Last hours of 2010

Here we are again at New Year's Eve! I can't believe how the year has flown by...it seems just yesterday that it was New Year's Eve 2009.
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas (sorry I was MIA over the holiday...super busy!). I got one gift that stood out to me--I CAN JUMP AGAIN! I've gotten many of my jumps back faster than I had expected.
I also got the okay to run, kickbox, strength train...anything as long as it doesn't start hurting my knee or ankle! Best Christmas gift out of the bunch, by far ;)

~Eats~

Just some random eats from the past few weeks...

A quinoa scramble with an apple cooked in, carrots cooked in and topped with cinnamon and peanut butter

Organic Irish Oats, squirt of honey, 4 figs, a few almonds and raisins

Old fashioned oats cooked in 2% milk, with wheat germ cooked in, flaxseed, frozen blueberries, and 1/2 banana

Raw old fashioned oats, skim milk poured over, a few sunflower seeds, 1/2 banana, 2 chopped dried figs

Oats, a banana, raisins and almonds

2 egg omelet, topped with melted provolone cheese and grape tomatoes, with a side of salmon and green beans

Raw old fashioned oats, skim milk poured over, sunflower seeds, berries, 1/2 sliced banana a few raisins

Christmas morning oats: Old fashioned oats, 1/4 fresh pomegranate seeds, sprinkling of coconut, a few chesnuts--note: chuesnuts...eww...not very appetizing....:p

A plain sweet potato, a nature's own whole wheat sandwich thin with a morningstar spicy black bean veggie burger with swiss cheese and all natural salsa

~Fitness Is Fun!~

Since I am now back to working out, I have been enjoying TONS of skating, light runs (not 100% yet, but better than nothing!!), lots of strength training, oodles of ab work (which I did all through my injury) along with arms and back. I've also been doing power skating again--which I forgot was such an amazing workout!
Favorite move right now, though: Old-school push ups! And planks. Both of these bad boys can give you rock hard abs, a toned back, and all-over strengthening. These moves mutually tone just about every part of your body that is possible to work--which you will most definitely feel the next day ;)

Favorites of 2010: Just a quick list of some of my favorites of 2010...

Tazo "Refresh" Hot Tea Bags 

This tea is one of the best teas I've ever tasted. The flavor is so fresh and clean--such a winter-y crispness. This one will probably stay on my favs list when 2011 rolls around in a couple of hours!

Amy's Organic Teriyaki Bowls

 This frozen tofu bowl from Amy's organic foods is SO good for a quick dinner. Pop it in the microwave for 5 minutes, and voila! I like to pair mine with an extra veggie and a seasonal fruit.

Fresh pomegranates are DEFINITELY on my favorites list. They are SO insanely messy--but worth every stain ;) I love them as an oatmeal topping (of course) and as a greek yogurt topper. 

Well...I hope this leaves everyone well. Wishing everybody a very happy New Year. I promise I will try to blog more (I hope...). 
  
I heard this quote the other day and it really opened my eyes a little bit: "There's a crack in everything...that's how the sun gets through!" I love that! Try to remember this when you get a little down...the sun always comes through somehow :)

Stay healthy and happy 
:D

Baby, it's COLD outside!

Hello, freezing foodies! I hope everyone is staying somewhat warm in this brutal weather. 23 degrees WITH WIND today--AH!!! Awful. I see no point in cold weather unless there is snow on the ground!
So...on the other hand-I forgot how close Christmas was! I have been so focused on the Christmas show at the rink that I've barely even THOUGHT about Christmas itself! But now let's get to the goods...;)


~Eats~

Oats, banana, dried mission figs, cinnamon, and all natural pbutter!

Oats, peppermint extract cooked in (this is SO amazing! Perfect for these dreaded winter months!), banana, unsweetened coconut, all natural peanut butter.

