Thursday, December 31, 2015

A Holiday “Tini”

holiday tini2Here’s to a New Year!!

Sometimes you just have to celebrate and not worry about every little thing you put in your mouth. This new drink is a little easier on the waistline! So sit back and enjoy, remember the 2015 memories, and look forward to a new year filled with lots of love, light, and laughter. Happy New Year!!

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz Top shelf Vodka
  • 1.5 oz Prosecco
  • 1/4 oz Ginger beer
  • splash of gooseberry juice, plus berries for garnish
  • sprig of rosemary
  • 2-3 currants for garnish

Directions:

Using a small martini glass. Pour in vodka, then Prosecco, and ginger beer. Top with rosemary and currants. Add in the splash of gooseberry juice and use the berries for garnish. Sip and enjoy!


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1OmOSY2 http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Yoga Practice For Healthy Life & Living

With a full planner for the rest of the year, it’s difficult to pencil in an impromptu vacation—but after calories consumed over Thanksgiving and Christmas, detoxifying is an inevitable solution with Abundance Yoga Retreats in Italy.

Read the full post Yoga Practice For Healthy Life & Living on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

New Gardening & Cookbook for Kid’s Released! Plus a Cool Kit to Get Kids in the Kitchen this Holiday Season!

kids gc bookThis one has been on my list for the last year and after a busy summer season with the Pilates and Wellness Studio I have finally found some down time to bang it out and get it done. So I am excited to announce the next book in the Farm Foodie Fitness “Homegrown” series. This is the kids edition!!! Perfect for any age that wants or loves to cook and/or garden!

This book teaches kids to start, maintain, grow a garden, and then harvest what they’ve grown, come back in to the kitchen develop a recipe, prepare, cook and enjoy all their hard work! The book teaches kids to be hands on and aware of where their food comes from, how it’s grown and taken care of, the work that goes into growing food and the importance of eating well. It also teaches them to be able to come into the kitchen and learn how to take those ingredients, prepare and safely cook their harvest, and turn it into a nutritious and healthy meal.

Learning to garden and cook not only teaches a life long skill, it also teaches science, math and measuring, understanding cook and preparation times, the life cycle of a living thing, and how to take care, nurture, and gain responsibility for some thing. As well as learning how to make healthier choices, expand their palates, and become more open-minded to new things and nature.

You can order a copy of my new kids gardening and cookbook at either of these sites! Beach Pilates and Wellness or Farm Foodie Fitness.

Looking for something else fun and hands on to get the kids involved in the kitchen? You have to check out Kidstir!! I love this company! My little guy has gotten a couple kits to try new recipes and fun ways to get involved in the kitchen and they have a great program. You can sign up for a single kit, do one of their monthly plans, or even join for the full year! My little guy gets so excited for his box to come every month and he wants to get in the kitchen more and more every week!! Use this link and save 30% off your new subscription!!! It’s the perfect gift for the holidays!!

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1PYf0u7 http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Brownie Bites!!!!

brownie bites2Chocolate! Chocolate! Kids love it! Even the adults will love them! This recipe will make you feel a little better about giving it to them to the kids, all whole ingredients, no               chemicals or preservatives, and only natural sugar. Super fun to                   make! Double or triple your batch, store them in the freezer for                 later. The kids will love getting their hands sticky and licking their               fingers clean on this one!

 

Makes 18-24 Balls

Ingredients:

  • ½ C macadamia nuts
  • 1 C dates (soaked for 10 minutes)
  • ½ tsp cacao powder (1/2 tsp extra for rolling)
  • Pinch of sea salt (optional)
  • 1 Tsp unsweetened coconut (optional)

Directions:

  1. In a Vitamix or food processor pulse until nuts are still a little chunky, you want mostly powder. Put in a bowl.
  2. Blend soaked dates, add a little of the water they’ve been soaking in if it’s too sticky, should make a paste.
  3. Add cacao and salt, blend again. Scrape into bowl with nuts. Moisten hands with water and roll into balls. Roll into unsweetened cacao and coconut if you’d like!

 

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1PLLsQj http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Friday, November 13, 2015

Pilates. Why it Should be Apart of Your Workout Routine, No Excuses.

beach picPilates… by now we all know what Pilates is and what it can do for our bodies. Gain coordination, flexibility, balance, core strength, build muscles with resistance and assistance, etc. 10 years ago trying to explain to people what I taught was a huge task, trying to get them to pronounce it correctly was a whole other ball game. :) Flash forward to now, teaching and explaining is definitely a lot easier but occasionally I will get people who have never heard of Pilates or its benefits. Only makes teaching a little more fun and a little more challenging but that’s why instructors teach to see the results they give their clients and students. To watch them grow and develop, to become more confident with their form and bodies, even to become pain-free.

