Showing posts with label lower body. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lower body. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Confession

Sunday Funday! Hope your morning is going well thus far. I had a wonderful weekend spent watching Christmas movies, eating eggnog ice cream, and seeing The Nutcracker ballet! I'd call that a pretty festive weekend. BUT next Saturday I will be HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! If you couldn't tell I've been looking forward to this trip for quite some time now. Looking forward to seeing everyone I have missed and celebrating with the ones I love. Awww, they should make an abc family movie on my life now...

In the meantime I have been kicking some major boo-tay in the kitchen and in the gym (gym being my room). I have a killer lower body workout for you that left my legs screaming. Hopefully they won't wuss out on my during my run today!

Last night I made a delicious dinner for thyself. Parmesan Tilapia from Rachael Ray, and mashed potatoes with (gasp!) gravy. This is where the title comes in to play. From a carniverous perspective this isn't a biggie, but from a 5 year vegetarian it's quite the scandal. Yes, I used a can of chicken broth for the potatoes and gravy. Oh the horror! BUT to my defense it is as possible to find a can of vegetable broth in the grocery store as it is to have Miley Cyrus ringing me through the check-out line. Okay, maybe Miley Cyrus was a bad example but my point is veggie broth is no where. Nada. Zilch.



I probably won't be buying broth after my craving for gravy is filled this week. It was pretty dang salty to me so not really worth veggie sinning over. I will recommend using broth for mashed potatoes though, an idea from Ellie Krieger. It adds more flavor without the need for butter. I just added broth, milk, salt, and pepper. Plus if smothered in gravy I'm sure you'll hardly notice the absence of butter.

Now that I got that off my conscious here's a workout for your Sunday afternoon! Just a set of hand weights and a timer is all you need.

Lower 'Booty' Circuit ~34 minutes

Perform each exercise for 1 minute, for a total of 3 rounds. Try to rest minimally, but take breaks of you need them.

Single leg Bridge (30 sec. each leg)
Squat Kicks (1 min. each leg, 3rd exercise in link)
Squat Jumps
Inner Leg Lifts
Plie Squat with weight
Split Jumps
Wall Squat
Boot Squat
Jumping Jacks

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Double, Double Toil & Trouble

Where did the weekend go?! I'm pretty sure it was Monday yesterday if I'm not mistaken. if only weekends and weekdays could switch places for just a bit. Is a year too much to ask?!

Since I've been neglectful of regular blog updates I decided to give you a double whammy today. A workout AND recipe. Too kind, I know but what's a girl to do.

Here's another lower body circuit for you. I did have an upper body workout, but that is when I messed up my back, so decided to not post it just in case y'all wanna sue me for a herniated disk. Sinfully Nutritious is not responsible for any injuries or unsatisfactory results from any posted recipes or workouts. There's my disclaimer. Proceed with caution ; )

Lower Body Circuit II :
(I used a set of 10 lb. dumbbells, but use what is comfortable for you.)

Complete entire circuit 3 times through.

30 seconds each of:
Duck Walk (4 steps forward, 4 steps back)
Box Squats ( Lunge on left, Sumo Squat, Lunge on Right, Sumo Squat, and Repeat)
Single Leg Squat - Right 
Single Leg Squat- Left
Single Leg Deadlift- Right
Single Leg Deadlift- Left

2 sets of:
30 sec. Squat Jump
30 sec. Running Stance (stationary lunge while pumping arms like you are running)

1 min. Russian Twists

For your convenience, here is the interval timer I used here.


After you're all sweaty (or maybe before so you can dig in after), why don't you whip up a vegetarian comfort classic, Neatloaf! It's a meat-free meat loaf made with lentils and tofu. I know, the words "tofu" and "lentils" aren't exactly salivating, but I have to say this was the best "meat" loaf I have made so far. The best part was it was moist and stayed together unlike past recipes that crumbled apart as soon as my fork touched it. It had great flavor, and can make it a great dinner if you are trying to cut down on red meat. It's also ketchup-less, which may be a mortal sin when it comes to meat loaf, but the topping is just as good, and good for you!


Neatloaf
serves 4
adapted from My Vegan Cookbook

Topping:
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 T apple cider vinegar
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp stevia (or sweetener)

Neatloaf:
1 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup button mushrooms, chopped (about 4-5 mushrooms)
1/2 pkg firm tofu
1 cup oats
2 T cornmeal
3/4 cup cooked lentils
1 T topping mixture
1 T soy sauce
1 T cider vinegar
1 tsp  garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp thyme
1 tsp stevia (or sweetener)
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp chili powder

Start by mixing together the topping mixture in small bowl and set aside.

Next, start cooking the pepper, onion, and mushrooms in a skillet over medium heat sprayed with cooking spray for about five minutes, until softened.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and cover a baking sheet with a large piece of foil sprayed with cooking spray.

While the veggies are cooking, combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Add the cooked veggies, and mash to combine everything. It will appear a bit crumbly, but trust me it will stick together.

Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet, and form into a loaf with your hands. Spread the remaining topping mixture over the top and sides of the loaf. This was a little difficult to spread, but it doesn't have to be perfect.

Bake for 20 minutes, cover with foil ( I just wrapped the foil around the loaf, which is why I started with a large piece), and bake an additional 10 minutes. Let it cool 10 minutes before slicing.

Serve alongside some homemade mashed potatoes for a meatless twist on a classic comfort dish. Who knows, maybe the neatloaf will replace your meatloaf! Hey, a vegetarian can dream can't she?!

Happy Sunday!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

How Low Can You Go??

Hola me blogger amigos! Pretty sure that's all the spanish i know unless taco counts. We're over the hump of the work week, but I have to say I'm enjoying myself. Working with the kiddos of Dalraida Elementary as a foodservice worker (a.k.a "lunch lady"). The people there are so fun and I get a free lunch! Yes, please!

I've successfully completed another Emily Original Circuit Workout, which is so official it needs to be all capitalized. This one is for the lower body, and if your legs aren't giving out underneath you at the end of it, I believe it's safe to say your legs are actually titanium. Just sayin', it's a good leg whoopin.

I've made another stopwatch online, which really help for fast transitioning. That is the key. Non-stop leg burnin' action. I also linked up each exercise to help. These circuits only take about 20 minutes to complete which is a great motivator. I always tell myself, "in the length of time I spend thinking of an excuse not to do this, I could be finished." I always end up doing it. 20 minutes! Again, you will only need 5-10 lb. hand weights and some motivation!

Lower Body Circuit 1

30 seconds each of:

Wall Squat (just squat against a wall like you're sitting in a chair and hold).
Alternating Lunges
Single leg Squats (switch legs on each round)
Bridges
Single Leg Deadlift  (switch legs on each round)
Plie Squats

30 seconds each of:
Squat Jumps
Side Jumps
repeat a total of 2 times

30 seconds each of:
Elevated Crunch (just a simple crunch, but lift your feet 1-2 inches off the ground)
Russian Twists  (keep feet on the ground if this is too difficult)

repeat entire circuit for a total of 3 rounds. Then proceed to feel the burn!

Your thighs will thank me later : )

You can access the online stopwatch here

Here's your pretty picture of the day:

Another pinterest project made from toilet paper rolls!


Happy Thursday!