How to Get Some Exercise on Accident

I work out 6 days a week. I walk/run in the mornings and do my daily workout routine in the afternoon. I exercise because it's good for me, and I feel accomplished after I finish. I feel better on days when I work out. But, I would be lying if I told you I enjoy working out.

However, working out doesn't always have to be a chore. Here are some ways of sneaking in some exercise that can be enjoyable:

Hiking. This is fun because it allows you to enjoy nature while getting some exercise.

Biking. Choose to bike to the store, library, school, work, etc. Personally, I love biking, but somehow, it becomes ever so much more bearable when you have a destination.

Walk with friends. Walking (or almost anything) can become exponentially more fun when done with a friend to talk to; they really make the time go by fast!

Skiing. I have never water skied, but I adore snow skiing! It really works muscles that are normally seldom used.

Sports. The only sport I play is tennis. The thing I love about sports is that when you are playing, you aren't thinking about exercise, you are focused on winning. It's totally a mind game.

Dance. Although they may help, wallet-emptying dance lessons aren't even necessary. Just play your jam, and flow to the music!

Shop (!!!). Although this definitely shouldn't be your daily exercise routine, shopping very now and then is actually not bad exercise. At least if you're like me and speed-walk the whole time.

Just be.creative when trying to exercise. Switch it up and try to enjoy it. Other suggestions I have are to:
Listen to audio books during your workout.

If you are on a treadmill, exercise bike, or working out in a relatively stationary fashion, watch a movie. It makes the time fly!

So get out there and have fun moving around! If you have any other suggestions on ways to accidentally exercise, comment below!
~Danielle

Chocolate Pudding Oatmeal

Chocolate pudding oatmeal. Mmmmm. This deliciousness is so creamy, chocolatey and rich, no one could guess that it's secretly a gathering of super foods. I mean really;

Oats

Almond milk

Cocoa powder

Banana

Who'd think that these simple ingredients could make such a mouth-watering quartet? The oats add texture, almond milk provides creaminess, cocoa powder brings flavor to the table, and the banana not only supplies the richness, but it also adds bulk.

As for nutrition, the oats and bananas both bear good-for-you fiber. The almond milk contains the protein. Studies show that cocoa can help promote a healthy heart. Bananas once again play two roles, as they also provide lots of vitamins and minerals.

Yay! Let's dig in!

Chocolate Pudding Oatmeal

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1 ripe banana

1-2 Tbsp. cocoa powder (depending on how strong one  likes it)

1 cup water

1/2 cup almond milk

1) Cut the banana into circles before mashing it very well with a fork, until no large chunks are left.

2) Place the mashed banana, oats, and cocoa powder in a small saucepan and stir well.

3) Add the water and place pan over low-medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture begins to boil 

4) Add milk and continue to stir until the 'sauce' thickens, although the mixture still looks pretty wet.

5) Cover the saucepan and turn off the heat, leaving the pan on the stove*. Let sit for 10-20 minutes, or until its thickened a bit more.

6) Enjoy!

*Do not leave on burner if using electric stove.

I seriously have this at least 4 times a week. Its so good!

Hope you like it as much as I do!

~~{~@ Danielle

Skittles: Friend or Foe

Okay, I'll just say it up front: Skittles are nasty! Sure, they may taste OK (although they've never be my first choice in candy), but the taste isn't necessarily the nasty part. Flip the package over and take a look at the list of ingredients. Yep. If you do not have any skittles in your house, you may already be on the right track. Here's the list of poisons:
Sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, apple juice from concentrate, less than 2% - citric acid, dextrin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, coloring (includes yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, blue 2 lake, yellow 5, red 40, yellow 6, blue 1 lake, blue 1), ascorbic acid 

First I'd like to point out that there's not one element on this list even remotely healthy. All apple juice from concentrate is is sugar, in case you were wondering. Sugar and corn syrup play a big part in weight gain. They also raise blood sugar levels which will lead to a crash. Hydrogenated palm kernal oil? Stay away. Try to exclusivelyconsume hydrogenated oils that have been processed minimally, such as extra virgin coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. The following ingredients are a series of chemicals that should no be in ones body. For the whole scoop on the dangers of these chemicals, visit here.

You've been warned......
~~{~@ Danielle

Daily Workout Routine

   I do this every day except Sunday. I started last summer using half pushups and half planks instead of the full ones, and struggled even then, but now I'm strong enough to do all full ones with ease (usually). Its been fun to see muscle development take place!
   Once this routine has become easier, do 150% of everything, (15 pushups, 30 lunges, 1.5 minute plank, 30 squats, 30 mountain climbers, and 2.25 minute wall sit). I have also added a 1-minute superman, just for  giggles and grins :)
So do your best, and if this is too hard, take it down a notch and work your way harder! If it is/gets too easy, just add more rounds or burpees or something.
~Danielle

Why Exercise?

Do you work out? Most people come up with lousy excuses to not work out. "I don't have time", "It's too hard for me", "I eat healthy, ao why should I work out?", "I don't need to, I'm not overweight", "gyms are too expensive", and so on and so forth. I'll be the first to admit: exercise is not always fun or easy. But it's worth it! I'm gonna go through that list of excuses and explain why none of them are valid.

"I don't have time."--- Do you have time to watch TV, read books or surf the web? If you say no you are probably lying. (What are you doing right now?) Workouts can be as short as fifteen minutes. Surely everyone has an extra fifteen minutes, even if it means setting the alarm clock fifteen minutes earlier! *gasp*
"It's too hard for me."--- Nonsense. No one runs a marathon or lifts 100 pounds on their first try! Start of easier and work at it until you're ready to take it up a notch! A year ago, I couldn't do a single push-up; heck, I struggled with modified push-ups! Then I started small and worked at them (daily) and now, I do 45 real push-ups a day! You can do it too!
"I already eat healthy." Good for you, be proud of yourself! But our bodies need exercise to build up a healthy heart and immune system. Exercise also releases chemicals in the brain that boost happiness.
"I am not overweight." See the response to the previous question.
"Gyms are too expensive." Don't go to the gym! I've never gone to the gym I work out in my house, and go on daily hour-long walks in my neighborhood. I personally prefer it because the scenery is always changing, as opposed to staring at the same object at the gym while running like a hampster in a wheel.

There you have it. Now, GO EXERCISE!
~~{~@ Danielle