New Recipe For New Tools

Ever had this happen to you?  You ask for a new gadget for Christmas/your birthday and when you get it you can't find a reason to use it?  Yep, that totally happened to me.  Ken gave me a mini-food processor for Christmas.  I had been asking for one for MONTHS, since my normal sized one died.  But, I haven't made anything that's called for using it.  

I finally found a use for it.  Happy Herbivore's Mushroom Burgers.  The recipe came out of the Happy Herbivore cookbook my sister, Sarah, got me for Christmas.  This book is awesome!

Here's the recipe:

2 slice of whole wheat bread (I used reduced calorie oatmeal bread)
8 oz button mushrooms
1 15oz can dark red kidney beans
1 medium onion
1 T minced garlic
1/4 cup whole wheat flour  (I only added this to try and stiffen the mix)
2 T soy sauce
2 T steak sauce
2 T barbecue sauce

1. Put the bread in the food processor and create crumbs. Put them in a mixing bowl
2. Process the mushrooms until very finely chopped.  Put in bowl with breadcrumbs
3. Do the same thing with the beans and onion
4. Add all of the wet ingredients and flour to bowl with the veggies and beans.  Mix well.
5. Form 7 or 8 patties with your hands
6. Put patties on a baking sheet that has been greased with pan spray.
7. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes
8. Flip the burgers and respray.  Bake for 8 minutes.
9. Flip again and spray again.  Bake 5 minutes.

I topped it just like I would a normal burger. The recipe was a bit thin and that's why I added the flour.  Now if I could only find my camera for a picture....But, I'll post a picture once I find my camera.  Enjoy!  

The best part about these burgers?  According to Caloriecount.about.com They only have 111 calories and 0.6 grams of fat.

My Secret Obsession

I have a guilty pleasure/secret obsession.  Not many people outside of my family and friends know about it.  It's The Biggest Loser.  I watch it religiously.  I DVR it.  I get upset if an episode doesn't get recorded. The show actually motivates me.  It drives me to workout.  It reminds me what I never want to go back to. 

This season they're tackling the subject of childhood obesity.  I love that they're doing this because so many children are overweight.  I fear about my own children's weight and health occasionally.  But the growing number of obese kids is due to the fact that almost every house has a TV with 200+ channels and atleast 1 game system (Wii, Xbox, Playstation 3 etc.)  I think the root of all evil are the parents though!   

When I was a child I was not asked if I WANTED to goto the playground/park.  I was just taken.  It was not suggested that I go out and play, I WANTED to go.  And if I didn't want to?  I was still told to go out.  

Parents allow kids to sit inside on their butts all day eating junk food, watching TV and playing video games.  Parents are the ones that buy and cook the meals that are causing 7 year olds to weigh the same as full grown adults. 

I find it amazing that people my age don't know how to cook a healthy meal from scratch (yet there are 40 new food blogs popping up everyday).  Convenience meals and fast food is part of the reason America is fat.  My daughters' friend came over for dinner one nite and she told me she had never had a salad before.  My jaw nearly hit the floor!  REALLY????  Even before I turned into a "health freak" my kids ate salad.  Even Sunny will eat a big salad (a deconstructed salad but, salad all the same).  They love salad.  

Okay, enough ranting about parents and the poor choices they make for their children.  

I am very happy that The Biggest Loser is back.  I'm also very happy that Jillian Michaels is back.  She's actually my idol.  I'm excited to see how the contestants change and who wins.  

In order to do my part to ensure my kids aren't included in the obesity statistic I have signed Kaylee up for soccer and as soon as we get her practice schedule Mantha will be starting gymnastics.  I can't wait to post picture from Kaylee's first game!

How do you feel about The Biggest Loser?  Do your kids do any sports?  

Writing Prompt --  What is your favorite song that gives you energy?
Answer -- I don't think I really have a specific song.  Anything with a good beat.  Normally when I workout I turn on Pandora and just go with it.  I have never been lead wrong by Pandora.

January's Seasonal Produce and How it Can Help Your Health

Fresh Veggies!

January is here. [DUH!] So that means that certain produce has come into season.  I've put together a list of the produce that's available and some of the health benefits.

