June FoodiePenPal Reveal!

It is June 30th! Time to reveal who my FoodiePenPal was for the month of June! For those who do not know what FoodiePenPal is, it is a program that was started by Lindsay from the Lean Green Bean.  Basically, you get paired up with a person each month to send a healthy food package to, from anywhere in the US.  You can click on the text links above or the box to the right for more details. 

I received my package from Jessika, the blogger behind Nohe'a Ola.  Jessika lives in Seattle and after exchanging a few emails we shortly discovered how much we both had in common.  She enjoys running and juicing like me.  We are both pretty new to the blogging world and share the same passion for food, a healthy lifestyle and Hawaii. Heck we even get our organic produce from the same farm (FullCircleFarms.) I was so impressed and surprised with what I got from Jessika, she included a very touching and kind letter that is now part of my inspiration board.  I was so happy to be paired up with such an amazing woman.  If I am ever in Seattle for a lay-over, Jessika is going to be the first person I will reach out to for a quick jog around the airport.  LOL!

Too cute!  I had posted that we only get two kinds of LARABAR at my commissary.  She was kind enough to send me an assortment of mini LARABARS and a few full size ones that I had never tried before.  Of course, Joseph and Chris attacked them before I could get to the blueberry muffin one but, it is all good!  She also read about me doing the June Yoga Challenge and sent me a GAIAM Yoga DVD.  How cool & thoughtful was that! 

It was great cyber meeting Jessika.  It was my 1st month trying out the program, and I am very pleased with the experience. Can't wait for my July FoodiePenPal experience! 

Acne, European Lunch & Full Circle Order!

My workout this morning:

I also did the Bikini Abs from the ToneitUp Beach Babe DVD.  

My breakfast was another green smoothie.  I have to take advantage of the warmer days in AK and sneak in a smoothie as much as I possible.

 I went to town with Christian to pick up my prescription, by the way I have been dealing with terrible "adult acne" the clinic took 5 tubes of blood in order to test my hormonal levels, thyroid and a bunch of other stuff.  I should get my results on Wednesday.  The doctor prescribed Minocyclin 50MG for my  acne.  I have tried everything: from over-the counter to retinA & Dex5. It's time to give these antibiotics a try.  Will let you know how that goes.

We stopped by The Taste of Europe (restaurant) for lunch:

Russian Coffee

 Greek Salad

 A side of Plove

Delicious!

I received my order details from FullCircleFarms this morning... Due to 4th of July, we get our veggies a day early next week...Here's my order:

Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

My 2012 Summer Bucket List

• Eat at least 3 raw veggies a day
• Yoga at least twice a week
• Hike Donnely Dome 

• 4. Lake Kayaking
• Do a mommy and son camping trip
• Spend more time with friends
• Watch Magic Mike (lol)
• Get to know my neighbors/Invite neighbors for BBQ's
• Have a green smoothie every day in July
• Go to the lake
• Go Fishing
• Go biking more
• Go rollerblading
• Do another 5k (Sept 1st)
• Go to church more
• Speak to my family every Sunday
• Wash my car every week
• Picnic lunches and dinner (outdoor eating)
• More romantic time with hubby

Do you have a summer bucket list?  Can you share 3 of your bucket list selections?

Rainy Thursday!

Crappy weather Thursday!  I was so hoping for good weather this morning, I wanted to go for an outdoor jog but it was raining.  BOOOO!!!  Did the workout below instead:

For breakfast I had another green smoothie and coffee with almond milk.

 

After work I headed to town to run a few errands and a doctor's appointment.  I had a Southern Chicken salad for lunch, no photos sorry.  Does anyone feel weird taking photos of their food at restaurants?  I do!

Since I am home alone today, I was not planning on cooking anything.   I still had some shrimp in my freezer and decided to make a Shrimp stir fry with bean sprouts, 14 asparagus spears, scallions, 1 tbsp. of oyster sauce, 1/2 juice of a lemon, salt & pepper, ginger and sesame seeds. 

Delish!

