Showing posts with label Health and Fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health and Fitness. Show all posts

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Frozen yogurt pops, anyone?







Frozen yogurt has increased in popularity among the choices for healthy snacks for children. Packed with fat free or low fat yogurt, fresh or frozen fruits, skim milks, sugar free juices, and other nutritional foods, frozen yogurt can be eaten in a variety of ways to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Frozen yogurt pops are a fun, convenient way to introduce new foods to children. Take away the candy, cookies, cakes, and pies, and instead put a frozen yogurt pop in to the hand of a child and sit back with satisfaction.



A quick way to make these yummy treats is to pour the blended yogurt, fruit, milk, juice, and ice mixture in to small disposable cups, add in a popsicle stick, and place them in to the freezer. No kid can ever deny the sheer goodness presented.

For a simple treat, try this recipe:

1) Place 2 cups of your favorite fresh fruits in to a blender.
Add in 2 cups of plain or vanilla yogurt, preferably of the fat free or low fat variety.
Pour in up to a quarter cup of white sugar, depending on the nutritional needs of the child, as well as the natural sweetness of the fruits.
Cover, and blend until smooth.


2)
Fill small paper cups ¾ of the way full with the yogurt mixture. Cover the cups with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Poke a popsicle stick through the cover and allow the stick to stand up in each cup.


3)
Place the cups in the freezer for at least 5 hours. To serve, remove foil or plastic wrap and peel off the paper cup.



Depending on the fruits selected, and other ingredients used, the calorie count for each frozen yogurt pop should weigh in between 75 and 100 calories.

These can be made in many varieties, so mix and match and have fun in the kitchen with children!



Find my original post over at
http://www.examiner.com/children-s-fitness-in-topeka/frozen-yogurt-pops.

Friday, September 30, 2011

30 Day Fit Challenge




I'm running another Challenge just for Y-O-U!!

30 Day Fit Challenge begins on October 11th and ends on November 10th. For 30 days, you will log your nutritional intake and your exercise to the group, as well as post to encourage and motivate each other and to stay accountable. We will share recipes, workout tips, motivational and inspirational pieces, and help each other to reach our fitness goals.

Before and after measurements will be logged as well and the participant with the most loss will win a very nice prize pack of workout programs, equipment, and nutritional products.

Mark your calendars now! I will ask that you fill out a free online profile so that we can track our progress and benefit ourselves as well as each other on our fitness journeys.

I will also be announcing a 60 day challenge, a 90 day challenge, and various other 10 day challenges along the way, so stay tuned!!

If you're in for the 30 Day Challenge, go ahead and respond to this message and I'll get you on the list. Those who have asked to join the 10 day on FB, please know that we are already halfway through that Challenge but I will go ahead and put you in line for the next one. You just let me know if you prefer the 10, 30, 60, or 90 day and I'll put you on the list.

Thanks so much! I LOVE helping others to realize their physical fitness!!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I ♥ Fitness Quotes!


They do provide a daily kick in the pants sort of motivation, don't they? ;) And we could all use a lil push and a shove involving our workouts every once in a while. I know I am just as guilty as the next person. But.......the secret is to never give up and to keep getting back up and out there and stay active. Keep the inspiration, motivation and encouragement going. Find someone to be your biggest cheerleader in order to realize your fitness goals. Need help with that? Message me!



The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results. - Anthony Robbins

Let TODAY be THE DAY that you take control of your health, fitness and nutrition by finding something that inspires, encourages and motivates you and GO FOR IT!!

For more fitness quotes and daily tips, a great site to visit can be found HERE!

Here is a quick list of tips to help you stay organized and on the right track towards becoming a happier, healthier you!

~ Keep a food journal

~ Find a workout buddy, even if your workouts consist of a very slow stroll around the block.

~ Drink your water!!!

~ Stay connected! Find a support group, hook up with a Challenge group on Facebook or other social media sites. I am constantly running Challenges and would to have you join one of mine.

~ Log your nutrition intake on a site like myfitnesspal or the Beachbody site.

~ Find a meal plan that works for you!

~ Find a workout program that works for you, even if it is a hybrid mish-mosh of various programs like mine is. :)

~ MOST OF All - HAVE FUN!! You are on your fitness journey for yourself, first and foremost, as well as those you love and surround yourself with (friends and family). Do this for yourself and those you are close to.

~ REMEMBER - there's NO turning back!!

Enjoy!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Got Organization?


I harp on organization and calendars and files and to-do lists all the time. But they WORK for me! And we all have {or should have} our own system that we have found that works for us, so hopefully you have found something that works for you too.

