Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Another year over and a new one to begin!

Hello!  I cannot believe that it has been over a month since I have been here!  I thought it best to take a break during the end of school and holiday time.  I know you know what it's been like .. kids finished school, Christmas to prepare for, social gatherings to attend .. it just didn't seem to end!
I'm back now for the new year, well sort of anyway ... Here's what I've been up to ...
I resigned from my job at the gym.  Time to move on and more importantly spend some time with the kids over the holidays.
School finished up for the year .. but not before I spent most of the day sitting at the swimming carnival so Miss 10 could race.




 
Christmas lunch was at our house this year ...

















And then we ventured to my sister's house with my family



New Year was spent with family and friends .. a pretty quiet night!




I have made sure I have stayed active as much as I can.  Lots of walks with my friends .. and workouts in the garage!





We are now off on holidays for a week or so and I am looking forward to getting away and spending some time doing not much at all!


While I'm on holidays I'll be doing a little reading ... I am finding this book really interesting and I think it will most definitely be a worthwhile addition to the library.


Stay tuned as I'll be doing a review for you .. And there could be a giveaway too!

Speaking of giveaways, there will be another exciting one coming up when I return from holidays!

I'm hoping that I will be able to spend a bit more time around he this year, fingers crossed!

With that in mind I would love for you to let me know if there is anything you would like me to chat about, or would like more information about. Make sure you either comment here or send me a message on Fit Mum's Facebook page .. You know I love to stop for a chat!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas, New Year and holiday season and I look forward to the exciting new challenges of a new year! Make sure you stop by!

Are you ready for a quick Spring Clean of your Health?


Sponsored Post

There is less than a month until Christmas and it appears that the party season is in full swing!  By now I imagine that you would have been spending a bit of time catching up with family, friends and work colleagues.  Not to mention the kids end of year celebrations!

I'm also wondering if anyone is starting to feel a little worse for wear?  You know, starting to feel run down,  sluggish or just plain exhausted.

Maybe it's time to change some habits before the New Year rolls around.  I know, you're thinking 'as if that's going to happen with Christmas only a month away! ' but it is possible to do a quick clean up of your health so that you are feeling great and full of energy by Christmas. 


Kathleen Alleaume (MSc), who is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Nutritionist and author of What's Eating You has developed a new lifestyle plan.  10 Days to a Healthier You is an easy to follow, all in one guide that helps people get back on track and create long lasting healthy habits that will stay with you.  Supported by Equal Stevia, the plan focuses on low GI, high protein and low sugar, yet still offers great tasting meal options.



"This is not a typical fad diet that promises 'quick fixes' or that you ditch after ten days," said Kathleen.  "It is a sensible eating plan designed to be flexible, nutritionally balanced, health enhancing and can be adopted permanently."
"Incorporating low calorie sweeteners, such as Equal Stevia, into a healthy eating routine also means you can still enjoy sweetness in your meals and hot drinks, without the calories of sugar."


10 Days to a Healthier You includes
·           Clinically tested weight loss principles
·         Nutritionally balanced and health enhancing meal plans
·         Delicious recipes based on everyday seasonal whole foods
·         Exercise guidelines
·         Essential pantry / fridge and shopping list
·         Healthy snacking suggestions
·         Eating out tips
·         Advice on how to maintain weight loss post 10 days
·         Suitable for vegetarians and gluten free diets

I have been given the opportunity to have a look through the 10 day plan and I think it is a great option for anyone who would like a little extra guidance on how to incorporate a healthy, balanced eating plan and exercise into their lives.

For those of you who prefer to have a more detailed guide on what to eat Kathleen's plan gives you a weekly menu so that you know what you are eating, when .. great for when you need to plan your shopping list and some extra inspiration!  And check out this recipe .. quick and easy!

Sweet Soy & Ginger Chicken
Preparation time: 10 mins (+ 2 hours marinating)
Cooking time: 10 mins Serves 2 (as a main)
·   2 tbsps Equal Stevia Spoon for Spoon
·   2 tsps crushed garlic or 2 cloves garlic crushed
·   3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled, finely grated
·   1 tbsp salt-reduced soy sauce
·   Juice of half a lemon
·   2 x 125g skinless chicken breast fillet, trimmed of fat
·   125g 98% fat-free long-life instant noodles
·    Olive oil cooking spray
·   1 tsp olive oil
·   400g mixed sliced stir-fry vegetables

1. Put Equal Stevia, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir well to combine. Put half of the marinade in a small shallow dish. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and put in fridge for 2 hours to marinate. Reserve remaining marinade.

2. Preheat a chargrill pan to medium. Drain chicken from marinade. Spray each side fillets with cooking spray. Add to chargrill pan and cook on each side for 3 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

3. Meanwhile, cook noodles in a medium saucepan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Drain well and set aside.

4. Heat oil in a wok over a high heat. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until just tender. Add noodles and toss to heat through. Add reserved marinade and toss until well combined and heated through.

PER SERVE: 1973kJ, protein 39g, total fat 10.8g (sat. fat 2.6g), cholesterol 79.2mg, carbs 50.9g, fibre 8g, sodium 458.2mg. Carb exchanges: 31/3. GI estimate: low.


I know that starting a healthy lifestyle change might be a bit daunting, especially at this time of year when social engagements seem to be never ending but 10 Days to a Healthier You will give you some ideas and tips on how to eat out and choose the healthier options to ensure you stay on track.  And when you finish your 10 days, there is some common sense advice on how to maintain your great work!

For more information please visit www.therightbalance.com.au or www.clubequal.com.au
10 Days to a Healthier You can be purchased online for $14.95 at www.therightbalance.com.au .
A 3 day teaser version of the plan can be accessed here ...







Keeping it light ...



It's coming up to that time of year again when every weekend brings yet another Christmas function. Friends, family, work .. some may even consider it just an excuse to get together to eat, drink and be merry!



Speaking of eating, drinking and being merry .. it's also that time of year when a few extra kilos "just appear" .. as if from nowhere ...

                                       

This weekend just gone we attended the first party on our social calendar. It was a really enjoyable day with extended family .. lunching, barefoot bowls and some delicious desserts! Even though I didn't feel that I ate too much, I still had that not hungry feeling in the evening.  Needless to say dinner consisted of a boiled egg on toast .. just enough to get me through until breakfast.


Multiply the extra calories consumed by another dozen or so functions between now and Christmas and there's a chance that my Christmas frocks may start to hug a little in places they are not supposed to!!


Starting this week I am going to keep it light. This will require a little extra forethought, but nothing that we shouldn't already be doing.  I will be keeping my diet nice and lean during the week, however I won't be forgoing proper nutrition.

When an outing rolls around, I will use my willpower and practice moderation.  If this means a few less glasses of champagne and a few less choices from the cheese and crackers or dessert plates, then so be it.  I'm not going to sacrifice my health and hard work.  I'm going to enjoy my health, hard work  .... and the festivities that go along with the season rapidly approaching.

Don't forget that it is you who is able to make the choice ... no one will be forcing you. 

If I feel like I have indulged a little too much, I will be ensuring that I spend the next day keeping my diet light and lightening the load on my body.  Again, I certainly won't be sacrificing proper nutrition.
For me, today's lunch was a nice light chicken and corn soup.  Satisfying ... 

 

I'm going to pay close attention to my training program too.  No excuses for missing a training session.  Every session will count and every session will be enjoyed.  A couple of extra light runs might need to be added here and there ... don't forget there are still those party frocks that we must fit into!  It really is all about the fashion!

Remember, you can enjoy everything .. in moderation!

Fit Mum x