What is Pilates?

A few post ago I raved about Pilates. I’ve been going this a lot more since taking a job at a Pilates studio in Virginia. Thrive Pilates has been a god send.  However when I let people know that they can come in a free class, nobody takes the offer. I guess they are unaware of what Reformers Pilates actually is. When you think of Pilates you think of lying on your back and probably killing yourself to do this killer ab workout. That is a great way to build you core, but I’ve been doing Pilates and I have yet to lay down on a floor.  So I figured I would break it down!  These are the different types of Pilates that Thrive offers.

Here is a sample of Mat Pilates. When people call the studio and ask which is better I don’t say. I let them know that this is pretty much a 40 minute ab workout.

Now this is a great example of some of the positions you would do while taking a Mat Pilates class.

The class I hold up in the highest pedestal is Reformers Pilates. You basically use your weight on a reformer machine which reminds of me a total gym, but this machine is far more advanced.

Here is a break down of the machine and what it does.

This video features some of the basic moves that you do.

Looks fun right?

Now! This is something that my boss just added to the classes.  She basically adds a jump board to the reformer. This video will break down what some basic workouts on the jumpboard

I’ll admit this class is intense!  You are sweating afterwards, your heart rate rises, and you feel it for days.

I encourage you to take advantage of these classes if you have access to them.

I was introduced to this studio because of Living Social. I think that they do it twice or once a year for DC area residents.

So be on the lookout!

Like I said, if you are in the DC area you can ALWAYS take a free class here!

Thrive Pilates

Thrive Pilates & Yoga 2800 S. Randolph St.
ARLINGTON, VA 22206

Phone: (703) 371-0054

Tags: DC, Pilates, Reformers Pilates, Shirlington, Thrive Pilates, VA

Baked Shrimp In Lemony Garlic Sauce

Who really needs Red Lobster when you can created these delicious meals at home. I found this recipe under an article about Shrimp Recipes under 200 Calories. I’m defiently going to try this and let you all know how this comes out. There are a ton of things you can try this with. A nice filling leafy salad, a cold Shrimp Salad, over some Angel Hair Pasta, with some healthy side dishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YIELD: 4 servings (serving size: 3 ounces shrimp and 2 tablespoons sauce)

• COOK TIME: 8 MINUTES
• PREP TIME: 8 MINUTES
• COURSE: Main Dishes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons light butter, melted
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

 

 

 

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 425°.
• Arrange shrimp in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine lemon juice and next 5 ingredients; pour over shrimp.
• Bake at 425° for 8 to 10 minutes or until shrimp are done. Sprinkle parsley over shrimp; serve immediately.

Oxmoor House Healthy Eating Collection, Oxmoor House
JANUARY 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Recipes

Breaking A Sweat 6-10-2011

What kind of workouts are you doing to reach your goals?

I mix mine up all the time, in order to beat boredom.

Today’s Workout Turbo Jam

Cardio Party

45 Minutes of Cardio!

 

Hey I made a video before I work out, I look a mess, and it was so random!

Happy Friday

 

Tags: Cardio Party, DVD's, Fitness, Turbo Jam, weight loss

Penne with Vodka Sauce

I may try this next week for dinner. I think it’s important to still have that joy of eating out without sacrificing your well being and health. I remember going to Ruby Tuesday a few months ago with friends and ordered Pasta with a Cream Sauce. Worst decision ever! The creamy sauce looked as if it was poured straight from a jar, it was cold, and wiggled. I swore that I would never eat that again ever since I googled wholesale restaurant Alfredo sauce. I was disturbed to find that it was full of chemicals. I want to stress that when you can’t pronouce something that it was process by man that you should probably stay away.

I posted a recipe for Roasted Pepper Alfredo which was great. This Vodka Sauce Penne is a cool alternative to going out. I think it would great to add some chicken, and maybe some veggies in there, but remember to calculate that into your weight watchers tracker.

