Fitness Challenges: The Curling Iron Workout

Today I invented the curling iron workout. When I curl or straighten my hair it takes me between 20-40 minutes, depending on how thorough I am being. Today I added work out moves, I would place part of my hair into the curling iron, then instead of just counting to 30 I would do some sort of move that lasted for 30 seconds.

Here are a few examples:
30 rib cage isolations (works the abs and obliques)
30 side twists (works obliques)
10-15 sumo squats
20 bicep curls (1 arm at a time, obviously)
15 stomach circles

Sorry boys, this one's for the girls.

I challenge you to take a mundane task such as curling your hair and turn it into an exercise. Be creative with it, as long as you are moving you are expending energy you weren't expending before. You're burning calories and not even changing your daily routine :)

This was Fitness Challenges: The Curling Iron Workout. Stay tuned for more Fitness Challenges.

Fitness Challenges: 1,000 crunches

Okay I have finally been given an official challenge. It is to complete 1,000 crunches in 1 week's time.
The break down (if you want to join me)
Day 1: 150
Day 2: 100
Day 3: 150
Day 4: 100
Day 5: 200
Day 6: 150
Day 7: 150

I know this sounds easy, but the challenge is to actually do them. So, here I go. Day 1 starts tonight!

This was Fitness Challenges: 1,000 crunches. Stay tuned to find out other ways people try to offer me new Fitness Challenges :)

My Summer Diet: The Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yesterday I arrived at my grandparent's house and my grandfather, Bob, told me he's looking for the chocolate chip cookie diet. Then I realized that I was living in the chocolate chip cookie diet all day. Oh, the perfect irony. As, I stepped into the kitchen I rehashed my earlier two chocolate chip cookies, one was a chips ahoy version that I would normally never touch, but it went really well with the vanilla gelato from my cousin's work. Then at lunch I ate half of my other cousin's bakery chocolate chip cookie. All of this rehashing happened as I reached for two mini chocolate chip cookies that my mom had just pulled from the oven.

Cooooooookies!

What do you know, I successfully ate a diet that someone wanted to see slash read about without even knowing it.

But, I will tell you I didn't feel so well. I don't know if it was the realization that I had just eaten way too many cookies and know that this week might make my next few weeks harder in reaching my goal or if it was the overloading of sugar.

It did all pass after my phone tragically died and all of my attention went to the best possible way to replace it.

I enjoyed Costco pizza with the family followed by another cousin's wonderful truly chocolate cupcakes for Bob's birthday.

Get this though, I didn't stop with my 'Chocolate Chip Diet' after 4 cookies and 1 cupcake. Late in the night I was offered baklava... if you know me at all you know that I have the biggest weakness for BAKLAVA! But, be proud I only ate a half piece.

So, here's my resolution: to never again, if I can help it or see it in the happenings, partake in the Chocolate Chip Cookie diet. It's not worth it. I'm sluggish (the time change might have something to do with it) and I just feel like there's negative zen going on within my body today.

This week I am going to make a goal to only eat Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Starting with lunch today, because I already had a snack this morning. Oops. Camping and vacation can be dangerous for the quick grab foods.

This was My Summer Diet: The Chocolate Chip Cookies. Stay tuned for more of My Summer Diet.

Food Facts: Mangosteen

The Mangosteen is a fruit that most people have never heard of. However, it is currently riding high on the nutritional power fruits list in the energy drink industry. I actually had the privilege of tasting this delicious fruit in it's native land, Malaysia, two summers ago. So, when I heard that they are using this fruit in drinks now I had to make a trip to The Grand Asia Market here in town to re-check it out.

Potters Road, Stallings. Go check it out!

My friend and I ventured to the store and happened to find fresh Mangosteen in stock, however, normally you would have to buy it canned. The fruit is dark purple on the outside and pure white on the inside. It's a rather lovely and pretty fruit. It has a delicate taste, that is rather mild, and a smooth texture that is unfamiliar to this side of the world.

So, you ask: What could possibly make this strange looking fruit so good for you?

Well, I did some research and the fruit that you eat is actually not the part that is super fruit worthy, it is the dark purple/red outside that is so powerful. The outside of the fruit contains many phytochemicals which the body uses as antioxidants to fight off free cell growth. The ones specifically found in the Mangosteen are Xanthones. 

Now, you might be wondering how on earth can I gain benefits from this fruit if the part I eat isn't the part I need? Well, you drink it, the entire fruit juiced (pureed and strained). There are many power boosting drinks out there on the market currently that you will see promoting this addition to their product. Make sure you read the label and see that they add the entire fruit and not just the pulp. Look for the term pericarp or sometimes spelled pericarb.

