New 30 day challenge

I just finished another bodyrock tv workout http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/02/05/new-300-rep-workout/. It is the hardest I have pushed myself in a while and had few moments where I really just wanted to throw in the towel. My total time was 20 min and 59 seconds. (way better then a full 21 ;) I am still sore from friday and saturdays workouts as well. Because these workouts seem to all be under 25-30 minutes I have decided I am going to do the workouts she posts everyday. They can all be tailored to do in the comfort of your home so I suggest you all join me!!! And those of you who do them please post your times or which exercise you loved-hated the most.

I am off to take Tucker for a nice cool down run now. Happy chilly Monday.

Taryn's chocolatey chocolate V-day muffins

As always, I made this recipe as I went. So hopefully I can remember it all.

3/4 whole wheat flour
1/2 cup 7 grain cereal
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 1/2 cup blended beets (blended with a bit of coconut water)
handful of raisins
handful of almonds- slap chopped
9 soaked and chopped dates
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut
3/4 cup pure dark chocolate chips

1/2 cup of cocoa
2 whole eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup of ground flax
cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla

and I think thats it.... all mixed together baked at 350 for about 20 minutes. Rich and delicious. I really didn't know if these were going to turn out.... But they exceeded my expectations!!!

ps. pure (no sugar/chemicals added) coconut water is now at Costco hurray!!! $11.99 for a 12 pack, best price I have seen in the city by FAR! except they didn't have Lara bars today.... hopefully they just ran out :)

burrrrrrn @bodyrock.tv

My beloved little Lemon, Brynne, is always talking about bodyrock.tv and she looooves the workouts that are posted on it. I have to say, the lady who runs this site has a pretty enviable and inspiring body. I did one of the workouts today http://www.bodyrock.tv/2010/11/19/550-rep-fat-massacre/   "550 rep massacre" sounds inviting doesn't it???  It is awesome because you can do it at home as long as you have a little open floor space. My time was 14:55 and I am sweating pretty profusely over here (too much info??) It's tough, but it is fun. Really push yourself to see what time you can get. I thrive in competitive atmospheres so these crossfit-like workouts are right up my alley. Plus, your done your workout for the day in about 20 minutes. Can't hate that. 

Happy Snowy Saturday!!

And for lunch....

Kale, broccoli, mushrooms, egg, leftover vegan chili from Planet Organic, hot sauce and olive oil all fried up together topped with a few grape tomatoes. quick and delish!

Killer workout with Kimmer!!!!

So my good friend and fellow Lemon, Kim, has HUGE fitness goals for 2011 and I am soooo excited to teach her what I have learned and use my massive databank of workouts to help her reach her goals. It's sweet for me too because she is a massage therapist (check her out at Moksha Yoga Edmonton south/ Balance Massage) and she hooks me up with free massages. It is also good learning for me because I am not a personal trainer, I have just honestly been working out SERIOUSLY since I was 13 years old (here we go ski racing!) I have a tendency to assume that everyone can do every exercise so working out with Kim has taught me how to scale the workouts and get back to basics with form and balance. I gotta say, She goes hard!! and it is truly an inspiration to watch her push herself far beyond her comfort zone.

20 minutes elliptical level 12, rpm above 6.5, last 5 min level 13 (get your heart rate going)

3 rounds of:
30 squat jumps over the BOSU
50 ab rows with weighted bar
20 ab twists with weighted bar
20 pushups

20 min elliptical level 12

2 rounds of:
20/leg bulgarian split squats with 15lb dumbells (ouuuuuuch!!)
upper body burn (25lb plate: 10bicep curls bottom to 90Degree, 10 bicep top to 90degrees, 10 full bicep curls, 10 overhead tricep overhead extension, 10 *chest pushes*) no rest between exercises.

15 min elliptical cool down (switch it up with backward and forward movement)

*Chest pushes: hold plate to your chest and push straight forward so your arms are full extended (I have no clue what the proper name is for this one :)

If you hate the elliptical you can do any cardio machine. I have problems with my sacrum so running has to be kept to 3 times a week max (sad panda) and I find that the elliptical loosens it up. But, your choice!!!

Our total workout was an hour and forty minutes with a 760 calorie burn. The workout I described can easily be tailored for different fitness levels i.e. less reps, less weight, female vs male pushups, with/without BOSU ball, etc.

Corn thins are the $#!%

I have never bought these little treasures before but the other day corn thins were on sale in the organic section at Beaumont Sobeys (On an aside, Beaumont you need to bulk up the baby sized corner you call an organic section. If you build we will come. Until then it's off to the city for my groceries!) Anyyyyways. There are so many options for these this thins: they are gluten free and light tasting. They also don't crumble into a million little pieces on your first bite leaving you with a messy handful of crumble and topping.  I have been putting almond butter and raisins on them for a sweet treat as well as pumpkin butter(yum) but last night after my run I had a real hankerin' for a tuna melt. Soooo this is what I made!

• tuna salad (little dollop of mayo :), hot sauce, S+P
• sauteed spinach and onions 
• grated asiago cheese
• 3 corn thins

I gave Adrian one even though I really didn't want to, 'cus they were delish! And squashed that craving.

FOOOOOOOOOD, yum

Can't hate coming home to this!!!!

Adrian's "Keenwa Stirfry"

• grilled asparagus, broccoli, peppers, bean sprouts, garlic, onions
• grilled mahi mahi
• quinoa

spray of bragg, dash of hot sauce mmmm



Shrimp-n-Veg Heaven

• Grilled jumbo shrimp, 
• broccoli, peppers, shaved carrots, corn off the cob, mushroom, bean sprouts
• garlic
• crushed almonds 
• bragg, salt and pepper                                                                               

                        

Adrian's mom gave us a huge goodie bag of vegetables so we put them to use. It was delicious :). For a more substantial meal you can serve this over quinoa. Quinoa, quinoa, quinoa so much quinoa. But it's so delicious and so good for you!!!