Sorry its been awhile, I guess life has caught up to everyone right about this time of the year. Between Lent, the cold weather (well...cooler at least!), and rescuing a new puppy :) (lack of sleep!!), I've sort of fallen off the work out wagon lately. But with lots of yard work to do, a puppy to chase, and healthy eating, I think I haven't gone too far off the deep end! Thankfully!
So today I wanted to share some Tips, Tricks, and Trends with everyone--- mainly inspired by the last point I'll make and I think you'll see why!
Tip: As we have mentioned in different earlier posts the proper running gear is essential. For me it doesn't end there. (haha I'm sure you can tell just by me not running due to slightly cooler weather!) Running or working out for me has more to do with my mentality than anything else. The best way to get your mind ready for some good exercise, for me at least, is the right music. Its different for everyone I'm sure, but most people love to jam out to their favorite tunes....maybe they even dance around like a fool in the kitchen like I do...anyone...anyone...? Oh well, its fun, try it sometime. Its even funnier when someone walks in and sees you. The music itself doesn't have to be some hyped up rock or rap music either. Its whatever moves you. If you like to dance, like me, think of the songs that when you hear them at weddings or in the car or just about anywhere, its hard for you to sit still, or not sing along to. The weird example I can give you is that I LOVE to swing dance or just dance in general, but old Frank Sinatra songs, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson (not swing I know...but still) and other fun songs just make me what to get up and move, and put me in a good mood. So of course I have them on my ipod, and they kept coming on while I was running, at first I would just skip them, but after awhile I wanted to listen to them and realized that they took my mind off running and I was thinking about dancing, even swing dancing (probably looking like a nut while still trying to run and not knowing it-haha!) but the point is that it passed the time and didn't throw me off like you would think that music like that would--- try it with your fav songs sometime. Obviously I wouldn't recommend really slow songs, but just about anything else.
Tricks: I almost wanted to include the music thing in this part, but...I needed a "tip" haha! so, this trick is similar to the right music. Because the right mindset is what the music is all about. So this trick is to think about something totally different than what your doing- especially running, ugh!-- usually I try to think about the beach (my love!) so relaxed, just sitting on the sand next to the waves, warm sun, fresh air....ahhh....makes you happy doesn't it? It will take a bit to get the hang of it, especially if your in pain, but for a brief moment it will take your mind off of it and transport you to somewhere else. If your running on a treadmill you can try hanging a picture of something ...or a hot someone ;) in front of you to stare at and keep your mind busy. You could even picture yourself the way you want to look this summer, picture your goal that your working toward and that you have accomplished in your mind. Let that mental picture motivate you--- even when your not working out, like when your trying to figure out what to eat for dinner...staring at the fridge...if your drawn to something you know you shouldn't have, try to recapture that positive image of you after you've reached your goal. Usually that helps me rethink what to eat because I want to get there. Try to avoid negativity though, usually that backfires with me ( I get pretty stubborn, sad or mad) so try to stick to the positive side if you can!
Trends: Now, to go along with that last point of eating something to help you to your goal..... we've posted some pretty great recipes on here to help with that! (They taste great! and fortunately for us all and our wallets, they're pretty cheap too!) Healthy eating is all the rage right now (if you haven't been living in a cave or something!) Between farmers markets, fresh market and whole foods....heck, even walmart is trying to go healthy...hint, Trying.
So, what are all the other "trendy" things doing? Giving us new ideas on how to eat healthy! Pintrest being #1. So that's where I found this beauty of a website-
www.healthyindulgences.net
Its pretty amazing. Mainly because no matter how healthy we try to be and the great dinners we make....at the end of the day, most of us want something that we can't have. You know what I'm talking about. Chocolate. Do I have your attention? well I guess we could have some and still be healthy, but no where near the amount we want or the type we want. So this lovely lady and her site are here to save the day! She gives us all these Healthy delicious recipes-- like the one I tried--- CHOCOLATE CAKE.
Say what?!?! Healthy.....chocolate cake. Usually those three words aren't anywhere near each other in a sentence. So I was pretty skeptical at first. I thought, there is No way that this is either 1- healthy or 2- actually tastes good.
Boy was I wrong! Seriously. and to make sure it wasn't just me, I had my parents, my roomie (my hubby's best friend who literally doesn't eat any veggies) and my Hubby. We all agreed. Its awesome. and you'll never guess what its made with.
seriously.
never.
But since I can't make you try it first and then guess, like I made the guys do.....I'll let you in on the secret.
Black Beans.
Yep. shocked huh?
The cake I made :)
Sorry I couldn't get a better picture....it was gone before I knew it......and I didn't follow the directions exactly so it stuck to the bottom of the pan and wouldn't come out in one piece....(I'm a little afraid of wax paper)
You may have to purchase some of the ingredients...took me awhile to find some of them ( I used Truvia as the sweetener) But its worth it. I'll put in the disclaimer that it isn't Exactly like regular chocolate cake. Just so everyone doesn't think I'm a huge liar. But it is Really good, very moist, and a very healthy alternative!!
Hope you try it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!!!
-----still working on my sign off--- so for now--- Hope you enjoyed "Baking with the Belle"
