fit for life

sassyyogi: Camel Pose (Ustrasana) *before you start, you might...

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:34 -0400

Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

*before you start, you might want to get your mat, or a towel, to pad your knees and shins in case they hurt from jabbing against the ground!*

1. Start off by kneeling on the ground, with your knees hip width (or two fists) apart. Firm up your butt, and draw in your sitting bones. Lengthen your spine.

2. Start bending backwards, pressing your palms against your lower back for some support. Be careful not to collapse into your lower back. Shine your heart to the sky and keep your chest lifted. Engage your thigh muscles so that your hips stay aligned with your knees. Stay in this position for about 5 to 10 breaths. If this position feels intense for your back, stay here.

3. If your back feels pretty good, deepen your bend by straightening your hands, moving it closer to the back of your knees. Continue to keep your chest lifted, do not collapse into your lower back as you risk injuring your back that way. Drop your head back and continue to keep your breath flowing. Stay in this pose for 5 to 10 breaths. If this pose feels intense for you, stay in this pose.

4. To go into a full camel pose, reach your hands towards your ankles and hold on to your ankles. A few important things to note:

Do not collapse into your lower back, continue to keep your chest lifted.

Keep your breath flowing

Make sure that your hips is stacked on top of your knees. This is important!

Stay here for 10 - 15 breaths, making sure that you keep breathing and do not hold your breath!

Remember (Caution):

Listen to your body. This is an intense back bend, so if your back feels stiff, do not force the pose. You wouldn’t want to risk injuring your back!

Keep breathing. Because this is an intense back bend, you may feel nauseous in between the pose. Just keep breathing, and the nausea will pass. If you don’t feel good, ease out of the pose. Always listen to your body!!

Move into the backbend slowly. Do not rush into it as that might strain your back as well!

Also be careful not to strain your neck!

Modifications:

If you are unable to reach for your heels, try to turn your toes under and elevate your heels.

You can also opt to have some blocks beside you to hold on to.

Benefits:

Strengthens back muscle

Improves posture

Stretches the entire front of the body

Opens up the hips and chest

Loosens up the vertebrae

veganrecipecollection: (via Green Kitchen Stories » Herb...

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:16:42 -0400

veganrecipecollection:

(via Green Kitchen Stories » Herb & Pistachio Falafel)

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Sun, 19 May 2013 21:45:39 -0400

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Sun, 19 May 2013 21:30:43 -0400

muffintop-less: Maple & Cinnamon Fruit Bowl by Muffin...

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:15:37 -0400

muffintop-less:

Maple & Cinnamon Fruit Bowl by Muffin Topless

Ingredients:

1 Cup Plain, Nonfat Greek Yogurt

1 Cup Simply Fiber Cereal (can sub for other low-sugar cereal or oats)

3oz Strawberries

1/2 Small Banana

1 tsp Maple Extract

Stevia to taste

Cinnamon to taste

1/2 TB Mini Dark Chocolate Chips (optional)

Directions:

Chop fruit into bite size pieces. Mix fiber cereal, greek yogurt and chopped fruit. Garnish with pieces of fresh fruit and a sprinkle of chocolate chips (optional). You could substitute the maple extract for vanilla. You could also sub the strawberries and banana for berries, pear, pineapple or other fruit! Get creative!

More Recipes Like This: www.muffin-topless.com/recipes

beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood: Chipotle Twice Baked Sweet...

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:01:37 -0400

beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood:

Chipotle Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes…RECIPE

I have school tomorrow

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:01:03 -0400

I have school tomorrow

gettingahealthybody: How to spice up your oatmeal. Oatmeal...

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:45:38 -0400

gettingahealthybody:

How to spice up your oatmeal.

Oatmeal 101

In a small pot over medium heat, combine 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup milk (cow’s, soy, or almond), and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally, until oats are thick, about 5 minutes. If indicated, stir in additional ingredients until warmed through, then pour into a bowl and add suggested toppings:

Blackberry Pie Oatmeal

Near the end of cooking, stir in 1/3 cup blackberries.

