~Lunch Box Idea~

Put a Little Love in their Lunch Box!



Today I sent:
Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches Cut into the Shape of Hearts!
Carrots and Black Olives
Peach

~Music of the Minute~

~Going home means getting comfortable being who you are and who your soul really wants to be. There is no strain with that. The strain and tension come when we're not being who our soul wants to be and we're someplace where our soul doesn't feel at home~
Melody Beattie

~Book from the Club~

Quick Entertaining Read!

~He's BAAAAACKKKK!!!~

Mister Banana Dog himself has graced us with his presence!



Lunch Box Idea:
click here for more ideas



This is a PB&J Banana Dog on a Whole Wheat Bun = YUM! & Fun! Side of Baby Carrots and Pretzels

~Low Carb Pizza! Say What??~

Just in case you missed my last post...I am following a ~Low Carb "Diet"...in moderation~


Ok so the only way to omit the carbs from pizza is to omit the dough...uh oh! This is exactly why this type of eating plan is only temporary. I will say however that my level of fullness hasn't exactly changed. After dinner, I am left feeling satisfied and only missing the taste of the carbs I have eliminated. I do wake up in the morning feeling very hungry and make sure I have a hefty serving of ~Oatty Oat Oats~ to help make up for my lack of carbs in the evening. I had a good friend ask me if I was worried that I would gain weight back and then some after all is said and done. Let me remind you that I am not depriving myself of the healthy carbs, I am just choosing to consume them before 5 o'clock. But, believe me this is only a short plan and I am very much looking forward to resuming my normal eating habits.

While my family gets to eat this...






I'm eating this...


Oven-Baked Cheese Crisps

Ingredients:

* 1 cup grated hard cheese (such as Parmesean) - NOT the dried powdery stuff

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 F.

Note on type of cheese: You can use any kind, really, but the results will be different. Hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, Romano, Asagio, etc, will make a crisp "shell," whereas cheddar will be more chewy and "lacey" (the fat separates out), though still firm. Softer cheeses such as mozzerella will not work well.

Toss cheese with any seasonings you'd like -- garlic powder (about half a teaspoon for a cup of cheese), hot pepper powder, even cinnamon. Or leave plain.

Pile 1 to 4 Tablespoons of cheese (depending on the size you want) on a baking sheet covered with a silicone mat or parchment paper oiled on both sides. Flatten the tops so they are in more or less an even pile. There should be at least two inches between smaller mounds, 4 inches between larger ones.



And then I just basically sauteed the pizza toppings in a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar and topped with cheese~


In the mix...Spinach, Red Bell, Portobello, Broccoli, Garlic, Onion, Garlic Herb Chicken Sausage...YUMMY

~Low Carb "Diet"...in moderation~

I've never followed a fad diet or really restricted myself from food. I LOVE food...ALL of it and I will eat and enjoy pretty much anything! I have always practiced everything in moderation...even having days of over indulgence! I battled with hypothyroid and gained 55 pounds with both pregnancies. I busted my butt in the gym throughout my entire pregnancy with Rita and lost most of the weight before getting pregnant with Ruby. I realized very quickly that my body was going to do a repeat performance with pregnancy number 2 so I stopped stressing over the weight gain issue fairly quickly. I did work out but just not as much nor for as long....the weight has not been as easy to lose. I studied nutrition in college and now have been able to learn from experience that the ONLY way to lose weight is by counting calories and making sure you have more going out than going in. It truly is a perfect science!

I have always been a calorie counter. When I was first diagnosed with hypothyroid and I was more swollen with a slight weight gain, I immediately went to calorie counting. I would use three books and log everything I consumed and all of the nutritional information in a notebook. Today technology makes it super easy to do with some even having a bar code scanning function. I have been a big fan of Spark People and recently the My Fitness Pal app for the smartphones!

When I began the Whittle Your Middle workout plan, I started to not worry so much with the calorie counting. I spent that time blogging about my goals and accomplishments instead. Then, with the Interval Training I stopped altogether. I noticed that I would eat just a little more or have one more glass of wine or just a little bit of that won't hurt since I'm working so hard! Next thing you know I'm eating like I'm a kid with the fastest metabolism ever. Even with good food choices the calories add up! It is no longer my goal to get to my pre-pregnancy weight but I would love to drop just a few more pounds...they say the last 10 is the hardest!

