Who's sitting in your balcony?

My friend, Janet, took this video when she visited in February. We happened upon this push-up contest...that, quite frankly, I had no desire to be a part of. Janet told me I should enter and before I knew it, I was on the stage! Yikes! Janet has always had more faith in me than I deserve (thank you for that!!!) and this was one of those occasions that her belief in me kept me going to the end. Sometimes the encouragement from someone you love can motivate you to the next level. Listen to the people that care about you most...they see the good things in you.

Have you heard of the book "Balcony People" by Joyce Landorf Heatherley? The book describes the people that sit in YOUR balcony and cheer you on. The one's that only want success for you. The one's that see you for who you are and the potential you have. Janet sits in my balcony. I can always count on her fanfare.

We all need balcony people. Trusting someone else with your goals in life, with your desires and also your downfalls can propel you to the next level. We learn so much from each other when we share our true selves. We allow others to walk up and sit in our balcony, cheer for our successes...and cheer us through learning experiences. Always in an uplifting and caring way.

Sometimes someone can sit in your balcony only for a moment in time. I think of some of my balcony people being folks I hardly knew at all. A co-worker that helped me roll silverware at The Olive Garden so I could finish my shift and make my plans for the night. A person at the gym that told me they were encouraged by my hard work. A stranger that complimented an outfit I had on. Each of these things were simple acts, and yet are things I remember to this day.

Sometimes someone sits in your balcony for a season...or a lifetime. I think of my parents. Who were the biggest supporters through childhood years and continue to cheer on accomplishments through adulthood.

I am thankful and grateful for all of my balcony people. Thank you, Janet, for cheering me on - always.

Find one of your 'balcony people' today and tell them how much you appreciate their support...and then climb into their balcony and give them a rip-roaring, shout-out round of applause. Wave their flag high in the air and celebrate who they are.

My Bodyrockin' Kiddos

My kids LOVE to try my workouts. Here is a brief viewing. My FAVORITE exercise is the "sumo jump ups". They are SCARY at first!! But once you do them, they are just plain F-U-N! If, at first glance, you are thinking "no way in hell!"...then just keep your hands on the ground while you jump into the squat position. This is perfectly acceptable and you will still be performing the jumps, so pat yourself on the back for doing it! Once you feel like you can move on to the unassisted, swing your arms strong and go.for.it. Seriously is my favorite exercise. Hope you try it and make it one of your favorites, too. Try for 10-20 the first time...with a push up after each sumo jump up. Once you get to 20 consecutively, try for 10 minutes and see how many you can do in that time frame (be sure to warm-up before trying this exercise)...my highest score is 67, can you beat me??? Let me know how it goes!!

Fruit Muffins

Here is a great primal muffin recipe that my family loves (well, my daughter doesn't like them all that much...but the rest of us LOVE them!)

Here it is:

2 C. almond flour (also called "almond meal")
1 C. coconut flour
1 C. butter (chilled)
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. nutmeg
pinch of salt
6 eggs, separated
1/2 C. maple syrup (or honey...sweetener is opt. but I always use it)
3 Large apples, peeled and finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350*. Line muffin pans or grease (lining works best)
Yield: 24 muffins

Combine flours and spices. Add butter and combine with hands until mix resembles pea-sized crumbs (as you would a pie crust).

Add syrup and yolks - stir well.

Add chopped apples and stir.

In separate bowl whip egg whites until frothy. Fold into the large bowl mixture.

Roll into soft balls (I just grab a plum-sized amount and roll it a few times in my hands, it sticks together well).

Bake for 30-45 minutes.

When muffins have about 3 minutes left to cook, melt dark chocolate with a little butter to smooth it out. Once you pull out the muffins, put a dollop onto each on. I'm not sure how much chocolate I use, not a lot, maybe 1/4 C. total? You'll have to play with that one.

I do have a couple of tips: 1)Keep them in the fridge/freezer. They will mold if kept in an airtight container on the counter. 2) It is somewhat of a time consuming recipe (the dicing of the apples is what kills the rapidness of this recipe). Make sure you have a good 20-30 minute prep time. It's worth it!

