Pump Up Music List

We've all been there (especially Claire) - you just don't feel like moving today.  But you MUST be active! It's what helps us thrive as living beings! (at least that's what they say...I, on the other hand, usually feel really good when I'm spreading a jar of butter on a hot blueberry muffin, but we'll just agree to disagree)

Don't be lazy like this guy.

So how do you motivate yourself to exercise when you're in a funk? Aside from flicking my stomach and watching the jelly roll for motivation, I can usually blast some bumpin' jams to get myself more in the mood. So we've compiled a list of awesome, upbeat, sass-tastic and attitude-a-licious songs to sweat to.

Be active like this crazy kit-ay! And if you need to get a catnip-filled mouse, by golly, DO IT!

Do you have more tunes you love to move to? Share them with us! We need to expand our playlist.

Enjoy, and get goin'!

Sass-Tastic Sweatin' Songs

Upgrade U - Beyonce

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems - Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy, and Mase

Ghetto Superstar - Pras Michael, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Mýa

ABC - Jackson 5

Ring the Alarm - Beyonce

Disturbia - Rihanna

Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus

Three - Britney Spears

Evacuate the Dance Floor - Cascada

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Poker Face - Lady Gaga

Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Smack Dat - Akon and Eminem

Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez

Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

Sk8er Boi - Avril Lavigne

No Escapin' This - Beatnuts

Deja Vu - Beyonce

I Love Rock 'n' Roll - Britney Spears

All the Small Things - Blink 182

Right Here (Departed) - Brandy

Womanizer - Britney Spears

Deliverance - Bubba Sparxx

Long Way 2 Go - Cassie
Run This Town - Jay-Z feat. Kanye and Rihanna
Obsessed - Mariah Carey
Drop It Low - Ester Dean Ft. Chris Brown
Heard 'Em All - Amerie
Hard - Rihanna
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
It Takes Two - Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock
Get Low - Lil' John and the Eastside Boyz
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C & C Music Factory Freedom Williams
We Will Rock You - Queen
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Bombs Over Baghdad - Outkast
The Way I Are - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
She Wants It - 50 Cent feat. Justin Timberlake
Bye Bye Bye - *Nsync
Love Me - Justin Bieber
Down - J Sean
Electric Feel - MGMT
Nasty Girl - Destiny's Child
Tangled - Maroon 5
Untouched - The Veronicas
Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo
Blah Blah Blah - Ke$ha
Here to Stay - Christina Aguilera
Blame It - Jamie Foxx
Transform Ya - Chris Brown, Lil' Wayne, Swizz Beatz
Let Me - Rihanna

Sweet Mercy, I Can Eat Gluten Again!

Holy junk, having to eat gluten-free for a week was rough. Really rough. Especially for someone who grew up thinking that "bread" was the main food group. But I stuck it out as best I could for the past week in order to try to understand what kind of decisions and sacrifices Claire has to make on a daily basis.

 

My idea of a balanced diet up until I was 20 in my childhood.

Let me tell you, it takes a special kind of person to really be able to stick with that kind of diet (and I don't mean special in that kind of way, though Claire coincidentally happens to fall in that category as well). So yesterday I made a point to include gluten in all of my meals (seriously, I missed it that much).

Breakfast was my typical bowl of oatmeal; however, during my gluten-free days I stuck with Quaker Oats Quick Oats because they were "plain" flavored, and oftentimes the instant packs of oatmeal contain gluten in the flavorings. So I would add some cinnamon or raisins to spice it up.  But yesterday morning, I was allowed to have Maple and Brown Sugar Food Lion brand oatmeal!! What a treat! :) (Two packs, of course, since one pack never seems to fill me up enough).

Oatey McOatster

After a busy morning (of sitting on my butt in class...how exhilarating), I had worked up an appetite for something that had been sitting in my fridge ALL week since I had bought it before my gluten-free week and couldn't eat it the entire time: pesto tortellini from Trader Joe's. And MAN was it worth the wait good!

Tortellini, asparagus and cheeeeeez

 

I heated up the last of some wilting asparagus in the fridge (which I had made earlier in the week), tossed some mozzarella cheez on the top, and it was deee-lightful!

