Easy ways to add exercise to your day

So I have mentioned before my loathing of traditional workouts.  I get 'into'
them for brief bits then just usually fizzle with the dreaded burn out.

I am always on the lookout for ways to exercise that are masked as fun family or
enviro-friendly things.  I have been doing some research and decided to
challenge myself to find new activities that will bring my body back from it's
sleepy hibernation to summer ready AND keep me motivated to keep exercising.

• Adopt a mile, a park, a playground
• whether it is officially done or unofficially done, this would burn calories and help beautify an are
• Join a walk/run group
• they are everywhere and there is no better way to stay involved than with good old fashioned accountability
• Have a family or neighborhood relay event
• get fresh air and do mini-competitions (frisbee, hula hoop, three-legged races, just think family fun camp-who can do the most push ups, etc...)
• Scavenger hunt
• set up your own or go geocaching
• Family hike
• Biking
• they make bikes for every size and trailers for those who are just too wee to pedal
• Gardening
• who says getting out there and raking mulch, push mowing the lawn, shoveling flowers, lifting plants is for sissys...yes it is a workout & kids love to help dig in the dirt
• Mall walking
• great way to stay on top of the sales and is a great activity for those cold, rainy days. If you have little ones they always love a good scurry around the play structures. If you can't handle temptation, lock your wallet in your glove box
• Boating
• research your area for paddle boating, canoeing, kayaking
• Check local shelters to see if they need assistance with a clean up day
• many shelters love donated time and help repainting, cleaning, maintaining their premises
• Start up a local exercise group or join a pre-existing one
• I see Zumba posted everywhere, I may just have to try it out
• I read where you can burn 100 calories per hour long show just by doing rotations of jumping jacks and crunches during the commercials
• I may try this instead of going to the pantry for snacks
• Wear ankle weights when grocery shopping or cleaning.
• you can wear pants to conceal them and it helps burn extra calories
• The extra weight is a reminder to shop healthy and make good food choices
• I may do this when Christmas shopping, perhaps I would 'hurry' and not spend as much HA HA
• Heard it a million times but...park far away
• it isn't so pleasant sounding with an infant or toddler but I may start parking at the back near a buggy corral and walking, not sure just how much more exercise this promotes by walking farther, but it couldn't hurt
• Update your house, who says painting can't be exercise?

Let me know your thoughts. Any of these sound like a possibility?  Any other ideas?

**Coming Friday-a new recipe!!

Healthier Brownies

We love our dairy.  We do coffee with milk, cereal and yogurt for breakfast, cheese snacks, normally some cheese or milk used in dinner prep, love ice cream...so you see, we eat A LOT of dairy throughout the course of a day. That is why I try my best to buy organic dairy since we consume so much of it. Stonyfield also has online coupons so check out Stonyfield's webpage here and click on their coupon link for more info on savings.

My daughter was practically born on Stonyfield.  We used the yoBaby yogurt to initiate the switch to dairy.  Now that she is a high paced, super speedy three year old, the cartons slow her down so we do the yoKids yogurt tubes.*Product hint- freeze these and they are even less messy and a fun, cool down treat in the hot months* My husband loves their yogurt and the variety they have in it.  He also likes the smoothies but they are a little harder to find, guess they are more popular. Me...it is all about the ice cream...OK so I love their Greek Oikos yogurt too (especially the delicious desserts I make with it)

As a family we go through stages of small to mass milk consumption, their cartons however scientifically they do this is above me, allow the milk not to spoil as fast as the see through containers we have purchased in the past.  I am assuming it has something to do with blocking light and perhaps more insulating? eh, who know, who cares...just know it outlast other milks.


Lastly here is my beloved secret to making FANTASTIC eggless, low fat brownies (I am making a half batch but the recipe is for a full 9X13 pan)

• 1 box brownie mix (I prefer Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate) *low fat brownie mix NOT recommended-it's not 'bad' it just makes more of a cake versus fudgey brownies*
• 1/4 cup natural, unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup water or 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup Stonyfield Oikos Greek Vanilla yogurt (if using plain just add 1/2 tsp vanilla)

Preheat oven to 325*.  Spray 9 X 13 baking pan (I used a 9 X 9 since I halved the recipe).  Mix ingredients and place into pan, bake as directed for they type of  pan you are using.

