Beach Exercises

Summer is just around the corner (although it sure doesn't feel like it with this cold weather) !! I am sure that we all plan on going to the beach A LOT throughout the week/weekend (depending on work schedules).

I can exercise pretty much anywhere I go.... whether its doing squats in the bathroom or sit-ups on the floor of my apartment/a friends place. The beach is one of the best, most relaxing places to exercise. Not only will you feel calm and relaxed, but you will also work up a nice sweat AND get a nice little tan, all at the same time!

Here are some exercises that you should try this summer while you are living it up at the beach...

1. Running- running on the beach can be a little tricky at first, but the harder it is, the better a work out you will get, and it will have you leaving sore!

2. Volleyball- pretty self-explanatory... volleyball is a great sport, and a great way to work up a sweat, along with other sports, such as Frisbee, Soccer, Bad-mitten, and plenty of others.

3. Yoga- yoga is sooo relaxing, and especially doing that on the beach.... forget about ittttt. All you have to do is bring your yoga mat, and you are set!!

4. Side Shuffles

5. Long Jumps

6. Planks

Try and get those great exercises in before a fun-filled day of drinking/partying. TRUST ME.... it will make a difference in the way you feel!

Zoodles with Chicken and Asparagus

Well, here it is! I tried out another zoodle dish! This time, I used chicken that I cut into little cubes, and added some asparagus! I used the same low fat, low sodium, organic, marinara sauce, but I think next time I will try my own pesto sauce. The sauce looks a bit watery from the zucchini.... That is something I will still have to work on.

Once again, super healthy and tasty! Definitely try this at home!!

HAPPY PASSOVER!!

To all of my fellow Jews out there, HAPPY PASSOVER!!! I am sure we will all be eating some yummy food tonight!

Passover is probably my favorite Jewish holiday EVERRRR, because of the food. After this week, I am officially starting a hardcore diet. Summer is literally around the corner, and I have been slackinggggg!! When I slack, I do NOT feel good about myself at alllll.

 I am usually against meal replacements, but I am trying out 310 Nutrition Shake. Honestly, the taste is not terrible, I've had worse. There are also different recipe's that come along with it, which I have yet to try. Since I've started a new job, it is not easy for me to leave the office all of the time, so I bought this to not only try it out, but to suppress my appetite and hope that I will lose weight quicker. I know it's not the best idea in the world, but sometimes you just have to do what you think is best for you.... even if it really isn't the best for you.

As soon as I slack off, even if it is just one day or night, it is more motivation for me to want to stick to healthy food options. Not only do I feel better about myself once I start eating right, but I am also in a wayyyyy better mood =)

Cheat Day !!!!

Obviously, your cheat day can be any day of the week, but many of us choose Sunday's for some reason. I guess since it is the end of the week, and Monday is the beginning to a new week to make things right, we believe that Sunday's are just the best.

One day out of the week that you can indulge on all of the things you have been craving alllll week long!!! What's better than that?! If any of you are like me, you can't indulge on just anything and everything on your cheat day, because then you may never stop!! 

Ordering a nice pizza pie, and a having a cookie, brownie, or ice cream, may be enough to satisfy your cravings.. It is just the right amount of sweet and salty you need in your life!! 

Personally, for my cheat day, I like to alternate between pizza and Mexican food. They both satisfy me, and I am usually pretty full for the entire day/night, since I am not used to eating that kind of stuff anymore.

I would suggest that you learn to eat small portions of whatever your cheat meal may be. This way, you won't feel extremely guilty after eating that slice (or two) of pizza, or brownie. Also, learn to control the speed in which you eat at. I am a very fast eater, which makes me full more quickly than someone who eats pretty slow. The slower you eat, the more time your body will have to digest your food.

Enjoy your cheat meal day!

Muffin Top

I have been buying Vita Tops for a few years now. They are a great on-the-go breakfast, and do not contain half as many calories as regular muffins.

What are Vita Tops, you ask? Vita Tops are frozen muffin tops that you thaw out in the microwave for about 15-18 seconds, and bring with you on your way to work or the gym, etc. They are only 100 calories, and contain about 15 vitamins, minerals, soy and oat bran. They are also high in fiber, and will leave you satisfied until it's time for lunch! They come in a variety of flavors that everyone can enjoy!

My fave is the chocolate chip and the deep chocolate tops MMMMMMMM!! Add some fruit on your plate, and you have a healthy and delicious breakfast!!

Lemon Chicken with Artichoke Hearts Recipe

                                    

Since I have had time this week to actually go food shopping and make healthy dishes, I really wanted to share some of these easy, healthy, delicious recipes with you!

Tonight I decided to make a really tasty and healthy dish for my boyfriend and I. I honestly wasn't sure how it would come out, but damnnnn, I must say, I am giving myself a pat on the back for this one!

