Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

2013 was a fun, emotional, and exciting year for me.  I learned a ton by going through some huge life changes- losing loved ones, moving to a new state, starting a new job, moving in with the boyfriend.  While I always get nostalgic at every year's end, I'm ready to make the absolute best of 2014. (I'm smiling just typing about a fresh start!!)  So Cheers to a healthy, happy, and productive 2014!!

With just one day left of this year, of course, like a lot of us, I'm thinking of ways to better myself in 2014. Here is my list so far-

1) Read at least 1 book per month
    - I really slacked on the book reading in 2013, but I've already started this goal by stocking up on books I'm interested in for the next 4 months:-)  

2) Join a new Yoga studio
    - There is a studio in the next town over that I've been dying to try.  There is no better time than now!  I'm keeping my eyes open for a good Groupon deal.

3) Plan a trip to Europe
    - This one is already in the works for a possible half marathon! 

4) Stop Worrying
    - I feel like my first 2 goals will help me with this goal.  I am a worrier!  And most of the time for no reason at all.  Since I started working in NJ, I have a lot more time on my hands because I'm not commuting to the city anymore.  I need to fill that extra time with activities that are good for me!

5) 10 Day Alcohol Detox starting January 1
   - I have definitely splurged this holiday season...ok the entire month of December... + Thanksgiving.  A short 10-day vacation from wine will definitely help me feel healthier and back on track.

6) Try 2 new recipes per month
   - This goal shouldn't be too hard for me.  I was going to say every WEEK but I need to stay practical.  I have some great new cookbooks and other books on Power Foods to help me experiment!

7) Plan more Girl Time
   - Planning more time with my girlfriends is a must for me this year! I want to share my NJ life with them and keep up with what they are experiencing in different cities.

Those are my 7 goals for now.  Although, I'm sure more will pop into my head today and tomorrow:-)  I hope everyone has something fun planned with the person or people you love!  

Have a Happy & Safe night!! 

Christmas Happiness in CT

Christmas came and went very quickly this year which makes me kind of sad in some ways because time is flying, but happy that I got to spend a happy holiday with my family.  I have to say, my family is amazing at making the Christmas holiday just PERFECT.

I decided to attempt to keep up a semi-healthy Christmas and made a Honey Baked Ham from the Holiday Edition of the Tone it up! plan.  It may have been one of the best hams I've ever eaten.  The ingredients were fresh and wholesome.  And my family could never tell it was from a nutrition plan.  You know those foods that just TASTE like Christmas- this was one of those foods.  I poked whole cloves all through the ham and then the glaze was made up of red wine, honey, lemon, brown sugar, and all-spice.  It was delicious.  Although we had a few more unhealthy choices as sides, I also made the Holiday Edition's Santa's Salad which had greens, raspberries, walnuts, and red onion.  Another crowd pleaser to get in our greens.  All of the foods, healthy or not, paired perfectly with a light red wine of Pinot Noir which there definitely was no shortage of!

For Christmas Day brunch, mimosas and a bold coffee with Bailey's are staples in my house.  It just helps everyone perk up a bit after a late night of laughing and conversation on Christmas Eve.  I ended up putting together an Egg Casserole from Peanut Butter Fingers, a favorite healthy food blog of mine. The casserole had eggs, whole wheat bread, greek yogurt, spinach, low fat cheese, turkey bacon, and then I added some green onion.  This bake was great because we needed to have enough to feed 10 people.  This was filling and we had plenty leftover.  We also had more turkey sausage and cranberry muffins on the side.  Needless to say, day #2 of being completely stuffed started bright and early!

After opening gifts, although it was about 25 degrees outside, my boyfriend and I decided to go for a walk down by the beach.  My parents are lucky enough to live very close to the beach and even in the Winter, a New England beach is beautiful.  We lasted about a half an hour on a walk along the shore and the rocks, then we headed back in for hot spiced cider with rum.  Another one of those foods that just TASTES like Christmas to me.

We finished off Christmas day trying to complete a 1000 piece puzzle.  Now, Harris and I have done a puzzle together every Christmas.  And we ALWAYS finish it.  One year we did Central Park.  Another year it was the Las Vegas strip.  This year we chose a puzzle full of wine bottles stacked on shelves.  BAD CHOICE!  We couldn't finish it that night.  We ended up taping together the parts we had completed with scotch tape and bringing it back to Jersey with us.  It's now on our kitchen table and we've been working on it a little bit each night.  I'll post a picture of the finished product!! This one is so tricky!

All in all, Christmas was amazing in CT, as always.  I love all of the traditions we have and it warms my heart that everyone is together, safe and sound, under one roof...with plenty of amazing food and wine:-)  Although I'm ready for a re-set with my eating and working out on January 1st, I'm still pumped for a fun night out on New Year's Eve with friends!

POP!

My favorite snack, BY FAR, is popcorn.  Nothing beats sitting on the couch with my love, a good movie on TV, a bowl of popcorn...and maybe a glass of wine.

I'm not talking about the microwave popcorn stuff that we've been hearing horror stories about in the news.  I'm talking about freshly air-popped "homemade" popcorn that you can season or sweeten as you wish.

My old roommate in New York City introduced me to her air popper when we moved in together years ago.  She would pop kernels in her air popper, spray the popcorn with cooking spray and add her toppings.  Her favorite was parmesan cheese and salt.  It just tasted so much more fresh than microwaved popcorn.  I started doing cinnamon and a dusting of brown sugar (before my Tone It up days- now I use Stevia).  That became my favorite.

When I started dating my boyfriend, I introduced him to air popped popcorn and he got hooked too!  His favorite is parmesan and garlic sea salt.  We also use Smart Balance, Olive Oil, Sunflower, or Coconut Oil cooking sprays to make the toppings stick and to remain on the healthy side.  Some of our other concoctions are below.  We don't mess around!