 I am now catching up on my OC Real Housewives.

Can't wait for Friday! Any plans for the weekend?

Blogroll

Below is a list of some of the blogs I enjoy reading.  I will continue to update this list accordingly.  Check them out!

Fit Approach
Fit Fluential
For the love of Kale
Bess Be Fit
Cait Plus Ate
Concrete N Coffee
Tone it Up!
Fitnitchick
Just Keep Sweating
Getfitnaturally
Sherocksfitnessnj
taraburner
Sugar-Free Mom
Healthy Diva Eats
Freaking Fitness
Frank The Fat
Journey to your PEAK
The Lean Green Bean
Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Eat Simply Live Healthy
Easy Vegan Eating
Healthy Living Blogs
Bloggy Moms
Confessions of a Fitness Instructor
Peanut Butter Fingers
Diary of a Dashing Fashionista
Vanilla Bean Lean 
Healthy Heddleston 
Thanknest

Mint on my Green Smoothie & Grilled Shrimp Salad

HAPPY, HAPPY Tuesday!  Have you guys seen the Fruit Fritatta I made on Sunday?  I had left-overs of that with a green smoothie for breakfast this morning.  I added a few mint leaves to my smoothie; it was AMAZING!
AM Workout:
Joseph & I woke up at 6:00am to do the Insanity Upper Body Weight Training workout.  We are planning to switch to a different weight training workout after week 4 (2 weeks from today.) I will keep you posted on that! I have enjoyed doing this one, just want to switch things up a bit.

Morning Snack: cottage cheese, 1 tbsp. of sunflower seeds (stevia & cinnamon)

Lunch: Grilled Shrimp Salad... (Shrimp, orange slices, red pepper, jalapenos, sesame seeds, shreded cabbage, a couple of rice crackers, over spinach leaves.  I added the juice of half of an orange, a couple of spoons of apple cider vinegar, and some siracha.)

 Unusual combo, but I enjoyed it!

Dinner:  Lebanese Food!  Our neighbor invited us over for a Lebanese dinner tonight. We love Middle Eastern food; I'm really looking forward to it.  I will try to sneak-in a photo or 2. (he,he,he)

PM Workout:
A 21 minute TM interval and the Bikini Booty workout from the BBDVD (toneitup)
Interval:
2 mins on level 4 on incline 10
1 min on level 7 on incline 5
Repeat 6 more times

What's for dinner?

Fruit Fritatta

Delicious & perfect for brunch or as a snack anytime of the day.  It is sweet, with no added sugar, and savory at the same time.

What I used:
1 cup of frozen/thawed kiwi
1 cup of frozen thawed blackberries
3 eggs
3/4 cup of eggwhites (about4 eggwhites)
1/4 cup of u. almond milk
4 stevia or truvia packets
1 tbs of fresh thyme (from my garden)
a pinch of sea salt
a pinch of cinnamon
1 tbs of coconut oil
1/4 cup of goat cheese

Directions:
Preheat your oven at 350 degrees.  Extract all the liquid from your thawed frozen fruit and set aside.  Combine the eggs, eggwhites, milk, stevia, cinnamon, thyme and salt in a bowl and mix well.  Add in the fruit to the mixture.  In a heated (medium heat) oven safe skillet add the 1 tbs of coconut oil.  Add the mixture to the skillet.  Be sure to spread evenly with a spatula.  Should look something like this:

Add in the goat cheese over the fritatta and continue to cook until the edges start to set.  Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. 

Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Green Omelet

Hello everyone!  I hope everyone is having a great Saturday! My workout today was a 3 mile jog, and Insanity's Upper Body Weight Training.

Breakfast consisted of  3 egg whites, kale, green onion Omelet, with 2 Ezekiel toast with toffutti cream cheese and cucumber slices. 

Snack: A mini cashew cookie Larabar and the cutest apricot from FullCircleFarms!

My plans for the rest of the day are: house cleaning, laundry and a bike ride with Christian.  OHHH, and I have a bunch of frozen fruit to play with later.  How's your Saturday going so far?  Any plans for the weekend?