Leave them a bit undone verses over baking and they will bake quicker!

*This is a pick of them unbaked just 'ovenized' brownies-forgot in my haste to make yummy deliciousness to take a mixing pic!

**Also-these were gone as soon as I pulled them out of the oven...it was all I could do to beg my family to let the molten lave brownies cool a bit, but no-they INHALED them (I helped). Perhaps next time I will get a pic of the final product!

If you are feeling frisky you can add some ice cream or whip cream & fresh fruit. These taste...well like I imagine heaven to be like...simply dreamy and noone ever believes they are low fat, they are gooey just like a regular egg and oil laden brownie, but not as bad for you!!! SO ENJOY! I recommend following the directions I posted and not cutting it in half...they were gone too fast, next time I follow my own recipe and make the whole 9 X 13!!!

Trashy people

Recycling is a pain.  I never realized how difficult most places make it.  We were blessed with simple curbside recycling for so long that it never crossed my mind how much we truly, truly trash.

We lived in a temporary rental situation for 3 months where recycling didn't exist and the nearest facility was 40 minutes away, so we opted to temporarily stop recycling.  WOW the loads of trash we threw out tripled, YES tripled. I was astonished how much stuff we 'trash' that is recyclable since we just by habit always did it.  It made me wonder how many landfills could have been avoided if more people recycled. It also angered me that more counties/cities don't offer recycling or 'trashcycling'.  A realtor was explaining to me the cost savings that areas would have by offering 'trashcycling' over recycling.

To answer any potential questions, trashcycling is simply throwing everything out, in one bag.  Then the collectors take it as normal, but instead of being dumped into a landfill or incinerated, it goes to a sorting facility with shakers, magnets, human sorters, etc...that separate trash and recyclables. Most counties/cities who do trashcycling benefit from selling scrap metal and aluminum so they break even or at times profit from trashcycling.

WHY DON'T MORE PLACES OFFER THIS...and HOW CAN I GET THIS STARTED?!?  I am so taking a step out and heading to the next county meeting to find out why they aren't doing this!  I hope if you have curbside you realize just how fortunate you are and if you don't keep taking it to your local recycling center...perhaps if you live near me we will meet at the sorting bins until the glorious day where recycling becomes an easily doable option for everyone

Product of the Week-Mrs. Meyers

My product of the week falls into the cleaning category...

I must say I am in love, love with Mrs. Meyers cleaning products. Although they have a pretty decent selection size, we use their hand and dish soaps, all-purpose cleaning spray, and room fresheners.   I personally favor the lemon verbena scent but they offer a other scents as well.  I use the spray from the floor to ceiling *literally* on wood, tile, walls, granite, glass, you name it- (even used it to remove yogurt from my microsuede sofa- although there was no damage done, you should try a test spot first on any surface). I started using it when I was pregnant and advised to stay away from toxic fumes.  To my mild surprise, there were warnings on nearly every label I had under my sink. I went to the store to replace them and stumbled upon Mrs. Meyers.  The scent, the envirofriendly packing and contents made me ever so thrilled.  I have always felt safe using it around the house knowing myself and my precious family are not inhaling dangerous chemicals and the smell...have I mentioned how much I love the scent?

My product tips...I use the all-purpose refill kit to refill the counter spray bottle.  The refill is concentrated so you add water and use very little of the concentrate.  Economically it is way cheaper than buying the 'toxic' cleaners even with coupons and sales.

This is my product review of the week and it is my own personal opinions. I have in no way been compensated for this review.  Next week I will be reviewing Stonyfield and sharing some of my favorite recipes using their dairy.

Save the...water?!?!?

Yes...water conservation.  We all have heard.....a.million.times.....about it.  But it never hurts to be reminded.  We all have taken for granted the quick ease of turning on a spiket, faucet, or flushing a toilet and having water at our disposal.

