I find in times of transition or stress one thing that helps me achieve a feeling of balance more than anything else is a VERY structured workout program AND a schedule.

As I transition into working from home this week I decided to start Insanity. Knowing that I am easily distracted and that it will take some effort for me to learn to focus and get things done from home, I decided that one area I COULD control is my workout.

By choosing and following a program, I am giving myself an area to excel in…something I can feel productive and accomplished in. This will spill over into other areas of my life. It always does. By getting my fitness where it needs to be, I eat better, focus easier, am MUCH less stressed and generally happier. Not to mention how much it tends to motivate other people.

I encourage you to try it. If you are feeling like you are having a hard time getting a handle on life, DO SOMETHING!!  You DO have the time. By taking control you will find that you create more time, more energy and a better you in the process!

I will be starting a FIT Challenge in November. If you are interested please let me know ASAP so I can get you the details. Space will be limited, so I can give the participants more individual attention.

Quinoa Stuffed Mini Jack-O’-Lanterns  or Halloweegan Peppers

Prepare the squashes:

• 2 gold acorn squashes
• olive oil
• salt
• black pepper

If you’re going to bake them in a conventional oven, preheat it to 375ºF.

Slice off the bottom tip of the squashes to create a flat base. Cut off the tops and use a spoon to remove the seeds. Save the tops for later!

Use a pencil to draw the faces on the squashes, and use a small serrated knife to carve out the faces. Luckily, carving a small acorn squash is easier than carving a big pumpkin!

Brush a little olive oil all over the inside of the squashes and lightly sprinkle them with salt and black pepper. At this point you can choose to bake them in a conventional oven for an hour or until soft, or you can cook them in the microwave like I did. Place the squashes in a microwave safe bowl, add about 1/2 cup of water and microwave for 5 to 8 minutes or until soft.

In the meantime, make the quinoa stuffing:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
• 1/4 tsp salt
• black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 cup vegetable broth

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about five minutes or until soft. Stir in the mushrooms and saute two more minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute for just about 30 seconds.

Add the parsley salt, black pepper, quinoa, and vegetable broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is soft and fluffy. If the quinoa is still crunchy you can add more broth and simmer it for a few more minutes. 

Spoon the quinoa stuffing into the acorn squashes and cover them with the reserved squash tops. Reheat the finished dish, if necessary, and serve. 

For Tiny Appetites: You can make those mini pumpkins instead of the bigger acorn squashes. You can stuff 6 to 8 mini pumpkins with this recipe, depending on their size.

Halloweegan Peppers: You can also stuff a carved orange bell pepper. Carve, stuff, and bake in a covered casserole dish at 350 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes.

**reposted from GoDairyFree.org

As a lot of middle aged moms out there may know, any sort of jumping or running or sneezing for that matter MAY result in peeing your pants. This was one of my main “Can’t's” to overcome with running.

Wasn’t it bad enough that running made my body hurt or made me gasp and feel like I would die from a shortage of oxygen? Wasn’t it bad enough that I had to argue, not only with my body but…even worse with those voices in my head mocking me? On top of ALL of that I had to worry about PEEING myself?

I think this is an issue that many of us face but would rather not talk about. Who wants to admit to peeing themselves? I didn’t. Its embarassing. I felt like maybe I am the ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD having this problem. I am guessing thats not the case.

I would like to report that as I just (wo)maned up and ran regardless, something wonderful happened…the issue went away. I assume with time and continued running all SORTS of muscle have been improving. I am guessing thats a good thing

I AM curious do boys have this problem?

Have you transformed your body with a Beachbody® fitness program?

Or are you about to start one?

 Then you could win cash and prizes with The Beachbody Challenge* and I would like to help you get there! 

If you are already someone I Coach, shoot me a message and let me know you are ready to COMMIT! 

If I am not your Coach, please click on the FREE COACHING tab and sign up, send me a message and LET’s GET STARTED!!

Commit to get fit now, achieve your desired results, and come back to submit your story anytime after August 1, 2011.

We’ll send you a FREE wristband just for making your commitment, and a FREE T-shirt when you submit your results. Plus, you could win daily, monthly, quarterly, and grand prizes . . . up to $100,000!

Commit to get fit

 Want to win daily $500 cash prizes? Starting August 1, 2011, new rules take effect in the WOWY® Supergym Sweepstakes. The $500 daily prizes will be awarded only to those who’ve committed to get fit and/or submitted their results in The Beachbody Challenge. Just commit to get fit with your favorite Beachbody® program and you’ll be eligible to win $500 every day, just for logging your workouts in WOWY. And, we’ll send you a FREE Beachbody wristband! Don’t forget to submit your results after August 1st!

