disney Magic of Healthy Living provides moms with recipes, activities, and ways to boost a healthy lifestyle with your family."
Head on over and check it out! There is a link for parents and children! I'm off to explore it now!
*I received this information because I subscribe to the Disney newsletters. The opinions are 100% mine and I only shared factual information from their site.


Today's Workout:
Headed to a local 5K this morning, starting at 7:30am! Woo! I'm excited! Hoping to hit a personal best, but we'll see about that! This one is on the water, so hopefully a little breeze? It is just my hubby and I and possibly our 4 year old wants to attempt his first 1K! Just talking about it, I'm pumped and ready to go!

Healthy Tip:
Plan an outdoor activity, invite family and friends and do something active, together! If your family is anything like my Italian family, they'll wanna gather around FOOD, sit around and EAT! Instead, encourage meeting up somewhere and doing something active TOGETHER. Change the cycle and do something different. This way, your family is making memories and having fun while you are encouraging them to BE ACTIVE! You never know until you try!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Get Healthy, Week 1

With my weight-loss story , my new running journey and my degree in Health, I decided to start a Get Healthy group teaching the basics about reading nutrition facts, portion and serving sizes, setting goals, exercise, and more!


Our first meeting was tonight and it went well. I had healthy snacks for family and friends to try, we talked about our weaknesses and strengths, and I shared my personal story and struggles.


My only disappointment is that I sent emails, text messages, my mom spread the word through facebook and 8 people were here. I was SO proud of those 8, however the message went to at least 75 people. I had flashbacks of the times when I first started losing weight. I felt alone. My friends that surrounded me, were no longer there for me. It's like they didn't fit into my new lifestyle and that hurt. I hadn't done anything different, but it was like they were threatened by me...or by my decision to get healthy? I'm still not sure. Many times I failed at weight-loss and trust me, I tried everything. But the strangest part is that there is no special diet, exercise, pill...it's ALL ABOUT BALANCE! I am an emotional eater and had to re-focus my emotions away from food and onto exercise! And shockingly, it totally worked for me. I find complete peace during exercise, my stress is gone, I feel FREE, I feel happy, I feel STRONG. I guess it all goes back to, you can try to help people but if they aren't ready, it WILL NOT work.(no matter how hard I try)


Here are some of the things we discussed...I decided I'd treat it a lot like when I taught nutrition by going over the basics, answering questions and then using some key points that have helped me find success..






MOVE IT MOMMAS TIPS TO HEALTHY LIVING AND WEIGHT-LOSS SUCCESS!






  • Be prepared-Never go to the grocery store TIRED or HUNGRY. Being tired will result in you shopping for a quick fix meal, little effort and you'll end up with a lot of processed foods. If you're hungry, you'll shop for the craving/trigger foods and not for quality and nutrients.




  • Set REALISTIC goals-Start small and set goals that are within reach. What do you want out of this new lifestyle? How will you celebrate your successes? WHY DO YOU WANT THIS?!




  • Find and recognize your "trigger" foods or weaknesses. What foods make you lose control? My example was pretzels, I love them and will eat the whole bag if possible. So, instead I buy a small bag, give in to the temptation once in a while and then they are gone, they do NOT enter my home!




  • Find BALANCE!-it's not about "Can I have this?" or "I can't eat that", it's about BALANCE. Finding a way to understand moderation and how to control it, and also finding what works for YOU. We are all different and relate to foods and exercise differently.




  • Surround yourself with positive people!-If you are looking to make a healthy change, surround yourself with the people that will encourage, not discourage you! You are in control of YOUR life and when people try to influence you in a negative way, it only sets you further away from your goal and what you want out of this lifestyle change.




  • Do NOT be afraid to ask for help and support!- Reach out to those people that can and will help you. Find a workout buddy. Or just someone you can call and share your frustrations, successes, etc. It WILL make this journey easier.




  • IF YOU BITE IT, WRITE IT! Start a journal and track your foods. It will make you aware of what you're eating and hold you accountable or use, MyFitnessPal.com




Are you making positive changes in your life? What REALISTIC goals have you set for yourself this year? Personally, I like to have an exercise goal, so I can see the results and focus on that upcoming challenge. What about you?



