SexyBack Challenge - Week 2

I’ve had a strange week and haven’t been as dedicated to the sexyback challenge as I should or could be. Shame on me. Besides Friday night, at the Relay For Life, I haven’t pushed myself to get any physical activity in. I need to MAKE time in my days because otherwise it’s not going to happen. My goal next week is at least 4 days of 30-45 minutes of physical activity. I’ve been in somewhat of a haze and I think that physical activity will definitely help to clear my head.

What do you do to keep your workout and fitness motivation?

Besides basically failing on that part of the sexyback challenge, I did much better on food this week. I’m not consistently drinking 3 miir bottles a day, but I’m drinking much more than in the past. I still want to step it up to hit at least 3 a day.

I’ve been eating more vegetables, including salads which lettuce from the garden! Some of my favorite meals this week includes: chickpea tacos, fajita bowls [aka peppers, onions, pinto beans & quinoa], black bean & veggie burgers, zucchini quinoa lasagna, broccoli quinoa casserole, steamed broccoli, tex-mex veggie salad [see picture], and homemade strawberry rhubarb smoothies.

I've included the recipe for this because it's one of my favorites! It's super easy and makes enough for lunches, snacks or dinners for a week. See variations at the bottom of the recipe!

Tex-Mex Veggie Salad
1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
2 tomatoes chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can Mexicorn
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 jicama, peeled and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, minced

Dressing
1 1/2 tsp Garlic Galore (Wildtree Herbs)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil (Wildtree Herbs)

Place salad ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Chill overnight.

Variations:
Add chicken (if you're a meat-eater) with Chipotle Lime Rub and Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil (Wildtree Herbs)
Add to cooked, chilled quinoa for a heartier salad

SexyBack Challenge - Week 1

I was excited when I saw these posts [ONE. TWO.] by Carlos Whittaker last week. I finally got the chance to watch this video on Sunday.

I think this SexyBack challenge is perfect for me. I’ve been slacking on my fitness and don’t remember the last time I worked out. My eating habits aren’t horrible, but there’s definitely room for improvement.

Every Thursday during this challenge [12 weeks] I’ll be posting my weekly update and how I’ve done on my goals. Most of them are general because I don’t need to lose a lot of weight or anything. I really just want to focus on eating healthier and making better choices. I also want to get back into a great workout routine and get toned [where are you abs?].

Here’s a list of my goals for SexyBack:
- 45 minutes minimum of physical activity or exercise 5-7 days of the week
- Utilize workout dvds (30 Day Shred, 6 Week six-pack, BL Cardio)
- Nightly walks/runs
- Use RunKeeper app
- MORE water (3+ miir bottles/day)
- Eat healthier
- MORE veggies, utilize the garden
- Less processed food and more fresh food
- Homemade meals
- Less pop and coffee, green monsters, fresh fruit smoothies or tea instead
- Use MyFitness app & website to track calories & exercise

In addition to my update I’ll include a photo each week that's related to my #sexyback11 journey.

Here’s my picture for the week.

My recap for this week is pretty general, but it might get more specific in the weeks to come. Since I started on Sunday I've done the 30 day shred twice and gone on two 1.5 mile walks. I've made better choices as far as food goes. I'm definitely eating more fruits and veggies and snacking less. I've done really great on drinking more water, especially with working out more & it's been getting hotter here too. I'm struggling with drinking pop and I'm slowly working on cutting it out.

I'll be picking up Jillian Michaels' 6 week six-pack levels 1& 2 workouts from the library tomorrow and will hopefully be doing [almost] everyday for the two weeks I have it checked out. Tomorrow night I'll be participating in the Relay for Life and will definitely be getting some walking in. It's not too late if you want to join the challenge. I'd love if you'd join me, whether you're looking to lose weight or get back on track. You can search #sexyback11 on twitter to see what other people in the challenge are doing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry for the lack of posts! I'm still trying to catch up with my life. I hope to be back soon with some regular posts. I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you're day is filled with good food, family, love and laughter.

source

Tasty Tuesday

I don't think I ever thought I'd be saying this, BUT I think I'm going vegan, well, at least vegetarian. AND IT'S ALL JENNY'S FAULT!!

Okay, not really, but kind of. Let me tell you why.

I posted back in September that I found a lump. I ended up cancelling my consultation with the specialist because I needed time to wrap my mind around what was happening and look into other options. Because I'm under 30, uninsured and the level of risk (or whatever) of the lump was considered low, I'm not eligible for any kind of assistance from anywhere.

