Tag: fit

Cupcake-Bashing

The past two months have been incredibly difficult. Graduate school, teaching high school, relationship issues, and not working out.
What? No wonder your life feels like it’s falling apart, girl!

So here I am, eating a cupcake – writing to you about fitness. Why?
Because every now and then, I need a damn cupcake. With a glass of wine. That’s just the honest truth.
It’s not an every day practice, though. I promise. I might want to drown my bad days in chocolate covered loveliness, but my hips get really pissed when I think about that for too long. I need to get fit, and as far as way from “obese” on the BMI scale. [Alright, BMI isn’t the best scientific method to gauge fitness, but 30% body fat is most definitely not a good thing.] Unfortunately, I can’t give up cupcakes. Thank the fitness gods that Jillian Michaels doesn’t live close enough to kick my ass and throw out every baking good in my pantry.

Since the beau fractured his foot while rock climbing, we hadn’t been doing much of anything active. My nose was stuck in grad school books and assignments; with no one to really push me – I fell out of the workout habit.

This week, I read the words in the picture above. Isn’t Frederique Murphy wonderful?
Why wait for tomorrow? Why wait on much, really? There are so few moments in life and not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Why waste a second doing something that isn’t good for you, making you unhappy, or barring you from being your best self?

These words rung so true to me, that I started the Marine Monday challenge, set up a mostly-clean (again, need cupcakes) eating menu for the next couple of weeks and started running. Frederique’s words have inspired a revitalized outlook on all aspects of my life. There’s no real reason, other than laziness, to explain why I decided to stop working out. But I am getting back into it, because diet fads and “quick-fit” schemes just don’t work for the long-haul.

This week, I’m working on finals and trying not to die [ok, I probably won’t die – but finals really do suck]. I’ve cooked half a week’s worth of meals, so the beau won’t starve and I will have no excuse to order in take-out [because I totally do this during finals week and should stop]. It can be unhealthy – especially when I order goodies from Thai Thai three times a week. Delicious, but not a great caloric choice.

This week will be the second in my Marine Fitness challenge. While the broski is away at bootcamp, I’m trying to get into rockin’ great shape. I’ve got 12 weeks to go. It’s going to be great! I’m adding this to my workout routine this week:

Let’s see if this really does “work like a charm.”

I’ll be sure to let you all know how well this Pinterest idea works. I’m sure the lactic acid build up will be a terrible idea during finals week, but I figure if my brain is suffering, then my muscles should join the pain movement too.
Stop by tomorrow for the Marine Monday challenge. It’s going rock those hips of yours!

Bust your butt and get moving!

Much love,
CerebellumChef

Tags BMI, challenge, choices, fads, fit, frederique murphy, quotes, workout

Daily Dose Freebies Recipes

My O-Face

C’mon ya’ll – let’s talk about the “O-Face.”

800620 — Tsk. Tsk. I’m ***not*** going to show it to you! I’m a lady!

I’m talking about the little mouth “o” I get when finishing the last few feet on a five-mile run; the crumbles of a decadent three-layer chocolate cake on my lips; biting into cold watermelon slices [dusted with salt] on a hot summer day.
My “O” balances on the “ooh” and “yum.”

Shouldn’t everyone’s?

When I make food, be it sweet or savory – I live for the moment when I get to witness someone’s “O!” If they don’t get there, then I failed.
Being the foodie I am, it’s not just about slapping a few ingredients together, but making a meal and evoking a deep-down, holy balls this is delicious! reaction from the foodie-fan I happen to serve. This is a talent that I’m seeking to harness and have made a personal goal to capture 100 “O” faces this year.
That’s 100 faces, divided by 8 months. Roughly 12.5 faces per month.

RYAN-WHAT — Don’t think I can do it? Watch me.

S**t just got real, folks.
Who’s in?

Send your email address to cerebellumchef[at]gmail.com
I’ll send you a recipe.
Once you’ve devoured the scrumptious dish you’ve rocked out – Send me your “O” face!

ill-have-what-shes-having-when-harry-met-sally — Copyright, When Harry met Sally

We are on our way to being healthier, sexier and fabulously fit.
This in no way means we have to give up butter, chocolate or fancy pink drinks with the teeny umbrella – but we do have to appreciate moderation.

Now let me see that “O!”

Much love,
CerebellumChef

Tags challenge, fit, O-face, recipe, sexy

Daily Dose

Semi-Snowed-In & Happy

The best thing about today?

SNOW!

In my book, it’s:
God
Snow
Family & Coffee

Snow is just about the most precious thing, ever.
Soft, cold, beautiful.

tumblr_mefg84kt411qi409go1_500 — Mine & Angel’s reactions when winter comes to Texas.

Growing up in deep south Texas, I rarely experienced snow. Instead of hitting the beaches with many of my friends on Spring Break – I flew to colder places to snow board and dance in the powder. Some might say it’s because I’m not always around crazy wintry areas that allows me to enjoy this cold miracle, but that’s not why I love snow.

Can you think of anything else so powerful, mysterious and gorgeous?

Beyoncé does not count. [love you, still]

Everything about snow makes the deep down warm & fuzzy parts of my heart just melt away into delicious ecstasy. Waking up to these flurries was amazing. Watching flakes tumble with a side of Mexican hot chocolate has been incredibly blissful.

