Mommy-ness!

Practicing my cheesy smile for the interview. I’m very...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 08:25:28 -0500

Practicing my cheesy smile for the interview. I’m very nervous I have no idea what to expect. But trying to remain calm, remember that I am awesome even though I don’t feel like it right now and appear confident.. Smile!! 😁 #selfie

Banana Greek yogurt pancakes topped with a drizzle of pb and...

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 12:27:58 -0400

Banana Greek yogurt pancakes topped with a drizzle of pb and homemade clean chocolate sauce.. YUM!!! #cleaneating #eatclean #food #breakfast #chocolate (Taken with instagram)

jar-of-glitter: Read more on food addictions: 1, 2, This is...

Wed, 30 May 2012 17:00:21 -0400

jar-of-glitter:

Read more on food addictions: 1, 2,

This is very interesting because I sometimes feel like I am a recovering junk food eater. I look back on how I used to eat and can’t believe that I have drastically reduced my consumption of ice cream, king sized Kit Kat bars, soda, candies, BBQ chips, McDonalds chicken nuggets, etc. I mean I used to eat this type of food daily! Daily I would have a big bowl of cookie n cream ice cream over a blueberry eggo waffle with cool whip & bananas on top. Mornings consisted of frosted flakes or apple jacks. And most of the time I would skip lunch because I was so busy or have some kind of candy bar mid day.

Wow. I’ve come a long way.

#foodjournal #journal #personal #reflection

healthinthemoment: Balance squat!

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:46 -0400

healthinthemoment:

Balance squat!

ooh.. looks yummy :) beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood: Raw...

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:28:09 -0400

ooh.. looks yummy :)

beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood:

Raw Collard Greens Sushi Rolls…RECIPE

One clean eating principle is to not own one of these scales. It...

Mon, 14 May 2012 15:18:28 -0400

One clean eating principle is to not own one of these scales. It can stress us out which is counterproductive to weight loss goals. Ur be conscious of your weight but please always remember that it is just a number. Even better focus on your measurements and clothes sizes. They are much better indicator of progress. #healthtip #fitmama #fit #healthy #myweightdoesnotdefineme (Taken with instagram)

healthinthemoment: Flavored water. Perfect for summer.

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:22:14 -0400

healthinthemoment:

Flavored water. Perfect for summer.

healthinthemoment: I love how colorful, organized, and clean...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:54:15 -0400

healthinthemoment:

I love how colorful, organized, and clean this fridge is.

Example of a “clean” fridge:)

healthinthemoment: I can’t stress enough how far a good diet...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:02:18 -0400

healthinthemoment:

I can’t stress enough how far a good diet can take you. The food you eat literally becomes you - your skin, hair, nails, cells, etc. To be healthy you must eat healthy. I realize that this is harder for some people than for others but I believe that once you get used to the way eating clean makes you feel and look, it will become a lifestyle.

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes TIP: I used a cupcake tin to hold the...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:01:21 -0400

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

TIP: I used a cupcake tin to hold the tomatoes together while baking!

Ingredients

4 tomatoes, halved horizontally

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450° F.

Place tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet. Top with Parmesan, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

~ 62 calories per half tomato.

Yummy side idea

healthinthemoment: Let’s talk about the importance of weight...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:22:45 -0400

healthinthemoment:

Let’s talk about the importance of weight training, especially for us girls.

From mayoclinic.com:

You know exercise is good for you. Ideally, you’re looking for ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. If your aerobic workouts aren’t balanced by a proper dose of strength training, though, you’re missing out on a key component of overall health and fitness. Despite its reputation as a “guy” or “jock” thing, strength training is important for everyone. With a regular strength training program, you can reduce your body fat, increase your lean muscle mass and burn calories more efficiently.

Strength training also helps you:

Develop strong bones. By stressing your bones, strength training increases bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Control your weight. As you gain muscle, your body gains a bigger “engine” to burn calories more efficiently — which can result in weight loss. The more toned your muscles, the easier it is to control your weight.

Reduce your risk of injury. Building muscle helps protect your joints from injury. It also contributes to better balance, which can help you maintain independence as you age.