*Not only will you continue to be eligible to win $500 a day, but your story can also win you $1,000 cash, free trips, even up to $100,000!

Use these Team Beachbody® tools designed to help you reach your goals:

- Log your workouts in WOWY for a chance to win daily cash prizes.

-Connect with people like you on the Message Boards.

-Find a Fit Club near you.

-Blog about your journey.

-Eat smart every day by using the Meal Planner.

a FREE T-Shirt. Plus, WIN daily and monthly prizes . . . up to $100,000!

1. Daily Prizes: $500 awarded daily in the WOWY® Supergym Sweepstakes.

2. Monthly Prizes: $1000 to the top transformations in 8 categories each month. Plus, their coaches can win $500. $1000 to the top male and female Shakeology® Success Stories. Plus, their coaches can win $500.

3. Quarterly Prizes: $5000 and a trip to Los Angeles for 2 winners and a guest. One male and one female winner are selected by an online community vote each quarter.

4. Grand Prizes – up to $100,000! Combining the voting of the Team Beachbody® online community and the scoring of Beachbody’s internal panel of experts, the winners of prizes in the Grand Prize Contest are determined.

$100,000 to 2 Grand Prize winners (1 male and 1 female) $20,000 Coach prize, if nominated by the Grand Prize winners

$25,000 to 6 Grand Prize finalists $5,000 Coach prize, if nominated by the Grand Prize finalists

$25,000 to 2 Shakeology Grand Prize winners (1 male and 1 female) $5,000 Coach prize, if nominated by the Shakeology Grand Prize winners Plus, an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2012 Team Beachbody Coach Summit for all Grand Prize finalists and Shakeology Grand Prize winners

It’s a health and fitness transformation competition.

Share the results you achieve with any Beachbody program to get a FREE T-SHIRT, and if your results are judged to be the BEST in your age and gender category (18 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50+) you can win cash and prizes.

Entries are judged on their written Success Stories, stats, and transformation photos.

BONUS PRIZES for using Shakeology®! Tell us how Shakeology helped your transformation for an extra chance to win $1000, and even $25,000!

Entries are judged on written Success Stories and stats alone.

Enter The Beachbody Challenge™ 2011 – 2012

Running has so many fun little perks…like this tip from Runner’s World’s August edition…

“having a popsicle or icy drink before a hot run will lower your body temp so you can go longer without overheating.”

DUDE! I get to eat POPSICLES?!?!  screams my inner 5 year old!

oh. wait. I have long since outgrown those syrupy sweet icy treats.

While not much of a fan of traditional popsicles I am VERY excited to try this grown up, healthier version posted in the New York Times Magazine this past Sunday. MUCH healthier than the sugar ladden, rainbow colored boxes gracing the super market frozen food aisle…I will still be subing a natural sweetener for sugar and almond milk for milk.

I will let you know! YUM!

Back in the day, Beachbody® employed a rather aloof nutrition expert named Chef Pierre, who possessed a singular skill for converting unhealthy recipes into nutrition meals.

Unfortunately, we had to let Chef Pierre go after a particularly outrageous Christmas party during which he validated half-a-dozen or so French stereotypes, but his philosophy—that healthy eating begins with the ingredients—lives on in our hearts. That’s why I’m particularly pleased about the cookbook Super Natural Cooking, in which chef Heidi Swanson will assuredly convert even the most diehard refined flour user to the ways of natural, whole food.

While this is, technically, a cookbook, it can also be considered a primer in the ways of whole foods divided into five chapters:

 Build a natural foods pantry

 Explore a wide range of grains

Cook by color

Know your superfoods

Use natural sweeteners

Every chapter contains a little lesson, followed by several ingredients honoring that lesson, and then several recipes. For example, chapter three is about carotenoids—the phytonutrients found in produce that provide their color as well as myriad health benefits. The chapter opens with a little more detail about carotenoids, runs through a list of the better known ones, mentions several fruits and veggies you’ll find them in, and ends with a bunch of great recipes—including Crema de Guacamole, a delicious avocado soup rich in potassium, fiber, and the carotenoid lutein, which studies show can help with heart health, and combat arthritis and several forms of cancer.

Chapter one is also particularly useful. In fact, it should be required reading for anyone who happens to have a kitchen in their home. It offers detailed alternatives to refined flour, sugars, and oils. For example, check out barley flour as a healthy substitute for baking—but, as the book notes, make sure to lower your oven temperature by 25 degrees when replacing conventional flour with barley flour.