• Rosemary & Garlic Salt
• Dill, Cracked Pepper, & Garlic Salt
• Parmesan, Chili Powder, & Hot Sauce
• Drizzle of melted PB and Cocoa Powder
• Cocoa Powder & Stevia
• Crumbled Turkey Bacon & Stevia or Brown Sugar 
• Crushed Oreos, Sea Salt, & Melted White Chocolate (WARNING: This is dangerous!  We made it for a Superbowl party and it didn't last long)

The possibilities are pretty much endless and you can definitely go more INDULGENT or more healthy- depending on the day or occasion.

What makes air popping popcorn even more enticing is that it's a lot more economical!  An air popper can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 but kernels and toppings are super affordable and last through several batches of popcorn.  It has taken place of microwave popcorn bags, bags of chips, crackers, etc.  And I always have kernels in my pantry to satisfy my crunch craving.

Since I do a lot of distance running about 10 months out of the year, popcorn also is a healthy and light way to carb up and get the necessary salt that your body needs without going overboard.

I'm craving it now!!!

I know there HAS to be more topping ideas that I'm not thinking of.  Let me know how fancy you get with your popcorn! I must not be the only one;-)

It couldn't have happened anywhere but little old New York...

This little picture was hanging in my very first NYC apartment.  It will hang in every home I have in the future...

At the start of the 2013 Summer, I made a big move from New York City to New Jersey as I mentioned a few posts ago.  This move was much needed, but very emotional at the same time- as most moves are.  While I was saying goodbye to life in NYC (something that was a huge priority at one time), I was opening up a brand new chapter of my life- moving in with my boyfriend, into suburbia, and away from the shoebox apartment life I called home for 7 years.

At age 22, NYC was so full of energy, magic, and places just waiting for me to explore! I would visit friends and have the most amazing nights out.  Whether is was just pizza and shopping around Christmas time, a rooftop party on a summer night, or a night club on New Year's Eve, nothing and nowhere in my life compared to the happiness I had when I spent time in NYC.  Cab rides through Tribeca with my best friends felt magical.  Walking home from a bar at 2am with the snow falling was breathtaking.  And the unique closet-sized restaurants we went to only made us want more!  I knew that I had to live in that city.

The very next year, I was making plans to do just that.  I packed up my life in a little suburb of Washington, DC, into my Jeep, and I headed North to New York.  I remember not having even an ounce of hesitation.  I was beyond ready. Beyond excited.  And I was headed in the exact direction I should have been going in.

For the first year living in the Big Apple, everything was so new and I had this undeniable appreciation for every little thing.  Finding a new market for food shopping, a morning run up the East River or through the hills of Central Park, or a late night/early morning diner meal are all memories I will hold onto for the rest of my life- and crack a smile, with just a thought.  I loved everything I was doing.

As life goes on, I found love (from NJ), but held on to New York City life as long as I could.  Having love in New York is amazing and romantic.  There are so many things to do together, and even if you know the city inside and out, there is always something else to explore.  And there is nothing like experiencing new places together OR showing off your own go-to Mexican restaurant that no other place could ever beat!

I ended up spending most weekends in New Jersey and weekdays in NYC.  Packing up a weekend duffle bag EVERY Thursday did take its toll, but I was in LOVE!  New Jersey had fresh air, space, and trees.  It gave me a break from the constant urgency in NYC that loomed over everyone.  New Jersey became my second home and I looked forward trying new yoga studios and food shopping in big grocery stores again...and having a kitchen big enough to make homemade pizzas;-)  It made my NYC life seem a little stuffy and restricting almost.  I knew I was slowly reaching the end of my love affair with the Big Apple.  For good reason, of course.

In the months leading up to this year's big move, I couldn't wait to get out of my crammed apartment, away from the fumes of 3rd avenue and the uncleanly subways.  I was in full-on New Jersey mode by then and I could not be happier that I was moving in with my love.  I was looking forward to spending our very first summer living together and decorating our new home together.  The day we rented the U-haul and pulled through the streets of Manhattan at 5am to pack up my NYC life, was the only day it hit me.  My dream city...my NYC life...all I had wanted at one point- was all about to be left behind for a new chapter.  It was easy to say goodbye to the small apartment, the traffic, and the noise...but it wasn't so easy to say bye to the reasons I moved to the city in the first place.

But I can now say that I actually LIVED all of those perfect reasons-  the magic, the energy, the uniqueness...

As I headed out of New York that morning, sitting shotgun, I looked out the window with my Starbucks cup comforting me, realizing just how much my priorities had changed, and the most genuine smile came over me...

What I have left of the NYC-Me are the very best memories of my 20s years that a girl could ever ask for.  And THAT makes me feel pretty darn lucky!

November's Intentions

Now that we're into day 4 of November, I have come up with my goals/intentions for the month!  I wanted to share them all with you and a little bit about why these are important to me this month:-)

Intention #1- Remain Positive- I have gone through a lot of change in over the past few months. Moving out of the city into suburbia.  Moving in with my boyfriend.  Getting a car. Starting a new job.  These changes aren't little things for me and I very easily over-think them at times.  Sometimes I just need to remind myself to relax, breath it all in, and be thankful for what has come to me.  Positivity can really go a long way for you AND the people around you.  Last week, I found myself sitting at my desk and randomly smiling thinking of these amazing changes and how far I've gone in just a few months.  I just wanted to sit in the moment all day:-)  This month, I promise myself to have more of those moments.

