Day 1 - 30 Day squat Challenge

Here we go!

Today was day 1 of the 30 day squat challenge and we were set to do 50 squats today!

This morning we were packing up to go camping and I was trying to figure out when I would do my squats, when I got home I figured and then it hit me, why not do it right here, right now and get it over with.   So I looked out at the ocean, campers watching, holding my 16lb babe and did my first 50 squats of the challenge!

I was happy to have done it and got it out of the way before the day began!

Week 6 - 10 Weeks of Real Food Mini Pledges

Mini-Pledge Week 6: June 2 to June 8 – Do not eat any food products that are labeled as “low-fat,” “lite,” “light,” “reduced fat,” or “nonfat.”

Yep that's right!  I'm saying that low-fat or lite food is not REAL food or dare I say it healthy!

I too was a part of the low fat craze in my late teens and early 20's but when I read Michael Pollans book in Defence of Food I was shocked to learn that the whole low fat campaign was pretty much a hoax and no one was willing at admit that they were wrong and put an end to it.  

Here is a quote from his book:  "At this point you’re probably saying to yourself, Hold on just a minute. Are you really saying the whole low-fat deal was bogus? But my supermarket is still packed with low-fat this and no-cholesterol that! My doctor is still on me about my cholesterol and telling me to switch to low-fat everything. I was flabbergasted at the news too, because no one in charge – not in government, not in the public health community – has dared to come out and announce: Um, you know everything we’ve been telling you for the last thirty years about the links between dietary fat and heart disease? And fat and cancer? And fat and fat? Well, this just in: It now appears that none of it was true. We sincerely regret the error."

So let’s put the low-fat craze behind us and move forward by embracing the right portions of real food and real food only. No more faked low-fat products where according to Pollan, “fats in things like sour cream and yogurt [are] replaced with hydrogenated oils” and “the cream in ‘whipped cream’ and ‘coffee creamer’ [are] replaced with corn starch.” And just to be clear this pledge applies to all reduced fat products including milk. When the fat is removed from dairy products like milk some of the beneficial nutrients are lost with the fat as well. 

Stove Top Spinach Artichoke Dip - Camping Recipe

Appetizer night while camping is always fun! And we all love Spinach Artichoke dip so I decided to make some! I didn't have a recipe and when I have made it in the past I've done a dairy free recipe that's pretty darn Good too! But this time I wanted cheese and creamy goodness so I picked up the essentials I figured I would need and decided I'd figure it out when I went to make it! 

Organic Baby spinach (small box) 

Large jar or marinated artichokes

Block of cream cheese

Butter

White cheddar 

Parmesan cheese

Garlic powder (in trailer)

Salt and pepper (in trailer)

I didn't have a baking dish with me in the trailer so I realized I wouldn't be able to bake it and I left my food processor at home this trip. So I decided to put all the ingredients into a pot and melt them down, then add in the spinach, artichokes and spices. 

Here are my measurements, which are very approximate but it will turn out:

1/2 cup of butter

1 block cream cheese

2 cups cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Melt these a together in a large pot. 

Then add in:

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped artichokes

Baby spinach

I let the mixture bubble and thicken slightly and then added in the artichokes and spinach. Once the spinach was wilted it was ready to go. 

As it cooled slightly the dip thickened right up and was quite yummy! 

I didn't take an after photo of the dip because it got eaten up pretty fast! But it made a huge batch and we also had leftovers for lunch today! 

I'm always trying to add new camping food ideas to my recipe book to keep it fun, healthy and tasty!

Cranberry Coconut Granola

I love making granola. It is fun to throw a bunch of stuff in a bowl and mix it up with local honey, organic coconut oil and homemade apple sauce!  The result after it has been baked slowly for several hours is amazing!  I love it!  I don't buy cereal for my family unless it's wheat puffs, cheerios or something with no sugar or crap in it ;)

Plus Granola is awesome on Greek Yogurt with Fruit! Especially raspberries!

Basically the base for my granola is oats, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, flour and then a mixture of honey, coconut oil and apple sauce. But I like to add whatever sounds good at the time or if Asher is helping, whatever he thinks sounds good!



So here is the recipe I used today:

Dry Mixture:
6 cups oats

1 1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup coconut

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/8 cup chia seeds

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup dried apples

1/4 cup flour (optional but it makes the clusters)

Wet mixture:

2/3 cup honey

1/2 cup coconut oil

2/3 cup apple sauce

Toss the dry mixture together in a large bowl.  Then mix the wet mixture in a 2-4 cup measuring cup and stir ingredients together until the coconut oil has been chopped up.

