Tag Archives: healthy-living

January 3, 2013 · 8:27 PM

Keep On Rolling, Baby!

If I ever hit the lotto, I will have a personal masseuse to address my sore muscles and help work the daily stress out of my tired body. Until then, I’ll have to settle for massage gift certificates on special occasions and my new foam roller.

For the longest time, I saw fellow fitness friends tweeting about foam rolling and how blissful it was, but I had no idea what it was. I began looking these foam rollers up on-line and realized that I could truly benefit from one. I have always had super tight hamstrings and hip flexors, so seeing that there were ways to roll these areas to lengthen and stretch them intrigued me. I figure it could also come in handy now that I’m running more. My legs are always tight and sore post run.

Thankfully Santa (aka my husband) bought me one for Christmas! He got me a textured roller made by Gaiam which also came with a massage routine DVD. I’ve heard that the textured ones give a deeper massage to the muscle and can take some getting used to. Hopefully it’s not too painful at first…I can be a wuss at times.

I also found this handy graphic on Pinterest (of course) which I think will come in very handy.

Foam Rolling

Do you use a foam roller? If so, do you have any tips or techniques? Please feel free to share below!

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December 31, 2012 · 11:57 AM

2012 – A Year In Review

goodbye 2012Last year I couldn’t wait for 2012 to arrive. I was fed up with 2011 and thought things had to get better. Well….I was wrong. My 2012 had a very shitty start, then improved, then bottomed out and finally fixed itself for the most part. One might say it was a roller coaster but I always thought those were supposed to be fun….hmmmmm.

Now were was I? Oh….right…. I learned a lot over the past year. I learned that I can handle a lot without breaking (although I came pretty damn close), who my real friends are (and that there aren’t many), that as much as it’s nice to have fun with people – you have to be able to enjoy being alone as well…..cause happiness comes from within and if you aren’t happy with yourself, it’s hard to be happy with others. There were many other lessons but that’s the gist of it. Or at least all I’m willing to openly discuss ;)

As 2013 prepares to make it’s grand entrance tonight at midnight, I’m both excited and a bit nervous. I have high hopes that 2013 leads me towards new, exciting and happy things, but as I mentioned above, I learned a lesson in 2012 …things could always get worse.

Anyway, I’m going into this new year positive, happy and with the mind set that anything can happen. I have a list of goals and things I’d like to do in the up coming months and I have a new focus on what’s important to me.

With that being said, 2012 wasn’t all bad and I have the photos to prove it! Here are some of my most treasured moments from 2012…

As much as they drive me crazy, my family is the most important thing to me.Top Left: Mike & I at a BBQ over the summer, Top Right: Family photo while visiting Lady Liberty. Bottom Photos: My amazing kids at the beach.

As much as they drive me crazy, my family is the most important thing to me. Top Left: Mike & I at a BBQ over the summer, Top Right: Family photo while visiting Lady Liberty. Bottom Photos: My amazing kids at the beach.

Good friends are hard to find! Top Left: BBQ with Mike's coworkers. Top Left: Mike with Beth at the Jersey Shore. Bottom Left: Me with Kris during one of my OH trips. Bottom Right: Cheers to new friends!

Good friends are hard to find! Top Left: BBQ with Mike’s coworkers. Top Left: Mike with Beth at the Jersey Shore . Bottom Left: Me with Kris during one of my OH trips. Bottom Right: Cheers to new friends!

Fitness Goals & Fun! Top Left: I can finally rock a bikini. Top Right: The fitness trail & my goal of being able to run a 5k. Bottom Left: The Color Run. Bottom Right: Me sporting my "tough" look.

Fitness Goals & Fun! Top Left: I can finally rock a bikini. Top Right: The fitness trail & my goal of being able to run a 5k. Bottom Left: The Color Run. Bottom Right: Me sporting my “tough” look.

The Sky's The Limit! If you know me, you know I love taking pictures, especially of sunset and landscapes. Here are a few of my favorites from 2012: Top Left: Times Square while walking to Sweet Suite at BlogHer. Top Right: Open field on my way to the mall. Bottom Left: Sunset on my drive home. Bottom Right: My daughter and friend swinging high above Point Pleasant.

The Sky’s The Limit! If you know me, you know I love taking pictures, especially of sunset and landscapes. Here are a few of my favorites from 2012: Top Left: Times Square while walking to Sweet Suite at BlogHer. Top Right: Open field on my way to the mall. Bottom Left: Sunset on my drive home. Bottom Right: My daughter and friend swinging high above Point Pleasant.

This quote is so true and I know I'm capable of making great strides in my fitness this year.

This quote is so true and I know I’m capable of making great strides in my fitness this year.

If there is one thing I hope to do...it's to never lose focus on this.

If there is one thing I hope to do…it’s to never lose focus on this.

There is always good to focus on, despite the bad that might be plaguing you. Here’s to a very Happy and of course Healthy New Year! Thanks again for following my blog and keeping me focused on what is important to me. You all inspire me so much and I’m forever grateful to everyone who takes the time to read my ramblings.

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Semi {Wordless Wednesday}

run

 

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December 12, 2012 · 8:03 AM
December 10, 2012 · 9:18 PM

…Just Don’t Stop

How Slow You go

Over the past few weeks, I have told myself this many times while working on my running. You see, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. When I set a goal, I get tunnel vision, and I can sometimes brutally push myself to that goal.

Now pushing in such a manner isn’t always a bad thing. If I didn’t push myself, I might still be overweight, out of shape and unhappy. If I didn’t push myself, I wouldn’t be sitting here sharing my story with you. (I know, that’s a very sad thought, right? What would you all do without my blog?!)