Intention #2- Enjoy Thanksgiving (EVERY BIT)- Because of my Type A personality, I tend to focus on making all details of the holidays perfect.  Everything from the schedule, to food, to when I will workout, etc.  This year, I'm going to find the joy in planning the meals and spending time with my family.  It's so fun to be with my parents and my sisters.  It's time to grab the wine and sit around chatting OR bundle up and go for a walk along the water on the deserted wintertime New England beaches OR go to my high school's annual football game which I used to cheer at every frigid Thanksgiving morning!  There is no need for me to fuss about what I'm eating, when I will workout, what will people think of my pumpkin pie...everything always rolls out just fine:-)

Intention #3- Early Christmas Shopping- Most of my holiday gift shopping gets wrapped up the day after Thanksgiving.  YES, I'm one of THOSE people.  I wake up at 5:30 the day after Thanksgiving and hit the stores.  I'm not looking for those door buster sales- I just like the idea of starting early and getting it all done!  Sometimes I even wrap the gifts the same day! So, this year is no different.  I plan to stick with my yearly goal of getting most, if not all, of that shopping done on the deadliest of days for my bank account- BLACK FRIDAY!

Intention #4- Focus on Arms- I have a wedding on December 14th and I will be wearing a strapless dress!  Just because it's winter, I can't hide behind a jacket or sweater.  I need to stay trimmed and toned for this dress.  I want my shoulders, arms, and back to look gorgeous in this dress and that means starting NOW with the focus on my Arm toning.  With the help of my Tone it up trainers, this should not be too difficult to incorporate at least 3 arm routines per week.  There is also something so satisfying about having sore triceps;-)  Anyone with me on that?

Intention #5- Up the Cardio- During the winter months, it's hard for me to get up and WANT to do cardio first thing in the morning.  I usually want to take time and wake my body up with light toning and yoga or very low impact interval training.  I plan to overcome that this month and set the bar high for the winter months to follow.  This will probably be the most challenging on of my 5 goals, but I just need to bundle up and do it!  I know this will help me, especially with all of the extra treats lurking on every counter top this time of year!

So there are my five intentions for November!  It's important to set and write out your intentions so they don't just get lost in your head.  Now that they're out there, I feel a better sense of accountability.

Set YOUR intentions...GO!

Soften Up! (with Olive Oil)

Cold and dry weather is upon us!  And It can definitely do a number on your skin...

I spend most of my weekdays inside an office, so I try to do as many outdoor activities as possible at night and on the weekends.  Since I was an NYC gal for several years of my life, my 30 minute walk home from work every night was one of my favorite times of day.  Plugging in my iPod, getting some air, people watching, and heading home for the night.  Since moving to Jersey, I've tried to continue my "walking after work" by going to local parks and high school tracks after work (yeah...totally different vibe...but still refreshing!).  It's nice to unwind and move around a little before heading in for the night and getting dinner prepped. 

After a few years of walking home and just walking EVERYWHERE in general in NYC, I noticed my skin was suffering from the dry and not-so-clean NYC air.  About 2 years ago, I started turning to Olive Oil for my dry skin relief during the winter months.  I'm not just talking about my hands...I'm talking face, knees, elbows- anything!  We all know how good olive oil is for your body's cholesterol and immune system, but what about the outside?!? My grandmother actually suggested it to me a few years prior and I thought that putting "oil" on my skin would make me breakout, so I didn't want to try it.  

But I finally did! And so should you! Because you'll never know that your skin could feel so soft.  It may feel over-oily at first, but you'll love the results.  Do this for your face before bed:  

1) Wash your face the way you normally do.

2) Pat dry your face completely with a clean towel.

3) With a cotton ball, rub organic, extra virgin olive oil to your face (as you would if you were using a toner or astringent).  You want to go around your eyes because it's so amazing for those fine lines around your eyes, but don't get to close.  I cover my face with a thin layer and focus on my forehead, laugh lines, and around my eyes.  It's awesome for cracked lips too!

You shouldn't be dripping with olive oil, it should just feel like you have a thick moisturizer on.  

After I thinly cover my face, I pour a drop of olive oil on my hands and rub it in like lotion.  Again, you're not covered in oil so much that you can't touch anything.  It's on there as a moisturizer.

Leave everything on and go to bed.  In the morning, take note of how soft your skin feels!  The softness is something that no other moisturizer can quite live up to, in my opinion.  It pretty much locks in the moisture.  This is great for irritated skin, stretch marks, and just overall sensitive skin because of the antioxidants and good fats. Your skin will just look and feel stronger and healthier!

So when you're making dinner tonight, don't put your bottle of Olive Oil away in the pantry.  Keep it out and use it before bed.  Treat your face and massage it into your elbows and knees.  You won't regret it!

SlimDown Conclusion

I haven't checked in about finishing off last week's 5 Day Slim Down!  Well, it finished with success.  I'm not big on weighing myself, but I could see a big difference in the muscle tone in my stomach and my complexion!  And my smallest skinny jeans fit awesome on our Sushi data Friday night!  Well worth it!  Nothing like skinny jeans and bright, clear skin! 

Thursday morning, I woke up very low on energy.  Even my coffee didn't help much, but I got in some  toning with the Tone it up! Beach Babe DVD Fine Toning workout and the Sandcastle workout.  Both are awesome sculpting routines and they really get your heart rate going.  For my PM workout, I went to my boyfriend's old high school after work and walked around a running loop they have for 3 miles.  There is something nostalgic about being around an active high school on a fall early evening.  There is so much going on!  Football players leaving practice, soccer team finishing up, moms picking up their kids from practice.  I love it!  It brings me back! 

The Fall weather is making me so relaxed and happy! After being in an office all day, I get excited to do my 2-3 mile walk after work just so I can see the leaves and smell the Fall air.  My office has a lot of light and a courtyard with a fountain to go have lunch outside.  So, I get to momentarily take in the fall air during work hours:-)

Thursday's Meals-
Breakfast- Pumpkin Coffee with Almond Milk + Banana Pancake + Meta D Shot
Morning Hydration- Bai Blueberry
Morning Snack- Strawberries
Lunch- Spinach Salad with Salmon & Peppers
Afternoon Hydration- Vita Coco
Afternoon snack- Apple & pumpkin spice tea
Dinner- Herb Chicken with Broccoli and a mustard sauce drizzle

A very successful day of eating and staying on track!  When we were watching TV on Thursday night, we almost cracked and reached for the wine, but we talked ourselves out of it and said that we could make it through one more day! This made Friday go by quickly because we set our wine date for 7pm at the sushi place!