Boost your stamina. As you get stronger, you won’t fatigue as easily.

Manage chronic conditions. Strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions, including arthritis, back pain, depression, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis.

Sharpen your focus. Some research suggests that regular strength training helps improve attention for older adults.

Strength training is something I have been doing for the past 10 years. I like to lift atleast twice a week and do a mix of upper, lower, and core exercises. Besides the obvious benefit of looking sexier, developing muscle has also made me feel mentally stronger and more confident. If you don’t already strength train, I encourage you to start now. You will love the results!

Yes!!!

#lunch.. Made a simple #sandwich with leftover chicken breast,...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:12:36 -0400

#lunch.. Made a simple #sandwich with leftover chicken breast, simple spinach salad with honey mustard vinaigrette, avocado & some fruit to satisfy my sweet tooth. #hungry #health #stayfit #stayhealthy #salad (Taken with instagram)

Looks delish! will definitely add this to my...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:01:56 -0400

Looks delish! will definitely add this to my list…

beurrejaune:

Mediterranean Tomato and Bean Stew

Vegan, healthy, and very satisfying! This is great for getting in your daily protein and fiber needs. The spices and herbs give it a ton of flavor (garbanzo beans need plenty of help). Eating healthy does not mean your taste buds have to suffer (my new motto in the kitchen).

Not sure if this is totally mediterranean, but it sounds better than Tomato, Spinach, Garbanzo and Black Beans Stew. Haha.

Serves: 8-10

2 cans (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed thoroughly
2 cans (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed thoroughly
1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes, juices reserved
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
15 oz water
2 cups carrot, chopped into half rounds or small dice
1 bag spinach
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 tbsp garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp red chili flakes
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp kosher salt, adjust to taste
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme

1. Heat up extra virgin olive oil in a large pot on medium fire. Sweat the onions and carrots until tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaves, dried herbs, spices, and salt. Cook the garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

2. Add black beans, garbanzo beans, water, and tomato sauce. Squeeze whole peeled tomatoes with your hands (gently!) and add to the pot with the reserved juices. Stir occasionally and allow to cook down, about 30 minutes (less if you want more broth, more if you want a thicker stew). Lower the heat if it starts to boil. Taste, taste, taste as you cook and adjust the seasoning and spices to your liking. It’s done when you get a nice thick broth and beans are tender.

3. Once you achieve the texture you want, add spinach and let the steam from the stew cook it down. Gently mix it into the stew.

Serve warm. Enjoy this with lettuce (lettuce wraps!), quinoa, or by itself.

Soooo… It is now 8:40pm and I couldn’t make it to...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:45:05 -0400

Soooo… It is now 8:40pm and I couldn’t make it to the gym due to poor planning on my part.. Luckily I follow @onefitmom and will be doing this home workout riiiiiight about…. NOW!! #fitmom #stayfit #stayhealthy (Taken with instagram)

Quick tip: instead of putting all your leftovers in one...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:04:29 -0400

Quick tip: instead of putting all your leftovers in one Tupperware, divide them up so tht u can just grab em when packing your lunches :) (Taken with instagram)

fit-and-slim: 1. Build muscle Our bodies constantly burn...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:58:56 -0400

fit-and-slim:

1. Build muscle

Our bodies constantly burn calories, even when we’re doing nothing. This resting metabolic rate is much higher in people with more muscle. Every pound of muscle uses about 6 calories a day just to sustain itself, while each pound of fat burns only 2 calories daily. That small difference can add up over time. In addition, after a bout of resistance training, muscles are activated all over your body, increasing your average daily metabolic rate.

2. Step up your workout

Aerobic exercise may not build big muscles, but it can rev up your metabolism in the hours after a workout. The key is to push yourself. High-intensity exercise delivers a bigger, longer increase in resting metabolic rate than low- or moderate-intensity workouts. To get the benefits, try a more intense class at the gym or include short bursts of jogging during your regular walk.

