Dessert: Skinny Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

NEWS FLASH: It’s OK to indulge! Have dessert – just not all of the dessert!

When you make any meal yourself, you can be sure of the ingredients that you are putting into your body, same goes for dessert!

I made these brownies and they were super easy and delicious!

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Remember living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to boring and plain!  Learn to make your food and desserts! Now just dont go and eat the entire pan!

For this recipe click here and follow @sallysbakeblog on instagram for lots of recipes and tips!

Weight loss vs Fat loss

This question is tossed around all the time. Often times you here females say they want to lose weight but are scared to lift weights because they fear they will get “too big.”

Females don’t produce the same testosterone levels as men so you can lift and lift but it’s damn near impossible for you to bulk up like a huge bodybuilder. So from now on don’t even allow yourself to think that!

Plain and simple: the more muscle you have the faster your metabolism works in a resting state.

Therefore the more muscle mass you have the more calories you burn in a day at a resting heart rate.

Example: Man A and Man B  weigh 175. Man A has 10% body fat, Man B 30% body fat. Man A has less body fat (more muscle) will burn more calories naturally in a resting state than Man B with more body fat (less muscle). Dont worry about the number on the scale – worry about your body fat and lean muscle mass.

Ok–youre not feeling it… here’s another example

Take a look at this picture:

fat-loss-vs-weight-loss

A pound of muscle is a lot smaller than a pound of fat – even if you aren’t losing “weight” you can (and will) change  your body through gaining muscle!

Focus on FAT LOSS and not weight loss.  You may or may not lose a few pounds,  but gaining lean muscle and losing body fat will definitely result in you liking what you see in the mirror!

Keep your head up 🙆☝and stop looking👀👀 down at the scale!

Look in the mirror and see how your clothes fit :):)💪👊

Try something new

We all get into a routine or pick exercises we like but the way to results is to push yourself to a new limit! 👊
Many gyms offer all sorts of classes, no harm in trying one out. You may find a new passion! If you don’t like it, try a different one. ✔✔ Whether it’s yoga,  pilates,  kick boxing or a spin class the variation will target your muscles in a different way. 💪💪💪
I did my first spin class today and it was tough🔥🔥🔥.  Am I gonna go back?  Definitely. I’ll try to improve and get better each time.  Don’t think you’ll be a pro right away, work into the class and I bet you’ll see the results in your body and the way you feel!

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Don’t be fast and cheap!

Here’s just a little reminder that food is fuel for your body!  Be kind to your body and fuel it with good nutritious things.  You’ll feel better and over time crave healthier options over something fast and cheap.  You are what you eat, right?  So be healthy not fast and cheap :):)

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Sunday BUNSday

Happy Sunday!  If you can’t make it into the gym today don’t worry, I got you!

3-5 rounds of this booty blasting routine will keep you on track and best part, it will take at MOST 35 minutes of your day! Get everyone involved family, friends and neighbors!

Pin,  share,  tag your friends and tackle this Sunday BUNSday workout!

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Moment of clarity

With the ALS ice bucket challenge taking over all forms of social media it wasn’t until I saw the Pete Frates feature on SportsCenter that the severity of the disease hit me. Then it got me thinking, so many able, young people are obese and do not take advantage of their ability to go for a walk, run, or swim. People with ALS, rapidly lose the ability to do basic every day functions like sitting up, talking, even feeding themselves. Seeing people in this condition makes me so glad the ice bucket challenge happened to raise awareness of those suffering from the disease but also to remind those of us that are healthy and fully able to be active and take care of our bodies, to do so.

Not exercising, drinking alcohol and poor eating habits are poisonous to the body, very slowly weakening the immune system, stiffening joints and inhibiting many from doing daily tasks; taking a perfectly able body and destroying it from the inside out.

Take time to donate to ALS or any disease close to your heart,  but also reflect on how blessed you are to have a body that hasn’t failed you. Don’t be the one to fail it.

 

 

nourishyourbody

Kale Health Benefits

In the previous post Snack time: Kale Chips I gave step by step directions on how to make, a personal favorite of mine, kale chips. I came across this article about the many healthy benefits kale has and figured I’d pass it on! #eatkale

10 health benefits of kale from http://www.mindbodygreen.com

 

1. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. It is great for aiding in digestion and elimination with its great fiber content. It’s also filled with so many nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium as well as those listed below.

2. Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.
3. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and the prevention of blood clotting. Also increased levels of vitamin K can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids help protect against various cancers.
5. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.
6. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Eating more kale can help lower cholesterol levels
 
7. Kale is high in Vitamin A.Vitamin A is great for your vision, your skin as well as helping to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.
8. Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.
9. Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility
10. Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.
For this article and more on healthy living visit: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/

Take your fitness goals to work!

A healthy lifestyle is more fun with friends! Try to get a group a work to walk during lunch or a group gym session after work instead of happy hour!

Why not make it a challenge? Try to start a weight loss challenge at work and you can hold each other accountable! Nothing like some friendly competition!

Your healthy lifestyle and habits will spread throughout your office and help everyone in the long run!

And remember to have fun!

For more ideas visit on getting a challenge started at work: Click Here

Blueberry Vanilla Smoothie

Blueberries are FULL of antioxidants which are essential to a healthy body!  Blueberries are good for your cardiovascular health, brain health and can help lower cholesterol. After a workout blueberries give your body want it needs to replenish all the essential nutrients you burned during your workout.

This shake is light but filling and not to mention DELICIOUS! You can leave out the protein and give this to your kids as a healthy dessert or snack!

It’s super easy  to make!

Blueberrysmoothie

Pin the recipe and share it! Hope you enjoy this and much as I do!

What are some of your favorite smoothies? Leave it in the comments!

Family Fun for a Good Cause!

ImageJoin us on Saturday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. at Bluemont Park located at 329 N. Manchester St. Arlington, VA 22203 for a Family Fun Run and Dog Walk all to support Paws2Care. The organization helps children battling cancer, children with special needs and children of wounded warriors.

Beamer the Therapy Dog is on the Nationally Certified Pet Partners Therapy Team. He visits children in hospitals offering some fun and laughs! Come out and support this wonderful cause and get your whole family moving! It’s a win win! Don’t miss it!

CLICK HERE to Register today!!

 

Here is Beamer with some of his friends!

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