30-Day Shred Level 2/Melbourne Beach Fun

So like I said, the first level of 30-Day Shred proved to be too easy for my taste.

I just wasn't sweating enough or feeling challenged.

So last week I moved up to level 2 and I really enjoyed it.

It was far more challenging and had me working up a good sweat by the end.

I would stick with my assessment so far that 30-Day Shred is great for people who have

not been very active before starting it, and great for people on a time crunch (IE: new mommies).

However it's just not going to be a physical transformation like

Insanity is.  But a great little workout program to get you in the habit

of working out.  I am enjoying it right now as the busy holiday season is

approaching I just don't have as much time to devote to working out.

I mean let's get real, hanging with family and loved ones is SO much better

than getting in a good sweat. So I am glad I have these

short workouts to do for the next month before I start on a more

strict regimen come January.

Speaking of family time, Logan and I got to spend some time 

with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins this weekend.

They rented a beach house in Melbourne, Florida (about 2 hours north of us) and invited us

up for a few days! Boy did we have fun soaking in some rays and playing in the ocean.

I must admit, my 8 month-old cousin Taggert is a real cutie pie, he is darling, don't ya think? 

 Logan skim boarding

My Cousin Kaylee and Aunt Jenna

And here is a nice little slice of heaven to leave you with! 

We are kinda spoiled down here with such lovely weather.

The beginning of the 30-Day Shred

So this week I started Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred.

I've said before I dig Jillian Michael's.  

She has a strong, in-shape bod (no stick figures in her work-out videos)

and she is no-nonsense, tells you how it is.

However, after completing Insanity, this week of 30-day Shred was too easy for me
(It was good recovery thought after the beating I took with Insanity).

For those of you who are not familiar with 30-day shred it is divided in to 3 workouts.  

Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3,

 and you are suppose to stay at one level until you are comfortable to move on. 

You work out 6 days a week (just like Insanity).

Well I was probably ready to move on after day 1 but I wanted to give it a chance.

So today I will move on to Level 2 and I will also be adding in extra cardio from now on

because these workouts are only 27 minutes long! That is including warm-up and cool-down!

I know I know I should be jumping for joy about no more 60 minute workouts like Insanity

but so far it's just not enough exercise for me.

I love that there are weights incorporated because I missed that with Insanity

but I am definitely hoping levels 2 and 3 will up the intensity big time.

So far I feel that this program is MUCH more suited for people who have not been previously

very active.  I think for example this would be GREAT for new moms, you defintely won't hurt yourself as I feel you would if you did Insanity as your first program back after baby.

And it's a SHORT work-out which would also be nice for the new mommies.

But I'll keep doing it and give a final review at the end. 

I thought I would throw out a product for you to try today.

Let's talk protein powder!

It use to scare me as there are SO many different types and people can be nutso about their protein!

But my brother-in-law introduced me to this one and I'm hooked!

Recovery AFTER your workout is just as important as your work-out.

You can do a great work-out but if you don't refuel your body with the right nutrients

your body won't retain those muscles you've been working.

So I use EAS Lean 15, lean and toned protein powder.

Two scoops is only 100 calories so you won't be adding bulk to your frame.

I combine the 2 scoops with 5 ice cubes, 1 cup skim milk, 1 banana, and a TBSP. of honey in a blender

and YUM.  It tastes like a treat but it's really fueling your body.

It is important to drink your protein no more than 1 hour after your workout (I always drink

mine right after) or it won't do it's job.

P.S. I tried the chocolate flavor (not nearly as good, stick to the vanilla).

Happy exercising people! 

An Easy Week-Day Meal

It's the season of soup and I love it! 

Last week  Logan and I went to Texas de Brazil for my birthday

And I figured the next day we needed a little detox from meat

so that's where this vegetarian soup came in to play.

It's SO easy and fast. 

Italian Spinach and Tortellini Soup:

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

9 oz. of tortellini (fresh or frozen is fine, I used fresh Bertolli)

1 14.5 oz. can of Italian diced tomatoes (the kind with spices and garlic already in it)

4 oz. Cream Cheese

2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you are true vegetarian)

1/2 bag of fresh spinach

Directions:

1.  Add all ingredients to a pot EXCEPT spinach

2. Bring to a boil and stir until cream cheese is well-incorporated

3. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes

3. Add spinach and stir until spinach is soft

**It may seem like a lot of spinach but remember greens cook down A LOT!

**Also if you wanted to add meat to this dish Italian sausage would be a great option, just

cut up and sautee before adding the other ingredients.

