Showing posts with label health and wellness. Show all posts

10 in '10: Week 3

What is 10 in '10? Check it out here.

So I feel like I'm starting to "get" this...which is a good thing! I think I can keep this up too. I don't feel like I'm missing out or being restricted to eating only vegetable sticks and soy beans for the rest of my life.

The biggest part of this week was the butt-kicking which ensued after starting Jillian Michael's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. I have never had a workout in which I actually grunted...yes, I made guttural noises....more than once....because my body sucked at an exercise so much. I did the dvd on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday I rested=)

You can check it out here and buy your own copy of kill-me-now workouts. Be sure you have a friend or family member near by in case there is a need for resuscitation.

Here are this weeks stats:

Workout: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Weight Loss: .6

Abs: 60 crunches per day, 5 out of 7 days

Another cool stat: I used exercise as an incentive to get homework done. Can you believe it!?!?!? I wasn't allowed to workout until I finished my reading lesson! CRAZY!

This Week's Recipe:

Broccoli Salad

Now, before you click the back button, fear not.......this actually tastes good. I know, I know. I didn't want to try it either. But then I did and I fell in love.

The best thing about this recipe is that you can make it a couple days in advance. Personally, I think it tastes better the older it gets. It's as if the broccoli soaks up the flavors of the other ingredients.

The next best thing is that it has bacon it in. Yup, I totally said bacon. Bacon.

1 Clove Garlic, Minced

1/4 c Low Fat Mayo

1/4 c Low Fat Sour Cream

2 t Cider Vinegar

1 t Sugar

4 c Broccoli Crowns, Chopped

3 Slices Cooked Bacon, Chopped

1/4 c Dried Cranberries

1. Whisk garlic, mayo, sour cream, vinegar, and sugar in a large bowl. Add broccoli, bacon, and cranberries. Stir to coat the dressing. Add pepper to taste.

Try this as your next vegetable side dish or take it to your neighborhood picnic. It will be gone in all of 2 minutes. Promise=)

Read More 3 comments | Posted by Kristin =)

10 in '10: Part 2

Check out Part 1 here.

Saturday we went to the mall and bought new shoes for the little ones. I too bought new tennies, and a purse too! After the mall, we didn't have anything to do. And what does Kristin do when she has nothing to do??? I think you already know the answer to that question.

Kristin bakes!

Side Note: As you know, I worked out last week 4 times. Which in Kristin's rule book for 10 in '10, this equals the opportunity to bake. Earlier this week I did just that with the same results as the mac 'n cheese found in part 1. I made lemon pound cake from my great grandmother. Then I proceeded to throw it out. Remember, looks can be deceiving.

So Jen and I proceeded to make Italian Cream Cake! It was magnificent! I'm showing you a picture. But.....I....Cannot.....within my conscience, put that recipe up with my 10 in '10 post. That would just be wrong. For dinner we had Turkey Tetrazinni. Mmmm.

Baking cake for workout reward (check)

Eating healthy dinner (uncheck)

My trip ended on Sunday. And Monday was back to normal. Did I do ok in El Paso? I'm satisfied because on the whole, I ate well. Besides, how am I going to keep up with a lifestyle change that doesn't allow for LIFE to occur?

Here are my stats:

Workout: Tues, Wed, Sat, Mon, plus a mini workout on Thurs

Crunches: 50 a days, 6 out of 7 days

Weight Loss: 1.8 lbs

I am totally siked! (Is that how you spell it?) I lost weight while on vacation and while eating cake!

2nd Week Reward:

And here's my recipe for the week! Enjoy!

Simple Superb Salmon

1/3 c Low Sodium Soy Sauce

1/3 c Brown Sugar

1/3 c Water

1/4 c Vegetable Oil

1 Whole Salmon Filet, cut into 4 portions OR 4 Center Cut portions

1. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and oil. Set aside. Then place the salmon in a ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the salmon and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour, 3 hours is best.

2. At one hour, preheat the oven to 350.

3. Take the salmon out of the bag and place it on a cookie sheet or pyrex dish. {DO NOT throw away the remaining marinade.} Cook the salmon in the oven for 25 minutes or until the fish becomes flakey when you pierce it with a fork.