I have had the 'priviledge' of having bad water recently which reminded me the importance of clean water and using only what you need.

Here are some tips on water conservation...these are just a few but googling water conservation will open your eyes to tips I am sure even you haven't heard of, and no I am not including the ever popular Tshirt slogan "conserve water: shower in pairs" HA HA

• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth (sure you have heard of this one!)
• If buying a new toilet, buy a low flow or if not, you can convert yours by simply placing a water filled water bottle or two in your tank to keep the water use down when you flush.
• Only use your dishwasher or laundry machine when you have full loads.
• Switch to water efficient shower and faucet heads.
• Use a rain catcher barrel to collect water run off from your guttering system and use that water for gardening or outside cleaning.
• Do a quarterly check of your plumbing to check for leaks, be sure to check your outside plumbing as well.
• Have a timer near your shower, by cutting one or two minutes from your shower you can save up to 150 gallons a month...that is pretty significant

I encourage you to google some water saving and post one way you plan to save water consumption and one method I did not post...let's save some water :o)

Green Moving Tips

In light of moving this week, I wanted to post some tips I have discovered in our 12 moves in under 10 years!!!

Moving is a pain, expensive, back breaking, but it can be green and more budget friendly and here are some ideas for your next move!

Pre-Move

• Reuse boxes- gather boxes from local stores
• we have found that grocery stores, hospitals, and shopping retailers have the largest most sturdy boxes(call ahead, but generally they always have some & gladly part with them)
• Use green cleaning supplies
• it is a great time to get rid of toxic cleaners you have and start trying green cleaners
• contact your local garbage service to find out how to properly dispose of all chemicals, paints, flammables that you will not be moving
• Have three piles of things you no longer want or need
• Donate
• women's & children's shelter will take baby/child/blankets/towels etc...
• Goodwill will take most anything
• Habitat for Humanity will take any home improvement items
• Sell
• craigslist and local 'for sale' papers are a great way to make a buck and clear out things you don't want but can't afford to donate
• Trash
• not every trash can be someones treasure!!
• Use a trailer instead of renting a truck
• use of a trailer may consume more gas on your vehicle but it is more eco-friendly than the large box trucks
• trailers are often more affordable than a rental truck as well and no mileage is clock so you can make multiple trips if moving across town and save on gas and rental fees
• If you must rent a truck, get a vehicle tow behind trailer
• avoid burning gas in two or three vehicles by towing your vehicle

Post Move

• Recycle or re-gift your boxes
• believe it or not posting moving boxes on freecycle or craigslist will often take boxes off your hands and you know that they are being reused
• Set up curbside recycling at your new address or find out ways your county/city recycles and make a plan to start right away
• establishing a new habit is a lot easier when it becomes part of the new home!

Any tips??   I'd love to hear them!!!

Got a blog of your own...post a link and I would love to follow you!

Simple, Quick Ingredient Dinner

Chicken Sausage Alfredo

This was simply, delicious, and a big hit with the family!! From prep to finish, roughly 15 minutes if that!!

* 3 Natural Chicken Sausage (Sun dried Tomato)

       -these are great, free of preservatives, nitrite/nitrates, no hormones or antibiotics

*half box of Barilla Pasta

*3/4 of a container of Skim/Low Fat Alfredo Sauce

*One large bell pepper

__________________________________________________________________

• The sausage is already pre-cooked so I diced it by cutting in half then dicing into tiny bits

• I cut the bell pepper into strips (in retrospect I would have cut into smaller pieces)

• Saute the sausage until browned then add in pepper and cook until al dente
• Cook the pasta according to directions
• Mix the alfredo in with the cooked, drained pasta and add sausage and peppers

VOILE...finished. I served ours with a slice of Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese bread and the family said YUM! A side salad would have been perfect paired with this but with us moving in a few days I didn't want to bring in more ingredients to either go bad or have to take with us.

Good for the soul

Reading about the massive earthquake and tsunami's facing Japan and many other areas of the Pacific, I began to think of all the needs that surround us not only in light of disasters but those all around us in our local communities as well.

