Ever think to spice up your fruit???
Try this idea from my neighbors SD Blenders:
Chop fresh- mango, cantaloupe, pineapple,watermelon, oranges, coconut or whatever you have of these for fruit..
VEG it- ADD cucumber & jicama!

Then dress with a spicy drizzle of chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce mix.

Not only will this rev up you metabolism to burn fat, but you will save on added sugars by adding in the veggies that compliment the dish so well!

Enjoy:)

This post is inspired by my love for food during my pregnancy… Now 25 weeks and the count down begins!
So I love food and enjoy it more than ever right now, BUT still want to feel good about the choices im making for my body and baby. So here is something quick and oh so good for you:
-Ezekiel tortilla
Spread on fresh avocado or hummus and sprinkle with fresh cilantro if you have it.
Add rinsed and drained black beans, reduced fat trader joes feta, roasted chicken or lunch meat(whatever you have) bell pepper, cherry tomatoes and pickles(optional;)
This is basically what I had on hand, customize it with what you like or have. BIG IDEA: having a carb lunch can be good for you with the right choices. Ezekiel bread or tortillas are amazing replacements for other breads loaded with gluten, allergens and artificial additives. plus protein!
Fresh: use spreads like avocado instead of mayo for it. Get your good omega fats that your body needs. It will make you feel fuller and much more satisfied.
For the love of food… That is all for now:)
I’m making chicken tortilla soup tonight and will give you that recipe too. My baby is kicking me now excited for our next food adventure

This past Sunday we did a great class at BMH Deli that was vegetarian and protein inspired… fresh produce, gluten-free and delicious.  I love doing this cooking classes because it helps to inspire my recipe collection and reminds me how little time fresh and healthy cooking can take! We only baked one recipe out of this 3 course meal:) enjoy a insanely guilt free appetizer (fancy, but on so simple), vegetarian protein wrap and chocolate peanut butter balls made protein style!

Enjoy our creations from Sunday…

Party Appetizer: Zucchini Bites

Ingredients:

-Zucchini and yellow squash (5-10)

-Feta cheese (6-8 Ounce crumbled and reduced fat TJ)

-Parmesan (shredded for topping)

-Cherry tomatoes or small roman tomatoes

-Fresh basil, chopped (or dry) about 10 leaves

-Salt & pepper to taste

Directions: Slice squash into 3/4 inch slices and spoon out center with small teaspoon scooper, leave bottom in tact. Add feta cheese to middle of squash.

Slice tomatoes in thin slices to place over the top of that.  Mix parmesan, basil (small chopped), and any left over feta together. Add over the top of the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper Bake at 400 Degrees for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

***This one is my favorite: I have made it for our “Girls night Bunco” group and everyone LOVED it. It’s flavorful, light and the kin of appetizer you want to fill up on! I had one of our girl friends made this for her friend who is a chef at 1500 Ocean (restaurant at the Hotel Del) and he loved it so much he is trying to add it to their menu! Talk about you gotta try this… or make it to impress some friends They will never know how easy it is!

Turbo Avocado Wraps

Ingredients: 
3 avocados, peeled, pitted, and, mashed. 
 ¼ cup red onion, 
¼ tsp. garlic salt,  
¾ cup cilantro, chopped
 1 Roma tomato, diced. 
12: 6”inch whole-grain tortillas. 
Hot sauce (optional)
3 cups cooked black beans. ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese.

Directions: 
Combine avocados, onion, garlic salt, and cilantro. Spread avocado mixture over tortillas. Top with cilantro and diced tomato. Add hot sauce, black beans, and/or cheese if desired. Roll up and serve.

Nutritional Information per serving: 
 Calories: 365 
Protein: 8g 
Carbs: 48g 
Total Fat: 16 g 
Fiber: 9 g

***All ingredients are fresh, organic and gluten-free. I love these Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas because they are packed with protein, are all natural and super filling for a quick lunch. Ezekiel also does my favorite breads… the only ingredients I trust!

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

(The very healthy version of a no-bake PB Chocolate cookie)

INGREDIENTS:

10-12 Tablespoons Natural Peanut butter (w/flax seeds is the best!)

