Monthly Archives: December 2011

Thirsty Thursday {Happy New Year}

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It’s the last Thirsty Thursday of 2011!

Break out those Champagne glasses and start toasting to the new year.

Fireworks

4 oz Champagne
1/3 oz Gin
1/2 oz Tangerine Schnapps

Flirtini

  • 3 oz Champagne
  • 1/2 oz Orange liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Pineapple juice

And since we may be doing a little kissing when the clock strikes 12, a shot of mint is an obvious necessity.

Breath Mint Shooter

  • 1 oz Peppermint schnapps
  • 1 oz Bacardi Superior
Because there’s no better way to kick off the new year than with icy cool breath that lasts :)

Fun Fact: According to the Huffington Post, the top 10 baby names for 2012 are as follows…

Girls 

1. Charlotte
2. Seraphina
3. Amelia
4. Violet
5. Isla
6. Imogen
7. Adelaide
8. Alice
9. Scarlett
10. Lila

Boys

1. Asher
2. Finn
3. Henry
4. Milo
5. Jasper
6. Atticus
7. Oliver
8. James
9. Jude
10. Felix

Atticus?..Adelaide?…Really?

Thirsty Thursday {Holiday part 3}

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Twas the Thursday before Christmas, and houses everywhere

Are stocking their cabinets, With liquor and beer.

Drinks will be poured into everyone’s glass

Soon they’ll be drunk, and will fall on their ass

We will toast to the end and the start of a year

Filled with happiness, love, lots of laughter and cheer

So raise your glass towards the sky, Scream with all of your might

“Happy Thirsty Thursday to all, And to all to all a good night!”

 

English and Literature were always my strong subjects Smile

Let the Holiday weekend begin!!

 

Hot Choco-nut

  • 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
  • 1 oz Coconut Parrot Bay Rum
  • 1 oz Hot Chocolate

Prepare hot chocolate per usual, then add in your Baileys and coconut rum. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Blue Christmas

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Hypnotic
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice

Mix together in shaker with ice. Pour into chilled glass rimmed with Truvia

Holly Jolly-Tini

  • 2 oz Cranberry Juice
  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • Splash of fresh lime juice

Mix together in shaker with ice. Pour into chilled glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries

Thirsty Thursday {Holiday part 2}

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It’s almost the weekend, which means another Thirsty Thursday is upon us!

Whether you are attending an “Ugly Sweater” party or staying low key, make sure to try one of these Christmas cocktails to bring some holiday cheer into your weekend.

Peppermint Bark Martini

  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1 oz Godiva liqueur

Mix ingredients in shaker with ice. Pour into chilled glass rimmed with peppermint pieces. Sprinkle Chocolate shavings into glass.

The Grinch

  • 2 oz Midori
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1 packet of sugar, or other natural (no calorie) sweetener

Mix ingredients in shaker with ice. Strain into chilled glass with a maraschino cherry.

Snickerdoodle Shot

  • 1 Tbsp Butterscotch Schnapps
  • 1 Tbsp Amaretto
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • Dash of cinnamon

As listed above, layer ingredients into a shot glass…and  pound it!

How cute and simple is that!?

Enjoy :) !

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BOSU Ball

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I love to incorporate different pieces of equipment into my workout.

Just a simple switch from dumbbells to cables, treadmill to elliptical, and stable to unstable surfaces can give your body that “shock” it needs to battle through any plateau.

Take for instance, the BOSU Ball.

BOSU means “both sides”, which is just how this fitness tool works. It helps with balance and strength, making regular movements such as a squat, much harder to perform.

  • Squat

  • Lunge

  • Supine Bridge

  • Push ups

  • Oblique Twists

  • Chair Hold

I could feel my stabilizer muscles (muscles that keep the body steady during movement) really contracting to keep my body balanced and secure.

There are plenty of other ways to incorporate this versatile piece of equipment into your workout. It’s perfect for both beginners and professional athletes alike.

Once you’ve mastered these exercises on their own, begin to add weight to intensify each movement. Start with a lighter dumbbell and increase the weight as your grow stronger and more stable.

Try adding some BOSU into your workout today! Click HERE for more information!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

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Many people choose the new year as their starting point to getting healthy. Some stick to their guns, while others fall short come February.

For those on your list with the intent to finally get moving, here are some gift ideas that will help motivate when they procrastinate.

Gym Membership

Many gyms are now offering holiday packages and deals for the upcoming new year.

At Home Fitness Equipment

Now there is no reason why fitness can’t fit into their schedule.

Fitness DVD’s

Lose weight and get in shape in the comfort of your own home.

Personal Training Sessions

Learn basic movements and exercises that will help achieve fitness goals.

Cookbooks

Inspiration and recipe ideas for the whole family

Trader Joe’s Gift Card

If there is one in the area, of course

Nano Watch Band with Itunes gift card

These bands are AWESOME. Perfect for runners, commuters, students and gym goers.

