Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Foods to Avoid for Better Health

Check out this website. I thought this article was basic but sometimes we forget the basics

Another article that I found on that same website was

Let me know what you think...
--Ryan

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Labor Day Recipe

I am preparing my Labor Day menu and I found the recipe below. I'm a sucker for grilled corn. Tell us if you try it this weekend!

Grilled Corn with Lime and Cheese

Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 15m

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Heat grill to medium-high. Brush the corn with the oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Grill, turning often, until tender and charred, 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle the corn with the cheese and cayenne. Serve with the lime wedges.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Simple Green Smoothie

This is an article I found on the benefits of drinking green smoothies. Below I've included a simple recipe for a very basic green smoothie.

It’s strange. Once someone starts to drink a smoothie with added greens daily for a month or two, they start to get compliments on how radiant their skin looks, on how slim their body is becoming, and on how much vibrant energy they have.

You can expect some of the following things to occur:

1. More Energy

Believe me, I know... I have a toddler, an infant, and run my own business. All the while I need to clean the house and prepare meals. Life is crazy! That is why it is so important to keep processed foods out of the home and nutrient dense smoothies readily available us and our loved ones. We can’t afford to not receive the benefits of green smoothies.

2. Regular Digestion

There will be no need for a reader’s digest in the bathroom anymore! Through my years of studying health, having clean bowels is one of the most important things that you can do for your body. The bowels get rid of toxins and the digested food.

Many experts say that you need to have a bowel movement at least 2-3 times per day. The bowels should be soft and easy to eliminate. A green smoothie made with kale seems to work the best.

3. Experience fewer cravings for sugary and salty processed food

Out of all of the benefits of green smoothies, this one is my favorite. There is nothing like breaking free from the bonds of unhealthy snack food.

My cravings for chocolate and chips were so bad that I would drive to the store in the middle of the night. Not good for my weight, my health, or my wallet! It took about 2 months of green smoothies for my body to start craving healthy foods. Boy, did it feel good!

Just think... you can break free from your food addiction too!

4. Receive fewer mood swings

5. Lose weight!

Your body will be getting the nutrients that it needs. So you will not be rummaging through you pantry for unhealthy snacks. The less junk that you eat, the less junk that will be in your trunk.

6. Your skin becomes radiant!

When your bowels are moving correctly, you body can eliminate toxins in an efficient manner. Usually someone with acne and other skin problem have a problem with regular bowels. When the toxins cannot leave through the bowel regularly, they have to leave somewhere else, your skin.

By drinking a daily green smoothie, you can improve your digestive system that in turn improves your skin. You could say it is green smoothie beauty!

There are many different opinions on how to make your skin shine with radiance. Fancy creams and expensive surgeries will not replace eating wholesome foods. A diet for good skin is one of the best things that you can do to transform your skin from the inside out.

There are other secrets that can give you glowing results. Check out these five natural beauty tips that will rejuvenate your skin.

7. You may feel an urge to start exercising.

Your body craves to be used. But processed foods drain our bodies of the much needed energy. Replace the junk food with nutrient dense foods, and your body will be bounding with energy.

8. Blood sugars may be stabilized

If you are a diabetic, you may need to choose low sugar fruits at first. Such as berries, green apples, grapefruit, etc.

9. Hair and nails grow in faster and stronger


Simple Green Smoothie Recipe
Serves 1-2

2-3 Cups clean torn greens ( I like baby spinach and Kale that has had it's stems removed)
1 cup frozen berries (we like the nutrition that comes from blueberries)
5 baby carrots
1-2 whole peeled then frozen bananas
1 cup Cow, Soy or Almond milk

Method:
Place all the ingredients in a blender canister, Cover and blend until Smooth and creamy. Pour into two glasses. Enjoy!

** we often make green smoothies for breakfast and then my wife will mix the left overs with some vanilla greek yogurt and freeze them as popsicles for the kids as an afternoon snack.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Hula Hoop Workout

This work out seems like a bit of fun. Try it out and tell us what you think!

Sneak peek:


Channel your inner child with this quick and effective workout.

The Routine

You may not have touched one since you were 10, but the humble hula hoop is a bona fide piece of workout equipment that can tone your thighs, abdominals, gluteals, and arms. And it’s just as much fun as you remember.

