Blog

Under Armour is ready to show the world what real beauty is.  How? With an awesome competition that will push you to your very best.  All you have to do is declare a goal with UA, track your progress, rise to the top of all of the challengers, and win. The three ladies that push themselves the hardest will have their lives sponsored for a year with greatness, glory, and gear. Since we know that you’ve been dying to achieve the most in training while finding beauty in your work and body, prove to us you have more than what it takes and go sign up with UA today! Here is a video showing you step by step how to get started. Now tell us, what’s beautiful?

In order to cure boredom and prevent yourself from a backwards spiral, it’s important to switch things up with your workout and eating routine. Get out there and find something fun, exciting, and new to try. How about flying through the air with the greatest of ease? Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City did it, so why can’t you? The trapeze is said to work your whole core. Amazing. If this is not your thing, look for another another activity that will challenge you!

Earlier this week I exclaimed my love for cinnamon raisin toast, and told you where you could find a healthier version. Only I  forgot to provide you with one of the most delicious cinnamon raisin bread recipes ever! Julian Bakery has provided a great recipe for cinnamon raisin bread pudding. This would be perfect for brunch, or better yet, dessert. Hope you enjoy!

Yield 1 – 8 inch square pan

Ingredients

6 slices Julian Bakery’s Smart Carb #2, Cinnamon Raisin

4 Tablespoons of Canola Oil

1 cup applesauce

1/2 cup slivered Almonds

4 eggs, beaten

2 cups skim milk (Or Almond Milk)

3/4 cup (generous) organic brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

3 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle applesauce and canola oil (mixed together) over bread. If desired, sprinkle with almonds.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.

Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped. It should be goldened.

If your diet goes out the door as soon as you step in a restaurant, we’ve got help. Check out these tips by Healthy Guru for healthy dining on the go and watch weight loss follow. Psst! Even if you’re not dieting, eating out healthy is a great skill to have.

Excuses… I’ve used them all. It’s so easy to get caught up in them! And when you do, you end up not doing anything to make your life better. For every excuse, list off a a positive effect/feeling that you have experienced when you have decided to eat healthier and exercise more. Don’t be weighed down by your excuses!

As a parent, we want to offer the best for our kids. Creating a healthy and active lifestyle for them at a young age is just another way we can do this. A healthy lifestyle for your children begins at home with you and your efforts to eat healthier and exercise, but it also needs to happen at school where children are being shaped and our exposed to different foods. Chicken nuggets and overly-greasy pizza in the school cafeteria do not provide a healthy example for your kids. It’s important to make sure your school is investing in healthier options and that you’re teaching your children to make the healthier eating choice at home and at school. If you care about a healthy lifestyle inside-and-out, your kids are going to take notice and guaranteed, they will model their lifestyle after yours.

Alcohol is packed with calories and sugar, but there is a way to enjoy a healthy and non-alcoholic sangria at your next barbecue, thanks to our friends at Women’s Health Magazine.

Ingredients: 
1/4 C sugar
3 C cranberry juice
1 C orange juice
1 C blueberries
1 1/2 C strawberries (whole or half)
1 orange (sliced into 1/4-inch wheels)
2 cups coffee
1 C soda water

Directions:
Combine sugar, juices and fruit in a pitcher. Stir to dissolve sugar. Let chill for several hours. Before serving, add brewed coffee and stir to combine. To serve, evenly divide fruit into tall glasses. Fill with sangria. Finish each glass with a splash of soda water.

Before slicing orange, remove the zest. Combine the zest with equal amount sugar. Dip moistened rims of tall glasses into this orange-sugar mixture for added glamour and flavor!

Makes 12 servings 

Feeling void of energy, on-edge, and clueless? We all have those weeks, but our friends at CNNHealth tell us that the answer to these problems might be on your plate. You aren’t eating the right foods!

How to boost energy

Loss of energy, you might not be getting enough iron. Here’s what you should be eating:

• Red meat
• Fish
• Poultry

Or if you are a vegetarian:

• Soybeans
• Lentil
• Spinach
• Fortified cereals

How to feel more calm

If you are on-edge, you may be eating to many refined carbs (cookies, white bread, ect.) Instead, eat more:

• Brown rice
• Whole-grain bread and pasta
• Whole oats
• Fruits, veggies, and legumes

How to get sharp

If you are constantly misplacing things or forgetting about deadlines, to little of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 — both brain-boosting nutrients — could be to blame. To combat these deficiencies, you should be eating more:

• Mackerel, trout, herring, tuna, and salmon (omega-3 fatty acids)
• Fortified breakfast cereal, liver, cooked clams, yogurt, cheese, whole eggs, and ham, as well as fish like salmon and trout (B-12 vitamins)

Besides the fact that this video is completely adorable, it also raises an important question about the connection between positivity and weight loss. Is losing weight easier when we stay clear of negativity and look towards our goals? The answer is yes. For example, if we tell ourselves everyday that we are not worthy or that weight loss is hopeless, we are setting ourselves up for failure. But If we begin everyday affirming ourselves with positive thoughts and taking steps that move us closer to our weight loss goals, a healthier lifestyle will be possible. Take note from this little girl, and don’t forget your daily affirmations!

For more information on how to stay positive about your weight loss goals, check out this article by Discovery Fit and Health.