Am I crazy for thinking I might want to attempt this for my son's 3rd birthday? Am I crazy for thinking of this five months out?
Thomas the Tank Engine Cake Tutorial
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Heat warning
My office is in midtown Manhattan, with a view north right behind my desk. One of the prominent buildings in that view is the former New York Magazine building, now owned by Burberry whose name adorns the top prominently over the time and temperature. In the midst of our winter-like spring a few months back, my colleagues and I were amused by a fluke in the temperature gauge that sent the reading to 139 degrees amidst the fog and chilly rain of March.
Today's reading of 102 at 9:00am however, is no fluke. It's a heat wave, one I am happily escaping (somewhat) by leaving to visit family and friends in the cooler upstate New York.
With only 57 days of 100+ heat since 1870 in Central Park and none from 2002 through June 2010...I urge everyone to be cautious, courteous and judicious in these extremes.
Below are a few important reads that can help you and your family stay safe and cool:
Well, time to get the heck out of this hot, hot city!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Today's reading of 102 at 9:00am however, is no fluke. It's a heat wave, one I am happily escaping (somewhat) by leaving to visit family and friends in the cooler upstate New York.
With only 57 days of 100+ heat since 1870 in Central Park and none from 2002 through June 2010...I urge everyone to be cautious, courteous and judicious in these extremes.
Below are a few important reads that can help you and your family stay safe and cool:
- Heat-related illness in children from Yes Five
- 6 Tips to Keep Your Child Cool in the Car
- Heat Wave precauttions from the Red Cross
- Emergency Preparedness from the CDC
- 23 Ways to Beat the Heat from Real Simple
- NYC's official Beat the Heat Guide
- TimeOut Kids Beat the Heat Guide
Well, time to get the heck out of this hot, hot city!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Thursday, July 21, 2011
TAM method - getting it done
As my husband's personal trainer pointed out, Tracy Anderson
is not a certified trainer. However, her client list speaks volumes to me, as does the results I'm getting only partially following her plan. As an aside, look sweetie, I found a picture of her smiling! Didn't think I could get that done, did ya ;-).
We had brunch with some friends on Sunday (yes...I happily ate off-plan) which turned into a dinner invite and dinner party. I was already planning to cook TAM meals for the week, so tried them out feeding other people and everyone was happily surprised - so yummy!! We ate the Baked chicken and broccoli dish marinated in orange juice/agave syrup and the Chicken/tofu steamed over veggies and broth. Lots of compliments to the chef and I have lots of compliments to Tracy. Diet food never tasted so good and found we actually like kale.
At this point, I am only partially following the TAM 30-day plan. As most of you would agree, with the busy lives we lead, a strict 30-day-anything can be hard to follow. So there will be no stressing over the 30-day regime stretchning to 45 or 60 days. Expectations have been adjusted accordingly. Love, love, LOVE the meals! I have to call Tracy a bit of a control freak on the meals. I am NOT going to eat exactly what she wants when she wants everyday. Just not in my DNA. And without a juicer and no store selling it, the kale juice is just not going to happen, sorry TA.
The recipes are, however, not as difficult as some diet plans I've tried previously and I'm likely to stick with it. The Mango chicken has already been requested again by the family, that's high praise indeed!! HealthyFitFantastic blog has the recipe here.
I have been following the meals for at least 2/3 of what I eat. Even when I'm not getting that done, just understanding the principles (very little carbs, avoid most dairy, lots of fruits and vegetables) I think it's making a tremendous impact and I'm seeing results! So now, on to the results...
Days: 10
Mat workouts: 6 and up to 40 reps of each exercise
Dance cardio: 4 but still only 30 minutes due to injury/boredom/time
Meal plan: Ate approximately 2/3 of my meals on the plan but have been unwilling to completely give up the greatest gifts known to moms...coffee and wine
Results: lost 7 lbs and 2 inches!
