Simple Quinoa Tabouli

The thing about eating healthy is to explore foods that you wouldn't ordinarily eat. People get so fixated on eating the same items over and over with the belief that it’s safer this way. NO! Why put yourself or your tongue on such boring restrictions. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to create delicious and healthy meals. Besides, once you put forth the effort to create some healthy recipes, before you know it, you’ll be whipping up your own dishes and saving money too!

Quinoa Tabouli

1 cup dry quinoa (cooked according to package instructions)

After quinoa is cooked and fluffed, in a large bowl move it into a large bowl. Add cucumber, tomatoes, onions and herbs and toss to coat.

1 1/2 cups chopped cucumbers (I used one large cucumber)

1 ½  cups chopped tomatoes (or use cherry tomatoes - halved)

1/2 cup chopped onion (can substitute green onions)

1 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

1 ½ cups fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped

Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk garlic and lemon juice. Drizzle in the olive oil. Add the cumin. Season to taste with Kosher salt and pepper.

1/3  scant cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

1 garlic clove, grated

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

½  teaspoon ground cumin

½  teaspoon Kosher salt

¼  teaspoon pepper

Drizzle dressing into quinoa mixture. 

Absorb the Positive

The other morning as I was driving, I happened to catch a look at the moon. It was making its way west. I had to go and take a look from one of my favorite spots on Lake Erie. 

The streets here were covered with snow. The side streets were even worse, but I just didn't care. I made my way to the lake. Parked my car. Walked to an extremely cold spot and stood there and took in such a beautiful moment. 

It's times like these when the universe reminds you of how precious life is. How important it is to stop and look around you. Life isn't perfect and neither are we. But, if you take a moment out of each day and just absorb the positive around you, your eyes will open to so many more positive things. 

Being healthy isn't just physical, it's also mental. Hugs!

I've Returned...YAY!

I’m back. Since, my last entry, I got caught in the social media tornado! So, it’s not that I’ve fallen off the face of the earth, very far from that. It appeared that I had landed up in the “social media oz” that took me on the path to the “Land of Instagram”, playing with the flying “Tweets” and ended at “The Facebook City”…LOL!

I can say, it’s been a very interesting journey. It appears that I had to “re-route” a huge area of my life.  I had to let go of a major relationship.  Often times, we fight that feeling in our gut that tells us to let go.  Maybe, we think we will be seen as failures because it didn't work out. NOT! If things are always negative and where both people are not nourishing the relationship, it will have no life and die! I see myself as a success in making the decision to let it go. Lesson learned! New routes bring interesting paths and undiscovered territories. LOL!

I’m still learning more and more about my body after my thyroid cancer. I will continue to share as I hope that my story will help others to not give up on their goals. I have so much to share and look forward to the adventures of 2015.

Spinning - As in Indoor Cycling

Often times, I enjoy being a participant in a fitness class as much as I do being a fitness trainer. It gives me a chance to truly absorb the class and provide genuine feedback to my clients and trainees. It’s one thing to know about different classes and training techniques, but it’s something all together different when you can express these sessions from the view point of a trainee.

Spinning class. I was encouraged to attend one of my fellow yogi’s spinning class.  I had never taken a spinning class before and found myself to be a bit intrigued to attend this one.  It was at a nice spot in the Hingetown area of Cleveland, called Harness Cycle.  Of course, I had to visit their site to see just what the studio was about and I liked what I saw. I created an account and she and picked a Friday evening. The club’s “Happy Hour” cycling class offering $5 for the session. Nice, right?

            I packed my padded cycling shorts because I had imagined that there would be some soreness in my “saddle” area.  They provided towels and water.  The instructor assisted me with setting up my bike and then it was time for the class to begin.  I have to say, I love seeing other instructors display passion and energy in their classes. This instructor was definitely showing hers. Her music playlist was on point and had nice variety. The class was 98% packed and there were people of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and gender.  A perfect mix. 

            Ordinarily, I am a pretty coordinated individual.  At a few times, I found it difficult to pedal a mile/minute and “tap” at the called out increments. Tapping is when you “tap that butt” on your seat. Love it…lol.  Her mix of using weights along with pedaling as well as tying in some push-up movements on the handle bars was impressive. The energy level was high and even if you needed to pedal at your own pace, it was okay too. 

            Would I do it again? Yes, I plan on it. Was my butt sore, yes, but I’m used to soreness especially when I know that I will be taking my body into new fitness dimensions.  You don’t have to be a size 2 to attend a spinning class, so erase that from you mind. I plan on sharing it with my trainees and who knows, I see a “fitness field trip” one evening on the horizon.

Looking to check out a spinning class? Check out this article and by all means, prepare your butt for the ride!

New Year, New Behavior 2014 - Status Check

It's hard to believe that we are approaching the month of May. Phew! Time flies. In January, many of you set resolutions/goals/accomplishments for this year. Well, time for a "2014 NEW BEHAVIOR" Status Check!!! WOO HOO!!!

Personally, I like to plan things out in increments for the year, it's easier for me.  For example, if you had decided to lose 50 pounds by the end of this year, at this time, you should be pretty close to half way towards reaching your goal...right?

This is your status check time. Take a moment to assess your goals. Are you on track? Have you given up and bailed out? If you are victim to the challenges that life tends to bring, you still have some time left. Let's say you may have started with losing 50 pounds, how about changing it to 25 pounds instead? 

It's time! You don't have to forego things for another year. If you have fallen off your 2014 plan so far. Don't let your inner voice convince you that it's okay to wait another year. Not when you can still get something accomplished this year. Now, if you are on course, pat yourself on the back and keep it going. 

Whichever your situation, we are only approaching May and many things can be done from this point out.  Balance is key and whatever your goal is for this year, you can plan on celebrating your success come New Year's Eve!

Need help with getting there? Share what you plan on accomplishing by the end of the year. You will be amazed with yourself when you reach your goal. 

Pause...take a moment!

Life keeps us busy. We are continuously going, doing, planning, texting, talking, typing, reading, eating, blah, blah, blah.  Pause for a moment, no matter where you are. Inhale the beauty. Inhale life. Inhale the appreciation of being in the present time. 

Hotel rooftop in New Orleans

"Happiness is an inside job." ~William Arthur Ward

Squat Touches

The target areas for this exercise are your quads, glutes and hamstrings. Stand and place your feet together, squat down, placing a slight, not deep bend in the knees and clasp your hands together. Be sure to not let your knees go past the tips of your toes. 

While squatting, tap your right foot forward, then tap it out to the right side, tap to the rear and return your right foot back to the starting position. Continue the touches on the right side, completing one set on the right. Then, switch to the left foot. Repeat. Do another full set on each leg. 
Your quads, glutes and hamstrings will thank you!