Category Archives: Other

Back From Vacation So Now I Can Take Vacation

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Isn’t it a funny thing, how you plan for weeks to go on vacation and then vacation comes and goes and it seems as though it never even happened??? At the same time, in many ways, taking a vacation is hard work. Coming back home can sometimes feel like more of a vacation than actually being a thousand miles away on a beautiful sandy beach.

What I know for sure is that vacation is necessary. It recharges my battery and I come home feeling ready for a new day, a new challenge, a better nutrition plan and a new perspective on my workouts and training sessions. So even though vacation can be exhausting, it also has its rewards.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

My husband, Tom and I just got back from Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The beaches were beautiful and the weather was in the high 80′s everyday. I worked hard to stay fairly close to my regular diet but it wasn’t easy. We also didn’t get to the gym at the resort which was ok since my body needed a break. Instead, we spent time everyday walking on the beach.

Tom and I enjoying our daily walks on the beach

Tom and I enjoying our daily walks on the beach

There were many food choices at the resort’s restaurants but most of those choices involved meat (actually 99% of them). The chef was kind enough to provide vegetarian meals for us, but I believe vegetarianism is a very misunderstood way of eating. Our evening meals were cooked vegetables mixed with curry powder or soy sauce AND that was it….no rice, beans, cheese, eggs or any type of substantial protein source.

Breakfast was easy for me to eat, enjoy and feel satisfied. Each morning I mixed up the following: hot oatmeal, cottage cheese, some nuts and whatever fruit was available that day.

Lunch was the same each day…vegetable fajitas. We did pack extra nuts and protein bars so that was very helpful. The evening buffets were filled with 5-8 meat choices including numerous seafood options. All of the visitors at the resort that we talked to thought the food was excellent. I guess, for most people it was the ideal spread. I still have to commend the chef because they certainly didn’t have to accommodate our diet at all, but they took the time to make sure we had a meal to eat. One of the waiters even sent bananas and mangos with me back to my room for when I got hungry.

The vacation was relaxing but now I am ready to get back to my regular routine. For me, routine makes me the happiest, and I feel my best when all is in its proper place. Mixing it up every once in a while is still very necessary and a part of my healthy lifestyle.

Me getting a massage on the beach, $20 for 30 minutes

Me getting a massage on the beach, $20 for 30 minutes

Whole Food Eating Plan for a Healthy Lifestyle

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Reblogged from Kimberly Carlson:

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend. Our family went to South Dakota for the weekend to be with family and friends. On Thursday, I posted about the challenges of social events including extra eating, drinking, and less movement. Our drive was over 5 hours in length, so right there, the distance and all the sitting can be difficult.

Read more… 570 more words

No Workout on Valentine’s Day

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Hi All! I don’t have a workout to post tonight, back to the grind tomorrow night. My husband, Tom,  did get me a 1 hour massage at LifeTime Fitness for Valentine’s Day. I am so excited to use it since I generally do not get massages, even though there are many days when I could use one.

Instead of the gym, we went out for appetizers and a nice glass of red wine at Swirl and The Current in Afton, MN. It was a  very enjoyable evening. Once in awhile; a day off, is definitely necessary, and worthwhile. Enjoy your evening!!!!

 

 

Sweat Out Illness!!

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Tis the season for crazy schedules and illness. Unfortunately, if you are like me, this time of year can mean getting sick. We are so busy with holiday get togethers and spending time in social settings, that getting sick is almost a given. The stress of the season doesn’t help matters either. 

Yesterday I woke up and didn’t feel very good from the neck up. By the end of the day, I really felt like going to bed. Instead I decided to try to sweat out the “start of a cold” and see if I could beat it.  If I was coughing or had a fever, I would definitely skip the gym. This was one day, that I figured, doing a heavy load of cardio, might just be my best medicine.

Don’t worry, I cleaned my machine before and after my workout. I don’t want to be the one getting any one sick. When I feel 75%, a good workout generally does the trick or at least lessens the severity of my cold.

I think it worked. Here is the overview of last nights workout:

-1 hour of the Stair Master, level 12 Fat Burner followed by a 20 minute Calf Workout:

-4 sets of Standing Calf Raises (10-15 reps.)-to exhaustion.

-9 sets total: Seated Leg Press Machine:  Calf Raises (feet half way off the plate).

*3 sets (10-15 reps) toes in

*3 sets (10 -15 reps) toes out 

 *3 sets (10-15 reps.) feet together.

Northern States Natural Classic Bodybuilding Competition, Oct. 22

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I haven’t posted an article in a week or so. I guess I have been mentally preparing to do my competition preparation one more time. It has taken everything I’ve got to get to this point. Now it is time to complete Peak Week again. The Northern States Natural Classic Bodybuilding Competition is this coming Saturday, Oct. 22 in Elk River, MN.