Friday is normally my Active Rest Day so this week I took full advantage.  My energy was just a little low from the Slim Down.  I stayed on track with meals...and then celebrated- in a healthy way- for dinner!

Friday's Meals-
Breakfast- Mocha Coffee with Almond Milk + Banana Pancake
Morning Hydration- Bai Mango
Morning Snack- Strawberries
Lunch- Spinach Salad with Chicken & Hummus
Afternoon Hydration- Vita Coco
Afternoon snack- Apple
Dinner- Edamame & Sushi & celebratory Pinot Noir!

It was a great re-set and I'm glad we did it.  It does take a slight commitment and a desire to want to make it through the whole week, but it feels so great in the end.

Yay! Now back to my Kashi cereal & nuts this week!

Day 2 & 3 Check in!

We have gotten through day 2 & 3 of the 5 day slim down.  Almost done! 

Yesterday was an extremely busy Tuesday which helped me to stay on track at work with the cleanse.  I never thought I would be so happy that the new office I work in does not have a vending machine full of junk food!  Well, there might be one in the building, I just don't know where it is...and would like to keep it that way;-)

My morning workout was more on the gentle side yesterday because I did a pretty intense workout on Monday morning.  I ended up doing the Sunrise Routine from the Tone It up! Beach Babe 2 DVD.  It's  one of my favorites!  I also did the Bikini Booty and Long & Lean workouts form Beach Babe 1 DVD.   Gentle but extremely effective!

Tuesday's Meals-
Breakfast- Coffee & Almond Milk, Meta D Shot, & Pumpkin Protein Waffles
Morning Hydration- Bai Blueberry
Morning Snack- Banana
Lunch- Spinach Salad with Salmon and lots of colorful peppers
Afternoon Hydration- Vita Coco
Afternoon Snack- An apple for fuel during my PM workout
Dinner- Tilapia with salsa & veggies

After work I went to a park close to home and met a friend for a 2.5 mile walk (with some hills!).  The night was gorgeous and it was just cool enough for a sweatshirt.  My favorite weather!

This morning I went on a 3 mile run after I woke my body up with coffee and the Sunset Stretch from the Beach Babe 2 DVD.  Again, great running weather!  I was happy to get that workout in before work because I had quite a long day of travel!  My colleague and I did a lot of walking around my client's campus, so I let myself take a night off from my PM workout today.

Wednesday's Meals-
Breakfast- Coffee & Almond Milk, Meta D Shot, and Pumpkin Protein Waffles
Morning Hydration- Dragon-fruit Bai
Morning Snack- Banana
Lunch- Chicken & Pepper Strips wrapped in lettuce
Afternoon Hydration- Vita Coco & tons of water
Dinner- I WAS STARVING!!! Egg White Omelet w/ Spinach & Salsa + some pineapple

Watching TV tonight, Harris and I were both thinking that we both wanted a glass of vino!!! We almost caved, but we're so close to the end! We agreed we're going out for Sushi & wine on Friday night to celebrate an accomplished week- 1st week in my new office and completing 5 days of clean eating:-)  Now I'm reaaaally excited for Friday to get here!

Happy Hump Day!  We're almost to Friday.  We can do it!

Slim down Day 1

Checking in!!!

So the first day of the Tone it Up 5 day Slim Down is winding down with a few strawberries and Yogi Tea's Soothing Caramel tea.  The first day and the last day are always the hardest for me!  The first day, I keep thinking of other things I want to snack on while I'm at work and the last day, I start thinking about how close I am to the end- but somehow that makes the day go slower!  But really, nothing beats how lean you feel the day after the slim down is done!

This morning before work, accompanied by my coffee with almond milk and a water, I did a great HIIT workout with some toning moves.  I did a cardio resistance Insanity workout plus the Tone It Up Frisky Fall full body toning moves.  Perfect Monday sweat session to kick off the week.  After my workout, I got all of my meals packed for a day in the office-

Breakfast- Meta D Babe Shot + Pumpkin Perfect Fit Protein Waffles
Morning Snack- A cup of Grapes
Morning Hydration- Bai Mango Antioxidant Drink
Lunch- Chicken & Mixed Greens with Cucumber and Tomatoes + lots of water
Afternoon Hydration- VitaCoCo (and a few leftover grapes from earlier)
Dinner- Siracha Lime Salmon and Roasted Asparagus
Dessert- Strawberries & Tea

Before dinner, while I was waiting for Harris to get home, I decided to get out for some fresh air before making dinner.  The weather was crisp and relaxing, so a 2 mile walk was a good choice for a quick PM workout!  Just me and my iPod:-)

So, other than wanting some chocolate after lunch today, I'm ending today feeling satisfied and ready for Day 2!  Meals are packed. Morning alarm is set.  

Let's all keep up the momentum for a successful week!

Natural Foods Cleanse Prep

Happy Sunday All!

In my last post, I mentioned that my boyfriend Harris and I are doing a natural foods cleanse this week.  We are following the Tone It Up! 5 Day Slim Down.  He will be making some minor "manly" tweaks though ;-)  I feel like we are finally getting through the peak of our busy fall schedules and this week would be perfect for us to do a re-set.

We went on a HUGE grocery haul today.  We went to Costco and the Farmers Market and stocked up on EVERYTHING.  We have no excuse not to eat this bright, fresh, & beautiful food! 