4. While the fish in cooking, heat the marinade in a small saucepan on low.

5. After the salmon is done, pour the leftover marinade over the fish. It tastes yummy over rice too!

6. Once you've made the recipe, please, please, please go to http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/simple-superb-salmon/

and rate the recipe for me=) Simply click on the oven mitts under the title. Number of oven mitts=number of stars you would rate this recipe!

Read More 4 comments | Posted by Kristin =)

10 in 10 Challenge Week Two: Part 1

This week has been interesting for me. I started out really well; I was working out and eating responsibly. (AND-I've got a great, simple, and tasty salmon recipe to share with you at the end of part 2.)

Then came the big hurdle.

I flew to El Paso for four days to visit the lovely Jen. Jen's hubby just left for the other side of the world to defend our freedom. They have two girls, Gabriella who is 5, and Adelynn who is 1. Just in case you were wondering, there is nothing to do in El Paso. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Don't plan on taking any vacations there, unless you want to be bored out of your mind. The only reason to go is to visit friends=)

I arrived on Thursday afternoon. That night we took Gabriella to track practice. On the way Jen drove me up to a scenic lookout in the mountains to view the sunset. It was glorious!We

didn't have time to stay for the entire sunset. This picture does not even begin to share how great it was 30 minutes later. While Gabriella was practicing, Jenny and I walked around the track for about 30 minutes.

Good start to vacation

Friday we took the girls to child care and explored the city. I am really glad we did this because it gave Jen a chance to find stores to shop at that she actually likes! We even found a nice grocery store=) (I know this sounds silly, but it is true.) For lunch we had sushi. You have to know, that this was a big step for me. I haven't had sushi for over 4 years! Last time I ate it I was borderline sick...the food was fine but since then I have lost my appetite for raw fish...it's kinda weirded me out, the raw fish that is...and this loss has made me sad because I used to like sushi.

Fairly decent lunch out with friend

That night we experimented with a new recipe for Mac 'n Cheese from Ellie Krieger. Ellie has a show on Food Network and likes to make healthy, fresh, non-processed foods. (This is my helper, Gabriella.) I should have known from the beginning that this dish was meant for failure. I began pulling the ingredients together, much like any other recipe. Then, while the concoction on the stove was heating, I added fresh grounded salt and pepper. Or should I say, I added some salt, and then proceeded to add half a bottle of peppercorns. Yes, I said half a bottle of peppercorns. Your eyes did not deceive you.

After 20 minutes of picking out peppercorns with a spoon-come to think of it now, there are many more efficient modes of extracting peppercorns I could have chosen from-I mustered up strength from the depths of my cooking soul and journeyed onward.

This was the result.

Granted it looks good. But it tastes like crap-o-lah. Blah. There's a reason you put butter, cheese, and fat into mac n' cheese.

We ordered pizza instead. I ate three pieces.

Experimenting with new healthy recipe

Success of said recipe

Come back tomorrow and read the rest...along with a great recipe for salmon!

Mmmm...doesn't it look good?!?!?!?!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Kristin =)

Week One: Check

10 in '10 Challenge Week One: I did it!

(Wondering what 10 in'10 is? Check it out here.)

For the most part, the first week went well. The first two days I forgot to do my crunches...oops. My only other speed bump was my friend Johanna coming over to bake cookies. You see, she had tried baking cookies at her house the day before, but it turned out that her oven had kicked the bucket. Thus, she came to my house. I was a little nervous...but I prevailed! I did not eat any.......not even a little bit of dough......ok, I had a finger-dipping sample of the dough. But if you know me....who luves cookies dough and more often than not likes the cookie dough more than the finished product...eating only a finger-dipping's worth is a major achievement. I allowed myself one cookie too.

Here are some great websites and tools I found:

1. sparkpeople.com : This site is great to track your eating and fitness efforts. You can track your weight progress, your daily calorie intake, the amount of calories you burned during a workout daily, weekly, monthly....you get the picture. I even tracked my walking route on a map and it calculated the distance in miles. I punched in how long it took me to walk it and BAM...I burned a crazy 353 calories. Very cool.