Around dinner, I was in a hurry to get to a group meeting, so it had to be quick. Even though it wasn't anything fancy, it was just as exciting as lunch, since I was able to have my Hotocado filling open-face on two (count 'em, TWO!) whole wheat pieces of toast.  MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM BREEAADDD.

All in all, I'd say I am much more appreciative of being able to eat gluten-full foods after having forgone them for a week. So Claire, I'd like to commend you for being able to adhere to such a horrible strict diet (even if you have to for your health)!  It really is difficult.

Finally, yesterday was my stretch and strengthen day, and it was absolutely beautimus here outside (60 degrees and sunny! In January?! Whatever, I'll definitely take it...) so I opted for a nice 4 mile walk around the lake near my house. It was very relaxing, and nice to get some low-impact activity in, too.

How's the weather where you are?  I hope it's nice for the rest of the week. Maybe I'll be able to do one of my runs around the lake! :) I'm really excited for tonight's dinner, so I'll let you know how it goes a little later...have a glute-tastic day! (I know I will). -Anna

Let There Be Light!

Hallelujah! Finally, some sun! Today, I woke up to the sun shinin' through my window! Okay, actually I have curtains, but it was brighter than yesterday so I knew it was sunny. This is good news, because now I don't have any excuse to sit and do nothing. Well, at least not until I start to catch up on Project Runway...but that's kind of productive, right?? RIGHT?!

ANYWHO, even with a nice day ahead, I barely got out of bed in time for class. I was already running late but I can't sacrifice breakfast. I was going to Health and Nutrition first, so I'm suuure she understood why I was 10 2 minutes late. I scarfed down a bizarre smoothie consisting of an apple, banana, and a clementine with vanilla soy milk. Whatever, it worked. I'm kind of a smoothie fiend, in case you couldn't tell. They are so yummy and easy.

Oh yeah baby

After mah class I got mah workout done. I realized that I have waaay more fun at the gym if I make a conscious effort to have fun! Instead of "This sucks, when can I stop," I started to think, "Okay, this still sucks isn't as fun, what can I do next that is fun?" This way I could start with something and change when I wanted! Once I got sick of the elliptical, I didn't keep going just for the sake of doing 30 minutes, I instead moved to the treadmill and messed around on there for a while. Switching it up helped me be less bored AND provided added benefits (keeps your muscles guessing!). I did a lot of weights too, which I always love. Do you like cardio or weights more (or neither both)?

I was super-energized after working out and went to my favorite coffee shop afterwards to meet some friends. This place has the best coffee and coolest atmosphere. I have been trying to stay away from coffee, but I'm still a tiddly bit of an addict. I figure I earned my fix. While everybody chatted I dreamt up my lunch and decided to stop at Earthfare before I went home. It's right across the street from me, so this was a no-brainer since there is no food at my house. Here's what I got:

Da spread

I got some brussels sprouts, too, but those were already a'roastin'.

And here is the end result:

Gosh, this was so good

Scallion hummus and herbed turkey on seaweed rice cakes, wif roasted brussels sprouts. Oh mah gah.

Brussels sprouts taste like homefries to me, thus the ketchup

For me, mom?! Oh, you shouldn't have...

Don't worry, Jezzy, I didn't. And to prove this to you I shall eat every last morsel!

On a side note, I feel like I need to add that I took about an hour break while writing this post, and it is now 30 degrees, windy, and snowing. Just when I thought there was hope...

Anna, that is a very interesting article! I love finding things like that. Informative, yet inspirational! I found an article in a magazine I read in the gym today that had some really awesome resolutions. Here are a few:

• I won't dress schlubby on Sunday (all I wore this Sunday was two separate pajama outfits...I think this is a good resolution for me)
• I'll look pulled together for work (or school and tutoring, in my case)
• I'll resist wearing a t-shirt and boxers to bed every night
• I'll look hot at the gym (the few times I have worn something other than a ginormous t-shirt, I worked so much harder! Being in something tight makes you want to look good - and quick!)

This magazine featured Pink on the cover, who is so ridonkulously in shape that it was definitely a motivator in the gym.

Sweet mercy, look at that bod!

