Thursday, April 26, 2012

Tell the Truth Thursday! I hate Liars!

Liars.... They burn my biscuits, they rot my socks, they just plain old make me MAD!

It's not much of a confession I know... but I do!

I am a fairly honest person I like to think, I don't even really like to tell white lies... Maybe its because I try to be honest, maybe its because I like to tell the people I care about what I really think, maybe just maybe its because I would rather that people not look me straight in the face and tell me what they think I want to hear rather than what they need to say.

Why can't we tell the truth?

Come on were adults lets just be honest with each other.

If I have bad breath and you don't want to spend time with me because of it tell me or offer me some gum and say you really need this... (I don't have bad breath... I think...) If you don't like my husband and don't want to spend time with us as a couple tell me rather than break plans at the last minute or wait to invite me until you know we already have other plans. If you feel like my kid is too rough then tell me that so I can help her realize that what she is doing might be too much for her friend do not tell me you cant make it to a play date or just not show up at all. Worst of all to me is the people who constantly say sorry but I can't afford to do that and then go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money on something that is frivolous and unneeded... why play poor when you can say hey I don't want to do this or i don't want to spend my money on that... I will understand.

I know that these are just little white lies and they make most people feel better, both the lier and the lied to... but keep in mind that smart people usually find out that your lie no matter how little or how white was a lie.



How do you feel about lies? Are you a regular liar, or do you try to tell the truth? let me know in the comments!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Working Out Wednesday! Walking...

Welcome to...

Lets have a chat about Walking replacing your workouts during the Summer...

Walking is an ever popular "physical" activity...
It was the most popular reason for quitting the gym/stopping working out for the summer while I worked at the gym. Walking is a great form of exercise and don't get me wrong I think it might be the best form of exercise for some... you can go for a walk for FREE and you can do it no matter how fit you are or what it is your goals are. And hey I get that it's nice outside and that you enjoy being outside, so do I, but is it enough?

Lets break it down...
An average woman that weighs about 180 lbs burns 178 calories walking for 30 minutes. 

If that same woman did a 30 min elliptical workout as well as a moderate weight lifting workout for 30 minutes she burns 604 calories.

So for that woman to equal the calories burned from doing both the strength and cardio workouts she would have to walk for 1 hour and 40 minutes! Are you going to walk for 1 hour and 40 minutes at least 3 times a week to make up for not doing a full workout?

While that may seem likely,  and I'm sure that most have the best intentions and may keep that up but what about the muscle tone you have gained throughout the colder months? If you don't use it you lose it...

I know that no one wants to be inside at the gym on a sunny Saturday (least of all me) but to be honest with you, your more likely to keep up your strength and muscle tone over the nicer summer months (when more of your body is showing) if you do continue to go to the gym or at the very least continue your strength training workouts.

I know that you might be going to the cabin or going camping every weekend, but lets be honest how often do you workout on the weekend? Plus you can still get in 3 to 4 workouts if you go to the gym or make exercise a priority Monday to Thursday...

And finally how can we forget that the most common thing to do in the summer is to gather with friends and family... and what do we do when we gather?

We EAT!

Were are taught from birth that at a gathering there MUST be food! Which is fine and if you moderate your eating than its not a big deal but... the most common food we eat in Summer when we gather is BBQ and we wash it down with beer or other high calorie alcoholic drinks, even if you don't drink the fruity beverages we are more inclined to drink during summer are higher in sugar and calories as well... So BBQ is kinda of a lose-lose situation when you pair it with reduced workouts and no strength training.


Long story short...
Walking is great for you and your body, I love walking and its something you can do no matter your age, weight, or your athletic ability, however pair it with some strength training and you have the recipe for success when it comes to losing weight and toning up! Don't sell yourself short over the Summer... Enjoy the nice weather, family outings, BBQ and drinks but keep up with your strength workouts so you don't have to start over next fall!


Monday, April 23, 2012

Make It Monday! S'mores Squares!

I love Summer and all things outside in Summer... but I especially love a camp fire and s'mores!

I love them so much.. I made these cookies last year and while I loved them they just weren't the s'mores flavor or texture I was looking for so I made these...


Now I'm sure that you can find something similar if you google search but I was in a baking/cooking mood when inspiration hit me and I just kept going...

This recipe is super simple and follows a similar recipe that you have no doubt used before when making rice crispy cookies!



S'mores Squares!
1 Tbsp Butter
2 1/2 Cups Marshmallows
2 Cups Golden Grams Cereal (I use the Sally brand from Walmart...)
About 1/2 to 1 Cup Chocolate Chunks (or 1/2 of a Chocolate Easter Bunny... not that I sacrificed one of Delaney's bunnies for this recipe.)

Melt the marshmallows with the butter over medium heat, then remove from heat and add in the cereal and then the chocolate, mix well and press into a small square dish that is greased. Allow to cool and cut into squares!

These are crispy and chewy and are full of chocolate all in one bite and they got the stamp of approval from Robyn's work buddies so they must be good!

If you like S'mores give these a try they are sure to bring you back to last years camp fire with family and friends... or at the very least get you ready for the real thing in the next few months!

 
PS linking up with It's Just Called Spicy and Rock and Share at the Shady Porch! Stop by and check them out!