2. Nutrition Data : This site will show you nutritional information on anything. Not only that, it shows you how filling something is as well as the glycemic index. Give this site a try.

Here are my stats:

Work Out: Th, F, Sun, M

Crunches: 40 per day 5 out of 7 days

Weight Loss: 3.4 pounds

And here is my recipe for the week:

Apricot Pork Tenderloin

1/2 c Apricot Preserves

2 T Dijon Mustard

1 t Dried Rosemary, Chopped

2 Pork Tenderloins, 1lb each

1. Combine apricot preserves, dijon mustard, and rosemary in a bowl and stir.

2. Salt and pepper the tenderloins and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Then brush the apricot mixture on each side of the pork, saving a little over 1/4 of the mixture.

2. Roast at 425 for 40-45 minutes. Halfway through, turn the tenderloins and brush on the remaining mixture.

3. Afterwards, let the meat stand for 5 minutes and cut it on the diagonal.

Mmmm, it's super good and good for you! (It makes 8 servings, each serving approximately 190 calories and 4 grams of fat.)

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Kristin =)

Ten in 2010

Starting today I am taking the 10 in 2010 Challenge. What is the 10 in 2010 challenge? I'm glad you asked=)

In a nut shell, 10 in '10 is about being and/or getting healthy, which means something different to every individual. For me, it's about making good decisions regarding what I put in my mouth and what output I exert.

Each Tuesday I will post my progress along with a healthy recipe for the week. Here are my goals, rules, rewards, and potential pitfalls.

Goals

1. Work out minimum four times a week for at least 30 minutes.

M/W: Walk with the lovely Johanna and weights

Th/Sat: Yoga or other Cardio

2. Eat healthy meals, snacks, and gain better portion control

3. Share a healthy recipe every Tuesday

4. Plan entire week of meals

5. Work up to 150 crunches daily, starting at 40

6. Train for: (Walking only...I can't run because of my bad feet, Doc's orders.)

5K-Race for the Cure in May

10K-?

Marathon-Rock N Roll in November

7. Eat less processed foods

***Notice that I have not set a weight goal. I did this on purpose because I do not want my success to revolve around my wieght loss.

Rules

1. Work out even when I would rather not

2. Eat a fruit or veggie with every meal

3. No mindless eating

4. Allowed to bake one fun item if I work out 4 days the previous week.

5. Eat smaller portions

6. When I am snack-y I will chew gum instead

7. Get to eat one non-healthy meal weekly within moderation, observing the smaller portion rule

Rewards (Every 2 weeks)

2nd-New CD, possible David Crowder Band

4th-Rollerblades

I have been wanting rollerblades for a while...used to rollerblade in college. However, I must prove to myself that I will actually use them for something besides as a dust collector. Thus, I get them after week 4.

6th-Sign up for a magazine of my choice

I'm really excited about this one! So many magazines to choose from...

8th-Pedicure at Aveda

10th-Sign up for cake decorating class

I have been wanting to do this for like...forever...but have felt like I shouldn't spend the money. Now I will have earned it if I stick to this for 10 weeks. Definitely a reward I will work for!

Weaknesses to Be Aware of

1. French Fries

2. Unhealthy Desserts

I hope this challenge will start healthy habits that I will keep with me. And, by posting the challenge on my blog, I have accountability...which comes from you lovely readers. I will need as much encouragement as you can give me in the upcoming days/weeks/months!

Please join me in this challenge. You don't have to start today... pick a time within the month of January and start then. (I say within the month of January because if you are like me, you'll keep putting it off. Trust me, no time is convenient to start eating and living healthier.)

Check out this link for a better grasp on 10 in '10.

See ya next week, healthier and more fit than today!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Kristin =)

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About Kristin

Currently I am a student at UTSA studying Elementary Education. I am married to the man of my dreams, Aaron, and have a beautiful step daughter, Adrianna. I love photography, baking, cooking, reading, and watching college football. My dream: to own a bakery some day=) Contact me at kkunoff@yahoo.com!

Living the Crazy Life: One Recipe at a Time

10 in '10: Week 3

10 in '10: Part 2

10 in 10 Challenge Week Two: Part 1

Week One: Check

Ten in 2010

Call Me Crazy

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