Mail Galore...Foodie Penpals!

April showers bring more May showers... wait that's not how it goes
April showers bring May FOODIE PEN PALS!!!... well really the first one is more accurate but this one is more fun :o)

If you read yesterday's post you already know that we are having some ahh-mazing weather her in the rainy sunshine state! Yep this ------>
has been my view for 5 days now. Gotta love summer :o)

Anywho it is time for another amazing FOODIE PEN PAL reveal. This month I received my package from Leila over at Spinach and Skittles. Leila is a teacher (just like me) and has a love for food which is why she started her blog. She is also an adorable momma to be. Check out her blog and check out the awesome box she sent me.

The Goodies...

 Leila asked if I enjoyed spicy food and sent me some hot sauce her Hubby loved. I have not used it yet because we have a couple bottles open (we are a spicy loving couple) but I can not wait to try. What I have tried and LOVED is the South African Smoke seasoning!!! I have added it chicken and even my Baked green been fries. It just adds a little extra UMPH that took my ordinary eats to a new level.

 Leila was supper sweet to pick me up some Almond Meal. She saw on my blog I had recently been to Trader Joes and asked if I had any requests. Since we do not have a TJ in Orlando I requested Almond Meal. I have been using it a lot to make these little guys...

Vegan Chia Muffins

To keep with the spicy theme my box included Wasabi trail mix. It is amazing. I mean you can not get a better combo than sweet, spicy and salty all in one bite. It is hard not to over do so I have had to measure out one serving and put the bag away so I do not just keep eating HAHA.

If you are interested in joining foodie pen pals check out the info at the end of the post! ITS FUN you should totally jump on in!

Today marks day #21 of the Fit-possible challenge. Which means you only have 9 days left. The great people at Supplement Locker are sending me some goodies to share with a random participant. So make sure you are letting me know either on twitter by using #fitpossible30day or on my FB page.

So on with today's challenge.

Through the past few weeks the extra exercises have gotten progressively more difficult.They will be even more difficult come week 4! If you want to check out the challenge from the beginning CLICK ME! 

So here is the info I promised if you want to get involved in foodie pen pals next month
If you interested in joining next months Foodie Pen Pals (and you do not have to be a blogger) 
 send  an email to Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com and include the following information:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address (if applicable)
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
let her know by June 4th as pairings will be emailed on June 5th!


Ciao and wishing for sunny weather


Alexis

Baking Fail, and rainy days

Rain Rain Go away...

I am not sure about anyone else out there but here in Florida this is what we have been looking at for 3 days not...

These are from the car and my backyard...Pretty much the same sight day after day! I am all for the rainy days, but I prefer them on days I can sit at home and drink a cup of coffee from the comfort of my own couch. Oh well I digress...

There is one thing that makes this day a little brighter, if you will... it's WIAW!!!!! We all know how much I love my Wednesday Food Stalker Sessions.

Before we get started with WIAW and Today's Fit Challenge check out what has been going on this week so far in my world...
Memorial Day 
Hop Squat VLOG
Food Prep Burpee Tuck Jump VLOG

Tabata Set

For an explanation and more Tabata exercises check out my weekend on the Navy Base 
For How to videos on these exercises Check out my videos on Hop Squats and Burpee.
Your Challenge: 1 round of this Tabata Set
As Always feel free to...

Ok Now on to the goodies that I call my daily eats...
A big thank you to Jenn for hosting my favorite party for another week :o)
This is where my FAILED baking comes in. I tried out Baked oatmeal for the first time and I was super excited. I pulled it out of the oven, it smelled SO GOOD it looked good... but I bit in and WOMP WOMP... WELCOME TO BLAND-VILLE haha. Well I sucked it up because I do not like to waste food and decided the texture was great it just had little flavor. So I decided. Why not just top it with some "flavor" lol so I drizzled honey over the top and sliced a kiwi on top. Brian loved it this way... TEHE i am a sneaky sneaky girl. Oh well if at first you dont succeed try try again... so hopefully soon I will be posting a DELISH recipe for you, not just one that smells DELISH :o)

Breakfast: Baked Oatmeal topped with Kiwi and 2 egg whites. 

 Snack during my training at work: Think Thin bar, Roasted chickpeas and a banana

 Lunch:  yesterday's recipe FIESTA CHICKEN! On a Flax seed pita

Snack: Hummus with a few pretzels and LOTS of cucumbers

 Dinner Out: Mediterranean Salad topped with salmon. 

Not Pictured: A few bites of cake. I went out for a friends retirement party and they served me cake. I would have felt really bad if I just left the entire thing. So I nibbled a little then pushed it to the side. HEY you gotta live a little right?

I know this was a long post but I hope you enjoyed and I hope you have a new workout to pin :o)

Ciao and retirement time (I wish)

Alexis

Food Prep and Burpees!?? Fit challenge V 20

How do food prep and burpees go together? Well this is how...

