Watch the video below for my thoughts on everything and to hear about my not-so-favorite item for the month!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/39mlWETdq10]
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had breakfast at our house with Jasen's parents and sister and then spent the afternoon with my fam. My cousin Allison made cute place cards this year. We were the Native Americans...
... and my cousins were the Pilgrims.
Here's my plate. I loaded up on roasted veggies (no surprise there), and got a sampling of other stuff, including mashed potatoes, a roll, organic beef, and cranberry sauce. I'm a lover of all things sour and the cranberry sauce is always made with me in mind. :)
For dessert, we had the option of cheesecake,
apple pie,
and pumpkin pie.
Jasen and I shared bites of all three.
What did you guys eat on Thanksgiving? I love to hear what's the same and what's different. Share in the comments below!
I don't know about you guys, but it is seriously dry in our house. We got a humidifier a little over a week ago, and that has certainly helped, but there is only so much you can do to combat this cold weather menace. About a year ago, I was having some intense dry skin issues on my face. I was using natural moisturizers like olive and coconut oil, but it seemed my face was too dry and the oil too heavy for it to really make a lasting effect. Kinda like hard, heavy rain on super dry ground. It just didn't soak in.
Just in time, I came across an amazing brand. Michael Todd True Organics is a natural skin care company that has a wide range of products for all skin types. I can't say enough good things about their stuff! After a short time of using the line, my skin totally changed. It was moisturized and silky. I was so excited, I was prompting people to touch my face and see how amazing my skin felt! I also have extremely sensitive skin. I mean, even things that are advertised as safe for sensitive skin cause irritation for me. After a year of using Michael Todd's products, I have had zero issues. Another great thing is that you can buy each product individually, or you can buy the entire set for your specific skin needs and get a big discount. The best thing is, the price point is totally reasonable. They're not bargain bin cheap by any means, but with so many $300 creams out there that are full of chemical junk, I think the prices they charge are reasonable for what you get. Plus, I only have to repurchase one or two times a year.
If you're interested in trying their stuff, be sure to use the code THANKU25 at checkout for 25% off everything on their website. The coupon expires on December 1, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST.
It's the time of year that everyone loves: the holidays! But with all of the fun also comes lots of yummy food that isn't always the healthiest. It's important to enjoy this time of year, but also to avoid the consequences of enjoying ourselves a little too much. Fear not, I'm here to help with a few tips. You can use all of them or pick and choose the ones that work for you. I don't think we need to be too crazy about being restrictive on these special days. As long as we treat them like the special occassion they are and eat well most other days, it's fine. At the same time, I don't want you to have that sick, overstuffed feeling that no one likes.
Note: Even though I'm posting this with the fall and winter holidays in mind, these tips can apply to any holiday or special event.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/2L8umOhC9bQ]
How do you stay healthy during the holidays? Share in the comments below!
The end is here! Here's the schedule for the final week:
This last week went really well. While none of the workouts were easy by any means, I could definitely tell that they were much more doable than they were last week. It's crazy how fast your body can improve and adapt and it's great to feel strong and capable while doing the most difficult workouts in the program.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this set for anyone who is looking for an intense and effective at home fitness program. It takes all the great things about Jillian's stand-alone DVDs (limited equipment required, 30 minute workouts, modifiable depending on individual ability) and puts them into a plan that gives you the most effective workout schedule. Each time I've done Body Revolution, I've seen changes in my strength and muscle definition much faster than when I'm doing her other DVDs in a random mix. I think this program would benefit you no matter if you're totally unfit or more experienced because you can always modify to make things easier or harder. If you are starting out a little more fit you might choose to skip the first two weeks as they are pretty beginner. On the other hand, if you find the first two weeks to be super challenging, you always have the option to stick with them for another week or two before moving on.
Price wise, it's comparable to other similar programs at around $120.
Any other questions about my experience with the program? Check out my weekly posts from Week 1, or ask in the comments below!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Rx5v575a8gI]
With Thanksgiving only a couple weeks away, those of you who are hosting are probably working on your menu for the day. It can be a little overwhelming, so I've pulled together some of my favorite recipes to share. They all call for real, whole food (of course) and are also delicious!