Dessert for Breakfast & Exciting package!

We went to bed at 9:00 last night, I swear my energy levels passed 8 pm are low to non existent these days.  As a result, I woke up this morning at 5:00 full of energy and ready to tackle my 30 TM interval and the Tummy Tuck workout from the Brazilian Butt lift DVD series. 

Interval (30 mins:)
3 min on level 4 (flat)
3 mins on level 6.5 (incline 1)
3 mins on level 4, on max incline (10)
3 mins on level 6.5 (incline 1)
3 min on level 4 (flat)
& Repeat

Brazilian Butt Lift Tummy Tuck - 20 mins. 

Breakfast - Chobani non fat plain greek yogurt, frozen raspberries, sunflower seeds, carob chips, about 5 almonds, cinnamon and stevia, topped with unsweetened coconut flakes...YUMO!

Lunch - Crazy good Asian inspired salad.  Grilled chicken, left over asparagus wrapped in 1 slice of turkey bacon, 1 slice of grilled pineapple, onion  and bean sprouts over spinach.  For my dressing I used 2 tbs of apple cider vinegar, a cap full of low sodium soy sauce, t. of honey, garlic powder, ginger and pepper. Having it right now!...DELISH!

I had an exciting package waiting for me at the post office today.....My FoodiePenPal box has arrived!  YEY!!!!!  Stay tuned for the big reveal on June 30th.  So excited about this!

It is left-over night at our house, we'll be having the rest of the grilled chicken with some veggies.  A couple of hours of volleyball is on the schedule after that.  What's for dinner?

Olive Salad

Another summer favorite in our house (Christian's favorite.)  We love to serve it over couscous or just as a dip for crusty garlic bread.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup of green olives (finely chopped)
• 2/3 cup of kalamata olives (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup of cauliflower (diced small)
• 1/2 cup of carrots (diced small)
• 1 roasted red pepper (finely chopped)
• 1 small jar of capers (drained)
• 1-2 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 3 tbs of fresh oregano (or dry)
• 1 tbs of fresh thyme
• 1 tbs of fresh rosemary (or dry)
• 3-4 tbs of red wine vinegar
• 1/2-3/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• pepper to taste

Small chop/dice all of the above ingredients.  Mix and place in a mason jar.  You want to make sure that the mixture is well coated with the oil, add more oil if you need to.  Refrigerate over night.  Serve as a dip for bread or throw it in your salads. 

This is one of those things that last forever in the fridge (a week in my house.)  It is sort of like wine; the older it gets the better it taste.

Enjoy! 

Hawaii Inspired: Pineapple Ambrosia Boat

We visited Oahu, HI for the first time last Christmas.  It was an incredible vacation, the island reminded me of my Puerto Rico so much.  I wish we were there, TODAY!  Our favorite everyday treat was: pineapple.

We love summers in Alaska, the hiking, camping, fishing and views are truly spectacular.  However, we rather be where the beach, sun & sand are, any day of the year. 

Since summer is finally here and we have no beaches to go to, the best/fastest way to get to that Island in Hawaii is by food! 

(Source)

I made a pineapple boat inspired by our visit to the 24 hour Wailana Coffee House in Oahu last Christmas.  We had their pineapple boat (Ambrosia) almost everyday for breakfast or dessert while in Oahu, it is the perfect treat for a hot summer day, and so delicious. Anything pineapple in Oahu is fantastic! 

More pineapple treats we had in Hawaii:

Pineapple & salmon salad

The Dole Factory pineapple ice cream!

Pineapple Ambrosia

What you'll need:

1/2 of a pineapple (you'll need the meat and the skin for your boat)

1 cup of 2% cottage cheese

1/2 cup of coconut flakes

1 cup of pineapple chunks (from your 1/2 pineapple)

1/2 cup of fresh blueberries

1/2 cup of silver almonds

1 t. of coconut extract

3-4 tbs of agave nectar

a pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Combine all your ingredients together.  Pour the mixture into your pineapple boat.  Sprinkle some more almonds and coconut flakes on top.  You're done! 