Sometimes it is easy to be good to ourselves in what we eat and do, but we forget the joy and blessings we receive when we give to others. Remember that health is always about what you consume but also what activities and things consume you!  This current move we are transitioning through has been brutal and exhausting in so many ways. Today, during my devotion, I reflected upon the hard times of this family and what has helped us get through the mental fatigue and drain of stress and hardship, surprisingly it was doing good unto others despite our situations mentally or financially.  I am so blessed that we have never had to endure the shock of going through a war or natural disaster.

This weekend's post is a challenge to recall when the last time you did an unexpected act of kindness to an individual or organization in need.

We move A LOT, don't believe me....we will be moving into our TWELFTH house in just over nine years of marriage.  It is safe to say we have no clutter, yes we own 'wants' and things that we don't need or have to have, but no clutter.  Each move we purge our clothes, toys, pantry foods, decor, and bedding to piles for selling, donations, and trash.  What we don't sell we generally give to charity organizations.  The feeling of providing much needed goods to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, local Women's and Children's Shelters, and local food banks truly brings a peace and reflection on the blessings many of us take for granted.

Another thing we plan to do when we move is bake a batch of cookies for our new local fire department and take Lorelei, our precocious three year old, to the fire station to learn about fire safety and meet our local volunteers.  I plan to have a post on this outing once we get moved and settled a bit. 

Another idea is to take school supply items to your area school or your child's teacher.  Many children do not have supplies and often times teachers end up paying out of their meager salaries to aid them in learning.

What are some other ideas of kindness, I am in need of some new ideas!!

Workout: when, where, how?

OK....working out isn't fun for, let's just say MOST people.  I have read a ton of articles regarding perking up your routine or starting one.  They all have a common denominator, find what you love and do it. After finding myself wheezing going up the stairs at the ripe old age of 29, I am on a mission to start doing better about regular exercise. I was doing great. Running a few days a week and doing a cardio video 30 Day Shred on days of incliment weather.

I love competition, so I tried running. I set a goal to run in a 5K and the following year I stated I would run in two.  I have met both goals but failed to set another so here I sit, literally, on my duff.  It is cold, my treadmill is in storage and I am left with wondering what to do to get back into shape without having to go outdoors.  Currently I do 100 jumping jacks from time to time, incorporating them into a regular routine has failed me.  I have decided that before I can get online I must have completed two things: devotion and some form of exercise.

That is my new goal, one that as long as I own a computer and therefore the temptation to get online I have motivation to do something.  I know what you are asking, and yes, I did my devotion and jumping jacks this morning. Thanks for worrying about my cardiac health HA HA

For you cooped up winter folks, here is a link to the recommend Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, mine is sadly in storage. I found it at Target for ten dollars and it is a great, quick workout that must come with sore tushy warning.

Getting to know where you food comes from

Our freezer was bare and I thought a great family field trip was in order...we love bison meat.  It has less calories than beef and lower fat than beef and even chicken!!! It is very nutritious in addition to it low fat, low calorie content.


We went to Cibola Farms in Culpepper, Virginia.  In the past we have order and had the meat shipped from Buffalo Gal.  I know ordering and shipping meat seems odd, but the meat so far has arrived absolutely rock hard frozen!! (I have to admit I was shocked the first time!!)

The Great American Bison...they were simply stunning to watch as they grunted, head butted, stampeded, and roamed freely!

The farm was an awesome place to walk around, they had self guided tour booklets and here is Judson and Lorelei on our walk around the farm.

In addition to bison they had a pretty good number of turkeys, goats, and hogs.

Here is a snapshot of Lorelei and I standing in front of the mother/baby bison field.

They had an abundance of loud roosters and chickens and here is a pic of their duck field with a random chicken roaming around.

Another pic of a beastly, but tasty animal!! I am so glad that farms are bring the herd population of this amazing animal back in a sustainable way.

We had bison spaghetti for dinner...ummm DELICIOUS!!!

I use a pressure cooker but this recipe is EASILY adaptable for stove top cooking!

