Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Men’s Fitness Challenge

The Skinny Mom Challenge is launching a NEW Men's Fitness Challenge soon.

This challenge is for men interested in losing weight, eating healthy and getting back into that pre-marriage hot body. Yes ladies, I know you thought your husband was smoking hot when you first met, let's spark that old flame and reach goals alongside your husband. It's as important for Dad to be healthy as it is for mom and over time parents tend to lose themselves in everyday work, kids, and stress that their health takes a back seat. Lead your children by example. Most of the time if the parents are overweight then the children tend to be overweight as well. Let's face it childhood is hard enough in school so help your children become successful and healthy adults by showing them the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Fall back in love with life, your wife/husband while becoming healthy and strong once again.

If you would like more information please email Jennifer@skinnymomchallenge.com


 

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Never forget where you started and always believe in where you're going.

Jenn

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Skinny Mom Phat Camp Extended

The Skinny Mom Phat camp will be extended until August 20, 2011. If you wish to join please email me at jennifer@skinnymomchallenge.com.

When:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday

        July 12-August 20th Tues, Thurs., Sat.

Time:
Tues. 5:45, Thurs.5:45, Sat. 6:00 (1 Hour) .If you do not plan to pay in advance then arrive 10 minutes early.

Location:
Independence Park, Morgantown Road, Greenwood, IN

Cost:
$ 30.00 pass for 12 sessions or $ 3.50 individual sessions

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Why Whey Protein?







A study was conducted by the University of Connecticut on what type of effect whey protein had on blood flow and vasodilatation. This study was conducted on two groups; group one received a serving of whey protein each day and the second group received a placebo for a total of two weeks. The study found that acute ingestion of whey protein increased blood vessel dilation at 30, 60, and 90 minutes post-ingestion. (Robbie Durand,2011)

An additional study posted in the Nutrition & Metabolism reports that people who consumed whey protein lost more weight than the control group receiving maltodextrins, along with consuming a calorie restricted diet. (Robbie Durand, 2011) Consuming a pre-workout whey protein drink can not only increase your workout performance but also help with your blood flow to the muscles. The post workout or recovery protein shake will not only help your muscles repair but also help with the loss of weight primarily body fat and instead of lean muscle mass.

There are several protein powders on the market. Here are a few of my favorite brands of whey protein; BodyTech, Whey Tech in Vanilla & BSN, Syntha-6 in Vanilla Ice Cream. These two whey protein powders I enjoy the taste and there are 17 grams of protein and 90 calories in one scoop of BodyTech and 23 grams of protein and 200 calories in BSN’s Syntha-6. However if you have a gluten intolerance you can ask your local Vitamin Shoppe or other supplement store manager for an alternative. At my local Vitamin Shoppe in Greenwood, IN our local Vitamin Shoppe manager is Mike Griffis,stop in and he will help you with all of your supplement needs.



Reference:
Robbie Durand, M. (2011, August ). Whey Protein Enhances Leg and Belly Fat Loss . Fitness Rx , pp. 98-99.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Simmered Beef Stir-Fry


Everyone who knows me knows I’m always trying new recipes. My family gets frustrated because I don’t repeat a recipe they love often enough for them. This recipe I will defiantly repeat. I recommended Oxygen magazines new summer grilling special in another post and that is where the recipe came from.
Simmered Beef Stir-Fry by Oxygen
Serves 4 x 1 ¼ cups
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. rib eye steak, sliced into ½ inch strips
¼ cup beef broth
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. minced ginger
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup small broccoli florets
1 cup thinly sliced zucchini
½ cup thinly sliced red onion
1 cup thinly sliced red peppers
½ cup bean sprouts
1. Heat olive oil to medium high in a large skillet. Add meat and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add 2 Tbsp. stir-fry sauce (recipe below). Reduce heat to medium low and cook until meat is cooked through about 10 minutes. Remove meat from skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet add broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer. Add garlic and vegetables and cook until tender-crisp. Add meat and remaining stir-fry sauce and heat through.
3. Serve over brown rice and garnish with bean sprouts.

Stir-Fry Sauce
¼ cup hoisin sauce
2 tsp. honey
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
2 tsp. good-quality curry powder ( I used red curry powder it has more kick)
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1. Whisk together well in a small bowl
I have to say my kids loved this recipe. It had a little extra kick to it since I substituted the curry powder for red curry powder. I figure I was adding fuel to the metabolism furnace. I really enjoy my Oxygen magazine and I love some of the recipes they offer. Now don’t get me wrong I’ve tried a few that I absolutely would never do again but its trial and error. Eating clean doesn’t have to be difficult and once you have learned the foundation of the clean principles putting your own meals together will come naturally. Like this morning I made a breakfast pizza which I posted.
If you try this recipe or any of my other recipes I would love to hear your feedback. I hope you enjoy this wonderful treat provided by Oxygen.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Rise and Shine Breakfast Pizza


This morning I got creative with some of my leftovers from our Pita Veggie Pizza's. I came up with a new recipe I call; Rise and Shine Breakfast Pizza.