I am now resorting to drastic measures. I have vowed to not eat carbs past 5 o'clock. Yes there are things that I eat for dinner that have a few carbs otherwise there wouldn't be anything to eat! And just for the record I am getting plenty of carbs during the day...just restricting at night. This is awkward for me. I take pride in just how much I enjoy food. I don't want to be that girl picking out the stuff I can't eat! It's too late...I'm already 6 days into it! I've found some pretty good recipes and ideas and I will share this short journey with you.

~Oats in a Dark Chocolate Dream~

Oats in a Jar...hmmm sounds mighty interesting to me. Oh look I have a pretty empty jar of Dark Chocolate Dreams...I guess I better give it a try. Oh WOW!! What a fantastic idea! YUM!



Not only do you end up with an easy clean up but you also get EVERY last drop of this dark chocolate dream. Adding the hot oatmeal just melted the chocolate peanut butter and gave me a sweet taste in every bite. Thanks to Fit Foodie Finds for so many amazing ideas and recipes!




I feed a family of four so i'll share my Oatty Oat Oats recipe with ya'll...

1 Cup of Multigrain Oats
1 Cup Oat Bran
1/4 Cup Flax Seeds
2 1/2 Cups Water
1 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk
Bring to a Simmer/Slight Boil, Cover and Cook until most water is absorbed and mixture thickens about 10 minutes. Steel Cut Oats take much longer!

I'll do an assortment of different toppings or sometimes add some banana or blueberries into the mix before cooking. For the Oats in a Jar, I layered Bananas, Oatmeal, Peanut Flour Sauce, and then topped with raisins, banana, and peanut flour sauce. This made a larger serving of oatmeal than I usually eat. That's okay cause I had two lil surfer girls very interested in helping out AND just wait till you hear all about my NO CARBS after 5 O'clock commitment...Umph!

~Week (Interval Training) SIX~

Week SIX: May 8-14

Wow! This is my last week of this interval training commitment! I truly feel as though I have taken control of my fitness with ~Whittle Your Middle~ and ~Interval Training~. I am happy that i've been able to find a place of doing this for my health and not just the numbers on a scale. I want to grow old gracefully and since having two children i've learned just how hard you have to work at this thing called life. Remember we create our own happiness so find something that makes you smile regularly :-)

SUN:
Day OFF!
~Happy Mother's Day~


MON:
25 Minute Interval Training on Treadmill
~2 min warm up followed by 3 min light jog
~1 min sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min increased sprint follwed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min increased sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 minute super sprint slowly decreasing until at recovery run pace to light jog for 5 minutes
~2 min cool down
Don't forget to stretch before and after!
30 Minute Interval Strength Training
15lbs 12 reps, 17.5lbs 8 reps, and 20lbs 4 reps: I will follow for each:
~Dumbbell shoulder press:
~Dumbbell Butterfly
~Dumbbell Bicep Curl
~Overhead Tricep Extension
~Front Shoulder Raise reduce weight to 12.5, 15 and 20 lb weights
~Tricep Kickbacks
~Weight Assisted Chinups and Dips...70(12) 60(8) 50(4)
Today I decided to start from heaviest to lightest just to change it up. I will most likely continue to do this in my workouts until I decide to challenge myself again!

20 minutes Elliptical



TUE:
Yoga
Body Flow
Yes I did both classes this morning and it felt great! I've been waiting to get the chance to try the Tuesday Power Yoga class and it was a great class but I still just love the Body Flow all around! Craig was off so we took advantage of it being just us for a change and rode our bikes to SeaWorld and enjoyed our time not having to lug around snacks, water, or two kids! We rode almost all of the rides we wouldn't typically be able to do! So much fun


WED:
Day Off

Thur:
Yoga

Fri:

25 Minute Interval Training on Treadmill
~2 min warm up followed by 3 min light jog
~1 min sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min increased sprint follwed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min increased sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 minute super sprint slowly decreasing until at recovery run pace to light jog for 5 minutes
~2 min cool down
Don't forget to stretch before and after!