January
Avocado
Passion Fruit


January-March
Bell Pepper  -- Carotenoids, Various vitamins, phytonutrients, fiber, folate, antioxidants, potential anti-cancer effects

Broccoli -- Cholesterol lowering, detox-regulating, various vitamins and minerals, folate, fiber, potassium, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer nutrients, digestive support, eye health, skin support

Cabbage -- Cholesterol-lowering, cancer prevention, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, digestive tract support, cardiovascular health

Cauliflower -- Various vitamins, folate, potassium, fiber, digestive support, detox support, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular health

Celery -- Anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, various vitamins, folate, potassium, fiber, digestive health, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention

Eggplant -- Fiber, various vitamins, brain health, antioxidants, cardiovascular health, free radical protection

Grapefruit -- Various vitamins, lycopene, antioxidants, promotes optimal health, lowers cholesterol, prevents kidney stones, cancer protection, repairs DNA

Guava --  Antioxidants, lowers cancer risk, lowers diabetes risk, helps eyesight, folate, regulates blood pressure, helps thyroid, increases enzyme activation, relaxes muscles and nerves, brain health, skin health

Lettuce --  {Romaine} Various vitamins, Folic acid, folate, fiber, omega 3's, heart healthy

Mushrooms (Available year round) -- {Crimini} Selenium, vitamins, potassium, immune system support, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular health, anti-cancer

Oranges (Available every month but July & Aug) -- Various vitamins, fiber, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, antioxidants, immune system support, cardiovascular disease protection, promotes optimal health, prevents kidney stones, anti-cancer, prevents ulcers, lung protection, arthritis protection

Peanuts (Available every month but Dec) -- Folate, heart healthy, antioxidants, reduces the risk of stroke, anti-cancer, gallstone prevention, brain health, lowers risk of weight gain

Radishes -- Detoxifier for liver and stomach, urinary tract health, weight control, cancer prevention, helps skin, helps liver, reduces swelling, controls fever, respitory tract health, protects gallbladder

Snap Beans/Green Beans -- Vitamins, Fiber, antioxidants, folate, cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory, diabetes prevention

Squash -- {Winter} Vitamins, fiber, potassium, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, promotes optimal health, regulates blood sugar, cardiovascular health

Strawberries -- Vitamins, Fiber, cardiovascular health, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood sugar, anti-cancer, brain health, digestive health

Sweet Corn -- Fiber, Various vitamins, antioxidants, digestive health, blood sugar regulation, potentially anti-HIV

Tangerine -- 

Tomato -- Various vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, cardiovascular health, bone health, anti-cancer, lycopene


Most of the information found on this site was obtained from WHFoods
WikiNut

Warm vs Cold

What do y'all think?  This is Mr. Amazing's rough draft of my new logo!  I'm so excited to finally get a logo.

When I was in Virginia, in subartic conditions [going from a state that's 75 to one that's 25 should be considered cruel and unusual torture!] I started to think about how exercising in the winter (or cold weather) differs from exercising in the summer (or warm weather).  I already know that your body works harder when it's cold because your body is trying to stay warm.  They even say that it's better to swim in a cold pool rather than a warm one.

According to Montana State University-Bozeman, since we need to maintain a body temperature of 98.6 our bodies work harder.  But, "sever and moderate cold can adversely affect the performance of activities that depend on high levels of anaerobic power."

On the opposite end of the season spectrum, in a trial published by the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 9 cyclists cycled for 90 minutes in temperatures of 14, 32, 50, and 68 degrees.  They found that the subjects burned MORE fat calories the warmer it was.  0.15 grams per minute at 14 degrees and 0.4 grams per minute at 68 degrees.

Thefactsaboutfitness.com also talks about how LPL (an enzyme that promotes fat storage), cortisol, serotonin, and testosterone levels change with the seasons.  All of these chemicals affect how your body loses and gains weight.  

Oddly, I've been reading people say that they GAIN weight in the summer.  I know I personally have no issue atleast maintaining, if not losing weight in the summer.  But, at the same time I spend atleast 3 hours a day at the pool, beach, or park during the summer.  

What about you?  Do you lose or gain weight in the summer?  What about in the winter?


