Showing posts with label nutritious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutritious. Show all posts

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Top Tips for Staying Motivated!

Always Have a Plan

Have you ever heard the saying, "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail?" If you haven't, please take note! Every goal you set, whether its getting into shape, going back to school or saving towards a house, needs to have a plan. How will you get to your desired destination if you don't plan a route to get you there? That's right! So grab a calendar and schedule work out sessions. How many days a week will you work out? Which body parts do you want to focus on and when? What will your meals be like? How will you assess your progress? These are all things that you need to figure out if you're going to be successful in achieving your fitness goals. Also, don't even think of making a mental note. I've tried this many times and I can tell you that writing things down works. A lot of us are visual creatures so we respond better when we see what we're working with.







Keep track of progress

As was briefly touched on in the previous point, you need to keep track of your progress. This doesn't mean just writing down measurements or your weight, but you can take before and after selfies or challenge yourself with an exercise move. Say you started out with only being able to 10 squats per set. Eventually, you'll find yourself being able to more with each set.  If you stick to your lean eating plan and workout sessions, you will see changes even if its not so obvious to others. This is help keep you motivated to keep pushing until you real your ultimate goal.

























Change your Outlook


I get it. Workouts can be hard. Trying to fit it into your already crammed schedule is always a struggle. After a while, you start to think of it as another thing that needs to get done...like a CHORE. STOP! Working out is "me time" to blow off steam and you're guaranteed to be in a better mood once you're done. Just as a day at the spa does your body good, so does workout . If you look at it that way, it's not so daunting right?






Plan for Lazy Days

Yeah, we all have those days when getting to the gym or working out outside seems feels like too much of a hassle or its just not convenient that day. That doesn't mean you get a free pass. There are so many resources online where you can find free  workout videos that can be done in the privacy of your home. You don't need gas. Your outfit doesn't have to look cute. Just grab your mat, some light weight if you have and you're ready to get your sweat on!






Mix Things Up!



















Truth be told: I've never stuck to one routine for more than four week. That's just me and I get bored with my routine very . That's why I always mix things up by trying new workout routines that strike my interest. You may want to try Pilates one week or a HIIT class next week. Go for it! Even if you don't like it, at least you've narrowed down the list of what works for you on your journey to a healthier and fitter you!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Healthy (And Delish!) Pizza Recipe





Eating clean can be hard. I know this because I love food. Most times, I literally have to step away from the situation so that I don't overindulge. But food is meant to be enjoyed which means chicken and salad cannot and shouldn't be the only way to keep on your diet. Whilst I wouldn't recommend this recipe for someone who is looking to get lean in a short amount of time, it is a much healthier version to your store-bought or fast food option. If you'd like to try the recipe, keep scrolling :)!


INGREDIENTS


CRUST:

1/2 cup dry oats
2 eggs
1/4 tsp minced garlic
Thyme and ground black pepper to season

TOPPINGS:

1/2 cup RaguTomato Sauce (Tomato, Garlic & Onion)
1/2 cup chopped onions
3/4 cup chopped sweet peppers
1 cup chopped spinach
1 chicken breast, chopped
4 slices Great Value 2% Reduced Fat American Cheese

DIRECTIONS:


Preheat oven at 350°F. In a baking pan, mix all crust ingredients so that it covers the bottom of the pan. Place it in the oven for 15-20 mins or until its firm.


Chop veggies as much as you like. You can also swapped out or add other veggies that you love. You can also try other lean protein such as ground turkey or even tuna!


Once the crust is firm, remove from the oven. Spread Ragu sauce over the crust then layer with cheese slices. Once that's out of the way, then you can add your other veggie and meat toppings.













Next, pop it in the oven for another 15-20 minutes are until the crust is at a consistency you like (I like mine not too crispy). As soon as the time is up, it's time to dig in!


I will definitely be making this. Not only was it delish but it kept me for three hours until my next meal time. Not to mention, my husband love it too! Then again, he's not the picky type.


Tell me if you also tried this recipe or added any special ingredients!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Going Bananas!



Hands-down, my favourite dessert is ice cream. There is simply no competition in this category for me. Throwing all cares out the door, I would indulge in this treat at breakfast, lunch, dinner and three snacks in between. But of course, my sense of logic and rationale wins - some of the time - and I'm able to limit my indulgence to every once in a while. Needless to say, the comfort that I get is always at the back of my mind.

Bananas have always been one of my go-to snacks during my day or as part of a healthy breakfast. I never thought of it as a dessert until a friend of mine suggested these potassium-packed fruits. She recommended using frozen bananas to make my own ice-cream. Add a little chocolate syrup and chopped nuts and you've made your own low-calorie banana split!

Recipe:

2 frozen bananas, crushed
2 tbsp chocolate syrup
1 tsp. peanut butter, crunchy

Monday, November 14, 2011

Snack of the Week


I've been trying really hard to combat the munchies at work but it doesn't help when there's a supermarket right across the road, along with a patty and pastry outlet (I'm a self-proclaimed pastry/anything dessert-ey junkie). Sometimes, when I manage to resist the urge to buy sweet biscuits or chips, I have a packet of peanuts and raisins. But as much as I love peanuts, it can get tiring, especially now that my wisdom tooth is coming out (takes twice as long to finish a packet). So I've been search health magazine to find healthy snacks that I can prepare at home or buy at a grocery store. Now, everytime I think of a healthy snack, the first thing comes to mind is peanut butter and celery. I don't know why but I guess its because of the  peculiarity of the combo. I used to read about the healthy option while growing up but had never been introduced to celery. The day I was, I wished I had never met celery. Do't get me wrong, I appreciate the very, very, very faint taste of celery in soups and meats, But celery itself? The thought even makes my mouth go dry. So as an alternative, I came up with a much milder cruciferous vegetable: cucumber!!! Now, I just love it that Mr. Cucumber hardly has any taste and just blends in with everything :-). And I just love peanut butter...

Fun facts about cucumbers:
  • They're  a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, manganese and flavonoids which are antioxidants that help to prevent damage caused by free-radicals.
  • Fresh cucumber extracts have been shown to reduce unwanted inflammation in animal studies (that's why its used to reduce eye puffiness). 


If you have any ideas for healthy snack options, please feel free to leave a comment!