But why should it be apart of everyone’s workout routine? Keep reading to find out! :)

Have you ever watched a baby suck on their toes, or a 5-year-old place their head on their knee effortlessly? How about a ballet dancer or gymnast contort themselves into the most pain-thought provoking positions you’ve ever seen and you still say to yourself I wish I could do that? Or how about an athlete or some one that has a Pilates or even Yoga practice do something as easy as bending from the waist and placing their hands on the flat to the floor without hesitation. (But you think to yourself “yea if I did that I’d rip a hamstring or there is no way that will ever happen! But I still wish I could do it!)  :)

As we age through our life cycle, our bodies continually change from coming down the birth canal to becoming elderly. Each step in our life requires a body fundamental that is continually changing throughout the course of our lives and it goes along with what activities you decide to do from age 5 to age 95.

So lets start from the beginning as a baby and a child you naturally have the flexibility and pretty good balance because you haven’t developed any bad habits yet and your center of gravity is closer to the ground. Go to a child in 4th grade, now for the past 4-5 years you’ve been sitting at a school desk for a good 6 hours a day/ 5 days a week. The muscles that used to be in continual movement have now become stagnant and the muscles begin to shorten and tighten. Next look at a child in high school, now puberty has begun so you’ve added more years of sitting, growth spurts, hormone changes, maybe they’re not as active anymore with sports or activities and sitting more in front of the TV or playing video games. 20’s-40’s most people are driving cars with a lot of travel involved, sitting behind a desk 5-6 days a week, even sitting with computers 15-18 hours a day. The posture has now completely changed, causing us to have tighter hamstrings, low back pain, rounded shoulders, forward head, maybe an injury has caused a complete muscle imbalance throughout the whole body. See the pattern here…

Getting into middle age, we have wear and tear on the joints and muscles, making it more prone to injury, joint replacements, and surgery, menopause for women cause complete body changes from excess body fat and weight gain to muscle and  bone loss, even multiple pregnancies can alter the bodies form as well. As we get older and even more elderly we face the every day challenge of losing our balance, lack of coordination, agility and flexibility go quickly, muscles and bones lose a lot of strength, and then injuries and falls often happen when these things start to fade.

So how does Pilates help from childhood till the day your body just says it’s done? By incorporating Pilates into your weekly routine you can reverse muscle imbalances, poor posture, develop core strength to increase balance and coordination. A strong core keeps you upright and center of gravity level so that you’re less likely to fall. Pilates is low-impact great for people with weakening bone density or osteoporosis because it’s weight-baring (You just have to know your limitations when it comes to having health concerns like osteoporosis. That’s why you always want to have a certified instructor before you jump into a class or sign up for any kind of workout)

Pilates can rehabilitate an injury, prevent injury, and it develops body awareness. Not everyone is built the same or have the same fitness levels. Pilates allows for a range of any limitation, injury, disease, or illness. It was designed for men but women tend to embrace it more. But men can achieve huge goals and levels through out their practice just as easily as women. Pilates can change and improve your abilities of any desired sports, activity, and every day functional movement.

Remember it is a practice, it takes time to reverse imbalances, injuries, improper muscle development. Muscles do have memory, they will go back to where they should but with Pilates it becomes a lifestyle something you have to continue to do, there is no quick fix, but there is change that you can see with in the first 5-10 sessions or classes you begin to take. So ponder the next time you’re the gym thinking about the Pilates class you’ve always wanted to take, or passing the window of the new studio right down the street from your house, don’t worry about the most flexible person in the class and if you’ll ever get to the point of putting your head to your knee again. Focus on feeling better, what goals you want to accomplish, living pain and injury free, as an active healthy person living a long life!

 

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1HMs4L4 http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Watercress, Baby Fennel, Citrus and Apple Salad

fall watercress saladEating well doesn’t have to taste like tree bark or dirt. It’s just a matter of putting together different flavor profiles and experimenting and somethings things will blow you out of the water and then some will leave you tossing your whole plate into the trash or tweaking it a little more to get the perfect dish for you.