The drink version that I am going to try and has been highly recommended to me is called Vemma. This drink is pretty much a multivitamin that adds many minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that are naturally found in fruits and teas. They blend the multivitamin and minerals with decaf green tea extract, aloe vera juice, and mangosteen juice. 

Vemma

So, if you are looking for a new refreshing natural way to take your daily multivitamin you should check out Vemma. You will be benefiting from this drink more so than taking a typical swallowable pill because of the addition of the antioxidants and phytochemicals.

If you have trouble with the links they are:

http://www.grandasiamarket.com/

http://stradleygroup.vemma.com/vemma/

This was Food Facts: Mangosteen. Stay tuned for more Food Facts!

My Summer Diet: These Last 5 Pounds!

Okay, I have hit my plateau in both weight loss and motivation to eat well and exercise! This is why I will not reach my goal! I have become lazy with eating right and working out steadily. This week I feel is a major set back....

Help me move the scale!

I am in SERIOUS need of a work out buddy. I need a partner, friend that will motivate me to exercise daily. Challenge me when I am only putting in partial effort. But, at the same time not treat me like I am clueless and like they are my trainer. I need a friend to work out with.

Any takers?

In the Pantry: Oatmeal

I have recently discovered a deep love for oatmeal. I learned to love it in Peru and love that you can do so many things with it.

In Peru they have a version that they drink. They flavor it with cloves and cinnamon (canela) and pour more liquid into it than we do. Then you fill up a mug and drink it! It's actually rather tasty.

When we ate at the mission, however, we ate regular oatmeal. That was great too! I ate it with sugar, cinnamon, and evaporated milk.

So, why is this a must have in your pantry?
Because Oats are full of fiber and healthy protein. They contain a type of fiber that actually is healthy for your heart and can decrease your risk of heart disease. (Think about it, that's why Cheerios can claim that fact, because they're made out of oats!). Oh and it lowers bad cholesterol.

What type is best?
Personally I love steel cut oats. It lasts a long time as well since you need half the amount to make one serving. I do feel fuller longer since it is thicker. The only down side is that they take a good 25-30 minutes to cook. But, they are worth it. If you don't have time in the mornings cook them the night before and reheat in the am :)

Was only $3.99 at Harris Teeter.

And if you don't have time or the desire to switch to steel cut, you can always eat regular old fashioned. I don't recommend the quick oats, even though they supposedly contain the same amount of fiber and protein... something about genetically modified doesn't appetize me.
 

So, I want to share with you a few oatmeal options that I have been enjoying.

My most common breakfast oatmeal is High Antioxidant oatmeal.

I cook my 1/4 cup of steel cut oats in 1.5 cups of skim milk. When it is almost complete I add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, and 1.5 sometimes 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (since cocoa and cinnamon are so bitter alone). Occasionally I will add extra milk or vanilla or maybe if I'm feeling a little indulgent a bit of butter. It is delicious and cinnamon and cocoa powder have great health benefits. If you don't believe me google it :)

This time I used old fashioned oats.

Next I tried a new fun version of oatmeal and I liked it a lot! 

I call it carrot pudding oatmeal.

That's just what it is. I cooked shredded carrots in a little bit (I mean barely any) butter with 1 tablespoon of sugar until tender. Then I cooked my oats in my skim milk. Once the oats were almost finished I added the carrots. Then I beat an egg and tempered the egg into my oatmeal mixture. I let it cook a bit more, added vanilla and a smidge more of butter. And, poof wonderfulness. (I do make a carrot pudding custard which is incredible as well!)

Next time more carrots!

Another crazy invention I had was Pumpkin oatmeal!

It was for my Orange day during my first week of vegan breakfasts. I made the oatmeal with water, added a little bit of sugar and 1/2 cup of pumpkin and some cinnamon. It is fantastic! I do love pumpkin though and I didn't need the extra fat for flavor.

Yum yum yum yum

Here's a recipe I did NOT create, that I do love. Shawn one of the missionaries in Peru would make this. It is called Left Over Oatmeal Cake.

1 c. butter

2 c. brown sugar

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

2 t. vanilla

2 c. leftover oatmeal

2 t. baking soda

2 2/3 c. flour

cinnamon

bake at 350 degrees until baked. 30ish minutes

then add topping and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown

4 T butter

2/3 c brown sugar

1 c coconut

4 T evaporated milk

1 c nuts

**I am going to try to make a version with less sugar, but until then this is a great recipe!**

Other things to try.