I hope you find any or all of these recipes to be a nice addition to your Thanksgiving spread. They just go to show that you can enjoy all of your favorite foods if you skip the chemicals and go for the real thing! Happy eating!
This week marks the beginning of the end for me and this round of Body Revolution! Here's the schedule:
I honestly don't have too much to say about these workouts other than that they are really hard. Luckily, Jillian gives lots of modification options if you need to take it down a little or even amp it up. That's one thing that I think makes this set so valuable, is that you could do it several times through and still benefit because you can always make things more difficult by adding extra resistance or upping the tempo.
As far are the exercises this week, two of the most difficult for me involve upper body strength (not my best area). The first is a scorpion push-up. You start in a regular push-up position, but, as you lower your body, you lift one leg, bend it up, and reach your heel across your back towards the opposite elbow. In the other, you get into a bridge/wheel position and then do a push-up from there, lowering your head the ground. Tough, but once you can do them it makes you feel super legit.
I'm not gonna lie, I'm glad that I only have one more of these posts because I don't always have that much to tell you guys anymore! Make sure to check back next week for my final post and complete review!
In case you didn't hear, the FDA has proposed regulations on trans fats in foods. If this idea becomes a reality, partially hydrogenated oils will no longer be on the list of food additives that are "generally recognized as safe" or GRAS. While this is still in the works, I thought it would be good to do a little review on trans fats and share my thoughts on this move by the FDA. There are two different variations of trans fats. Some are naturally occurring in small quantities and aren't harmful to humans. The other kind are man-made and incredibly damaging to human health. We're talking about the man-made ones here. In my opinion, artificial trans fats are the worst additive in processed foods. Even a few grams can drastically impact cardiovascular health. Trans fats have come under fire in recent years for this reason, leading to labeling on food packaging and many producers finding alternative fats to use at the public's urging.
If you'd like more info, be sure to check out my previous post on trans fats.
Unfortunately, trans fats haven't totally been removed from our food supply and that is what this proposed regulation would do. Now, I'm generally cautious about any type of legislation or regulation. Often times, laws and regs can have unintended consequences or become outdated as more information becomes available. Also, they can inhibit innovation. We see this happen all the time in meat production when the same regulations are applied to factory farms and processing centers, where no consumer can enter or investigate, and small family farms that welcome their customers to visit at any time and are completely transparent to the consumer. It's foolish to impose the same rules on both factory farms and small, sustainable operations because the risks associated with each are completely different. Additionally, public pressure can create a lot of the changes we desire. Trans fats have been removed from a great deal of foods already because consumer spoke up and companies listened.
Despite all this, I am totally on board with this possible trans fat regulation. For one, the current labeling is weak. If a food has less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, it can be listed as 0 grams on the label. If consumers aren't savvy enough to read ingredients, they can be making what they think is a healthier choice and totally be tricked. If people choose not to be healthy, that is their right, but, when someone is trying so hard and their efforts are squandered by dubious labeling, it's a whole different issue. Also, industrially produced foods should have more oversight for the same reason such laws were put into action in the first place: when buying food that is produced in an industrial environment that is totally closed off and separated from the public, the consumer is unable to make educated decisions about the safety of that food. We would not want any other poison in our food and that is what this change is all about. Trans fats aren't safe and they shouldn't be allowed.
However, in the end, this legislation speaks to a bigger problem. People are eating way too many processed foods and not enough real, whole foods. This bandage may help public health, but there is still a lot of work to do to get people to spend more time cooking and less time worrying about food labeling and regulations.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/dSo84OVsbXA]
This is a simple one-pot recipe that comes together quickly on a busy night. Bok choy can come in a variety of sizes, so feel free to substitute several of a smaller variety for the large one I used, if you like. Whatever you can find will work. There is some residual liquid in the pan after cooking, but not enough to make this a soup. We ate this dish out of bowls with spoons, but you could also serve it over rice, quinoa, or any other grain of your choice.