All natural, plain yogurt, organic whole wheat flax cereal flakes, sunflower seeds, frozen blueberries, banana. Such a good combo! :)


~Fitness Is Fun!~
I am loving "side steps" right now. I know. They sound so simple--haha...NOT. If you do them properly (butt all the way down in a deep squat position...but without letting your knees fall in--REALLY be mindful of this...VERY bad for your knees!!) you will DEFINITELY feel this. Once it gets too easy, add a medicine ball. Hold it in your hands at arms length (don't get a medicine ball that's too heavy...about 3-5 pounds is ideal) and go on with side steps. Oh. Yes. 
If you have a punching bag handy (because so many people keep them around...hahaha...) take it out of the closet and go ahead and punch it up....BIG TIME. You will work up a MAJOR sweat and get out your anger if you've had a less-than-amazing day ;)

The show went great. We got great reviews! We all had a blast. I was so thankful I was able to participate (even the little part I COULD be in was better than none at all!) and I put all I had in me into my 8 minutes on the ice ;) 
My knee is getting so much better. I had a GREAT practice today and looking forward to tomorrow. I'm getting so much stronger and reaping the benefits of having to improve on my basic jumps while having to hold off on my bigger jumps. Most of my spins are back to normal...I haven't been able to do some of them because they hurt too much, but the ones I have been able to practice are going great. I've been doing quite a bit of power skating and on-ice strength training--so essential in mastering those difficult elements that I will be doing again soon!
Until next time...
Stay healthy and happy...and WARM! 
:D
Another uplifting quote: "Be the change you wish to see in the world". How awesome is THAT?! Basically all it means is--if you want things to change, you have to change your mind set first. SO TRUE. Often we want things to change, but while we still have a negative attitude towards it. When something bad happens in the days/weeks to come, try to think of all the things and reasons that you have to be HAPPY. I KNOW the number of good things will surprise you!
 

Lights, camera, SHOW TIME! :)

Happy Tuesday, fellow foodies! :) Hope this is finding you well. I don't know about you, but I have been FREEZING all day long! I CANNOT seem to get warm ANYWHERE I go!! It's like the cold is following me--cold outside, in my house, in the ice rink....AHH!! Ah, well...it just gets us "in the mood" I suppose....


~Weekly Eats~
So...not that I don't usually crave it, but since this dramatic weather change I cannot seem to get enough oatmeal! I don't think ANYTHING beats a steamy bowl of oats and a mug of green tea when it's cold outside...mmmmhhhhmmmm :)

On this particular frigid morning (these are seeming to become routine---ahhh!!) I enjoyed a mouth watering bowl of heaven including old-fashioned oats, smidge of honey, blueberries, and almond butter.


Another morning last week/weekend I had another delicious bowl of goodness with old-fashioned oats, blueberries, a banana, cinnamon, ezekiel 4:9 almond cereal and almond butter :)

A salad beast for lunch: organic romaine, organic carrots, 1/2 fresh pear, sunflower seeds, with tuna and 1/2 a whole wheat sandwich thin.

Yet ANOTHER bowl of yumz--this one contained old-fashioned oats, some honey, all natural pb, cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract--this is a definite MUST try...just this small amount adds SO much flavor! Super yummy :)

Perfection for a snowed-in morning :)


O yes--how could I forget this baby? Quinoa, super spicy all natural salsa, all natural pepperjack cheese, brocolli, corn, a morningstar organic veggie patty (Griller's Original kind) topped with a sprinkling of onion and garlic powders. YUM!! :)

Yesterday morning--old fashioned oats, cinnamon, natural pb, dried mission figs, unsweetened coconut flakes. Ooooh-lala!

~Fitness Is Fun!~ 
All I am going to say is TRY RUNNING IN THE SNOW. Yeah. Totally amazing--not to mention totally amazing workout! 

