how do i 'balance it all'? i hope and pray for the very best and implement these 5 things! workin' on some more stuff for yall! you all ROCK for the positive feedback and vlogging topics you've shared with me thus far. THANK YOU and keep them coming! sorry so long (forreals) :-|
do you believe that? this phrase has been echoing in my mind since the day i read it, several weeks ago. i said earlier on IG that i accepted my first formal health and fitness speaking engagement and well, i can honestly say that this is THE first public speaking event i'm actually excited about!!! prolly cause it's concerning health and fitness :) . i'd be lying if i said i wasn't nervous, but hey, if it doesn't challenge me, it doesn't change me. time to start SPEAKING along with all this typing! if God brings you to something, He will surely take you through it. keep walking in faith and reaching for your dreams, friends... if i can get my sometimes timid and scary behind up there and do the one thing that terrifies most people, YOU CAN TOO.
super ripe bananas mean what? some baking is about to go down. for breakfast this morning after my class, i made some banana oatmeal mini muffins. i had the boy in mind- he loves these things and as long as i keep them coming, he will keep gobbling.
there is a similar recipe in my ebook for these puppies, and i got the calorie count even lower in there! pretty excited about that.
oatmeal banana mini muffins:
the stuff:
do this:
mix real good until smooth! if you'd like to use your food processor, that's cool too. i kinda liked the banana chunks in each bite though. fill your tins 3/4 of the way up and cook these guys for 7-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. i topped mine with a banana slice, a drizzle of chocolate PB2 (mixed with unsweetened vanilla almond milk), and a dark chocolate chip.
makes 19-20 mini muffins. for 1 muffin (excluding toppings):
tty lata!
le
breakfaaaast this morning! just an egg white omelette chock-full of kale, roma tomatoes, baby bella mushrooms, mrs. Dash onion & herb seasoning. cheddar almond cheese, sriracha and avo on top. super filling!
let's get physical.
basic glute bridge: with your head on the floor and heels on the bench or floor, raise your hips off the ground while squeezing your glutes and pressing your heels into the step or floor. when your glutes are level with your hips, stop. lower and repeat. mix it up with different counts- singles and pulses set those buns on :shock: FIRE :shock:
leg variations:
tips:
have fun!
i added a new recipe to the ebook today- roasted, curried cauli (as in cauliflower) mash. i used to eat broccoli and cheese like nobody's business but neither one of them are kind to my tummy. soooo, this was a great, flavorful replacement. i also had some roasted butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon, and pan seared lemon pepper tilapia.
are you on IG? of course you are. i'm doing @fitnessfoodandstyle's May Photo A Day challenge this month cause i love me some Dani and it looks fun! you should join me.
'don't copy, compete with or compare yourself to others. their path is not your path, nor should it be. everyone has a unique gift to offer. what is yours?'
-mary frances winters
with that said, this next event is for my fit ladies only. let's finish this race and compete together as a team. the Athleta Esprit de She Houston 5k/10k will be making its debut on May 9th, 2013! yes, 8 days away!
let's make their very first year one to remember. if you would like to run with the Fit Foodie Finishers, send me an email (le@fitfoodiele.com) so i can send you the link to sign up! we will be running the 5k, so whether you're a veteran or first timer, come oooooon.
le
i received some outstanding and heartwarming news this past weekend that i'd like to share with you.
*****
'I remember the day that I decided to start living a healthier life; it was the day after I got laid off from my corporate career. Before that, I thought I was a pretty healthy individual. My diet consisted mostly of fruit, veggies, meats and a little water. Of course there were the indulgences, such as chocolate (I am sorry, but who can resist?) especially when you sit in a cubicle for hours at a time. I did the occasional cleanse and I looked healthy but I simply wasn’t. I knew I needed to do more but HOW?! I didn’t want to spend my life writing down everything I ate or spend my time waiting for cleanses to end. I needed something else; I need a lifestyle change…a new way of looking at my health…. I realized that if I was going to make a lifestyle change, my perspective had to change as well. Instead of wanting to lose weight…I decided that feeling great was now going to be my motivation. During this transition, so many things for me changed; the way I lived, the way I socialized and the way I thought! I found myself wanting to change everything about me, IN A GOOD WAY, and I did! I grew very fond of a childhood friend who you guys know as FitFoodieLe. Her obsession with favorable food made me feel like I could actually make this a permanent change and enjoy every minute of it. I watched Leah blossom in so many aspects! I was drawn to do better, achieve more and conquer all that I can because she was making her dreams come true through a thousand pictures for everyone to see. Talk about inspired and motivated, I felt obligated and that obligation forced me to obtain my Group Fitness Instructor certification! Everyone that knows me, knows I absolutely LOVE Step…it’s an ancient workout but with a great instructor, great audience and some great music you are forced to have a great,long-lasting workout. I am so honored to know through the hard work and dedication of a super gorgeous sister, mother, friend, daughter, wife and motivator; I was able to achieve my own dreams as a Step Aerobics instructor!