Yesterday while I was getting all my food prep done for the week I  decided that while I waited for the oven to pre-heat I would make use of my time and shot two videos HAHA. Check out Video 1 here...

Food Prep for me is like smoking to others... It's something that has to be done, at a certain time, and what can I say it is somewhat addicting... OK OK maybe not the best analogy but you get where I am going.

This was my score for the week: 1 Lunch, 2 breakfasts, 2 snacks, Not Pictured: lots of chopped veggies for hummus, trail mix, and a full menu written out.

The lunch that I prepped will last for a few days and is a great alternative to a typical bagged lunch. Just because I love you all so much I am sharing it with you, right now!!!

Fiesta Chicken
What you need:

1tsp coconut oil (or sub olive oil) 
3 Chicken Breasts
1.5 peppers
1 onion
.5 package of guacamole mix

What You Do:
1. Chop Veggies and chicken into slices
2. Heat Oil in a heavy skillet, once hot enough add veggies and half the package of guacamole seasoning. Cover and let "sweat" for aprox. 5 min.  Mix, cover and let cook for another 5min.
3. Once veggies have softened (onions will begin to look clear) add chicken. Stir and cover. Stir every 3-4 min until Chicken is cooked through.
4. Remove from heat. Serve on a pita, wrap or all by itself. Get creative.

This Right here was my favorite way to enjoy it... In a wrap with some spinach, salsa, and cheese. can we say DELISH! How much better can a healthy bagged lunch get?

Now that I have given you a new recipe to enjoy at home and at work... Here is today's Fitness challenge.

Burpee Tuck Jumps
Basic Burpee Video found here
Make sure to land softly! Form is extremly important when knees are involved. If you find this to challenging go ahead and stick to regular burpees
Your Challenge: 2 sets x 25 Burpee Tuck Jumps

Question: Do you Food Prep? Why or Why Not?

Ciao and not your ordinary bagged lunch

Alexis

Hop Squats: Fit Challenge V19

Welcome back after some technical difficulties. I did have a post set to upload while I was MIA from the internet world but some how it is gone and I realized there was no post. So you got a break from my challenge :o)

I am in the midst of lost of food prep for this week... trying to combat the birthday/memorial day weekend we have had in this house. I cant complain though I got to see all my siblings and their little munchkins...

I couldn't ask for a better weekend!

Before we get started take a look at what you have missed this weekend
Happy Memorial Day
Fit Challenge V18

HOP SQUATS

I personally love Hop squats because you are not only getting a crazy awesome lower body workout in but you are raising your heart rate at the same time to give yourself a cardio workout as well.

Your Challenge: 2 sets x 50 Hop squats

Enjoy!

Ciao and technical difficulties

Alexis

Happy Memorial Day

My Daddy :o)

Today is a day to HONOR those who have lost their lives for our country.. but I choose to HONOR all those who have served and are still serving. I come from a Military Family. My grandfather served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was at Pearl Harbor walking home from church when it was bombed. My Father was drafted and served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam. Fast Fwd. a few decades and that brings us to the U.S. Navy...

Brian (my future better half) and his Twin Brother both serve in the U.S. Navy. Brian is a Corpsman and his Twin Brother is an M.A. There is not a day that goes by that I do not appreciate the fact that his brother has been overseas for 3 years and that everyday people I know have to say goodbye to their loved ones who are deploying.

Brian and I in Chicago

Brian and I in San. Antonio

I am not asking anyone to go out and join the service or stop doing whatever it is you do everyday. All I ask is that for one moment today take a look around and appreciate everything you have, and thank all those who have served and lost their lives to give it to you. Thank those that you see in uniform out to dinner with their families... you never know if it is their last dinner before they deploy. Appreciate what is sacrificed daily by these men and women and their families, without any intention of being repaid or glorified. They do it because it's what they feel is right and it is in their blood.

For all those out there who had to say goodbye to their Husband, Wife, Mother, or Father I THANK YOU for your service as well. It is not easy to be in that position either. 

Is it Summer Yet? A Fit Challenge Rewind V18

HAPPY SATURDAY!

Boy do I have a fun filled day planned in my household... I have been up since 4:30am I have already started my Sweet Potato Salad for our family BBQ today and will be headed to the farmers market when Brian gets home. I am definitely a morning person and get a lot done at such an early hour.

This week has been exhausting to say the least. I only have 7 actual days left in my classroom with my munchkins, but it seems like the work keeps piling on and the early wake up calls and long work hours are starting to catch up. Needless to say I am ready for my trip back to the lovely city in which I was born...

