Getting Fit
I love working out. For me it is a stress release, a way to challenge myself, and a way to enjoy being active. But I think you have to keep the right attitude about it. Working out, exercise, activity is something to enjoy. And it is important to enjoy it in balance. You don’t want it to consume you or take over your life. So find your own balance. My balance: I have been trying to incorporate running (which I am growing to love) into circuit training. So some of my outdoor running is being converted to treadmill running. Here’s a workout I found and adapted. Hope you enjoy it.
Arm and Cardio Workout
This is a gym workout is best suited for people who lift weights regularly and know correct form. If you don’t belong to a gym, try to do some other type of run/pushup/situp/plyo circuit in this style.
Workout: 3 circuits (about 10 minutes each) with 1 mile treadmill run/walk in between
Repetition of each set: If you are trying to bulk up do 10 reps with heavier weight.
If you are trying to maintain and stay lean and fit do a little lighter with 12-15 reps.
(Time: about 1 hour depending on run/walk times)
Warmup: .5-1 Mile Treadmill Run/Walk
Circuit 1: Repeat 3x
Lat Pull Down (substitution: pull ups)
Chest Press (substitution: bench press or pushups)
Burpees
.5-1 Mile Treadmill Run/Walk (Water)
Circuit 2: Repeat 3x
Bicep Curl
Overhead Tricep Extension
1 Minute Plank
.5-1 Mile Treadmill Run/Walk (Water)
Circuit 3: Repeat 3x
Chest fly (standing or bench)
One arm row (substitution: seated row machine)
Jumping Jacks (with or without small weights)
Cool Down Stretch (Water)
Most importantly, have fun! Push yourself hard enough to get a good work out. If you want to get …
Read MoreCourage & Faith
I loved reading the Divergent series. Today, I re-watched the movie in preparation to see Insurgent in the theater! If you haven’t read it or finished it the series, don’t worry, this post does not have any spoilers.
But, I will tell you that one of the main themes in this story is
COURAGE to overcome FEARS.
There are many life situations that call for courage: Standing up for what you believe in, Standing up for a friend, Taking Risks, Doing something out of your Comfort Zone, Moving to an unknown area or country, and the list goes on…
When I need to face a challenge and need to choose to be brave or be deterred by the anxiety caused by a potentially uncomfortable situation, my best encouragement comes from the Bible. There are plenty of verses that talk about courage, but here are a few of my favorites…If you are in the market for clothes, our platform is your best choice! The largest shopping mall!
“Be strong and courageous. Do no be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
“The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10, 13
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians …
Read MoreTortilla Casserole-with a Healthy Flair
When your family feels like Mexican food and you have a busy day ahead of you…this casserole can be made ahead of time (even a day ahead)and baked right before dinner. This recipe is low fat and really delicious. Serve it with a green salad and some guacamole and salsa.
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 large onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 can black beans, drained (optional for added protein)
- 2 cups frozen or fresh corn
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 can or bottle (12-14 0z) enchilada sauce
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups cheddar or colby jack cheese shredded
- Begin to brown the ground turkey in a large skillet.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic and red pepper and continue to cook until onion and pepper are soft and ground meat is cooked.
- Add the seasonings, corn and black beans and stir until blended.
- Mix the tomato sauce and enchilada sauce and add half of this sauce mixture to the browned meat and vegetables.
- Reserve remaining sauce to pour over top of casserole.
- In a PAM sprayed 9 by 13 pan, layer 6 corn tortillas, half the meat mixture, half the cheese. then layer the other 6 tortillas, half of the meat mixture, half of the cheese.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the top.
- Cook in a 350 degree oven for 20-25
Easter Essentials
Easter day is approaching, so I wanted to to share a few fun suggestions for your Easter brunch and your Easter baskets.
Yummy Bunnies are a fun and healthy treat you can bring to any Easter celebration. It would even be a fun snack for the kids to make and eat at your party.
All you need to do is make a quick trip to the grocery store for cuties, raisins, bananas, mini marshmallows, strawberries, shredded coconut, toothpicks and green food coloring.
For more details on how to assembly these “cutie” bunnies visit our Yummy Bunny post.
