I am consistently guilty of not switching up my workout routines because, first, I loathe change.  I think I have had the same thing for breakfast going on 2 years now.  Second, doing a workout 180 hurts – bad.  Earlier this year, I decided it would be a good idea to try one of those boot camps.  I could barely move for FOUR days after that experience.  Though I only went back once, I did come away with the understanding that varying your workouts is very important in getting the best training results.  A full-on, 5:30 am boot camp wasn’t going to happen so I went looking for something more palatable.  This 20-minute mini boot camp is simple and effective and can be done right at home.  10 minutes of activity and 10 minutes of recovery.  Give it a try and let me know how it worked for you.

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Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Olive Oil comes from an olive, coconut oil comes from a coconut and canola oil comes from…hmmm…a canola?  Not quite.  Canola actually stands for Canadian Oil Low Acid and is an artificial, processed oil made from a genetically engineered rape seed.  I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that marketing Rape Oil may not have been too successful.  Here are a few ways this oil is processed: high temperature pressing in metal vats; blasted with chemical solvents to remove the oil; bleaching; soaking in acid; and “deodorizing,” since some of the omega-3 in the oil goes rancid and creates a foul odor.  That sounds absolutely dee-lish!  Unfortunately, the majority of store-bought salad dressings contain canola.  Some of the craftier companies state on the front of the bottle that the dressing is made with olive oil when, if you read the ingredients, the majority of  the oil included is really canola.  The reason canola and not olive oil is used in so many of these dressings and marinades is simple.  It’s cheaper.

My take?  Make your own dressing from Olive Oil.  Always opt for Extra Virgin as it considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.  Here are two, easy 10-minute salad dressing recipes:

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Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Okay, maybe getting an ass like this is a bit of a stretch but what I believe sets us ‘hot’ moms apart from others is that we keep trying.  We may never be able to completely defy gravity but we can hold it at bay and even repair what those pesky kids did to our rear view.  To be nice, I’ll start with the easiest of the butt toning exercises and end with the most dreaded.  To regain the perk, please do all four exercises 3 times a week.  Do it.  Now.  You’re welcome.

1. Lying Butt Lift

The lying butt lift, is one of the simplest and easiest butt firming exercises. Lie on your back and place your right heel on a low surface, like a coffee table, side of the bed or use a chair.  Rest left ankle on right knee.  Keep arms at your side and shoulders flat.  Lift hips and squeeze your tush. 3 sets of 10 on each side.

2. Step-ups

Step-ups are another easy to do butt firming exercises. You just have to step on a platform, or any raised area for that matter. You have to step up and down repeatedly on a quick motion with a straight back at all times to be able to work not only your butt, but also your legs, and even your thighs. 3 sets of 20.

3. Lunges

These aren’t quite as bad as squats but they are no picnic either.  The good news is that lunges not only firm your butt — they also tone your legs. The successful lunge is done this way: first, you stand with your two feet pointed straight and with a distance of at least a shoulder width. Bend into lunge and make sure your knee doesn’t extend beyond your toes. 3 sets of 12 on each leg.  Hold 5-10 pound free weights to add intensity.

4.  Squats

The squat is my most hated butt firming exercise but a necessary evil.  Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.  Keep your feet planted firmly on the floor, with your back straight and head facing forward.  Slowly lower your body, while bending your legs. Be sure not to lean forward. Don’t allow your knees to extend over your toes. Keep squating until you are in a seated position.  After you have performed a full squat, begin to lift you body and come to your starting position again. 2 sets of 20.  Again, add free weights to increase intensity.

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I have watched my husband choke this stuff down for over a year now without any real interest except for some mild satisfaction I felt watching him suffer through his self-inflicted morning torture routine.  Who would intentionally want to start their day gagging down this green, gritty looking concoction?   Well, as it turns out, it’s a great way to start every day.  Spirulina looks like dirt but it is actually a blue-green fresh water algae and is one of nature’s oldest superfoods. It contains an incredible variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients with everything from vitamin B to magnesium.  It’s also a great source of protein, antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

If you are tired or mentally drained, taking spirulina can make a big difference, quickly. Unlike caffeine, it is helping your body by providing nutrients not just acting like a drug to drain your adrenals.  So, I have got to give the hubs credit for introducing me to this supplement although I take it in capsule form.  Much easier to handle in the early morning hours.

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment