A New Tradition for September

With a new month approaching, I have decided to start a daily tradition for the month of September.

MORNING ROUTINE

20 PUSH UPS

50 JUMPING JACKS

100 CRUNCHES

1 MINUTE OF PLANK

1 MINUTE OF WALL SITS

20 CLIMBERS

As I get stronger, I hope to add on to the length of time and number of reps.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Vegetarian Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili

I wish I could make this picture look better, because I swear that this chili tastes so much better than I looks.

This is an easy meal (20 to 30 minutes) to make, and is low fat and full of protein. I may try adding turkey meat to it next time, but it is great without it.

one 29 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
one 6 oz can tomato paste (I used a whole 12 oz can)
32 oz vegetable or chicken stock (I found gluten free stock at Whole Foods)
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks
1 cup dry quinoa
salt and pepper to taste
avocado, cilantro for garnish (optional)

Heat the oil in a large heavy soup pot over medium low heat. Add onions, and cook until soft and they start to turn brown (about 10 minutes). Add the garlic, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and oregano and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the beans, stock, and potatoes, and season with salt and pepper . Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the quinoa. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until quinoa and potatoes are cooked and the chili has thickened. Add a bit of water if the chili becomes too thick for your liking. Top with avocado and chopped cilantro.

It’s great re-heated and is a perfect at-work meal!

Right image from Milk Free Mom.

Cookies??? For Breakfast??

I saw the recipe for breakfast cookies on Pinterest and had to test them out. No flour, no sugar, no dairy? Must taste awful, right? Wrong. These are so easy to make, are delicious, and are good for you!

Start with 1 ½ cups of rolled oats, 2 or 3 very ripened bananas (easy to mush), 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, a handful of raisins or craisins, and cinnamon to taste.

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl, mashing up those bananas.

Shape them into cookie form the best you can. As you can see, this recipe makes about 9 cookies.

The final product is delicious, and perfect for a pre-workout energy boost! Enjoy!

Anchors Aweigh

As I mentioned last week, some of my law school friends and I did our best to throw a cruise-themed wedding shower for our good friends, Coby and Kyleen. I think, overall, it was a success! To add some homemade flare, I made the nautical bunting (I realized last minute that I put Kyleen’s name backwards, as you can see here.)

I also made wedding dress cookies and cupcakes.

The party planners!

The future Mr. and Mrs. Hinkle!

We Survived

Well, we did it. After 100 jump squats, 200 push ups, 300 crunches and 400 burpees, we survived. I was able to complete it in under 1 hour, 30 minutes, so I was thrilled.

This was a great event, and I highly recommend the challenge. Grab a group of friends, push yourself and cheer each other on. I have to thank Laura Forte at Bay View Bootcamp for this awesome event and for making me sweat! Please check out her boot camp which is held down near the North Shore pool and her blog where she posts weekly on some great healthy meals and workouts! Also, I need to thank Maggie for keeping me motivated during those last 200 burpees! I couldn’t have done it without you! Great job, everyone!

What’s On Your Fitness Bucket List?

Most people either have a “bucket list” with the things or places they want to do/go to before they die, like sky diving or taking a trip to Italy. On Wednesday night, I came home to find Mickey, watching a movie off of Netflix called “Ride the Divide” – a race that has only been accomplished by a handful of people who race on a mountain bike from Alberta, Canada and down the continental divide to the Mexican border. 2700 of uneven terrain and snow….and ALONE! Instantly, Mickey wanted to do it (along with climbing Everest – yeah right) despite the fact that it would take a month to do and take months of training. Although the terrain was absolutely breathtaking, I watched one of the race participants, Mary, have severe mental struggles to complete the trip alone and with extremely swollen legs!

It could be a quarter life crisis for both of us, but as Mickey starts to watch these documentaries on Everest treks and extreme bike racing, I’ve started to think about the fitness accomplishments that I would like to complete in my lifetime. My fitness bucket list, if you will.

Bucket List Item #1: Run a Marathon – preferably Boston or NYC. I have run multiple half-marathons and have loved every second of these longer runs. But my knees have not been pleased. I would like to complete a full marathon in the next year or 2 using advice from Jeff Galloway, one of the leading running gurus in the country. (Shout out to my former Conn College roomie, Bonnie!)

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html

Bucket List Item #2: Complete a Ragnar race in Napa Valley or compete in the Vineman Triathlon in Napa Valley. Because after a race like that, who wouldn’t want to replenish those lost calories with wine!

Bucket List Item #3: Get strong arms. No more lunch lady arms! Like Kelly Ripa!

In honor of today’s post, I will be performing another Fitness Bucket List item – completing Laura Forte’s Spartan Challenge! 100 jump squats, 200 push ups, 300 sit ups and 400 burpees! I’ll let you know if I survive!!!

You’ve Got Mail

Yesterday I received my first…

Have you heard of it??? It’s a product sampling service which allows you to test new beauty products at home! The theory behind Birchbox is that the company wants to help members find the latest and the best products on the market. Each box comes with four (4) trial-size samples. This month I received:

I am sure that the press-on eyeliner will be a hit at a bachelorette some night, and I am excited to try the Stainless lip and cheek color.

Although there is a wait list to become a member, it’s only $10/month, which is pretty sweet.

Also see their competitors: GlossyBox at $21/month; $115/6 months; or $220/year Beauty Army at $12/month or $132/year (allows you to pick six from a sample packet and deluxe tubes from brands like StriVectin) Beauty Fix at $50/quarter (allows you to tailor your box by selecting eight deluxe or generous items from brands such as Bliss) Total Beauty Collection at $15 (up to six deluxe samples) and Beauty Box 5 at $12/month; $30/quarterly or $100/year (get 4 to 5 trials in varying sizes and personalize with a beauty profiler)

Fall Must Haves

I always jump the gun on Fall clothes. I mean, it’s ridiculous to think about wearing long sleeves and sweaters when it’s 89 degrees outside, with 20% humidity! But now that I am heading back to CT three times in the next 4 months, I need to start getting my wardrobe ready!

 

Zella Leggings $52.00 Zara printed blouse $79.90 JCrew Peter Pan collar $75.00

Fiona by Schutz $180.00 Gap outfit French Connection Leather Jacket $218

A Little Motivation For Your Monday

Thanks, Laura, for this Pinterest post!

Party Planning

This Saturday, my law school friends, Ashley and Joy, and I are hosting a wedding shower for our dear friends, Kyleen and Coby. Instead of an over-the-top wedding, my friends are planning a backyard luau at their new house, and are taking a fantastic 21-day cruise around the Mediterranean. Jealous much??? In honor of their honeymoon, we are trying to plan a cruise/nautical themed party with Mediterranean flare. I am excited about our ideas and will have final pictures next week!

 

So many cute ideas! Time to get crafting!