View of Pittsburgh from the top of Mt. Washington

 Bulk Oil section from my all time favorite Penn Mac (best Italian imports anywhere)

 My Dream House on top of Mt. Washington

I am ready for my road trip... Yep driving from Orlando to PA (its really not that bad) then stopping in NC and Savannah on our way home. I can't wait to hang out with these crazy kids...

 Aren't they adorable!?

 

Looks are deceiving especially when he starts trying to force make you drink or dump stuff on your head.... 

So if you can tell I am pretty stoked to get out of Orlando and head back to the relaxation that is "home"

Ok Ok I have forced enough pictures on you. On with today's challenge...

 

Today is a bit different... No new exercises just a few of the past ones put together.Just click the day to get step by step instructions or video on how to complete the exercise.

1. Day 16: 20 Plank Jack
2. Day 14: 4 minute circuit (feel free to pin it)
3. Day 13: 20 Tuck Jumps
4. Day 11: 20 Shoulder Burner Push Ups
5. Day 8: 20 Burpees

I could keep going but that just might end up being mean :o) I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Ciao and anticipating vacation,

Alexis

Is that your lunch? (30 day challenge V17)

I hope everyone has been having a great week so far... I am not quite sure about anyone else but I am so ready for it to be over! I haven't had a bad week just exhausting. Yesterday was the worst, up at 4:30am work from 7:15am until 9:45pm. Needless to say when I got home I was hungry and tired. Tired won out and in bed I went.

In case you are unaware I am a teacher. I have had the "joy" lol of teaching today's youth. In doing that I have a first hand look at what these kids are eating for lunch... if it can even be called that. Between cafeteria food and lunchables I am brought to a state of disgust almost everyday!


Instead of Veggies or Fruit there are chips and cookies. Even the kids who receive free lunch bring an entire bag of chips to snack on. Instead of a sandwich (which is debatable on the health spectrum) they bring in chicken nuggets, left over McDonalds, Lunchables... 

We as educators try to take what little time we have to teach the kids about nutrition but more times then none all of that education on food is left inside the 4 walls of the classroom. I try my best to teach them through example. I eat 7 times a day and I eat in front of my kids. They know I don;t eat certain things and it is adorable to hear them..." You know she doesn't eat that... she is healthy" haha. So the knowledge is there, but the execution at home is poor.

I started a snack lesson in my class that I hope will at least stick with my students way after they leave me. My students see me eat all the time so it is not fair for me to not allow them to eat in the classroom. So they can eat anytime they want with one stipulation: they can eat fruits and veggies and nothing else. No cookies, no chips, no candy... just good, from the ground (or tree) fruits and veggies.

It takes them a while to get used to me "dictating" what they can and cannot eat IN MY CLASS ( I can't say anything in the lunch room) but it usually ends well. Last year I ended up having a little girl bring in whole peppers and snack on them all day. Another one brings apples or oranges everyday and enjoys it before we go to lunch.

Props

I feel like this picture sums up what I probably look like in my class haha " NO, YOU CAN NOT EAT THAT IN HERE!!!" haha. Now only if I could bring the parents in and teach them the values of nutrition so that maybe one day instead of a bag of chips for snack they bring in a bag of carrots... ONE DAY!!!!

Ok now that I have ranted here is today's challenge tehe

DIP CIRCUIT

Today's challenge is Dips. Nothing more nothing less just good old fashion dips... well maybe not :o)

Your Challenge: 40 regular dips 20 single leg dips (both sides) = 80 dips total.
Are you up for the challenge?


QUESTION: What is one important health or nutrition fact you thinks kids need to learn at an early age?

Ciao from the snack Nazi

Alexis

Plank Jumping Jacks 30 day Challenge V16

I just want to start by saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most incredible man in my life..

 Not only is he extremely good looking but he is caring, loving, funny, goofy, SMART, and I mean he looks good in a uniform... need I say more haha.

Ok on with the challenge and WIAW.


PLANK JUMPING JACKS

This exercise along with "push ups" can be found here on my blog.

These can also be done directly on the ground
Start in a high plank position

 Use core to jump legs out (just like a jumping jack only on the ground)

 Use core to jump your legs back in
Your Challenge: 30Plank Jumping Jacks

  Here is a look back at what we have done so far..if you are just joining us feel free to jump right in or go back an check out all of week ones challenges
Day 1  Day 2  Day 3  Day 4  Day 5  Day 6  Day 7   Day 8  Day 9  Day 10  Day 11   Day 12  Day 13  Day 14  Day 15
                                                                                                                                       
Now on with the EATS!!! I would like to thank the wonderful Jenn for hosting the WIAW food gawking party... PS when will you be in Orlando so we can go to Yellow Dog haha

Today is a WIAW Phone dump... all the yummy pictures I have taken on random days... with no specific purpose in sight..

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far... have a happy HumpDay


Ciao and birthday love


Alexis