My new home : Kansas City!

So, this post is going to get a little personal...

Kansas City. It's hard to believe this is where I call home, now.

I must admit - before I mention anything else - is that moving away from your hometown (in my case) has been super healthy & rewarding. (However, I do miss you, Chester!!!)

So, this past Christmas - Tyler & I were given the option to move to Kansas City for a WAY better job opportunity (on his part) - but, we had to decide in THREE DAYS.

We had nothing to lose (& being a Pilates Instructor {as much as it hurt to let my current clients go} I could find work anywhere) - so we made the huge leap and moved to Kansas City.

And, wow - it is more beautiful than we ever could imagine. I literally thought Kansas City would be like the Wizard of Oz (farms, dust & nothing sparkly). Holy hell... I was so wrong.

For ALL my friends who are from South Florida - Kansas City is a hidden gem (kinda how Nashville, TN used to be...) - it's like a Palm Beach of the MidWest. Seriously - all my stores are a ONE MILE radius from my house : Lululemon, Trader Joe's, Anthropologie, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods & so much more. Plus, the food here is WAY BETTER. (That will be a whole different post.) And, the homes are right out of magazines & Pinterest. SO BEAUTIFUL.

Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. Did you know that Kansas City is #2 IN THE WORLD for the most fountains? Do you know who is #1? ROME! Pretty amazing.

So far - all of Spring - Tyler & I have been like 6 year olds on Christmas morning. Every day, there are new flowers blooming & something new that we are finding out about our house.

Another thing that I found really surprising here - EVERYONE IS MORE FIT! I took a barre class the first week I was here and thought I was going to die. And for those of you who know me - I'm a pretty fit person - with my Pilates & long runs. We are dealing with a whole new kind of fitness animal here. And, did I mention everyone here is BEAUTIFUL!? Everyone really takes care of themselves here!

Here are some fun pictures I have captured around my runs:

KC Dogwood!

Beautiful KC Tulips!

One of our parks has an Oriental Theme! Lots of running trails here :)

I will post more soon.

..xox...

Liz

Lunch Time: Veggie Quinoa

I wanted to share with you a healthy, nutritious lunch that I made the other day. It's super easy & doesn't take too much time to make, either.

Everyday, I strive to make healthy choices for my body. For me, I notice that my body does not do well with carbs... at all. So, I try to make meals that are carb-free (for the most part).

Well... here it is: Veggie Quinoa.

Ingredients:

* 1 cup of Quinoa (This is something I always have in my cupboard... and you should, too!)

* Spinach (about a handful)

* 1/2 a Tomato

* Onion (Take a whole onion & slice once - which should give you 5-6 rings)

* Roasted Cauliflower, Pinenuts & Garlic (This was leftover from a previous dinner.)

Directions:

1. Fill a pot with 1 1/4 cup of water. When the water gets to a boil - add 1 cup of quinoa. Cook for 10 minutes.

2. While the quinoa is cooking - grab a pan, add olive oil and bring it to a medium heat. Grab a handful of spinach & toss it in the pan until it is wilted.

3. Chop up half a tomato & dice.

4. Take an onion & slice once. This will give you 5-6 rings. I love whole onion rings - but if you would rather chop it up... go for it.

5. For the roasted cauliflower (pine nuts & garlic) - this was from the night before & I wanted to use it up. So - if you don't have roasted cauliflower laying around in your fridge (haha) use some leftover veggies from the night before.

6. Once the quinoa is ready (the water will be gone & it will be light and fluffy) - just add all the veggies in with the quinoa.

7. EAT!!

This may not sound like a lot of food - but trust me, it filled me up! I find that when you put the right foods in your body - you stay full longer.

Thanks for reading & Happy Tuesday!!

Elisabeth's Veggie Quinoa

...xox...

Liz

Healthy AM

Wow.

Has it really been a year since I've written on my blog?

Life lesson: Year 25 is the fastest one, yet. Seriously.

Ok, So nothing super interesting - but, I wanted to share what I have been eating for breakfast. Lots of yummy ingredients to make an incredible smoothie:

1. Strawberries
2. 1 Banana
3. Chia Seeds
4. 2 Gallops of Peanut Butter
5. Almond Milk (1/2 a cup)
6. 10 Spinach Leaves
7. A few ice cubes (if you choose - to make it more smoothy-like)

I love my Magic Bullet - I squish all of this into my Bullet and out comes yumminess - and it does keep me full (hence the peanut butter).

EAT CLEAN!

((I swear it tastes better than it looks!!!))

...xox...

Liz

WorkOut Wednesday

Perhaps one of your resolutions for 2013 is to hit the gym more - well, I can tell you that a great way to stay in shape is RUNNING.

I promise - it's not as scary as you think.

Now that we are on the topic of running (I just love it) - I am going to share with you a tid bit of advice.

