Summer Weight Workout

As you get older, you realize weights are more and more of your friend. Throughout the years I have always been more of a cardio person (and still am for the most part), but I quickly came to realize I need weights in my workout to keep me fit, healthy & toned. I certainly enjoy the peacefulness I get with running or walking, but weights are what is going to get me to love the body that I want. I encourage everyone to lift weights as they get older. For nothing more than to keep you from aging faster than you need to.

Note: I love food and a good glass of wine so not working out is NOT an option for me!

This is a simple workout routine* below that anyone can do and it takes no more than 45min to an hour to complete. It should be done 3x a week with alternating cardio days - biking, jogging, walking. Enjoy!

Warm Up	Jog for 6 min
Stretch	Bridge - 90 sec.	Plank - 90 sec.
Alternate 3x Each
Chest Press	20lbs	12 reps
Lunges w/ weighted ball	12lb Ball	8 Lunges Each Leg
Alternate 3x Each
Lat Pulldown	40lbs	12 reps
Squat Machine	40lbs	10 reps
Alternate 3x Each
Shoulder Press	10lbs	12 reps
Step Ups (kick Machine)	25lbs	12 Reps Each Leg
Alternate 3x Each
Bicep Curls	20lbs	12 reps
Lift - Romanian Dead Lift	30lbs	12 reps
Alternate 3x Each
Tricep Extension	15lbs	12 reps
Abs/Leg Lifts Over Head		10 reps

*Please make sure to check with your doctor before beginning a workout regime. This workout is based on my height & weight so tweak it to your comfort zone so no injuries occur.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July! (...a little late)

I have to say this has been a great summer so far! I've gotten a little slack lately from friends for not being more up to date on my blog, but my intention was to take a bit of a break while enjoying much needed family time :) We've settled into our new neighborhood, gotten through a busy year of school, and quite frankly are enjoying the down time. Pool dates, Farm visits, BBQs with friends, bike rides on the weekends, and Friday night pizza with the kids. Its been wonderful. 

I feel very blessed with all that I have right now - grateful for our health, family, & happiness. These things we should never take for granted. Its easy to loose sight of whats important when life gets "in the way", but its important to remember all the good that is around us and the new friends that just might be around the corner!

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July with their own families! As we're quickly approaching August, our family vacation, & Back to School, I have some fun posts coming up. Stay tuned!

Mommy Lifesaver #6: Crap-Baskets

Speaking of Pinterest, have you ever heard of Crap-Baskets? I'm not sure who really coined the term, but I find it 100% fitting. The baskets, which are placed on your main staircase, are to contain all the crap that your kids (or husband) leave around.

Each one of my kids has a designated basket - with a cute little tag & their name on it - that contains any of their stuff that they need to go from the main floor to their rooms. My kids are little so I help alot in pointing them in the right direction when it comes to cleaning up and keeping things neat. I hope that these baskets remain a part of our organization through the point in time at which they can carry them up the stairs themselves, empty them in their rooms, and put their own damn things away :) Added benefit - they look much prettier than piles of toys, shoes, etc. sitting on my stairs which are the main focus when you walk into my house. As most of you know with kids, they never seem to contain their junk in just one place. This has been a process I implemented almost 2 years ago and I've been happy with it ever since!

If crap-baskets aren't your thing, I encourage you to find something that works for you...especially if it means your kids will be able to carry on the responsibility of cleaning up after themselves some day!

Happy Father's Day

On April 29, 2006 I danced with my dad at my wedding to Thunder Road - my favorite song of all time. It goes without saying that I will cherish that dance forever and every time I hear that song I'll think of him!

I love you Dad, Happy Father's Day!

Summer Make-up Must Have: Matifier

Do you ever find yourself with an "exceptional glow" (aka super shiny) during those hot summer months? A few years ago I discovered this amazing matifier by Lancome and I've been using it ever since. Literally, I think I'm still using the same bottle - but don't tell the beauty experts. It still works as well as the day I bought it. I don't use it everyday, but save it for those special occasions or nights out on the town to make sure my make-up stays in place.

