Chicken and Cauliflower - leftovers

The picture doesn't give this meal justice!

Last night, I cooked chicken. Just cut up some chicken and threw it in a hot skillet of fat free Italian dressing. While that cooked, I steamed frozen cauliflower in the microwave in a Tupperware (my Mom sells this so I have to give a shout out to it....honestly one of my best purchases evah! --- If you want some, I will get you in touch with her). Anyhoo, while I was steaming the cauliflower, I put a little bit of grapeseed oil (you can use EVOO or whatever healthy fat oil you want) and 2 cloves of garlic in the skillet.

After a bit of the chicken cooking, I threw in some red onion and yellow and red peppers.  Let that cook up nice and brown.

Back to the other skillet: I added some mushrooms and tomatoes. Once the cauliflower was done, I drained it and mashed it. I put it in the skillet and let it simmer together. The last minute or two, I put some reduced fat mozz cheese on top.

That was my dinner last night. What was left over, I put in a TUPPERWARE container for lunch today. I put it on the stove and heated....added a few more veggies.

The flavors completely complimented each other!

Think of all the nutrients you get with this meal! Not a lot of carbs. High in protein.

Peppers - Lots of Vitamin C
Onion - Studies show that it can help lower your cholesterol and triglycerides
Chicken - Loads of protein
Cauliflower - More protein and low carbs

Two meals in one. And not an expensive or hard to make meal!

Can't beat that, can ya!

Try it and let me know what you think (below in the comments)

Arizona Bound

The past couple of days have been a complete blur! We looked at over 20 houses and a few apartments while visiting Arizona last week. But, believe it or not, we found one! One that the three of us agreed upon. The others will love it as well! NO DOUBT! Pool, grill, bball court, and a veranda. Wow! I am STOKED! 

But now, back in Ohio. Reality! In a matter of weeks - I will be an official Arizonian! (ftr, I will still scream for the Bucks - even though most of the time we don't need to scream...we just win) 

One minute, I am happy with tears, and the next minute, I am sad with tears. I can't believe that this is finally happening!

I am trying to stay positive. Look at the great things that are to come. Example - there is a freakin' BIKE TRAIL next to my house! I mean, it connects to my lot! WHAT! Oh, and I bought a yoga backpack last week. It will hold my laptop, all my other goodies, and my yoga mat. Which means, I can ride my bike to Yoga and to the coffee shop. Again, WHAT! This IS the life I have always wanted. I just didn't expect it to come so soon. Or so far away from everything I know. 

But wait, this is a good thing. I have to stay positive and keep my head high! My family and friends will visit. If I get too homesick, it's an airplane ride away! Only 3 hours and 45 minutes to fly back home! That's IT!

I can do this!
I am going to do this!
And I am going to freaking LOVE this!

My front yard view.....yes, that's a mountain - Camelback Mountain to be specific 

Stretching - the Importance

This website for runners is amazing! I have used it quite a few times and have shared it in my classes, with my clients, and my running friends. It really seems to make the body do the things in better form. After a long run, it's such a nice release to stretch out - but to have so many cool stretches, makes it even better. It's easier to run the next day or two. 

Stretching and warming up are critical when it comes to any type of working out. Whether you are cross training, taking a Pilates class, cycling through a Spin class, or going out for a run ~ warming up and cooling down are as important as doing the actual exercise....if not better. 

Key note to ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS remember ---> static (holding the stretch in one position for a period of time) stretching is for the cool down - the after part of your workout. If you just stretch into one move and hold it and then do another stretch and hold it, you are pretty much putting your muscles back in square one. This is what you want at the end. Put your body back to the beginning. So instead, you want to slowly move and breathe into each stretch. Constantly moving into a stretch. Examples would be easy jogging in place for a minute OR reaching your hands above your head and grasping each hand and pulling over to the side and stretching out the obliques (sides of your belly) 

After you done, you can hold your stretch as long as you want! 

HAPPY STRETCHING!

AND REACH FOR THE SUN!

My opinion..............

So I was skimming on LinkedIn and came across this article which was amazing to read. I am 110% on board with this. He has more education and experience than I do so I will let him lead the conversation. 

The author brings up many reasons why I didn't bring it into my gym and I won't ever try it myself. I did offer a CoreFit program at my old gym but it was basic (but high impact) moves and I always pushed for form. I would stop my workout watch to ensure that people kept their form. That was more important to me than any of us burning a few extra calories. Once you get hurt, you are OUT! And who knows for how long! 

Since I ownED a gym, I always kept my opinions private. Only a few people knew how I felt about this.....but now that I don't own a gym, I can put this out here that I not a follower for CF and I wish it wasn't a fad. 

THE END.