What's For Lunch...Kale!

Here is my favorite new salad.  Simply Amazing Massaged Kale Salad

But I have to give credit where credit is due.  This amazing recipe came from my friend, Whitney Cabrera.  You will LOVE it!

Ingredients (sorry I don't really measure, but you can't go wrong with this, trust me!):

• fresh kale, washed, stems removed, chopped, and massaged (I'll explained later)
• avocado (if I'm just making a big salad for myself I use about half of a medium avocado)
• lemon juice (about a Tbsp)
• pure maple syrup (about a teaspoon)
• salt (to taste)

Optional Add Ins:

• chopped avocado
• strawberries
• sweet peppers (the red, orange, and yellow ones)
• chopped celery
• craisens
• nuts or seeds

So here's what you do:
First, wash the kale.  Cut or tear the leaves off the stems (the stems are kind of bitter).

Then roll up the leaves and chop.

 After chopping it, massage the leaves just like you are giving a back massage.  The enzymes will start being released and you will see the kale change to a brighter green.

 Next, mash the avocado in a bowl and mix in the lemon juice, maple, syrup, and salt.  After it is all blended add it to the kale.  I stir it altogether so the avocado mix is evenly coating the kale (this salad does not have dressing, but the avocado mix acts as one).

 While the salad marinates, chop the other veggies and fruits, add and ENJOY!

Surviving Winter...What's Next?

Last week marked the first day of Spring, and Jason and I are happy we survived the winter!  I'm not speaking literally...winters aren't very harsh here...but there is something about those chilly mornings that beckon you to stay in bed.  Those cold days invite you to eat warm comforting (but often less healthy) foods.  Maybe it's the "busy"ness of school, or football season, or the holidays, but there's just something about winter that has always thrown a wrench in our fitness goals.  Last year Jason put on 20 lbs. mainly over the winter.  He worked really hard last year to take it off (that's when he won the Beachbody Challenge :) ), so this year we knew we had to stay focused if we were going to beat the winter rut.  And I am happy to say we made it!  We have kept up with our morning workouts (having short workouts like Focus T25 certainly helped).  And though we were still tempted to reach for those comfort foods and indulge in the holiday goodies, we kept our portions in check, and kept each other accountable.

So here's what I've been doing:
I knew I needed a challenge.  I had already gone through ChaLEAN Extreme (CLX), Insanity, and Focus T25, and since I saw the most results with CLX I decided to go back and do another 90 days of that program.  I have absolutely fallen in love with strength training, which is new to me (I've always been more of a cardio girl).  When I finished the second round of CLX I decided to do what's called "Lean for Life."  During the past two months I followed a strength workout schedule which mixes all the CLX strength circuits.  For my cardio days I used a variety of programs including: Insanity, P90X, Focus T25, CLX Cardio and Interval workouts, and I even threw in a few Jillian Michael's workouts.  It certainly kept things interesting.  But now I'm ready for my next real challenge....P90X3!  Jason and I are doing this one together.  I've heard great things, and I already know the 30 minute workout deal works for me.  I'm getting excited!  Start date is scheduled for April 7th!  Send me an email at floridafitmom@gmail.com if you want to join me in this 90 day challenge and I can help get you set up for success.

So, one thing I want to leave you with, especially if (like me) you find yourself in a winter rut...and that is DON'T GIVE UP.  Even if you don't work out EVERY day, keep working out.  Those little steps add up in the long run.  Keep choosing healthy foods.  Even if you indulged in holiday goodies, you can still choose something healthy for the VERY NEXT MEAL.  You can do this...small changes make a big difference and over time you will see change.