I wrote a fun lil post titled
"Got Organization" over on my health & fitness blog today. Check it out!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

I ♥ Cookbooks!!


It's no secret that I LOVE a new cookbook! How 'bout you??

I got in my FREE Thin Kitchen Cookbook from Beachbody the other day and I swear I am using it every single day! I did a post on it over on my health and fitness blog.
Here is the link! Head on over and check it out!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Join us for a Back2School Health & Fitness Challenge!


Hi friends!

Bear with me, as I cannot remember who asked me to post this video, but still wanted to share it with you all. Ronnie and I are hosting a Back2School Health & Fitness Challenge. If you are interested in joining us and the others, please follow the instructions in the video and we'll get started in a few weeks. We would LOVE to have you join us! ♥

Friday, July 1, 2011

Add A Lil Flavor To Your H2O


I am a Diet Coke/Diet Dr Pepper addict!!!!!

There.....I said it.......

Admitting it is the first step, right?

With my new focus on personal fitness - I really am trying, y'all! - I am experimenting with flavored waters. I recently inherited a ton of different kitchen extracts so Neeley and I have been enjoying iced coconut water, minted lemonade and minted teas and even minted lemonade teas. Yumm-o!!



What are your fave summertime beverages?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

USDA's MyPlate Program


Have y'all read where the USDA has "revamped" the Food Pyramid?

What? How are those of us who are just trying to get a grasp on personal fitness supposed to take these changes?


This is what they are promoting, and you'll notice the 2010 date on it. Yep, it's been in the works for a while. These are just the basic messages they want to get out.



Hop on over to HERE to the USDA's Choose My Plate program page to learn more.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

P90 What?




Yes, I have decided I really am crazy, for I am on another mission to get this P90X party started here and now!



This extreme home fitness system is not for the weak, let me tell ya. This is serious stuff! With individual workouts with titles like Ab Ripper X, you know you have to have the right mindset to just get through it at all. I am excited to see how it goes. The 90 part in the title? Yep, I stick with this program for 90 days. Think I can do it? Ask me again in 90 days! ;)

Friday, April 15, 2011

A Lil News/Update, A Lil Trip, A Lil Class, & A Lil More This-n-That

To get through the torture that our government is putting us through, we've been trying to keep life as normal as possible. Believe me...for all you non-military folks, life for us is VERY different right now. Some good, some bad...and such is life. But wow...wasn't so sure we would make it through that one alive.

This week is Spring Break around here. And I have mixed feelings about this week. Ronnie was out in the field for most of the week and most of Neeley's friends are all gone on trips, so I have accomplished absolutely nothing. And seeing as how I have two classes ending very soon and a ton of other projects as usual, I keep going to bed at night wondering how in the world I can even lay my head on the pillow without a fight. But it's all good. Next week...back to normal!

We started the week off with Neeley in a RAW cooking class. What? Nope, it's not raw meats or anything pertaining to sushi. It's all about eating healthy, including lots of fresh fruits and veggies in your diet and making good use of your blender. She got to make smoothies, homemade peanut butter using PB2, zucchini spaghetti, and RAW tacos using walnuts as the meat. To see more about what Chef V offers to adults and children, you can check out her website
http://rawkravings.blogspot.com. Oh so yummy! Neeley and I have had the Spinach & Grape Salad, RAW tacos, and the Peachy Pea Compote in Cucumber Boats this week. Delicious!

I've had the fortunate opportunity to grab up a couple of books to read this week.




It will be nice to not have to read textbooks again. :) Hoping to finish up soon. Yahoo!




















Neeley and I were also able to take a pretty neat trip to
Insel Mainau through our USO on Wednesday. It was beautiful!



It's been a great week! Hopefully things are starting to look up! Well...at least for a few more months anyway.

Now I'm off to make a hundred deviled eggs-bleck!!-for a BBQ we are attending later today.

Enjoy your weekend! Ronnie has to start back on nights and shift work for the next month this weekend. Not fun at all! :( And sometimes having him here, even if he is asleep, tends to throw off my daily schedule, even with Neeley at school. Here's hoping to get back on a schedule and back to a "normal" routine this week.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Catch-Up & Some Linky Love


Whew-wee...life is feeling very {full} and {crazy busy} these days....and we're tired, y'all!

We're all FINALLY over the killer sickness of 2011. Oh, PTL!! Walking pneumonia is no fun at all!

Hey Arkansas, what's up with your weird weather and your earthquakes? :(

I've started a lil tutoring of some kiddos on the side and have been approached about possibly teaching some beginner piano lessons to some younguns. Wow!

