November 2009

Track Bootcamp Workout.

If you ever head on over to your local high school track for a workout, here is a booty-kickin’ bootcamp that will leave you breathless. Track Bootcamp Workout warm up: 2 lap jog around track sprint 200m (half of the track), jog 200m walking lunges 100m (1/4 of track) sprint 100m, jog 200m Perform: 25 squats, 10 burpees, 25 pushups jog 200m, sprint 200m Perform: 30 alternating lunges, 25 pushups, 25 plie’ squats jog 200m, sprint 200m jog 200m, sprint 200m Run steps – one time up, one time down. 20 triceps dips on bleachers Run steps – two times up, two times down 15 triceps dips on bleachers Run steps – three times up, three times down 10 triceps dips on bleachers jog 200m, sprint 200m jog 200m walking lunges 100m jog 200m 25 pushups cool down: 200m jog, 200m walk Do you find you are pushing yourself to your ultimate potential when exercising? Make sure to get the most out of your workouts. Challenge yourself. Make changes, not excuses. Enjoy your Sunday!

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My Kind of Tree.

Happy Saturday! This morning, I repeated my dinner from last night, but in a double dose. The orange juice made this meal. I haven’t had orange juice in ages – I never have drank much more than water, because I love it. But my husband has been having a glass of OJ in the morning, and I joined in the fun today. It was so refreshing. After a fun filled day of decorating (love it), cooking (love it more), cleaning (ugh…I didn’t clean the toilet though), and organizing, I ran out to return some lights that we didn’t need. I got an eggnog latte: Not too sure how I feel about this. I enjoy a sip of eggnog during the holidays, but not much (again, I don’t like many drinks other than water. Or wine. Or margaritas. You get the jist.). This was not quite sweet enough for me since I do not love coffee, and it had way too much nutmeg – which I normally love. So I did this instead. Much better. We have 2 family rooms in our house, which means 2 Christmas trees. Actually, we [...]

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Simple, Moist Chocolate Cake.

Update your readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Congrats to those who played Friday trivia! The correct answers were: 1. Ryan Clark 2. Casino (South Park holds the record for animated film, but Casino still has more) 3. Fangtasia. (This was tricky! Notice I saw ‘vampire’ bar, not ‘the bar.’ Hehehe.) Those who qualified are: Y Jenny Okra Diana If I missed anyone, please let me know! Thanks for playing! We have one more round next week to win Martha’s cookie book! This is the simplest, tastiest chocolate cake ever. It takes about 5 minutes to make, 35 to bake, and 1 second to devour. It is incredible – mostly because it is super-easy. This recipe comes from my other grandmother (not Mother Lovett), who I haven’t really touched upon too much on the blog yet. The reason I haven’t? The words can’t come without the floodgates opening. Thankfully she is still living, and very healthy. She is perfect. There are no other words. She is the perfect wife. The perfect mother. The perfect grandmother. She is the sweetest soul, and spins everything with a positive twist. She is also gorgeous! She [...]

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A Fab Friday.

Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp With all of the hype surrounding the movie theater popcorn, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed when I heard Good Morning America say ‘coconut oil is the absolute worst oil you could ever eat.’ Of course, I do not condone eating movie popcorn made with 1-2 cups of oil. However, ingested in small quantities, coconut oil does have some benefits. I know some are controversial, but I have heard it helps with hypothyroidism (which I have), among other things. That is not why I love it – I love it because it tastes amazing. But like everything else: in moderation people! I’ve wondered for awhile what the difference is between coconut butter and coconut oil. I have used coconut oil for years, and I have never seen coconut butter anywhere. I know it exists, but I also have heard people calling coconut oil at it’s solid temperature ‘butter.’ I researched it a bit tonight and this is what I learned: Coconut oil is the pure oil from the coconut. Coconut butter is oil mixed with some of the meat of the coconut. Both have benefits, albeit [...]

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Trivia Friday #5

Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Have you guys checked out my frequently asked fitness questions? Don’t miss this comforting cheese soup – make it this weekend! Last night I made vegetarian enchiladas. I just threw a bunch of stuff together, and they came out amazing. I have made chicken enchiladas for years, and I make them every few weeks for my husband and brothers. I was hesitant about making veggie ones, since I don’t really like veggies. To make: I sauteed- potato chunks chopped onion red and green peppers mushrooms garlic Once they were soft, I added in 1/2 cup black beans, 1/2 cup refried beans, and 1 cup of enchilada red sauce. After the mixture thickened, I added some monteray jack cheese. I used La Tortilla Factory high-fiber tortillas in the green onion flavor – this flavor is incredible! I highly recommend it. I covered my enchiladas in sauce and cheese, then baked for about 20 minutes. They were very tasty. Friday Trivia #5! Remember, you are entering to win a copy of the popular Martha Stewart’s Cookies – just in time for the holidays! If you already [...]