I have increased my water intake (since Friday) to between 2 1/2 – 3 Gallons of water per day. In addition, I am taking Dandelion Root again. My sodium content is down, even though since the last competition, on Oct. 8, I really haven’t changed much in my diet. I figured that if I can keep my body fat and weight about the same as it was during the last peak week, that would be sufficient. The judges gave me pretty good feedback and indicated that I was very lean, had amazing cuts, great vascularity and great leg definition. I plan to follow this week in a similar fashion as I did during the week of Oct. 3.

I think I may increase my carbs a little more on Thursday and Friday but we will see how the week goes. In the last few days, I have incorporated some blueberries and some slices of apple into my diet. In the past, I haven’t had any fruit for the last several weeks before the competition so we will see how that goes. In the past 1 1/2 weeks, I have also increased by vegetable intake at my main meals. I am eating a combination of cooked brocolli, cauliflower, fresh cucumbers, spinach and sometimes a few tomatoes (amounting to about 3-4 cups). This is all heated up and some walnuts or pumpin seeds and a few berries added to the mix. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? I wash all this down with about 25 grams of protein whey. My diet these days is not very exciting, but I am very much looking forward to some variety after Saturday’s show.

I have noticed a lot of cravings over this past weekend. I sure do feel like eating some chips and salsa. I also would not mind some chocolate. It all sounds so good right now, but a few more days of training and preparation and then…..I will be able to have some cheat meals.

I will post more, hopefully, as the week goes on. More pictures to come of the Elk River show…stay tuned.

Kimberly’s Lentil Cauliflower Curry

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Lentil Cauliflower CurryKim’s Lentil Cauliflower Curry

My family and I recently discovered Indian cooking. My daughter and I are vegetarians so finding restaurants that serve a variety of vegetarian options can be tricky. Eating out at Indian Restaurants is great, except the fat content (because of the butter and cream used in many of these recipes) can make a potentially healthy, low calorie meal into something that is anything but.  I have started experimenting and creating my own Indian foods. My family really likes them; however, my daughter still likes the “Restaurant” better??? My Curry below is served with a purchased Naan (I have made it from scratch too-just takes time) and a white Basmati Rice (use brown to make it healthier or skip the rice since this meal is pretty high carb with the lentils).
INGREDIENTS:
Cooking spray
1 medium onion
few flakes of chili pepper flakes (more if you prefer)
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2  tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 Cup Lentils (I used green but any type will work, yellow or red )
4 Cups Water
1 Medium sized Cauliflower -chopped up (or a bag of frozen-that’s what I used)
2 Medium potatoes diced, with peels left on
2 tbsp. cilantro (I used freeze dried) fresh would be great too
2 tbsp. Lime juice
Dash of sea salt
2 tsp. Garam Masala (this is a mix that comes in a jar that you can find in the Indian section at many grocery stores. Its a little spicy so you can use a little less if you don’t like it too spicy or more if you love spice).
-Extra 1/2 cup water
Cooking Lentil Cauliflower Curry
Cooking Lentil Cauliflower Curry
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Have all ingredients (spices, vegetables etc. ready to go before starting the cooking process. Cook up the Basmati rice before hand. I got a tip about the best rice preparation and letting the water boil first (adding a tsp. of margarine with the water) then adding the rice works great. After it comes to a boil (boil for about 1 minute-2 minutes), turn heat back to low, cover and let the water boil off-watch closely so you don’t burn it). Once that is done take off the stove, leave the lid on and fluff with a fork ever 30 min. or so until the rice is cooled. Don’t refrigerate until cool, otherwise it gets sticky. My kids don’t like sticky rice with their Indian food.
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, chile pepper, curry, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin. Stir all of this together then add the diced potato.
3. Pour in the water and stir in the lentils (they do not need to be cooked before hand). Put your heat up to high and cover with a lid for about 1-2 minutes at boiling, then turn the heat back to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes. The lentils should soften up.
4. Add the cauliflower to the mix and 1/2 cup of water stir together. Cook another 10 minutes with the lid on, leave open a bit for heat to vent, on medium heat.
5. Now add the Garam Masala, cook another 10-15 minutes until cauliflower is tender, then add the cilantro, lime juice and salt.
6. Let the curry mixture sit, covered for about 10 minutes before serving.
SERVE Lentil Cauliflower Curry over Basmati Rice and add a side of your favorite Naan Bread. —Simply Delicious!!

Life Ending…The Joy of Being Alive

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Sorry, it has been awhile since I posted in my blog. I have been preoccupied over the last several weeks. Last weekend, we attended my Grandmother’s funeral. She was 99 years old. Even though she lived a very good life, it is still difficult to see her go.

I have also been focusing on my training. I signed up for the 2011 Natural Badger Classic in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It is scheduled for Oct. 8. I have lots of training to accomplish before that date. I practiced posing with a friend last night. I will post a few pictures soon of my progress.