Once again, I’ve been trolling around on Pinterest and I stumbled upon this workout that I thought you guys might like.
I love doing lower body workouts when I’m short on time. They work so many major muscles, that you really feel your heart-rate increase and know that you are working hard, even if you are short on time.
Filed under Health & Fitness, Quick Workouts
This week I have been focused on getting back into my fitness routines. Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy brought the hubs and I to a halt last week, when she slammed into the East Coast leaving us without power or heat for almost a week.
Monday I restarted the third week of Phase 3 for P90X. I use the official P90X app to track my progress (I forgot to take a screen capture of it and to be honest, I’m being lazy and don’t feel like doing it now to insert in this blog. Yeah, I know, I’m a slacker…get over it!)
I also decided that I wanted to give running a shot again, so I downloaded a Couch to 5K type of app, laced up my running shoes and hit the pavement. I have always struggled with pacing myself and endurance, so following an app seemed like the most logical step for me, and I really like it.
5K Runner: 0 to 5K run training. I love that I can use it with RunKeeper and it prompts you over whatever music you’re listening to as to when to run/walk. Well worth the $2.99
RunKeeper – If you walk/run/bike, etc, I highly recommend this app! It also has a coaching feature which I haven’t tried.
Daily Yoga – I have to be honest, the accent of the person instructing you makes me giggle. I have only done one routine so far, but I like this app. There also seems to be a routine difference between the iPhone and Android platforms. Droid users seem to have more FREE routines. Sigh.
MyFitnessPal: Because if you dont track what you eat, your ass will!
Filed under Fitness Inspiration, Health & Fitness, P90X
As Sandy approached we waited on long lines for generators and prayed for the best.
When the power went out, we all shared a room and passed time making shadow puppets on the ceiling and using portable electronics. (Thank goodness for those!)
The days after the storm were filled with some chaos, downed trees and lines, long gas lines and a scramble to find more firewood since it was our only source of heat.
As stories of damage emerged via Twitter and Facebook, you became grateful that the least of your problems was no power and heat. Having a generator/fireplace, roof over your head and your family safe and sound was all you needed. It truly humbled you.
Halloween was pushed back to November 5th here in NJ. We had power back at this point (I know many still do not).
Filed under Family Fun, My Ramblings
As many people know, the East Coast was pounded by Super-storm Sandy a week ago. She devastated communities along the Jersey Shore, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island. She left millions without power or heat and created a gas shortage that sparked an odd/even gas rationing here in New Jersey.
After being hit hard only a year ago by Irene, my family was thankfully spared any true damage from Sandy.
Unfortunately, a friend of mine from High School was not. Jen, who was set to run the NYC Marathon last Sunday, and Pedro who served our country in Iraq, lived in the Oakwood Beach area on Staten Island, with their two young children, before Sandy washed her house off its foundation, and into a marsh about 1/2 mile away. When I heard the news and watched THIS video, my heart sank for them. *Their story starts at the 2:10 mark*
As you can see, they lost everything and need to start from scratch. If you are looking to donate to those who were hit hardest by Sandy, please consider donating to them. Another friend of theirs set up a link for monetary donations HERE which will help them to get back on their feet during this rough time.
If you are not comfortable sending money, which I know some people are not, one of Jen’s blogger friends over at A Healthy, Happier Bear, set up a Target gift registry for all the essentials that they will need for their new rental home, once they find one. To view her blog post and donate, please CLICK HERE
A special thank you to everyone I know who has already donated to them, either monetarily or by dropping clothing off here for them. I know that many people were impacted by Sandy, but I had to share the story of someone who I know personally. I urge everyone to help out in anyway they can. Volunteer time to communities to help with clean up, donate clothes, cleaning supplies, whatever is needed.
Please feel free to link to this blog, RT, share, whatever it takes to get the word out and help a family in need.
Filed under Family Fun, My Ramblings
Did you know that this month is National Pasta Month? I certainly didn’t and I almost felt ashamed because I am Italian and I do LOVE me some pasta! I can thank the lovely @ComplicatedMama, @PastaFits and the #PastaFits hashtag over on Twitter, for pointing this out to me. In celebration and to get in the spirit of the #PastaFits Twitter party, I whipped up one of my favorite recipes for dinner:
Chicken Scarpiello with Fusilli
Chicken Scarpiello with Fusilli
Directions:
It sounds like a lot of work, but it comes together really quick and easy. I love that this dish makes a lot of left overs for my family and I love most pasta dishes even better the next day.
Do you have a favorite pasta dish? Worried about enjoying pasta while trying to reach your fitness goals? Don’t be! It’s all about portion control and making some simple substitutions to lighten up some of the heavier, more calorie dense recipes out there.
Filed under Main Course, Recipes
The title of this blog is very true to me. Some people embrace everything pumpkin when the fall rolls around, but for me, it’s apples. You can keep your pumpkin muffins, pumpkin lattes and pumpkin pie. Give me crisp, delicious apples! I love the variety of apples that you can find (not to mention the cheaper prices) in the grocery stores and come on, who doesn’t love apple cider or a fresh caramel apple?!