With moderation built into Tracy Anderson's Method, I can sincerely recomment this as a a plan that is sustainable for a busy person's schedule. At this pace I'll finish the 30-day plan by Labor day, and can get her Metamorphosis DVDs to workout through New Year's!!!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
is not a certified trainer. However, her client list speaks volumes to me, as does the results I'm getting only partially following her plan. As an aside, look sweetie, I found a picture of her smiling! Didn't think I could get that done, did ya ;-).We had brunch with some friends on Sunday (yes...I happily ate off-plan) which turned into a dinner invite and dinner party. I was already planning to cook TAM meals for the week, so tried them out feeding other people and everyone was happily surprised - so yummy!! We ate the Baked chicken and broccoli dish marinated in orange juice/agave syrup and the Chicken/tofu steamed over veggies and broth. Lots of compliments to the chef and I have lots of compliments to Tracy. Diet food never tasted so good and found we actually like kale.
At this point, I am only partially following the TAM 30-day plan. As most of you would agree, with the busy lives we lead, a strict 30-day-anything can be hard to follow. So there will be no stressing over the 30-day regime stretchning to 45 or 60 days. Expectations have been adjusted accordingly. Love, love, LOVE the meals! I have to call Tracy a bit of a control freak on the meals. I am NOT going to eat exactly what she wants when she wants everyday. Just not in my DNA. And without a juicer and no store selling it, the kale juice is just not going to happen, sorry TA.
The recipes are, however, not as difficult as some diet plans I've tried previously and I'm likely to stick with it. The Mango chicken has already been requested again by the family, that's high praise indeed!! HealthyFitFantastic blog has the recipe here.
I have been following the meals for at least 2/3 of what I eat. Even when I'm not getting that done, just understanding the principles (very little carbs, avoid most dairy, lots of fruits and vegetables) I think it's making a tremendous impact and I'm seeing results! So now, on to the results...
Days: 10
Mat workouts: 6 and up to 40 reps of each exercise
Dance cardio: 4 but still only 30 minutes due to injury/boredom/time
Meal plan: Ate approximately 2/3 of my meals on the plan but have been unwilling to completely give up the greatest gifts known to moms...coffee and wine
Results: lost 7 lbs and 2 inches!
With moderation built into Tracy Anderson's Method, I can sincerely recomment this as a a plan that is sustainable for a busy person's schedule. At this pace I'll finish the 30-day plan by Labor day, and can get her Metamorphosis DVDs to workout through New Year's!!!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Monday, July 18, 2011
TAM menu
So, weekend update...
Have now lost 6 lbs.! Woo hoo!! Made it through 1.5 hours working out Friday and Saturday. By Sunday my heel was bothering me again, so needed a day off cardio. And with surprise dinner guests, said goodbye to the mat workout too. However, I managed to make the Baked Chicken and Broccoli and Chicken and Veggie soup for dinner. The family and guests alike loved them and I have plenty leftover for lunch through Wednesday, hooray! So while the workouts didn't make it into today's schedule, at least the food did.
Sleepy time for Mama, on to another busy week.
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Have now lost 6 lbs.! Woo hoo!! Made it through 1.5 hours working out Friday and Saturday. By Sunday my heel was bothering me again, so needed a day off cardio. And with surprise dinner guests, said goodbye to the mat workout too. However, I managed to make the Baked Chicken and Broccoli and Chicken and Veggie soup for dinner. The family and guests alike loved them and I have plenty leftover for lunch through Wednesday, hooray! So while the workouts didn't make it into today's schedule, at least the food did.
Sleepy time for Mama, on to another busy week.
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Friday, July 15, 2011
TAM update - day 5 of 30...er...more like day 3
Today I reconnected with the phrase TGIF! A busy, stressful day to close a busy week. As a trader, I am accustomed to stress but today was beset with a doozy that was worse because it was of my own creation. {sigh} Lesson learned and move forward, right?!?
I have found this week full of success balanced with 'lessons' and am trying to shake it off and smile into the weekend :).
On the fitness front, starting a new routine has been mezza mezza. I won't say I cheated on the Tracy Anderson Method (TAM)...let's say I have just NOT been completely faithful, shall we? On the positive side:
1) I completed 3 days of her mat workout and felt it! I love this workout!! Easy to follow, challenging but, if you follow the ramping up schedule in the book, doable enough to come back for more the next day.
