Archive for ‘Wellness’

July 24, 2012

Three Bean Mediterranean Burger + {A G.i.v.e.a.w.a.y!}

by Stephanie

Good morning!  Good morning!

I have a delicious little recipe to share with you today.

My first recipe using my birthday food processor!

And we’ve got another first here at On the Road to RD – A GIVEAWAY!

Well, not quite a car, per se… but as a future RD {like moi}, it’s right up there on the same level!

An Ozeri Touch Professional Digital SCALE!

Dang! Is that thing fancy or WHAT?  It’s like an iPad for your kitchen!

We will go in to details in just a moment, but first, the recipe!

Three Bean Mediterranean Burger

{Gluten-Free}
{Vegetarian}

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 6 burgers

Ingredients:

  • 1 C uncooked sprouted bean mix
  • 3 C water
  • 1/4 onion (cut into 1″ pieces)
  • 1 Tbs fresh basil
  • 1/2 C sliced sundried tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • 1/3 C ground flax
  • 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce
  • Seasoning as desired

Directions:

  1. Cook beans.  1 C beans to 3 C water.  Bring to a boil, cover and let simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes covered.  Drain water.
  2. Add cooked beans, onion, basil, sundried tomatoes, garlic, flax, sauces, and seasoning to food processor and mix until uniform consistency.
  3. Form mixture into 6 patties.
  4. Grill for 5 minutes on each side and enjoy!

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All I can say is YUM!

…And thank god there were no raw eggs/meat in this, because I could not keep sneaking little bites of the pre-grilled burger.

This is the bean trio I used, containing sprouted lentils, adzuki, and mung beans, purchased at the one-and-only Costco.

I love the bright mixture of colors, but you could substitute for just lentils if that’s all you have on hand.

The food processor’s maiden voyage.

Fresh Basil from the garden is like no other. Mmmm smells so good.

Here is the seasoning I chose.

Another Costco special, containing a blend of…

onion, garlic, carrot, black pepper, red bell pepper, tomato granules, orange peel, parsley, bay leaves, thyme, basil, celery, lemon peel, oregano, savory, mustard seed, cumin, marjoram, coriander, cayenne pepper, citric acid, and rosemary.

So. dang. good.

I have been using this on pretty much everything this summer.



These babies are ready for the grill!

Pair with a nice smoky Syrah and bing cherries, and darlin’, you have got yourself a meal.

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Okay! Now on to the FREE stuff!

Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Scale

The fine folks from SlimKicker, a healthy living & fitness website/app, contacted me with a request to do a giveaway for my readers!*

SlimKicker is a calorie tracker with a fun twist.

Like ordinary diet trackers, you input your daily intake using tools to calculate calories via their extensive food database. They seriously have everything – from fast food to whole food to grocery store prepared food [think Wegmans, Kroger, or Safeway].

Here’s the kick, for every healthy food you track and fitness challenge you complete, you get points, effectively turning your diet and fitness goals into a level-up game with rewards.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous post about Making Changes, it’s important to set up a system to reward yourself when you meet your goals.  SlimKicker has a nice feature that allows you to take a picture of your pre-determined treat {for example, a new pair of running shoes, or a relaxing afternoon at the spa}  and will remind you to reward yourself when you’ve reached a certain number of points.

Additionally, as you continue to level up, you will be able to participate in SlimKicker giveaways for prizes!  Everyone needs a little motivation now and again, right?

Here is where SlimKicker needs our help:  SlimKicker is looking for new challenge ideas, such as quitting soda or moving during TV commercials.  I’m currently completing the “10 Wall Squats a Day” Challenge.

For example) A Salad A Day – Eat a salad once a day for the next 7 days.

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To Enter:

Leave a comment with a suggestion on a fun, creative fitness or diet challenge with a brief description.

SlimKicker will then pick their favorite and I’ll announce the winner of the Ozeri Touch Professional Digital Scale next week!

Good Luck and May the Best Challenge Win!

 

* I was is no way compensated by SlimKicker.  The thoughts and opinions shared in this post are my own.

June 8, 2012

You Can’t Help But Smile

by Stephanie

Oh, what a beautiful morrrrrninnnn’!

Hello blue skies!

You are certainly welcome after what seems like never-ending gray drizzle since I arrived.

So unusual for Wenatchee…

The view from my bedroom window this morning has put me in the best mood!

This is Saddlerock {for my far away lovers}.

Pretty incredible, wouldn’t you say?

You best believe I will be hiking/running up that thing multiple times this summer.  Gotta put my trail running shoes to good use!

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In other exciting news, I ordered my books for the ACSM-CPT cert exam!

{If you missed my post comparing different types of certifications, check that out here.}

I purchased NOOK Study textbooks through Barnes and Noble.

This way I don’t have to wait for them to arrive in the mail.  The textbooks are right on my laptop, ready to read, highlight, take notes, etc.

I’m impatient.

I try to buy as many textbooks as I can by e-book.  Not only does it cut down on paper, but it is so convenient!  I have all of my textbooks in one place. on my laptop. wherever I go. {get the picture} and most important, no more lugging around a heavy backpack.

I also really like that I can search the text books for key words without having to flip back and forth through the index and table of contents.

Yesterday, I read Chapter 1 of Resources for the Personal Trainer.

Not too many things new to note yet – just a general overview of what a trainer does, the types of jobs available, and the ACSM code of ethics and role in continuing education.

Follow me on Twitter for updates and interesting tidbits while I go through my texts.