I am a “Fall Sunday Chef.” By breakfast I have the Food Network on in the background and then as soon as the clock hits 1:00 pm it’s all about the NFL in the background. I usually go through the kitchen see what I have in there to play with or what I have harvested from the garden for the week that I can cook up and try with new recipes. This helps with not having to cook for the week also. Usually I can get through at least Wednesday night with dinners covered if I plan well on Sundays.

Here is one of my recipes for this week, part from the garden and part I already had in the refrigerator. It’s the perfect way to eat healthy and hearty for the cooler fall months.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups organic watercress
  • 6 bulbs baby fennel chopped in small pieces (I harvested this from the school garden, you can use regular fennel, use the inside pieces for more tender and not so pungent taste)
  • 2 small oranges
  • 2 small apples
  • 12-15 dehydrated cranberries- you can also use dried cranberries try to get ones that haven’t had added sugar to make them sweeter. (use 1/4 cup)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Dressing:

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
  • pinch sea salt
  • pinch fresh ground pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl add watercress and baby fennel.
  2. Peel and slice oranges into pieces.
  3. Slice apples add to salad
  4. Top with cranberries
  5. In a dry pan on medium heat, toast pine nuts until slightly brown and fragrant.
  6. Add to top of salad and mix well.

Dressing Directions:

  1. In a  mason jar or old glass container. Add oil, vinegar, orange juice, salt and pepper.
  2. Shake well, pour on top of salad
  3. Toss well and serve!

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1HHJLv0 http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Pre-Workout Dynamic Yoga Warm Up

This 8 minute Pre-Workout Dynamic Yoga Warm Up is what I use at the beginning of my workouts to warm up my arms, chest, shoulders, core, back, butt and legs. Enjoy!

Subscribe for more yoga videos & healthy lifestyle videos: http://www.youtube.com/sarahbethyoga

Read the full post Pre-Workout Dynamic Yoga Warm Up on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

30 Minute Post-Workout Yoga Cool Down

Whether you’re a weightlifter, runner, into HIIT or any other style of workout, this full body post-workout cool down can balance out your fitness with yoga, while stretching the whole body and reducing soreness.

There are modifications and variations offered throughout the practice so you can change up your cooldown depending on how you feel.

Subscribe for more yoga videos http://www.youtube.com/sarahbethyoga

Read the full post 30 Minute Post-Workout Yoga Cool Down on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

15 Minute Post-Workout Static Yoga Cool

This quick full body post-workout cool down can balance out your fitness with yoga, whether you’re a weightlifter, runner, into HIIT or any other style of workout.

There are modifications and variations offered throughout the practice so you can change up your cool down depending on how you feel.

Subscribe for more yoga videos & healthy lifestyle videos: http://www.youtube.com/sarahbethyoga

Read the full post 15 Minute Post-Workout Static Yoga Cool on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

6 Minute FIT TEST | Warrior Strength

This is more than just muscling through postures. This is an opportunity for you to practice your breath control, body awareness, mindfulness in the present moment, and a non-reactive sense of calm and ease, even within the face of a challenge. This “Fit Test” is for your mental strength as much as your physical strength.

Subscribe to my channel for new uploads every Friday AM: http://www.youtube.com/sarahbethyoga

Read the full post 6 Minute FIT TEST | Warrior Strength on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

20 Minute Power Yoga | Warrior Strength

Download a copy of the 20 & 30 Minute Warrior Strength videos: http://ift.tt/1MQHVQj

Level 1 doesn’t mean easy, but practicing this challenging class will strengthen you, body & mind, through breath-challenging flows. You will gain strength each time you practice. Seal off your class with a short 1-minute seated meditation observing the breath.

Subscribe to my channel! http://youtube.com/sarahbethyoga/subscribe

Read the full post 20 Minute Power Yoga | Warrior Strength on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

30 Minute Power Yoga | Warrior Strength

Download a copy of the 20 & 30 Minute Warrior Strength videos: http://ift.tt/1MQHVQj

Subscribe to my channel for new uploads every Friday! http://youtube.com/sarahbethyoga/subscribe

This intense Power Yoga practice will challenge you body, breath and mind. Stay focused! Stay strong! Practice every other day to build your warrior strength! Seal off your class with a short 3-minute seated meditation observing the breath.

Read the full post 30 Minute Power Yoga | Warrior Strength on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

10 Minute Yoga for Sore Wrists Routine

This quick yoga routing for sore wrists can be used whenever your wrists need a little release, healing and recovery. Do not use if your wrists are inflamed. Please watch the Tips & Tricks video.

