Tag Archives: fitness

Low Fat Pumpkin Pie!

Shhhhh no one has to know and no one will be able to tell.  Two things I LOVE to do when cooking.  Once your family or guests are enjoying every last morsel of your heavenly delicious dish, THEN you tell them what was in it.

Whether its added veggies in a pasta sauce for the kids or honey instead of sugar in pumpkin pie, thinking outside the box and using alternative ingredients to traditional dishes is the key to healthier recipes. Its not necessary to change tradition, however it is necessary to enhance them so that we may be able to enjoy la fiesta for years to come!

My Low Fat Pumpkin Pie~


Ingredients~

  • Low Fat Unbaked 9-inch Organic Pie Crust
  • 1 can 100% Pure Pumpkin (15 oz)
  • 1/2 cup of Pure Honey
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 can 2% Evaporated Milk (12 fl oz)

Directions~

  1. Mix cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl.
  2. Beat eggs in a large bowl.
  3. Stir in pumpkin & spice mixture.
  4. Add evaporated milk & honey and blend well.
  5. Pour into pie shell
  6. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow cooling for at least 2 hours.
  8. Serve or refrigerate….Enjoy!

Have a Healthy & Fit Fabulous Day!

Besos y Abrzos….xoxo   “…..Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!”

 

Pie & Wine……

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

During this month of gratitude, & season of reflection I will be sharing with you all the things I am thankful for.  Although my family is without a doubt what I am most thankful for,  I feel the need to start with two things that often keep me going…..

Pie & Wine…..and yes its Low Fat! :)

As some of you may know I have had a recent case of what I thought was wine allergy. Well, after a visit to an allergist and a game of trial and error, it appears the grapes are not all to blame.  A component in the wine, which I think is a preservative, is the cause of my sinus congestion.  After trying better wines and different regions, I am once again able to enjoy my vino!

Have a Wonderful Day filled with Fun, Fitness, Food, y Familia! :)

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”….Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!

 

 

Things I Learned….

 

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” ~Eleanor Roosevlet


I can’t believe this week is over! October is soon coming to a close, Mother Nature has blown some cold wind upon us, and before you know it we will be toasting to a Happy & Healthy New Year! Wow, cliche or not, time is flying by!

With that said, I thought I’d blog today about the things I learned this week. I like looking at each day as a learning experience and am the first to tell you that although I may know much about certain things, I love the fact that I still have so much more to learn….keeps me young at heart :)

I started my week filled with allergy frustration. Realizing that staying away from wine wasn’t alleviating my congestion & recognizing that it may be a component of something else, I bit the bullet and made an appointment to see an allergist. Meanwhile I will take an Allegra-D daily on an empty stomach. Yes, empty stomach is the key! Didn’t read that fine line before. “Read” (key word/lesson) directions even when you “think” you know what to do :)

I learned that as much as I am influencing my kids to eat healthy & stay away from junk food, there is a time in the year where you just have to bite the bullet and give in. Yes, we are upon that time of year. My home is filled with Halloween goodies~ cupcakes & candy! Now its up to me to stay away from it all…..live by example B :)  We have a few weeks to break from it all before Thanksgiving & Christmas…oh boy!

I learned that although I knew we had a big issue with health care in our country, its much bigger than many know. I also learned that our education system really needs some major revamping! Actually no new news there.

I learned that although sometimes I feel as if I am fighting an uphill battle preaching to people the importance & value of living a healthy life for themselves and their family, it is something that I will continue to do. Why? Because, I firmly believe that is what I was put on this earth to do.

Often I miss my days at Jaguar LandRover, my corporate days. And have said before how leaving that world was one the hardest decisions I had to do in my life.  Last night driving home feeling energized from the days events, I realized & learned something extremely valuable for my being that helped me accept that decision once again. One of the questions asked yesterday to the panel at the AHA Summit by the wonderful Maria Hinojosa, was what drove our emotional heart. I answered what drove me, which was my children and their future as leaders and individuals. Mostly because I strongly believe that what we fuel our bodies with are detrimental not only to the well-being of our bodies but to development of our minds/brains, body/self image etc.  But what I didn’t say was what tugs my emotional heart. My family in general.