Serve with shavings of fresh parmesan. 

The End of Insanity!!

Today wrapped up my last day of Insanity

That would be 9 weeks of working out 6 days a week! 

I feel so accomplished, and so strong.

I pushed myself to the limit mentally and physically and I DID IT!

Here are my final fit test results

Day 1:  Each exercise is done for 1 minute each

Switch Kicks: 70

Power Jacks: 40

Power Knees : 60

Power Jumps: 20

Globe Jumps: 9

Suicide Jumps: 10

Push-Up Jacks: 14

Low Plank Oblique: 35

Day 63 (today):

Switch Kicks: 125

Power Jacks: 65

Power Knees: 100

Power Jumps: 35

Globe Jumps: 13

Suicide Jumps: 16

Push-Up Jacks: 30

Low Plank Oblique: 70

And of course as promised my picture results, this takes a lot of bravery to post these

for the world to see so be kind :)

Here is to taking a break tomorrow and then starting a new workout journey. 

A Very Happy Birthday

Man was I spoiled this year!

So many people made my day special and I feel so grateful!

I kicked off my day a day early by getting a facial and my nails done on tuesday, it was so heavenly.

I went with oxblood with some festive dots. 

Yesterday started with my favorite breakfast, Panera bagels! 

I have this love affair with Panera and every other "bakery" ish place just pales in comparison, zupas, kneaders, don't even get me started, I'll have to do a review on the three one day on here so you can understand my reasoning.

Anyways, having been eating very plain and healthy breakfasts while doing Insanity having

my favorite asiago cheese bagel with cream cheese was a GRAND treat

because I usually either have oatmeal, or eggs, it gets pretty boring.

After breakfast with my husband I got busy doing my online class and wrote and submitted a paper, very productive.  

Then my husband came home with our favorite tostadas from our favorite

Mexican place for lunch and worked from home the rest of the day.

After lunch I took a nap and then it was time for my Insanity workout.

It was easy to be motivated to do it yesterday because I knew we were going to

Texas De Brazil for dinner PLUS I knew it was my last time doing that specific workout

as this week is my last! 

So after sweating it out for 55 minutes It was time to get ready for dinner.

I had bought a special "birthday shirt" at nordstrom last week so I was excited, I know

how lame that I bought myself a present? But sometimes those are the best kind of presents.

Then it was off to the land of unlimited steak.

Something you may not know about me, growing up I would not eat red meat, or much of any meat for that matter, I would only eat fish.  

Not because I am some weird animal rights activist or anything like that,

it just grossed me out.  I actually got mono and became severely anemic in high school

so I decided I should probably eat more iron so I could be healthy, but still I wouldn't eat red meat, like I hadn't had a hamburger in about 10 years! 

Then Russia came (it kind of changed me in every way possible if you can't tell by now) and I was eating even less meat because I was afraid of the sanitation issues so by the time I returned to the

states I was CRAVING meat, any kind.  So long story short after 10 years of not eating a cheeseburger

or ordering a steak I started making up for lost time because now it is my favorite, although

I still try to eat it sparingly.

Hence the choice to eat at Texas De Brazil last night, a Brazilian Churrascaria.  

Also, I signed up for all of these restaurant email clubs and TDB sent me a FREE dinner.

It's a pricey restaurant so we were excited about that.

My favorite was the paqana a special brazilian cut of steak, so yum.  

Just a tip for someone going to a Churrascaria for the first time, they try to distract you with a huge

salad bar buffet, and all these different meats like chicken, lamb, and pork,

 but keep your eye on the prize...

the expensive cuts of steak like filet mignon, flank, and of course the paqana. 

Here are some pics of us at the restaurant. Logan is just the most handsome guy around. 

Oh yes, Logan gave me my 2nd band for my birthday! We found a killer deal at an estate sale

and it perfectly matched my other band so I really lucked out! They look so pretty all together.

I love the uniqueness of my ring, the sapphires are the best. 

We FINALLY got a picture together, oh happy day.

My family really hooked me up! SO many fun goodies, including a vest i've

been eyeing at J. Crew and a gorgeous framed, signed print of a Walter Rane painting. 

