2 Ingredient Salad Dressing+End of Elf for Health Round 1

Hey there!
  If you are participating in Elf for Health, than you know one of our recent challenges was to make our own dressing for a salad.
  I long ago let go of store bought dressings (I don't want to eat ingredients I can't pronounce!) And have been dressing my salad with regular basalmic vinegar. However, after seeing some recipes and ideas online, I came to the conclusion that I should do some experimentation in honor of the days challenge...
  Thus, this 2 ingredient dressing was born! It was so easy. All I did was:
1) Take a spoon of Sabra hummus
2) Mix with my basalmic vinegar until creamy
3) Dressed and ate my salad!

  I actually feel pretty puny sharing this recipe on here, but it was just so simple and so good I decided I'd throw it out there.

Scrumptious salad with dressing!!

  Today is a bit of a sad day, however, as it marks the end of round one of Elf for Health. I've really enjoyed having my elf Kristen with me as motivation and support. She is incredibly strong and determined. I was always so inspired by her, knowing that if she could find time to finish the daily challange, so could I! I am going to miss having her as my elf buddy. But I am sure we can still keep connected through Twitter and email :-)

  I suppose there is always a flip side though. There are many aspects of Elf for Health round two that I am still extreamly excited for. The fact that even MORE people will be participating this time around is awesome!! The joy and strength brought from this event should be shared with as many as possible. Also, it will be lots of fun to again meet another elf who I will stay in touch with for the next two weeks . So whoever the stars destined for my next elf... I hope they are reading this to know we will totally rock it!!

  If you have been participating in Elf for Health, what have been your favorite parts? Are you happy for round two to be starting? Also, if you are just getting into the event or have not signed up (which you totally should!!), what are you expecting ??

See you soon,

Natalie

Where Do You Workout?

  Nowadays, options for exercise are so many and so varied. You've not only got your conventional gyms, but more and more specialized and themed fitness centers are popping up! Areas specially designed for things ranging from Zumba or Barre to the more... exotic (pole fitness anyone?)

  Even yoga studios are becoming more 'advanced', in ways like introducing sweaty classes in hot rooms or playing modern music in the background. Some classes even offer fusions of Pilates and weights!
  And of course we can't forget the most obvious (and budget friendly!) locations to exercise- in your home or the great outdoors. Pop in a nice Jillian Michaels DVD (here's a link to the workout online!) or look up some fantastic YouTube trainers (my favorites include Blogilates, Davey Wavey, Befit, and many more!) and you can workout in the comfort of your living room. Or, hit the pavement for a nice run or go to a park for some bodyweight training.

Oh Jillian... how I love you.

  I have been to an actual yoga studio a time or two, and Ive been to a gym many times. I've tried Crossfit and quite like it, going to the free workouts that my local area holds a few times a month. However, I almost always workout at home. I am a HUGE fan of the Youtube fitness community, and they are basically who I credit for getting me interested in fitness in the first place, and building my fitness level up over time.

  Flashback two years, and I couldn't do a pushup to save my LIFE. I remember the P.E. teachers would always chuckle when I could barely whip out half of one during our exams, and I would honestly laugh along thinking that progress for me would be impossible! There were many videos which left me absolutley winded that I can actually accomplish now, tons of moves that I had to use the beginner variations on (down-down-up-up pushups, V-sit ups, sometimes jumping jacks!) that I am able to currently do in more advanced ways.

  Without these videos, I would never have become the person I am today. There are of course still those who are way stronger, faster, and fitter than I am, but overall I am more confidant when I have to jog or do other physical things around others.

  Basically, what I wanted to get at with this post is that it does not necessarily matter "how" or "where" you are getting your sweat on, but more importantly that you ARE moving your body daily in a way that is most pleasing or accomidating to you and your needs.

   If your favorite thing is to meet with a trainer at your gym, go for it! If a membership to a location isnt exactly looking great with your pocketbook, hit up the internet, look up different moves, and workout at home or outside. Or, better yet, find places that offer free workout around you! Usually community centers have free classes, and sometimes you can score deals at gyms or studios for being a new member.

 

So tell me... where do YOU workout? Do you do it for ease of access, pleasure, because of funds?

Also, feel free to let me know of any awesome classes I should consider trying, a super hard DVD you love, or a Youtuber you want to expose. I will gladly try me best to try your suggestions and do reveiws on them!

See you soon,

Natalie

Elf for Health Holiday Challange!

  Hey there guys!
  I know it has been months since I posted last, and I do feel awful for it. I don't really have an excuse other than getting off task even when I promise myself to start up a new post! This aside though... I am determined to start this blog back up!
  Recently I have been very inspired by a challenge I'm participating in, called Elf for Health! Its being ran by two great girls and bloggers, Lindsay and Elle. They've really put together a fantastic activity that helps everyone stay on track through these hectic holidays.
  Basically, you are assigned an 'elf' that you email twice weekly and also can stay connected with through other media sites (I am connected with mine, Kristen, through twitter!). These awesome pals are there to support you and give you someone to exchange recipes, motivation, workout ideas, ext with. You also have your elves to help make sure you are keeping up with the daily Elf for Health challenges!
  Each day, there is an assigned 'challenge' to accomplish- keeping track of fiber intake, taking a few minuets to meditate! They all are super fun, and once you are connected with other elves through Facebook, Twitter , Tumblr , ext, the party really gets going as people are constantly posting motivation, updates and pictures!

Here is a picture I posted of my dinner one night: Lentils with veggies, topped with some cilantro and tomato!

  There are also prizes awarded at the end of each round and a grand prize overall. More information on Elf for Health can be found here along with dates for the next rounds to sign up for if you have not already.
  I really hope that even more people sign up for this event (there's already over 900!) so that they can also share the joy it has brought me to see so many complete strangers connect to one another, being so determined and setting aside time to participate in this. I've been so inspired and have had so much fun, I finally got the nerve again to sit down and start blogging again! With all the new foodies, yogis, and other healthy people I am meeting from Elf for Health, maybe Clean Eating Teen will gain more readership !
   Tell me if you join the challenge, or if you have any questions about what all I've done thus far.
   See you soon,
Natalie