3. Fuel up with water

The body needs water to process calories. If you are even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down. In one study, adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank four. To stay hydrated, drink a glass of water or other unsweetened beverage before every meal and snack. In addition, try munching on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are full of fluid, rather than pretzels or chips.

4. Sinless snacking

Eating more really can help you lose weight — eating more often, that is. When you eat large meals with many hours in between, you train your metabolism to slow down. Having a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours keeps your metabolism cranking, so you burn more calories over the course of a day. Several studies have also shown that people who snack regularly eat less at meal time

5. Spice up your meals

Spicy foods contain chemical compounds that kick the metabolism into high gear. Eating a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can boost your metabolic rate. The effect is likely temporary, but if you eat spicy foods often, the benefits may add up. For a quick boost, spice up pasta dishes, chili, and stews with red-pepper flakes.

6. Recharge with green tea

Drinking green tea or oolong tea offers the combined benefits of caffeine and catechins, substances shown to rev up the metabolism for a couple hours. Research suggests that drinking two to four cups of either tea may push the body to burn 17% more calories than normal for a short period of time.

Lift weights! Train hard! Drink water! Eat often! Sleep!! Formula for a healthy body, healthy life :)

healthinthemoment: So good. I’m working to think more like...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:56:45 -0400

healthinthemoment:

So good. I’m working to think more like this.

If you don’t love yourself before. You won’t love yourself after.

Be happy with yourself and appreciate all of YOU because YOU are worth it!! Love yourself enough to work for what YOU DESERVE!!

fit-and-slim: 1. Build muscle Our bodies constantly burn...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:54:24 -0400

fit-and-slim:

1. Build muscle

Our bodies constantly burn calories, even when we’re doing nothing. This resting metabolic rate is much higher in people with more muscle. Every pound of muscle uses about 6 calories a day just to sustain itself, while each pound of fat burns only 2 calories daily. That small difference can add up over time. In addition, after a bout of resistance training, muscles are activated all over your body, increasing your average daily metabolic rate.

2. Step up your workout

Aerobic exercise may not build big muscles, but it can rev up your metabolism in the hours after a workout. The key is to push yourself. High-intensity exercise delivers a bigger, longer increase in resting metabolic rate than low- or moderate-intensity workouts. To get the benefits, try a more intense class at the gym or include short bursts of jogging during your regular walk.

3. Fuel up with water

The body needs water to process calories. If you are even mildly dehydrated, your metabolism may slow down. In one study, adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank four. To stay hydrated, drink a glass of water or other unsweetened beverage before every meal and snack. In addition, try munching on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are full of fluid, rather than pretzels or chips.

4. Sinless snacking

Eating more really can help you lose weight — eating more often, that is. When you eat large meals with many hours in between, you train your metabolism to slow down. Having a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours keeps your metabolism cranking, so you burn more calories over the course of a day. Several studies have also shown that people who snack regularly eat less at meal time

5. Spice up your meals

Spicy foods contain chemical compounds that kick the metabolism into high gear. Eating a tablespoon of chopped red or green chili pepper can boost your metabolic rate. The effect is likely temporary, but if you eat spicy foods often, the benefits may add up. For a quick boost, spice up pasta dishes, chili, and stews with red-pepper flakes.

6. Recharge with green tea

Drinking green tea or oolong tea offers the combined benefits of caffeine and catechins, substances shown to rev up the metabolism for a couple hours. Research suggests that drinking two to four cups of either tea may push the body to burn 17% more calories than normal for a short period of time.

Lift weights! Train hard! Drink water! Eat (healthy foods) often!! Id add sleep!! Golden recipe for a fit body.. Fit life!!

Late night #snack: Apple & PB 🍴💪😄#fitmama #stayfit #healthy...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:13:01 -0400

Late night #snack: Apple & PB 🍴💪😄#fitmama #stayfit #healthy #stayhealthy #realfood #eatclean #cleaneating (Taken with instagram)

Brought #leftover #steelcutoats for #breakfast at #work this...

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:51:47 -0400

Brought #leftover #steelcutoats for #breakfast at #work this #morning. Perfect way to end a long graveyard shift. #healthy #health #food #fitmama (Taken with instagram)