Top 10 Foods to Avoid Completely

In honor of 10-10-10...

Quick! How many can you name? Are you thinking anything fried, fatty and overly sugary? Check and see if you are right here.

7 Fake Health Foods

Hungry for a protein bar? Yep, there on the "fake health food" list. Like most "convenience foods" its all about label reading and not all protein bars are created equal. Sadly I read this after buying a months supply of Zone Protein bars at Costco. I did look at the label, but then the "marketing monster" got me and I thought, its "The Zone" bars...they have to be ok. In truth, there are candy bars that are better for you then these.

Check out more fake health foods here.

Fat Fighting Foods

If you are going to eat, why not make it a food choice that fights fat while you digest?

Makes sense to me as I have fully embraced the 80/20 rule. Every day I eat 80% healthy and include a lot of these fat fighting foods. As I have said before life is short and I love to indulge and treat myself with food goodies. That is where the 20% comes in. Ok...sometimes that number is a bit higher, but 80/20 is so much easier to remember.

34 Easy Secrets to Great Health

Shhh.....they are supposed to be secrets! Well, not really secrets, but things anyone can do to keep healthy. Read about them here and then do 'em. ;-)

I know, I know, easier said then done, but its always good to know...

Am I the last person on the planet to try P90X?

I've heard about the P90X workout now for over a year. It seems like every other person I know is installing a chin up bar in their basement and slapping down a few bucks for resistance bands. I was under the assumption that mucho equipment was needed for this workout, but evidently that is not the case.

Dave and I finally got a hold of a copy. We enjoyed previewing it the other night. Keep in the mind the word preview. It had a been a long busy day. No energy for a workout, but plenty o' energy for ice cream, peanuts and caramel while we viewed this new craze. Snack? Yum! P90X? Lots of possibilities...!

Of course, I would need to get over the cheesiest of the instructor, but doesn't every workout DVD have a somewhat overly enthusiastic instructor? Read more about P90X here and ask me about putting down the bowl of ice cream and giving it a good 90 day effort!

Getting Leggy

Longer. Leaner. Stronger. Legs!

I am kind of glad shorts season is departing and jeans weather is here. Here are the top ways to get your legs ready for 'em! I hope you are more motivated to do these on your own, I'm not, but if I happen to be in one of my exercise classes and we do them then its just fine. Something about group misery makes it more manageable!

20 Simple Stress Reducers

Who doesn't need a little bit of stress relief? I love how these stress reducers can be implemented right away. The last thing you want is to walk around super stressed. Not only is that no fun, but stress builds up cortisol in your body which leads to rapid weight gain around the mid section.

Take a deep breath and read on!

My Dream Workout

Kettlebell Yoga! How cool would that be?! My love of yoga isn't anything new, but kettlebell workouts are something I have had my eye on for awhile. My gym won't invest in the kettlebells now, but c'mon even the YMCA has kettlebell classes. Read more here about how awesome this Yoga and Kettlebell option would be!

Once again I will look at this as an opprtunity...hmmmm...

Tips to Boost Energy and Feel More Healthy

Who wouldn't want more energy? Its easy to become dependent on the morning coffee or the afternoon diet coke. I'm definitely not perfect, homemade frappuccinos have been my vice on these hot August afternoons. This is the best list I have seen out there that encompasses all of the natural elements of mind, spirit and body to achieve more energy. Check it out here!

Give TRX a Try!

I know I have professed my love for yoga many times, but I still love trying new workouts to keep the boredom at bay. Last week my gym offered trial sessions of TRX which is basically using your own body for resistance and strength building. Its sweeping the nation and people are loving it.

It was fun, it was different. Best of all, I was still sore three days after. A good kind of sore. Downside, there is a "more then it should be" cost involved if you take the class at my gym. This surprises me because I have never seen a workout with so few materials needed. There is just a suspension rope with handles. That's it. Even yoga and Pilates have more materials.

I am going to look at it a different way though. From a business or franchise stand point, this would be the thing to start. Little equipment needed, not much training involved to instruct. hmmm.....anyone looking to start a business?!

For the time being, I am thinking this will be thing that will fill this "urge" inside me...for now! ;-)

Breakfast is the Best!

A bowl of cheerios with milk just ain't going to cut it! Its my favorite meal to eat of the day and its the most important. Your body lies dormant all night. Eating in the morning revs up your metabolism so you are burning calories all day. If you don't eat, your body stays dormant. Its the simple, but so important.

My mom is now onboard. Even my kids could tell you why eating a complete breakfast is so important. Still working on my husband, but thats because Diet Mountain Dew isn't a food group yet. ;-)

Read more here about why stuffing yourself at breakfast is the way to go! So Fuel that body up!

Ignite Your Calorie Burn

If you are going to take the time to work out, get the most bang for your buck. I don't want to spend any more time then I have to at the gym so here are some ways to make the most of your time and torch those calories.

A few tips include varying time between high intensity and low intensity. Those kind of interval workouts can be just as effective in 2o minutes then running at the same pace for 45 minutes.

Check out other great tips and ideas here.

The Urge is Back

It took two months off, but I am now feeling the desire to jump back in the saddle and begin training again. After the Hy-Vee Triathlon in June, I was ready for a break. There were a lot of components tied to that.

1. My body needed a break after following such a training schedule for five months.

2. The kids were home for the summer and I wanted to be able to run around with them and stay up late with smores and fireflies.