:::

For many years - I've heard that the "correct" way to run is from heel to toe. I've never followed this rule - mostly because it never felt right when I tried to run this way. Also, I watched so many people hurt their knees running from heel to toe.

Now, there is still a debate of the "correct" way to run - but, I am going to suggest to you:

Run on the balls of your feet!

Not only does this protect your knees - but your calves get a killer workout. Additionally, many runners improve their time running this way.

If you're not used to running on the balls of your feet - it may be hard at first, but don't give up! It's definitely something to work towards.

Happy WorkOut Wednesday!

..xox..

Liz

Tips on How to Feel & Look Your Best

"How can I lose weight?" "What should I eat?" "How do I exercise?"

These are some of the questions that I'm asked quite frequently - whether it's a colleague from work or a close friend. 

I understand that some people don't even know where to begin. 

Let me give you a short list - to help you get started. Getting on the right track to looking & feeling healthy can be difficult at first. However, it's very doable - if you have the willpower.

Where You Can Cut Calories

1. Omit the cheese. Did you know that a slice of cheese on a sandwich can add an extra 100-150 calories?
2. Drink lots of water. Many times we think we are hungry - but really, we're thirsty!
3. No fast food. This is a killer to your diet. After taking this out for 2 weeks - you won't have a craving.
4. No soda. Sugar, sugar, sugar.
5. The less bread, the better. Opt for wraps (for sandwiches), brown rice or quinoa for your carbs.

I never said this was easy - but it's good to be aware what's bad for you & where you can substitute! 

Exercise Is Key

1. Cardio: run, walk or ride a bike. If you're not sure how to exercise - start with cardio. This is the foundation - and where the pounds will shed.
2. Be consistent. Workout at least 4 times a week. One hour of your day is nothing - it's only 5% of your day!

If you start by being aware of what you're eating & throw in some exercise - then you'll start seeing the pounds come off.

I'll post more tips soon!

...xox...

Liz

Stubborn Abs

Your lower abs can be the hardest and most stubborn part of your body to get in shape. When it comes to your abs, it really does matter what exercises you do along with what you're eating!

Personally, I think the lower ab exercises are the hardest - but they are the most rewarding, as well!

Here are a few lower ab exercises that I frequently do in my weekly work-out routine: 

1. Lower & Lift

• This exercise I learned from years of Pilates. It's super simple - but will have your abs sore the next day.
•  First, lie on your back. Keep your back long and imagine that you are sucking your belly button to the floor.
• Lift both legs straight to the ceiling. Flex your feet. Then, lower your legs as one unit until you are several inches above the ground (if your lower back lifts up, then you have gone too far down). 
• Finally, lift your legs back up to the starting position.
• Reps: 12, Sets: 3 

2. Cross-Legged Lift

•  First, lie on your back. Keep your arms at your sides.
• Bend right knee, crossing right foot over left thigh. Keeping left leg straight, use your abs to lift hips off the ground.
• Lower hips, then take legs down to 45 degrees. 
• Switch, crossing the left leg over the right thigh.
• Reps: 12 (each leg), Sets: 3 (each leg) 

Picture from Shape.com

3. Reverse Crunch

•  First, lie on your back. Keep your arms at your sides.
  
• Bring the knees in towards the chest until they're bent to 90 degrees. Keep your feet together.
• Contract the abs to curl the hips off the floor, reaching the legs up towards the ceiling.  
• This is a very small movement - so make sure your lower abs are doing ALL the work!
• Extra: Rumor has it this is how Jessica Simpson got her sexy abs back when she was filming Dukes of Hazzard.
  
• Reps: 15-20, Sets: 3

Try this lower ab work-out the next time you make it to the gym! Also, these exercises are simple enough to where you can do them right at home!

Be a Fitness Queen!

...xox...

Liz

Eating Healthy 101

I've always been asked questions about what I eat and how I prepare my meals for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Well - it all starts with what you buy at the grocery store.

I've always been told to shop around the outer edges. In other words, don't go down the aisles.

Why?

Because that is where ALL the processed foods are - which are so harmful to your body. I try to stay away from anything that is pre-packaged and/or I cannot read the ingredients on the label (ex. Maltodextrin - which was on the back label of a Cheetos bag).

So, what are around the outer edges at your local grocery store?

• Veggies, Fruits, Meats, Milk, Orange Juice, Yogurt, Cheese, Poultry, Seafood, Breads

More importantly - I try to shop organic. I know it can get expensive. So, if you are on a budget (like me), then you should really concentrate on buying organic milk (I've heard horror stories about "regular" milk) & meats (steaks, chicken, pork & fish).

So, the next time you are at your local grocery store - remember to shop only around the outer edges. Then, you can start cooking meals with "real" ingredients. It will taste better than anything coming right out of a box. And, when you cook healthy meals - you will lose weight!

Stay tuned for some healthy recipes! ;)



Pink Kitchen


...xox...

Liz