This muffin is so pretty...I have to show it at the beginning AND the end of the post:

Favorite snack

This is my FAVORITE snack. Start with a cup of organic strawberries (remember, they are on the "dirty dozen" list - heavily chemically treated - buy organic), top with Greek yogurt (can use plain with a couple drops of stevia for sweetener or I usually use honey) and a handful of raw walnuts. It's super tasty...and makes for a perfect, sweet snack.

Ooops, I missed a day!

I fell asleep! I knew I had to post yesterday, but I just fell asleep. It was one of those nights that I was laying in bed and thought "oh, I forgot to post...I'll get up in a minute and go downstairs and write something real quick." Then I fell asleep.

Sometimes life gets in the way of simple goals. Sometimes it's life-altering. Sometimes it goes unnoticed.

How we handle life's changes is what makes or breaks us. How do you handle changes in life? Are they looked at as learning experiences? Are they viewed as negative trials? Do you internalize feelings, do you share with friends/family?

We, obviously, all go through trials in life. And how we handle these situations define who we are RIGHT NOW. Be the best "you" you can be...and I will be the best "me".

What will make you the "best you" today?

What's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Eggs, eggs, and eggs!

Eggs are HIGH on the consumption list in our house! Eggs have become our main source of protein. There are many benefits of eggs...here's some of them...

1) Eggs are a GREAT source of protein. Eggs are a complete protein, offering the body all that it needs. It is an easy protein for the body to digest and use.

2) Eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids. Eggs are great for your eyes and help to regulate your brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. The list of health benefits could go on and on...feel free to 'google' health benefits of eggs for more on this.

3) Eggs are affordable. Considering the cost of all other main protein forms, eggs is by far the cheapest option for the amount of protein (6 grams per egg).

4) Eggs can be cooked (or not) in a number of ways. So, even though eggs are for all 3 meals of the day...you can enjoy them in many different ways.

Here is my (main) daily menu with eggs:

Breakfast - (3) raw eggs
Morning snack - (2) hard-boiled egg whites
Lunch - (2) hard-boiled egg white and (1) hard-boiled yolk
Dinner - (3) egg omelette

Now, each of these meals contain fruits or veggies (fruit only at the morning snack and veggies the other meals). The egg is a great filler, on top of providing maximum protein/nutrition.

Crack one open today...never has there a more honest tag line than "the INCREDIBLE, edible egg"!

Garbanzo Bean ILO Tuna Fish???

That's right. When I was growing up my step-mom made THE BEST tuna melts EVER!! She'd make them open-faced, with tuna salad, pineapple and cheese on top. Broil them for a few minutes and you have yourself one tasty treat! And I could never stop at just one.

Now, on the Primal Blueprint diet, you can still consume these, using coconut bread (a post with recipe to follow...I have to make a batch up!) instead of wheat bread, and homemade mayo.

Now, a Primal Vegetarian would, obviously, not be able to gobble up these delish melts. Here is how one could...

Use Garbanzo Beans ILO Tuna Fish!!! I am not kidding when I tell you that you can get the same taste/effect with the garbanzo beans that you can the tuna fish. It is a substitute that is hardly noticeable as a "faux" version.

You will drain the can of garbanzo beans and put in a food processor (you can mash by hand but it takes awhile...be prepared for that) and mix. I use a little motorized food chopper. Place the beans in a bowl and add your fixings as you would the tuna (I like green onions, a LITTLE mayo and relish or pickles).

Place a generous amount on the bread, top with a slice of pineapple (or tomato) and a slice of cheese. Broil just until the cheese is bubbling, turning brown on the edges.

Now, beans are not high on the "Primal approval" list...so save these for a special occasion. And let me know what you think!!!

Bulk meat purchases

I love a website called Bargain Believers. I've heard of some great deals in the short few weeks that I've known about this site. One of those deals is from Zaycon Foods.

Zaycon Foods sells bulk meat options to families. For instance, the current promotion (ending June 8, 2011) is 40 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken is separated into (4) 10-pound packages, which would make easy separation if you choose to split with one or more families.

The meat they sell is natural, hormone-free and fresh.

If interested in purchasing from this company, they are only in select states, but expanding according to the website.

This meat fits right into the Primal Blueprint diet. Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Aaaaah, summertime is here!