DOWNLOAD this video to keep: http://ift.tt/1MQHVQj

Tips & Tricks for Sore Wrists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70bVd2rxZKs
3 Yoga Poses for Sore Wrists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ1SWBUA38s
20 Minute Hands Fr

Read the full post 10 Minute Yoga for Sore Wrists Routine on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

20 Minute Hands-Free Vinyasa Yoga Routin

Practice this hands-free vinyasa routine whenever your hands, sore wrists, elbows, shoulders or upper body need a break. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD this video to keep: http://ift.tt/1MQHVQj

Tips & Tricks for Sore Wrists: https://youtu.be/70bVd2rxZKs
3 Yoga Poses for Sore Wrists: https://youtu.be/70bVd2rxZKs
10 Minute Gentle Yoga for Sore Wrists: https://youtu.be/q0x0yGg6mwA
30 Minute Hands Free Yoga Practice: https://yo

Read the full post 20 Minute Hands-Free Vinyasa Yoga Routin on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

30 Minute Hands-Free Vinyasa Yoga Practi

Add this hands-free vinyasa practice to your regular routine whenever your hands, sore wrists, elbows, shoulders or upper body need a break. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD this video to keep: http://ift.tt/1MQHVQj

Tips & Tricks for Sore Wrists: https://youtu.be/70bVd2rxZKs
3 Yoga Poses for Sore Wrists: https://youtu.be/70bVd2rxZKs
10 Minute Gentle Yoga for Sore Wrists: https://youtu.be/q0x0yGg6mwA
20 Minute Hands Free Yoga P

Read the full post 30 Minute Hands-Free Vinyasa Yoga Practi on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

Meditation 101

Watch this if you’re interested in meditation and starting a meditation practice. Check the Meditation Playlist for updates including How to Breath Meditation, Mantra Meditation, Mala meditation etc: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP7Ou7uUiYzBtDdWZ4QtcPEy8ffcKu_js

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly yoga uploads: http://www.youtube.com/sarahbethyoga

Read the full post Meditation 101 on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Chocolate Coconut Banana Smoothie

choc coco banI needed a little pick me up mid-day, 3 weeks to go till baby girl shows up and I’ve been tackling the giant to do list like a mad woman, guess it’s the good and bad thing about “the nesting period” of pregnancy. So I threw this little ditty together to give myself a boost to get through more clients and class last evening. Quick and easy this one could be a staple if you need a healthy smoothie mid day.

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 banana
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut for garnish
  • 4-5 ice cubes

Directions:

  1. In a Vitmaix or immersion blender, add all ingredients except for shredded coconut.
  2. Blend well. Pour into glass, top with shredded coconut
  3. Enjoy!

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1XSdoDj http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Mason Jar Fruit Parfaits- Perfect for You & The Kids!

mason jar parfaitsThese will be a hit in your home! Layer your favorite fruits, add         granola, and add some cacao nibs or semi-sweet chocolate chips         to make it extra special. These are great for a snack or even better       for healthy quick breakfast. Change up your ingredients as the seasons change. Hope they are a favorite in your house as they are   in mine!

 

 

Makes 4-6 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 Small mason jars
  • 1 large container of Organic Greek Yogurt
  • 1 small pineapple, cored and chopped
  • 1/4 C unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ C Mango
  • ¼ C sliced oranges
  • Pinch of Chia Seeds
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 C Macadamia nuts

Directions:

  1. In each Mason jar, place a layer of chopped pineapple.
  2. Spoon in 2 Tbsp. Greek yogurt as your next layer.
  3. For the next layer add oranges and mango evenly throughout each jar.
  4. Layer another 2 Tbsp. yogurt
  5. In a small bowl pour in nuts, cinnamon, Chia seeds, and coconut. Mix well.
  6. Top your parfait with nut and coconut mixture.
  7. Add a dash more of cinnamon if you wish and garnish with a piece of pineapple.
  8. Grab a spoon and serve. If you made a larger batch, cover with a lid and store in the refrigerator.

 

 

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1GyzQwW http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

A Healthy Snack for the Kids! Root Veggie Chips!!

root vegThese are such an easy snack to make and healthy too. Kids will       love helping you prep and watching them bake. You can also do this with kale or any root vegetable. Makes a rainbow of chips and  you can do multiple batches together. Do a pan of zucchini, carrots, beets, turnips, and even kale and then put them all together.Use fresh or dried herbs to change the flavor profile!