Top with: 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts, a few more blackberries, and 1 crushed graham cracker

Pumpkin–Cottage Cheese Oatmeal

Near the end of cooking, stir in 1/4 cup canned pumpkin and 1/4 cup cottage cheese.

Top with: toasted sliced almonds and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg

Chocolate–Coconut Oatmeal

Near the end of cooking, stir in 1 teaspoon cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon shredded coconut.

Top with: a few chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon slivered almonds, and a sprinkle of coconut

PB&J Crunch Oatmeal

Follow basic recipe.

Top with: 1 tablespoon crunchy peanut butter, 1 tablespoon jam, and a sprinkle of granola

Bacon and Cheese Oatmeal

Follow basic recipe.

Top with: 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled, 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese, 2 teaspoons maple syrup or balsamic vinegar, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or rosemary (optional)

Bread Pudding Oatmeal

Cut a slice of fruity bread, such as cinnamon raisin, into cubes. When oatmeal just starts to bubble and thicken, add bread cubes. Stir in 1 tablespoon raisins.

Top with: a pinch each of brown sugar and cinnamon and 1 tablespoon cream

Fluffy Banana Oatmeal

Add a thinly sliced very ripe banana to oats at the start of cooking. As oatmeal bubbles, whip the oats vigorously with a fork until banana slices melt away.

Top with: 2 tablespoons chopped salted peanuts and a drizzle of honey

Cooking tip: The basic version is easily doubled and can be made in advance. To reheat, add a few tablespoons of milk to the oatmeal and microwave 1 minute. Stir, and heat for another minut

Source credit: http://www.oprah.com/food/Creative-Oatmeal-Toppings-to-Spice-Up-Breakfast

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Sun, 19 May 2013 20:30:46 -0400

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Sun, 19 May 2013 20:15:42 -0400

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Sun, 19 May 2013 20:01:43 -0400

gymra: If you hate squats but love butts…..

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:45:37 -0400

gymra:

If you hate squats but love butts…..

Smoothie recipes

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:30:57 -0400

Smoothie recipes

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Sun, 19 May 2013 19:15:35 -0400

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Sun, 19 May 2013 19:01:33 -0400

happychomp: 5 Minute CRISPY Sweet Potato Chips I was pretty...

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:45:37 -0400

happychomp:

5 Minute CRISPY Sweet Potato Chips

I was pretty shocked when I discovered this recipe. It’s UHMAZING.

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

Sweet potato

Salt (or any other seasoning)

Olive oil spray can

Instructions:

Use a mandolin and slice up your sweet potato (try to find one that has an even girth throughout the entire length of the potato so you have evenly sized chips)

Cut parchment paper the size of your glass plate inside the microwave

Lay the chips in a single layer on the parchment paper

Lightly spray with non-stick spray and salt them

Microwave on 100% power for 2 minutes 30 seconds (Please note: This measurement was for MY microwave, so please be aware of your own) You will know they are done when they start to lightly brown, but do not wait till they entirely brown — that would mean it burnt)

Let the chips cool, and they will turn crispy :)

PROOF OF CRISPY-NESS (didn’t edit the video hehe)

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Sun, 19 May 2013 18:30:46 -0400

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Sun, 19 May 2013 18:16:30 -0400

therawveganproject: Spinach, sprouts, cucumber, fresh...

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:45:42 -0400

therawveganproject:

Spinach, sprouts, cucumber, fresh raspberries, blueberries, fresh figs, soaked almonds.

Spent a day at the mall with my boyfriend. We watched Iron Man 3, and had an absolutely perfect...

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:40:33 -0400

Spent a day at the mall with my boyfriend. We watched Iron Man 3, and had an absolutely perfect day.

Here’s to a summer of love and a forever together.