Ingredients

  • 4 egg whites 1 whole egg
  • Flatout- FlatBread
  • Red Peppers/Diced
  • Green Peppers/Diced
  • Red onions /Diced
  • Spicy marinara sauce-low sugar
  • 1 oz. Half Skim Mozzarella cheese-Shredded
  • 2 oz. ground sweet turkey sausage
  • 1 tsp. Olive oil
  • Olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray
  2. Sautee vegetables in 1 tsp. olive oil
  3. Scramble eggs
  4. Brown turkey sausage
  5. Pour marinara sauce over Flatout® bread
  6. Add vegetables, scrambled eggs, turkey sausage
  7. Top with 1 oz. of Skim Mozzarella cheese
  8. Place in the oven until cheese is melted
  9. Add Red Pepper Flakes for some kick

Total preparation and baking time was less than 10 minutes. All of my ingredients were already premade including the sausage.

A breakfast pizza can be made with any of your favorite vegetables you have leftover from a previous dinner. Get creative to avoid getting bored with your healthy eating.


 


 

Monday, July 18, 2011

Planning Ahead


Do you find yourself stressed out when it's time for dinner? A lot of stress regarding dinner we bring upon our self because of poor planning. It's important to sit down with your calendar and plan out meals. Not only will planning out meals make your life a little less hectic but it will also save money on your next grocery bill. Planning your meals ahead of time based on your weekly schedule will offer you the convenience of making simple, no fuss meals on a busy night and making a nicer meal on a night you aren't so busy.

This morning as I was planning out my meals for the week, I used my special addition Oxygen Quick & Easy Summer Meals book; this book has many quick recipes for grilling. Once I've made my meal plan, I began putting together a list of grocery items, clipped coupons, and out the door I went. Shopping today is extremely expensive and in our current economy people seem to be living on a tight budget. Some of the local food stores have saving cards, now you can load your savings cards with coupons via each grocery's website. Try this if you are looking for ways to save money on your next grocery bill.

After purchasing my vegetables and necessary items for my meals; I chop, dice, and prepare the vegetables according to each recipe. I place the vegetables in individual zip lock bags and then place all the vegetables for each recipe in a larger freezer size bag labeled for the meal they are designated. A few of the meals are grilled, topped portabella caps, beef stir-fry, and a wild rice salad. Preparing all of the vegetables ahead of time saves time; find a day during the week that you can devote a few hours to preparing lists, grocery shopping, and preparing meals ahead of time. I found this to be very helpful during the school year because my children have several activities after school and my busy school schedule, attending college full-time while helping my Skinny Mom's doesn't allow me to waste time preparing meals each evening.

A healthy family must be prepared and to do this everyone needs to be involved in planning meals. Try to ask your children what type of foods they would like to have for dinner. You can find several Clean recipes for just about any favorite meal. Instead of hitting the fast food chains work on organizing your week. You will notice greater weight loss success and a healthier family.


 

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Playground Workout




Playground Workout


As busy moms it's difficult to find time to work out while the kids are around. I have put together an example of a work out I have used. Not only can your kid's play you can get yourself into shape at the same time.


  • Wobbles- Cross the wobbles as quickly as you can and be sure to engage your abs.
  • Negative Chin ups ( 3-5) Hold yourself in the flexed arm hang position for 10 seconds, then you must fight gravity and slowly lower yourself down to the count of five seconds.
  • Horizontal Chin-ups (3-5) Under the bar, grip the bar wider than shoulder width, pull yourself up to the bar where your chest almost touches the bar, squeezing your lats, then slowly lower and repeat.
  • Walking Lunges (15) Feet together, take a controlled step forward with one leg,lower hips to the floor bending both legs in 90 degree angle, do not allow back knee to touch the ground and be sure your front knee stays directly above your ankle, Push off with the back leg and come return to the beginning position then repeat with the opposite leg. That completes one rep.
  • Incline push-ups (10) Use a bench, placing your hands on the bench and feet out for push-up/plank position, hands slightly wider than shoulder width for more chest and closer to the middle line of the body to work your triceps. Lower slowly return to the plank position and repeat.
  • Run down hill, Bear Crawl up hill, return to bottom – Repeat twice
  • Reverse Lunge with row (15) Use tension band attached to goal post Loop a resistance band around a sturdy object at chest height and grab the handles with both hands, palms facing each other. Extend your arms straight in front of you and back away until there's no slack. From that position, step back with your right foot and bend both knees to lower into a lunge (A). As you return to standing, quickly pull the handles toward your chest and squeeze your shoulder blades together (B). Return to start. That's one rep.
  • Hula Hoop (20)
  • Tricep extensions (10 each arm) Using tension bands Hold the band in both hands at shoulder level with right arm bent so that it's in front of the chest, left arm straight out. Keeping the left arm straight to hold tension on the hand, contract the triceps to straighten the right arm. Return to start and repeat before switching sides.

Complete this obstacle course three times and use a stop watch to track your time. Try to improve your time each week.


Monday, July 11, 2011

New Skinny Mom Phat Camp

After many requests from participants to put together a workout class I have decided to do a Skinny Mom Phat Camp. This camp is geared towards busy moms and ladies who are looking to get in shape or just increase their current fitness level. This is for ladies only!

Do you need accountability?

Are you lacking motivation?

Are you just unsure where to begin?

Phat Camp will focus on strength, endurance, skill performance, and flexibility.


 


 

When:
July 12, 2011 – August 6, 2011

Time: Tuesday & Thursday 5:45 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.

    & Saturday- 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Where: Independence Park, Greenwood, IN

    The park is located at Morgantown Road north of Stones Crossing on the west side of Morgantown Road.

What to bring?
Medicine ball, jump rope, yoga mat and a lot of water

Cost:
$ 30.00 for 12 sessions or $ 3.50 each individual session

Interested then email me at jennifer@skinnymomchallenge.com

What are you waiting for email me today!