**BELOW is a comment I received this morning, in regards to our first meeting last night...I am SO beyond thrilled that my passion reached her and seemed to give her HOPE:



Marissa - The class was great! - I finally understand how to read a nutritional label and choose what's good for me. The best comment made all night was that "each person is different and needs to find what works for them." Believe me, I've tried every diet imaginable, even hypnosis - I had a quick fix for awhile and then gained more weight than before. I left this class with HOPE - and the understanding that I'm not dieting but changing my lifestyle! Can't wait for the next class

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Refresh your dietary lifestyle!

*If you're visiting from the blog hop, WELCOME. I'm so happy to be featured! Here you will find my weight-loss story, healthy and family-friendly recipes, exercise tips, my running journey and more!!
Today's Workout: With our Texas temps of 103 degrees, our workout will happen TONIGHT. It'll still be blazing hot, but I figure why not burn more calories, right?! RIGHT! We will attempt a "long run" (although long for me, means like 4 miles instead of 3!) That's okay though, I'm proud of my accomplishments and how far I've come in the past few months! Plus, my first attempt at a 10K will happen on Saturday morning at 7:30!
*I came across the article below and thought we could all refresh our dietary lifestyles, so here ya go!


Rather than simply refreshing your wardrobe, polishing your floors and de-cluttering your cupboards this spring, why not spring into the act of revitalizing your diet? The editors at LIVESTRONG.COM offer advice on how to de-clutter, organize and refresh your dietary lifestyle.

Take Inventory

If you consume a typical American diet, you eat less than one of the recommended three-plus servings of whole grains and fewer than the recommended 2 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit per day. You may think you have a good idea of your total intake of different food groups, but if you write it all down, you might be surprised. Keeping a food journal for just a few days each week can reveal patterns worth changing.

De-clutter

The "clutter" in your diet can take multiple forms. Rich sources of saturated and trans-fats are linked to fatigue, inflammation and heart disease. Prepare a healthier options using olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning. Processed meats, such as bacon, sausage and hot dogs, also contain unhealthy fats and leave less room in your diet for beneficial protein sources, such as cold-water fish, legumes and yogurt.

Freshen Up

The winter holidays bring on a lot of heavy, warm foods, but when spring arrives, your taste buds naturally crave lighter, fresher foods. Because growing seasons vary by geographical regions, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to fruits and vegetables. Your best is either seasonal, fresh fare, such as items purchased at a farmers market, or frozen produce.

Get Organized

Eating a healthy, balanced diet requires planning. Stock up on frozen vegetables for easy additions to rice dishes, pasta and soups. If you lead a hectic lifestyle, set aside several hours once a week to purchase and prepare at least one healthy, satisfying meal and fresh-chopped fruits and vegetables that you can enjoy for the next several days. Freezing leftovers allows for simple, convenient meals without the excess sodium and other additives in many commercial frozen entrees.


For more information, go to www.LIVESTRONG.com

Monday, June 6, 2011

Quick n Freeze Pancakes!

I suggest preparing these yummy pancakes, freezing and when time to eat, serve with a scrambled egg or other healthy protein source! My kiddos LOVE these and I think your family will too :)


Serving Size: 3 of the 4" round pancakes and these pictured are drizzled with SF syrup!
Move It Momma's Quick n Freeze Pancakes!
You'll Need:
1 c Bisquick
1/4 c pumpkin puree
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla or 2 tbs vanilla protein powder(I've made both ways)
1 egg
1 c lowfat milk
2 tbs flaxseed meal
1 tsp baking powder
(if batter is too thick, add water until smooth)

Cook on the griddle until cooked through. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Place wax paper inside of a freezer bag, lay pancakes in rows, layering with wax paper or parchment paper, making sure pancakes are not touching, that way they can be pulled individually!

Today's Workout:
Great 3 mile, morning run! It felt great because with our temps in the 100+, it's nice to have a cool breeze without the sun beating down! Did 3.1 in 30minutes, a PR for myself! This afternoon I will take time to do a 20min. toning session. Possibly Jillian's 6 week 6 pack!

