Apple Cider Vinegar

What are some of the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

   

Apparently it's good for avoiding workout exhaustion as it has potassium and enzymes that help with fatigue from working out hard.  It also increases your metabolism so you're burning more fat.  There's a lot more that ACV can do for you.  BUT one thing that caught my eye is that it's supposed to also help with allergies! Those that are close to me know that I suffer from allergies.

It's worth a try! I just tried it with a TBSP (you can certainly taste it with 2!!) in my smoothie along with some honey & cinnamon to mask the acidic taste and I don't really taste it!  Will keep you posted about how ACV benefits me! May clear up my skin too! :-D Here's hoping!!

Here's a link to some of the benefits of ACV: Benefits of ACV

Chia Seeds

Trader Joe's now has Chia Seeds!!!! This week, I've been using Chia instead of Flax seeds.  With one TBSP, Chia provides 6g of fiber, 3g of protein, and 2.9g (this is pretty precise- not 3.0?!) of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Even better, the Chia Seeds from Trader Joes are sustainably grown and free of chemical pesticides!

I use it in my smoothie, but you could also add it to yogurt, salads, baked goods, and it goes on!

Try it and let me know what you think about Chia Seeds!

Healthy Snacks

To speed up your metabolism, you need to eat small meals every 2-3 hours.  Here are some healthy snack ideas:  Healthy Snacks

What are some healthy snacks that you like to snack on?! I love hard boiled eggs, nuts, Lara bars, sliced apples, Mary Gone Crackers with hummus, and the list goes on!!

Your Comments

Sometimes we have days that we just don't feel like working out! Today was HOT and I spent the entire morning working on work that causes headaches (planning a class for the whole semester)! You teachers know what I'm talking about here! ;-)

Anyhow, I was on Instagram, avoiding getting up to workout!, and I saw this picture below.  His comment made me feel good that people are actually reading my blog and perhaps I should invest more time on making posts--I know I've been lazy with that lately! :-O

Also, it did the trick! It got me off my lazy butt and I completed my WOD (workout of the day!).  :)

Thumbs up to Rudy for his discipline! It certainly shows!! :) 

Your comments are greatly appreciated! :) Thanks for all that have supported me with this blog! :) Let me know what you'd also like to read in the future as well! :)

Shake Things Up!

Hi all!!

I've been enjoying my summer so far! It's been busier than I thought it would be!! It's been tough eating right, but I've been doing pretty well.  I had a weekend where I ate and drank so much (thanks to my sis! LoL), but I got back on the wagon within a few days and was back at my normal weight.  The key is to discipline and get yourself back on track if you get off which can happen often on vacation!

Plus, I've shaken up my workout routine.  I got tired of doing weights and got hooked on Yoga! Before I knew it, my legs were toning up and my body responded to my yoga workouts.  Your muscles have excellent memory.  The key is to shock your muscles in doing new things! Try it!

Do kickboxing, pilates, weights (if you haven't picked up a dumbbell), kettle bell, etc!!! Let me know what you end up liking! I will need to shake things up again soon so any new ideas would be great!! :)

Functional Hallux Limitus

Hi all!! 

Some of you know that I've been battling with a foot injury from some time now.  I finally found a doctor that knows exactly what I have.

Apparently, I have Functional Hallux Limitius.

I'm gunna try my best to explain it, but will include some sites that I just looked up.  Basically, my foot looks like it has a good arch, but when I walk, it doesn't.  So, I got flat feet.  I've always kinda known that anyway.  Overtime, the flatness can cause the big toe joint to be jammed.  I don't have much motion of my big toe in my right foot which causes the joint to be jammed.  This is when "spurs" develop- I have an extra bump that is not supposed to be there.  Very slight though.  Basically the bone rubs against the bone and the cartilage wears off. 

I got foot xrays- my cartilage isn't as bad as he thought it would be.  I don't need surgery- I just need the right shoes and the right shoe inserts.  Apparently, the foot inserts that I got from the other doctor are NO GOOD! They don't provide arch support which is what I need the most.  Basically, I need to buy any one of the following brands of shoes: New Balance, Aasics,  Brooks, or Saucony.  

The Health Department didn't have my size for the shoe inserts and should be getting more this week.  So I have to put the inserts in one of the above shoes.  He says that if I'm not doing a lot of walking, then shoe inserts in more fashionable shoes would be fine.  

If the pain gets worse later, I can do surgery on my foot.  But as for right now, I can prevent this if I wear the right shoes.  

Here are some websites that I looked up:

http://www.footankleinstitute.com/hallux-limitus/

http://www.lowerextremityreview.com/article/functional-hallux-limitus-diagnosis-and-treatment

http://drshoereviews.com/2008/10/30/hallux-limitus-vs-hallux-rigidus/

Ugh- but now I know what I've got and can work with it, but my biggest disappointment is limited shoe options for the rest of my life. :-( :-( :-(