I suppose I should shower or something now, since I haven't since I worked out...sweet sick! Have a gud dai, folks! -Claire

Inspiration with Some Peanut Butter on the Side

Hola amigos! (I'm helping Joseph work on his Spanish right now...it's one of the last credits he needs to graduate and he HATES it, but I love Spanish!)

This morning I was eating my Quaker Oats Quick Oats with raisins and cinnamon (mmm...sooo creamy and yum-o) while reading up on the news on CNN online and came across some really cool articles that helped renew my motivation to be awesome (well, more awesome, I guess) this year. I thought if I shared some of them, it may help you accomplish something awesome, too! One of them is "10 ways to get motivated for change in 2010." Check it out:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/29/motivation.new.years.resolutions/index.html

I love reading stuff like this. A lot of the steps are things that I already know to do, but being reminded to do them is helpful because it's easy for me to lose steam if it's a long-term goal (like how I gave up butter for one of my New Years Resolutions this year...it's still not any easier...).  One of the tips in this article that really resonates with me is to know thyself, and I especially like this part:

"Real change happens because you yourself want it, not because others want it for you."


This is definitely true for me. They say that "knowing thyself" is accomplished by stepping back and figuring out how you truly want your life to be, and I made a point at the beginning of this year to make it the best year EVER for me. Here's the preliminary list of goals I have for this year:

• Do a half-marathon

  Me, on just a typical training day.

• Eat healthier and more balanced
• Take classes/do activities that really interest me or that I enjoy
• Give up butter

I love you, butter. Why are you so bad for me?!

• Stop biting my nails
  

I'm really proud of my progress with these goals so far - I'm training for my half-marathon; have been doing really great eating healthily (and having a lot of fun being innovative with recipes); am taking a Hip Hop and Street Jazz dance class and courses to become a certified personal trainer; and have nixed butter from my diet. I relapsed on biting my nails after two weeks, though...it's tough! I wish they had rehab for this or something. I still haven't figured out a way to make myself really stop.  Does anyone have any tips for me?? After 22 years of gnawin' 'em to nubs (...ew, did I really just say that? That's gross...) it's pretty hard to break the habit.


What are some of your goals? I'm really excited expand on this list and continue to better myself and my life.  Any cool suggestions for me? 


Well all this talk about doin' stuff made me feel like I HAD actually done stuff, so I got really hungry and decided to whip up some peanut butter banana soft serve. What is peanut butter banana soft serve, you say? Only the BEST SNACK/DESSERT EVER, that's what!  Seriously, it is pretty flippin' incredible. Here are the ingredients:

• Peanut butter
• Banana

...that's it. Seriously! Stick a banana or two in the blender, toss in a generous scoop of peanut butter (well, maybe don't actually toss it in...that could get messy) and mush up that sucker 'til it looks like baby food. Only in this instance, there will be hungry babies, because no baby is taking my peanut butter banana soft serve.  

Peanut buttah jelly banana time, peanut buttah jelly banana time!

Baby poop food

Then put it in a bowl and throw it in the freezer for an hour or so (again, if you really want to attempt the throw, at least start at a short distance) and there you have it! Soooo delicious.

Finally, I accomplished my first 5 mile run today for training for my half-marathon! I got a pretty hardcore blister on one of my feet and was sweatin' like a seal (do seals sweat? Ok, maybe they don't sweat, but they're wet a lot, right?) by the end of it.  But I did it! And it felt really good.  Tomorrow's my stretch and strengthen day, so I'll give you a run down (pun intended, duh) of what I do then.

Have a great Monday morning! -Anna

Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Howdy doody friends! (Side note: Claire and I have tried to decide how to appropriately answer this question..."doody goody"?? "HowDEE doody?"?? Let us know if you figure it out...)

