Getting Back At It....

     I used to workout to this! HA!

Since relocating to the the healthiest/fittest (lowest BMI) state in the United States... I have found the need to work out and be healthy (Again.. sigh...).   I will say.. having a best friend as a personal trainer.. and who is now only a 15 minute drive from my house is going to help out alot.  Since I am still on my mini-sabbatical.  I decided to attend my friends gym in downtown Denver called "Bonza Bodies Fitness".  This place is awesome.. and not to mention I had the best work-out I have ever had.  Sorry Denise Austin, Jane Fonda and Buns of Steel lady... but this place worked every muscle in my out-of-shape-body.  I hope to attend this Denver based work-out studio in the near future again and get my butt kicked.  Check it out yourself... and I highly recommend it. 
http://www.bonzabodies.com/

After my workout I was introduced to this place...



Pictures from the Green Fine Salad Co

 

 

This place is located in dowtown Denver and I think I will be back for sure!!  This morning I woke up and eased into a little jog.. and decided if I bump up my mileage everday.. I will in hopes be back to where I want to be by October.  (Umm.. maybe) 

 

During this move.. I also discovered one of my favorite recipes I had been looking for.. these little peanut butter balls are great for a mid-afternoon kick.. punch.. stretch or whatever you do..

 

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (All Natural)

1/4 Cup Non-Fat Dry Milk

1/4 Cup Coconut(Unsweetened flaked)

1/3 Cup Rolled Oats

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Wheat Germ

1/4 Cup Apple Juice (Unsweetened)

 

Combine the Peanut Butter, Non-Fat Dry Milk, and Coconut.. then stir in the rest.  This should make 16 (1 inch Balls).  Store the balls in the refrigerator.  1 of these balls has 80 calories and around 4 grams of Protein, and 1.8 Grams of sugar.  

 

 

Via Fitsugar.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Beer Basics 101

via Fitsugar.com

In the winter 2011 issue of the ADA Times (previously known as the American Dietetic Association) I was really excited to see the excellent article on Beer.  I loved the nutrition basics, and the craft beer and food pairing chart.   I am completely clueless when it comes to pairing beer/wine and food and anything for that matter. 

Lets first start with the nutrition breakdown of beer.  Beer is made primarily of plant sources barley and hops and contains a considerable amount of nutrition (more so than wine).  Carbohydrates make  up about one-third of the calories in beer.  Protein is present in a small amount (4% of total calories) in beer, and mostly non-existent in wine.  Alcohol (ETOH) makes up about two-thirds of the calories in a regular beer.  The typical beer made in the US ranges from 90-94 percent water and on average is about 4.6% alcohol by volume.  Because beer has a lower alcohol by volume and more than two and half times as much water, it can contribute to fluid intake more so than wine. 

Beer outshines wine with many more micro nutrients than wine... just take a look at this chart.

 

Beer vs Wine by Serving Size             Beer 12oz     Red Wine 5oz

 

Nutrient

Calories                                                   153kcal         125kcal

Water                                                       11fl oz           4.3 fl oz

Thaimin                                                    0.018mg       0.007 mg

Riboflavin                                                 0.089mg      0.046  mg

Vitamin B6                                               0.164mg       0.084 mg

Calcium                                                     14 mg           12 mg

Magnesium                                                21 mg           18 mg

Sodium                                                       14mg            6  mg

 

Beer is also a plant source of Vitamin B12, supplying about 3 percent of the recommended daily amount for adults. (According to the USDA Nutrient Data Base) and did you hear that Mom and Dad!!! That may explain my good grades in college...

 

 

 

Here are a couple more fun facts from the article from the ADA Times (Winter 2011)

• The more malt in the brew, the more B-vitamins
• The more sugar, the more alcohol
• The more hops, the more phytochemicals
• "Light" Beers are brewed either to be lower in alcohol, carbohydrates or both.
• Darker beers may have more fiber.

According to Karl J. Siebert, PhD, professor of biochemistry at Cornell Unversity, "Beer is always safe to drink no matter where you are in any country".  Due to the alcohol content and bitter compounds that stop the growth of some bacteria, also due to  the low pH of the beer. 

Check out this great website... and learn more on how to pair food with your beer.  
http://www.craftbeer.com/pages/beer-and-food/pairing-tips/pairing-chart

Enjoying a flight of beer at the Grand Lake Beer Festival

 

 

 

New Start...New City

I recently took a huge leap of faith.. and decided to up and move to one of the most beautiful cities in the US... and I did this quite quickly .. and have not looked back.  Everyone needs to do this once in their life.. it is exhilarating.  I still have a bit of anxiety.... but this move feels right.  When things feel right... then I know that I am heading in the right direction.   Here is a glimpse of where I have re-located. This will also explain why I have vacated this blog for a short time.



via Denver.org

 



 

When you move to a new city.. and start over there are so many emotions.  Will I find new friends?(Yes you will.. unless you are a recluse)  Will my commute be just as horrible as it was in California (No.. not a chance).   Will anyone come visit me in this new location (Yes.. because I am now 6 hours from my family.. and also have met my neighbors which appear to be nice).   Will my favorite stores still be in the area... YES!

I am now closer to Sprouts than I was back in CA, this happens to be my favorite grocery store ever.  I am now only 1.0 mile away from it!!  Oh.. and I have probably consumed more Colorado Peaches in the past few weeks.. then anyone in Colorado.

 

 

 

 

Thanks (Redmittens.com) for this cool picture.   Anway...I am back.. and probably going to be hitting the pavement soon to keep up with all these healthy Colorado peeps.  I think I have landed in the right place!!   Till next time....