University of Montana - Bozeman
The Facts About Fitness

Name Changes

So, all my girls decided that they don't want the nicknames on my blog anymore.  They say that they're "grown up and want to be called by their normal names.  So, I willl.  And I'm not going to lie, keeping up with the names I had chosen for them was getting a bit difficult.

I'll be back in the next few days with a normal post.  We're leaving Virginia today and should be home late Saturday so, I'll be back with my normal content.  New recipes, workouts, and health tips!

Happy Friday!  What are you doing this weekend?

Traveling

Doesn't everyone start their year off with a 1000 768 mile road trip?  That's how I started mine! 

New Year's Day I left for Virginia for an appointment.  This is the first roadtrip longer than 3 hours long that I have taken in since we moved here in 2010.  I decided that I would pack all the snacks, lunch and dinner for the trip.  This way I won't be tempted by gas station food and we can cut some time off our trip by not stopping as much.  

I have to say that you CAN eat healthy at a gas station.  Fruit is sold at many gas stations these days and there are other healthy snack options.  It is difficult and there are many tempting unhealthy items alongside them.  

I made lunch sandwiches and dinner sandwiches for Mr. Amazing and myself.  I packed apples, bananas, squeeze fruit puree, and some homemade pita chips for me.  Mr. Amazing got Wheat Thin and Ritz crackers, and Slim Jims.  I packed a container of Mio and some bottled waters, and a few sodas. 

I used the Korean BBQ Rub that I found at BJ's. 

Pita Chips
1 package White or Onion Pitas (They have the least amount of fat, 0.5 grams per loaf)
Pan Spray
Seasoning of your choice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cut pitas into 8 pieces.
3. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with non-stick spray
4. Lay the pitas on a single layer on the baking sheet, spray them with non-stick spray and sprinkle with you favorite seasoning
5. Bake for 7 or 8 minutes until crispy and browned

We were supposed to leave at 8 yesterday morning.  We ended up getting out of the house at 9.  It was a lot harder to say goodbye to the girls then I expected it to be.  This is the first time we’ve been away from Baye for more than a few hours. 

We stopped for a few minutes for gas in Georgia, and South Carolina.  By 6:00, 2 ½ states and 7 ½ hours of driving Mr. Amazing and I were exhausted.  We ended up stopping in Smithfield, NC [I wonder if the ham and the town are related.] We ate our dinner sandwiches in a seedy motel.  For the rest of the nite we watched TV and I learned that when there is DEFFINATELY nothing else to do I munch.  I am going to have some serious work to do when I get home. 

I ended up waking up before 6 [damn earlybirdness].  You never realize how hard it is to be quiet until you’re stuck in a hotel room trying to let your husband sleep.  I did manage to get in 150 situps (the quietest exercise I could think of)  Another thing I realized is that daylight comes later in the North.  At 7 in the morning Florida is atleast slightly sunny.  North Carolina was still pitch black.  So needless to say we didn’t get up and out as early as I expected. 

But, we finally ended up getting to my mom’s at 1:30 after a brief stop at our storage room and Target.  We stayed just long enough to drop off our bags and change and then headed for the grocery store.  I have learned that there is one perk to winters in Virginia.  When you need to make a stop and have groceries in your car you don’t have to worry about how long your other stop is.  It’s 40 degrees out so your groceries will be perfectly fine in your cold trunk!

Luckily my mom’s house is stocked with the staples so I only needed a few things to tide me over while I’m here (soy milk, bananas, etc.)  Here’s my haul:

The local Korean store, Grand Mart, was pure heaven to Mr. Amazing and me.  Imagine giving your child a green light to buy whatever they wanted at the toy store.  That was us here. 

We picked up a bunch of banchan for dinner.  There's Kimchi, bean sprouts, tofu, japchae, fishies, seaweed, radish kimchi, and black beans.  

All we needed was a big pot of rice and dinner was ready!

Well, I’m going to go relax.  It’s nice to be somewhere comfy.  

Happy New Year!!

By the time you read this I'll be at least half way to Virginia!  I just wanted to wish you all a happy new year.  I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating and I'll be back tomorrow with a normal post for y'all!