DAY 358 OF 365: COMING DOWN FROM A HOLIDAY HIGH

I don't know about you but I had an amazing holiday and I can hardly believe that it has already come and gone. We spend so much time preparing and getting ready for it and within seconds it is over. But now it is time to get back to staying healthy. No more eggnog or cookies for me. Well I am going to crawl into my bed and get some rest. Tomorrow is a busy day that will consist of juicing, cleaning out my fridge, some healthy sorbet making and some gym time. Till tomorrow.

HOLIDAY BREAK

Taking a holiday blogging break. Be back Monday. Happy Healthy Holidays!!!

DAY 355 OF 365: GREAT WORKOUT

Another amazing workout with JC this morning. I left feeling sore and tired and ready to conquer the rest of my day. As soon as I got home I showered and had myself a nice glass of green juice. (cucumbers, celery, green apple, spinach and lemon). Very refreshing and satisfying after my intense workout. The rest of the day was spent cleaning and preparing for the holidays. Hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Where has the year gone? Sorry to keep this brief but I am exhausted after my busy day and the only thing that I am thinking about right now is curling into my warm comfy bed and calling it a night. Till tomorrow.

DAY 354 OF 365: I LOVE FINDING NEW RECIPES

Ever since I started this challenge, I have researched and searched for new healthier recipes. I love trying new things and in turn, putting my own spin on them. Add the things I like and take out the things that I don't like. That is half the fun. One of the sites that I found in my searches is called "Profile Living" and they posted their favorite juice recipes in a blog entitled, "For the body, Green Juicing". Below are the recipes. I have tried about half of them and boy, I have not been disappointed! They are great. Give them a try and see what you think. Props to profile living for posting some amazing Juice recipes. Well, back to christmas present wrapping for me. It is endless. Till tomorrow.

FROM PROFILE LIVING:

Top Delicious Green Juice Recipes:

1. Perfect Morning Essential: 4-6 Carrots, 4 stalks of Celery, 1 Lemon , 1 Macintosh or Yellow Apple
2. Hot Afternoon Boost: Up 4-6 Carrots, 4-6 stalks Celery, 1/2 bunch Cilantro, 2 Roma Tomatoes, 1 Lemon
3. Power After-Workout Drink: 1/2 Romaine lettuce, 3-4 leaves of Kale, 3-4 Carrots, 1/2 bunch Carrot top, 1 Apple, 1 Lime
4. Serious Detox: 1/2 sour green Apple, 1 Lime, 1 large Beet, 3-4 leaves Beet tops, 3-4 Carrots, 3-4 Celery stalks, small piece of Ginger
5. Excellent Craving Response: 3-4 large leaves of Kale, 1 whole stalk of Leek, 1 Lime, 1 large Tomato, 1/2 bunch Cilantro, 3-4 Carrots, small piece of Ginger
6. Delightful Green Snack: 1/2 of red Cabbage, 3-4 stalks of Celery, 4-5 leaves of Kale, 1 Lemon, 1 Lime, 1 Apple, small piece of fresh Ginger
7. Sweet Filling Delight: 3 cups fresh baby Spinach, 1 Lime, 1 large Tomato, 2-3 Carrots and 1/2 Carrot top bunch, 1/2 bunch Parsley, 1 stalk Celery
8. Quick Cleansing Drink: 2-3 Carrots, 4 Cucumbers, small piece of fresh Ginger, 1 Lemon, 1 whole Beet
9. Variety Vitamin Drink: 1 Lemon, 2 cups of Alfa Alfa Sprouts, small piece of fresh Ginger, 2 Carrots, 3 Cucumbers, 1/2 bunch Parsley
10. Exquisite Green Goodness: 3-4 leaves of Kale, 5 large Romaine Lettuce leaves, 1 Beet, 1/2 bunch of Cilantro, 1 Lime, 2 cups fresh Spinach, 1/2 Apple

Note 1: These recipes make roughly 24-28 oz. This depends the efficiency of your masticating juicer works dryness of the pulp.
Note 2:  Leeks and Cabbage are challenging on some juicers so check your juicer’s instructions.
Note 3: You may taste some bitterness in these juices. If you do, add an Apple or a Tomato for taste.

DAY 353 OF 365: A NIGHT OF WRAPPING GIFTS AND WATCHING CHRISTMAS CLASSICS

So after another crazy day braving the stores for the perfect Christmas gifts, I found myself home wrapping gifts under the tree. I even found such classics as "Scrooged" with Bill Murray and "Miracle on 34th Street". I felt that I had earned a relaxing night after my workout with JC this morning. We concentrated on back and arms to today and also cycled in abs. My body is still adapting quite well to the workouts and after each set I am feeling less and less exhausted. A far cry from when I first started and the warm up alone had me weak in the knees. Tomorrow I am going to be finishing up with the wrapping of the gifts and a general clean up of the apartment. Of course I will also be doing some intense green juicing tomorrow. I made sure to pick up some fresh cucumbers, green apples, kale, celery, spinach, carrots, lemons and limes. I am already salivating over the possibilities of juices. For now I am going to call it a night. I want to be well rested for the days work a head of me. Till tomorrow.

DAY 352 OF 365: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SURE FEELS LIKE A WORKOUT

I spent the majority of the day doing my Christmas shopping or as I like to call it, fighting off the swarms. Between the pushing and the shoving and the crowds and dismay, I am surprised that I made it home in one piece. By the time I made it home I was sore and exhausted; almost like how I feel after my workouts with JC. The only thing that was comforting was my nice cup of warm spiced apple cider. I thought that I would share the recipe. Give it a try and see what you think. I use all organic ingredients and I have to say that your house will smell festive when it is all done. If you are feeling a little adventurous, add a little bit of brandy to your mug and you are sure to have a nice sleep. Till tomorrow.

Warm spiced apple cider

• 6 cups apple cider (organic)
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 orange peel, cut into strips
• 1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions

1. Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan.
2. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
3. Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.
4. Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired.

DAY 351 OF 365: SORE ALL OVER

So I had a great session with JC this morning. The only problem is that my back is killing me. I am not sure if I slept wrong and then working out triggered something, but whatever the reason, I am sore as hell. It is my lower back and whether I am sitting or laying down, it is painful. I have been laying on the floor for awhile just because the firmness has relieved some of the pain. I am hoping that by tomorrow the pain subsides because I need to finish my Christmas shopping. Well, back to lying on the floor for a bit. Till tomorrow.