MyoRope Review

So I recently was given the chance to test out the MyoRope quad-rope & all I have to say is...

OUCH! But in THE BEST WAY! You know... that "I soo need to get this knot out & the pain I'm feeling right now means that the pain that was there BEFORE will be gone when I'm done" kinda way!

Unlike the Foam Roller (which, as you ALL know, I LOVE/loathe/LOVE), the individually spaced nodes provided by the rubber balls on the myorope hit those smaller, hard-to-reach, spots that the roller just glances over.

Super easy to use, body weight over surface usage (like the foam roller, vs. TheStick) with handles for easier manoeuverability and transfer between locations.


I DEFINITELY recommend it, if you're prone to going DUMB HARD until you're a bag of knots, like I am!

- Mia

JANUARY...

is CHALLENGE Month!!

Since a LOT of people inevitably choose January 1 as "THE DAY" they are finally going to commit to their health, "this year", I decided I would help those, who wish to help themselves, by providing daily challenges for the entire month! Thats 31 challenges to build/kickstart your fitness efforts for 2012!

Yes... if you follow me on TWITTER you've been getting them, so far...
Anywho, here's what you missed, if you aren't on the timelines...


WEEK ONE

• Jan 1
• 200 jumping jacks
• 100 body weight squats
• 60 dips - DEMO
• 50 pushups (knee ones are ok)
• 500 crunches
• Jan 2
• 200 lunges (2 feet = 1 rep)
• 50 pushups
• 5mins (total) plank
• 200 scissor legs (2legs = 1rep)
• Jan 3
• 150 pop-squats (as you come up from the squat, come onto your toes, or get a lil straight-leg air - 50 each position: close, neutral, wide)
• 50 tuck jumps (as you jump lift the knees to the chest)
• 100 plank jacks (plank position, feet move together & apart, like a jumping jack)
• 60 side tricep rises (30 per side; semi-prone position push up by the palm of your hand)
• Jan 4
• 25 sphinx push-ups
• 300 bicycle crunches (2 side = 1 rep)
• 250 mountain climbers ("plank run"; 2 legs = 1rep)
• 200 bodyweight Ass to Grass squats (break 90degrees & get that booty LOW!)
• Jan 5
• 50 Jack-knives (abs)
• 100 switch lunge hops (2 sides= 1rep)
• 10 > 1 Burpee countdown (push-up optional; do 10rep 15s rest, then 9rep 15s rest etc) OR 50 burpees
• Jan 6
• 10 5-point Push-ups ("star pushups") - DEMO
• 50 Front-Back LeapFrogs
• 60 dips
• 100 switch kicks (2 legs = 1 rep)
• Jan 7
• 15 hindu push-ups - DEMO
• 50 sumo squats jumps
• 200 inverted plank kicks (2 legs = 1rep) - DEMO
• Jan 8
• 1000 Mountain climbers (2 legs = 1 rep)
• there are a few options here: 1000 straight, 2x500, 4x250, 10x100, 20x50 OR you can do 1min intervals (with 15s rest) at max reps, until all are complete

I Will post WEEK TWO next Sunday - please comment & let me know if you need demos for any of the other exercises.

Good Luck & Have FUN!

Mia

Muffins!!!

Sorry for the delay....
Meant to post this YESTERDAY for Foodie Friday, but time ran away from me!

Here is the recipe for the pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
*Nearly Paleo, shockingly healthy (*don't tell the kids!)
Recipe makes 16-20 muffins, depending on how full you make them.

Ingredients

• 2 cups Pureed Pumpkin (*I used canned, organic - but can use fresh - make it SMOOTH)
• 2 1/2 cup Ezekiel Flour
• 2 cups Succanat
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 gingerale
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (*I used organic chips from whole foods)
• 1 egg (*If you're vegan, can leave this out, but adds a nice weight to the muffins)

Equipment

• 2 12-spot Muffin Tins
• 1 Medium mixing bowl
• 1 Large mixing bowl
• 20 unbleached liners

Method

• Preheat oven to 350deg
• In Medium mixing bowl combine Pumpkin, coconut oil, gingerale, vanilla extract
• In Large mixing bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg & cinnamon
• Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients in portions
• Add Succanat & whisk together
• Add egg and combine thoroughly
• Mix in chocolate chips
• Allow to sit for 30mins
• Pour batter into Muffin tins - 1/2 to 2/3 full (*these babies RISE!)
• Bake at 350 for 24-30mins 

*Keep an eye on them, they're ready when a toothpick / skewer can be removed cleanly!

Some Alternatives
To replace the chocolate chips >

• Dried Blueberries
• Dried Cranberries
• Chopped Nuts

To replace the flour >

• Can use coconut flour (for Paleo) 1:1
• Can use Designer/Natural Whey (for added protein) - a little off 1:1 (*I usually keep 1/2cup real flour)

Let Me Know what y'all think!!
Mia

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

Hey all.

Just want to send a THANKS for being involved in making my life a blessing this year!
I have been so fortunate, even with some changes & up/downs - Thankfully, I have grown enough to see the benefit of even the back steps, in order to see the larger picture & plan the next stage in growth.

Hope you will all stay with me, some big changes coming!!

Have a great night, be safe, stay blessed & jump into next year with renewed faith, and energy!!

Love, Mia