Healthy Summer Recipe Contest

In honor of my commitment to "Clean Eating" in order to get bathing suit ready, I invite you to send me your favorite healthy summer recipe! If I use it in a future Blog Post, you'll receive a free Core Conditioning session at my studio. You can email me your recipe at kendall@bodyrockfit.com. I can't wait to see your yummy recipes!
Thanks and Happy Clean Eating!

Time To Clean Up!

Well, it's official...swimsuit season! I put my suit on last week and wasn't happy with the reflection in the mirror. Seems I've been a little too relaxed with my eating and some fluff has crept around my middle. YUCK!
I've decided to stay calm and not panic. I'm a professional (or something like that). I know what to do. I drill it into my clients' heads every week. I need to make a game plan. It's TIME TO CLEAN UP! My eating that is.
I've gone back to being diligent about meal planning, cut back on the sugar, no carbs after 5:00, small meals every 2-3 hours, etc. I'm back in the game! I am determined to get the extra fluff off, try on the suit again and hang by the pool happy and relaxed (in the privacy of my backyard:)
Have you tried on your suit yet? Don't be scared or discouraged. Put it on, check the mirror and be comfortable in your own skin. If you decide a little "cleaning" is in order, make a plan, execute and follow through. You can do this and all it takes is a little willpower and determination!
Now go take the plunge!

YUMMY!

I tried a few new recipes that past week and wanted to share two that were really good!

Asian-Style Tilapia
Makes 4 servings

4 6-oz. tilapia fillets
1/4 C. low-sodium soy sauce
1 small pineapple, chopped (or 8-oz. can pineapple chunks)
2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. ginger root, grated
1 bunch scallions (about 5) trimmed and chopped
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place each tilapia fillet on a separate 12x14" sheet or parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, pineapple, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Spoon mixture evenly over tilapia. Top with scallions, salt and pepper.
Fold parchment over each tilapia fillet to make a packet and crimp to seal. Bake for 15 minutes.

Stuffed Squash
Serves 6
1 C. brown basmati rice
9 oz. large raw peeled shrimp with tails off (cut into bite-size pieces)
3 small acorn squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
3 oz. spinach (about 5 cups loosely packed), roughly chopped
Olive oil cooking spray
1 tsp. sea salt, divided
3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided
2 tsp. dried thyme
1/3 C. whole-wheat bread crumbs
2 tsp. olive oil

Prepare rice according to package direction. When rice is about 3 minutes from being done, stir in shrimp. Continue to cook, covered, until rice is done and shrimp is cooked through. Remove from heat and let stand, covered.
While rice is cooking, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Sprinkle inside of squash with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper, dividing evenly. Arrange squash cut-sides-down on prepared baking sheet and roast until easily pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Remove squash from oven, leaving oven on a same temp.
In a large bowl, combine shrimp-rice mixture, spinach, thyme, remaining salt and pepper. Fill squash halves with mixture, dividing evenly. in a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and oil. Sprinkle bread-crumb mixture over stuffing, dividing evenly. Arrange squash on baking sheet stuffing side-up and bake until stuffing is heated through and browned on top, about 20 minutes.

I actually didn't have shrimp for this recipe so I left it out and it was still wonderful! Or you could sub ground turkey or diced chicken.

Oh This Crazy Week!

Well, I took some time this evening to look at my calendar and what lies ahead for this week. One peek and I was having a panic attack (Ok, not really but close). My bro-in-law is getting married next weekend and all four of my family members are in the wedding. I'm also hosting a bridal luncheon on Friday, my hubby is hosting the bachelor party, rehearsal dinner Friday night and wedding on Sat. Let's add to that work, teaching classes, an interview at my kids prospective new private school, my son's field day, my daughter's softball game, dance class and tumbling and about a million errands to run. CRAZINESS!
So, in planning for each week, I always have to pencil in when my workouts will occur. Normally, I always make time to squeeze in one to two hours of exercise a day no matter what I have to do. There is one thing that always keeps me sane, focused, patient and happy...exercise. This week is not looking so good and that makes me stress. I will only be able to squeeze in a few workouts this week and my first thought is to panic...what will I do? Will I cope without my stress relief? Will I look ok in my bridesmaid dress? Deep breaths Kendall! I will survive. I've decided to make the most out of my available workout time, maybe get up a little earlier in the morning to squeeze in some extra exercises and get back on track next week. No harm done and my body will probably enjoy the break.
I'm sure many of you have the same thoughts from time to time. We all have crazy weeks, stressful situations, and hardly any time for ourselves. The easy choice would be to blow off workouts, healthy eating, time for prayer, sleep, etc. This only makes us more stressed, less focused and exhausted. The best course of action is to find a way to squeeze in a little "me" time even if it's only a few minutes each day. Maybe you need to wake up 20 minutes early to get that workout in. Maybe you need to plan a crockpot dinner instead of spending an hour cooking. Maybe you need to spend one less hour volunteering and use that time for prayer and relaxation. Whatever is missing in your life, step back and figure out where you can fit it in. Quit beating yourself up if you can't be all and do all for everyone. We need to take care of ourselves! It's OK to love yourself!
Anyways, the week is planned and will be absolutely crazy. I literally have every hour of each day planned but I'm at my best when working with a schedule. It will all get done somehow and in the end, I will have a wonderful new sis-in-law (God bless her for taking on my bro-in-law) and the wedding will be beautiful.
I just look forward to a calmer week after that where I can have at it in the gym!
Have a great week everyone!