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Alright, I’m off to Seattle for the day!

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house I go!

Happy Friday!

Tags:
June 7, 2012

I’m Up, I’m Up

by Stephanie

Oh man.

6:00 am came way too early this morning.

I blame it on Mad Men.

I had some major catching up to do after a graduation, travel, and settling in at home.

BUT true to my word, I was up and out of bed by 6:15!

gumble, grumble…

I better be thanking myself later or someone’s gonna get it!

I’m sure you’re scared.

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So this Sunday is my next half marathon of the season.

Source

I realized that I had a race schedule about two days ago.

Yeah, kind of snuck up on me there…

My goal is still to run a sub-1:30 half, but due to my lack of distance for the past three weeks, I’m not gonna beat myself up if I don’t.

It is, thankfully, a nice downhill race.

These are last year’s results for Overall Female for the Half.

I don’t know if this means I have an excellent chance of placing first, or that this course is hard as hell…

We shall see!

Alright, time to get out there and conquer my morning run.

I’m going to have to bundle up – 45 degrees!

It’s June for goddsakes!

Sigh…

Have a pleasant day, chaps!

June 6, 2012

So You Wanna Become a Personal Trainer…

by Stephanie

Hey there again!

Two posts in one day!

Lucky ducks.

As I mentioned this morning, in my attempt to find structure and add routine to my summer break, I am going to be pursuing a personal training certification!

{The last two boxes are also applicable to RDs…}

So like the good little student I am try to be, I want to make sure I get the right certification.

Spreadsheet to the rescue!

Duh-duhduh-duuhhhh!

{If you are new to the blog, that would be superhero music.}

The three options I am considering {although there are many, many more} include:

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This is what I’ve discovered from their websites…

* I’m thinking I can get cheaper books on Amazon/Barnes and Noble though…

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This is what I’ve discovered from a few articles, forums, and discussions…

  • The ACE certification, while highly recognized, is not as well respected as ACSM and NSCA [okay, so ACE is out]
  • ACSM markets themselves as the “gold standard” for CPT certification
  • NSCA and ACSM are recognized by the NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies)
  • The ACSM Health Fitness Specialist [which I plan to work towards eventually] qualifies you to work with individuals in poor health [Carol from On Nutrition is a HFS]
  • The NSCA-CSCS is extremely prestigious for individuals making personal training their career (which, obviously, nutrition is my intended career path, not personal training)
  • ACSM is more clinical and more applicable for those interested in rehab and hospital settings

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So after reviewing all of this, I think I’m leaning towards the ACSM-CPT certification!

YAY!

My Reasons:

  1. I will have more time to study for the ACSM exam (August 28th vs. the August 4th date of the NSCA exam).
  2. The ACSM-HFS cert was something I already knew I wanted to pursue after working with Carol this past Spring.
  3. The cost of the ACSM exam is slightly lower than the NSCA.
  4. I don’t know if this is true or not, but the ACSM cert seems to be more in line with my chosen career path.

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Now all I have to do is round up some cash money and get started! Hello, early birthday present!

Any recommendations, suggestions, or advice as I begin my certification journey?

Do you have a ACSM/NSCA preference?

Later party people.

 

 

June 6, 2012

Get Some Structure, Man.

by Stephanie

Good morning!

I’m getting a slightly later start than usual, which I think is a product of my lack of routine.  I have nothing to get up for, nothing to motivate me, no sense of urgency in my day.  Which, let’s be honest here, is something I crave when I’m super busy – to effortlessly go through my day without feeling rushed.

Now that I am not running around like an insane person, I feel like I am less productive.

I struggle with this on all of my school breaks.

Ah, yes.

Now, I am getting in three little workouts – a run, a walk with moms or the dog, + BodyRock {yeah, still wanna get that booty} – & I’m working on meal plans for folks, & apartment hunting, & doing research on personal training certifications [more on that in just a bit], & job searchingso I’m not being a complete slug.  I just fart around in between all of these activities – stretching things out longer than they need to be.  I’m not getting the same satisfaction from checking things off my list.  I think I just need some structure.

Let’s give this a try:

+ 6:00 am :: Alarm goes off – OUT of bed by 6:15 {I have a bad snooze habit}
+ 6:15 – 7:30 am :: Coffee, snacky/breakfast, blog, e-mail
+ 7:45 am :: Out the door for my morning run
+ 8:30 – 9:00 am :: BodyRock & s.t.r.e.t.c.h
+ 9:00 – 10:00 am :: Get pretty [10 am is a big goal - to be ready to go out in to public and get shizz done - instead of the 12, 1 or 2:00 pm that it has been lately...]
+ 10:00 – 10:30 am :: Snack {giving myself just a little extra time here, JIC I have a longer-ish run planned}
+ 10:30 – 12:00 am :: Rosetta Stone Español lessons
+ 12:00 – 1:00 pm :: LUNCH
+ 1:00 – 2:00 pm :: Personal training studying
+ 2:00 – 3:00 pm :: Walk
+ 3:00 – on :: Work {if I can get a job}, relax, hang out, read, do summer things.

Obviously, the schedule is running about an hour behind today, but at least I have some guidelines.

I feel better already.

Okay time to get some food in this belly and get going on my day.  Check for a post on personal training around 1:00 – 2:00 [better make that 2:00 - 3:00!].

Do you have a structured routine to help you be more productive? 

Or are you able to just go with the flow and get shizz done?

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, It’s Off to Work I Go!