Mexican-Hot-Chocolate1_edited-1-295x300 — **I’ll be sure to test healthier versions**. Until then, I recommend Abuelita hot chocolate by Nestle. Mmm, reminds me of my childhood! It’s scrumptious!
You can check out this recipe too. YUM!

Take a moment to enjoy the simplest thing today. A sexy afternoon text to (or from) your sexy-half; perhaps a lazy lunch at your fave pop-stand; a smile from your barista; make a memory! Even if it isn’t snowing where you are, let the little joy of sheer wonderfulness fill your soul. Be happy!
The first step to getting fit is being happy with yourself. Engulf yourself in happiness. Trust me. Working out, running or even dancing around in your funderwear (totally just made this up)…it will all be glorious – so long as you’re happy.

spring2008 — Frozen Fractals Are The Best Spring Break Buddies!

Snow makes me happy. More than you could ever imagine. This brilliant gift from precipitation marrying frosty temperatures is one small thing I am grateful for today.

What makes you happy?

Much love,
CerebellumChef

Tags abuelita hot chocolate, fit, God Snow Family, happy, snow, Spring Break

Daily Dose

PSA for your Sexy Self!

Hi ya’ll!

It’s Christmas Eve! I’m spending my much-needed family time in the deep south. Tejas!
Growing up in such a rich (literally) Hispanic-centered foodie capital has had its thumbs ups and downs.
For example, it took going to college (and living alone!) to realize the meaning of portion control.
In a family of 6, with 4 men, making calabaza con pollo for anything less than 10 people was considered a joke (and still is).

Honestly, Paula Deen could sit and take notes from my grandmother on the proper uses of various lards, fats and butters. At least, she could have – before grandma jumped on my healthy train (and the doctor’s orders set in).

We, as a culture (and I truly hope you don’t find this offensive or rude – it’s matter of opinion but usually a rule) loooooove our fats.
Making tamales? NEED LARD. If you didn’t know – that’s why they’re so delicious. Oh, and they get a sprinkle of magic, too.
Calabaza con Pollo? Extra oil, please.
Wedding cookies? Lard AND Butter. Double check, check!

According to the Office of Minority Health, Hispanics are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes over the non-Hispanic communities. The CDC reports that over a third of the Latinos surveyed have high blood pressure and are not treating it.

Why the hell not, right?

Because we, as a population, tend to fore-go doctor’s office visits when informed of a possible health threat. That is…if a Hispanic bothers to get to a physician in time to be diagnosed and receive treatment.

So you see, attending college was a huge step forward for me – both educationally and health-wise.
I needed to get away to learn how not to feed my body.

Don’t start hating on me right away.
I am a devout foodie and realized (almost instantly) that I simply couldn’t function without my favorite foods from home.
Step one – learn how to fix recipes for a single person.
Step two – don’t revert to cooking for a family of 6 and think “It’s ok, I’ll keep it for leftovers.”
NO!
Leftovers with gigantonormous portions are such a terrible idea! Self-control has left the building.

Thankfully, I finally figured out portions and working out. It took a long damn time – but I figured it out. The boyfran and I fell into step with fitness and are loving it. [sidenote: he’s out cycling right now while I post this…laaaazy Sarah]

Collectively, we have lost 60 pounds in the past 7 months. Between rock climbing, running and the occasional What-a-Burger (just about the best burger you’ll ever have) – we are fittin’ it!

Christmas 2013 Portraits!
60 pounds slimmer.

With all this fitness going on, we can come home for the holidays and realize that [despite the fact I purposefully do not own a 20 qt pot so I do not “decide” to make tamales for the pair of us] we do not need to inhale every ounce of food placed in front of us. Honestly, that’s how he gained 50 and I gained 35 pounds the first summer back from our freshman year. Oh, hell yes we did! And, it’s horrifying to look back on those pictures.

We come home, eat a few faves and then make sure to go for a run or simply maintain our jean size. It’s too much hassle to worry about calories while we’re here in South Texas. In fact, it’s damn near impossible.
One tamale contains the same (if not more) calories than a McDonald’s Big Mac. How gross is that?

Instead…we eat what we want and hit the gym. Don’t see this as a reward system though! I fell into this trap once and the beau had to drag me the hell outta there!
Don’t tell yourself, “Oh, I can eat this fattening piece of scrumptiousness because I ran five miles.”
Eating it just threw your workout into wonk-mode and now you have to work out again.
No! You are not a dog. Eat to be fit, not fat.
Eating to support your foodie habit is one thing (because it’s in moderation and balanced), but eating to support donuts and heavy cream with a side of lard – not so smart. You could be a fitness freak with clogged arteries and simply drop dead, mid-run.
Be smart about the choices for your body. I promise, you’ll be happier (and healthier) for it.
Go enjoy your roast beast at your Christmas feast!

Tonight’s post will be all about the yummy foodles and antics that go on in our household. Family time is always an adventure, especially around the holidays. We’ve got screaming aunts, menudo pots on the floor, recipe-flinging and baking cakes without getting tripe in them.
All in a day’s work, while on vacation.
You’re gonna love it!

Much love,
CerebellumChef