This Saturday is the Christmas Show at the rink! I'm so excited :) I will be able to do 3 out of 7 programs that I was planning on doing, so not great, but not terrible either...I've been skating every day and LOVING every second. My knee hasn't really been bothering me much...other than the fact that I fell in a ditch last Wednesday...I know, I know....but besides it SCARING THE HECK out of me, everything turned out to be pretty much alright. Sore knee and hip, but no serious damage, thank goodness. Very busy rest of the week for me--practice 2 hrs EVERY NIGHT. Phew! So worth it though :) So glad I get to do the show. It means so much to me and is the highlight of me and my sister's holiday season. We have been in every one of the shows since the VERY FIRST ONE! Do you and your family do anything special near Christmas time? Any long-time holiday/family traditions? Well...signing off until after Saturday night. Wish me luck! I will let you know how everything goes :)
Stay healthy and happy.
:D
p.s. I read a very meaningful quote the other day..."When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life a thousand reasons to smile". I though that was pretty neat and it brightened my day a little thinking of not everything that has gone wrong, but everything that has gone right and that I am STILL able to do. Hope this helps brighten your day a bit :)
What are some of your favorite/meaningful quotes? Any favorite sayings/rhymes?

It's beginning to look (and feel--brrrr!!) alot like CHRISTMAS! :)

Hello All. Sorry I haven't been very diligent about posting...with the holidays coming up it's been hectic...*Christmas On Ice!!!* First show practice that I will be able to participate in since I hurt myself tomorrow night...SO EXCITED!! Now....on to what I have been so awfully neglecting....:/


~Weekly Eats~
So....where to begin...I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and break...and for those of you who had to literally DRAG yourselves back to school/college--Christmas break is right around the corner ;) A couple of days ago I enjoyed a delicious yogurt mess consisting of plain fat-free yogurt, organic nature's path whole wheat cereal flakes, a banana, copious amounts of peanut butter (!!!) with cinnamon....need I say more? TOTAL heaven on earth. :) This combo makes for one happy belly and one filling breakie.

                                  0% yogurt, organic whole wheat cereal flakes, banana, peanut butter,  cinnamon


A yumm-o taco salad with a whole wheat toritilla "shell", brown rice, lettuce, corn, broccoli, pepper jack cheese, and salsa--this cured the slight hint of a sore throat I was feeling.

                                    whole wheat tortilla, brown rice, broccoli, corn, lettuce, pjack cheese, salsa

On one morning a enjoyed a delightful breakfast Old-fashioned Oats, pomegranate (oh so festive!!), mango chunks, and almond butter <3

                                     Oats, pomegranate, mango, almond butter

I made some AHHmazzzzing pumpkin pancakes this week. Totally TO DIE FOR. In the mix: 1/2 c Irish oats, pumpkin puree, cinnamon-LOADS cooked in, dash of nutmeg and cloves with 2 eggs beaten in a large bowl. Topped with almond butter. YUMMMMMM!!! :)

                                       Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and topped with almond butter

A yogurt mess with raspberries, sunflower seeds and whole wheat organic cereal flakes--major yum factor!

                                   Plain 0% yogurt, frozen raspberries, sunflower seeds, whole wheat organic cereal flakes


New sammie combo= YUMMZZ!! :) Ezekiel, roasted garlic hummus, lettuce, pepperjack cheese, and grape tomatoes. This tasted SO fresh!

                                    Ezekiel, hummus, lettuce, pepperjack, tomatoes

 Yet another bowl of amazingly delicious oats--Old-fashioned Oats, frozen blueberries, banana, ezekiel almond cereal, almond butter.

                             Old-fashioned oats, banana, blueberries, ezekiel almond cereal, almond butter


~Fitness Is Fun!~
Scissor abs. Never heard of them? They will be an all-time favorite after you see (and feel!!) the results after about a week ;)
Since Christmas is coming...find a big hill and grab your skis/snowboards and go to town. This is great exercise during the holiday break that you can do WHILE you fellowship with friends/family. Enjoy the snow (that is when it gets here!) :)

Back to skating!!!!!! I am SO excited--I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I am. I'm not able to jump for another week yet, but that time will go quickly now that I'm back on the ice. I am so excited about being able to be in the Christmas Show. I won't be able to be in all of the 6 programs that I was originally supposed to be in....but I still get to do 2....at least I get to do that much, though. :) Well...I hope everyone is having a happy Wednesday and I will try to post more. Until then!