At Costco, we wanted to get all of our meats because it's the best bang for your buck.  We got Salmon, Tilapia, Chicken, Eggs and Grass Fed Lean Steaks.  We also got our bags of baby carrots & peppers and hummus for snacking.  Harris will be incorporating raw nuts into his 5 day slim down, but I'm choosing to leave them out this time around.  Costco is such a great place to stock up on almonds and cashews.  You really can't beat the price.  Another key find, especially for the slimdown- VitaCoco & Bai drinks in bulk!  Perfect for a mid-morning re-charge. And, again, you can't beat the Costco price with these drinks.  What is great about all of today's purchases, is we are pretty much set on our groceries for a while!  That makes me smile :-)

At the Farmers Market, we got the rest of our yummy produce-

• Apples
• Limes
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Fresh Herbs
• Green Onions
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Tomatoes
• Green Beans
• Melon
  

We have some great meals planned for this week including lots of roasted veggies with dinner & salads for lunches.  I'm prepping my veggies tonight.  Zucchini, Carrots, Green Beans, Asparagus, & Mushrooms. I wash and chop them, spread them on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with chopped garlic and a little sea salt, and pop them in the oven. These roasted veggies are going to pair with any of the meats/fish we make this week.

I also prepped a bunch of Pumpkin Spice Perfect Fit Waffles with some canned pumpkin I needed to use up.  We have our breakfasts set for the first few days of the week. PerfectFit Waffles are made out of eggs & Organic Plant-based Perfect Fit protein powder, and usually mixed up with banana or avocado, or other add ins.  So they are very 5 Day Slim Down friendly! I may need to make another batch on Wednesday or Thursday:-)

As I finished up making my waffles earlier, I got my Tone it Up! notification that the weekly workout schedule is up on their site.  That was my queue to write out and set my workout plan for the week.  The Tone it Up plan just makes it easy and fun to stay on track.  

So my workouts and meals are set for the week.  No excuses!  This will be a Lean, Clean, & Green next 5 days! I'm super excited and ready for tomorrow.

I'll check in tomorrow with a status of 5 Day Slim Down Day #1!

October Re-Set

Just last month, I accepted a new job closer to my new home in New Jersey (cheers to me! *cartwheel*).  Since I moved to New Jersey just before the summer, I was still commuting to my NYC job- EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Not only was the actual act of commuting to work an added stress- Driving to the train, waiting for the train, taking the crowded train to NY, and walking to the office- but for a Type-A, to-do list kind of girl, I felt like I was burning 3 hours of my day EVERYDAY!  

Needless to say, it was taking a toll on my mental state.  I am definitely not a good commuter.  Things turned around in mid-September when I accepted a job just a short driving distance from my new home:-)  For anyone that knows me, this was life-changing!  

• I get 3 hours back to my day
• I don't have to wake up at 4:45am
• I don't have to go to sleep as early
• I can make fresh & healthy dinners on my weeknights
• I don't have to deal with mass transportation everyday

A major upgrade, right?  Some of you NYC lovers may be thinking I'm crazy, but I had lived in NYC for about 7 years and I was definitely ready for the calmness of suburbia!  NYC has a very special place in my heart and I am happy to say that now that I don't live & work there anymore, it's starting to get it's magic and character back.  The energy that I once moved to the city for, just disappeared after 7 years of subways, rainstorms, loads of people, & laundromats! Now I am able to go in and have brunch with my best friends, shop at my favorite stores, walk around the parks and have this amazing and nostalgic love for the gorgeous city- not a feeling of rush and annoyance.  I lived some of my best memories in that city.

So after 4 months of adjusting to suburbia (although still close to NYC), I no longer have to adjust to my horrible commute.  I will now be adjusting to having more time to myself to do the things I love- FOOD, FITNESS, FRIENDS!  I officially start in my new office on Monday after this week was spent in training.  My boyfriend and I have decided to take this as a good time to do a week long detox/cleanse.  I am doing the Tone It Up! 5 Day Slim Down and he will be joining me.  It's basically a natural foods cleanse.  I figure this will be a good re-set and re-focus as I begin to dive into this new job.

Next week, I'm going to try to blog nightly about what we have done that day with the 5 Day Slim Down.  This will help me to stay accountable and document my progress!  I hope to share a few Lean Clean and Green recipes with you- Lemon Chicken, Siracha Salmon, Protein Waffles, Smoothies! Doesn't seem too bad does it??  You can do anything for 5 days! So, stay tuned!

I hope everyone is having a great October!

Just a lazy weekend...

It's Sunday night.  After a perfectly gorgeous and mellow weekend.  I can honestly say for the first time in a long time, I'm rejuvenated and prepped for a new week.  Work has been super tough lately and I feel like my weekends are my time to get grounded and become myself again!  

I have been training for a half marathon for the past 12 weeks so on my weekends, after my long runs (10 miles +), I get this amazing feeling of accomplishment that is not really felt in my normal corporate America job.  The accomplishment is a pure physical and mental fulfillment that could only be felt after two full hours of pushing your body to the ultimate limit. I'm sure my other distance runners can relate, right?

So my Saturday morning was dedicated to my 12 mile run and the 55 degrees and sunny weather pushed me along every step of the way.  The PERFECT running weather.  My run turned out smooth and strong and really made me feel like I'm ready to tackle 13.1 next weekend! I'm starting to get excited!  There is something about "race day" that is so special to me.  My parents always come to watch my races and this year, my co-worker is running it with me.  So it should be a fun little Sunday next week!

Today, I did a more low impact barre workout at a local Barre3 studio.  Those classes are always intense in just the right places.  I love it!  There really is nothing like a good workout.  After the class, it was obvious with my sunroof open and windows down, that the day was absolutely beautiful and I couldn't waste it by just going home.  I went to the local high school and walked around a loop a few times for a 2 mile walk, listening to music.  It's so good to just take a second to breathe in the fresh air by yourself sometimes.

After I finally made my way home, I did a bunch of food prep for the week- in the CrockPot and my mason jars.  Kale Salad, CrockPot pulled Chicken, & Overnight Oats are on the menu this week! My workouts are all prepped, my place is clean, and I also did some prep for the party I'm having in October (see last post).

Sometimes you just need weekends like this.  No set plans when you have to be somewhere on time and dressed up.  Nothing that requires preparation and attention.  Just yourself and your well-being. It's time to take on a new week!