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Comforting Cheese Soup with Red Pepper and Bacon.

Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Check out my most frequently asked fitness questions on my fitness page! Have you ever had cheese soup? I had never made it before, but dug out this recipe from my aunt. I modified it slightly, but it was incredible. First time ever making cheese soup. I’ll take it. I chopped some onions and sauteed them. I have hated onions my entire life. Just recently, when I began hvaing to carmelize them for my husband every single day, they started to grow on me. Weird. I grated sharp yellow cheddar, sharp white cheddar, and some colby jack. The best (or worst?) part of grating the cheese is eating huge pile-fuls of it. My jeans love it. Not. Once the onions were sauteed, I did the coolest thing ever. I made a roux, with butter and flour, with the onions. I had never made a roux with anything other than butter and flour in the pan, so you can imagine my excitement. It is the simple things in life. Or [...]

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Most Frequently Asked Fitness Questions.

I have always had a pretty healthy attitude about food. Now, I don’t really enjoy the foods that are healthiest for me all the time, but I have never thought of food as the enemy. Have you? So many of us, women and men, feel like they need to restrict themselves, or ‘detox’ after a day, week, month, or even year of poor eating. When will we learn that living a healthy life to the fullest is a complete lifestyle change? Below are a few of the questions I am asked all the time. I get these questions from clients, friends, and readers just about every single day. My answers come from my experience in training clients for over 5 years. This is what I have found to work best for myself and my clients. There are many ways to shape up, and not just one right way. If I am going to help someone get in shape, I cut to the chase. No bull. Start making changes. Stop making excuses. I want to lose 10 lbs. How many calories should I eat? Unless you are looking to competitively compete, I don’t believe [...]

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It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas.

Update your google readers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Looking for my HIIT workout? You can also find some extra bootcamp workouts as well. I’ve been listening to Christmas music for well over 2 weeks now. It makes me so joyful. I love listening to the music that my parents always listened to as we were growing up. It would play in the house a few days before Christmas, and especially the morning of Christmas day. Ones we frequently listened to (and that I also listen to, since I am an old fart), would be Barry Manilow, Amy Grant, Jim Brickman, Kenny G, and the likes. Of course to my list I’ve added a bunch more, like my sexay luva Michael Buble and Sarah MaLachlin. Also – my first true love, James Taylor. And come on, I know some of you love the N’SYNC Christmas CD like I do. I never even liked N’SYNC, but that CD is unbeatable. My new favorite Christmas CD that I got last year? Kristen Chenoweth. It is GREAT! Please go out and get it, because even my husband loves it. This morning began with some protein pancakes, pumpkin-chocolate chip style. [...]

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Easy Whole Wheat Stuffing.

Update your google reader! http://feeds.feedburner.com/howsweeteats/smSp Do you love stuffing as much as I do? I usually only eat it during the holidays. Maybe that is why I love it so much? I’m not going to lie. I love the artery-clogging, buttery stuffing that my mom serves on Thanksgiving. I have never had stuffing from a box. Scratch that. I think before we were married my husband deviated from his usual plain-whole-wheat-noodles-and-egg-whites-only dinner, to makes some chicken and stuffing. Probably because one of his buddies suggested it, not me. And yes, for years, he ate only whole wheat noodles and egg whites, mixed together, for dinner. Thank goodness I came along. (Sometimes he still smells like he eats egg whites for dinner. Did I just say that in public? Someone needs to share my pain.) I also love whole wheat, multi-grain Tuscany bread. And if you’ve been reading, you know that bread is not something I love. This bread must be good. I chopped up a few slices of the whole-grain bread. And seasoned it with rosemary, thyme, and parsley, and added a sprinkling of olive oil. [...]

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HIIT, Bootcamp, and My Staple Circuit Workout.

Mornin’ to ya! It is so bright and sunny here in Pittsburgh, you’d think it was Summer. The temperature is not too bad either. Is it wrong to say I wish it was chilly? I love brisk weather. Since I began decorating for Christmas, I need some snow in my life. Some of you were interested in hearing exactly what my HIIT workout is. This is the Precor elliptical I usually use: Luckily, ours have TV’s attached. I usually don’t watch TV while working out (I need upbeat music), but I do have it on as an additional distraction while I’m beating my own butt. I also don’t read ever while working out. I do not even see how that is possible. If I am not getting a kick-butt workout at the gym, I’d rather be outside walking around. Remember, my HIIT workout is specifically for the above elliptical. If you try it on a different machine, it may be easier or more difficult. You may need to adjust the settings. Precor elliptical HIIT workout: 5 minute warm-up For the next 20 minutes: 20 seconds with settings at ramp = 15 resistance = 15 rpms/strides [...]

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