Call me crazy but here's an awesome idea. Actual physical weights on your shoulders when it feels like the world is just too heavy to beat. Sounds nuts i know but hear me out. The tangible weight actually validates the emotional or mental struggle by matching the physical body with the emotions. It's like a stress ball. Why does that work? Aside from releasing endorphins just like during exercise, it also allows your muscles to tense mimicking the stress you are trying to get rid of. When our body and mind is in sync we feel alive, at ease and with our best capacities to exercise judgment. Yes pun intended. At the extreme levels, like anything, this is harmful and the cortisol levels in our body can increase too much, but finding the right balance is so worth the work. And yeah, after a hell of a long past few days, feels damn good to have an actual heavy load on my back that I can lift. It's hard as hell, but doable. #squats #weightlifting #gymmotivation #lifelessons
Daily Riding wisdom
And for your daily dose of riding wisdom… When you are gliding along on a nice flat path, what do you do? Aside from looking around and enjoying, you raise the gear. It feels too awkward to pedal like crazy when there is absolutely no resistance, almost like your slipping every time you try and push. See that's the funny part, you'd think, great its as easy as possible with no resistance. Well, nope. In life when things are too easy, and there is absolutely no push back, we get bored, we get restless. Some of us chose healthier outlets and some of us less so. But either way, we all need a little "resistance" here and there to make us feel alive, to make us push on forward. So next time a little push is needed, remember you get to feel alive, enjoy the view and pedal on forward. And hey along the path, you're also bound to hit the thrilling hills, the painfully steep uphills too. Life's got it all.
Leftover fruit salad cookies
Just yum! Made cookies from leftover fruit salad! And yes they are awesome.
Here's how you do it:
Mash bananas, add in oats, any cut up fruits-(this one had apples, oranges, parsimons, and more banana:), then mix ground flax with some water and add that in as well, maple syrup, pour In some raw techina, add some chia seeds, coconut and bake on 180 for 15 min. Then coat with chocolate flavored carob spread! Mmmmmm #nutrition#vegancookies #healthytreats
The no excuse busy life
I'm sure I'm like most people that find it really tough to fit working out into their usual busy schedules. Sometimes time really is limited and other times, being busy provides a wonderful excuse. And that's just it. If we see the business as an excuse rather than an obstacle, we can find creative ways to workout within our routines. Here's an example. I have an anatomy test in just over a week and need to study. Rather than studying from the book I found tutorials on YouTube, which I am watching, while I do my upper body and abs workout. This is just one example though. It can be applied to so many natural parts of our busy lives. For instance, try squatting while folding laundry. When we really want something and believe we can have it, then we do it! Nothing can get in the way:) #fitnessmotivation #fitness #busylife
Kids nutrition is just as important
For some time now I have switched over to a high protein low card diet, but what about my kids? After the countless failed attempts of convincing my kids to try the bean pastas and other alternatives, I found myself making two meals most nights, as in the picture above. Then it dawned on me. I love my kids. Like really really love my kids. Then why was I ok with filling them up with junk, while I was pumping my body with goodness?
I know it won’t be easy, but I have already taken the first steps towards helping them eat health consciously as well.
To kick off this change, I took my kids on a fruit hunt in the local forest. What they didn’t know was how much I was hoping they’d enjoy the fun of looking for fruit trees, climbing them and eating their hard work afterwards. Well it worked! We came home with my sons baseball hat full of figs and a huge bag of grapes. They enjoyed them so much! Mission complete:) the days ahead will continue to take creativity to spark a healthy desire in my kids, but it is worth the effort. I’m always making fun charts and google docs for work with all new creative ideas. Well, why not at home where it matters the most? I’ll keep you posted on any other fun ways of inspiring our kids to love healthy living.
Strong Girl
Like mother like daughter.
Just amazing! Was doing my usual workout, when I looked in front of me there she was! Just joining in! She’s so strong and teaches me everyday how much what we do as parents are what are children emulate. Stronger than any conversation or lesson we try and teach with words.
Be the best you that you can be. That is the best parenting you can do.
The complexities of being a girl
Heart pounding, sweat pouring, music blaring, “I’m on top of the world”, sneakers hitting the pavement to the rhythm of my swaying hips. One honk, two truck drivers, three thumbs up, four head nods, but who’s counting?
I’m on top of the world.
Thumbs up guy number 1 in a black fancy car catches up to me through the traffic. He’s actually kind of cute. “Here, call me, he remarks”, as he reaches over the passenger seat passing me his business card. I’m left dumbstruck by the complexities of my long train of thought that follows, as I continue my steps along the newly jaded pavement.
First, “cool, I guess I look cute today”. Second, “what the hell? He’s a creep; what kind of guy stops on the side of the road to give out his phone number”? Third, “Wait a minute, what about all the other thumbs up and head nods? Are they appreciating the honest sight of hard work and hardcore determination as I hope them to be”? Fourth, “Come on! Is this what this world has come to, questioning the motives of such inspiring moments”? Then, bam, right back to thought number 1, with “Hell yeah, I guess I really do look pretty hot today. Followed by, "Shit why am I caring or basing that thought on some creep”?
Darn human brain! “Is it normal to enjoy that moment of flattery? Followed by a brutal mental beating for even having that first thought, when all my values scream out to protect us women? Damn. All this and it isn’t even 830am. I’m a person. I’m a woman. Simple as complex as that”.
Teach your child how to ride the fun way.
HERE IS A GREAT WAY TO TEACH YOUR CHILD HOW TO RIDE A BIKE. IF YOU’VE ALREADY TRIED BEFORE, THEN YOU KNOW HOW FRUSTRATING THE PROCESS CAN BE FOR BOTH THE PARENT AND THE CHILD. ROLLERBLADING WHILE TEACHING, NOT ONLY IS FUN BUT IT ALSO TAKES AWAY THE CHALLENGING PART OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO HOLD YOUR CHILD UP AND RUN WITH THEM UNTIL THEY CAN BALANCE THEMSELVES.
Better then pasta and low in carbs!!
Better then pasta and low in carbs!! Yes thats right! Sometimes you just want warm, comforting pasta right? Well, thats fine except when you want to eat healthy, lose weight and get the nutrients that your body really wants. There are many different pasta alternatives that can satisfy your pasta craving. Heres one option:
Butternut Squashta!
Prep and cook time: 10 min
Ingredients:
1 large onion
5 cloves garlic
1 large butternut squash
1 small beet
2 slices cheese (any)
1 cup tomato sauce (can use can, jar or make fresh)
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
Fresh basil for garnish
Oil for frying
Fry onion and garlic in a small amount of oil. I like coconut, but you can use any. Peel squash. Then continue to peel the inside of the squash so the pieces you will cook look like thin very wide pasta noodle. Grate one beet. Add squash and beet to the fried onions and garlic. Lightly fry for 5 min all together. Add, spices, sauce and cheese and leave on a low flame for 3 min. Thats it! Eat and enjoy!
Leave out the cheese for vegans.