I've spent more time in Neeley's school this past week than I think I ever have. I've been helping her teacher as I can and volunteering with bake sales and after school programs and trying to stay involved. Maybe too involved? :)

Neeley's last basketball game is tomorrow morning and it's going to be a bit of a bittersweet moment for us. We really miss the seasons once they are over. Well....sort of.

The above means we have about a month long break before the soccer season begins. Yay! LOVE that Neeley is so willing to try new things. And so glad she is back to soccer now, and thankfully this is a spring season. The first time she tried soccer it was a fall season and we were miserable by the end of the season, what with playing in the freezing rain and the mud and all.

Thinking I may make some of THESE tomorrow. Don't those look yummy?

I've finished my class and have 2 more classes beginning on the 12th. Once those are over, I will be only 4 classes away from finishing my MBA. Another PTL moment!!

And speaking of classes, Neeley is THRIVING in school but that girls has a ton of projects!! Oh my word...do any of your kiddos have so many? That girl and her work keeps my head spinning!

We are working on planning many, many, many upcoming Girl Scout events and those are keeping us busy as well. Not sure how I will feel by the end of June once our scout and school year are over. Relieved, perhaps? :)

Next weekend we travel to Ramstein for Neeley to compete in the European Spelling Bee (YIKES!!! and a big ol' gulp.......), and then we head over to Oberhausen for the Taylor Swift concert we tried to surprise her with. I'm not sure who's more excited...me or the girlies going. :)

Neeley's theater group is working on their upcoming production. It is a version of Happy Feet, rewritten by the teacher who sponsors the group. Should be cute!! Now we have to make penguin costumes for all the kiddos. Yikes!!


I have several "heart smart" posts out there this month with our focus on being heart healthy for the month of March. Check this one out about Heart Smart Foods HERE!!

We got to experience a new restaurant last night when we went for an event with Ronnie's unit. The China Palast Restaurant was not our most favorite place to eat but it wasn't terrible either. The food was okay and the prices weren't bad. Neeley's meal tasted like chicken and noodles in Ragu spaghetti sauce which is disappointing since she is such a good eater but, all in all, it was a good time.

More news to come from the homefront soon. We're looking at a possible move in just a few months and that has our stomachs tied in knots. We are looking at one area ever so closely and kind of sort of keeping fingers crossed while at the same time trying not to have a panic attack. More info on that as we find out more. No need to panic our peeps!! :)

Our weekend is full of play practice, basketball games, sleepovers, family fun, kicking off Girl Scout Week, buying groceries, getting caught up on laundry, cleaning house, and trying to bring some semblance of order back to our house. I have felt so disconnected for about 3 or 4 weeks now, thanks to the sickies we all 3 had for so long and then being so stinkin' busy since then with everything. I know the busy part probably never stops, but it seems like we can never get off the crazy bus at times. :)

Wanna know what I do when the going gets tough? Well...the tough get going...but I just add to my schedule... on top of the Girl Scout events, and my classes, and the tutoring and teaching piano lessons, we are looking very closely at starting a Fit Club up here on RB. Call me crazy? Yep....I think so too! ;)

Have you checked out the OpenSky Boutique lately? I've added a few new things but I am going to really be revamping it here very soon, as soon as I can find a blank spot in my calendar. Hhmmm...so far it's looking like N-E-V-E-R!! I always try not to let my business opportunities and other involvements spill over in to our family time, but here lately everything is monopolizing all 3 of us and it's making me consume ludicrous amounts of coffee and Diet Coke. Can't wait for the day when I can say "that's enough, y'all!!"

Ok, time to sign off so I can vaccuum, wash mountains of clothes, make our master weekend shopping list, revise my to-do list, and I'm finishing up the editing of my Administrative Services price list. Yep...adding that to my portfolio too. Need a document proofread or edited? Let me know!

Tonight we're headed over to another post to the high school for some family fun. A lil B-I-N-G-O and chili and all the fixin's and lots of other games and we'll see what other trouble we can get in to. I need a good laugh!! And while we're at it, can we add in maybe a movie, a good book, and a glass of wine? Why, thank you!!

We'll be back at ya soon with another update, some good reading material, a new recipe or two, and pics from our family fun. Have a good weekend!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

10 Steps To Physical Fitness....Just Because I Need This Reminder


10 Steps To Physical Fitness

Step 1: Determine your WHY?
What this means is ask yourself why you want to do this?

Step 2: Set your goals and figure out what you want to get out of exercising/losing weight/feeling better?

Step 3: Set your fitness and nutrition goals.
What workout are you going to do?