½ Cup Shakeology Protein Powder (Packed with nutrients/protein)

3 Tablespoons Raw Honey

½ Cup Quick Oats

***Um okay, if you love sweets and need a treat to fill you up with the cook stuff… like protein, not processed sugar, TRY THIS. I made these little balls in less than 5 minutes and froze them before enjoying.  You can order Shakeology here: http://www.fitwithjenny.com/nutrition.php

Here you will discover why I love this protein powder, and now love it even more because I can eat it too

ENJOY x0 Jenny ps. Above is my belly at 6 months

This is a follow-up to my post last week about my personal choice to workout during pregnancy. Here are some interesting facts and tips to help you during yours… whether you are pregnant now or plan to be in the future:

I also have attached a video I made to help you at home!

VIDEO PRENATAL YOGA: CLICK HERE to watch it http://youtu.be/SntyTugAudk

(Join us for Prenatal Yoga for a live workout!)

First I will start by saying… the concept of pregnancy as an illness, and an image of the pregnant woman as a delicate creature too frail to climb a flight of stairs or carry a bag of groceries, are far outdated. Moderate activity (30 minutes minimum daily) is now considered not only safe, but also extremely beneficial for most expectant mothers AND babies. In fact, recent studies show that even vigorous exercise appears safe- and does NOT increase the risk of preterm labor. Trust me I asked my DR. Her simple advice was if you feel light headed and your heart rate is too high, take it easy and modify (avoid stopping completely, the body needs to recover).

Your practitioners okay is most essential before you go for a jog or join my spin class even when you feel terrific! Pregnant women in the high-risk category may need to curb exercise or eliminate completely. BUT if you are among the most with a “normal” pregnancy… read on

Benefits/variation of exercise:

-Women who don;t get any exercise during pregnancy become progressively less fit as the months pass by and become heavier and heavier. A good exercise program can counteract this trend toward decreasing fitness.

-Gives you more energy

-Helps you feel better both physically and mentally

-improve your sleeping (dont avoid exercise before bedtime)

strengthen muscles and increase endurance

-helps you handle the imbalance of enlarged abdomen, reduce back aches, constipation, bloating, and swelling (hand and feet for ex) and helps you get back into shape sooner (muscle memory!)

strengthening your body will also help you cope with labor and delivery.

USEFUL EXERCISE INCLUDES:

1. Aerobics: Rhythmic, repetitive activities strenuous enough to demand increased oxygen flow to muscles, but not too strenuous to demand excess supply. Walking, jogging, bicycling, fitness classes: zumba, cardio kickboxing, total body or even bootcamps! and or swimming. This stimulates the heart and lungs as well as muscle joint activity, producing beneficial over-all body changes including increase in ability to process and utilize oxygen (huge plus for you and baby). It improves circulation, enhancing transport of nutrients and oxygen to fetus while decreasing risk of varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and fluid retention. Plus promotes a feeling of well-being and confidence, while heightening your ability to cope with physical and emotional challenges of childbearing.

2. Calisthenics. Rhythmic, light gymnastic movements to tone and develop muscle while improving posture.

3. Weight Training. Increases muscle tone. Avoid heavy lifting (over 25lbs). Use lighter weight and higher repititions for toning.

4. Water workouts

5. YOGA. Join us for prenatal yoga! Tuesdays 430pm Yogas emphasis on breathing, relaxation, posture, and body awareness makes it a perfect choice!

Check out our live class and this video I have created to learn more and get your body into baby shape

Hope this was useful!

I discovered this make-over on apple pie in my inbox… so if you have a sweet tooth like I have had during my pregnancy, BITE ON THIS:

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of pie)
Calories: 159
Fat: 3g
Sodium: 167mg
Carbs: 37g
Fiber: 5.5g
Sugars: 23g
Protein: 1g

Versus our orginal favorite:

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 450
Fat: 20g
Sodium: 480mg
Carbs: 64g
Fiber: 2.5g
Sugars: 28g
Protein: 3g

Here’s the secret:

Ingredients:
Crust
1 cup Fiber One Original bran cereal


2 sheets (8 crackers) low-fat honey graham crackers, broken into pieces


3 tbsp. granulated white sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)

Filling
6 – 8 Fuji apples (enough to yield 8 cups once sliced)
1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed)
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. granulated white sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
Optional topping: Fat Free Reddi-wip

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a deep-dish pie pan with nonstick spray and set aside.

To make the crust, place cereal and graham cracker pieces in a blender or food processor, and grind to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add white sugar and cinnamon, mix well, and set aside. 


In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter with 2 tbsp. water. Microwave for 15 seconds, or until just melted. Add to the medium bowl and stir contents until thoroughly mixed. Evenly distribute crust mixture along the bottom of the pie pan. Using your hands or a flat utensil, firmly press mixture into the edges and up along the sides of the pan to form the crust.