makes makes 4-6 servings
2 pounds ground grass-fed beef
1 teaspoon paprika
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
1 large head of boy choy, sliced into 1-inch ribbons (about 15 cups)
3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
I'm happy to report that I was able to get back on track with my workouts this week. Here's the schedule for week 10:
My back pain from last week wasn't totally gone, but I decided to jump in and see how it went. I was prepared to stop if things got worse. Luckily, my back didn't pose any problems during the workouts and I was able to do everything just fine. I was a little worried that it would be tough since I took last week off from intense exercise, but I actually felt energized on the first day, which was a nice surprise. The rest of the week my workouts were more of a struggle. I still did them, but it wasn't easy. I was feeling kind of "off" in general, which I think is probably just the ickiness that comes with the temperature changing. Unfortunately, my back is still achy in that one spot. Not sure what that's about. Exercise doesn't seem to affect it at all. My knees were also hurting after a week of no foam-rolling. I'm still sticking with the 5-days a week routine (skipping the Saturday cardio) to give them a little bit of a break.
As far as the workouts themselves, the major difference between now and the workouts in the beginning of the program is how the exercises are arranged. Early on, different muscle groups were incorporated into each circuit. This gave the muscles some time to rest while the others were working. Now, it's the opposite. Instead of exercises for each muscle being distributed throughout, they are clumped together into one circuit. Also, most of the jumping moves are done with weights in hand.
Now I'm on to the last two weeks. Wish me luck!
Are the changing seasons affecting your workouts? If so, how? Share in the comments below!
Eggs are a hot commodity at my farmers market, especially now that the weather is getting cooler and the hens are slowing down in their egg production. I got there a little too late last week and there were no chicken eggs to be found. I was a little disappointed, but I also understand that we gotta work with what the chickies can do. However, just when I had accepted the fact that I wouldn't be able to get any eggs this week, my egg lady mentioned that she had a few duck eggs, if I was interested. I definitely was, so I bought those bad boys right away!
I've had duck eggs once before in college. A farmer there sells them, in addition to chicken eggs, and he finds that they are a big hit with those suffering from chicken egg allergies. Interestingly enough, some with chicken egg allergies find that they can eat duck eggs with no problems at all. Even if you aren't an allergy sufferer, duck eggs are a nice way to switch things up.
Ducks eggs are typically larger and have a thicker shell. They also have a higher proportion of yolk. These two factors together result in an egg that is higher in calories, fat, protein, and most vitamins and minerals.
In the end though, I don't really care too much about that stuff. I figure everything works itself out in the end. Just know you'll probably need fewer ducks eggs to give you the same satiety as chicken eggs would. As far as flavor goes, duck eggs are a little richer due to their larger yolk, but they don't taste incredibly different. Jasen couldn't tell a difference when we had them for dinner the other night.
As you can see in the picture above, the duck egg has a higher proportion of yolk and everything is much firmer/holds its shape better than in the chicken egg. I think they're a fun addition to our food routine!
Have you ever had duck eggs? If so, how do you like them compared to chicken eggs? Share in the comments below!
If you want to hear more about my favorite things for October, be sure to watch the video below!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/rZCPrqMhGLc]
What are your favorite things from October? Share in the comments below!
I'm sad to say that there is no Body Revolution post for today. :( The muscle I hurt in my back a few months ago was bothering me and I did NOT want to go down that road again. Pain + not being able to do anything except lay around was not what I wanted. Instead, I did some walking and gave myself a break. Real life here people. Things will pick back up this week so we will be on track to talk about week 10 next Monday.
So, instead of exercise, let's talk about food! If you are a regular reader, you know I'm all about scratch-cooking and making as much stuff yourself as you can. It's definitely a constant process, and I am always evolving in this area, but those slow gradual changes are what make things stick. As you begin to make more and more things yourself, there is one thing you can't deny: eating whole, real food does require more time in the kitchen than popping a frozen entree in the microwave. Now, I don't think that's a bad thing. Why should something as important as the food we eat become another chore or afterthought? Still, I also know that we are all incredibly busy and with so many responsibilities, some things are gonna fall by the wayside. While I can't eliminate your need to cook all together, I do have some tips that I think make things a whole lot easier.
Do you have any meal planning tips? Share them in the comments below!