My emotional heart is tugged by the loss of my dad to a massive heart attack. The fact that I never met my grandfathers due to them passing early in life due to heart related illnesses. The sad unfortunate reality that both my in-laws were taken from us way to soon after losing their battle with cancer.  So, what really drives my emotional heart is the reality that If I don’t preach the grave importance of living a healthy life to my kids, my husband, my mom, my sister, my niece, nephews, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, aunts, friends….everyone, well then I would be doing a huge disservice to them, those who left us too soon, & the world as a whole.

I once read this quote, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, usually do” and didn’t think much of it. Today I learned that I am one of those people. I love what I do, and I love educating & motivating people to embrace healthy living as a way of life. One by one, day by day. We will get there….

One more thing I learned, well I knew it already, but its nice to see again. Love & support from family & friends is priceless AND my kids think I ROCK! :)

Have a fabulous weekend all!

Get MOVING & make some smart health & fitness choices for yourself & your family!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS Almost forgot! As much as I LOVE my Christian Louboutin shoes/boots, I learned one valuable lesson that Michael will be very happy to hear! Steve Maddens knock off’s are much more comfortable and only $89 bucks on Zappos! :)

What a Lame Excuse….

Which one was it today? I’m tired. I have no time. It’s raining out. I forgot my workout clothes. I don’t have time to make breakfast/lunch/dinner. I don’t know what to eat.  It’s too expensive to eat healthy. I’ve got a headache. I’ve got my period. I’ve got a bad knee. I’ve got a bad back. I don’t know what exercises to do. I don’t like the taste of water. I don’t like vegetables/whole grain bread.

Yup….I’ve heard it all! Still can’t believe someone actually told me they don’t like the taste of water?!? Although I don’t think water tastes like anything, I suggested adding/squeezing a lemon/lime/orange to their water.

Frankly we all have them. There are a gazillion reasons out there to not do it. To not workout or eat healthier. Do you know how many times I hear, “I have to start working out” or “I have to start eating healthier” and its usually the same people over and over. What is stopping you? You REALLY can’t. Don’t have time?? Can’t afford it??

Come on challenge me. Let me have it. I want to hear your “good” reason as to why you are not implementing health & fitness into you life. I bet I can help you STOP making excuses!

I’m waiting…..

Besos y Abrazos…..xoxo “…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Try This Tuesday!

I don’t want to hear it! We are all busy & tired, and at times don’t know where to start.  I get it.  I am with you. So before you start thinking of a reason why not to move and exercise, try this.  Right now….get up! Give me 20 squats.  Go back to doing what you were doing, wait a few minutes, and get up again….give me 20 more! Do this three times throughout the day. One more thing. Before you head to the bathroom in the morning and before you crawl into bed. STOP…hit the floor and give me 20 push-ups followed by a 30 second plank. Aim for three sets…if you absolutely can’t keep at it, try adding more tomorrow. Even 10 is better than nothing. Anything is better than nothing. Believe me the adrenalin boost is the BEST feeling in the world!!

Squats: Stand with legs shoulder width apart. Bend the legs at knees lowering your torso between your legs never letting knees pass your toes. Bring yourself back and repeat. Keep abs tight.

You can also do lunges…ANYWHERE!! Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hands on hips. Start by lunging right leg forward and dropping left to floor, without touching, in a 90 degree angle. Abs tight- bring legs up to standing position and repeat w/opposite leg.

Yes….I do Planks everyday & everywhere!  MY FAV! Press forearms and hands down on floor or bring up to push-up position. Don’t allow chest to touch the floor. Abs and body tight. Works the Core & total body.