What have you done for yourself this weekend? Let's make this a great week!

Falling into Fall!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year.  Every year at this time, not only is there a change in the weather, but there is just a feeling of transition in the air.  Leaves changing, school buses packed with kids again, brown boots, cozy sweatshirts, pumpkin beer, apples & squash, reds, oranges, browns...it's such a huge change from the summer feel.

Next month I'm having all of my good friends over to celebrate this time of year.  Kind of a fall soiree! This will be the first big group of people we have over in our new place and I'm beyond excited preparing.  We asked everyone to bring their favorite bottle of wine and we are handling the rest- the food and entertainment!  It's always fun to try new types of wine, especially in good company.  I'm excited to sit back, relax, and toast to the crisp fall air!

On my shopping list for Party Prep, below are my must-haves (so far):

• Apples
• Bunches of grapes
• Dried Fruit
• A variety of different cheeses (Whole Foods Cheese Shop is the only way to go!)
• Plenty of bottled water
• Prosciutto
• Butternut Squash (to make soup!)

We are not serving a full dinner, but I want my guests to leave filled up with good wine and good food!  I'm on a mission to find flavorful fall appetizers that pair perfectly with wine.

I've been hoarding decorations for the past month as I prep for my soiree.  I'm aiming at keeping things classy and simple- while the main focus is FALL, I do want to highlight the WINE & CHEESE!  I've picked up some fall colored ribbon, leaf-shaped place mats to use under the cheese plates, and pumpkin candles.  I'm also on the lookout for a fun "autumn" way to label the different cheeses.

So as you can tell, I'm overly excited that the weather is cooling down and I can open my windows to the scent of fall. So why not use this festive season as an excuse to sip on delicious wines and snack on fancy cheeses with great friends?

I want to hear more ideas for a successful and fun wine party.  Any tips on decorations, games, and snacks are appreciated- send them over! I hope everyone is having an excellent transition into the back-to-school, sweatshirt season. Breathe in and embrace it :-)

Spiced Honey Tofu

Yes, I've found it.  The ULTIMATE tofu recipe.  And while I cannot take credit for this incredible mix of flavors put together to make this amazing concoction, I do want to share it with you all. I know a lot of the Tone it up! girls experiment with tofu, so you all have to give this a try.  I'm not going to lie, I wanted to drink the marinade out of the bowl after I taste tested it. (Don't worry, I didn't!)

So my co-worker is a vegetarian and is always bringing in delicious looking homemade lunches.  One day she had this fragrant tofu on top of some greens and I had to try a bite.  So flavorful!  A pop of sweetness and just the right kick of spice. And with added Chia seeds, the girl had me hooked.

Ingredients-
- 1 Block of Extra Firm Tofu
- 1/4 cup Pure Organic Honey
- 1/4 Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder (This might be too much if you're not a garlic person)
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp Tumeric
- 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1) Drain excess water out of Tofu
2) Cute into cubes of thin slices
3) Mix all of the ingredients above in a bowl and heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds to make it a smooth, even consistency
4) Coat each piece of tofu into the mixture (this will be messy but who cares because you'll want to lick your fingers!!)
5) Bake for about 12 minutes on each side. It should be a golden brown color.  If you like your tofu more "tough" in texture, just add a few extra minutes on each side.
The best part about it is, this recipe does not have to be limited to tofu.  I can imagine it would be excellent on chicken as well.  If anyone tries it that way, let me know how it goes.

On Sundays, I make tofu often because I like to top off my salads with the added protein during the week.  This is a great item to have ready to go for the week and can last you a few meals.  I'm also not a huge fan of salad dressings, so this tofu recipe takes care of the flavor 10 times over when it comes to a boring old salad. 

Give it a try! Let me know how you like it.  My co-worker will be so happy I shared it:-)

YogaFit!


In 2012, it became a goal for me to start teaching fitness classes again.  I was inspired by my Tone It Up trainers and truly missed the feeling of being in front of a class, helping people get healthy.  After much research, I decided that YogaFit was the absolute perfect fit for me.  With a personal training and group fitness background in a former life, YogaFit was the next step I needed to throw myself back into the fitness/wellness world.  So I am excited to share with everyone that my Level One certification is COMPLETE! And I'm so happy with the entire experience...and it has just begun!

I work a job Monday through Friday entrenched in Corporate America where the stress levels can be high and we often spend hours in front of our computers and sitting in meetings.  Knowing that this can do a number on your posture, overall body alignment, & focus, getting a deeper knowledge of how to teach Yoga seemed like a no-brainer. 

I signed up for a Level 1 Instructor Certification course with YogaFit in December.  I met some great people in the area and it was so refreshing to be around a group of people that all share the same passion and interest.  After I completed the course I had to teach 8 hours of community service, offering yoga to people that aren't normally exposed to yoga.  What better place to get my community hours in than in the Corporate environment?  Yoga is a great way for people to de-stress, unwind, breathe, and simply focus on themselves. 

THAT is what I wanted to promote with my community services classes. Anyone could participate and get something positive out of it.  To add to that, one of the philosophies of YogaFit is that it is Yoga for Everybody and Every Body.  I HAD to bring this into the office space.  I offered a few free classes right in our offices in downtown Manhattan, after work hours, and got a great turnout. 

The best part of holding these classes was the people that kept coming back for another class.  It made me feel like it was "working" for them and they were getting something out of it.  It also made me work harder to come up with sequences and flows that would help people learn, expand their practice, and not get bored.  So it was a learning experience for everyone involved.

What has been so great about this process is that although I have officially received my certification, my colleagues at work still request classes and I will be holding a few in Battery Park this summer, as the weather gets a little better.  Offering free classes has helped me become a better instructor and it is just plain fun to plan them and unwind after work.  And my co-workers see me in a different light!