Embroidered Yoga Mat

Along with a gift card for a free Yoga Class. Go with them for support and try to make it a weekly occurrence.

Gift card for a new pair of sneakers/fitness attire

Preferably for lululemon Smile

Stress Relief Candles or Gift Certificate to a Spa

Because rest days are important

Gourmet Gift Baskets

I LOVE these gift baskets. They are one of my favorite gifts to receive around the holiday. Filled with so many new snacks and delicious spreads to enjoy.

Introduce fitness into the lives of those you love.

Give the gift of health.

I Like It Raw

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I’ve recently converted to Raw Almond Butter over Roasted Almond Butter.

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Raw

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Roasted

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Though it’s a personal preference, I found in terms of texture and taste, Raw AB has my vote.

I love the grindy (is that a word?) and thick texture of the butter, along with the natural flavor that the almonds possess.

From the MaraNatha Website:

  • Raw nut butter products are not subjected to treatment or heat prior to the grinding process. These items are often preferred by people who are looking for minimally processed food that is “as close to Nature” as possible.
  • Roasted nut butters are baked or heated to produce a desired flavor and/or color prior to grinding. Some manufacturers use oil in the roasting process

Try it out and see if you like it!

I purchased my jar at Trader Joe’s, but I’m sure you will find it at another grocery store as well Smile.

Breakfast: Strawberry Banana Protein Oats

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  • 1/3 C oats
  • 1/3 C liquid egg whites
  • 1/2 banana
  • 2 large strawberries
  • cinnamon

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1/2 T of Raw AB

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Served along side Newman’s Own Organic coffee with Truvia and a relaxing Eucalyptus candle.

Today’s Workout:

  • Spin Class.
  • Abs.
  • Stretching.

Thirsty Thursday {Holiday part 1}

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It’s been a while since I’ve done a “Thirsty Thursday” post, so I thought that I would rekindle the alcoholic flame in honor of the hectic holiday season. 

Let’s kick off this series with the most traditional of holiday beverages…

Eggnog Martini

  • 2oz Eggnog
  • 1.5oz Vodka
  • 1oz Amaretto

Combine ingredients in shaker with ice and pour into chilled glass. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Candy Cane Martini

  • 1.5oz Vanilla Vodka
  • 1oz Peppermint Schnapps
  • .5oz White Crème De Cacao

Combine Ingredients in shaker with ice and pour into chilled glass rimmed with crushed candy cane pieces, or place a baby candy cane in glass.

Remember that these delicious drinks can add up fast in terms of calories and fat. Be mindful of how many you are consuming and try to eat a healthier meal full of vegetables and protein. Also, pass on the dessert menu and drink plenty of water.

Then in the morning, perform this circuit Smile

10 minute warm up- Cardio of choice

  • DB Chest Press- 10 reps
  • DB Chest Fly- 10 reps
  • Bent Over Row- 15 reps
  • Squat to Shoulder Press- 15 reps
  • Bicep Curl-15 reps
  • Tricep Kickbacks-15 reps
  • Bicycle Crunch-15
  • Plank-30 seconds

Go through the list 3x, resting 1 minute between sets.

And of course, make sure to stretch.

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Chorus Cardio Blast {Playlist}

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I’ve created a list of songs with energizing chorus’ to help make your cardio routines fly by. You can pick any piece of cardio equipment you like, or simply run outside if you choose. 

When the chorus of each song begins, go as hard you can until it ends. Recover until the chorus begins again, and repeat.

Get ready to sweat!

Chorus Cardio Blast Playlist

  • 1. Marry The Night- Lady Gaga
  • 2. Papi -Jennifer Lopez
  • 3. Without You- David Guetta ft. Usher
  • 4. International Love-Pitbull ft. Chris Brown
  • 5. Burn It To The Ground- Nickelback
  • 6. Riot- Three Days Grace
  • 7. In The Dark- Dev
  • 8. Sexy and I Know It- LMFAO
  • 9. Mr. Saxobeat-Alexandra Stan
  • 10. Good Feeling- Flo Rida

I felt strong at the end of this routine and the time literally flew by.

I ended with 15 minutes of solitary stretching and abs in my gym’s yoga studio.

Abs: Repeat 2x

  • Reverse Crunch: 25
  • Toe Touches: 25
  • Plank Oblique Twists: 30 seconds

Replenish

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  • 1/4 cup oat bran with 1 cup water
  • 1/2 sliced banana
  • 3/4 cup liquid egg whites
  • dash of nutmeg and cinnamon
  • blueberries.

Side of honey vanilla chamomile tea with stevia in the raw

Speaking of breakfast, has anyone heard the news about brands such as Kashi, Barbara’s Bakery Puffins and Whole Foods 365 cereals containing high levels of GMO’s?

Read more about it here.

What are your thoughts on this?

I’ll admit that I am disappointed. Kashi GoLean Original is one of my favorite cereals, along with my new found love of Peanut Butter Puffins. I’m hoping to hear more about this issue along with how these brands are responding.