HomeMy StoryRecipes

Monday, October 29, 2012

my boys and the soup's on!


I'm sure proud of these guys!  My husband placed 4th in his age group, averaging a 7:41 pace and my son completed his 1 mile race placing 6th in his age group!  One thing that makes me happy is there are A LOT of active families in our area!  I loved watching parents and their children running side by side, getting in their workout and pushing one another.  Siblings running together and not crossing the finish line until little brother or sister was there by their side! Very cool!
If that's not motivation to stay fit as a family, I'm not sure what is!  
My son Jake not only wants to play baseball in the spring but also wants to sign up for track :)

I was VERY proud of my boys, that's for sure!  Next year, it'll be all four of us out there!  I was on the fun run committee so that left Mommy working the finish line, but from there I was able to cheer on my family at the beginning and toward the end of their race!  I was yelling and had goosebumps-very proud!  


Here comes the chilly weather, time for some homemade chicken noodle soup!
This recipe is so easy, but so delicious!  Friends and Family will think you spent hours preparing this soup and it takes very little prep and time!  This recipe has been in my family for years and it's the best remedy for a stuffy nose!  It worked on my two boys this week while they weren't feeling so great...give it a try-I think you'll love it 

You'll Need:
1 lb chicken tenderloins, boneless and skinless
1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
4-5 stalks celery, chopped 
1/2 bag baby carrots
1/2 bag of your choice whole wheat/grain noodles
s&p to taste

Boil chicken until cooked through.  I chopped chicken once it was cooked and returned to water/broth.  Add onion, celery and carrot and simmer until carrots are tender and onions transparent.  Add noodles and boil with soup for about 15 minutes, or until noodles al dente.  Add a little salt and pepper to taste, I used sea salt.  ENJOY!  
I served this hot soup with a little Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top and the boys LOVED it, so did we!  


Today's Workout:  3 miles with my husband!  It's great when we're able to workout side by side...helps us stay motivated and focused and I usually eat his dust, so it pushes me A LOT harder!  Plus now that we have Molly-our yellow lab, she actually pushes me to run faster while I'm jogging with her on the leash, sounds crazy but now I have even more pressure to RUN FAST!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

low cal AND quick!

Who doesn't love a great recipe that's 300 calories, quick and delicious?
Sounds like a great solution on those nights where you don't feel like standing in the kitchen for hours, but still want to prepare a healthy meal for your family!
Here are just a few...

Bean Veggie Burgers - womansday.com

  • 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
  • 4 Morningstar Farms® Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burgers
  • 1 can(s) (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • cup(s) sliced green onions
  • 1 1/3 cup(s) salsa, divided
  • teaspoon(s) chipotle chili powder or chili powder
  • 1 cup(s) (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
  • 3 cup(s) sliced lettuce
  • 1/3 cup(s) fat-free sour cream
  • Sliced green onions (optional)
  1. Use back of spoon to slightly mash beans. Stir in 1/2 cup onions, 1/3 cup of the salsa, and chili powder. Spread bean mixture on each tortilla just below center. Sprinkle veggieburger pieces and cheese on top of bean mixture. Fold bottom edges of tortillas over filling. Fold in sides. Roll up. Secure with toothpicks, if necessary.
  2. On baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray or lined with parchment paper, place tortilla packages, seam side up. Bake at 350 degrees about 15 minutes or until heated through and beginning to brown.
  3. Arrange lettuce on six serving plates. Top with tortilla packages, removing toothpicks, if used. Spoon remaining 1 cup salsa and sour cream on top. Sprinkle with additional onion if desired.