Super Natural Cooking also offers a great appendix on “Basic Recipes and Techniques” that’s worth checking out. Within, you’ll find easy ways to make tomato sauce, all-natural baking powder, egg-and-dairy-free mayo, and veggie stock, among other staple recipes.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is a vegetarian cookbook, even though it’s not promoted that way. But this shouldn’t inhibit you carnivores from checking it out. It’s void of any meat-free dogma and the lessons it teaches can apply to any recipe, whether it contains animal protein or not. So pick it up and prepare to be educated.

I had intended on writing some cute, tongue in cheek, little post about boobies. I searched the internet for something fun like a pink ribbon cartoon girl or a Save the Ta Ta’s graphic.  Instead I came across the image you see above…and I was moved.

I am walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in September. I get to sleep in a pink tent city. I get to walk with some of my best girlfriends. We are making plans for all the pink things we will wear, like we are going to some awesome girly pink party…and we are…but I believe we will come out with SO much more.

I am going into this as someone who has always admired those who have walked, without a real grasp of why. I have never personally been effected by Breast Cancer…I have friends who have. It steals Moms, and sisters, and daughters. It steals wives, and Grandmas and BEST friends.

Please click on the picture above and read the blog post at The Jewish Womens Archive…I hope it moves you too.

I am raising money for this walk, and while I would appreciate a donation (snazzy little donation button on the right) what I would prefer is that YOU WALK. Walk with me and my friends ( Team Triumph ) or look for a walk in a city near you.

~ Peace

Hippie

The acerola trees abundantly found in the southern areas of West Indies, South America, Mexico and the United States, has a bright red colored berry fruits that produce many health benefits. The wide health benefits of acerola fruit are due to the high nutrient content and its potential to fight against illnesses.

Acerola is not only marketed for its fruit, but it is also used as an ingredient in cosmetic products due to its natural anti-aging property. Following are the health benefits of eating acerola fruit: Acerola is the richest source of vitamin C that helps in fighting against the infections, boosts the immune system, prevents blood clot formation, repairs damaged skin tissues and reduces the risk of degenerative diseases, heart diseases and cancers.

The fruit is considered to be the second richest source of vitamin C. The minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc found in acerola fruit improves the metabolism in the body. The copper content in the fruit aids in iron absorption by the body. Acerola fruit is very low in fats, calories and sodium content and moreover does not contain any cholesterol.

Thus, this is a right fruit for health conscious people. The juice made from acerola fruit is a powerful solvent that acts on inorganic calcium deposits that will help in maintaining the elasticity of the body and thus hardens arteries. The dietary fiber present in acerola fruit provides roughage to intestines and thus, gives quick relief from constipation. The fruit is a good skin astringent and is considered to produce anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Acerola is also a good source of vitamin A and beta-carotene that helps in improving eyesight and combats against acne. It also gives glow to the skin.

*article from Nature Cure

Whats that you say. A hippie in support of “the man”?

With her whole hipster heart!

The “Man”, our man…

Carl Daikeler, Chairman & CEO of Beachbody

I LOVE when everything I love comes together in such a synergistic way.

Beachbody trainer, Tony Horton has always been a huge supporter of our military. He has traveled all over working out with our troops.

Sent to places like Japan and Italy to by Armed Forces Entertainment Tony was able to speak about his passion and support our soldiers in his “Ripped and Ready” Tour.

Attributed to Tony Horton: What I love most about my job is being able to help people. I not only help people reach their goals, I help people live a longer, healthier life. Travelling overseas to visit the troops is just doing what I love. I’m so glad I was given the
opportunity to give back to the men and women serving our country, it was an honor.”

According to Mr. Horton, visiting military bases across the U.S., Italy, and now Japan is his way of giving back to service members serving in the U.S. military.

“I want to thank the military for all they’ve done,” he continued. “I want to be with the troops, and just say thank you for what they do.”

USAF Lt. Col. Kathleen Weatherspoon, Chief, Armed Forces Entertainment said…Tony is not your typical athletic trainer – he has a great sense of humor and a fun approach to his fitness methods. We’re so glad that he was able to take time out of his busy schedule to travel all the way to the Pacific for our troops.

In further support Beachbody recently rolled out their FREE Sign up for Active Duty Military Program. This program combines so many awesome opportunities, so many things I <3.

Whether members sign up as a “Wholesale customer” and start their own journey or sign up to join in the mission to “end the Trend” of obesity in our country…this is a win/win.

THIS Hippie supports “the man” supporting our military!

If you are currently Active Duty and would like to find out more about this opportunity please contact me at HippieCoach@yahoo.com

Peace