Super fresh and simple to prepare. 

Enjoy!

June Yoga Challenge & Photo Update

Happy Fathers DAY!  It is super early in the morning, but we have a lunch & a BBQ planed for today, and I needed to get my morning workout done.  I'm making some of Joseph's favorite treats to eat today!  Needless to say, I have a busy day ahead of me.

Today I went for a 4 mile run on my treadmill & still planning on doing the group Yoga class at the gym on post later. 

I had a super fancy mexican style 4 egg-whites "omelette" and 2 pieces of Ezekiel bread for Breakfast! LOL!

Homemade guacamole is my new butter! Delish!

OK!  My check in for the June Yoga Challenge:

06/10/12 - Group class Yoga
06/12/12 - Element PM Yoga
06/14/12 - BB DVD Long & Lean

Here is another before & after photo.  The one on the left was taken on New Years Eve 2 years ago, the one to the right was taken 2 days ago.  I still can't believe I am here!  Still have ways to go with toning, but I am very proud of what I have accomplised thus far.

Hope everyone is has a good Sunday celebrating all the fathers in your life!

Saturday Morning & Vitacost Mini-Haul

After taking the day off yesterday I was up early this morning anxious to get my cardio done for the day. I did the ToneitUP BeachBabe DVD HIIT routine (x 2) and I will be doing weights with Joseph later.

For breakfast: I had the Bodybuilder Protein Pancakes, I have been enjoying making these.  Thanks Richard Hauck for recommending them!  Delish & super filling.

I ordered a few things off of the Vitacost website for my FoodiePenPal box (more on this later) and managed to grab some goodies for us as well.

From left to right:

1.  Annies Mac & Cheese: Chris' favorite Saturday dinner

2.  Organic Quinoa: We love quinoa.  It is a complete protein and it is delicious cold or hot.  Great to throw on salads, perfect summer meal!  Just trying out different brands.

3.  MCT oil: coconut oil and Medium Chain Tryglicerides (MCT) are the only oils we use in our cooking/baking. This oil is known for treating deceases related to chronic dieting (which I was considered one.)  So many health benefits in this oil!  MCT oil was recommended by my nutrition class teacher (RD) a while back and every since then it has become a staple in our house.  Your body doesn't store MCT oil as fat it uses it as energy.

4.  Primrose Oil capsules: Vegetarian capsules.  Great for your skin

5. Thyroid capsules:  I have been struggling with acne and swollen thyroid.  I decided to give these a try.  I'll keep you posted on that

6. Carob Chips:  You already know how much I love them.  It's chocolate, naturally sweet, no sugar added, safe for dogs.

Check out my herbs!  Making mojitos with that mint tomorrow!

Lastly, my favorite treat lately: soda water, frozen raspberries and carob chips.  So refreshing, and the perfect balance of sweet- bitterness.

I hope everyone has a great Saturday! 

Green Juice & Yesterday's TRX Session

HAPPY FRIDAY!  Had a fabulous green juice for breakfast this morning: kale, cucumbers, apple, celery & ginger.  I find that when I start my day with a veggie juice I crave veggies all day.  Feeling refreshed!

 

Sadly, my usual 5:15 am wake up call for my workout did not happen today.  I heard the alarm and my body just would not respond, I was exhausted.  I over did it this week and have decided to take the day off today.  

I wanted to let you guys know about my TRX workout yesterday.  It is only my 2nd week doing it, these are very simple moves, but I thought it would be good to share the workout, should you want to try it on your own.

Here's how the 30 minute workout went:

2 sets of 15 reps for each of the following:

• squats with a jump
• single leg elevated lunges (15 on right & 15 on left)
• floor, bridge pull ups
• push ups
• knee to chest on a plank position
• flys 

 

 (source)

That's it for now, I will let you know how the weekend goes for me! 

