Wet Weather Workout

At the moment on the Sunshine Coast, the weather is hectic. Severe weather warnings, category 1 cyclonic winds etc, it is hard to workout.

I like going for a walk most days, usually 3-4 times a week, but when the weather deteriorates I found this little gem. I admit, I do this sporadically but it is excellent for toning.

It is called the “100 workout” designed for young college students; I discovered this from a website for American and Canadian College girls with all sorts of tips and tricks on surviving college.

The 100 workout is a fast, all over body workout. You can do this at any time of the day and all in the comfort of your own home or dorm room. It works your glutes, quads, thighs, core and hamstrings and includes intensive cardio.

Thinking of giving the workout a try? Here’s how you do it:

·         100 jumping jacks

·         90 crunches

·         80 squats

·         70 leg lifts

·         60 jumping jacks

·         50 crunches

·         40 squats

·         30 leg lifts

·         20 jumping jack

·         10 minutes of running

 

That’s it! For those of you not used to exercising on a regular basis, I suggest working on one step at a time and adding a step when you think you’re ready. I’ve been doing this workout for a few days while the weather has been less than desirable and I won’t lie, it is hard, but it is certainly worth it.

 Miss Mac xxx

Happy Straya Day

While indulging my addiction to food porn, I stumbled across some recipes suitable for Australia Day.

Enjoy

Miss Mac xxx

 http://www.redkitchengirls.com.au/#

http://themoonblushbaker.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/aussies-get-patriotic-by-mutli-layered.html

http://www.redkitchengirls.com.au/#

 

http://www.penguinsaysfeedme.com/2013/01/24/lamington-bites/

 

Miss Mac xxx



Quinoa Breakfast Pilaf

One of my favourite breakfast foods is a pilaf. I haven’t had this for a very long time. You can also make it with cous cous. Quinoa, however is much higher in protein as opposed to cous cous which is ‘empty carbs.’

Quinoa has been used in South American for about 4,000 years. Many people think that it is a grain but it is in fact a grass and contains essential amino acids, iron and calcium. Ancient Mayans referred to Quinoa as ‘the mother of all grains.’

You can cook Quinoa that same way you would with rice. You can put it in a rice cooker or in a saucepan and use the absorption method with the same quantities you would when cooking rice.

1 cup Quinoa (cook using the absorption method on the stove top)

1 ½ cups of mixed, dried fruits (I used apricots, dried cranberries, raisins, currants, dried pomegranates, dried blueberries)

¼ cup peanut butter or tahini

¼ cup honey

Cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger to taste

Cook Quinoa on the stove top with 1 ½ cups of boiling water for 13-15 minutes.

Transfer cooked quinoa into a heatproof bowl. In the saucepan used for the quinoa add your dried fruits and just cover with water. Bring the fruits to a simmer, to make the fruit plump and juicy.

Add the fruits to the quinoa mix. Then add the peanut butter, honey and spices.

For breakfast I like to serve with some Greek yogurt, extra cinnamon and some toasted nuts. 

It is super delicious and very filling.

Enjoy

 

Miss Mac xxx

Clean Eating Cinnamon Choc Chip Protein Bars

This is not my recipe. Although I wish i did invent this because it is delicous!!

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-cinnamon-chocolate-chip-protein-bars/

2 cups oats (I used quick oats), 1 cup peanut butter, ½ cup honey, ½ cup apple sauce, unsweetened, 2 tbsp dark, unsweetened choc chips, 1 cup whey/protein powder (the original recipe called for plain or vanilla powder but I used chocolate) 1 tbsp cinnamon powder, 2 tbsp chia seeds

Preheat oven to 180*c. In a large bowl mix all ingredients until it comes together in a dough. Press into greased slice tin and bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

Miss Mac xxx

SUPER CLEAN EATING FOOD:

I am currently obsessing over the ‘clean eating’ fad. Whether it is beneficial to your health I am not sure, but I have found that I do feel lighter and healthier.

The foods listed below are all clean eating foods, however they must be organic and pesticide free.

·         Apples

·         Apricots

·         Artichokes

·         Avocado
·         Beetroot

·         Blueberries

·         Broccoli

·         Cabbage

·         Rockmelon/ cantaloupe

·         Carrots

·         Cauliflower

·         Cherries

·         Chestnuts

·         Chilli

·         Dark chocolate (70% and over)

·         Figs

·         Fish

·         Flax seed

·         Garlic

·         Grapefruit

·         Grapes

·         Green tea

·         Honey

·         Kale

·         Lemon/lime

·         Mangoes

·         Mushrooms

·         Oats

·         Olive oil

·         Onions

·         Oranges

·         Peaches

·         Peanuts

·         Pineapple

·         Prunes

·         Pumpkin

·         Pomegranate

·         Quinoa (a high protein, ancient Aztec grain)

·         Brown rice

·         Salmon

·         Spinach

·         Strawberries

·         Sweet potatoes

·         Tomatoes

·         Walnuts

·         Watermelon

·         Wheat germ

·         Wheat bran

·         Yoghurt (only good quality Greek style natural yoghurt)

 

From the research I have done, I have discovered you can make nearly every recipe ‘clean’.

 

Happy Eating!!!

 Miss Mac xxx

Happy New Year

A lot has happened in the past few weeks.

Christmas was quiet. I received some awesome gifts!!!

New Years Eve, my sister and I went to a rodeo at Goomeri.

I got a job, working in a kitchen… with my boyfriend. It is odd being in a kitchen together, but it is certainly fun.

I am going back to school. I am so excited! A month out and I have already packed my school bag with books and diaries and pencil cases.

It will be a fresh start and a nice change from studying cookery.

I have some nutritious and yummy recipes coming soon, so stay tuned.

Miss Mac xxx

https://www.facebook.com/MissMacsKitchen