The WORKOUT

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Should I Exercise If...? By Kelly Constant

This article comes from the MyRegence website:

There are lots of excuses for not working out, but sometimes there are good reasons to skip the gym.

Most of us fail to exercise enough, and know that we should always be on the lookout for ways to fit in more workouts. So it's unusual to hear a fitness expert tell you to sit one out, but there are actually some situations that warrant time on the bench.

Should I work out if I have a cold?
Yes and no. The severity of your cold should really dictate whether or not you work out. Sometimes exercise can help a bug move through your system; other times it can make things worse. If you can barely breathe because of congestion or you're so tired that lifting your head from the pillow feels like a monumental task, then of course you're better off staying home and getting extra rest. However, if you're only dealing with some mild congestion, you might do yourself good by heading to the gym or outdoors for a moderate-intensity workout. Things like walking, yoga, an easy jog, or light strength training are likely your best bets until you're feeling yourself again.

Should I work out if I haven't eaten?
The answer here is no. Your body needs fuel to move efficiently through a workout. Although you may be able to finish your fitness routine on an empty stomach, it's unlikely you'll complete it with much vigor. Instead of going hungry, opt for a light snack that has a combination of carbohydrates and protein. If that doesn't sit well with you, especially early in the morning, then at least try to drink a serving of fruit juice before you head out the door.

Should I work out if I've eaten a big meal?
Skip the high-intensity workout if you've just stuffed yourself. Chances are you'll feel sluggish during your workout, or even worse, you'll end up hunched over with a stomachache. But that doesn't mean you have to quit moving altogether. You'll actually aid digestion if you take a stroll around the block after a heavy meal instead of heading to the sofa for a nap.

Should I work out if I've had a beer or two?
It's best to skip the workout if you've been drinking. Even small amounts of alcohol can slow reaction time and decrease motor coordination and balance. That means you risk tweaking a muscle if you're strength training, or tripping over your feet if you're out for a jog. Alcohol is also dehydrating, so you risk major shifts in your performance ability after ingesting even one beer. When it comes to drinking, enjoy your beverages in moderation and try to fit in a workout before the drinking starts.

Should I work out if I have an injury?
Throw "no pain, no gain" out the window here. When you have an injury, it doesn't matter how severe it is, your body is signaling to you that something is out of balance and you need rest. It can be difficult to listen to this message, especially if you've been on a roll, but if you don't want to do more harm than good, you've got to chill out. What you can do is change your activity. Many people find that water workouts can do an enormous amount of good when an injury prevents other types of exercise. And if a lower-body injury is ailing you, opt for upper-body strength training until the pain in your lower extremity is gone (or vice-versa).

Should I work out if I'm sleep-deprived?
When you're sleep deprived, your reaction time, motor coordination, and balance will be affected in much the same way as if you had been drinking. Opt out of your regular gym workout if you haven't had enough shut-eye. But that doesn't mean you have to be sedentary if you have to be awake. Try adding small amounts of physical activity to your day by taking the stairs or walking around the block. The small amounts of physical activity can actually help to give you a little energy without the risk of injury.

In the case of serious injury or illness, be sure to talk to your doctor before resuming your workout routine. And remember, if you've got a question about exercise, you can always Ask the Trainer.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

I tried this recipe a few weeks back and my mouth is still watering from how tasty these bites were. The recipe calls for 4 tomatoes. I used mini heirloom tomatoes for bite size fun. It's like having bruschetta without the bread.

Ingredients
    • 4 tomatoes, halved horizontally
    • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • Freshly ground pepper to taste
    • 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.

2. Place tomatoes cut-side up on abaking sheet. Top with Parmesan, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Get up and Mathersize!

You're so attentive to your students and working hard! It's also important to be attentive to yourself.

We care about our team, and so, we've started this blog to encourage exercise, healthy eating and healthy living!
This blog will be the perfect place to support one another, share ideas, and discuss our progress. Look for monthly updates that will include helpful information, tips, strategies and even healthy and YUMMY recipes that encourage fitness!

Do you have resources that you want to share? Send them to us and we'll add them to the quick links that already include links to My Regence (where you can earn rewards for pursuing healthy habits) and other hot spots such as the push-up or sit-up challenges.


Let's get started! Click to follow this site and become a Mathersizer!
. . . .

Wait, are you still reading this? Get up and get started!

Let's make this fun!
Ryan and Elizabeth