Strawberry Spinach Salad and Labor Day happenings…

Posted: September 6, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: exercise, food, mayberry, nrolfw, recipe | 2 Comments »

Since I saw you last… I enjoyed a Freebirds groupon, some quality time with Kyra, and the house to myself Saturday night!

My stepmom and I walked the dog, then I ran, then we biked to downtown Mayberry on Sunday.  We got in 4 miles before 9a, but I failed to stretch & foam roll.  Oops :)  Sunday evening was supposed to be the kickoff for DFW’s Free Day of Yoga, but the wind was gusting at 40 mph and I’m not THAT coordinated so we skipped it.

When I woke up Monday morning it was COOL!  Loved it.  The BF and I took Kyra to the good park (not in Mayberry) and she didn’t want to leave.  She could have spent all day outside yesterday!  My stepmom, a girlfriend, and I did manage to hit up a free yoga class on Monday morning (the actual Free Day of Yoga) and had a good time.  Last night I had a girlfriend over for “wine night” and I made a Strawberry Spinach Salad I thought I’d share with you….

It was topped with glazed pecans and a balsamic dressing that complements the glaze.  This picture was taken during prep and by the time the dressing and pecans were added the wine had been poured and the camera was forgotten :)

Strawberry Spinach Salad:

  • spinach
  • strawberries
  • brown sugar
  • balsamic vinegar
  • oil
For the dressing:
  1. Two parts oil to one part vinegar.  I did 2 TBS oil, 1.5 TBS vinegar, and 2 tsp of brown sugar.
  2. The original recipe calls for equal parts oil and vinegar and, if using 3 TBS of each, then 1/4 brown sugar.  Just fyi…
For the glazed pecans:
  1. 1/4 cup brown sugar
  2. 1 TBS oil
  3. 1 TBS balsamic vinegar
  4. Throw it in a pot, bring to a boil, stir in the pecans, and let them cook 4 minutes (keep stirring).
  5. Cool them on a baking sheet (or foil, like I did).
I always make more pecans than I need because I can’t keep from eating them while I prep the salad!
This salad is usually dessert for me because it’s so sweet.  But it’s an easy way to get people to eat spinach!!
Today started off in the 50s!!!!!  So I headed out for a run and then to the gym for a weights workout.  Can’t wait to get to Stage 2 in this program :)

Zumba in the park

Posted: August 4, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: bowling, exercise, zumba | Leave a comment »

Yoga today was easy, but good.  I believe that counts as my stretching for the day!  I’m 4 for 4 in the August Fitness Challenge.

But let’s backup to last night…  One of my girlfriends asked me if I wanted to go to a Zumba class Wednesday night.  It would be free, but it’s outside at a park.  Hmmm… let’s see.  It’s our 32nd day over 100 degrees, we are having record-setting high temps (around 110), so of course I said, “Hell yeah!  How hot can it be at 8pm??”  107 degrees.  That’s how hot.  In case you were wondering.

There was a nice view at the park.

There were other fools people there.

I brought 3 bottles of water in varying states of frozen-ness. (Is that a word?)

Am I blurry from the heat?? :)

I thought it might be miserable, but really it was very, very fun.  It wasn’t too hot, I drank all the water, and the instructor was really good!  I’ll have to look her up and see where she teaches normally.  I really miss Zumba.  It’s how I lost all my weight (75 pounds! WOOHOO!) because I never got bored with it.  I could tell my hips and shoulders were out of practice.  Zumba would probably be great cross-training with running…

Well I’m off to a Chamber of Commerce bowling mixer.  I got a “new” bowling shirt.  Dad said, “Bowling attire required!”  I don’t think he knows what he’s in for :)

August Fitness Challenge – Stretching

Posted: July 31, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: exercise, stretching | Leave a comment »

Today I gave my stepmom a preview of the August Fitness Challenge!  After our walk this morning I went through the stretches I’ll be doing with her.  I’ve gotten so stiff lately and now I realize how much a lack of stretching can ruin my exercise program!  The doc says I’ve got to keep those muscles loose to keep the knee pain away.

My August Fitness Challenge is to stretch 5 or more days per week in August.  I thought about going for a “stretch every day” challenge, but why set myself up to fail :)

Here’s the stretches I’ll be doing:

-Quadriceps
-Hamstrings
-Hip Flexors
-Calves
-IT Band
-Hips and Glutes
-Back
-Shoulder
-Chest (to improve posture!)

All of these stretches will be done after a short warm-up and will be held for at least 25-30 seconds each.

I hope to see a big difference in my flexibility after a month AND hope to avoid injury while increasing my running distances.

I plan to start trying some new workouts in August as well, so stay tuned for the September Fitness Challenge.

**I am not a fitness professional.  These are the stretches that will help me stay the healthiest and have been recommended for me.  Consult a doctor or fitness professional if you need help with a workout program.**

Indoor Exercise

Posted: July 26, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: dog, exercise | Leave a comment »

It’s too hot outside.  Even at 6:45am, Kyra and I were fairly miserable at the park.  Maybe we should stick to our indoor exercise…

Now if only I could find a long, air conditioned hallway for me to run down…

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