Pressure Cooker Bison Spaghetti

• 1 lb ground bison
• 1 28 oz can tomato puree
• 2 tblsp Italian seasoning (OR 1 tblsp oregano, 1 tblsp basil, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp rosemary)
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1 cup   Ideal sugar
• 3 bay leaves
• 1tsp black pepper
• 2 tblsp salt
•  1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (to added at end of cooking time)
• 1 package whole wheat angel hair pasta

Mix all ingredients thoroughly until meat is broken down and well mixed in sauce. 

*Pressure cooker directions...low pressure for 15 minutes.

*Stove top directions... slow simmer for 2 hours. 

*Slow cooker directions....low for 5 hours.

Cook pasta according to package, drain and add Parmesan to sauce then add pasta.

Weekend Warrior

The weekend is the most popular time of the week to eat out. Is it possible to overcome the temptation to eat more than we should...

in my case-no HA HA


Healthy eating doesn't mean avoiding everything at all times. It is perfectly find to splurge occasionally.  I try to limit eating out to twice a week for various reasons, my primary reason being I love to indulge when I eat out as I admitted above.  Let's face it, who honestly loves to go out to eat and get a salad...and those people should realize that there are quite a few unhealthy salads out there!!

Since this blog normally focuses on health...let's change it up

What do you splurge on?

*evil giggle* mine is Outback cheese fries

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

There are a lot of ways to be 'green', healthy, and without a high price tag!! Here are a few of my favorites...


CLEANING

• Good 'ol vinegar & water- simply equal parts white vinegar and water.
• all purpose cleaning (counters, tubs, tile, vanities)
• a cup of straight vinegar run in an empty dishwasher is a great way to clean it...read your manual, you should clean your dishwasher from time to time & if you read the store bought dishwasher cleaners the main ingredient is vinegar!!
• Baking soda paste- take baking soda and add small amounts of water to form a paste.
• great for removing stains out of your stainless sink
• removes stubborn stains on your cookware (do not use on Teflon/non-stick surfaces)
• this gentle abrasive works to scrub that ring-a-round the tub

EATING

• If you don't believe all that organic hype you are not alone.  Studies have shown that certain fruits and vegetables are safe whether grown organically or not.  However there are veggies and fruits that do absorb chemicals and meats definitely are products of their environment.  Try to buy meats and dairy that are not given antibiotics or steroids. This Wednesday we will focus on our foul-weathered friend!! 
• All poultry (chicken, turkey, and duck) are not supposed to be given antibiotics as per new FDA guidelines so it is easier to find healthier 'birds' in that respect but check to see if they are given steroids (packaging will typically boast if they are not) and make sure they are not "enhanced" with a solution, which is typically chemicals. 
• Check the freezer section for poultry products that are ice-packed meaning they only were splashed with water and flash frozen.  Generally they are the same price or lower than buying the thawed chicken from the butcher section and taste is no different!!
• Ask the butcher if there are any last day organic poultry cuts, they are usually two to three days away from being thrown out but carry large discounts and if you are like me you freeze them anyways so there is no spoilage or wasting!
• Bulk buy when you see your favorite bird cuts on sale.  You can always take large packages and separate them into freezer bags for perfect portions as needed!
• Check for cage free eggs, they are often more expensive but coupons abound in Sunday papers which make them the same cost.  Studies have shown that cage free birds produce healthier eggs that contain a higher ratio of healthy proteins, vitamins, and amino acids. Apparently caged birds aren't too thrilled with being in cages...would you be?
• Look for coupons in your paper and online at the poultry suppliers your local grocer carries.
• Fret not if organic isn't available...it is better and no price difference to find ones not "enhanced with solution" than to continue that habit and your body will thank you!

EXERCISE

Yes you should exercise.  The recommendations change like the wind but 30 minutes three times a week seems to be the current standard protocol.  Save money by foregoing a gym membership and walking around your neighborhood, find some spunky music and dance (personally never tried it but a great workout!!), I do jumping jacks...they raise my heartbeat and I found that I just can't do as many as I thought I could!


Thoughts?