In my searching I found some alternative treatments for fibroadenoma which include changing my diet, i.e. more fiber, less caffeine, etc. I was talking to Jenny and she recommended that I read The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone just to get ideas and figure out where to start. I just started reading it last week (thank you library, but I think I need my own copy). I don't have much spare time so it's taking me a while. But what I've read so far, I really like. It just makes sense. Read it for yourself and make up your own mind. Check out the website: The Kind Life.

I'm trying to make this lifestyle/diet change while living at home and I think it's going to be harder because of it. I won't be successful if I don't have my family's support. It'd be one thing if I would or could volunteer to cook dinner every night, but my schedule doesn't afford the luxury.

Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Please share any thoughts, recommendations or tips for me personally or to help get the family on board! I need all the help I can get. Thanks in advance!

Tasty Tuesday: Sunshine Zucchini Bread

We've had so much zucchini growing in the garden that my mom has been baking zucchini bread like crazy. I love this delicious twist on zucchini bread! I almost love it more than regular zucchini bread, but shhhhh.....don't tell anyone. ;)

Tasty Tuesday: The Matador - Part 2

I guess I think The Matador is so amazing that it needs another Tasty Tuesday post. You may have seen my post from two weeks ago. I tweeted about the post and got a message from The Matador inviting me to their launch party the Thursday before they opened. I was surprised and excited!

Heather and I got off work that Thursday, rushed home, got ready and headed downtown. The place was packed when we got there a little before 7pm. The wait for a table was 45 minutes, but we found a place at the fireplace.

We had Matador Margaritas, Tex-mex Spring Rolls and their AMAZING nachos.

Everyone was so incredibly friendly and not just the servers. There was a man who accidentally hit me in the back pretty hard when he went to hug his friend. He apologized quickly right after it happened, but then came over a little later and apologized again. Besides that, we had so much fun!! It felt like home! The atmosphere and decor was fabulous like their other locations. I love their huge mirrors with the ornate frames. The bathrooms are awesome, especially the sinks. Haha, I'm a nerd.

I'd like to thank The Matador for inviting me! We had such a great time. Since then we've been there two more times with friends. I'm already dreaming of going there again. I want to try the crab cakes and grilled stuffed jalapenos.

I figured, I'd also share the outfit I wore this night.

Top: Forever21

Shorts: Mossimo at Target

Shoes: Report Signature

Black Bangle: Forever21

Other Bangles: JCrew

Bag: Forever21

Tasty Tuesday: The Matador

I was BEYOND excited to find out last week that The Matador is coming to Boise this month! [EDIT: they open this Friday, August 20, 2010] There's even an official Matador Boise Twitter! The Matador serves gourmet Tex-Mex cuisine and the Northwest's premier tequila bar with over 95 varieties. They have an amazing atmosphere, with extraordinary woodworking, custom ironwork, antique light fixtures and an open fireplace. They currently have locations in Ballard, West Seattle, Redmond, Tacoma, Northwest Portland, and East Portland. Boise will be their 7th location.

When I lived in Seattle, The Matador became my favorite place (after I turned 21), especially because we lived within walking distance to the Ballard location. I went to their West Seattle location for the second time in May, with my girls.

They have great cocktails, I love their long islands (one of the best I've ever had), Matador margaritas, and their mojitos. Their nachos are my absolute favorite!! I must admit I haven't tried much else because I love them so.

[Mojito]

Besides their delicious food and amazing atmosphere, one thing I love the most about going to The Matador is who I go with. I love spending time with friends. Even though most of my friends are in Seattle and it will be a completely different experience here in Boise, I'm excited to take my local friends and share The Matador experience with them.

Jenny, Janelle, Caitlin

Heather and Aimee

Me and Megan

Tasty Tuesday: Rhubarb Coffee Cake

I love this recipe! First of all, please tell me you know what rhubarb is! I overheard a conversation this summer and one person explained to another than rhubarb was like colored celery. No, it's definitely not.

Saturday night I picked fresh rhubarb from our garden and made up this yummy coffee cake for breakfast on Sunday morning. I love it warmed a little. It's not too difficult to make and doesn't take that long. I didn't have buttermilk so I googled a substitute. I mixed 1 tbsp of vinegar with 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups chopped rhubarb (floured with 1 cup flour, extra)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and beat well

Sift dry ingredients together and add to butter-sugar-egg mixture, alternating with milk

Gently fold in rhubarb, vanilla and nuts

Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan

Mix together:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup soft butter

Sprinkle over cake

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.