bettycrocker.com

Feta-topped Chicken
  4        boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 1/4 lb)
2
tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette dressing
1
teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4
teaspoon seasoned pepper
1
large roma (plum) tomato, cut into 8 slices
1/4
cup crumbled feta cheese (1 oz)
Set oven control to broil. Brush both sides of chicken breasts with dressing. Sprinkle both sides with Italian seasoning and seasoned pepper. Place on rack in broiler pan.
Broil with tops 4 inches from heat about 10 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Top with tomato and cheese. Broil 2 to 3 minutes longer or until cheese is lightly browned.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

cookinglight.com

  • quarts water $
  • (12-ounce) package broccoli florets
  • (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves$
  • (12-ounce) can evaporated fat-free milk $
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (about 1 ounce)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Dash of nutmeg
  • 1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • (10.75-ounce) can condensed 30% reduced-sodium 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
  • Cooking spray

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. Bring water to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add broccoli, and cook 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Transfer broccoli to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add chicken to boiling water; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until done. Transfer chicken to a cutting board; cool slightly. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, and add chicken to bowl with broccoli.
  3. Combine evaporated milk, flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in a saucepan, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add mayonnaise, next 4 ingredients (through soup), and 1/2 cup cheese, stirring until well combined. Add mayonnaise mixture to broccoli mixture; stir gently until combined.
  4. Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until mixture bubbles at the edges and cheese begins to brown. Remove from oven; let cool on a wire rack 5 minutes.


Today's Workout:  
My boys rode their bikes and I had our newest family member, Molly!  She's a 9 month old lab 
and her birthday is the same day as mine!  Awe!  
My cousin and her husband are moving to Japan-today, he is in the Navy.  So this left a pretty pup looking for a new home and we jumped on it since our 10 year old lab decided to stay living with my Mom due to her dog missing her companion(our dog) a little too much :(  

Monday, October 22, 2012

Make the Commitment!


My husband and I are registered to take part, I hope you will decide to participate in your area too!  

My readers will get $5 off their registration by using code CORP0598 

The Houston location will take place at our brand new stadium, so that should be FUN!  When you find the location nearest you, keep in mind it is not a race, it's a movement to get people HEALTHY!  Inspire your friends and invite neighbors, co-workers, friends and family to be there with you!  Make it a family event and commit to a healthier way of life, together!!



You have heard the troubling stats affecting our nation-
o   Two in three individuals are considered overweight or obese, generating $190.2 billion in health expenses in year and quickly becoming the number one killer of Americans 1
o   Ultimately, we are living a lifestyle that will destroy us
Well, Life Time has made a commitment to focus on reversing the current, destructive state of health and poor nutrition by revolutionizing the resolution and urging all Americans to commit to a healthy and active way of life through Commitment Day. People of all ages and physical abilities are encouraged to commit and extend a helping hand to others to do the same. It’s a movement to unify the nation around a cause for much needed change, before it is irreversible. Anyone interested in making a commitment can log on to share their personal pledges toward better health at www.CommitmentDay.com, a new site dedicated to sharing the power of positive change.
As part of the movement, 

Life Time will also host a simultaneous 5K-run/walk event in 35 cities to kick off the New Year. On January 1, 2013 (11:00 a.m. ET, 10:00 a.m. CT, 9:00 a.m. MT and 8:00 a.m. PT) hundreds of thousands of Americans will join together in support of healthy people, a healthy planet and a healthy way of life. Run, walk, skip, dance or jog with your family, co-workers and neighbors and make a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle while helping others do the same. Select your city and register at www.CommitmentDay.com.

30+ CITIES.

ONE MOVEMENT.

The first day of 2013 will be one to remember. In a city near you, thousands of people will set out to do a 5K and end up starting a movement. Men, women, families, co-workers and neighbors are making a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle while helping others do the same. Go ahead, join the movement.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

an old and a new?


 Move It Momma 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 or corn 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 :)

I created this recipe a few years ago and it is a HUGE family favorite! This time I made half corn/half carb balance...boys enjoyed these both ways, but I liked these 
Mission Corn and Whole Wheat blend for a different flavor!  
They are really good! Have you seen them in your grocery store?  
They have 3 or 4 different flavors so I'd eventually like to try them all.  