So I just wanted to share my excitement:-) I hope to blog about more of my YogaFit experiences with everyone as I move on to Level 2 this summer!  If there are any YogaFit instructors out there that can share their experiences and tips, please reach out to me!

NAMASTE!

Spring Fever!

It was a long, cold, and snowy Winter here on the East Coast.  The fact that it's the first week in May and we've finally reached the 60s & 70s, is just crazy to me.  I remember years when I was in shorts at the end of March and April was really warm with flowers everywhere.  Not this year!  Needless to say, it's making me yearn for warmer nights, opening the windows, and finally putting away my coats and boots.  Spring and Summer are the perfect seasons for BBQs, outdoor runs, and light & healthy eats and cocktails. 

Today I'm doing my final long run before my 10K next weekend.  I'm happy to say the sun is out and we're supposed to be in 60s today.  I decided to do 7 miles today so that my 10K won't feel as tough!  There is something about running in NYC that makes me so happy and feel good about myself.  I have spent 6 years running in this city and I oddly feel like I have developed a connection with the different routes that I take.  They almost bring back memories of different times/different states of mind of my life over the past 6 years.  I also brought an old ipod along with me last weekend and I swear I was smiling as I was running, thinking of old memories.  Running is so therapeutic for me and it really has been a big part of my NYC life. Does anyone get this feeling about running?  I'm so very excited that the weather is finally giving me good running weather!! 

After I get through my 7miles today, I'm going on a hunt for fun Summer finds.  I do want this to be the best summer yet with lots of outdoor healthy eats with family and friends.  I'm on the lookout for picnic baskets, lemonade pitchers, etc.  Nothing beats a good backyard bbq with a bunch of friends or Sunday night dinner out on the balcony.  I plan to do plenty of those this summer with refreshing wine wines and fresh fruit infused cocktails.  I'll be sharing my finds and recipes on twitter and on here all throughout the summer. 

I get so much motivation from all of the woman I've created friendships with through Tone It Up.  The recipes I come across are things that I would never think of on my own. So I'm really anxious to see what I find this summer for dinners, get-togethers. I LOVE YOU TIU GIRLS!!!

Everyone have a great and productive weekend!  I hope the weather where you are is as beautiful as it is in NYC!  Get out there and enjoy it!

Baked Chick Peas

It's been a much needed lazy weekend.  This has been the first weekend in weeks where we had absolutely no plans.  The big snowfall that hit us on Friday/Saturday gave us some justification to stay in, catch up on movies we've been wanting to see, and try some new red wines we've stocked up on:-)  Sometimes you just need this kind of time.

Even when we have lazy days, I always keep healthy snacks around.  This weekend, I made a huge batch of baked chick peas on Saturday morning.  Chick peas are great because they are small and perfect to nibble on.  They are packed with fiber AND protein- a combination that makes you full longer.  And, when baked up with a few seasonings, they become a crunch-satisfying, nutritious snack.

You have to try this super easy recipe.  This snack is great just to have around or have out for a party.  I haven't met anyone who doesn't like these.

Preheat Oven to 375degrees
What you'll need-
One large Cookie Sheet (I use one with a 1/2inch high edge to prevent the chick peas from rolling)
Aluminum Foil
3 Cans of Low Sodium Chick Peas
Garlic Sea Salt
Onion Powder
Ground Black Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Cayenne Pepper (If you can take the heat!)

Line your cookie sheet with foil to help with easy clean up.  Drain & rinse all 3 cans of chick peas.  Spread them out evenly over the cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil over chick peas. Sprinkle your seasonings over top.  With clean hands, move around the chick peas to ensure they are all fully covered in olive oil and seasonings (this gets kind of messy).  Bake for 45mins to 1 hour. An hour gets them really crispy! Remove, let cool, & enjoy!  These can be stored in a Tupperware container or zip-lock bag and are also a great snack on the go!

Quick & Easy Multi-Meals!

I've come up with a few "dinner-turned-lunch" meals that are not only healthy, but last for a few more meals into my busy week.  When I first moved to NYC, I was eating out quite a bit and looking back, it was very pricey! $10-$12 lunches add up VERY quickly!  The 3 recipes I'm sharing make about 4-5 servings and can pack up easily in a single tupperware container for transporting. 


TOP 5 ways prepping your meals in advance can help you out-

1) When you make it yourself, you know EXACTLY what's in it.  No mystery ingredients!
2) There is no reason to spend money when you've prepared yourself a few options for the week. (Imagine what you could do with an extra $50-$60 per month)
3) Some of these foods can triple for Dinner, Lunch, AND Breakfast.
4) You save yourself time during your lunch break and after work because your meals have already been prepped.  No weeknight chopping, standing, and cleaning in the kitchen!
5) You'll find that eating out and occassionally buying lunch during the week because a special treat.  It becomes more enjoyable!

Turkey Chili (Adapted from the Tone It Up! nutrition plan, with a few tweaks)-
1 Pound Lean Ground Turkey
1 Medium White or Yellow Onion
1 Large Tomato
1 Large Green Pepper
1 can Red Kidney Beans
1 can Black Beans
Cayenne Pepper
Salt & Pepper

I kid you not, all you have to do is chop these veggies and bombine the ingredients, especially if you use a crockpot.  If I'm cooking stovetop, I will chop my vegies and start cooking them up in a big pot with the 2 cans of beans.  In a frying pan, I cook up the group turkey with Salt & Pepper (dont over-do it with the salt).  Once the meat and veggies are fully cooked, I add the meat to the big pot, add in the Cayenne pepper and let the flavors blend by continuing to cook on low for 15 minutes.

Serve in a mug or bowl with Avocado or Low-fat Cheddar Cheese.  Pack for lunch and warm up in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.

Quinoa Bowls
With Quinoa Bowls, anything goes! I rhymed!  I've talked about Quinoa before.  It is a staple in my cabinet.  Do yourself a favor and make yourself a big pot of this stuff every Sunday night.  There are endless options with this stuff- Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. You can almost always use what you have in your kitchen.  You also can eat Quinoa bowls hot or cold, as per your preference.