Healthy Tip:
If you've told yourself THIS week you will make a change...DO IT!
1. Stick to the plan, write your goals out and place them on your mirror or on fridge! This way you are reminded to stay focused and that your goals are within reach!
2. Set REALISTIC goals. Focus on goals that are attainable and celebrate the small victories!
3. Losing weight and getting healthy IS hard, but it's NEVER too late to make it your time...START TODAY!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

the WINNER... and great tips for Vacation eating!

(First, I'd like to apologize for any comment problems due to Blogger...if you emailed me your problems and entered via email, I added your entry to the comment list at that time!)


And the WINNER is...


#46 Tricia from Endurance Isn't Only Physical says,


"I love any shoes that might make me faster :)"-Ok, Tricia I'm emailing you and you have 48hours to respond! Thanks to all that entered, more giveaways coming SOON!




Now onto some interesting tips to help us stay fit while on vacation and traveling! I know that vacation and summer, with so much going on...it's HARD to stay focused on healthy habits, but I think these are excellent tips that may help us get through the summer months...take a look!









6 Tips for Vacation Eating -- the Healthy Way
By Brant Secunda and Mark Allen
Adapted from their new book, "Fit Soul, Fit Body"
When you think of July 4 and summer weekends, what food pops into your mind? Barbecue, beer, and macaroni salad? When you think of eating on the road, is fast food the first thing you think of?
This summer, don't eat foods that will leave you feeling depleted, bloated, and tired. Making better food choices will have a positive impact on your leisure time. As athletes know, healthy food and plenty of water sustain your energy levels, fuel your muscles, and help you recover quickly. The food you eat on the road will serve as your traveling repair kit.
Here are some tips to help you eat healthfully while you're traveling or vacationing this summer:
Healthy eating starts where you stop.
If you're on the road and stop at a fast-food joint, your food choices will be limited to fast food. But if you stop at a grocery store that offers whole or healthy foods -- fruits, bagged carrots, nuts, hummus -- or a supermarket that features a salad bar, you quickly expand your choices (and reduce junk-food temptations).
Eat frequently, and in smaller amounts.
Eating small amounts of healthy foods throughout the day sends a signal to your brain that the food supply is plentiful, so it's okay to burn through those calories quickly. Limiting your calorie load at a single sitting also gives you lots of energy. Eating too many calories in one meal -- even if they're healthy calories -- sends your brain the message that leaner times must be around the corner, so those calories will get stored as fat. Eating too much at one sitting can also make you sluggish and sleepy.
Eat plenty of protein.
Eating the right amount of complete protein for your weight and activity level stabilizes blood sugar (preventing energy lags), enhances concentration, and keeps you lean and strong. A complete protein is any animal and dairy product or a grain plus a legume (such as whole grain bread with nut butter, or corn tortilla with beans). When you need energy for a long hike, a long drive, or a day at the beach, stoke your body with high-quality, lean protein.
Pack snacks so you're not skipping meals.
Often when we're traveling, we don't have access to food at regular intervals. Or worse, we skip meals so we can have that big piece of chocolate cake later. The problem is, your body responds as if it's facing a food shortage and your metabolism slows way down to prevent you from starving. To keep your mind and body humming, pack healthy snacks in your car or backpack. Examples are almonds, raw vegetables and hummus, yogurt and berries, fresh and dried fruit, and hard-boiled eggs.
Avoid "feel bad" foods.
You know what these are: They're foods you crave, but after you eat them you feel sick or depleted. When you're on the road, it's particularly essential to avoid foods that drain your energy and deflate your mood. Foods to avoid: (1) simple carbohydrates or high glycemic foods, such as fruit juices, sodas, refined grain products, or sugary snacks; (2) anything deep fried; (3) nonfat desserts and sweeteners, which are loaded with chemicals that your body can't easily metabolize; (4) anything partially hydrogenated (this includes nondairy creamer, Jiffy-style peanut butter, margarine, and most packaged baked goods); and (5) excess alcohol.
Drink lots of water.
Yes, water is a food. The body needs water for virtually all of its functions. Drinking plenty of water will flush your body of toxins, keep your skin fresh, and help you eat less. It will also help you avoid travel lag, symptoms of overexposure to the heat or sun, and junk-food cravings. Believe it or not, many of the unhealthy cravings we experience on the road can be satisfied with a refreshing drink of pure water.
* * *
Shaman-healer Brant Secunda and world champion Ironman Mark Allen teach seminars worldwide on fitness, health, and well-being. Their new book, based on the approach they developed, is Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You (BenBella Books, http://www.fitsoul-fitbody.com/).