 

Root Vegetable Chips

Makes 3-4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
  • 3-4 Medium size carrots
  • 2-3 small turnips
  • 2-3 golden beets (you can use red beets too, the juice will just run in with the other vegetables, just cook them separate if you can only find red beets)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Pinch of sea salt or pinch Old Bay (crab seasoning-optional)

Directions:

  1. Set oven to 200 degrees.
  2. Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, salt or seasoning. Toss with in a bowl with vegetables. Mix until well covered.
  3. Spread the vegetables over a baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! Flip occasionally. They should be crispy!
  4. Let them cool to crisp even more

 

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1k9Na0h http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Fruit Fizzies & Infusers for the Kids & You!

water kidsHaving a tough time getting your kids to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water? Feel like it’s a constant battle? Here’s a few ideas to get the kiddos sipping some more water and probably asking for more!!! Ditch the juice box and up your little ones water intake. It’s healthier, flushes their system, keeps them from getting sick more often, and keeps them hydrated to be the best they can be in school and on the fields. These are so fun to make and the kids will love getting involved. Add different kinds of veggies and herbs to really change it up! Grab some crazy straws and make it even more exciting. You can interchange these with sparkling or filtered water depending on your mood!

Citrus Fizz:

Makes 2-3 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of unflavored sparkling water
  • 1 lime- sliced in wheels
  • 1 lemon-sliced in wheels
  • 1 orange-sliced in wheels
  • Mason jars
  • Funky straws
  • Ice

Directions:

  1. In a mason jar add a small handful of ice. Pour sparkling water in to the jar over the ice. Slide in 2 slices of lime, lemon, and orange into each jar. Add a funky straw. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes to chill and infuse some of the juice into the jar. If you want to speed up the process using the straws, jab the fruit for a minute or two get some of the juices flowing a little quicker.

 

Minty Melon:

Makes 2-3 Servings

Ingredients:

  • ¼ watermelon cut into small pieces
  • 2 cups filtered water
  • Handful of fresh mint-chopped or leaves can be kept whole
  • Ice
  • Mason jars
  • Funky straws

Directions:

  1. In a mason jar add ice and pour water over top. Drop in chunks of water melon. Add springs or chopped mint on top. Add a funky straw and stir well. Allow drink to sit to infuse at least 5 minutes. The longer they sit the more they’ll infuse.

via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1PICsKv http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Friday, October 16, 2015

Celebrate World Food Day!!

world food

photo credit: http://ift.tt/16fHGnu

Every year on October 16th millions of people all over the world stand up to fight and eradicate hunger. The world has enough resources to feed every hungry person out there. We all just have to do our part to contribute. There are many ways you can make a difference from food donations, hold a meal packing event or dinner, attend hunger walks, even start a food drive or grow your own food and donate to families or organizations that need your help, even if it’s only in your own community.

Did you know:

  1. “Almost 5 million children under the age of 5 die from malnutrition-related causes every year.”
  2. “4 in 10 children in poor countries are malnourished, damaging their brains and bodies.”
  3. “60% of the hungry in the world are women.”
  4. “If women farmers had the same access to resources as men, the number of hungry people in the world could be reduced by up to 150 million.”
  5. “1.3 Billion tons of food grown for human consumption is either lost or wasted each year.”

It’s sad to think that the US is one of the riches countries in the world and able to produce enough food to feed every American in this country but still 14.3% still go hungry. That’s 1 in 7 Americans!!! I hope some of these statistics inspire you to make a difference today and in the future. Together we can end hunger in our lifetime, we all just have to do our parts!

*** All quotes and stats were obtained from the World Food Day website and from “FAO” (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.) If you would like more information, to find events in your area, or even how you can help on personal or communal level please visit their site.**** http://ift.tt/16fHGnu.

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1jGIoag http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Roasted Pumpkin & Acorn Squash Salad with Mixed Greens, Goat Cheese, & Toasted Pepitas

squash saladFall is definitely here! My favorite time of year, especially living in a resort beach town, time slows a bit, the weather cools down, schedules begin to free up, the beaches are perfect, and cooking with the windows open takes away a little of the guilt of staying inside. Cooler temperatures makes for heartier and more filling foods. This is a spin-off Giada’s Italian recipe but a little tweak here and there and I’ve made it more of my own. Hope you love it as much as my family did!