Stay Healthy and happy
:D

I just began reading a really great book--"The Long Run". It's the story of Matt Long-a marathon runner who was involved in a serious and life-threatening accident...potentially ending his running ability...and walking ability. However, the book explains the amazing recovery he made and how he defied doctors alike. Fitting, huh? What are some odd-books-out (not well-known) books that you have enjoyed/are enjoying? DO SHARE!! :)

Walking (without crutches OR a leg brace!!) on sunshine :)

Hello all! This is a super-quick-y post...just wanted to inform you all that I am skating again! :D I got my brace off last Monday and have been skating my heart out ;) Im not allowed to jump quite yet...still 11/2 -2 more weeks on that one...but I will be able to do our annual Christmas show at the rink!!! Im so thrilled. This was a huge surprise because of the seriousness of my injury. But all is well!!
Happy TUesday. Fooodie post tomorrow :)
:D Stay healthy!!

Let Winter Begin!!! :)

Hello to all my fellow foodies out there :) Sorry I have been bad about posting daily...school is taking more time than usual these days that are approaching holiday break!

~Eats~
So....here's some random eats from the past week!

  Dinner from a few nights ago...Quinoa, broccoli, yellow squash, and corn. Quinoa=deliciousness!

Old-fashioned oats, a banana, 1/2 fresh peach, fresh fig, almond butter, cinnamon. SO good.

Oats, 1/2 a fresh pomegranate (seeded), a fresh fig, a banana, almonds...pomegranate oats are a lot of work to prepare, but SOOOO worth the effort!!!

Sesame Ezekiel bread, garlic hummus, romaine lettuce, and an egg, with a side of a yummy gala apple. Egg and hummus has to be my favorite sammie combo....absolutely amazing. A MUST try IMMEDIATELY!

OATMEAL PANCAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O. My. Gosh. Amazingness!!! I used 3/4 c Organic Irish Oats (first time trying these--soo good!!), 2 eggs, beaten...that's it!! Beat eggs, stir in oats, cook like normal pancakes until cooked through (time varies). SO many ways to serve these babies! I topped with all-natural peanut butter and some raspberries...MMMM!!!

On-the-go snackage: Greek yogurt with Nature's Path Organic Flax Plus cereal

~Pearberry Oats~ 1/2 c Irish Oats, 1/2 fresh pear, almond butter, all natural no-sugar added raspberry jelly, wheat germ cooked in. This combo (minus the wheat germ and oats) is also super yummy on ezekiel as a sammie!

Justin's Maple Almond Butter-had it on a sammie this afternoon with a slice of natural swiss cheese on ezekiel bread with an apple!

~Fitness Is Fun!~
Lunges: Great for you legs, butt, hip flexors, and even abs. Stand with your feet just slightly wider than your hips. Make sure your toes are pointing forward. Bend one knee as you lean into the side of the leg you are bending, keeping the opposite leg straight. I did some of these today at physical therapy!


So I have to have an MRI this week for a weird lump that my physical therapist found on my calf...the ordeal never ends! Going to the doctor tomorrow for him to check it out before I have the MRI...
Today at PT I made a lot of progress. I actually put on my skates and walked around in them...I even did some basic knee exercises with them on! It felt fantastic just to be back IN my skates...it felt RIGHT. My therapist said I have a much better chance of getting back on the ice sooner after today and after she saw how much progress I had made since Monday.  My knee actually didn't even hurt when I was in my skates. My therapist was so surprised! I have a little bit more hope after today's session...I hope tomorrow goes just as well!

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the day and remember that no matter what bad things happen, they will always get better. I have had to keep telling myself that throughout this injury, and though I have to admit it doesn't ALWAYS make me feel better, 75% of the time it does...along with great friends :)

Stay happy and of course, stay healthy :)

oh...one more thing...I recently bought some edamame....any ideas on what to use it for? I'm VERY open to suggestions on this one! ;)

:D

The good, the bad, and the ugly...foodie style :)

Hey there chicas!! Hope this post is finding everyone well...had my first Physical Therapy appointment yesterday and going back for my second tomorrow afternoon...my therapist is great. Super nice and really knows her stuff. Anyway...sorry I've been MIA lately...super busy and crazy life right about now...but not to prolong the process...

