Tag Archives: cooking

Steppin’ Out

Screen shot 2013-02-17 at 9.32.36 AM

I try to change up my daily 43s and use different equipment (or maybe no equipment) and work different muscles in a variety of ways.  Sometimes, when I pick the move of the day I think it may or may not really be a good one.  Today was one of those days that I thought – “This will just be a wimpy little thing and might not really count as a 43.”

Well, I was wrong!!!  It turned out to be a great 43.  I used my Turbo Fire band:

Turbo Fire Band
Turbo Fire Band

This time I stepped on it with both feet and then crossed it in front of my legs before holding the handles at my waist.  Then, I did step-outs.  On my right side, I did  43 to the side, then 43 on a diagonal to the front and another 43 on a diagonal to the back.  (129 on each side!)

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hWsg9b4A0′]

Of course, I had to repeat the whole series on the left side!  All I can say is – OUCH!!!  This was a great way to really burn out my hips and outer thighs!! Plus, I kept my stationary leg slightly bent so I really loaded my quads!! Overall, a great 43!!!

Today is my rest day – some weeks I hate taking any rest days but this week I’m ready for one!  I know it will make my work-outs next week that much better (and more enjoyable!).

Screen shot 2013-02-17 at 9.32.56 AMI  think that  working out is definitely a  habit for me and I’m afraid that if I let myself get too comfortable taking days off, then the days off will increase and  will turn into a habit!!!  Maybe a bizarre way of thinking but…..a lot of my rationale for things is a little wonky!!

Menu planning – do you do it???  I love looking at recipes, online and in cookbooks, but sometimes I feel like this:Screen shot 2013-02-17 at 9.25.05 AMI try to come up with a semi-plan for the week (actually a couple of weeks at a time since I usually only do a huge grocery run every 2-3 weeks).  I usually pick out 1 or 2 cookbooks and go through and make a list of the things  I want to make during the next couple of weeks.  I make my grocery list as I go.  Then each morning I decide what  to make for dinner knowing  that we already have all of the necessary ingredients.  This method works for me and because of it I always try new recipes.

CookbooksWhich is good since I have a few cookbooks!!!  (I might have an addiction!!!)Cookbooks

I have a few stand-by recipes but for the most part I make new stuff all the time.  The only downside is when Chris asks me to make something that I made  months ago – I usually have no idea where I found the recipe or what dish he is even talking about!!

So, what is your menu planning/cooking like??  Do you have a rotation of dishes you rely on or do you like to experiment with new recipes?

Happy Sunday!!!

Kim

Don’t Quit!!!

Today was the first time since I started my quest of completing a 43 every day  this year that I almost didn’t do one.  However, I decided that it didn’t have to be super hard  – it just needed to be!!!

So, the 43 today (Yeah!!!! there was one!) was a lateral raise while laying face-down on a stability ball. I just used 5 pound dumbbells for this move.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfpBJikZC48′]

The main thing I focused on during the 43 was trying not to jerk my arms up and to use control when lowering them.

Yesterday after the fun family photo shoot, (more great pictures on the family page)

I like this one!

Jordan decided that he would make dinner.  He had plans to concoct a unique creation (beef, ketchup, honey, barbecue sauce, Italian seasonings, lettuce, tomatoes,scrambled eggs and who knows what else were mentioned) cooked in some crazy manner.  He and Chris worked together in the kitchen (I was banned) and I truly thought they were making Jordan’s stuff because of the conversations I could hear.

When they called me in, they actually had a baked spaghetti dish (very tasty!!).  However, Jordan did make up a new dessert:

Jordan’s Creation

Not sure if it has a name but it was pretty good.  He mixed blackberry pomegranate yogurt, some sugar, some graham cracker crumbs, some craisins, granola and honey to make the above treat!  Maybe he will be the next Bobby Flay or Gordon Ramsey!!!

Happy Sunday!  I’m excited because I’m going to see the Nutcracker with some friends later this afternoon – should be fun!

Kim