Farewell to my readers but not to the healthy habits

The day has come where a farewell is due for all of you who have followed me throughout this blog. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. I am hoping that I will be able to post in here from time to time. But working and going to school full-time doesn’t always leave all the time in the world to do this. This blog informed me on things that I may have already knew but took it into greater detail, like what exactly Green Tea can do for you.

My favorite part of this experience was finally trying out yoga. The real kind of yoga not the kind that you do in your living room OnDemand. My trip to Yoga Inspired in Pitman was such a great experience that I will always take with me. Not only did it open me up to a whole new world of exercise but it gave me some self-confidence. After stumbling into class a minute late and being a bit embarrassed they had to move around mats so I could fit in the room I started to get comfortable. And the next time I went I even sat in the front (and arrived a few minutes earlier)! After trying it for the first time I’m not afraid to try yoga at different studios as well and that’s something I’m really excited about doing!

My final post about a woman I met from a Weight Watchers meeting really inspired me and for that it was my favorite post. She proves that even though she has been overweight for the majority of her life that’s in her past. You are the author of your story and she chose to start a new chapter and better herself for not only her own self-confidence but for her children.

Making a lifestyle change not just following a diet

Besides healthy habits this blog has taught me a good bit about journalism. Firstly always, and I mean ALWAYS, have a back-up plan. Numerous times on numerous occasions I was struggling to get a post in because my first plan back fired. One of those times was my interview with Sophia. Although that three-year-old is incredibly adorable she wasn’t an expert on the topic. But her description of that yogurt and how much she loved dance class was super cute!

Speaking of frozen yogurt, my trip to the YOGO Factory in Turnersville was definitely one of my favorite parts too. It sparked my taste buds and converted me into a fro-yo girl for life. I enjoy it better than ice cream and I can thank this blog for that.

I just want to thank all of you for supporting me through this journey. It means the world and I hope to keep contributing to this blog.

Making a lifestyle change not just following a diet

Monica wasn’t always a person who loved eating healthy and exercising. It wasn’t until she was 42 years old that she found her real passion in life: running.

After having three kids in a span of eight years Monica couldn’t control her weight, let alone stay away from the countless snacks her young children were constantly eating. Those eating habits are what always killed a good diet for her, along with her lack of love for exercise.

“Exercising always felt like a chore. I used to watch my daughter run in her soccer games and I saw her joy for it and I just thought she was crazy!”

After countless failed attempts at sticking to a diet, Monica decided this time it would be different. On Jan. 2, 2012 she signed up for Weight Watchers. Little did she know this commitment would change her life forever.

Two months into her “lifestyle change” she had already shed ten pounds. Her rapid weight-loss kept her going back week after week and helped her stick to planning out her meals everyday. It was in her second month she found her passion for something she never expected: running.

Running was never a question for her. Monica never played sports as a kid so she never recalled even trying to run around. She knew if she wanted to lose weight and trim down her figure, exercise had to be involved. So her daughter at the age of 13 encouraged her to start.

“I love running. I always loved running so I wanted to help my mom love it too,” Megan Lord said.

Once Megan introduced her mom to a light jog it was inevitable that she would start to share this passion with her daughter. It wasn’t until summer though that the two participated in their first run together but that wasn’t the only one they did together.

Mom & Megan’s Race History

-July 4, 2012: Pitman Freedom 4 Mile Road Race in Pitman, NJ

-August 11, 2012: 5K Beach Run in Wildwood Crest, NJ

Besides the runs they did together, Monica also has ran by herself. She was selected to be one of the thousands who ran in the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia on May 5, 2013. The run was 10 miles long and she finished in 1 hour 49 minutes and 19 seconds and was extremely proud of it.

The whole reason she started this journey was to reach a goal weight (which she chose not to share). But, on Jan. 13, 2013 she reached that goal weight. Now she focuses on maintaining her weight and possible losing a bit more weight.

She said, “Even though I reached my goal I still want to keep up with it. This really is a lifestyle change not just a diet.”

I asked her for any advice to someone who thinks it’s impossible to lose the weight. Monica said, “I thought it was impossible, I’m 43 years old I thought changing my habits now was a lost cause. But with support from my family and friends I finally lost the weight that I’ve wanted to lose for so many years. I’m not an expert to be giving advice but I would say definitely add exercise if you want to succeed. All of my previous diets didn’t work but when I added in a run every morning before work that’s when the weight really started to come off.”

Monica’s journey is tracked below in a timeline created in dipity!

Monica’s Transformation on Dipity.

Simple At Home Healthy Smoothie Recipes To Try!

 

Check out my storify for some simple at home smoothie recipes to try!

Take the Insanity Challenge

It is official I have taken an extreme challenge to get beach body ready. If you didn’t already guess it…I am taking the Insanity challenge. Insanity consists of a 60-day program where you work your entire body in ways you never expect you could. Personal trainer Shaun T is the inventor and person on the DVDs talking you through all of the movements.

The DVDs are priced at $119.85! That is extremely pricey especially on the college kid budget but luckily for me my brother bought the program.

I never believed in at home work outs simply because you easily can slack off and not do that. With the Insanity program you may not want to do it but taking a peek at all of the success stories is so much motivation to keep on going. Personally I just keep reassuring myself that 60 days isnt’ really that long and that it will totally be worth come July.