If you love pictures of cute animals, this is for you! Now that we've had Moxie for a couple weeks and our second cat for a week, I thought I would share some pics. They are just too precious!
I'm also proud to say that little Moxie hasn't had any potty accidents in a week and is now allowed full reign of the house at night! No more being stuck in the bathroom for her!
And here's the second cat! No name yet, we just call him Big Orange. We got him from the pound and he definitely gave us some new challenges. The pound thinks he's around 4 months old, so still young, but not like Moxie who was so little she loved everyone and had no fear. They also think he might have been abused. :( The first morning, Big Orange was running around the house from window to window and door to door meowing like a crazy cat. Plus him and Moxie weren't exactly BFFs.
A week later he's doing much better and, though he's still skiddish, he seems much more comfortable and actually plays now. Him and Moxie love to chase each other around the house. Sometimes one of them will start growling or get a little hissy, but it doesn't take long before they're running around again.
What do you think about the kitties? Do you have pets of your own? Share in the comments below!
You guys might think I'm pumpkin spice crazy, but, be honest, you like it! I got a few requests for instructions on how to make this so here you go! [youtube=http://youtu.be/ZRsyn8Dh674]
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1-2 tablespoon apple butter
1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon*
1/16 teaspoon ground ginger*
1/32 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
1/32 teaspoon ground clove*
1/32 teaspoon ground cardamom*
Almonds and raisins to taste
*This is more to show how little I use rather than as a true measurement. I never actually measure the spices. Basically, I do a little sprinkle, especially with the ginger, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom. You just don't want to overdo it.
Today's post is in keeping with the typical fall theme of pumpkin spice. When making these cookies, I made sure to work with real ingredients, as usual. One thing I can't stand is those recipes (that you often see on Pinterest) where the image says something like "Easy Recipe With Only 2 Ingredients." It sounds interesting until you click and realize that one of the "ingredients" is a box of cake mix. Cake mix is not an ingredient people! I mean, it actually confuses me a bit. How hard is it to measure out flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices? The boxed stuff just doesn't seem that much more convenient to me, especially when you consider the quality of ingredients that are typically used.
Now that that's out of the way, on to the good stuff! These cookies are almost like baby cakes, as they have a delicate, fluffy texture. They're like soft, pillow-y clouds of pumpkin spice goodness. They're dessert, but not sickly sweet, and they are going fast at our house. :)
makes 36 cookies
2.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup butter
1.25 cups unrefined can sugar, such as Sucanat
1/4 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
What kind of cookies do you prefer? Soft, chewy, or crunchy? Share in the comments below!
This week, I started my third and final month of Body Revolution! Here's the schedule:
With the start of this final month, things got intense. Of course it always gets harder with each new set of workouts, but the last month of this program is serious business. I've done it twice before, but it still surprises me every time. Despite how challenging the workouts are, if you've been sticking to the program and pushing yourself all the way, you'll be ready for it. I think a good illustration of just how hard it gets is that exercises that were part of the main workout in previous weeks become the warm-up moves for these workouts. Jillian don't play.
As far as how I did, this week went great! My knees are noticeably better from my consistent foam rolling after each workout which makes me so so happy! I didn't want my knee issues to get in the way of completing the program. I skipped Saturday's cardio, giving me 5 days of exercise and 2 of rest. Also, I thought that since the exercises get more interesting as you progress through the program, I would share some that I like.
One of my favorites for this set is actually pretty basic. In the last circuit of the Strength 10 DVD, after your legs are feeling like jello, you do half-moon pose from yoga with a weight standing in as a block if you need it. The reason I love this so much is mostly because of it's placement in the workout. It's nice to have a calmer, but still difficult pose after such an intense and dynamic workout. It challenges your muscles and your mind in a different way and requires you to keep your focus strong at the end when you might feel like giving up.
If you guys would like to see pics of me doing some of the exercises in these next few weeks, just let me know. It scares me a little bit, but I'll do it for you guys. :)
Oh, and we got another cat. No pics yet as it's a bit skiddish, but maybe some soon!
What are some of your favorite exercises? Share in the comments below!