Add oats to the top of muffins or in your pancake mix for some extra fiber! Diets in high fiber are the best diets to have!

And, I do plan to try this, but have yet to. Overnight Oatmeal! (click for link to recipe)

Love the mason jars too!

This was In the Pantry: Oatmeal. Stay tuned for more items to keep in your pantry!

A Approved: Butter Coconut Pie

This recipe was recommended by my uncle when he was visiting for my sister's wedding. It is fabulous. It can be found in the Christmas with Southern Living 2003 book.

The only glitch is the time, you need bake it for around an hour and a half, not 35 minutes like posted.

Yum Yum and more Yum :)

First you need a pie crust. I prefer to make my own.
12 tablespoons of cold salted butter
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 cups of flour*
6-8 tablespoons of water
>place all ingredients except water into a food processor, pulse until little beads form. Once beads are formed slowly add water while pulsing until you get the desired texture. Do not over pulse nor over water. If you over water add a little bit of flour. Place in freezer for 10 minutes. Roll out, place in pie pan. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes.<

For the inside :)
1 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon flour
3 large eggs, beaten first
3.5 oz (approx half a bag) flaked coconut (sweet or unsweet)
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Mix ingredients in order adding one at a time. Place into pre-baked pie crust. Place into oven for 1.5 hours (or until completely settled, no movement) at 325.

*Please note that when I state flour I do mean all-purpose. Do not use self-rising flour, bread flour, or cake flour.

This was A Approved: Butter Coconut Pie. Stay tuned for more A Approved recipes!

My Summer Diet: Week 3: The Results

I am so much closer to my over all goal this week! This week I lost 3.5 pounds from doing interval changing workouts and eating relatively healthier. I'm not there yet, and I'm not giving up! 4.5 more pounds to go! Send me some fitness challenges, I need motivation this week! :)

Here's a funny picture of me in Peru to enjoy as you think of how you can challenge me!

Ready for anything!

My Summer Diet: Week 3: Friday Saturday Fun Day

High in energy, high in activity, high in fun!

Friday I cleaned my whole room. It was very needed and I did it at record time because we had people coming to see the house. So, when they arrived I resorted myself to the gym. I sat on the recumbent bicycle and petaled 10 minutes average speed of 12 and then 4 minutes increased speed ranging from 14-20. I repeated that twice and then did a two minute cool down. This is so much harder than you think! I wanted to quit the 4 minute boost both times, thankfully I pressured through. My legs felt great. Also, while I was at the gym I went ahead and did my weekly weighing for my week 3 results (sneak preview) I was pleasantly shocked and excited! Then afterwards we had another showing so I resorted to swinging... 100 pumps, now my whole body felt sore and the walk back up to my 3rd floor room was soooo long, but it was great! 

I then babysat 5 kids, all whom I love dearly. 2 of which were sleeping over and I hadn't watched in a very long time... it was a very blessed night baking cookies, painting nails, playing with hair, and having a slumber party. Then I was off to VBGB uptown, it's a fun venue with corn hole, giant jenga, giant connect 4, and table tennis. Unfortunately all of the games were in use while I was there, but I will definitely have to make it back. Afterwards I wandered over to Amelie's (see A Approved: Amelie's) for a nice chat with a friend! Late night though, fell asleep around 3:45.

Saturday I woke up early and headed straight to babysit. We played at the pool and with play-do. It was super fun. For breakfast I had frosted mini wheats and 1 of my secret stash homemade tortillas from La Mesa Tortillas in Tucson, Arizona. For lunch I had a granola bar, apple slices, 2 pb crackers, and a few cheese its. After babysitting I went to lounge by the pool with some friends, there I enjoyed watermelon and a taste of pomegranate juice with whipped vodka. I then went home to eat 2 cupcakes! and dinner which was a refried bean, avocado, cheese, lettuce, salsa salad. I re-met up with my friends and we all had a great time at Cowfish, a most interesting but delicious Charlotte restaurant. I did get to try their tuna sushi and some nutty dipping sauce... super good (but maybe I just hadn't eaten sushi in 5.5 months...) haha. All in all another great night. 

The weekend has always been super hard for me to keep up a diet. Dessert attacks me I swear. My eyes cannot say no when I see anything of the chocolaty form. I am going to hopefully get better at resisting this addiction. By God's mercy will I learn to with stand over eating desserts.

This was My Summer Diet: Week 3: Friday Saturday Fun Day. Stay tuned for more from My Summer Diet.