As far as workouts, I'm going strong 7 days a week...I feel like I'm stuck in a workout rut-wishing for something amazing to happen or for me to find some incredible workouts to change it up.  
I love running.  I love getting out there, setting a goal and reaching it.  I love the feeling after a good run at a great pace(for me) and getting my sweat on!  woohoo! 

HOWEVER, I am ready for a little workout mix up!  To shake things up a bit so I'll let ya know when I find what I'm looking for...


...and now for something to think about,

TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE
None of us are perfect.  
When it comes to your children and your family, lead by example.  
Don't tell them to be active or to do well at soccer, football or baseball practice while you sit there munching on a bag of chips.  
SHOW them what being active looks like as a parent.  Put on your running or walking shoes and take a few laps while they're practicing.  
Walk the dog as a family.  
Go to the park and instead of sitting on your cell phone walk around, play catch or shoot some hoops!  
Your kids will LOVE being active with you.  Trust me!  
While teaching Physical Education, I listened to my students as they complained about their house being full of junk food.  The pantry spilling over with cookies and Doritos.  They'd be upset that everyone in their home would immediately run to an electronic device after school.  I listened as they told me they wanted so badly for their Mom or Dad to take them on a bike ride or to the local park.  
Believe it or not, all of our children WANT to be healthy.  They want to know what's good for them and what is not.  They would be so excited to show me their "GO" or "healthy food" that they tried or was packed in their lunch that day.
The overweight and obese children are especially craving to learn about ways to become healthier or be active with someone and not alone.  Don't make them struggle ALONE.  Be their inspiration or their guide.  Let them feel that they are not in it alone.  

We are ALL busy.  
We all have many things that we juggle in a day whether it be work, school, cooking, cleaning, taxi service(how most of us feel with children), or ALL OF THE ABOVE.  
The important thing is to make time.  We make time for flash cards and homework, why not make time to focus on taking care of them physically and mentally through exercise and diet.  It makes a difference in each child.  I was fascinated by statistics in my studies on health and physical education and since I graduated from college, the stats have only increased...in a negative, more frightening way.  
Start small and commit to once or twice a week-  
Turn Family Game Night into a game of baseball in your backyard!  
Make a healthy meal as a family.  My boys love to help me in the kitchen when I'm trying a new and healthy recipe 
Take 30-45 minutes and dedicate that to physical activity.  
-The Move It Momma

How do you LEAD BY EXAMPLE in your day to day life?
Have you tried the new Mission Artisan tortillas?  Mmm, you're missing out :)


Monday, October 8, 2012

bathing suit or jeans?

Bathing suits?


Jeans?
I'm not sure which picture belongs on my fridge, but I know it's a toss up between bathing suit season and tight-fitting jeans season!  Ugh, which one motivations me more?...I'm not too sure!  

What about YOU?

The not-so-great news, Thanksgiving and Christmas are slowly creeping up on us 

...and you know what that means?
The holidays are a time of family, friends and lots of FOOD!  Like ridiculous amounts of party food that is usually high in fat and calories and low in protein and fiber :-( so that makes the fall/winter time one where we must stay motivated, push through our workouts and eat healthy as often as possible!  

Yes, that means the occasional splurge is okay but not recommended on a daily basis when trying to lose weight or improve our fitness levels!  