~Random Eats~
Alrighty roo...so...I'm just gonna post some random eats from the past week...here goes...

whole wheat bagel, hummus, turkey, arugala, provolone cheese.

Okay people...these things are amazingly ridiculous. No sugar added applesauce and ground cinnamon. THAT'S IT!! No preservatives, sugar, sugar substitutes, additives, artificial flavoring, just NATURAL INGREDIENTS. YA BABY!! :)

Yes, my dears. You see correctly. Fresh. Figs. YESS!!!! So good. This was my very first fresh one ever and I can gladly say I am officially addicted. I think some major fig recipes (fig oats!!!) are in my future...be on the lookout ;)

Eggplant Boats. Amazing. A fresh eggplant, stems cut off and sliced in half lengthwise. Scoop out inside and seeds and drizzle with olive oil and spices. Bake until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.  Pour tomato sauce into the "boat" inside scoops of both sides of the egglpant. Slice up some ham and toss into the sauce. Mix together lightly. Place back in the oven and bake for about 3-6 more minutes (time varies according to oven). And Voila! Eggplant deliciousness :)

This mornings breakie:

O.My.Holy.Delicious. This was so good. MUST TRY NOW! Fat-free plain stoneyfield organic yogurt with oats, 1/2 a fresh peach (mmmmmm) a fresh fig (more mmmmmm) frozen raspberries, and almonds. Perfest way to start off the day. TOTALLY loving yogurt oatmeal messes lately!! ;)


 ~Fitness Is Fun!~

Well....since the weather is quickly turning to winter (where did fall run off to?!) we should all get in the holiday spirit by engaging in cold-weather sports and activities. No snow on the ground yet, but when there is, shoveling snow is a suprising way to get that most-wanted flat belly. Great shoulder toner as a bonus, too!! I ADORE running in the snow. It's a bit difficult but a great leg workout. And seeing the fresh winter scenery is always uplifting! ICE SKATING!!!!!!! This is my favorite (all year round) pastime, obviously :) And I hope all of you will slip on some skated and take to the ice this holiday season...I guarantee you will LOVE it!!

I got some strengthening exercises from my therapist (I am sure I will be SO out of shape when I get back on the ice!!!:/  ) And they are helping SO much already, though I have only done them a couple of times. My knee is feeling so much stronger and my sprained ankle is looking less swollen all the time :) I was glad this past week when I could wear pants that weren't sweats!! YAY!! Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE me my sweat pants, but I was pretty happy when my knee had decreased swelling enough for me to wear my new jeggings!! <3 Getting oh so anxious about skating again...but I just have to keep my chin up and think it's less time every minute. :) Oh ya....I almost forgot..silly me!! If my knee is 100% better by then, I will be running a half-marathon (13.1 miles baby!!!!) at the end of March!! I am SO excited!! My bestie will be training me for this--she is the absoluely amazing one who just ran 50 miles on saturday!!! She is so inspiring to me. I hope to be able to run like her one day!! So, glad that I have another thing to look forward to once I'm back, I'm signing off for the day. Hope everyone has a wonderful, wacky, Wednesday. Stay healthy and happy.

:D

THE WEEKEND IS UPON US!!!!!!!!!! :D

Hey peoples!! So my doc appt was ok I guess...coul have been better, could  have been worse. 3 more weeks off. But get to stat Physical Therapy this week and go 2-3 times/week. O boy...

~Eats~
Just randoss...

Breakie started out delish...and it looked pretty good, there, if I may say so myself!! ;)
"Himalayan Muesli". A recipe from a natural helaing cookbook--helps speed up recovery time...just what I need right now!!--old-fashioned organic oats, an apple chopped (red delicious), banana, raisins, 1/2 c. organic fat free plain yogurt, topped with some almonds--stick the almonds into the mis to look like the himalayas...too cute!!

Lunch was 2 slices of cinnamon raisin ezekiel bread with almond butter and honey. With some pear and an apple on the side. YUM!!