So last night while I was scrummaging in the fridge (definitely past time for groceries...not a whole lot happenin' in there) for something for dinner, one of my partners in crime/exercise/healthy eating and roommate, Kenzie, had just returned from the grocery with a load of awesome-looking ingredients to make her tasty sweet potato quesadillas. If I hadn't already made some almost rotten pleasantly ripe asparagus and two goopy eggs for my lack-luster dinner, I would have totally partaken in her feast. Either way, I had to document the process of making them so I could steal her recipe and share it! :)

Here are the yum-a-licious ingredients to include:

• 1.5 cups finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups grated and peeled sweet potatoes (approximately 3 sweet potatoes)
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Generous "pinch" of cayenne pepper (this is how I usually measure all of my recipes...although with peanut butter or butter it generally turns into more of a generous "scoop of the hand")
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar
• Tortillas (makes about 8 of 8-10 inch tortillas)
• Salsa (optional, for the side or dipping)

PHEW! That's a lot of ingredients. A lot are spices you may have laying around the house already, though (hopefully). If not, it's totally worth it to splurge so you can use some of the ingredients for other sweet creations. Anyways, here are the steps:

1. Sauté onions and garlic in vegetable oil.

Work dem onions!

2. Add sweet potatoes, oregano, chili, cumin, and cayenne, and cook covered about 10 minutes, stirring.

Grate that sucker! Show 'em who's boss! (Unfortunately, Kenzie grated her finger pretty badly immediately following this picture...pretty gruesome.)

3. When potato is tender, add salt and pepper and remove from heat.

This stuff is smelling incredible right about now...and do you like her new Grandma cape?

4. Spread desired amount of filling and 2 tablespoons of cheese on tortilla.

5. Fold tortilla and toast in pan til browned on the outside.

The final product:

Oooooh yeah baby.

WOW, how much does your mouth water looking at that?? She also had some low-fat refried beans on the side, a perfect compliment to the main course. And there's no worrying later about this meal since it's surprisingly healthy (although you may need to worry about the beans taking effect later...).

Like I said earlier, unfortunately I had already eaten my meal for the night, but they turned out so well that we've already decided to have a roomie din din this week (with our other roommate, too) with this on the menu, so I'll give you my own personal review. Can't wait! :D -Anna

Good Food, Bad Weather

Alright, so the weather has NOT gotten better! I was hoping to lose this nasty, wet weather by now, but so far I've just been cooped up and losing my mind instead. Thankfully, I have equally lazy awesome friends who have been keeping me entertained here. Last night, we had homemade meatballs (made by my roommate and friends) as well as Mexican...weird combo, but everything was eaten so it worked out. Both meals were delish! I just wasn't feeling pasta/meatball (but they were good. REALLY good!) so I made a healthy Mexican stir-fry type thing. It was delish!! and so easy. Seriously, it took maybe ten minutes.

YUM! I really don't think I could get sick of Mexican

Here's what I used:

• 1/2 can black beans
• 1/2 can corn
• 1/2 an onion
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/2 yellow pepper
• 1/3 packet of taco seasoning (you can use any spice blend you have, I just happened to have this one)
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (I actually didn't use the whole can because I'm not a huge tomato fan, but mine also had adobe seasonings in it-yum!)
• 2-3 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 head cauliflower- made into "rice" (I opted to put the concoction on this instead of rice because it's quicker and fewer calories. And I just like cauliflower!)

In a pan, cook onion and peppers until soft. Put a small layer of water at the bottom of the pan, creating a "steaming" affect. Now this is where it gets SUPER complicated: throw the rest in (minus the cauliflower). :D

Then just let it do its thing! To make the "rice" while the rest is bubblin', blend (use a food processor, blender, or even a handheld grater if you want) the cauliflower into rice-size pieces, put it in a microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave. This usually takes ~5 minutes. You don't need to put water in with it, just cover it and it will steam itself!

I topped mine off with a junkload of little cheese and greek yogurt in lieu of sour cream. Easy, healthy, and delicious! My kinda recipe right there.

Look at those colors!

This could have been good on chips too! I did forget to put salsa on it though, which I had bought just for this meal!

Now I'm just enjoying a cup of tea and getting ready to make myself be productive. Not too sure what my dinner plan is, but I might just make this again - ha! ...but seriously.

How do you guys motivate yourselves on days with nasty weather?

On nice days, it's so easy to get up and going, but on days like today I don't want to make the effort! Despite the weather, though, it has been a fun, fabulous weekend and I have gotten some schoolwork done, so at least I've been semi-productive. Today's next goal: the gym! I am STILL feeling my workout from Friday- how sad! I did a lot of back work which is a spot I don't do a lot, so that definitely left some lingering soreness. Anywho, I hope you all are having more luck getting yourselves outside!
-Claire