My Summer Diet: Week 3: Wednesday Thursday Sleepy Day

Both Wednesday and Thursday this week I was abnormally exhausted. I slept in late, I took naps, I had NO energy. Which means I did not exercise, despite my desire to.

Wednesday was also the 4th of July, so I had to monitor what I was eating because celebration days always turn into over eating days. I did eat wayyyyyyy too much cookie dough dip, which is why I am going to refrain from making it again for a while. But, at dinner I knew I wasn't really hungry because of the large lunch I had, so I only took a small sampler plate and was very satisfied. Even though Cedar's (Joel's mom) tomato pie was delicious, that was a hard one to deny for seconds. The fireworks were lovely, my view was great (laying on a hammock), but the noise was rather loud. I could hardly hear all day on Thursday... oh man am I getting old.

Thursday I made watermelon sorbet... yum and a strawberry/blueberry smoothie. These smoothies have become my new addiction as I am trying not to eat as much sugary desserts, fruit is supposed to bring a natural sweetness to the table.


That was My Summer Diet: Week 3: Wednesday Thursday Sleepy Day. Stay tuned for more from My Summer Diet.

My Summer Diet: Week 3: Monday Tuesday Happy Day

Monday I completed my intense 20 minute workout that I described on Week 3: The Game Plan

I recorded my numbers so I can compare my progress

Minute:

1. 42 squats
2. -
3. 30 lunges
4. -
5. 110 calf raises
6. -
7. 67 arm pumps while wall sitting
8. 72 jumping jacks
9. 55 side arm raises while wall sitting
10. 70 jumping jacks
11. 50 grand bat ma leg lifts
12. -
13. 40 sumo squats
14. -
15. 44 squats (more than the first time!)
16. -
17. 19 plie, releve
18. -
19. 21 lowering legs ab work out
20. -

That workout was so incredibly intense, I felt great but at the same time immensely dead.

As far as food went I made a delicious 3 course dinner. Appetizer was broccoli and cheese soup (and I served it in little bowls), Main course was Chicken Creole Gumbo (this contained celery, white onion, red onion, yellow pepper, red pepper, tomato, pinto beans, garlic, carrots, and green onion! Oh and a hint of cayanne which is really good for your stomach, research shows it aids in decreasing your chances for stomach cancer), Dessert was pumpkin, zucchini, and yellow squash bread lightly iced with cream cheese icing (without butter added). This meal was so jam packed with vitamins and nutrients from all of the fabulous colors. I made sure to serve everything in appropriate serving sizes so you wouldn't over eat! 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Chicken Creole Gumbo

Serving Sizes

Tuesday I play ultimate frisbee for 1.5 hours in that insane heat. It was hard to run, but just breathing I think was enough cardio. Ha. I did sweat a good deal, and sweating makes for a good work out!

I should have eaten better that day... I pretty much ate breakfast: pumpkin bread, lunch: pumpkin bread, dinner: broccoli soup and gumbo. Yes, it was really great, but I ate a lot more pumpkin bread than I probably needed/could afford :) 

So, my advice when baking... SHARE :D

This was My Summer Diet: Week 3: Monday Tuesday Happy Day. Stay tuned for more My Summer Diet.

My Summer Diet: Week 3 Game Plan

Okay my game plan for week 3 is based off of this article called Lose the Last 10 Pounds. (Click here to go straight to the website).

My goal in this next month is to shed 8 fat pounds. So, that is almost 10. I say fat pounds because I have a number in my head for the weight I want to be, but with all of the exercising I plan to be doing that might not happen due to increased muscle tissue.

Okay so here is the set up: Vegetarian (can have skim milk, and eggs) 2 meals a day. Meat, cheese/creams/yogurt once a day. Why? Because meat is high in fat and so is cheese, cream, and yogurt. And even if I buy fat free yogurt I add sugar to it... so it is counter intuitive. In my imagination I envision a day looking something like this: Breakfast: oatmeal, Lunch: fruit smoothie with yogurt and a piece of toast (trust me has more calories and vitamins than you think), Dinner: chicken and vegetables. Dessert (only 3 times a week).
Oh to answer the question, yes I will eat at least once a day the appropriate color, getting my well balanced nutrition from my well balanced color palate.

Okay fitness here's the fun part!

