Esprit De She 5k + glute bridges

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: 

• left foot on your right knee (pictured) 12 x 2
• right foot on your left knee (pictured) 12 x 2
• right leg extended at hip level (pictured) 12 x 2
• right leg straight up in the air 12 x 2
• left leg extended at hip level 12 x 2
• left leg extended up in the air 12 x 2
• heels down, toes up 12 x 2

tips:

• this can be done on the floor without the bench; alway make sure your surface is stable. an elevated surface provides a wider range of motion to perform the exercise.
• keep a neutral chin; slighty tucked in towards your chest
• avoid pushing your hips too high as this can hyperextend your back
• you should feel this primarily in your glutes. if you feel lower back discomfort, try doing them without elevation.

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

go for it- this girl did!

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

my 1st guest post!

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

green 6.2

after a restful friday night, i woke up Saturday ready to take on the Green 6.2 with a few Fit Foodie Finisher friends:

Ijeoma Ikechi

Ijeoma Okoli

  Ijeoma Ugoezi

YES, 3 Ijeomas ;)

they did their thing!!! so happy they were able to come out and run for the cause!  i enjoyed hanging out and learning more about them, and i look forward to growing our team.  i love the way fitness brings people together!!! the Houston humidity was present as always, but there was no rain and the temperature was perfect.

obviously i missed the thumbs-up memo, whoops.  there were a ton of vendors at the post-race party held in the City Centre courtyard.  we refueled with bagels, bananas, muffins, and water.

there was also a kids 1k as well- look at little Superman!

i cannot WAIT to do that with Chiso!!! it was the cutest thing EVER.  the kids were all so happy to just run!

'

after getting home a little later, i finally got to make my REAL breakfast, even if it was late afternoon!  i had fun fetti birthday cake pancakes (minus the fun fetti) and topped them with regular PB2 and fresh sliced strawberries. (recipe derived from GoSuperSisters)

light and fluffy pancakes

the stuff:

• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbs nonfat greek yogurt
• 2 packets stevia
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

do this:

mix the dry with the dry, and wet with the wet.  slowly add the dry into the wet until combined.  batter will be THICK! cook them up on a medium heated griddle until golden brown on both sides.

i put all entries (Facebook fan page, blog post commenters, IG (Instagram) reposts) into my random name picker app and it spit out these guys:

@raceylee109 - Tracey Spicuzza

@cboutarfa92 - Courtney Boutarfa

@gorgeouswifey - Brandy McGhee

@karoniepooh - Karone Roger

@cecelisimon - Cecelia Simon

i'll be sending out their precious Fit Popcorn bags today, whoop!  i thank each of you ladies for participating and spreading the word about this giveaway.  i am so honored to be able put smiles on their faces, especially via free, healthy, FOOD!

le

Popcorn Indiana giveaway + clean, shrimp fried brown rice

back to back giveaways?! WHY NOT!

if you're following me on Instagram, then you already know by now what was in that big box.

 oooh just one of my fave snacks ever-  POPCORN!!!! THANK YOU TONS, Popcorn Indiana!

they sent me two phenomenal flavors of their new Fit Popcorn:

i have my eyes straight PEELED for the onion & dijon flavor for sure. so far my Sprouts Farmer's Market hasn't carried it.  anyway, on to the contest rules!

• Instagram: share the Popcorn Indiana giveaway pic on your own IG page!  remember to tag #popig and @fitfoodiele in the comments so i don't miss your vote.

for multiple entries, you can:

• Facebook fan page: 'Like' it!
• Follow: www.fitfoodiele.com via email (top right corner of this page;))
• Comment: on THIS post telling me your absolute, hands down, favorite Popcorn Indiana flavor. mine is dark fudge chocolate chip kettle corn.... :shock:

 Fit Popcorn stats: ★approx. 40 cals per cup★ all natural, gluten-free ★whole grain ★zero trans fat ★and non-GMO.

I just want to make somebody else's tummy and face SMILE!!!!!!!!!!! please share!

this fine tuesday morning started out with a crazy Total Body Conditioning workout as it usually does.

then breakfast.  just an egg white omelette topped with alfalfa sprouts, low carb ketchup, greek yogurt, and dijon mustard.  pancakes were super ugly and did NOT make the cut. heck that omelette barely did.

oh and i wanted to post my baby bella almond cheddar grilled cheese sammich from yesterday's lunch as i received quite a few inquiries on what the heck almond cheese is and where can you get some!  it's a dairy-free cheese substitute that shreds and tastes darn close to dairy cheese IMO.  it will melt, just takes a little longer to do so.  i  learned about the Lisanatti brand via Instagram, and i have always stuck with it.  i'll have to do a product review on some of those other brands at a later date!  you can find Lisanatti almond cheese in the cheddar, jalapeno jack, and mozzarella varieties at Sprout's Farmers Market, Whole Foods, Central Market, and most other speciality food stores.  i just read on their site that they no longer ship orders out though :(

so my first chicken fried rice recipe is super old.... a revamped was needed.  so here it is!

i used shrimp this time though as you can see ;)

clean, shrimp fried brown rice

the stuff:

• 2 cups brown rice, cooked
• 5 whole baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• handful of sprouts (bean, alfalfa, your choice)
• 2 tbsp Bragg liquid aminos
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 egg whites
• 2 green onion stalks, chopped
• 1 medium shallot or 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 lb shrimp, marinated
• 5 baby carrots, chopped thinly or shaved
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup green peas (optional)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup fresh, chopped pineapple (optional)

shrimp marinade

• 2 tbsp Mrs. Dash fiesta lime seasoning or 1 heaping tbsp Weber Boston Bay all natural seasoning
• 2 tbsp Bragg liquid aminos
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp minced garlic

do this:

1.marinate your shrimp for at least 30 minutes in the spices, liquid aminos, cilantro, and garlic.

2.add them to a medium to high heated wok or skillet sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.

3.they cook quickly, so about 3-4 minutes max will do.  remove them from the pan and set them aside for now.

4.add all onions (1 green onion stalk though)  garlic or shallots, carrots, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and aminos into the medium heated pan and cook covered until the onions are translucent and carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.

5.make a well in the middle of your wok and pour the egg whites into it.  let them cook and scramble as you continuously stir until they are done.

6.add the cooked rice, mushrooms, cooked shrimp, pepper, red pepper flakes, a little green onions, fresh pineapple, and green peas into the wok.

7. incorporate and mix well, then let it sit covered for 2-3 more minutes over low heat. chop the remaining green onion stalk and top your dish with it.

8. devourrrrrrrr!

 learn to look for the good in EVERY situation; i promise you it's there.  think positive, be positive, and positive things WILL happen.

le