Rita

About our blogger: Rita

In the last few years I’ve went from corporate management to stay-at-home mom to soon-to-be personal trainer. I’m a wife, mom of two young boys, clean eating advocate, fitness fanatic, and author of Healthy Mom Sexy Wife. I never thought that I would be here after five years of infertility, so this journey called motherhood is such a blessing. During both of my pregnancies, I really let myself go but I knew that I had to make lifelong changes.  I discovered clean eating and developed workout routines for home. My life has completely changed - I’ve never been happier and I’m achieving my goals one day at a time.

Visit Rita @ http://www.healthymomsexywife.com

Posts by Rita:

April 20th, 2012

Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry

Do you struggle with ideas for dinner?  Well, this is a simple yet satisfying recipe that your whole family will enjoy.  It is also so very versatile, so you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand.

This is also one of those meals that has several steps but isn’t hard at all.

Because of the versatility of this recipe, you can vary the amounts of these ingredients as well. I’m just estimating what was used since I don’t measure with this throw together recipe.

Ingredients:

3 chicken tenderloins, chopped into chunks
1 medium onion, cut in small pieces
2 handfuls of baby carrots, chopped into medium chunks
2 medium zucchinis, sliced
Small bag of asparagus, chopped into one inch pieces after being trimmed
1/2 cup of leftover basmati rice
3 eggs
2 tablespoons soy sauce or to taste
Olive oil
Canola oil

Instructions: Read the rest of this entry »

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March 30th, 2012

Recipe: 3 Minute Single Brownie


If you love chocolate and you want to make a quick treat then this is the perfect recipe for you.

When I was a low carb dieter I loved to make warm brownies that contained cocoa powder, splenda, powdered milk, and water.  And I would top them with cool whip because they were kind of dry.

Now that I’m aware of the dangers of artifical sweeteners and am not drinking cow’s milk I had to come up with an alternative recipe.

This is so simple, flavorful, and moist.

I am happy to admit that it is much better than the original recipe and doesn’t need anything on top.

It’s the perfect single serving desert. Read the rest of this entry »

March 26th, 2012

Tabata Workout

Do you want to add some variety to your workout? Perhaps you just need to get started but don’t have an hour every day.

Tabatas are perfect. They take four minutes and can be done alone or added on the end of your strength workout.

I have been adding them to the end of my strength training session, but when I was a beginner I used to do them because 15 minute HIIT was just too much for me.

Tabatas are 20 seconds of work with 10 seconds of recovery for eight rounds. Just remember when you do tabatas or HIIT, you want to give all you’ve got during the work period. Really GO HARD!!

My tabatas for this month will be:

Woodchops and Burpees

Woodchops

Read the rest of this entry »

March 5th, 2012

Motivation Monday: Never Give Up

Source

We all have goals that we want to accomplish.

As long you never give up, you will reach and surpass them.

Sometimes we get sidetracked, but hopefully your determination leads you right back to your goals.

If you miss a workout or eat something not so healthy, don’t give up.

It doesn’t mean you failed.

We all have times that things just don’t happen the way we planned or hoped.

What makes all the difference is how you deal with those times.  Don’t beat yourself up.

There have been many times that I haven’t eaten perfectly, but that next meal is when I do eat healthy.  Don’t wait until the next day - start with your next meal.

And if you skip a workout, you can make it up later in the day or the next day.  As long as you get back up, then the one or more missed workouts isn’t detrimental to your success.

Remember, you can do it as long as you never, never, never give up!!

Do you have your goals visible so you have something to keep you on track?

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March 3rd, 2012

Recipe: Green Bean Fries

Never heard of green bean fries?  Well they make a great accompaniment to any meal.  Above, I made a turkey burger with grilled onions (although I scarfed those down before everything else was finished), green bean fries, and a few cherry tomatoes.  A filling, nutritious, and tasty meal.

I bought a large bag of fresh green beans and have made these green bean fries several times.  They are amazing and satisfy that crunchy craving.