Step 4: Know your support team.
Find a workout buddy/partner. Plan healthy meals and include your family and your motivating friends. Surround yourself with those who encourage you and support you.

Step 5: Participate in workouts/events/trainings/classes.
Take a look around your local gym for classes. Sit in on any classes you may be interested in before participating to make sure you are comfortable. Take advantage of local walking/bike trails, etc. Look for information on marathons, health & fitness fairs, and any other health related events.

Step 6: Get connected online.
You would be surprised to see how many people are on their own personal fitness journey just like you. Get connected on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other social media sites. You may want to use search features to find other who have similar interests and goals as you.

Step 7: Create your lists……
Sit down and make a list of things you like to do. These don’t have to be serious cardio workouts or anything, it can even be something as simple as a stroll on a sunny evening. But list them. Also, make a list of foods you like to eat. And make a list of those things you feel are keeping you from reaching your goals for now.
v Step 8: Follow a system.
Find a system that works best for you and follow it. You may need a diet plan, a workout plan, or both, or an even more complex plan. Once you have a plan mapped out, follow it!

Step 9: Then start working. v Work toward your goals by following your plan.

Step 10: Go share your story with everyone you know!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Let's Talk New Years' Resolutions & Goals For A Bit...


PLEASE keep me motivated this year, I'm begging you!

{This was too funny & informative to not put out there. I shared this on Youtube and on my health and fitness blog HERE and hated to not share it with you all as well for those who are not connected on other sites. 2011 is going to be a very productive year!}


Saturday, January 15, 2011

Bessy The BodyBugg


Do you have a BodyBugg? Or perhaps you have something similar? I received this precious gift for Christmas and I couldn't be happier.



Want to know more about how the BodyBugg can help you? Just visit the website of this great little gem and then let me know what you think.

What is a BodyBugg? Oh, it's THE BEST calorie management system out there...or at least it is for me. It is a fitness tracker and a GREAT motivator.

Yes...there are other products out on the market that are similar but I have yet to find one that does all that and then some. Until I found the BodyBugg. I am absolutely ♥IN LOVE♥ with mine and hope to have it for a very long time. It helps me to stay on track with my fitness as well as my nutrition and I LOVE the pedometer feature. I also love that it lets me know when I have reached my fitness activity level each day. There are so many great features to this little "bug" that I just couldn't pass it up.

The BodyBugg is worn on the upper left arm and is able to read absolutely everything about your body from the two small sensors on the back of it. When you are ready to upload your information, you just pop it out of the frame, plug it in with the USB cable, log in to your BodyBugg account, and there ya have it. TONS of great info! I may have to show you all screen shots soon. Because........believe me.......I need all the encouragement I can get. LOL

Would you wear something like this? Who knows.....if you come back often you may even see a BodyBugg GIVEAWAY! :)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

New Year...New You


So it's that time again. Time for New Years Resolutions...goals...new attitudes....new visions...new plans. What are your plans for this new year? Have you written out your goals? What about your Dream Board? Do you have one? Are you saving up for something big? Do you have fitness related goals?

My rough "plan" if you will looks something like this.... to be more mature in the areas of fitness, finance, emotional wellness, and spiritual growth. Pretty broad, huh?

But my goals are written out like this as of now...

Fitness - to work towards losing those 20 lbs, to complete the Chalean Extreme program, to have a more organized/concrete workout schedule, to plan better meals, to not eat out as much, to budget for healthier food items, finalize plans for a Fit Club, and to make new ways for accountability.

Finance - We are going to do Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University program. I would love to have several thousand $$$ in the bank, plan for a nice summer vacation, not have to scrimp and save every.single.day, and to just be able to afford to live & laugh a little.

Emotional wellness - well...this involves just letting go. And talking more instead of stomping around and slamming doors. :)

Spiritual growth - this is a BIGGIE for me this year! I need it. We need it. And I need your help to keep me on track.

I now have the tools and resources to "help" keep myself on track with these. I hope to be better organized this year and not so overwhelmed so I can stay on target for where I want to be in all of these areas come December 31, 2011.

Pictures of my Dream Board to come soon. I ♥ it!

So tell me...what are your plans?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Follow Me!


Hi friends!

I am hosting another fun little contest over on my health and fitness blog. My 100th follower (will it be you?) will receive a turbowear fun pack along with some other goodies I decide to throw in the mix. Click HERE to go on over and check it out!!!!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

TurboFire Winner Just Announced!

And we have a winner!



I just announced the winner of the FREE TurboFire workout over on my health and fitness blog. Go check it out
here!