Bake crust in the oven for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Set oven to 375 degrees. Peel, core, and thinly slice 8 cups’ worth of apples. Set aside.

In a large nonstick pot on the stove, combine all ingredients for the filling except apples and optional topping. Add 1 1/2 cups cold water and mix until ingredients have dissolved. Add apples and stir. Bring to medium-high heat and, stirring frequently, cook until liquid has thickened and apples have softened, 12 – 15 minutes.

Carefully transfer filling to the crust in the pan, and smooth out the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in the oven until apples are very tender, 20 – 25 minutes.

Allow pie to cool and set completely. Cut into 8 slices and, if you like, top each serving with a generous squirt of Reddi-wip. Enjoy!

-I subscribed to hungry girl and get daily emails with ways to still eat as a “Hungry Girl”. Some are great, and the ideas I have gotten from them is worth it.

www.hungrygirl.com

Today in my core class i had a client ask “when will you stop working out”… And because I’m 21 weeks pregnant I guess most people think there is a pregnancy threshold against all women for when they must stop. At first, I didn’t know how to respond because I have never asked myself that question. My initial plan was always to teach fitness classes until I’m due- I had never really considered the desire to stop, or for some the need to stop.
I responded with “until I’m due because it makes me feel sane to still have my fitness”… Really thinking what a crazy question. I give up good wine, nights out and change my priorities from being a self diagnosed workaholic and now you want me to give up my passion, my health? Not a chance.
For me, being pregnant and working out goes hand in hand. Past stigmas may say otherwise…”stop by this date, do only yoga, be extra careful or don’t work out at all”…
From first hand experience I can say working out through this journey, even having to throw up during a spin class, has saved me. I feel myself, I feel empowered to be who I was am who I am. I pass these healthy endorphins on to my baby… And if she’s like me she needs them:) I honor and listen to my body but don’t excuse myself from staying active by pulling the “I’m tired” card… Chances are your tired because your not active! I will be strong for birth and my little Jillian will come out using the endurance I gave her during our workouts to be healthy.
It makes me feel as if I’m ingraining her with the healthy gene all kids should develop…. Be active to be happy and healthy. Maybe I am, maybe it doesn’t make a difference. For me it does… But to all you moms and future moms out there, workout because you want to… Gain the same benefits from working out you did before. Feel accomplished for rewarding your body and baby with a healthy sweat. Fear nothing and think positively..
More importantly be you and “do you!”

Holiday relaxing and eating, CHECK New Years Resolution, Check? Superbowl food and cocktails, CHECK …Valentines Day indulging… will be a CHECK

After all your fun these past few months, isn’t it time we have some incentive for getting back to the body we want? To feel fresh again, renewed, and more importantly ACCOMPLISHED? Time to work on that New Years resolution you put on the back burner, and get motivated by getting back on track. Do these sound like familiar feelings? Maybe you have started into action by writing out millions of “to-do list” that just seem to stare you in the face, same task, different day… Now is the TIME. Because you can get cashh$ in hand for reaching your goals, BIG or SMAll! The “DROP 4 $CASH$ CONTEST” is back. Registration begins NOW. Contest Starts FEBRUARY 15th (after valentines day!… see how nice we are, FAIL PROOF) Get the help and motivation you need from ANYWHERE you live, join the plan and get paid for it.

The time is now, Summer is NEAR… kick start it right with the help of some of your friends on the same boat as you.

Check fitwithjenny.com for details, or email me. Minimum of 10 teams needed to participate.

Because of the huge response from my results of the 3-day cleanse, I want to give you all the information I can. I discovered this cleanse from a good friend of mine who is also a fitness expert and scientist, whom I trusted. I tried the cleanse for the first time in October…(see my blog and pictures!) and lost around 4lbs, then just finished it for the second time yesterday and lost even more… this truly turns your body into a fat burning machine.

MY RESULTS:

Lost- 6.1 lbs and 2 inches in my waist!

Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse

SHAKEOLOGY 3-DAY CLEANSE:


Shakeology is a meal replacement shake designed to be enjoyed every day, one meal a day. But for this cleanse, it will be used three times a day for three days. Go to www.fitwithjenny.com to learn more!

The Shakeology Cleanse is meant to jump start you in your fitness, break a plateau or shred pounds fast & effectively in a healthy way. The key is caloric efficiency; getting the most nutrients possible out of the fewest number of calories.