- 1/2 Cup cooked Quinoa,  1/4 cup Black Beans, 1/2 Cup Green/Yellow/Red Pepper, Red pepper flakes, olive oil, a pinch of garlic Sea Salt

- 1/2 Cup cooked Quinoa, 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree, a handful of chopped walnuts, 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 packet stevia sweetener.

- 1/2 Cup cooked Quinoa, shrimp, zucchini, olive oil, & red pepper flakes

- 1/2 Cup cooked Quinoa, Spinach, low fat cheddar cheese, olive oil, garlic salt, & pepper

Spaghetti Squash
I've gotten my boyfriend hooked on spaghetti squash. He couldn't believe that when you cut one open, it was actually already in a spaghetti-like form.  That's why you can treat it just like spaghetti!

1 Spaghetti Squash
1 Pound Lean Ground Turkey
2 Tbs Olive oil
1 Jar organic/all natural tomato sauce (Classico is my favorite- not too many additives)
Sea Salt
Ground Black Pepper

Make several "vent holes" in your spaghetti squash with a sharp knife or fork.  This helps it to cook quickly.  Place in microwave and cook on high for 10mins.  Times may vary with your microwave but after 10mins, check it out.  It should be softened and easy to cut into.  CAUTION- It will be very HOT!

While your squash is in the microwave, cook up your ground turkey in a frying pan with olive oil, Salt & Pepper.  When cooked through, add in about half of the jar of tomato sauce, stir so it gets warm.  You should have yourself a nice meatsauce.  If you like a "saucier" consistency, just add more from your jar.  You can add some mushrooms to this mixture as well.

When the spaghetti squash is ready, cut in half and use a fork to scoop/string out out the insides.  It's just like spaghetti without the starch and carbs!  Serve in a bowl or on a plate and top with your meat sauce.  You can even top with a sprinkle of parmesan or low fat sharp cheddar.

Enjoy these recipes and let me know if you have any Multi-meals that help make your week easier!

Get up & Go!

In 2012, I made a habit out of getting up early to get my workout in.  While it was hard to get started at first, it was the best thing I could have done for myself- my body, my mind, and my social life!  Part of the Tone It Up! lifestyle I have talked about, includes waking up early to get your sweat on before the day starts.  We call it our morning Booty Call! And I actually find that I look forward to it now! You get to awaken your body, put yourself in prime calorie-burning mode all day, and...best of all...you can go through your day knowing that you've already worked out. You have the night to yourself to get organized, run errands, or meet up with friends!

Preparation really is the key to sticking with a morning workout program.  I no longer have the excuse of "I don't have time in the morning" because everything is done the night before.  Here are a few tips I have for early morning workouts-

• Decide on Sunday night what types of workouts you're going to do each day of the week- Gym? Outdoor Run? DVD at home?  Write it on your calendar. This will help you stay organized with workout clothes & when/if you you need to pack up a gym bag for the day.
• Lay out workout clothes the night before.  This allows you to grab them right when you get out of bed.  You don't have to sleepily decide what to put on because it's already there and ready for you.
• Prepare breakfast, snacks, & lunches the night before.  This saves a TON of time in the morning.  Tupperware, snack baggies, & bars are great for portable meals to grab and head out the door.
• Prep your coffee pot the night before.  If you're a coffee drinker, all you'll need to do is hit the button!
• Have your water bottles filled and waiting for you in the refrigerator.
• Wash your face right right when you get up!  This helps you to wake up become more alert instantly.

If you choose an AT HOME morning workout-

• Have a wide variety of workouts to choose from.  You're lucky if you have a treadmill or elliptical at home, if not, get a few workout DVDs to choose from so you don't get bored.  One day, you may need a really intense cardio training, the next day you may want a mellow yoga session.  Be prepared!
• Choose which DVD/workout you're planning on doing in advance.  If it's a DVD, set up the DVD player before you go to bed so you can just turn on the tube and hit play in the morning.
• Move furniture around the night before if needed (I need to move my coffee table if I want to do a DVD!- gotta love NYC apartments!)

If you're a morning Gym-goer-

• Pack that gym bag the night before- especially if you go to work right after the gym. 
• Leave out a To-Go Mug for Tea or Coffee to help give you an extra boost.
• Leave out a list of things you need for the gym near the door- Headphones, Ipod, water, etc. (I can't count the number of times I've left my headphones behind!)

Gym bags for the Gal-on-the-Go, who goes from Home to Gym to Work, pretty much has their life in their bag.  I've learned to make things easier and lighter during my commute (I'm in NYC so my gym bag comes everywhere with me) with a few quick fixes for an easy Shower, Change, & Go routine-

• Cotton Dresses are your BEST friends! They don't easily wrinkle, they don't take up much room, and they're work friendly!  Great quick-change option to pair with tights/boots, flats, or sandals.
• Protein Bars! You can't get a more portable quick breakfast option.  Find a healthy one you love.  I love Think Thin bars!
• Purchase a few travel sized items- body washes, shampoos, lotions, etc.  There is no reason to lug around big bottles of stuff that will weigh the bag down.
• Purchase a small insulated bag for food.  I got a lunch bag as a souvenir from the Hershey Half Marathon and it's gotten more use than I ever thought it would.  This keeps my salads & fruits cold and everything remains secure and separated from the rest of my gym gear.

Bottom line, the more organized you are, the less excuses you'll have to skip the workout.  Once you get into the swing of setting the alarm and getting up like you promised yourself you would, you're going to actually enjoy and look forward to this part of your day.  And it's actually really fun to plan and prep yourself to stay on track.  It definitely gives you a feeling of accomplishment when you stick with it. 

I would love to hear other tips and tricks on how you are successful with morning workout plans.  Let me know what helps you to keep up with a busy, healthy, and early start to the day.