Low Calorie Strawberry, Blueberry, Mango Smoothie

Okay Guys, so I know it is the beginning of Fall but I still have to get a smoothie or two out of my system before moving on to the warmer drinks and colder days. 

Ingredients:

1.5 c Frozen Sliced Strawberries 

1/2 c Frozen Blueberries 

1/2 c Frozen Mango Chunks 

2 tbs Cane Sugar

1.5 c Water 

(As long as you have FROZEN fruit, no ice is needed) :)

You will need a food processor. I used my Ninja.

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

Makes about 24 oz.

240 Calories

Throw a straw in the center and slurp! :D

Thanks Guys! Here's To Happy Living :)

Healthy Living Update

Hey Guys,

My apologies for being away for so long! A few things have happened since my last post.

Nutrition

1. I have finally embraced my Vegan (Plant-Based Diet) life style :D I found some pretty cool restaurants around Murfreesboro that are Vegan friendly. Chuys is at the top my list. I can't get enough of their fresh Salsa and Veggie Enchilada (Spinach, onions, zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, serranos, roasted green chilies, corn & (cheese) in homemade blue corn tortillas with Ranchero sauce). The Ranchero sauce is Vegan friendly too! ;) It's So good...

Guess who I found next on the list for vegan friendly...Ruby Tuesdays! HaHa! Yep...Ruby Tuesdays.

They have a killer salad bar and a HUGE guacamole, pico de gallo, and tortilla appetizer that will fill you up all by itself! I met with a friend for lunch (lets you know that I didn't pick the restaurant) and came out with a full belly and a new outlook on Ruby Tuesdays. Who Knew?

 

Exercise/Fitness

2. Finally decided to get off of my Stooper. Signed up for two races (Middle Half and Ragner Relay). Well actually...my running buddy hooked me up with both races! He's the best... :D. Lately I have been testing out the Insanity workout so I haven't been doing much running. The Middle Half is scheduled to be on October 13th 2012. Ask me if I am ready...lol (the answer is no in case you are wondering). I am hoping that the Middle Half will get me ready for the Ragner. I know one thing...they will both prepare me for all of the cooking and eating that will be going on in the winter months ;)

Hair/Beauty

3. My hair has been being treated like a lab rat! OMGoodness, guys I have been struggling with learning how to care for my "Natural" hair for about a year now. Believe it or not, this is one of my toughest challenges in 2012. I have tried Kinky Curly and Knot Today, Shea Moisture, Terressentials, Giovanni...and the list goes on...I still haven't found the secret to healthy hair. I guess I will have to just keep trudging along in this area. As of this week I have worked with Jenn in exploring mini twists . . . The twists are meant to be a protective hair style and should be a great tool for hair growth. My goal is to only keep them in for 7 days and I have made it to the glorious day 6! Lol. (Mini twists are meant to last longer but since this is my first time with them I am very anxious to take them out.)

Well, this is my health update guys. Hope you haven't given up on your healthy living. You should hear back from me soon. Happy Happy Tuesday! :D

Back From Vacation!

I'M BACK!

Okay so I'm finally back and into the swing of things. My Vacation was wonderful and much needed! We went to Disney World and got to play all day every day. Our trip was truly a blessing.

5 No Equipment Beginner Cardio Workouts

Beginner Cardio Workouts

1. Stepping in place.

Step in place while swinging your arms for 10-15 minutes. This is a easy workout to do while watching tv and it will definitly increase your heart rate and make for a good workout! After your time is up make sure to stretch (especially your calf muscles).

2. Walking the stairs.

Harvard Medical School reports that stair climbing is an effective way to lose weight and keep it off, since the people who walk up stairs, even at a slower pace, burn calories 3x faster than when walking at a faster speed on a normal surface (livestrong.com). If you have a fight of stairs at work, home, school, etc, start using them for workouts. At least 3 days a wk set aside 5 to 10 min working your way up to 30 minutes.

3. Exercise videos.

These days there are all kinds of cardio workouts on dvd or provided through you cable plan. Find something that interests you (Pilates, yoga, dance, hip hop, etc) and get started 3 days a wk working your way up in time.

4. Jump Roping or Jumping Jacks.

You can use a jump rope or do jumping jacks. To start out you can alternate the jumping and walking in place. Example: walk in place for 5 min then do jumping for 30 sec to 1 min then back to walking in place. Jumping burns calories fast and tones your muscles.

5. Dance to the music.

Challenge yourself to dance to your favorite songs. Start out with dancing through one whole song then work your way up to 3 or more songs in a row. This is a routine that can be enjoyable and fun for you and your family.

God's Plan

Mondays Encouragement! 

God's Plan by Anthony Walker of Anthony's Desk

I am grateful just to know that somebody has a plan for this thing that we call life. It is a plan that has already been vetted and settled in heaven. It was arranged long before the world was created. It was a meticulously designed plan for me before I was me. God has given me the basics of the plan and the details he reveals to me by the Holy Spirit as he sees fit. He has shown me the perfect execution of the plan by the very life of his Son. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are there all the time to coach me and guide me and make sure that I stay on the plan.

God's plan for us involves some tough times. It involves some pain. It involves betrayal, denial, and all sorts of storms. However, it also involves much mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, loveliness, purity, blessing, and a constant view of heaven. It ultimately involves our salvation in the end. Focus on the plan!

On another note, as we close in on the end of the first month of the year, we have to think about some questions? Where am I in my walk with God? Have I kept my commitments to God, to myself, and to others? Are we still learning? Are we pressing (meaning deliberately making an effort to move forward against stagnation and against adversity)? Are we reading? Are we praying?