Today the high was 108* in Arizona! It is safe to say that summer has DEFINITELY arrived. We spent the day at the pool, which prompts this post.

SUN IS GOOD!!!!!!!! I think this point is getting more accepted as information is being spread. Our bodies need the vitamin D that the sun gives us. You can supplement with a vitamin, but the effects are not as good as those from the sun itself. Vitamin D from the sun has been helpful for diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, as well as breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

Of course, it's important to not burn! That is too much sun. You need to find the line between too much and not enough, which varies depending on skin tone.

I use sunscreen on my kids...a natural brand and only for the first few weeks of summer. After that, unless we are in the sun for literally 8 hours (which is rare), they will not burn. The sunscreen blocks not only the sun's rays, but also the vitamin D and benefit.

I'm not recommending you to not use sunscreen, nor would you take me up on it if I was. But, keep in mind how beneficial the sun is...and try to fit 15 minutes or so in the sun...let your skin breathe in the benefits.

Grain Free Zucchini Muffins

I ran across this recipe and think it's a "must try". I will be "must try"ing it soon! A review to follow!!

Some Like it Hot, and Some Sweat when the Heat is On!

Have you ever tried Hot Yoga? Bikram Yoga is a unique, demanding 90-minute class made up of 26 classic yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises taught in a 105*-110*, 45% humid room.

Before you shake your head and scream out "no!" consider the health benefits backing this ancient practice.

Yoga is known for its ability to help posture. With the increased flexibility from the stretches, a natural improvement in posture occurs.

Yoga is known for added strength. Certain poses aid in muscle strength and endurance.

Yoga benefits breathing. The deeper the inhale breath, the harder the exhale breath can be. Increasing oxygen flow and lung capacity.

Yoga helps with a person's stress level. By performing intentional poses, holding and stretching, the mind releases stress and is calmed.

Yoga benefits the heart. Consistent yoga practice can lower the heart rate and blood pressure.

Yoga can also benefit chronic illness...back pain, asthma, arthritis, etc.

Bikram Yoga, in particular, is done in a heated room. This will increase your circulation and warm the muscles. The heat is something, at first, that you have to focus on. It's freakin' hot in that room! But, you can overcome the heat and actually enjoy the heat and it's healing abilities. The heat allows for a deeper stretch, creates a cardiovascular benefit, and flushes toxins from the body.

I, for one, am in love with hot yoga. To have the opportunity to push your body in a low-impact, restorative manner gives you a "high" similar to the runner's high. You leave the room exhausted and rejuvenated.

The idea of being in a hot room for 90 minutes can be intimidating. But there is only one major rule while in the class...don't leave the room. If you need a break, you can lie on your mat and get a break. You can lie on your mat the entire 90 minutes and consider the class a success. Next class, try to do some of the poses. Eventually you will be able to perform all poses and increase flexibility and healing with each second you stand/lie dripping in sweat.

I would suggest you look for a Bikram Yoga class in your area. Typically the facilities will provide a special introductory price/schedule. Take advantage of the opportunity and sweat your way to health!

Mark's Daily Apple blog

This is a blog you must check out...he's the mastermind behind "The Primal Blueprint". Enjoy!

Sit well.

My mom told me that I don't "sit well". She told me I needed something that I can do to sit and relax. I am one of those people that usually go, go, and go. When I do sit to read or watch a movie or whatever one does when they sit down to relax, I fall asleep. I can't just sit and recharge. I'm full throttle, baby!

So, when my mom told me that I needed to learn to relax, I decided to take up knitting. I call my mom a "master knitter". She has been knitting most of her life and makes the most beautiful pieces. I have many-a sweater, hat, scarf, gloves, dish towels, etc. that she has created for me. Following in the footsteps of a "master anything" can be intimidating. But, mom is a great teacher at her craft and had me knitting and purling in no time.

Since learning to knit a couple of years ago, I look forward to my "down time". I can sit and knit for a half-hour and still feel productive.

Make sure you give your body some down time...we need it. Let the mind wander and body relax. Do something that interests you during that time.

I won't be selling my pieces anytime soon, but I do enjoy the practice and will hopefully make some family and friends happy with handmade gifts.