The one thing I am not a fan of is pie. I don’t know why, but I just don’t like them. It makes Thanksgiving dessert a little tricky since most people associate pie with the holiday (I wonder why that is exactly…hmmm.) Anyway, since I don’t like pie I end up making apple crisp in the fall and right now, my kitchen is full of autumn scents as the brown sugar, cinnamon, apple goodness bakes away in my oven!
Apple Crisp
Warm apple crisp served with slow churned, french vanilla ice-cream.
Directions:
Now I know this is a fitness blog and it’s about being healthier, but I like to treat myself every now and then, and when I have apple crisp, I serve it with ice-cream. There are a lot of good, slow churned ice-creams on the market today, as well as varieties made with almond or coconut milk. I also like the Haagen Das Five line which isn’t full of ingredients you can’t pronounce. To me, as long as you don’t indulge in stuff like this everyday, it’s okay to enjoy!
Remember, it’s all about portion control and moderation!
Filed under Recipes, Snacks & Treats
Normally in this house, Sundays are as lazy as it gets. There is usually a late start to us getting out of bed, breakfast, looking through the Sunday paper and then we watch the NFL RedZone channel all day while yelling at the TV and checking our Fantasy Football scores. Yesterday, however, I didn’t feel like sitting home. I don’t know if it is because the Broncos had a bye week or if it was just the nice weather calling to me, but I wanted to be outside.
To start the day off, the hubs and I got dressed and headed over to the Englishtown Auction. At first I was thinking we should go for a run, but I’m happy we decided to just walk around there. We were able to have some alone time, talk and just enjoy being together. Neither of us had been there in quite some time so we just walked, soaked up some sunshine and checked out what the vendors were offering. I always forget that they have great local farm stands there. They are not organically grown, but sometimes my budget doesn’t allow me to stick with all organic stuff, and to be quite honest, I’m okay with that these days. I scored some beautiful strawberries and amazingly large sweet potatoes while there. I really should have picked up some more stuff, like eggplant, peppers and cauliflower but to be honest, I didn’t feel like carrying them around with me and the sweet potatoes were heavy enough to be considered a workout.
A sample of the farm stands at the flea market. Most items were between $1 – $3 per basket. You can’t beat those prices!
Our afternoon of bowling. Top left: Matt who was happy he got to choose want we did today. Top Right: Maddie bowling, Bottom Left: Me hoping for a strike, Bottom Right: Maddie & Mike Instagraming or checking FB. lol.
What kind of activities do you like to do as a family?
Filed under Family Fun
Football season means finger foods, chips, salsa and beer! It also means a lazy day in my house, but I don’t like to toss out all of the hard work I’ve accomplished all week, nor do I like to give up all of the foods that I enjoy. I’ve been avoiding the beer and trying to keep the finger foods on the healthier side, which can be tricky, but I was pleasantly surprised by this recipe. It’s not picture perfect, but when compared to the deep-fried ones you might normally pull from your freezer and heat up, or order at your local sports bar, they are a gift from heaven. Plus, you can feel like you are cheating without all of the guilt!
Baked Ranch Chicken Fingers
(Makes 6 Servings)
Baked Ranch Chicken Fingers – served with baked sweet potato fries and bbq sauce.
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.
In a shallow dish combine crushed corn flakes, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, and dry ranch dressing mix. In a small bowl beat together eggs and milk.
Dip each chicken strip into the egg/milk mixture and then roll in the crushed corn flakes/ranch dressing mixture. Repeat until all of your chicken strips are well coated.
Place chicken onto your coated baking sheet and bake, uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through ( internal temperature 165 degrees).
This recipes is really quick and simple, plus it goes great with some baked sweet potato fries. I have made it a few times already and even my son, who is a VERY picky eater LOVES them!
What are your healthy football snacks?
Filed under Main Course, Recipes
This morning I decided to take my own advice from yesterdays post “Progress and Change”. I haven’t had to leave for work as early the past few shifts and I was either reading in the morning or wasting time on Pinterest. (Neither is an awful thing, but I have recently set some fitness goals for myself and neither was really helping me reach that goal, know what I mean?).
While on Pinterest, I tend to look for healthy recipes and new workouts to try, so it’s not a total waste of time, but I could be doing the workouts I already pinned and haven’t tried before looking for new ones, right?
This morning I tried this one:
It’s a perfect before-you-take-your-morning-shower-workout. I felt a great burn in my core from it, and since I had extra time, I held the plank till I couldn’t anymore, which resulted in 5 minutes 10 seconds of plank. (Not too shabby)
I’m in my rest week for P90X right now, so I’ll be doing Core Synergystics later tonight. Phase 3 starts on Monday….I can’t believe how fast this round is going by!
Filed under Health & Fitness, Quick Workouts
You have to change the way you think if you want to see results.
Stop telling yourself you can’t run, do circuit training or even attempt yoga. You might not be able to run a 5k right away, complete the circuit or hold all of the yoga poses without toppling over, but with practice and persistence, you will begin making great strides in less time than you think.
Stop telling yourself that eating fast food is your only option or that it’s cheaper to do so. With proper planning, eating healthy doesn’t have to cost a fortune and it can be even easier! Your body will thank you for doing it, too!
It’s up to you to change your mindset and believe that you can do these things. Once you do, anything is possible and change will be inevitable.
Filed under Fitness Inspiration, Health & Fitness
getfitwithnikki.com 