Now….Get Moving! Make it Great! You are out of excuses!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Thoughts for Thursday

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs…I can go on and say all the adjectives that so greatly describe the man you were and what you have given our generation and so many generations to come. But for me there is just One Word that will forever unite our world, our universe ~ Apple….Thank you….

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Comfort Food Weather aka Autumn!

The Autumn chill is in the air and for me that brings on specific food cravings. Bowls of oatmeal and soup to keep my bones warm.  Thoughts of pumpkin and butternut squash…Yum!

There is no reason why we should fall off our healthy lifestyle because our bathing suits are tucked away for a while.  Yes, jeans and sweaters, along with long coats will be adorning our beautiful bodies.  Cuddling up in front of the fireplace sipping warm hot chocolate :) I am a winter baby so I know how great that sounds…..I LOVE the cold months!

Now my question? Do you really want to go through that stress of “having to lose the pounds” for bathing suit season AGAIN next year?!?!?  Why? Why not just continue to eat your healthy fruits and veggies? I know, there are plenty of days where a cold salad on a cold day is not appetizing. Which is precisely why I am making Sauteed Spinach and Kale Chips to go along with my Grilled Salmon & Oven Baked Sweet Potato as we speak.

I made my grocery list on Sunday evening to get myself ready for the week and on it were all the necessary ingredients I needed to make myself a large pot of Butternut Squash soup. I like to cook a large amount to enjoy a serving that day, and to also freeze for those days I don’t have time to cook.

Stay true to yourself and stay on the right track. Make healthy clean living your priority, no matter what season it is. Don’t wait for “that day” to say ugh, I have to “diet”   Allow your “diet” to be the right one everyday of your life! Balance & moderation will lead to true joy, health,  & happiness…..

Have a Great one & Get moving! :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS. HOT Alert!  Subscribe to my blog today!! I will be posting yummy bone warming recipes later on this week and you don’t want to miss a thing! :)

 

 

Feel Your Boobies….Every Month

Its breast cancer awareness month and I want to share my story. Thank God it has a happy ending, but understand that is not the case for so many.

Three years ago,  during my annual October checkup my doctor felt a lump in my breast. At the age of 38 I did not want to believe “it could happen to me”.  How poetic, here I am an author, writer,  motivator & educator on health and fitness and I was going to be the one with breast cancer.

I had a mamo and the doctor “was not sure” on what she saw. It was best to have a needle biopsy. Three long days later, on Halloween, I got the call that everything was ok, however, my every six month mamo experience had begun.

So many times we go through life thinking bad things are not going to happen, and as much as we see they could I think part of our brain is wired into denial. Perfect example, this morning we had a bit of a blow up at home because Max apparently left his Travel Baseball jacket at the sports store last night while out shopping for a glove with Michael for today’s game.  My first question was why would he take off his jacket, after all he wasn’t trying on clothes?  When I asked Michael why he wasn’t aware that he had left his jacket, he answered he had no idea he even had a jacket on. Huh?!?!  What was he wearing? I asked. I knew and I wasn’t even there!  I asked Michael that if Max had God forbid been lost or kid napped he would have no idea how to describe what he was wearing! His answer was that would never happen.

Friends, never say never. That all too familir phrase can be an inspiring phrase to go after what we want, but it could also be a scary one as well.  Things happen, whether we want them or not.  Why not be ready?

Back to the topic on hand :)  Feel Your Boobies! Lets make sure we are one step ahead of every curve ball life throws at us! With a new glove or not :)

Make your day a healthy & great one! Be sure to fuel it with the right cancer fighting foods!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”……Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Feel Your Boobies is a wonderful non-profit organization I came across and am a proud supporter of.  There are many out there….find one you can connect with and make a difference. Together we can! :)


 

A Natural Face Lift?!?! OH Yes!

Michael’s  25yr HS reunion is coming up this weekend, and since I know that the Fall is typically reunion time I thought I’d share a few of my secrets on how to look my best before attending a big event!