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sponsor GIVEAWAYS!!

Looking for a great electrolyte enhanced drink tablet...then NUUN is right for you! My favorite has to be their Tropical and Fruit Punch...what about you? Do you have a favorite? They are happy to sponsor the 5K by offering a 4 pack along with a NUUN water bottle and some really cool decals to the lucky winner! Find out more about NUUN, HERE!




I have not been able to review these Inperspire fitness towels, but they are on their way to me now! What an incredible product...motivational and inspirational fitness towels! LOVE IT! Can't wait for mine and you'll have a chance to win one too...check out these very cool towels, HERE.







If you haven't tried their new Roctane, you're missing out...especially if you're looking for that perfect added boost of energy during your workouts! I think my personal favorite would have to be the CHOMPS. GU will be offering a GU Performance Energy Sampler to one lucky winner. You can read more about these great products HERE.









For those looking to lose weight and feel great...Cinch, inch loss plan will offer a meal bar and/or shake, read more HERE and Body By Vi will offer a Body By Vi shake to another lucky winner, check that out here!













If you're looking for a perfect headband made especially for runners...BondiBand will giveaway a band of your choice if you win...check them out here! My "I Run like a Girl" band is a great workout must-have! It's comfy, fits perfectly and does its job very well...and why not look stylish while I'm running and sweating like crazy?!




...with possibly MORE TO COME!!!




To be eligible to win these AWESOME giveaways:

you MUST sign up and complete the Independence 5K by emailing me at rissarose80@yahoo.com! Oh and you are encouraged to HAVE FUN too!

**Entries are based on completion of race the week of July 3rd - 9th. You just email me your race time once completed and you're entered to win! It's THAT easy!!!

*If you dress in your best 4th of July attire and snap a photo, you have an extra entry!

*If you spread the word about our sponsors and this FUN virtual race, you'll earn an extra entry for each form-blogger, facebook, twitter, and so on...
TO FIND OUT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE RACE, GO HERE!






Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Pumpkin Pie for BREAKFAST?!

Well, not REALLY pumpkin pie...but it sure tasted like it!

Move It Momma's "Pumpkin Pie" Oatmeal
You'll Need:
3/4 cup steel cut oats, bring to a boil until cooked
2 tbs pumpkin puree
1 tsp ground cinammon
sprinkle of light brown sugar
STIR AND ENJOY!!!

*I created this recipe after a great run this morning and it was SO good that I wanted to hurry up and share it with all of you! It was filling and tasted great too!
After today's workout, I signed up for my VERY, FIRST HALF MARATHON and although I cannot get my hopes up, because it's Houston and lottery style, I am VERY excited to take this journey and complete this race in January!! I will find out Monday if we made it in and if not, we will sign up for the Livestrong Half in Austin, set for February...so either way, I'm DOING THIS!!!

Stay tuned, I will be announcing the AWESOME GIVEAWAY ITEMS from our EIGHT sponsors, up for grabs for Independence 5K participants! Most of the prizes are on their way to me RIGHT NOW! WooHoo! Thanks to all of you that have spread the word for this exciting, virtual race! It's not too late to sign up, email me your info at rissarose80@yahoo.com

Tip of the Week:
If you bite it, WRITE IT! Sometimes we all get off track and find our eating habits a little out of control. To get back on track just in time for summer, get a journal and follow this simple rule...IF YOU BITE IT, WRITE IT and I think you'll find that tracking your food will hold you accountable and help you focus on putting delicious, healthy foods back into your diet and taking the junk food out. This will help keep your portions in control and help you avoid empty snacking!

What are your goals for the summer?