Take this Calorie Quiz and then Eat a Chicken Salad

After a week of using my roommate's computer, I finally got a new cord in the mail!  Thank you roommate!

Before I forget, COME TO BOOT CAMP in the park this Wednesday at 1pm...check the top of my blog for directions!

I felt like going on a run today, which doesn't happen as often as I want to...mostly because I am afraid I will re-injure my back.  But I warmed up my body really good by foam rolling my quads, doing the dynamic runner's lunge, storks, and a 5 min bike ride.  I ran 4.85 miles (a fave loop by 24 HR Fitness) at a 8:25 min pace!  Pretty good for me, since I haven't been running much.

This was a fun quiz to stumble upon.  I only got 66.7% because I don't know my fast food calories well...but it was fun to see what BETTER options there are when you are at a restaurant, fast food joint, or a party.  Take a look at this quiz and beat my sad score!

Here's a look at dinner (and lunch tomorrow!):

I'm a fan of making 'hearty' salads that won't go wilty, if I am planning not to use my jarring method.  This salad included some of a roasted chicken I bought today at the store...didn't feel like cooking chicken!  Here's the recipe:

Chicken Salad

-Chicken breast, cooked and cut up in chunks
-1 red pepper, chopped
-1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
-1 cup red cabbage, shredded
-bunch cilantro, chopped

Maple Dijon Dressing
-1 T dijon mustard
-2 t maple syrup
-3 T olive oil
-1 T balsamic vinegar
**shake this all up with some salt/pepper in a small jar and pour over salad!
**if this is too strong, either add more oil or some water

I am a huge fan of red cabbage in salads, mainly because it doesn't wilt!  Enjoy this fresh and tasty salad :)  I will tomorrow!

Friday Art Walk!

Happy Friday!

Breakfast was a little toast and PB.  I was wary of its ability to 'feed the beast', but it filled me up 'til my workout!  Pretty impressive.

Today was beautiful.  Warm sun, yet a slight bite to the air, it was a true September day.  So of course it prompted me to go on a quick run and end with squats (and other fun things) in the gym!  Great 2 mile run, killed the squats :)


Here was lunch, leftover roasted sweet potato, carrots, and some grilled chicken on the side-YUM.  See the purple carrots from the garden?  Those carrots turned out to be a great pick from Seed Savers.  So sweet and delicious:

I've learned the hard way that if you use too little olive oil, it doesn't cook through well.  Don't make that mistake.  Enjoy the extra oil :)  Anyone have ways to make them more crispy without any panko/bread crumbs?

A Word On Seed Savers Exchange:
This is a non-profit, selling and exchanging heirloom varieties of crops.  Their mission statement is beautiful and they are priced just about the same as any other packet of seeds.  Spread the heirloom love .  Buying heirloom varieties helps the sharp decline in unique crop varieties that are becoming lost to a lost agricultural society.  Soils and landscapes need diversity, just as it was created (belief statement to follow ;) ).  If you are interested in starting up a fall crop or getting ready to start your first garden next year, do think about using Seed Savers Exchange or another similar organization that buys and sells heirlooms.

Tonight was a fun time with my two roommates at the Sante Fe First Fridays Art Walk.  TONS of people, food trucks, and of course, art.  There were many favorites, but it made me want to do some art and sell it on the weekends!  And food trucks are amazing.  I had a fresh chicken taco with mango salsa.  Support the local food trucks!

Why I Stay Fit--My Story

I was talking with a club member today about why I am a trainer and why I work out.  It was motivating me to stay fit just by sharing my passion with her.  So I am going to share it with you too!

In high school, I was not the most athletic kid, but I did play basketball every year.  I knew I wasn't the best on the team and the feedback I constantly received was, "You are a great team motivator and encourager!".  I took a class called Aerobics and Wellness, taught by a young and fun mid-twenties girl, full of joy (thank you Ripley!).  She was someone I looked up to and made me think about encouraging people in fitness, wherever they are in life.

Then I reached college.  When it came to decision time on finding my major, even though there were so many options that sounded amazing, Health and Fitness was calling my name.  I love anatomy and the science behind movement;  it was something I wanted to dedicate myself to (keep in mind, I had no idea where that degree would lead me...).  Even at the beginning of college, I knew that in order NOT to gain any more weight (I probably gained at least ten pounds), I had to keep up my workouts.  They were 'wee' workouts as I look back to them now, but I had the mentality in mind that my body would not stay thin like other bodies who ate just like me.  The dedication and knowledge grew and I began running more, which led to running my first half marathon junior year!  I've done 5 more, and have loved each one.  I still struggle with my body and knowing how much food I need to eat to maintain and lose weight (but that mission is lifelong!).

It's funny how things work.  In my capstone class, we learned about different avenues for fitness.  A beautiful trainer from a high-end resort club in Seattle talked to us about personal training, and I scoffed at the idea of propelling the notion that vanity is a thing to encourage.  When I started working at the front desk at 24 Hour Fitness, I began to get a glimpse of training as something that CAN be holistic and helpful for many people-it just depended on the trainer's viewpoint.

Now as a trainer going on 1.5 years, I can't believe I have found something that I am passionate about EVERY day!  I have my hard days, but that is mostly because I'm not working enough!  I LOVE meeting people where they are and finding a way to help them enjoy and incorporate fitness and health in everyday life and not settle where they are.

I stay fit because I can do amazing things and feel confident, strong, and vibrant every day!  I love hiking 14ers, trail running, cycling, and throwing weights around.  Those things may seem hard, but anyone can get there with time.  There are no limitations to how you can feel great too.  That is the beauty of fitness.  Some people truly have bodily limitations, but for many, the road blocks are in our mind.  Thinking about what it feels like to climb and be on top of the mountain range, I get excited to share that feeling...we are always climbing mountains and it may take more hard work and dedication, but we can all summit!  The body is resilient, strong, and able.  Be blessed that you are able and get MOVING.  Don't settle with where you are at--keep climbing those mountains because they are endless!  And we can climb mountains in community and share the pain and reward of hard work.

Happy trails!

My brother, dad, and I climbing Pikes Peak-a bucket list mountain!

DONT FORGET:  NEW boot camp class in the park starting SOON! Lets start that journey up the mountain together :)