3. The teacher mentality in me just knows summer is more unstructured. I didn't want to have to set an alarm to get my work outs in. This didn't prevent me from still waking up at 5:30/6, but the point was, what if I did sleep in?! I wanted to be prepared!

4. By June was ready to take a break from swimming, biking and running. I had fun going to some fun classes at the gym and doing a bit more yoga, of course!

I indulged, I had my fill and I had my fun! What's next? Let me take some time to explore all of the possibilities and make some decisions. For the first time in two months, I want to do it and that feels good!

Homemade Protein Bars

This is it! This is the one! Thanks to Money Saving Mom, I found a recipe I really like. I mean, I really love. Slight problem though. I made them yesterday and they are now gone. Just nibbling here and there leads to an empty pan. The kids did love them too, but I didn't really share that many....

Good news though, I usually have all these ingredients on hand AND they will be perfect for lunch boxes because they are peanut free, but have the protein, carbs, and healthy fat to sustain the kids all day at school.

Homemade Protein Bars

1 mashed banana
1 1/2 cups dry oatmeal
2 Tablespoons flax seed, ground
2-4 scoops protein powder
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup coconut oil or butter, melted
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup water
1 large chocolate bar (I used organic dark chocolate) or 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients but chocolate together well (mixture will be somewhat sticky). Line an 8×8-inch pan with foil and spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Melt chocolate on the stove or in the microwave. Drizzle or spread over the mixture in the pan.

Place the pan in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Cut into 10 -12 bars and wrap in plastic wrap and/or foil and store in the freezer.

Thaw slightly before serving.

10 Reasons to Try Yoga

Try it, you'll like it! (Sorry the Yo Gabba Gabba CD of Max's is running through my head), but its true! Megan and Lucy have gone a couple of times and proclaimed it "fun." Not the usual word to describe yoga, but they can't wait to go again. Dave has tried it and bestowed it...........

Its so much more then stretching. I rarely life weights anymore because I feel like my muscles get strenghtened and strong from yoga once a week. I love how there are so many levels with it, so it is adaptable to all fitness levels. I know somewhere down my pipeline of life, I want to learn more about it and see where I can go yoga, but for the time being I am quite content with my favorite 5 pm Sunday nite yoga class.

Check out 10 great reasons to try yoga here!

and by the way...check out Yo Gabba Gabba too. Talk about quirky catchy songs for kids! "Try it, you'll like it...!"

Tired of store bought energy bars? Try these!

I love energy bars. They are so convenient and portable. After our Master Cleanse Detox, Dave is interested in eating healthier and at more regular times. Its harder for him because he is on the go a lot and it is too difficult for him to know exactly where he is going to be and when.

I am excited about these DIY energy bar recipes because you have the control over exactly what goes in. A lot of times the prepackaged energy bars are full of sugar and other not so desirable contents. Check it out! I am betting even the kids will love them!

Day 8 Master Cleanse Detox

Day 8:

Today is the last day. We are out of maple syrup. I know excuses, excuses, but you would be amazed at how fast two people go through it. We went through 3 bottles of it at $15 a bottle so it was a little investment. In light, we did save a some on groceries! The kids enjoyed the week with nothing "new or different" being served. Talk about kid friendly meals for them all week with macaroni, ravioli, hot dogs, nuggets....they were in heaven!

With several social and fun things coming up, Dave and I felt like it was time to wind down this detox. I am so glad to we did it. I feel like its purpose has been served will never regret doing it. It was awesome going through it together. I do feel more energetic, have been sleeping fabulously and would like to think I am not so food obsessed. I will have to post a follow up on Dave with the caffeine addiction and let you know what happens. I for one will still definitely indulge in sweets (life is short!), but would like to be more appreciative. It is all about slowing down and enjoying what we have!

Master Cleanse intro
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Day 7 of Master Cleanse Detox

Day 7:

Ugh, another day of making shakes. I have gotten pretty fast at it, but I am ready to be done. I miss chewing. I miss sitting down to eat as a family. I miss all of the social aspects of food. I feel really good, but feel like I have completed this process. I did this for many reasons. with weight loss not being among them. I honestly do feel like I have rested and cleaned my digestive system and have gotten better control of food addictions. I want to be done, but am not saying anything because Dave is still at it (although growing weary with it).

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

12 Secrets for Staying Young

We all know how fast time goes, but we don't need to look it. What I love these stay young and energetic tips is that they are simple, easy and practically free. We all know we should be doing them anyway, right?! Its always good to hear it again...!

Day 6 of Master Cleanse Detox

Day 6:

Everyone was worn out today from our late night at the drive in movie and all of the storms the night before. Dave and I went for a nice fifteen 15 bike ride and took the kids to the pool and bookstore. It was a very relaxed day, but I was amazed at the amount of energy Dave has had. He biked, played hard with the kids in the pool and then went to the driving range for a few hours. I have seen a big change in him and really see the detox working through him. I feel good too, but did have pangs of regret after my 5 pm yoga night. Sunday night is usually our huge dinner meal where we grill quite a bit (and enjoy leftovers for part of the week) and I always look forward to that time as a family and winding down our weekend.

Instead, the kids made their own mini pizzas, which were extremely tempting. Dave and I let the kids eat inside on their own and enjoyed our lemonades on the deck. One thing we both are liking is the Sienna tea we drink at night. Almost feel like a little old couple sipping tea together in our rocking chairs.