Tuesday, May 14, 2013

My Super Foods...

Everyone has their go-to foods....
Today I will leave with a few of my personal SUPER-FOODS.
The foods below will not only lead you to a healthier lifestyle, but also fill your kitchen with loads of taste and unlimited cooking options! 

This is my current list: 

1. Greek Yogurt


2. Cinnamon

3. Strawberries - I LOVE ALL FRUITS!


4. Blueberries 


5. Almonds 


6. Peppers (Both Red & Green)


7. Avocado 



8. Artichoke 


9. Spinach


10. Edamame


11. Smoked Salmon


12. Garbanzo beans


13. Oatmeal 



14. Eggs 


Find foods that you love and make your shopping list! :D


Monday, May 13, 2013

1 Minute Muffin....

Need some breakfast inspiration? 
Here is the fastest muffin I have ever made...and quite scrumptious! 
This is another breakfast / sweet recipe I have seen done by other healthy bloggers & decided to give it a try...

What you will need:
1/4 cup of oats
1 egg
handful of blueberries
dash of sugar



Directions:
Mix all ingredients in any mug
Place into microwave for about 2mins (Watch that it doesn't over flow!)
Flip mug over onto plate and ENJOY!


Seems mushy...and to be honest I was a bit hesitant to cook the egg in the microwave...



...but it turned out DELICIOUS!


*Had to try before posting ;)

ENJOY IT!

Monday Mornings...

GOOD MORNING! HAPPY MONDAY! 
Normally Monday mornings can rough... but seeing as my schedule has changed...this morning has been very productive!

After a nice workout and yoga session (Vinyasa Yoga: http://www.youtube.com/user/sadienardini) I did a 40 minute video & an 8 minute video for "quick abs". Very relaxing way to start the morning! 

For breakfast Oatmeal & Banana:

Ingredients: 
1/4 oats
Add milk or water (I use milk for taste) until oatmeal is just covered 
a touch of cinnamon

Directions:
Microwave the ingredients above for about 2 mins. Watch it as Oatmeal may rise and flow over!
Add any fruit....today I opted for banana

Yummy!



Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Puppy

It was a good day to enjoy the park with the puppy! I have realized that I have very few videos of Vela, so decided it was also a good excuse to make one! As this is my lifestyle blog and she is HUGE part of my life... here is her video:


Thank you for watching!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

8 Minute Abs by Vinyasa Yoga

Good Morning! 

This morning instead of doing my entire Insanity workout, I decided to mix things up. I did a dumbbell workout -- focusing on abs, arms and legs. 

If your looking for a quick workout to avoid the guilt during the day here is another one I recommend from http://www.self.com

Works your core mainly and helps you balance. Involves yoga moves, so not only will you feel like you worked by the end but also calmer (: 

Time: 8 minutes!

Grab and mat or thick towel and get going! 


Boat Pulses
Come to sit. Lift your knees and feet up into Boat Pose. Interlace your fingers and point the arms and index fingers forward (pictured below). Balanced on your seat, inhale, lengthen legs away. Exhale, draw knees closer. Sit strongly into the floor and keep the spine long. Repeat 5x.
boatpulsesmain.jpg
Rock the Boat
Inhale in Boat Pose, arms forward, palms face your legs. Inhale, lift your arms overhead. Exhale, sweep fists to your outer hips and roll down your back onto the floor. Keep shoulders and head lifted. Inhale, reach overhead (pictured below). Exhale, rock your body back up into Boat! Use hands on legs if needed. Repeat 5x.
rocktheboatmain.jpg
One Hip Twist
Return to Boat Pose. Plant the fingertips behind you, fingers facing the hips. Inhale, lengthen legs and roll onto the right hip only, left hip lifts. Exhale, twist the chest, shoulders and head over the lifted left hip (pictured below). Inhale to center, repeat to other side. Repeat Twists 3-5x each side.
onehiptwistmain.jpg
Core Scissor Twists 
Come onto the back. Lift your head and shoulders and place fingertips lightly behind the head. Inhale, elbows and feet lift into the sky. Exhale, lower legs slightly, pull right elbow to left knee. Inhale to center, repeat with left elbow to right knee. Repeat 3-5x each side.
corescissormain.jpg
Hands and Knees Core Plank 
Come to hands and knees. Inhale, left leg lifts, foot flexed, hips center to floor. Exhale, round the left knee to nose (pictured below). Try lifting the right knee and hip to the sky on exhales for more results. Do 3-5 rounds. Come to center, repeat on left side 3-5x.
handskneeplank.jpg


Enjoy!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Strawberry & Avocado Salad

Summer is getting closer & temperatures are rising! 30C! With the heat it is only normal for one's appetite to disappear or decrease! I decided to make an  easy - light salad!

Ingredients:
- 8 strawberries
- 1 avocado
- 1/3 of cucumber (approx. 10 thin slices) 
- spinach leaves (about 1 & 1/2 handfuls)

Clean and cut strawberries
remove peel from avocado and cut into small cubes
Wash spinach leaves and add to bowl along with strawberries, avocado and sliced cucumber 

Add dressing. {below}

Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup oil 
- 3 tbs apple vinegar 
- 2 tbsp honey
- pinch of salt and pepper

Whisk ingredients together and pour over salad

ENJOY!!! 

***salad serves 3 people easily***




La Vita e Bella...

My other blog... As La Vida Healthy focuses more on how I am trying to change my life to a healthier - fitter lifestyle, La Vita e Bella shows everything else between my mind and things I LOVE. 

http://erikasvita.tumblr.com/

Here are some photos:





:)