Monday: 20 minute circuit [1 minute with weights, 1 minute cardio]*
Tuesday: 30 minutes of cardio, 10 minutes normal, 4 minutes high energy boost
Wednesday: 20 minute circuit
Thursday: 30 minutes of cardio, 10 normal, 4 boost
Friday: 20 minutes circuit
Saturday: 30 minutes cardio, 10 normal, 4 boost
Sunday: 30 minutes cardio, 10 normal, 4 boost

*I'm going to combine my sexy leg routine from last week with my cardio
So, it will look something like this:

Minute

1.  Squats with arm weights 
2. Jump
3. Lunges with arm weights
4. Jog in place
5. Calf raises with arm weights
6. Jump
7. Wall sit with arm weights
8. Jumping Jacks
9. Wall sit with arm weights
10. Jumping Jacks
11. Leg lifts with ankle weights
12. Jump
13. Sumo Squats with arm weights
14. Jog in Place
15. Squats with arm weights
16. Plank
17. Plie, releve with arm weights
18. 6 inch hold
19. Lower legs ab work out with ankle weights
20. Jump

My Summer Diet: Week 2 Results

Okay so the results are in!
From a week of eating desserts and adding fat back into my every meal. Plus at least 30 minutes of exercise.

Drum roll.

I gained back the 2 pounds.
However, this could have to do with muscle development, as my shorts actually fit looser than last week (and they were just washed shorts, not reused ones). So, verdict is I need to balance the fitness with the low fat eating. Thankfully every week there will not be foods readily available like during wedding week!

This was My Summer Diet: Week 2 Results. Stay tuned for more of My Summer Diet!

A Approved: Cookie Dough Dip

This dip is going to be the talk of your party. It is shockingly deliciously addictive. It's fast to make too, so for an effortless showstopper try out this recipe!

The original recipe is called Monster Cookie Dough Dip

However, I edited it because it had some unnecessary items, such as flour and too much butter

Here's my version:

1 (8 oz) cream cheese

1/4 cup softened butter (half of a stick)

1 cup peanut butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2 T brown sugar

2 t vanilla

2 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 cup mini chocolate chips

fridge overnight and the oats will soak up the moisture

Serve with cookies, graham crackers, fruit, or just spoons :)

This was A Approved: Cookie Dough Dip. Stay tuned for more A Approved Recipes!

A Approved: Salted Caramel Brownies

Best eaten cool, but wonderful hot too, maybe with vanilla ice cream even.

Preheat oven to 350


8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into quarters
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3 eggs
1¼ cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour


Melt butter with cocoa.
Mix eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour
Stir in cocoa mixture
Pour into sprayed pan
DO NOT PLACE IN OVEN YET


Make the caramel:
1/2 cup sugar
3 T butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 c. evaporated milk


Heat in saucepan until brown and thick


Pour onto brownie batter
Use knife to mix in
Place into oven
Bake 30-45 minutes




This was A Approved: Salted Caramel Brownies. Stay tuned for more A (Andie) Approved Recipes.

Yum in Charlotte: New South

New South is a restaurant located in the Arboretum. My family and I went there for brunch Saturday afternoon, and the food was DELICIOUS. The prices are fairly reasonable. The waitstaff was not very well accommodating for such a large party though. My family included my mom, dad, brother, his wife & son, sister, her husband & son, uncle, his two kids, uncle, his wife and daughter, my grandmother, her husband, my younger brother, and me. So, that makes 18 people. The service was a little slower than we had hoped, especially since we were the only table. However, I would still recommend it as most people do not go in groups of 18. Try it out! Brunch is Saturday and Sunday, check out the menu! I got the Brioche French Toast.

This was Yum in Charlotte: New South. Stay tuned to find out more places get your Yum in Charlotte!

My Summer Diet: The Switch: Week update

This week has been one of the busiest weeks of my life. I had a test Monday, project due Wednesday and Thursday, final Thursday, rehearsal dinner Thursday, and my sister's wedding Friday!

First mistake to attempting a colorful diet during a busy week, was not planning each meal and buying everything ahead of time. So, this week I did not follow my diet plan very well. In fact the only thing that was followed accurately was vegetarian breakfasts and at least 30 minutes of fitness. I'm going to go ahead and tell you about what fitness options I chose.


Monday
20 minutes recumbent bicycle
1.5 hours of ultimate frisbee


Tuesday
7 minutes recumbent bicycle
35 minutes of a leg routine


Wednesday
45 minutes recumbent bicycle
25 minutes upright bicycle

Thursday
Running around like a crazy person to dress alterations to my final exam, to several stores, to setting up the receptions. Qualifies I'm sure as exercise.

Friday
Dancing at the Wedding!


Saturday
Sitting outside in the 104 heat (even under a tent) sweating for 4 hours. Counts as exercise, I was exhausted.

I'm there, just not looking at the pic.

This was My Summer Diet: The Switch: Week update. Stay tuned for more of My Summer Diet!