Playing Catch Up!

Wow, where did the last two days go? I can't believe Thanksgiving is over. All that wonderful food and time with family. I was really good this year with my food choices. How about you? I did indulge in a piece of my mother's pumpkin pie and one slice of cherry. The next day, at the in-laws, I had to have a few cupcakes and a few chocolates. But all in all, I stayed within the feeling stuffed and "what did I just do?" thoughts. Last year was enough to make me almost sick. Didn't want that to happen again. When your body isn't used to all that overindulgence, it can take a turn for the worst, really fast!

Now it's time to play catch up. So here we go:

Book/DVD Review: Actually, it's not a book or a DVD. I was given a set of Rodney Yee "Yoga Poetry of the Body" flash cards a few years ago for Christmas. I really enjoy these. The concept with this set is you can make your own yoga practice depending on what you want to accomplish that day. Simply lay out a series of any cards from the 50, in the order you want them, and move through your routine. With detailed instructions on how to do the moves, you will be an expert in no time. These also make a great present for Christmas as the pack is small enough to slide into someone's stocking. Or maybe even into your own! This set retails for $10.95 right now on Amazon.

Workout Routine of the Week:
Exercise balls can be your best friend in the gym. There are so many different things you can do with them to improve your workout. Shown here is a ball you can purchase from Sears. If you have lower back issues, this is great to get you off the floor and support your back.

The move of the week is to get into the position shown, then roll down until the ball is between your shoulder blades and your legs are making a tabletop, (flat abs and squared off legs) Abs are tight and holding the balance. By adding weights in your hands, you can now do bench press, flys, and tricep overhead extensions. Using the ball as your weight bench you have now added a strength move for your core and your hamstrings and glutes. Try and keep yourself well balanced while doing the arm movements.

Recipe of the week: Chocolate Anyday Sunday (From the Bill Phillips "Eating for Life" Cookbook) 1/2 cup skim milk; 1 scoop vanilla whey protein; 2 cups frozen banana slices; 4 tsp chocolate syrup; 4 Tbsp Fat Free Reddi-wip; 2 tsp chopped nuts; 2 maraschino cherries.

Pour skim milk into blender. Add protein powder and blend on high speed for about 15 seconds. Add frozen bananas slices and blend on high speed for 45 seconds or until smooth. (Stopping blender to stir with spoon and scrape down sides as needed.) Spoon into 2 dessert bowls. Top each with chocolate syrup, Reddi-whip and chopped nuts and cherries.

You will be getting a little HFCS with this in the Reddi-whip and chocolate. So finding another alternative is always an option if you have cut this totally out of your eating habits. Enjoy!

Thanks for allowing me to catch up!