Ms. Leah thank you so much and never stop; I can only imagine how much work it takes to be in your shoes for a day but I want you to know that it never goes unnoticed because I am INSPIRED I am MOTIVATED I am FIT!'
Thanks again,
Sharonda Ausbie
*****
say WHAT!? beaming from ear to ear is an understatement. Sharonda has made my YEAR and i cannot wait to take her class!! she is such a positive, energetic spirit and is headed straight for greatness.
health and fitness is pouring out of me and i will NOT put a cap on it! it's a sincere honor to inspire someone to finally go for their dreams and goals or to simply try something new and different. i am completely humbled to have been apart of her health and fitness journey. much love, Sharonda, and thank you for sharing a piece of your story!
le
i have been so blessed by my fitness journey thus far and i find great pleasure in showing LOVE right on back to others any way i can. so, i present to you, Melanie Bowen, fit foodie le's first guest poster!
you are making history, lady! Melanie believes exercise can be a conduit for the healing of many different diseases (including cancer) by giving back energy levels, reducing stress, creating better blood flow, elevating fitness and mood levels, and encouraging a more positive outlook on life. i could not agree more with her as exercise and fitness has always played so much more than just a physical role in my life. read up!
*****
How Fitness Benefits the Cancer Patient
When a person is diagnosed with any critical disease such as cancer, including mesothelioma, the tendency is to relax, rest and just take the exhaustion brought on by the illness. Patients may believe that by sleeping and simply taking treatment prescribed by the doctor, that is the best they can do. What those diagnosed with cancer do not always realize, are the steps they can take outside of traditional treatment to better themselves and their prognosis. One thing modern research has shown is a strong connection between health and fitness.
Most know that for humans to be healthy they need to have adequate exercise and a good diet. Once cancer has diagnosed, somehow this knowledge become subjugated by concerns about treatment and life itself. While exercise and striving for fitness will not cure a critical disease, a fitness program, along with other treatments, helps the body fight the illness.
Even moderate exercise decreases the risk of getting cancer. After a diagnosis, exercise provides any number of positive benefits. According to the National Cancer Institute and many other studies, exercise increases the quality of life for those fighting cancer.
Exercise helps keep the body toned and the blood circulating more freely. This strengthens blood vessels and nerves, which can be damaged during certain treatments. Lying around only brings on depression and a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. Exercise gets a person up and moving and feeling alive. Attitude means a lot during cancer treatment and helps predict who will survive and who will succumb. Exercise and fitness elevates mood, which encourages a more positive outlook on life, possibilities and treatment.
Fitness promotes health in those fighting cancerby keeping weight at an optimum level, reducing the possibility of developing either diabetes or high blood pressure, and by helping to maintain the strength and flexibility of bones and joints.
Some cancers cause weight loss and loss of muscle mass. Exercise helps keep muscles strong and flexible. This, in turn, means the cancer patient can be more active and self-reliant. The more those with cancer can do for themselves the better they feel about themselves and the more self-confident they will feel.
Of course, any fitness program needs to be geared to the abilities and health situation of each individual. Those newly diagnosed and those in remission may be able to follow more difficult regimens than someone who is weak from the disease and treatment. Exercise should be tailored to strengthen weaknesses, allowing the body a better chance to fight the cancer. So, talk to your doctor and get started on a program today!
*****
'Lying around only brings on depression and a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.' so powerful and so true. exercise produces and stimulates those awesome endorphins that helps us feel better, physically and mentally. right on, Mel, right on. does this apply to you or someone close to you? spread the word on the benefits of physical activity! even better, join them and do it together!
thank you sharing your article and story with my readers, Melanie. many thanks!
le
fit foodie le is committed to living a healthy lifestyle and showing you how to do the same. see just how great your body is designed to feel through physical activity and eating well. we are obsessed with dairy-free recipes and taking care of yourself, inside and out.
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