Fitness Friday - Take the Stairs

I know life can be crazy busy...I wrote the book. It's difficult to afford time or money to attend a gym regularly. Working around work, school and kids' schedules can be tiring. Who wants to have a huge fitness routine on top of it? A while back, John Quinlan gave us some great advice on how to start to be fit.

"Make it a life change as something you want to do for the rest of your life. Make it fun so you stick with it. Little changes one thing at a time will get you on the righteous path. It can be as simple as drinking more water instead of soda, taking the stairs rather than the elevator or just cutting things back a bit. Set short term goals for yourself and every time you reach one of them reward yourself for a job well done. Keep doing this and over time watch how fast your body builds up and the overall progress you will make." - John Quinlan, Cover Model and Fitness Competitor  

I like his idea of making a small change. When you get to the grocery store, the hardware or where ever you are going, let the others compete for the front parking spaces. 

"We're young, healthy and good looking, let's walk." I tell hubby when we park far out. 

If you are at the shopping center or a store, take the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator. Every step makes a positive contribution to your health. 

Unless you are disabled, there is no good reason to park close or use a people mover. Get used to the back of the lot and the stairs. You'll be getting more fit every day!

HumpDay Hottie

Stacking wood for winter. Don't need it to keep warm though!

Monday Mojo - Threesomes Down Under

Australians are the most receptive to the idea of having a threesome

 – 28% of them claim to have tried it.

Maybe that's why they are always have a G'Day!

Fitness Friday - Private Spa

Top athletes will submit to a post work out soak in a tub filled with cold water.

 

During strenuous 2-A-Days my football players will add ice to the tub!  Brrrrrrr….not my thing!

A friend told me about a different kind of soak that works on aching muscles from a work out as well as a good detox.  Basically, a spa treatment in your own bathroom.

Draw a bath, as hot as you can stand.  

Add 1-2 cup of Epsom salts, 5-10 drops of lavender or peppermint oil, and just before you get into the water add a 1-2 cups of baking soda. Have a bottle of water handy to drink from. A 20 minute soak is great for muscles!  

I did this and felt like I could run a mile after. She explained the Epsom salts contain magnesium that is absorbed into your body to ease pain and inflammation. The salt and heat of the water draw out toxins while the baking soda neutralizes said toxins so they won’t return to your body.  As for the scented oil… that’s a bit of aroma therapy to relax your mind and soul.

 

If you have a cold, flu or some sort of but try a complete detox.  Add 1 tsp -1/3 cup of ground ginger or ginger tea. Try mixing lavender with some eucalyptus essential oil and add some drops to the bath. Be sure to have a drink handy.  Soak for up to 40 minutes.

HumpDay Hottie - Coffee?

I've decided to give up coffee.

But it's so hard.

Someone hold him down while I steal his joe.

Tasty Tuesday - Cake Mix Cookies

Other than being an author, I'm a mom to three boys...all athletes and involved in everything. Son #2 is on a school baseball team that plays double-headers regularly. A friend of mine cooks up hotdogs for the boys, others bring chips and I make cookies.

Being a busy mom I'm lucky the boys favorite cookie is one of the easiest to make. The boys like the flavor of the French Vanilla and the soft, chewy texture I create by taking the cookies out after baking for 10 min.

1 box French Vanilla cake mix
1/2 cup of oil
2 eggs
2 Tbsp water
1 cup of chocolate chips (I add a little more)

Mix well and drop by teaspoon onto a prepared cookie sheet. (I use parchment paper).
Bake at 350 for 10 - 12 min,
Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before removing off the sheet. Place on rack to continue cooling.

Warning: the cookie dough is really yummy and may be eaten if kids are around

TIP: have your honey help you make these sweet treats and enjoy them warm with a glass of milk.

Monday Mojo - A Chemistry Lesson

 I'm always amazed with the various studies regarding sex. Let's see what's going on in the chemistry lab today...

Minute quantities of over 30 different substances have been identified in human semen. These include nitrogen, fructose, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, inositol, cholesterol, glutathione, creatine, pyruvic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, urea, uric acid and Vitamin B12, along with various salts and enzymes.

Now give me something fun.

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine, the same feel-good chemical responsible for the ecstatic high people experience through sexual attraction and love.

Thank you, Dr. Stevenson, for that delicious fact. 

Can we lick your fingers too?

Tasty Tuesday - Romantic Italian Toast

I made this as an appetizer to ease the hungry monsters (aka teen boys) while our pizza baked. However, it turned romantic once the creatures left hubby and I alone in the kitchen with our glasses of wine. This toast makes a nice snack with wine while enjoying a fire in the fireplace on a quiet evening.

 Italian Toast Guide and Recipe

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

25 mins

·         Extra virgin olive oil

·         Kosher or Sea salt

·         Freshly ground black pepper

·         Dried oregano (optional)

·         Dried thyme (optional)

·         Garlic (optional)

·         Hot red pepper flakes (optional)

Process

1. Start by slicing a good quality baguette into ½ inch pieces and set on a large cookie pan. Drizzle olive oil on one side of the bread followed by the salt, pepper, and dry oregano.

2. Place the cookie sheet in your oven and set to broil and watch the bread carefully; as soon as you begin to see the bread turn brow remove from the oven.

The toast is great alone or add sliced/shredded Italian cheese during last 5 min of baking.

Here is our favorite topping to put on cooled toast:

Tomato-Basil 

Ingredients

·         Simple Crostini

·        3 Roman tomatoes diced

·         several fresh basil leaves, roll and slice

·         1 tablespoon(s) olive oil

·         1 teaspoon(s) red-wine vinegar

·        1 clove garlic diced fine

·          Coarse salt & Ground pepper

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, and red-wine vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Let sit for at least 5 min. Top toast with topping.

Have fun "playing" in the kitchen together. Couples can relax, laugh and steal some romantic moments...even with teens around. Be prepared for teens to roll their eyes and say, "Ewe!" as they walk away to give you privacy.

This recipe is a great way to use leftovers. I like to use French bread I purchase off the "day old" rack at the market. I recommend to try a fruity wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or even a Pinot Grigo. The bright crisp qualities of these wines will match up to the acidity of the fresh tomatoes.   while the fruit will play up its sweet, juicy characteristics. Personally, I'm a sweet red wine drinker and won't eat fresh romas without it.

Fitness Friday - Everyone Deserves a Massage

An athlete training for an important race should consider getting one to two massages per month to help aid in training recovery. But you don't have to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits of a nice massage. A warm bath followed by a little muscle manipulation will help not only post workout aches but also aid in every day pain. A good massage promotes relaxation, well being and a great recreational activity. (*wink, wink)

A little touch goes a long way.

#HumpDayHottie - Sleeping Bear...shhhh

It's raining today. The dark skies combined with the melody of rain and distant rolling thunder make for a perfect sleep/nap day.

Grandma always said it's best to let sleeping bears lie.
But can we sneak up on one to watch?