After I apply my make-up, I basically put a pea size amount on my finger and dot it on my forehead, nose, and cheeks...then gently rub in. And thats it! It keeps your face at a lovely glow and not so much a sweaty mess. You can even re-apply your make-up, as needed, throughout the night over the matifier. Genius, huh? I think so!

I promise you'll love it! Check it out!

Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am posting this AMAZING cookie recipe on my blog because it deserves every bit of exposure it can! This is by far the best cookie I have ever made and possibly eaten. I discovered this recipe a couple months ago and since then have made double batches for just about every event I have gone to. Without a hitch they're gone in minutes and people don't want to leave without knowing my secret - the secret is Emilie. This is NOT my recipe but a fellow blogger from Scarborough Food Fair and she is amazing. Please check out her site...you won't regret it!

I am re-posting it just as Emilie has it on her website so I don't miss a beat. Her delicious recipe needs no tweaking, but I will say if you're in a time crunch just omit the nutella part and the cookies are just as good! Enjoy!

  

Makes: 2 dozen

Prep Time: 2 hours

Bake Time: 9 Minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 9 minutes

Adapted From: Ambitious Kitchen

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon plain greek yogurt

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1 jar Nutella, chilled in refrigerator

coarse sea salt for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter until it beings to foam.  Continuously whisk until the butter begins to brown on the bottom of the saucepan, about 5-7 minutes.  As soon as the butter is brown and begins to give off a nutty aroma remove from heat and transfer to a small bowl to prevent from burning.  Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
3. With an electric mixer, mix the butter and sugars until thoroughly blended.  Beat in the egg, yolk, vanilla, and yogurt until combined.  Add the dry ingredients slowly and beat on low-speed just until combined.  Gently fold in all of the chocolate chips with a wooden spoon.
4. Chill the dough for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°.  Measure out a heaping tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball.  Flatten the ball very thinly into the palm of your hand and then place 1 teaspoon of chilled nutella in the middle and fold the dough up and around it.  Gently roll into a ball (it doesn't have to be perfect!) and make sure the nutella isn't seeping out anywhere.  If it is, cover it up with more dough.
6. Place dough balls on a cookie sheet, 2 inches apart and flatten the tops ever so slightly with your fingers.
7. Bake the cookies 9 minutes or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn golden brown.  Remove from oven and let sit on the baking sheets for several minutes.  Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.  
8. Enjoy!

Travel Food Tricks: Toddlers

So as I was packing clothes for a recent family vacation I started thinking about our grocery list of things I have to get once we get there. With that thought, I realized I always have a few staples on my list that I know will keep my kids going throughout the day and make them feel comfortable while out of their element.

Some of those travel food items include:
Organic Whole Milk
Shredded Cheese
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Chobani Kids Yogurt
Avocados
Black Beans
Bananas
Apples
Berries - Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries
Cheerios (Plain)
Granola
Pretzels/Goldfish
Almond Butter & All Natural Jelly
Whole Wheat Bread
Annie's Homegrown Mac & Cheese
Raisins
(All Organic, whenever possible)

Having food items that your toddler is used to having at home is key. You'll notice alot of fruit on my list which I try to make our main source of snacks throughout the day. Of course, vacation is for splurging and trying new things, but they thrive off comfort. Waking up to a simple breakfast of yogurt and granola will set the pace for a good day - say, instead of a giant donut or bagel which are certainly tend to be beach time essentials. I typically let them pick one or two days where they can pick a giant sprinkle donut - after all, it is vacation and I'm not evil!

Also, kids tend to eat a different times than adults. Its called constant snacking. With a few staples above I can easily whip up back bean quesadillas & guacamole and avoid tantrums before the adults sit down for dinner. We also typically do a fast food stop (which I'm not the biggest fan of) on the way to the beach if it falls during a meal time, but on the way home I always pack sandwiches, fruit, and pretzels to munch on - again, to avoid any drive-thru we might encounter with growling bellies. It works for me, maybe it'll work for you too!