Weights & TRX Day

If you like to workout from home, you probably have an entire binder of workout DVDs like me.  The other night I was looking through my workout DVD "collection" and rediscovered a very exciting weight training video from Shaun T that came with their deluxe Insanity package. I recently started incorporating a bit more weights into my weekly workouts because I want to concentrate more in reducing fat and toning, so this was perfect.  FYI!  I am not a beachbody coach, I don't sale Beachbody products.  I just love their videos!

Insanity's Upper Body Weight Training is a full upper body workout, you'll work your chest, shoulders, triceps, biceps and back, with a little core in between.

Joseph was kind enough to join me this morning for an intense session of Insanity Upper Body Weight training.  Here is how the 48 minute workout went:

Warm up (yes there is a warm up):
30 seconds of running in place
30 seconds of jump ropes with arm circles
30 seconds of jumping jacks
30 seconds of the Heisman (Shaun's Favorite)
30 seconds of "1,2,3" Heisman (on all Insanity warm up)
30 seconds of right and left power hooks with a hop
Repeat (no breaks, 6 mins total)

30 Second Break

Workout:

1st Circuit:
Full Rotation Shoulder Press (10 lbs)
1 arm curls/other arm hold 90 degrees while other arm curls (5 lbs)
In & Outs with a pushup
Floor Springs
Repeat 2 more times (with 30 seconds in between reps)


2nd Circuit:
Squat Bicep Curls (10 lbs)
180 Degrees Lateral Raises (5 lbs)
Elevated Dips (both legs knee slightly bended, elevated right, and elevated left)
Power Jumps (I hate these)
Repeat 2 more times (with 30 seconds in between reps)

3rd Circuit:
Full Rotation Fly (10 lbs)
Push up One Arm Extensions (5lbs)
High Knee Obliques (works your core & acts as cardio)
Repeat 2 more times (with 30 seconds in between reps)

4th & last Circuit:
Chest Press while leg raises (10 lbs)
Bent Over Rows, Reverse Flys
Ski Abs
Repeat 2 more times (with 30 seconds in between reps)

Stretch (3 minutes)


Now, I am not a professional weight lifter but I was sweating more than I sweat with an hour of intense cardio.  I love that each circuit includes a cardio/core move.  Awesome, Awesomeness!  I know I will be in pain tomorrow, especially because I also have a  TRX session later today.  Perfection!   I will be doing this workout every Tuesday & Thursday morning.

Needless to say I was starving after my workout.  I had a breakfast burrito that Joseph made for me on a sprouted wrap stuffed with egg-whites, peppers, mushrooms & jalapenos.

 Any workout plans for today? 

No Sugar added "Limber de Coco" (Coconut Cream Pops) + More

Checkout my breakfast this morning, Chobani, bananas, blueberries, carob chips, dehydrated dates, & Kashi Go Lean cereal.  It was delish, I have been craving sweets all week...

After having the rest of my rhubarb crisp as a snack earlier, I was not hungry at all for lunch.  I went ahead and did my PM Element Yoga, and had a green smoothie after that, as my lunch/post workout meal.  I made it with: 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze, spirulina, wheat grass, perfect fit protein, 1/2 of a banana, a handful of frozen berries, ice, liquid stevia & cinnamon.  No photo, next time!

Limbers! Christian was in the mood for a treat he craves every now and then.  If you grew up in Puerto Rico you know all about "limbers".  We all had them as kids because someone in your neighborhood sold them for .25 to .50 each.  I had them everyday as a child, and now Christian loves them!  You can find them at gas stations now all over the Island!  Our favorite is the "limber de coco" (Coconut Cream.)

 (My sisters & I with limbers 5 years ago in PR)

Limbers are typically made with local fruit. It is the puertorican Popsicle, sold in a clear Dixie cup (like picture above.)  It is the perfect treat for the summer time or all year round in Puerto Rico!  Limbers were a food group for me growing up, LOL, and I want my son to have some of those unforgettable puertorican traditions I had as a child too.

A typical "limber de Coco" is made with evaporated milk, coconut milk, and cane sugar.  I wanted to make a figure friendly & Sugar Free version of it.