This can help you become healthier from the inside out. Internal health is the foundation to external beauty.

People are getting fantastic results ~ Lose weight, feel great!

The basics are as follows:


3 SHAKEOLOGY Shakes a day (blended with water and ice)
2 Cups of Green Tea a Day (Triple Leaf Detox Tea is good choice)
1 piece of fruit a day (Apple, pear, orange, banana, mango, etc)
1 salad for dinner (lettuce, veggies, lean protein)
– 4 oz lean protein in salad (WHITE poultry or fish)
– Only Low Fat Dressings.

NO: Dairy (no almond, soy, or rice milk) or extra sugars. If it’s not on the list, don’t eat it!



Sample Menu (Repeat all three days):
1 cup of green tea
BREAKFAST:
Shakeology – 1 scoop, blended with ice & 8-10 oz of water
Optional: ½ cup of fruit (only for the super conditioned – not the weight challenged)
SNACK:
1 piece of fruit
LUNCH:
Shakeology – 1 scoop, blended with ice & 8-10 oz of water
1 cup of green tea
SNACK:
Shakeology – 1 scoop, blended with ice & 8-10 oz of water
(This snack can be before or after dinner)
DINNER:
Salad
– Lettuce/veggies
– 4 oz lean protein (WHITE fish or poultry)
– Light Dressing

Good luck! email me for help on your journey

This thursday the Wax Dolls are hosting a holiday party @ 7pm, and we will be there too giving out FREE gifts

Then Join us the following thursday, dec 16th @7pm at fit with jenny. We are neighbors with the WAX DOLLA and want to celebrate YOU with free gifts, massages, discounts on gifts and champagne… each night will be unique!

Should be some FUN girl time/shopping for the holidays!

Free gifts, discounts and champagne

DID YOU KNOW: Facts about Yoga and Pilates

-Check out this awesome newsletter on the benefits of YOGA & PILATES.. or PiYo as we call our classes here!

By Heather Hinman, San diego State newsletter Nov 2010

These days, it seems that nearly “everyone who is anyone” has developed a new-found appreciation for yoga, or Pilates, or both! So what are all these celebrities getting excited about? Why are so many people practicing these poses and exercises, and what are the benefits? Here is a little trivia about where yoga and Pilates’ popularity originated, and how practicing each can enhance your mental and physical fitness.

Practicing Pilates helps to shed extra fat and to tone up the muscles, improving the general appearance of the body.

Yoga was first seen as a FAD.
In the 1980s, when it became popular in the western world, many people thought it would quickly blow over just like any other fitness craze or diet. What most people did not know is that yoga is much more than just a workout – it’s been a spiritual practice for centuries. Yoga became one of the most important changes for understanding health and fitness when western medicine started to realize the importance of the mind-body connection.

Many stress-reduction techniques are based on the principles of yoga.
Practicing yoga helps soothe the mind and body, and yoga practitioners enjoy stability and emotional bliss even during stressful situations and when experiencing emotional turmoil. Yoga stipulates correct body postures, alignment, breathing techniques and movement patterns, which help you relax even when under stress.

Practicing yoga regularly enhances immunity.
Yoga helps to improve overall immunity of the body by stimulating the internal organs. It is a popular rejuvenation technique among health-conscious people, and it reaps benefits of relieving stress for an overall feeling of goodness.

Studies show yoga improves flexibility.
There are specific yoga postures that benefit different joints and stress points in the body. Keeping the joints lubricated helps to make them more flexible and functional.

Pilates stemmed from yoga.
Joseph H. Pilates studied yoga, martial arts and other mind-body activities to help him develop the fundamentals of the practice. A benefit of Pilates is that it engages both the mind and the body – just like yoga. It is a full-body workout that helps to tone the body, mind and spirit through smooth, precise and flowing movements.

Pilates helps tone up the muscles.
Practicing Pilates helps to shed extra fat and to tone up the muscles, improving the general appearance of the body. Pilates is especially core-body focused, helping to develop a flat stomach and strong back.

Which one should you practice?
The nature of yoga and Pilates complement each other, so why not practice both? Expand your range of motion while stretching in yoga, and strengthen and tighten your core muscles in Pilates. Do both throughout the week and watch our poses improve! The breathing techniques from both practices are something you can incorporate into your everyday life to reduce stress and feel refreshed.

-Come check out the PiYo and Yoga classes we offer throughout the week on our schedule online @ www.fitwithjenny.com You can also print out a FREE CLASS coupon!