Take a handful or two of fresh green beans and put them in a ziplock bag.  Pour a tablespoon or so of olive oil on them then a sprinkle of sea salt.  Once they are coated completely, spread them out on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes for desired crispness.  You want to watch them closely so they don’t burn.

Ingredients:

Green Beans
Olive Oil
Sea Salt

Get ready for a new love for green beans.

February 29th, 2012

Food Prep Basics

Do you prep your foods when you bring them home from the grocery story?

I started it a few months ago, and it makes everything so much easier.

While I do enjoy cooking, I do like things to be quickly accessible especially when packing snacks for outings.

Some things I do:

Wash apples for easy grab and eat.

Wash grapes and store in bowl or ziplock bag.  Read the rest of this entry »

February 25th, 2012

Eating Healthy and Couponing - Is it possible?


Can you eat healthy and still use coupons?

The answer is yes, of course, and here is how I do it:

1. Instead of cutting every coupon from the circulars or printing online, I only keep the ones that I will actually use including personal and household items.

2. I also contact my favorite companies so they include me on their mailing list.  They will occasionally mail you coupons.

3. Organize your coupons in a way Read the rest of this entry »

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February 23rd, 2012

5 Reasons to Workout

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There are many reasons to workout but here are my five favorite:

Stress release – Exercise helps relieve tension, giving you a natural high through increasing endorphins. Focusing on a situation will only make you more stressed, so instead consider working out.

More energy – It is true that, when you exercise, it gives you more energy. Too tired to get up and do something? It doesn’t take much – go for a walk, do some short burst cardio, or a quick weight lifting routine at home. You will have more energy to get through your day afterwards.

Lose weight – Working out does assist in weight loss for obvious reasons – you are burning some of the calories consumed. Did you know that 70% of your results come from eating and only 30% comes from exercise? Just remember, over-exercising is not the answer to losing weight, better food choices are.

Better sleep – Working out helps relieve stress and gives you more energy to accomplish the multitude of things moms have to deal with daily, so when it is time to go to sleep, you are tired. While you are able to sleep, as much as possible with children in the house, you sleep more soundly.

Confidence – Taking time for yourself is definitely a challenge for most moms. We often feel guilty for leaving our children even if it is just for an hour. Don’t feel guilty for taking that time for you, you deserve it. Working out helps you become stronger physically, have more stamina, and start believing in yourself. You can accomplish your goals, so start today!

These are shockingly obvious but the sooner you start making exercise a habit, the sooner you will reap the benefits. Why do you workout?

Some Suggestions:
HIIT Tips & Suggestions
Exercise for Beginners
Post Exercise Meal/Shake

February 20th, 2012

Motivation Monday: Self Love

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Self love is essential.  After having dealt with postpartum depression, I know how important loving yourself is to succesfully acheiving goals.  After the birth of both of my boys, I was miserable.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved my baby.  I was more self loathing than anything.  I had let myself go and I felt lost.  I was either wearing maternity clothes or squeezing into stuff that made me look even bigger.  I would look in the mirror and it would make it worse.

After about six months of this pattern, I think the hormones finally cleared up and I wanted to change.

I started to take care of myself like actually grooming myself (yikes, I know) and wearing clothes that were flattering.

This happened both times but the first time it was worse.

The good news is this too shall pass.

If you are having issues like these, not just from postpartum depression, start taking care of yourself whether that means but getting a little more active, eating healthy foods that support your goals, or just having a little time to yourself.

In my 5 Reasons to Workout, I point out the benefits of exercise.  I can attest that eating properly really makes a difference.  Eating clean foods you will feel so much better.  Take a little time each day for yourself to either relax, getting pretty, or reflect by writing.

You deserve it.  Love yourself.

February 16th, 2012

Recipe: Blueberry Eggs Over Easy


This isn’t the best picture but you get the idea - bed of blueberries covered in an egg over easy.  I prefer my eggs over medium but whatever works.

Get prepared for the fastest and simplest breakfast EVER. You cannot tell me that this takes too long because it is literally done in less than five minutes. No missed breakfast excuses!

Three ingredients are all you need:
1 teaspoon coconut oil
2/3 cup of fresh blueberries
2 eggs Read the rest of this entry »

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