Ingredients

	1 Tbsp unsalted butter
	2 medium shallot(s), minced (about 1/2 cup)
	2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
	2 Tbsp parsley, fresh, minced
	1/2 tsp sea salt, or other coarse salt
	1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
	3 Tbsp canned tomato paste
	2 oz vodka
	1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste (for cooking pasta)
	12 oz uncooked penne
	1/2 cup(s) heavy whipping cream
	20 leaf/leaves basil, fresh, cut into ribbons (chiffonade)

Instructions

• Heat a large skillet over a medium-low heat. Add butter, shallots and garlic; sauté until shallots start to caramelize, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add parsley, sea salt and pepper, stirring once or twice. Add tomato paste and mix to form a paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, moving paste around pan occasionally; add vodka. Scrap bottom of pan with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
• Add cream to tomato sauce; reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes. Add pasta to sauce and mix to coat; top with basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Serve immediately when the sauce is at it’s creamiest.

Course: main meals
PointsPlus™ Value:    9
Servings:  6
Preparation Time:  10 min
Cooking Time:  18 min
Level of Difficulty:  Easy

Tags: Food, Pasta, Recipes, Weight Watchers

Veggie Egg Scrambler

This morning I woke up and I felt great! I felt lighter, thanks to the juice drink that was totally gross that I had yesterday. I used my lalanne juicer to make some weird combination of Kale, Spinach, Carrot, Beet and Apple Juice. I can’t even say that it was good! That was the first time I EVER drank a juice that fast! I had the taste of Kale on my breathe that drove me crazy! Anyway, I think I’ll skip the Kale forever and always! The amount of fiber I got was crazy because I could feel it working in my stomach. Always remember Fiber is so important for a healthy digestive tract which is a factor is weight loss as well. You wouldn’t want your old trash sitting in your kitchen, so why do you want old food sitting on your intestines?

So far I’ve done two Reformer Pilates Classes at Thrive Pilates in Arlington! and I did my Biggest Loser DVD in the past two weeks. I have to start somewhere. I also fixed my membership at Gold Gym this week, so now I can take my Zumba Classes again. I figured out that I work a ton better with classes then working out at home.I get way to distracted, but sometimes I’m just in the mood to be around others as motivation!

So the recipe I wanted to share with you all is one I made up and use whenever I want to get a lot of food in for half the calories. I put this in the weight watchers calculator and it was only 3 points.

- 6 Cherry Tomatos

- 1 cup of chopped Spinach

- 2 Whole mushrooms Diced

1/3 Cup of Chopped Onions.

Salt and Pepper to Taste.

1 Whole Egg

3 Egg Whites

I tbsp of Feta Cheese (optional)

Heat a non stick skillet with Cooking Spray ( using Spray saves you 100 Calories)

Throw in all the veggies except the tomato, and sautee until done.

Meanwhile Scramble your egg, and egg whites and cook over low heat until they are fluffy and  done.

Add Tomato to Veggies and let it heat up by tossing it around.

Place your Eggs on a small plate, place Veggies on top!

You can top the scrabble with a tablespoon or teaspoon of cheese but that may change your points outcome.

I used Feta, and a dash of hot sauce because I like mine hot!

Tags: 3 Points, Breakfast, Egg Recipes, Egg Whites, Feta Cheese, Food, Hot Sauce, Mushrooms, Onion, Protien, Recipes, Spinach, Tomato, weight loss, Weight Watchers

EAT!

This is Proof that you can eat and still get full. The other day a friend mentioned that she was doing portion controlled dieting, which I fully support. Since I’m on weight watchers a ton of healthy foods equal no points at all. This morning I made an over stuffed Small omelet with Spinach, Mushrooms, Feta and Canadian Bacon. I also had Strawberries, Blueberries, and one tablespoon on Activia on top, and an English muffin.

This totaled 9 weight watchers points.  For a whole plate of food. This is proof that you don’t have to starve because you are making a lifestyle change.