I have 2 sets of the greatest parents around I believe. 

Anyways, that raps up my favorite birthday to date.

I am so grateful for the many people who made it special! 

Some More Recipes For You--Enchilada Soup and Easy Cheesy Manicotti

Cooking is such a trip sometimes.

One week I'll feel on top of the world having prepared, new, delicious, recipes.

Then I'll have a week (like the week a had a couple of weeks ago)

where nothing seems to go right and I think I'm the worst cook ever.

But, alas, it is good to have setbacks because it motivates you!

So a couple of weeks ago I got 2 recipes off pinterest to try (beware always do your research)

and they were both total duds! 

I usually do research on recipes I find online by looking for the recipe

from several different sources, comparing the recipes, user reviews/comments, and

then combining all that into one recipe.

However, I went the lazy route and didn't do that with those pinterest recipes and 

YUCK, they were both not very good.

So last week it was back to basics, and here are my 2 favorite dishes the Bear and I enjoyed.

First, is my mom's recipe for Enchilada Soup!

 I am such a chili lover, taco soup, or whatever you want to call it.  It is so comforting and filling.  

I remember when I was serving my mission

in Russia, our Russian "Mission Mom" would always prepare lunch when we

had our "zone conferences" (just a meeting with a group of missionaries) every 1.5 months.

She did the greatest job of trying to make us American missionaries feel at home

so she would always prepare either roast beef dinner, or taco soup (ya know the kind where you put the taco seasoning, and ranch seasoning in the chili?).  I always hoped for the 

taco soup cause I just love it so much.

However, in my opinion this enchilada soup is even tastier than taco soup because

it has more depth of flavor than just packet seasonings.  

Logan and I are renting a furnished place here in Florida so cooking supplies are limited so I had to 

adjust this slow-cooker meal to make in a regular pot, but I am giving you the slow-cooker route because it is SO easy.

Enchilada Soup:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 15 ounce can black beans drained
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 10 ounce package whole kernel corn
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped peppers
2 chicken breasts
1 10 ounce can enchilada sauce
1 10.75 ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups milk

Directions: 

1. In a crock pot combine beans, tomatoes, corn, onions, and peppers.

2.  Place two chicken breasts on top of mixture. 

3. In a separate large bowl mix enchilada sauce and soup. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. 

4. Pour sauce over the ingredients in the crock pot.  

5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4.
6. Remove chicken breasts, shred the meat. Add the chicken back to the pot and stir thoroughly.
7. Topping ideas: cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tortilla chips, cornbread 

Note: if soup is a little to thick add a little more milk.

Next I made a cheese manicotti that was so delicious.

Don't let things that are "stuffed" or "filled" scare you, they are very easy to do.

Easy Cheesy Manicotti

Serves 2-3

Ingredients :

1/2 package of manicotti shells (6 shells)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 TBSP. minced garlic

1/2 egg beaten (beat 1 egg, but use only half)

1 TBSP. dried basil

1 TSP. dried oregano

Red Sauce

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil (always salt your water when cooking pasta). Add manicotti and cook for 8 minutes, drain.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  

3. In a bowl, mix 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, garlic, egg, oregano, and basil. 

4. Stuff cooked manicotti with the mixture. This is easier than it sounds, simply put your cheese mixture into a ziploc and cut off a small corner and squeeze through the ziploc into the shells. Fill them as much as you can! (I think i didn't fill mine quite enough because they were just a little deflated after baking)

5. Spread enough red sauce to cover the bottom of your baking dish. Arrange stuffed manicotti in the dish, and cover with more red sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese

6. Bake approx. 25 minutes in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Insanity Week 8!

I can't believe my Insanity journey is almost over!

Well, actually, I can because I am extremely burnt out!

This week was good, but still, a lot of pushing, there were 2 recovery workout days

which was nice as my body is very much fatigued. 

I am SO proud of my accomplishment but am very happy

that I have only 1 week left.  My body has sure been 

pushed to the limit.

I decided to be REALLY brave, and post a body shot.  Notice the strategically placed phone.
But I don't feel I am being helpful unless you all SEE some results, and these are results, my arms and
stomach are looking good. I will post a final results next week with a better photo
and the final stats of my "fit tests"!