yoga talk...

February 20 Day Challenge...

In my class this morning I don't know how, but I started day-dreaming about the 30 day Challenge I had set up for myself last month. Basically I started feeling guilty because I haven't been able to think of a good challenge for February... Or I guess truthfully, there is nothing I wanted to restrict myself in. Every time I came up with an idea, I shut it down because I really didn't feel committed to doing it.

I'm only human afterall.

As it is already Feb. 8th, I figured that doing something is still better than nothing, so I decided that a good challenge sometimes means adding something in, rather than taking away.

This applies further if you are the type of person who tries to diet, but finds that restricting chocolate/carbs/sugar etc, only makes you crave more chocolate/carbs/sugar etc... Adding something healthy to your diet can simply be the first step.

So my "add in" is to drink a full glass of water every morning and start my day out with some much needed hydration. Nothing major, or even life changing, but just one more thing to keep the bod at it's BEST!

On that note... here is what I probably should have been focusing on this morning.. I don't think my class noticed...

Round 1 of our workout:

1-High Knees

2-Heavy Weight Squat and Press

(Hold the weight in front of your chest with both hands... As you squat keep the weight in close, as you stand press it up overhead)

3- 3 Split Jumps with 1 Kick

(Perform 3 splits jumps starting with your right leg in front. On your third jump your left leg will be behind you, kick that leg straight in front and then step back into your split squat... Repeat on other side)

4- Explosive Jumping Jacks

(Start with your feet together and jump out like you are about to do a jumping jack- open your feet wider than normal and sink down low. Jump feet back together in standing)

Complete 5 Rounds of these 4 Exercises @ 30 seconds each= 10 Minutes

Protein Power Cookies

Since reading Brendan Brazier's book, The Thrive Diet, I have been kind of obsessed with packing as much nutrient dense food into my life as possible. That being said however, I am still learning my way around the kitchen, and so when my Protein Power Cookies turned out to be a hit, not only last night, but on today's 1.5 hour bike ride to UBC, I am literally chomping at the bit to whip up the next batch.

They are all natural and will provide you with just the right amount of proteins, fats, carbs, and sweetness to curb a sugar craving, or power you up for a training session.

Here's what you need:

3 T flax seeds (ground into meal)

3/4 c almond milk

2 c old fashioned oats

1/4 c sunflower seeds, chopped almonds & chocolate chips

1/2 c raisins

1/2 c protein powder (i use Vega Vanilla Chai)

3 T honey

3/4 t salt

1/4 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a cookie sheet with small amount of oil... Mix flax seeds into almond milk and set aside... Combine all other ingredients in a bowl and then add milk... Stir it up good- you may feel like it's a little dry- it's not... Form into 8-12 balls and place in oven for 6-8 minutes... Remove from oven and let them cool completely.

Thai Chicken Salad

Tonight's dinner was from a cookbook I use called "Eating for Energy".

Because I favour really easy meals over anything extravagant, I thought that this one was on the medium side in terms of prep-work (only b/c you mix 2 separate sauces: this is big for me)... Other than that it was really easy and very tasty!

1. Slice chicken breast and tofu into strips; saute in oil with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Set aside.

2 Chicken Breasts (skinless/boneless)

1/2 Package of Extra Firm Tofu

2 tsp ginger crushed

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp teriyaki sauce

2. Add dressing ingredients to pan, heat and stir.

Dressing

2Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp organic brown rice syrup (can use brown sugar here too)

2 Tbsp organic almond butter

2 tsp sesame oil

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp teriyaki Sauce

Sprinkle chili powder

Fresh squeezed juice from 1/2 a lime

3. Place 1 cup of noodles on a plate and top with spinach, green onions, sliced peppers, nuts and chicken. Add dressing and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

1 bag baby spinach

2 green onions

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

1/4 cup toasted peanuts

1 red bell pepper thinly sliced

1 package of brown rice noodles (You could also use whole wheat pasta here)

cilantro

NYC 2012 Marathon

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A lot of people might look at this race and immediately talk themselves out of it, list all the reasons that they can't do it, or just think it is impossible....

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January 30 Day Challenge

One of my goals for 2012 is to come up with a 30 Day Challenge every month to keep me on track with my health, and to remove some of the pressure that can sometimes be associated with New Years' Resolutions.

For January I have decided to cut out sugar from my diet, which at the moment doesn't seem too hard considering I have been indulging in pretty much whatever dessert I have wanted over the last month without guilt.

The rules are simple, no cookies, cakes, candies, etc- as well as no sugar in my coffee and a limit of 1-2 servings of fruit per day (sugar is sugar kids)... I'll let you know how it goes.

What are you willing to do for 30 days?

Chia: What is it good for?

Chia Seeds epitomize the expression that good things come in small packages…. Used for centuries as a staple food of the Tarahumara tribe (See Born to Run by Christopher McDougall), the author relates a number of stories explaining how a handful of these tiny seeds allow members of this tribe to run, seemingly effortlessly, for up to 50 or 100 miles per day!

Remember the Chia Pet? Yep, it’s the same thing. Mix a spoonful of chia seeds with water and you will notice that it forms a gel-like substance… It does this because chia absorbs 12 times its weight in water! When you eat it, the gel that forms in your stomach creates a barrier between carbohydrates and the enzymes that break them down and subsequently slows the conversion of carbs to sugar. In other words, these little guys sustain you for longer.

They also keep you better hydrated, act as a significant source of protein, and because you can add them to pretty much anything, from smoothies, to power bars, or just sprinkled on your cereal, they are extremely easy to incorporate into your diet.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!