I would strongly recommend the Insanity program to anyone out there. It is a combination of cardio, conditioning, and of course strength. I love the program even though it kicks my butt everyday.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Living Healthy in a Three Year Old’s Mind

Sophia is a three year-old who has her own view of living healthy. She made the switch from ice cream to a more healthy frozen yogurt without even knowing it (thanks to her mom she still thinks its ice cream that she’s eating). Also for exercise she loves to dance!

Preview: My Very First Visit with a Nutritionist

I am very excited to announce I will be visiting a nutritionist! Within the next few weeks ill be posting about my very first trip with Cheri R. Leahy R.D. at the School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is the Assistant Professor of the Department of Surgery there. I will be visiting her in Sewell, NJ on Egg Harbor Road! More details to follow!

Two Cups of Green Tea A Day Keeps The Doctor Away: Tazo Zen Green Tea

Tazo Zen Green Tea

 

Since it is St. Patrick’s Day I was feeling a big green. First thing that comes to mind is my favorite morning, midday, nighttime, anything treat…green tea. I have tried so many brands of green tea but this one is by far my favorite. Tazo Zen Green Tea to me is heaven in a cup.

I first got a cup of Zen at Starbucks. Believe it or not I hated it. Then, my mom brought it home and I gave it another shot. I left the tea bag in for the duration of the time I drank it and it tasted delicious! It is a mix of lemongrass and spearmint.

My favorite site All Women Stalk had an article titled 9 Amazing Facts About Green Tea. After reading that article I was convinced to drink green tea every day!

They listed 9 facts:

1.It Helps Lower Cholesteral

2.It May Help Prevent Cancer

3.It May Help Prevent Heart Disease

4.It Can Help Prevent Stroke

5.It Helps Stave Off Dementia

6.It May Help Control Weight

7.It’s Power Comes From….Antioxidants

Check out All Women Stalk’s article and try out Tazo’s Zen Green Tea.

Let me know how you like it!

P.S. Dont be led astray from the urine yellow color the tea is. It’s normal!

Yoga Inspired in Pitman NJ is perfect for any level of yoga

If you follow my twitter @healthyhabitsbk you would know I tried yoga for the first time this week. I was petrified of going and looking silly since I never practiced yoga before. But, I felt the completely opposite. Yoga not only is relaxing it is fun and really easy.

I found Yoga Inspired online. It’s a small studio in Pitman, NJ ran by Denise Ashcraft.

My first class I went to was called Evening Blend Yoga and the instructor was Malini Patel. She was excellent. It was really nice and comforting that she made sure the beginners, like myself, didn’t feel out of place or awkward doing different moves. She gave a great piece of advice, that was to listen to your body. If a movement hurts simply don’t do it! That made a huge different in knowing my limits in yoga.

I enjoyed the class so much I signed up for two weeks of unlimited classes. I signed up for my second class for today. It was called Sunday Reboot Yoga. I had to wake up early to go but it was so worth it. Taking a yoga class was such a great start to my day and I am so glad I did it. Today the instructor’s name was Laura Maron. She was also great at catering to the beginners strength as well as the more advanced students in the practice.

I would strongly recommend to try yoga at Yoga Inspired! The have plenty of classes to take at a variety of times. Yoga Inspired is featured in Pitman, NJ at 51 South Broad Street. It is in the old bank next to Guillermo’s Restaurant. I really enjoyed it and hope you do too.

Namaste.

Trading in Ice Cream for Frozen Yogurt at YOGO Factory in Turnersville

I have been a huge fan of frozen yogurt for awhile now. It’s safe to say I’ve tried the majority of the frozen yogurt places in our area. I love frozen yogurt because its dessert without the guilt! I brought my parents along for the trip to YOGO Factory in Turnersville. I think I converted them to be fro-yo lovers too!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Dine-out at Green Zebra: Glassboro’s Healthy New Restaurant Located in the Whitney Center at Rowan University

This photo was taken from http://www.greenzebranj.com

Jen and Corey Gardner-Meeks are two Glassboro natives who had a big dream and made it happen. The couple decided to open up a healthy restaurant called Green Zebra in their hometown. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Whitney Center. They serve a wide array of salads that can also be turned into wraps. Along with the wraps the couple provides Oogavé soda. Don’t know what it is? Read on!

What made you want to open up a restaurant like Green Zebra? 

My wife and I grew up in Glassboro and we realized there was a lack of healthy eating establishments so we decided to open it up.

Are you and your wife vegetarians or vegans?

My wife became a vegetarian because she didn’t like the idea of eating meat. I became a vegetarian for the healthy benefits. First, I cut out red meats and eventually meats altogether.

What is your favorite item on the menu? 

The tomatillo (pronounced toh-muh-tee-oh). A tomatillo is a tomato, each of our salads have a tomato in it this is my favorite though. I, of course, substitute the chicken for either black beans or tofu.

What is Oogavé soda?

Oogavé soda is a USDA certified organic soda made from agave syrup. When the agave nectar is fermented it becomes tequila. But, when it goes non-fermented it is a sweet syrup. It is low glycemic so it is a better option for people with hyperglycemia. The soda has no high-fructose syrup also.

What is the Earn Your Stripes program?

It is a loyalty card–like a rewards program. Once you sign up for it every time you order you show your card. The computer will keep track of what you spend. Once you reach $50 the computer will print out a $5 gift certificate that you can use the next time you order.

Make sure to check out Green Zebra on the first floor of the Whitney Center. They are open seven days a week from 11 A.M. to 9 P.M.

For updated information check out their Facebook page and Twitter account!