Some steps to help keep us on track throughout the holidays,
  • WORKOUT!  Find a buddy or several buddies to keep you in check when it comes to your workouts.  Stay focused on your fitness goals and this will help keep your workouts happening throughout the week!  Use myfitnesspal or other tracking resources to help.
  • FIND A HEALTHY EATING PLAN! You know there will be parties with lots of temptation so it's important to step up your eating most of the time so that you are able to indulge at a few parties throughout the holiday season!
  • SET GOALS for both of the above!!  Check back often and re-evaluate your eating and exercise, remember change things up so the body doesn't get bored or used to the same foods/workouts.
  • PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN!  Chances are, you aren't getting enough of it so try pairing each meal with protein!  This also helps in limiting the sugary carb snacking...makes ya think before you grab that bag or box of processed snacks each and every time
  • DON'T GET HUNGRY!  Meaning to snack on healthy foods throughout the day, rather than skipping meals and find yourself so hungry that you over eat and indulge at meal time.
  • EAT BEFORE A PARTY!  This way you don't arrive so hungry that you'll eat way too much of the party foods.  Most likely those party foods are going to be loaded with fat, contain little protein and fiber and they'll be poppable which means you'll wanna eat more.  Be prepared before arrival!!
Hold yourself accountable this holiday season.  
Increase your workouts and watch your portions!  This time of year in Texas is great for getting outdoors!  It's getting cooler which means you can take advantage of walking, running, biking, hiking, etc!  
Try adding some healthy options to your Thanksgiving or Christmas feast with family.  Have them try something new and healthy, so that your family can start healthier traditions for the future.  
Don't think that because the holidays are approaching you do not have to continue eating healthy, use it as motivation so when your family sees you for the first time in a while they are impressed, motivated and inspired :)

Try something new this year! Don't save your motivation for January 1st...start RIGHT NOW!!!

What are your thoughts on staying healthy throughout the holidays?

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

please "like" and help us out!!

**UPDATE:  She's only leading by less than 10 "likes", please help!**
Once you click link below, go to Isabella likes Space Center Orthodontics...should be toward the top!

Meet Justin Bieber,

Meet my cousin, Bella!


My cousin, Bella (she's in 3rd grade) has entered a Justin Bieber contest through her orthodontist office where she could win 2 Bieber tickets to his show at the end of October!  

How she wins:
It's all about the "likes" on Facebook and since I do not have a Facebook account, 
I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

Here's Isabella and I!  
She's a sweetheart!  Her and I have the best time together, she's like the daughter I'll never have :)  
SO please help us because I think she might take me with her to the concert...
and I'm totally a Bieber fan too!!  I used to wear NKOTB buttons and was their biggest fan, so you can guarantee I'll be all dressed up for this one too!  

Please "like" and pass the link to ANYBODY else that you think will help!  
She's competing with other children so we need LOTS more!!!  

Thanks in advance for helping my Bella!!

Here's the link:

Monday, October 1, 2012

did someone say PUMPKIN?

you'll need:

for the cake, 
2 cups whole wheat baking mix
2/3 cup 1% milk 
1 egg
2 tbs granulated sugar
1 tbs mixture of ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 tbs flaxseed meal

 Topping,
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tbs butter cold
1tsp of ground cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
Mix until crumbly

Mix all ingredients for cake, pour into Pyrex add topping and bake at 400 for 20minutes!

This was thrown together the other day when it was raining!  It was a HUGE hit with my family!
There's nothing better than a recipe that turns out perfectly, especially on a rainy day when we're stuck indoors!  YUM :)

Today's Workout: 3.4 miles with my three year old cruising in the jogging stroller!  The weather was breezy and mid-70's...AWESOME!!  I averaged a 10 minute pace throughout, which is a big improvement for me so I'm happy!  Then it was back the the house for some squats, lunges, push ups and ab work!  I feel like I'm back in the groove, so let's hope it sticks!  
     Fall means LOTS of local 5K's and other races, so get out there and be active!  At this time last year, my husband and I were training for the Houston half marathon and although I'm sad to know we won't be doing it this year, it opens the doors for other racing opportunities...a chance to do things out of our comfort zone and that's a great feeling!  

I think often times we are afraid of stepping out of our comfort zone when it comes to exercise and weight loss.  We know a certain way of life that works, that's easy and familiar. If we drift from that, we often feel afraid.  I challenge you to step away, do something different and new.  If it's losing weight, try exploring new healthy foods.  If it's exercise, try signing up for a local run with your family.  Try a group fitness class at your local gym!  ANYTHING THAT IS NEW TO YOU!!!  New can be scary but also exciting!  You may find something that you love and it will change your outlook on fitness and healthy living!  You never know until you TRY!  
"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar"- Raymond Lindquist

If you missed my post on Color in Motion, check it out here to take advantage of the discounts they've offered my readers.