What I used:
1/2 cup of Chobani plain greek yogurt
1 cup of Almond Breeze unsweetened coconut milk
1 egg yolk (optional)
6 organic dates (diced)
1 tbs. of vanilla extract
1 t. of cinnamon
1/2 cup of Red Mills unsweetened shredded coconut

Mix all the ingredients in a Blender.  Place in Popsicle trays, ice cube trays or small clear plastic cups.   Freeze over night & enjoy!

All of this PR talk is making me miss the island.  The weather in Alaska lately, makes me wish I was in Puerto Rico for the summer!  Here are some of my favorite Puertorican treats...

 "Mofongo de Camarones" (Mashed Plantain Stuffed with Shrimp)

"Piraguas" Cart (Shaved Ice)

& Beaches

OOOOH!  As for the rest of my workout today...This morning I did Insanity's Pure Cardio and a 15 min interval on my TM:

Interval:
2 mins @ level 4

1 mins @ level 6.5
2 mins @ level 8

Repeat 3 times. ;o)

We have plans to go play volleyball for a couple of hours tonight which I'm counting as part of my afternoon workout!

I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!

Weekend & The BEST Sugar Free Rhubarb Crisp EVER!

Hope everyone has had a great Monday!  After a weekend of indulging on a few margaritas with the hubby, I needed Monday to come fast. For some reason Mondays are always good days for me.  It symbolizes the beginning of a new week, which means another chance to start fresh with a week of healthy eating and a consistent exercise routine. 

I recently joined Instagram and now I'm hooked.  If you follow me on Twitter or if we are friends on the Facebook group you probably have seen them.  Here's one of my favorite photos I took:

(Joseph & our dog Angel)

On Sunday, we all went on a 3 mile bike ride in the morning and I did a Yoga group class for my afternoon workout.

I took it slow this morning with a 3 mile run on my treadmill. All I could think about (and smell) was my Crockpot Steel Cut Oats  that was waiting for me to devour for breakfast. It was delish!

For lunch I had a turkey sprouted wrap: I used 1 Ezekiel wrap, 6 slices of lean turkey meat, cilantro, 2 tbs of hummus, 1/2 of a zucchini, cilantro, 1 chive and broccoli slaw. 

Joseph joined me for an afternoon of Isanity Max Interval Circuit.  Fun stuff!  This workout is the 1st workout of the 2nd month (tough month) of the Insanity Series.  We have decided that for this week we are going to do one of the 2nd month workouts every other day together.  I'm really looking forward to working out with Joseph, it is so much better to have a partner in crime than to do it alone.  I find I workout extra hard when I don't do it alone.

OK!  ARE YOU READY FOR THE BEST SUGAR FREE/GUILTLESS CRISP??????!!!!!!!!!

I still had 2 rhubarb stalks left that were starting to look a little sad.  I decided to make a Rhubarb, Blueberry, Pear Crisp for dessert tonight. 

 For the filling I used: 

• 2 stalk of organic rhubarb (diced) from Full Circle Farms
• 1 pair (diced)
• 3/4 of organic blueberries from Full Circle Farms
• the juice of 1/2 lemon
• 6 tbs of water
• 3 Truvia packets
• 3 t. of cinnamon
• 2 tbs of almond flour (Bobs Red Mill)

Mix all the ingredients together. Divide and place in 3 ramekins. I put this mixture together and placed in the fridge for 6 hours before baking. 

For the crisp part I used:

4 WASA crackers

2 tbs of oats
1 t. of cinnamon
1 t. of nutmeg
5 truvia packs
1 tbs of cold organic butter

Mix in a food processor, until you get pea size pieces and pour evenly over rhubarb.  Cover the ramekins in aluminum foil and bake in 400 degrees for 25 mins.  Remove the foil and broil on high for an additional 2-3 mins.  Serve with a dollop of Chobani plain greek yogurt & drizzle some raw honey & a pinch of cinnamon over top.  Enough for 3 ramekins full. 

Cool for about 10 minutes & enjoy!