Ingredients:

  • 1 small baking pumpkin
  • 2 small Acorn Squash
  • 2 Tbs Olive oil
  • 2 Tbs Balsamic Vinegar
  • 2 C Arugula and Spinach Mix
  • 1/4 C Cypress Grove Goat Cheese (or a gourmet goat cheese that crumbles well)
  • 1/8 C pepitas or pumpkin seeds
  • 1/8 C dried cranberries
  • 2 tsp “Herbs de Provence” herbs
  • Pinch sea salt
  • Pinch fresh ground pepper

Directions:

  1. Set oven to 350 degrees. Cut, peel, and seed pumpkin and squash. Cut into thick slices.
  2. In a baking dish, drizzle olive oil on bottom of dish, place in pumpkin and squash slices. Top with 1 Tbs of balsamic vinegar, Herbs de Provence, salt and pepper. Bake or Roast in oven for 30-35 minutes until tender.
  3. In a dry saute pan on medium heat, toast pepitas. Be sure to stir or flip them often, they will burn fast. they should toast in 2-4 minutes.
  4. On a plate, place arugula and spinach mix, top with roasted pumpkin and squash
  5. Crumble and sprinkle goat cheese, cranberries, and toasted pumpkin seeds.
  6. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  7. Drizzle last Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and olive oil on top.
  8. Serve and Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1RJVPSF http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Thursday, October 8, 2015

How to Keep Your Kids Healthy Now that Schools Back!!

kellan healthySchool is finally in full swing and fall is here, which means cooler days, more time spent inside soon, and that means our favorite people will be sharing sneezes, runny noses, coughs, and every other microscopic cootie out there! YUCK!

So how do we keep our little ones as healthy as possible…here are a few ideas!

  1. Skip all the juices and opt for water more. Flushing their systems and keeping them hydrated will keep them bug-free longer. Save the juice boxes as a treat on the weekends. Get a stainless steel refillable water bottle and send them to school with a fresh bottle of filtered water. Kids not big fans of water. Change it up every day with a slice of lemon, raspberries, or cucumbers. Add some flavor, while adding extra antioxidants and nutrients.
  2. Sideline all the sugar. Sugar is hiding everywhere especially in “kid foods.” Peanut butter, jellies or jams, cookies, cakes, candy, fruit snacks, you name it, it’s in there. Sugar depresses the immune system. Try to avoid the processed sugars and opt for more fresh fruits.
  3. Up the probiotics. Gut heath is so important. They healthier your gut the healthier you stay. They don’t call the gut, “your second brain” for no reason. It doesn’t function when it’s filled with processed foods, lots of sugar, and lots of junk. Probiotics help to boost immunity and help fight off germs and bacteria. Make sure to buy probiotics with live cultures. They should be in the refrigerator when you buy them and should be stored in the fridge when you get home.
  4. Make sure they’re getting enough sleep. It’s the key to staying healthy. A full nights rest let’s the body re-cooperate and heal as you sleep. It also helps with boosting the immune system, mood, and helps with focusing.
  5. Wash hands. Kids hate to do it, but make it a necessity. Always wash hands before eating, after bathroom breaks, being outside or playing with other kids. Try to keep kids from putting hands in eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible. Yeah right! That’s a battle in itself! ;) Letting them know that how they get sick sometimes help with them thinking about washing their hands more often.

Hope these ideas keep your little ones feeling great and as healthy as they can be in school and through the upcoming cold and flu season. Here’s to healthy kids and happy parents! :)

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1L8Be5H http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Monday, October 5, 2015

I’m Back…. with Fig Tarts with Cinnamon & Vanilla Creme!!!

fig tartFinally, I am back on track!!! After a whirlwind of a summer with a slammed Pilates and Wellness studio. While throwing in a new pregnancy in between the craziness of 2 other small ones and a resort area business, I’m finally catching my breath and getting back on track! Sadly it’s been 4 months since my last post. I can’t believe I am actually saying that! 4 months is way to long!!!! In the three years of hosting this blog I think the longest I ever went without posting was 2 weeks, but I just couldn’t get to it happen, working 70 hours a week, running two little ones to camp all summer, and now baby number 3 is headed our way in only 7.5 more weeks. Can’t believe time has flown by this fast.

But I wanted to get back into writing and sharing with you the things I’m doing in the studio, in the garden, and of course in the kitchen. So with that being said. Here is my newest guilty pleasure creation.(Fig Tarts with Cinnamon and Vanilla Creme!) Hope you enjoy it and only hope that you guys will be super excited to have me back! And I’ll be doing my best to stay on track at least once or twice a week posting even with the new arrival quickly approaching. Hope everyone is well and look forward to hearing from you all! Feel free to leave a comment!