Only you have the answers to those questions. And the questions won't go away even if we avoid answering them. This week I've learned that God allows me to be tested until I pass the test. Whatever your test is, it will keep coming back to you because God wants you to overcome the obstacle so that you mature and can help to mature others.

As Summer Ends . . .

While Jenn is vacationing and living it up in Florida, I am still in Tennessee, working and budgeting. Jenn is eating well prepared meals and drinking Caribbean Breezes and I am eating white rice and drinking hot tea...lol. Needless to say we are both happy and smiling all the same ;) 

The summer season is coming to a close and fall will soon welcome the winter. Summer love will begin to diminish, the sun will rise later and set earlier, health and nutrition will begin to fade as the winter holidays begin to unfold, and beautiful flowers will begin to die! (My poor Hibiscus tree . . .) 

BUT! There is Good News! :D

 

Springing into action now will save you from becoming the target for depression later. Here are some ways in which you can fight the upcoming woes of winter.

Weeeeeee!!!!
A Slide Made of Ice in
Downtown Nashville

Mini Vaycay in your own State 

There are lots of events going on in the fall and winter and now is the perfect time to plan a mini vacation that is close to home. Romantic weekend get aways are perfect for married couples to plan during the winter months.
All you Tennesseans, www.tnvacation.com is a good place to go to check out some listings of local events.

Make Plans To Spend Less and Give More

More money is spent during the Holidays than any other time of the year. Start creating and making Love Gifts now, instead of buying them later. This will allow you to always have something to give your loved ones as they find time to visit you over the holidays.

Start on A Project

Staying indoors is more pleasant when freezing temperatures are present. Colder months are perfect for beginning or finishing projects that you dismissed in the summer. Organize your desk, photos, or journals and make them perfect for revisiting. Another great idea is to catch up on all of those books that you downloaded on your Kindle but never had a chance to finish! 

Get Out of the Rut and Start YOUR Journey to Healthy Living!

In a Fitness Rut?

Ruts are easy to fall into and comfortable to stay in. Staying in a rut for a long time can be detrimental to your health depending on what type of rut your are in. Hopefully this post will help to get you out of that fitness rut if you are in one. Please feel free to comment, suggest, or tell your success story below :-D

Start Your Way to a Consistent Exercise Routine with a Plan!

The first step to a consistent exercise routine is having a plan. If you have struggled with having a consistent routine in the past, a detailed plan may help you stay on track longer this time.

Your Plan should consists of :

Knowing your ideal workout routine (The recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes of moderate activity 5-7 days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous activity 3 days a week). Come up with what you ultimately want your routine consistency to look like and work you way to it.

Think of the best days and time of day you will be more likely to work out. For example if you are not a morning person then don't plan to wake up an hour early to work out because more than likely it will not happen.

Plan out the types of activities you will do each workout day. You can print off a free calendar and post it in a place you will see daily, set reminders in your phone, etc. Write out on each day what you will do and how much time you will spend doing it.

Tell someone or more than one person about your fitness goals. This will hold you accountable to do what you say you will do.

FIND MOTIVATION! Its important to know why you are doing what you are doing and be to be reminded of that frequently. Examples of ideas for motivation are listed below:

-Read your bible/pray for strength

-Sign up for a race around your area
-Join a weight loss group
- Create a weight loss challenge
- Join a exercise class or classes
- Hire a trainer
- Find a workout partner
- Find someone who is trying to get healthy and hold one another accountable
- Try on your swim suit!
- Make a goal to fit in smaller clothes you have in your closet
- Make a weight loss chart or post your goal weight
- Create a vision board
- Think of your workout as your stress medicine

You may also find this article helpful http://fititinjessandjenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/lazy-mans-jump-start-to-working-out.html#links

*I will add sample beginners workout routines to the blog later*

Good luck with your plan! You can do it!!!!!

Morning Refresher Juice

Simple Morning Refresher

 

Ingredients:

1 Large Orange

2 Medium Apples

1-2 Strawberries

Simple Veggie Juice

Simple Veggie Juice

 (The color of the drink has little to do with the taste)

Ingredients: 

1 Leaf of Romain Lettuce 

2 Large Carrots

1 Large Orange (Adding the orange sweetens the drink)

Great eaten with a light crunchy snack

Mondays Encouragement: T.L.C

T.L.C. by Anthony Walker of Anthony's Desk

He also spoke this parable: “ A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.  Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? ’ Luke 13:6-7

There are a few interesting things to note about this fig tree. This tree was planted in a vineyard rather than randomly scattered. This means that the tree was planned and meticulously planted. Secondly, this tree belonged to someone. Belonging again stresses the point that it was cared for. But after three years of sustained growth, the tree has yet to bear fruit. Those to points leads to a question or few. What is wrong with this tree? Why is this tree not bearing fruit? 

A tree that doesn't bear fruit, particularly good fruit (Matt 7:19), is in danger of being cut down.  The owner said, "Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?" This tree was cumbering the ground--taking up space. This tree was wasting the life that it was given. This tree was not living up to its purpose. 

But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ Luke 13:8-9

Here intervenes the humble vinedresser. He pleads with the owner to let the tree alone for this year while he digs around it and fertilizes it. The vinedresser knows his plants because he is with them all the time. So he asks for an opportunity to take a deeper inspection into the matter giving the tree another opportunity to produce again. 

Maybe you've been perspicacious and understand that this parable is all about you. For a season you haven't produced any good fruit. What we also must understand is that you are in danger of being cut down for not using the life that God has given you, for not living up to God's purpose in your life. But Jesus intervenes to save you. He intervenes by digging around your life, cutting out the dead areas and then fertilizing you by injecting life into you. He has saved you and shown you tender love and care. Jesus saved you so that you may produce again.