However, sometimes I push so hard, I forget to celebrate the small victories. I forget to be proud of the strides I have made. I forget to enjoy the journey I have pushed myself to take.

I often have to internally yell at myself while I run. I have to remind myself that the fact I laced up my sneakers, put on my running clothes and headed out in the cold to get a run done is a big win, all by itself. I need to remind my inner bully that Rome wasn’t built in a day and part of the learning process is going at a slower pace.

After over 3 years, I am still learning. I’m learning new aspects of fitness and nutrition. I’m learning just how strong I am and most importantly, I’m learning to have patience with myself.

The funny thing is, I tell people who come to me for guidance to be patient all the time. I tell them exactly what this graphic says ” It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” Maybe it’s time for me to start listening to myself, cause you know what? I give some really good advice.

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December 5, 2012 · 10:07 AM

Pleasant Surprises + Recipe

The other day when I came home from work, there was a box sitting on my table. At first I thought it was just a holiday present I had ordered and then I took note of the return address on it. It was the prize pack I won a few weeks back from participating in the #PastaFits twitter party! I had completely forgot about it, so it was a very pleasant surprise.

Of course, being the child I am, I had to rip into it to see what I won! The box was filled with all different types of pasta, ranging from gluten-free to veggie, The Carb Lovers Diet pocket guide, a spaghetti spoon and a $25 Visa gift card!

Of course, being the child I am, I had to rip into it to see what I won! The box was filled with all different types of pasta, ranging from gluten-free to veggie, The Carb Lovers Diet pocket guide, a spaghetti spoon and a $25 Visa gift card!

I’m a big fan of pasta, so this prize pack is right up my alley. I was even making pasta for dinner that night! Here is the recipe I prepared. It’s from a cookbook I received for Christmas a few years back, called Preserving Our Italian Heritage. It’s not the healthiest dish in the world, but it’s one of my favorites to have occasionally, in moderation. The light cream can be substituted with half & half to save some fat, of course. You can also use whole wheat, whole grain or gluten-free pasta!

Salsa di Caserta – (Cream Sauce with Sweet Sausage, Green Peppers)Ingredients:

IMG_4003[1]1 lb. sweet sausage
1 cup onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup parsley, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 cup light cream
1 tsp. dried marjoram, crushed
1/8 tsp pepper
1 lb. farfalle pasta, or your favorite pasta, cooked al dente
Remove sausage from casing, crumble into a skillet. Stir and cook until sausage is no longer pink. Add onion and garlic, saute until onion is soft and light colored. Drain any excess fat that might be in the pan. Stir in the light cream, parsley, cheese, marjoram, salt and pepper. Bring to a low simmer and make sure you do not boil, reduce heat, cook and stir over medium heat 6-8 minutes until thickened. Toss with the pasta and enjoy!
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November 29, 2012 · 9:00 AM

Fuel Your Body Right

I hope you are enjoying the quick tips, workouts and fitness motivation I have been posting. I love searching Pinterst for fitness inspiration, and hope that the stuff I find, inspires you as well.

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November 28, 2012 · 9:00 AM

Don’t Give Up

Remember, that little voice inside your head begins to lie when you force yourself out of your comfort zone. You are capable of amazing things, you just have to keep pushing yourself.

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November 27, 2012 · 8:30 AM

Healthy Baking Substitutes

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that means many of us will begin baking for family events, holiday dinners, office parties, cookie exchanges and quite honestly, just because it makes us feel festive.

That sweet tooth and favorite cookie recipe doesn’t have to be ignore this season. All you need to do is change your perspective on food and make a few improvements on those sugary, overly processed ingredients our recipes normally call for.

Here’s a handy list I found on Pinterest:

It’s amazing how much sugar and how many calories you can save with these simple substitutes. What’s even more amazing is that you can’t even tell you changed anything with most of them.

Do you have any healthy holiday baking tips?

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November 25, 2012 · 8:17 PM

{Workout} Shapely Squats

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.

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November 9, 2012 · 1:05 PM

{Fitness Friday} Let’s Talk Apps

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

I addition to the this app, I use RunKeeper which I LOVE. I enjoy being able to set goals (which I honestly end up forgetting about and not hitting, but I’m work on that, ok people! Don’t judge me.) I like that I can post my runs to social media, look back at all of the ones I’ve completed and link up with people I know on my “street team”.

RunKeeper – If you walk/run/bike, etc, I highly recommend this app! It also has a coaching feature which I haven’t tried.

Another app I started using this week is Daily Yoga. I heard about it yesterday from the lovely Jac. She started using it and just happened to tweet about how much she liked it, just as I was logging on to ask for yoga DVD recommendations. Talk about timing, right?!

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.

Last but not least comes MyFitnessPal. I have blogged about my using this app before, but consistent, I am not. (Human I am, which is why I am not consistent.) I started using this again today, because of the success I have had in the past. Also, thanks to Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy and the lack of power, eating healthy became a slight issue and I am trying to correct the small cravings I have since developed thanks to Pop-Tarts entering my house again. (Hey, there are just so many non-perishable food items to choose from, especially when people are attacking the shelves like the world is going to end. Which it clearly wasn’t, the Mayan’s said we until late December for that…duh!)

MyFitnessPal: Because if you dont track what you eat, your ass will!

So there you have it. A glimpse into the apps I use, to try and keep my fitness-ADD-having-self on track and motivated! I’d love to hear of any apps you use to stay on track and record your progress. Be sure to let me know if I’m missing out on something by commenting!

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