Shells:

  • 1 cup almonds (organic preferred) soaked for at least 6 hours to sprout. This is optional.
  • 1 cup Mejool dates-pitted
  • 1 Tbsp water if needed

Filling:

  • 1 cup cashews (organic preferred) soaked until soft, at least an hour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping:

  • fresh figs sliced in quarters
  • sprinkle of cinnamon for the top

Directions:

  1. Combine cashews, honey/syrup, vanilla and cinnamon in a food processor or Vitamix until smooth. Add water if mixture is too thick
  2. Refrigerate in a separate bowl
  3. Next add almonds and dates in food processor till you get a sticky mixture. Add water again if consistency is too thick.
  4. Using a tablespoon, make ball size tarts, by flattening down the tops on a baking sheet or if you have a tart pan. Chill in refrigerator for 20-30 mins.
  5. Place filling on top of tarts.
  6. Top with figs and dash of cinnamon

 

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1Of6pRd http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Monday, July 13, 2015

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana Up Dog

Get proper alignment for Up Dog! Keep the spine and shoulders healthy!

Read the full post Urdhva Mukha Svanasana Up Dog on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

Adho Mukha Svanasana Down Dog

Down Dog is a great posture for opening the backs of the legs and chest. It also strengthens the thighs back, hands and wrists. It helps to decompress the spine and calm the mind. This video will help you with alignment of this master posture!

Read the full post Adho Mukha Svanasana Down Dog on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

Navasana and Ardha Navasana Boat

Strengthen the core, legs and back with Upward Facing Boat.

Read the full post Navasana and Ardha Navasana Boat on YOME - .

via YOME -  More READ

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Getting the Kids Involved in the Kitchen

DSC_5858Getting kids to eat healthy and make better choices about what’s good for them has become a full time job for parents all over the world. With all the false marketing, fat-free, gluten free, low calorie, etc makes it hard to understand if what you’re really buying is actually good for you or just a play on words to make you think what you’re consuming and buying is actually good for you and your family. It really comes down to education and understanding a label and what’s really in your food and what you’re buying.

Kids follow by example especially if you start them off early. They’ll actually surprise you on the things they pick up listening to you and having them get involved in what their eating just by starting a garden or getting them involved in the kitchen to help cook can make all the difference for the choices they make for the rest of their lives!

Having them get their hands dirty in the garden, teaches them to tend and care for what their growing, help them understand how things grow and all the work that goes into going from a seed to your plate, it also allows them to appreciate their food and what their consuming.

No time or space for garden? Get them in the kitchen with you! Have them chop vegetables if their old enough to use a knife, pull up a stool let them stir the pot of sauce or help make scrambled eggs. Allow them to set the table, or help clean up. Even just grabbing a chair and have them sit next to you and watch while you prep veggies, cook chicken, or watch the water boil can allow them to get excited and what to learn more. Kids are hands on and learn quickly by getting involved and working with their hands, you just may have to carve out an extra 5 minutes to set them up or let them get under your feet a little more.

Have picky eaters? Make dinner fun where they can get their hands dirty and build their own dinners. Make your own pizza night, build your own fish tacos, fill your omelets with all their goodies, let them make homemade Popsicles, snacks or desserts.

Check out this recipe for making your own fish tacos. Place everything on a cutting board on a large plate in separate parts. Give them a plate with a soft or hard taco and let them build their own!! I guarantee they’ll love it! Fish not our your kid’s menu, use chicken, lean steak, or pork. Even beans will give them the protein they need and fill up tacothose starving bellies! ;)

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 soft or hard tacos (more or less depending how many mouths you’re feeding)
  • 1/4 head of purple cabbage- chopped
  • 2 carrots-match sticked
  • fresh cilantro- torn into small pieces
  • 1-2 tomatoes-sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives- sliced if you like
  • 1 avocado- sliced or halved
  • 7-9 oz of protein. White flaky fish works best if you want fish. Rockfish, cod, flounder, etc.
  • small bowl of salsa
  • 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 lime-juiced
  • fresh herbs of your choice

Directions:

  1. On the grill or in a saute pan cook protein till fully cooked. If using fish. I add lime juice and add some fresh rosemary and oregano. Place on the grill for 10-12 minutes until it cooks through.
  2. Add all veggies, olives, and herbs to a large plate or cutting board
  3. warm up your tacos shells or tortillas.
  4. In small bowls add yogurt/sour cream and salsa
  5. Place on table. Give everyone a plate and taco shell and you’re ready to build your own! Let them make a mess it tastes better! ;)

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1GZOOKz http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Friday, May 15, 2015

Food Revolution Day- Fight for Healthy Kids & Food Education

Photo credit: jamie oliver

Photo credit: jamie oliver

Today is Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day! He’s always been a huge inspiration to me and I’ve been following him for almost 10 years. I love everything he stands for and his campaign to fight for food education and healthy kids is one of my passions as well! Today is his day to get the world involved and stand  up for our children not only in the UK and the US but all over the world.