Click on it to make it bigger!

Enell Sports Bra Review

If you know me personally you know what I was known for growing up. Those of you who don’t I’ll fill you in. I’ve had breast since I was in elementary school. I was never proud, in fact I’d trade my pinky toes for a small cup. They have always been an issue for me. Let me just list a few issues I have.

- Back Pain

- Shoulder bruises

- Food Catchers

- Unwanted attention

- They make working out hard.

Bingo! This has always been an issue with me, running is harder, and even executing cardio to the fullest extent has been an issue. They have been a long blame excuse for why I don’t do certain workouts, workouts that would really help me loose the weight if I could do it and not hurt myself.

An old co-worker showed me a link for the Enell sports bras. Now I will admit they are a bit of an investment and I only have one, but one is enough! Whenever I use it, I wash it in the tub and dry it for use the next day. This bra is literally a lifesaver and unbelievably supportive. This coming from someone who is a 44DDD Bra size. Bouncing isn’t an issue anymore in fact I can jump until my little legs give out.

Without the bra, but with a build in sports bra.

This picture is a bit older.

Cool Me putting my shirt on backwards…and not noticing until I almost choked while working out!

This is me with the Enell bra on, it pulled me in all the way.

Tags: Enell Sports Bra, Plus size, Working out

Grilled Blacked Chicken

I’ll be honest I hate Chicken Breast sometimes. It’s a 50/50 kinda thing when it comes to making sure it’s tender and juicy. I wanted some Chicken with a little kick to it. I pulled out my Eat This, Not That! cookbook. I made the Blackened Seasoning mix, and used a pinch of salt instead of whatever it called for. I’m trying really hard to cut it out all the way.My grill was void of Charcol so I used my grill pan. It came out great. I ate off these for about 2 days. I chopped them up and topped in quick tacos, a salad, and also with some Black beans and Couscous! Sidenote** I used Skinless Thighs, and would suggest cooking them a low temp so they cook evenly.

Tags: Blackened Seasoning, Chicken Thighs, Eat This Not That, Eating Healthy

Shrimp and Orza Spinach Salad

I saw this as the recipe of the day on weight watchers. I put it aside and decided to try and make it this past week. I totally didn’t remember to get baby Spinach and was stuck with regular hardcore spinach which I hate to work with in salads.  No matter how much you chop it’s just hard to work with in my thoughts.  When I plugged this into my weight watchers tracker it said 3 points, but in the end it kept coming up as 5 points. It says it’s because it counted the points for veggies which is suppose to be zero, so i’m confused. Lets be safe and say it’s 5 points her salad? It’s up to you for figure that out though.  The points come from the Feta, Sauteed Shrimp, and Orza. I used a light homemade dressing of 2 tablespoons of Garlic Infused Olive Oil, Dijon Mustard, Garlic, and Balsamic Vinegar.

If you are a weight watchers member recipe is (here)

Tags: Orzo and Spinach Salad, Salad Recipes, Weight Watchers

Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I know right! I really thought people were being dramatic about not liking these little veggies. Then I tried them and they sucked! Then i said well that’s ashame because they are cute and look like baby cabbages (la la land).  Let me fill you in about these little bad boys! They are fill of Vitamin K, C, and A. they provide around 25% of your daily fiber intake. Because I’m a lazy blogger (here) is a link to more information on them. I adapted the Recipe (here), but added my own twist for my liking.

Pre-Heat oven to 400 degrees.

• 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and yellow leaves removed
• 3 tablespoons Garlic infused olive oil
• 1/2  teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 Garlic Powder

Combine all ingredients in a Ziploc shake and coat well and roast  for 30 minutes until veggies are tender.

They came out great. I have no idea what i will make with them yet, maybe some chicken or fish tonight.

XOXO

Michelle

Let me know if you try it!

Tags: Brussels Sprouts, Cooking, Garlic Roasted, Healthy Choices, Low Fat Recipe, Recipes, Veggies