I’ve been an avid follower of Dr. Nicholas Perricone for over 6 yrs now.  I regularly wash with his Citrus Facial Wash and take it with me everywhere I go. There will be no overnight stay without it!

What truly caught my attention when I first saw him on an interview yrs back was what he said. He talked about the importance of eating the right foods not only for our health but also for our complexion, skin & hair. Beauty from the inside out. A natural botox and face life as I like to call it.

Everything he suggested we eat to give us that “visibly nutritional face lift” was what I was eating already. However, he pointed out that the reason why these specific  foods are so important for our skin is that they are anti-inflammatories.

I am going to share with you all today the list of some of the foods he & I suggest you eat as well as a video in where he shares his view beautifully.  Believe me, it really works I wouldn’t be saying it if it didn’t :)

Nature’s Botox Anti-Inflammatory Diet~

  • Salmon twice a day
  • Green tea
  • Cantaloupe
  • Blueberries
  • Watercress salad
  • Spring Water

The Video~

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player

Follow this and you will see a difference….We are what we eat!! :)

Have a great one! Enjoy healthy & clean living :)
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS. Special thanks to ExtraTV

Hurricane “Kid”vive Plan!

Living in South Florida for 8 years allowed us to enjoy many aspects of mother nature. Palm trees, perfect weather, blue skies, sunny days, & beautiful oceans. However as in everything unfortunately, where there is good there has to be some bad.

Hurricane season is upon us, and for the first time in many years the East Coast is getting hit. “Irene” as the National Hurricane Center has so nicely named her, will be making her drive up the Garden State Parkway sometime during he evening hours of Saturday through Sunday. Many who reside along the coast are being evacuated and many are taking precautions. Yours truly included.

With young kids especially it is important that we are stocked up with the essentials. Below is a check list I always made sure I followed when experiencing many Hurricanes in Sunshine State.

Be Sure to~

  • Trim tree branches that are near your windows ~ You don’t want anything threatening to break your windows
  • Remove anything that can potentially fly away from your yard and home surroundings. Don’t think “it” won’t or its “too heavy” ‘err on the side of caution. REMOVE everything! Planters, umbrellas, chairs, all your outdoor living decor. All this is very important since we don’t use Hurricane Shutters up here in the North East.   So unless your boarding up your home I suggest you remove!
  • Stay inside. Even when its over be VERY careful with kids wanting to go outside and jump in puddles. I have read one to many stories of kids being electrocuted from fallen electric lines. Not realizing they were “live” and in the water. My heart still breaks at the thought!
  • Shower~ Make sure you are all nice & clean.
  • Breathe~ Pour yourself a glass of wine…it may be a long ride :)

Stock up on enough goodies to last you 3 to 7 days~

  • Keep first aid kit handy and stocked
  • Have babies? Stock up on diapers, wipes, & trash bags for disposals, formula, food, etc
  • Ladies PMS’ing? Stock up!
  • Radio battery operated on hand
  • Flashlights & plenty of batteries
  • Candles and matches~ BE Very careful!
  • Paper plates & plastic utensils
  • Plenty of Water~ plan on 1 gallon per person per day
  • Shelf Stable Milk boxes~ Horizon makes a nice one that we also pack for lunch & trips
  • Shelf Stable Juice
  • Canned  & non perishable goods you can eat uncooked
  • Prescription medicine~ Make sure you have a supply to last some downtime
  • Cash on hand~ Plan for no ATM or Credit Cards due to power outages
  • Fill up your gas tank
  • Check in on family & the elders
  • Charge the cell phones & games
  • Take out board games & Have fun!

For more information on Hurricane Basics visit http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/basics.shtml

Now its my turn to prep!! Be Safe All!! And for those out there daring to ride the wave~ Kawabunga baby!! Wish I was there! Mommy duty calls!!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
Read more great info & tips on Health & Fitness for the Family: http://www.bambibfit.com