The generation of children today are at a high risk of dying before their parents. That’s terrifying! Our children are our future and we’re not even giving them the chance to thrive, live healthy active lives, and understand that what they are consuming is slowly killing them.

As a mama of two beautiful little ones, I do my part every day to make sure they are getting the best nutrition I can possibly give them and yes they are kids they want their treats and sweets and I indulge them some times. Life is short and beautiful, you have to enjoy the sweet and yummy things in life just in moderation.

As a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Master Gardener, I’ve made it my mission to try to spread the word on health and wellness, how to grow your own food and start your own garden, how to shop locally, and for the past 2 years I’ve started a nutrition program and edible school garden at one of the local elementary schools. I love being able to be out there with the little guys, and they get so excited to know what is growing, things they can make and cook with what they have harvested, and know that what they are eating is actually fueling their body to run, learn, read, and play.

Jamie’s big thing this year is to make “Squash It Sandwiches.” Simple, fun and healthy food to have the kids get involved and make their own. (See video) Teachers, Parents, Food Revolution Ambassadors, celebrities, and schools all over the world will be getting involved today. See how you can!

food rev collageSince my school was having a huge fundraiser the night before and the cafeteria has been tied up all week. On Wednesday, I went out with the Pre-K and Kindergarten kids and we talked about the garden, the weather has stayed cooler here until about 2 weeks ago so the garden is a little behind on harvesting so unfortunately we couldn’t harvest, but we did make our own herb and Greek yogurt dip at the picnic tables, snacked on carrots, snap peas, and cherry tomatoes, and talked about nutrition. So to be apart of Food Revolution Day today we celebrated a little early and a little different. But, so much fun and so exciting to see the kids come back for more veggies. The best feeling to know they’re excited, you’re doing something to make a difference, and then when 24 of them hug you all at once at the end and it makes your heart melt… it’s worth every bit of the work and getting your hands dirty.

Find a way to celebrate today even if it’s with the kids or grands and you’re just cooking dinner. Have them get involved and help cook or wash veggies, let them set the table or help clean up. You never know the impact you’re making in their lives. Here’s to Jamie Oliver and everything he’s done and continues to do to make our kids a little healthier and happier and making a difference with food education. Enjoy some of our pictures and make sure to check out Jamie’s Foundation and Food Rev Day!

 


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1FiebpE http://ift.tt/16mICIc

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Mango, Strawberry Chia Seed Smoothie

mangoIt finally feels like spring here in the Mid-Atlantic. The temperatures have finally reached the high 70’s and low 80’s all week. It’s a great time to finally get out and start working on the gardens and your yard. But with all this gorgeous weather, everything begins to bloom, making the world a much more fragrant and beautiful place, it also brings the pollen count sky rocketing to an all time high. My little guy even asked the other day, “Why did Daddy paint the porch yellow?” That will tell you how much pollen we have in the air this week.

If you’re plagued with seasonal allergies you probably feeling it big time right now, scratchy throat, water itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, the list goes on and on with allergies. So you’re probably not feeling to hot lately. With all this beautiful weather you don’t want to stay couped up in your house. Up your antioxidants and protein with this new smoothie recipe! Have it for breakfast, a pick me up in the middle day, or save it for a healthy dessert! Help kick the allergies, boost your immune system, replace an unhealthy snack with something a lot better for you. simple and fast you’re guaranteed to love this one!

Ingredients:

  •  1 mango chopped- save a piece for garnish
  • 1/2 cup strawberries sliced- save half a strawberry for garnish
  • 2 cups organic coconut milk
  • 1 Tablespoon chia seeds

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender or Vitamix and mix well.
  2. Pour into a glass and add a straw
  3. garnish with mango and strawberry slices
  4. top with a sprinkle of chia seeds if you wish

Drink up and enjoy! Slip away for a little down time while you enjoy your smoothie!


via Farm, Foodie and Fitness http://ift.tt/1JcJJig http://ift.tt/16mICIc