Some snacks throughout the day included: an apple, zucchini bread slice, 3 prunes, some organic bran flakes-dry and a pb cookie larabar (my fav flavor!!).

~Fitness Is Fun!~

Most of you all have probably heard of a move called a "superman". If so, up the strength training by adding weights to your upper back/lower neck area. Ankle weights will work, just make sure they aren't too hard and won't dig into your back! :D Happy exercising!!

So my bestie is running a 50 MILER tomorrow!!! I'm so excited for her. It's her first 50, but she's done tons of marathons and ultras before. I know she'll be great!!
SUPER early morning again tomorrow...:/ Outta the house by 5:50....AHHHHH YUCK!!!!!!!! Until then....Hope you all are staying warm in this bitter fall wind! It turned cold almost OVERNIGHT! :/

Talk tomorrow hopefullt. Happy healthy living!

:D

Catch Up post!!

Hey Guys! Sorry I've been so bad about posting lately :/ I've been SO busy...ahhh!! Anyway...Here's some random eats that I didn't post...can't quite remember the exact days they were from...but...when so much is going on, there's so little time to get everything done!!

~Weekly/Daily Eats Recap~

So...I'll start off with a breakie from a couple of days ago...
Old-fashioned Oats cooked in skim milk with almonds, a banana, frozen raspberries (I much prefer fresh, but I can't fathom paying 7$$ for a carton of fresh in the fall and winter!!). A great breakfast for that LAST warm day of fall...now on to the bone chilling times...:/

Dinner from a few nights ago...absolutely delish!! :)

Indian Style Vegetable Korma with chicken and brown rice. YUM! This was a super-quick "throw-together" dinner but it came out suprisingly good!

Now, HALLOWEEN DAY!! :)
I had a FABULOUS bowl of pumpkin oats for breakie on halloween a.m. consisting of old-fashioned oats, pumpkin puree, pumpkin seeds and 3 chopped dries figs!

My family had a party on halloween night, and I made "greek yogurt ghosts" and "termites smiles"!

One banana, halved in the middle: smothered with Oikos 0% Greek yogurt (favorite!) and two raisins as eyes and one as a mouth! Too cute! And TOO GOOD! Apple slices with greek yogurt and raisins. :D

Now for today....so far ;)

Raw old-fashioned oats, ezekiel cinnamon raisin cereal (SOO good-must try), whole almonds, all with skim milk poured over top! This was absoluelty FABULOUS! Perfect for early mornings when in need of a uick breakie but still want those oats!! :)

I bought some arugala the other day and have been DEVOURING it! I had it on a sammie today for lunch!

7 Sprouted Grains Ezekiel Bread (I had never tried this kind before, but I really like it--it has oats on top!! ;) Only thing I DON'T like about it is it falls apart WAY more than any of the other kinds!! hmmm...) With turkey, swiss cheese, and arugala! With a delish red delicious apple! :D

That's all so far...but I will post the other half of my day tonight.

~Fitness Is Fun!~
I know it's turning cold outside, but if you have one available to you, hop into the swimming pool! Swimming is one of the number one forms of cardio out there and SUPER fun! And while it pumps up your heart rate, it relaxes your muscles and rids them of unwanted tension! How cool is that?!

Now I don't know about you guys, but my yard out in front of my house is absolutely SMOTHERED in leaves...as a way to get outside and get your Vitamin D...rake them! And jumping in the piles is allowed, too, I suppose! ;)

Getting ready to leave for my follow-up doctor appointment for my knee...pretty worried about the news I am going to here. It's been doing great lately, actually...I just don't know if I'm making myself think it's so  uch better because I am DYING to get back on the ice. Well, whatever is going on, I'll find out in a few...:/
I will be incorporating "super meals" into my posts...meaning certain meals and sides/snacks that have certain benefits...like, promotes quick recovery (the main one I will be focusing on), anti-cancer, lower blood pressure, improve digestion, etc. These are fun to learn about and even more fun to make and enjoy. They are super yummy and can be enjoyed even more with knowing all the EXTRA benefits that go along with them!

Scooting out for now. Be back with more later.

Stay healthy and be happy!

:D