30 Minute Interval Strength Training
~Squats: 50lbs 12reps, 70lbs 8reps, 90lbs 4 reps
~Hip Abductor: 80lbs 12reps, 95lbs 8reps, 110lbs 4 reps
~Hip Adductor: 80lbs 12reps, 95lbs 8reps, 110lbs 4 reps
~Standing Calf: 115lbs 12reps, 135lbs 8reps, 155lbs 4 reps
~Glute Machine: 50lbs 12reps, 60lbs 8reps, 70lbs 4 reps
~Leg Extension: 60lbs 12reps, 75lbs 8reps, 90lbs 4 reps
~Leg Curl: 50lbs 12reps, 60lbs 8reps, 70lbs 4 reps
~Walking Lunges: 30lbs 12reps, 40lbs 12reps, 50lbs 12 reps
Double lunges for all of 30lbs and half of 40

20 Minute Steady Elliptical
Good Day!


Sat:
Surf Yoga
Wow this DVD is pretty awesome. I did a sun salutation with 6 sets of 12 push ups...OH YEA!


~Week One~
~Week Two~
~Week Three~
~Week Four~
~Week Five~




DISCLAIMER:
Please note that I am not a physician, dietitian or a fitness trainer. You should always consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

~Foods of the Rainbow~

Lunch Box Idea:

Yea back to ole faithful in the lunch making department....



Baked Scoops, filled with beans and rice and topped with cheese, avocado and cilantro


This is a hit every time...and it doesn't matter how I create it...layer dip style, nacho style or even taco salad. Yum! Yum!

~Music of the Minute~

Oh yea this makes me wanna go out dancing!!!

~Week (Interval Training) Five~

Week Five: May 1-7

SUN:
Day OFF!
Was a busy work weekend. I worked and event today for Project Wildlife and spent my day outdoors in perfect weather seeing and hearing about animal rescues. It was super cool!


MON:
Bike (25 min) Run (30 min) Swim Bike(45 min)
What a wonderfully sunny day! Who needs the gym when we have a day like this. I did end up skipping the swim since I wasn't fully prepared. Craig came along...and even ran! He surfed in the morning and I slept in so we left in hurry that I forgot my goggles and surf vest! Still I biked 25 minutes there, then ran for 30 and after some much needed sun bathing R&R we had a nice leisure 45 minuted ride home! Today=Perfection!

TUE:
Body Flow

30 Minute Interval Strength Training
15lbs 12 reps, 17.5lbs 8 reps, and 20lbs 4 reps: I will follow for each:
~Dumbbell shoulder press:
~Dumbbell Butterfly
~Dumbbell Bicep Curl
~Overhead Tricep Extension
~Front Shoulder Raise reduce weight to 12.5, 15 and 20 lb weights
~Tricep Kickbacks
~Weight Assisted Chinups and Dips...70(12) 60(8) 50(4)


20 minutes Elliptical


WED:
25 Minute Interval Training on Treadmill
~2 min warm up followed by 3 min light jog
~1 min sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min increased sprint follwed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 min increased sprint followed by 2 min recovery run
~1 minute super sprint slowly decreasing until at recovery run pace to light jog for 5 minutes
~2 min cool down
Don't forget to stretch before and after!

30 Minute Interval Strength Training
~Squats: 50lbs 12reps, 70lbs 8reps, 90lbs 4 reps
~Hip Abductor: 80lbs 12reps, 95lbs 8reps, 110lbs 4 reps
~Hip Adductor: 80lbs 12reps, 95lbs 8reps, 110lbs 4 reps
~Standing Calf: 115lbs 12reps, 135lbs 8reps, 155lbs 4 reps
~Glute Machine: 50lbs 12reps, 60lbs 8reps, 70lbs 4 reps
~Leg Extension: 60lbs 12reps, 75lbs 8reps, 90lbs 4 reps
~Leg Curl: 50lbs 12reps, 60lbs 8reps, 70lbs 4 reps
~Walking Lunges: 30lbs 12reps, 40lbs 12reps, 50lbs 12 reps
Double lunges for all of 30lbs and half of 40

20 Minute Steady Elliptical
oh yea check check and check today is complete!

Thur:
Yoga



Fri:
4 mile run
Happy Birthday to ME! Wishing for some sunshine to go with that ocean breeze!
I skipped the gym this day and just hung out in that beautiful sunshine instead!


Sat:
Rest Day!!!
I had to make up for missing yesterdays run...I did Body Pump and 20 min on the elliptical.

~Week One~
~Week Two~
~Week Three~
~Week Four~





DISCLAIMER:
Please note that I am not a physician, dietitian or a fitness trainer. You should always consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.