I was googling what I can make with chicken and artichoke, and stumbled upon this recipe from the Food Network. Link below:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aida-mollenkamp/lemon-chicken-with-artichoke-hearts-recipe.html

I decided to make a little bit of spinach linguini on the side for us as well. I added some unsalted butter, salt and pepper. You could also throw some Parmesan cheese in the mix to give it some more flavaaaaa!!

Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp Recipe

Sooooo I have finally tried my spiralizer, and I am OBSESSED with it!! It is super easy to not only use, but to clean too!

For my first ever recipe, I made zucchini noodles with shrimp in an organic, fat free, low sodium, marinara sauce (Brad's organic). You can find this at an organic grocery store or in the organic/healthy isle at your local food store. If not the same exact brand, I am sure there are similar ones!

1. Once you have spiralized your zucchini, or any veggie that you plan on using, make sure to get all of the excess water off. You do not want your sauce to become watery due to the water that is extracted from the zucchini once it is cooking.
2.  Add a little olive oil into a medium sized saucepan, and add your zucchini in once that pan is heated up. Add a little salt and pepper, mix it up a bit, and let it cook for about 2-3 minutes. 
3. Start adding your shrimp in the middle and cook for about 3-5 minutes
4. You will notice that your zucchini may need to be patted down again, so take it out and try to get as much excess water out as possible. 
5. Add the zucchini back into the pan with the shrimp, and add your marinara sauce. Mix in well, and let the sauce heat up for about a minute or 2. 

Now you are done and have a healthy, low-calorie, low-carb, DELICIOUS, dish =)

You can obviously add other veggies or use any type of meat as well.

If any of you try this, please let me know how it came out!

ENJOY!!!

Here Fishy Fishyyyyy

So I wanted to do a post about the benefits of eating fish. Growing up, I was such a picky eater and never wanted to try anything new. I started eating fish about 4 years ago, and am glad that I have opened my mind to trying different types (just as long as they are cooked).

Many people are not aware of how healthy fish really is, and the benefits that come along with it! Fish are loaded with allll different types of nutrients, protein, vitamin d, and of course, omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are very important to have for your body and your brain.

Surprisingly, the fattier the fish, the healthier it is for you! Fatty fishes contain fat-soluble vitamin d, they are also very high in omega-3 fatty acids. It is highly recommended to eat fish (especially fatty fish), at least 2-3 times a week!! People are not aware of the nutrients that they do not get enough of, and fish provides allllll of those nutrients for your body! Fish is considered the healthiest food for a healthy heart! It has been said that fish can lower your risk of heart attack and strokes. Fish is known to protect vision in old age as well.

Last but not least, fish is soooo easy to cook! Yes, we all know fish is not the best smell to have lingering around your house for hours, but the taste is wayyyy better than the actual smell. There are also tons of different recipes and ways you can cook fish. It is tasty, simple, easy, and HEALTHY!! You can't go wrong with all of these benefits!

How Intervals Work Best For My Routine Workout

Although I do not go to the gym as much as I used to, I still push myself to go at least 4 times a week. Since it is getting nicer out (well at least that's what I thought, but today it is 35 degrees out!!), who really wants to spend so much time at the gym?! Not I!

I know I've talked about different types of cardio in past posts, but I wanted to share with you guys my workout routine switch up. I have started doing more interval workouts to speed up my gym time. I am still at the gym for about 45-50 minutes when I do go, but that is because I like to put in at least 30 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of weights.

As much as I LOOOOOVE running.... NOT. It is the quickest way to lose belly fat, and to build up a sweat. I usually run at a speed between 6.7-7.1 for about 3-5 minutes, then take a short walk break, and then run again for another 3-5 minutes. I like to do this about 5 times. I then walk on an incline up to 6.5-7, and walk at a speed of 4.0-4.2 for a good 10 minutes. Once I have completed my exercise, and the machine is off, I start to run on an incline and I hold the handle bars in front of me. I try and run as fast as possible in a short amount of time. This really gets you going and makes you feel even more determined!

When I am on the bike, I turn it up to level 5 or 6 depending on how I feel. When I start out, I like to pedal at a very steady pace. After about 5 minutes, I start to pick the pace up, and continue to increase my pace as the minutes go by. I like to ride on the bike for about 15-20 minutes at most.

Same thing if I choose to use the elliptical. I like to go on a high incline. I start my pace off steady, and then increase as the minutes go by.

Intervals really make a difference in your work outs, and I highly recommend trying it out!

What's in Season?

It is time to take advantage of the fruits and veggies that are in season this time of year! Spring time is the best time to make all of your favorite fruit salads, veggie platters, and delicious smoothies!

Here are some fruits and vegetables you should add to your grocery list!

• Apricots 
• Cherries
• Honeydew
• Mango
• Oranges 
• Pineapple
• Strawberries

• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Corn
• Fava beans
• Peas
• Spinach

Spring is full of colors, and your plate should be too!! 

I am going to try out my spiralizer tonight, and make zucchini noodles, not sure what sort of low-cal sauce I will make with it, but I will be sure to share with you all! Any ideas would help!