Now mix the wet mixture into the dry and blend the two together until there aren't any dusty parts and everything looks coated.  If you find that you still have a dusty looking mixture, just add in a bit more apple sauce.  I never measure anything when I'm making granola so the measurements above are by eye but I'm pretty good at eyeballing measurements!  

Now spread your mixture onto two baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake at 250 degrees for about 2 hours.  Or until it starts to go golden brown and dries out.


Let it cool and then store in an air tight container.  It stores really well and will last up to and even longer than a month!

Enjoy!

Camping with kids

I'm packing to leave for camping this weekend! 

We are lucky enough to have a big trailer which we can keep most of our camping stuff stored in through the spring and summer which makes packing up much easier.

However I still have to bring quite a bit of Kid stuff each time we go away so I'm making a list this time which I can refer to each time we go!

It seems like every time we have gone away so far I make a paper list and cross the items out, but the next trip I have to start a new list so here I'm making a basics list to refer to every trip! 

Here it goes:

Clothes for kids:
Hats
Shoes
Boots
socks
pants
shorts
underware
t-shirts
hoodies
Jacket (in trailer)
Pajamas

Baby Stuff:
Diapers
Wipes
Bottles
Formula
Bottle rack
bottle brush (in trailer)
monitor
Toys
Exersaucer
Peanut shell sling and carrier

Highchair seat

Snacks

Me
makeup (this time because we are going to a wedding)
Hair dryer and straightener
extra towels

Clothes:
dress
jeans
yoga pants
sweat pants
pj bottoms
tank tops
shorts
sweaters/hoodies
jacket (in trailer)
shoes
Sandals

I'm sure I'll add to this list but these are the basics of what we need each time and I'll be glad to have this list again for next time we go away!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

30 Day Squat Challenge

It’s time to squat! This month I am hosting a a 30-Day Squat Challenge! Oh, stop your groaning! You will thank me when your showing off your booty and thighs in that swim suit next month!

The month will vary intensity on each day, and some days will be much harder than others. Rest days are provided every three days to give you a chance to let your muscles recoup.  These daily exercises are intended to supplement your current fitness routine. So don't count the squats in your workout into your daily total!

Stay aware of your form at all times! It’s quality, not quantity that counts. If you find the daily total too difficult to achieve, just do as many as you can, or break it up into smaller sets. Think the challenge is too easy? Add in weights or a kettlebell! This workout is for YOU. Challenge yourself, but not to the point of injury.

This how to video by Autumn Calabrese Beachbody trainer will help you with your perfect Squat form!  Check it out!

Trying a new whole food - Farro!

I've never tried Farro but I'm planning to try it this week!

But What is Farro???

Farro is touted to be amongst the healthiest grains there is. It is a type of wheat that is very popular in Italy and is rather versatile - you can have it hot or cold, in salads, to give soups some bite, as a side dish or with beans, wheat and other vegetables. And, like quinoa, it can take on the flavor of almost any mix-in or dressing.

There are many health benefits of this power grain… 

• Twice the fibre and protein than modern wheat
• Rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, lignans and betaine
• Rich in Magnesium 
• and vitamins A, B, C and E.

This is a great article on the history of Farro and how to best cook it!

I've searched for a few recipes that I might like to try and located this one on the Rachel Ray website...

Farro with Asparagus, Hazelnuts, and Kale topped with roasted mushrooms

Grocery list:
1 1/4 cups Farro, pearled
1 1/2 pounds mixed mushrooms (shiitake, crimini, brown)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fresh Thyme
Freshly Ground Black pepper
3-4 Cloves or garlic
2 Shallots
1 bundle thin asparagus
1 bundle flat tuscan kale
nutmeg
dry sherry or marsala
chopped hazelnuts
lemon juice
Sherry vinegar (optional)

I can't wait to try Farro and am considering trying this recipe on Wednesday night.  Although Gord isn't a fan of Mushrooms, at least I can just leave them off the top of his!

Either that or I will be making this Farro Cranberry and Goat Cheese Salad for our Camping trip:

This recipe is from Lifesambrosia and looks so simple and delicious!  Can't wait to try it!

Also on the same website I found this yummy sounding meal... which I think Gord might actually like better than the first one if I remove the Shrimp!

Farro with Shrimp Bacon and Mushroom with Spinach

I hope some of these recipes inspired you to try this grain too!
Enjoy!