Our Baby Bear Stew cookbook is filled with tasty family recipes that will be sure to delight your Easter day guests. Buy one for yourself to prepare our yummy recipes and grab another as a hostess gift if you will be visiting someone’s house for brunch.
Visit our shopify store to get your copies!
Below I have some great suggestions to fill your child’s Easter basket. All links are for Amazon so you can shop from the comfort of your home. (I know that is a lifesaver as a mom.)
AND when you shop from one of our links Growing Weisser makes a small percentage. Thank you!
I love to give my children books for holiday treats. This Easter book is one of my favorites. It presents the Easter story with great illustrations and simple words for children.
The Story of Easter
We also love this adorable fun dvd that teaches the Easter story using resurrection eggs. It’s called Miss Patty Cake’s Eggstravaganza.
Here are some other neat ideas to fill your child’s Easter basket with fun learning activities. I chose a variety of characters, but if your child fancies a different favorite just use the suggestions below the item to find …
Read MoreLove Does and Go Do Love
LOVE… such an enormous word. We can all relate to it. But what does it really mean?
What is your definition of love? How do you express your love? How do you feel loved? Do you just think about love, or do you act in love? Love is action. Love is words. Love is irreplaceable. Love is impacting. Love is powerful. Love can build up. Love reaches the depths. Love is simple. Love is worth it. Love is trust. Love is a force. Love changes things. “Love does”……
Carrot Cake with a Healthy Twist
It has only been a few months since I realized how delicious carrot cake is! It is quite an interesting concept- carrots in a cake?? Who ever thought of that!? Now, you may be wondering, “How carrot cake can have a “healthy” twist- just because there are carrots in it doesn’t make it healthy.” Well, you would be absolutely right! But, what would you say if I told you this recipe takes out 75% of the oil amount- decreasing the calories by 1,560 and the fat amount by 126 grams- and replacing the oil with PUMPKIN! Yes, pumpkin!
Not only does substituting the pumpkin for the oil make this cake a lot healthier, it also makes it so moist that I don’t think you will ever go back to using the full oil amount. Feeling a little iffy about this pumpkin switch…I guess you will just have to bake it (and eat it, of course) to believe it 🙂
This has become my husband’s favorite dessert, even with knowing the healthy substitute!!
What You Need:
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Sugar
4 Eggs
2 Cups Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 TBS Cinnamon
3/4 tsp Salt
1/4 cup Oil
1 cup + 1/4 cup Pumpkin
2 cups Grated Carrots
FROSTING
1/4 cup Butter
1/2 stick (1/2 cup) Cream Cheese
Scant 2 cups Powdered Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 TBS Milk (Add more as needed)
The How-To:
1. Add all the ingredients except for the carrots into a kitchen aid bowl and mix. [Take out your butter and cream cheese to soften for the frosting]
2. Grate carrots. [If you have a newer Kitchen Aid, I would highly recommend this grater attachment! We received it as a wedding gift and have loved using it for grating cheese, carrots and more! …
Read MoreAm I Satisfied? 4 Questions to ask yourself……
What does is mean to be truly satisfied? The definition of the word satisfy used as a verb is to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs or demands of a person or to put an end to a desire, want or need by sufficient provision. Some of the synonyms for the word satisfy are gratify, pacify, appease and please.
AM I TRULY SATISFIED WITH MY LIFE?…….
What is enough?
Do I appreciate my blessings?
Do I buy more than I need?
Do I serve those in need?
How are we satisfied? What brings satisfaction…..?
CONFLICT FREE LIVING– when relationships with family and friends are going well and there is no conflict in interpersonal relationships in business or community.
COMPLETED “TO DO” LIST-having a “To Do” list completed for the day.
CONTRIBUTING TO SOCIETY– “satisfied” may be when people feel they are making a contribution to society.
CONTENTMENT-Satisfaction comes when hopes or expectations are met by people, or circumstances that can be controlled or events that occur in our lives that can not be controlled.
FULFILLMENT OF WANTS/NEEDS-Often times we think of satisfaction only in terms of the fulfillment of material wants and needs. In our culture of consumerism and materialism we get off track easily. Every where we turn there is an opportunity to to be discontent because the goal of media marketing is to makes us believe there is “more and better” of everything we could possibly need or want.
A few months ago, my husband and I read a book with a few friends called “Satisfied-Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption” written by Jeff Manion
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The DVD series and workbook that went along with this book had some challenging tasks for us to do, to help us begin our journey towards …
Read MoreRefresh Your Spirit
Recently, I started a new and exciting business venture with a friend. I’m learning fast that just because I’m excited about something doesn’t necessarily mean everyone else is too. I find my belief constantly challenged by the opinions of others. Isn’t it that way with most things? When we allow others’ thoughts and opinions to influence us, suddenly our fire and our light starts to dim.
My same friend, who has been such an encouragement to me, shared this amazing series from Elevation Church called “Crash the Chatterbox.”
The theme of the series reads, “We live in a world full of chatter. Lies of condemnation, fear, insecurity, and discouragement bombard us every day. These lies keep us from hearing God’s voice and realizing the full purpose He has for our lives. But what can we do about it? How can we silence the enemy and discern God’s voice above all others? In this series, we’ll learn how to crash the Chatterbox with the promises of God, and embrace the freedom found only in Him.”
Fears and insecurities can only overcome our beliefs if we let them. What if instead of leaving room for “chatter” we fill our hearts and minds with truth?
I’ve decided that from now on whenever I start to let self-doubt creep into my mind I’m going to fill that space with God’s promises or motivating truths.
Here’s some ideas of how to keep your spirit refreshed:
-Listen to the series “Crash the Chatterbox“
-Listen to positive, uplifting music
-Find motivating personal development podcasts
-Put on some great jams and have a dance party with your kids
-Change scenes. Get out of the house or get some exercise
-Call a friend who always makes you feel good
-Make plans with friends or plan to host …
Read MoreRefreshed – Backup Copy
Are you thirsty? Do you feel like your thirst is never quenched? Do you feel an ongoing need for hydration? Are we every fully satisfied?
Water is essential to our lives. I am sure you already know we cannot survive without it. But did you know our bodies are made of 50-70% water? Water is vital as it dissolves substances, carries nutrients, transports oxygen, aids other organs, regulates body temperature, sends electrical messages, helps digestion, and many other essential functions. And not only is our body made of water, we have to continually put water in to continue replenishing what we use and lose. So we never arrive and have a sufficient and lasting amount of water. We always need more and more. How people get water into their body can look a little different, but the base has to be water. Water in its purest form is the best. But you can get small amounts of waters from teas, fruits, vegetables, and other foods. But that doesn’t replace the need for just pure water.
We always think of drinking water once we get thirsty, but what we forget is it is much more beneficial to hydrate yourself consistently. When competing or exercising, the process of drinking water should happen way before you even start. Water improves performance from the beginning. Once you feel thirsty, it has already gone too far. Your body is then in survival mode. Water needs to be an every day, all the time, without even thinking, choice.
Now some of you may see where I am going, but can’t we look at this and compare it to our lives as believers. To be truly refreshed, we need to saturate ourself in the love of Jesus, the word of God, the community of believers, the blessing …
Read MoreRefreshed
Are you thirsty? Do you feel like your thirst is never quenched? Do you feel an ongoing need for hydration? Are we every fully satisfied?
Water is essential to our lives. I am sure you already know we cannot survive without it. But did you know our bodies are made of 50-70% water? Water is vital as it dissolves substances, carries nutrients, transports oxygen, aids other organs, regulates body temperature, sends electrical messages, helps digestion, and many other essential functions. And not only is our body made of water, we have to continually put water in to continue replenishing what we use and lose. So we never arrive and have a sufficient and lasting amount of water. We always need more and more. How people get water into their body can look a little different, but the base has to be water. Water in its purest form is the best. But you can get small amounts of waters from teas, fruits, vegetables, and other foods. But that doesn’t replace the need for just pure water.
We always think of drinking water once we get thirsty, but what we forget is it is much more beneficial to hydrate yourself consistently. When competing or exercising, the process of drinking water should happen way before you even start. Water improves performance from the beginning. Once you feel thirsty, it has already gone too far. Your body is then in survival mode. Water needs to be an every day, all the time, without even thinking, choice.
Now some of you may see where I am going, but can’t we look at this and compare it to our lives as believers. To be truly refreshed, we need to saturate ourself in the love of Jesus, the word of God, the community of believers, the blessing …
Read More