2) I completed 2 days of cardio, though my nagging plantar faciitis (think heel spurs) made me feel less than graceful and it was annoying to have to restart the cardio segment on the DVD.
3) I ate 80% of my meals off Tracy's menu
Now for the less savory side:
1) I do NOT have time to workout 2 hours per day!!! I just don't! Working woman in finance, business meetings, kids, oh...and did I mention I actually like my husband and want to see him sometimes???
2) The cardio really appeals to the former dancer in me, but to modify it to step-touching for 40 minutes will drive me to drink!
3) Did I mention drink? After the week I've had...a few cups of coffee and wine made it onto the menu, oh yeah! Coffee to wake up after an evening filled with 2 hours of working out. Wine after the long day of work. One dinner out, because the husband and I needed to reconnect. And yes...I broke down and had some desserts (I'm a chocolate every day kinda girl, and ran out of that yummy choco chestnut pudding).
Overall though, very pleased with the results so far! Lost 1" off my waist, 1/2" off my hips and 4 lbs!! Will definitely keep you updated, I think I can perservere for the next month (or two at the rate I'm going).
Til next time,
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
I have found this week full of success balanced with 'lessons' and am trying to shake it off and smile into the weekend :).
On the fitness front, starting a new routine has been mezza mezza. I won't say I cheated on the Tracy Anderson Method (TAM)...let's say I have just NOT been completely faithful, shall we? On the positive side:
1) I completed 3 days of her mat workout and felt it! I love this workout!! Easy to follow, challenging but, if you follow the ramping up schedule in the book, doable enough to come back for more the next day.
2) I completed 2 days of cardio, though my nagging plantar faciitis (think heel spurs) made me feel less than graceful and it was annoying to have to restart the cardio segment on the DVD.
3) I ate 80% of my meals off Tracy's menu
Now for the less savory side:
1) I do NOT have time to workout 2 hours per day!!! I just don't! Working woman in finance, business meetings, kids, oh...and did I mention I actually like my husband and want to see him sometimes???
2) The cardio really appeals to the former dancer in me, but to modify it to step-touching for 40 minutes will drive me to drink!
3) Did I mention drink? After the week I've had...a few cups of coffee and wine made it onto the menu, oh yeah! Coffee to wake up after an evening filled with 2 hours of working out. Wine after the long day of work. One dinner out, because the husband and I needed to reconnect. And yes...I broke down and had some desserts (I'm a chocolate every day kinda girl, and ran out of that yummy choco chestnut pudding).
Overall though, very pleased with the results so far! Lost 1" off my waist, 1/2" off my hips and 4 lbs!! Will definitely keep you updated, I think I can perservere for the next month (or two at the rate I'm going).
Til next time,
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Getting a new routine
After training for the NYC Marathon last year, and bowing out for a 2nd time due to injury I am on a running sabbatical. At first it was easy, coming off a few months of training I went the the gym here and there. A spin class here, weights there, yoga periodically. But lack of a real routine added up to 5 lbs and every attempt to run was squashed by inflamed tendons and my still bruised tibia! {sigh}
With that in mind, and a few inches in squishy tummy in sight - the amount I've been paying my gym for the privilege of NOT going did not add up. So I put my membership on hold and decided to take advantage of all the free fitness NYC has to offer in the summertime! NYC Parks has Free/Nearly Free events all summer long. My favorites are:
Tues: Pilates in Riverside Park
Wed: Yoga in Riverside Park
Thurs: Yoga in Bryant Park
Sat: Race Walking in Central Park
Sat: Kayaking on the Hudson
Sun: Tai Chi in Riverside Park
When those are not available or on a rainy day, there's cheap hot yoga from Yoga To The People for $5!!
I've been taking advantage of many of these wonderful events, but still didn't feel like I was getting any closer to happiness in a bikini. I even tried a few free sessions with a personal trainer at Serious Strength, but didn't feel like 30 mins 2x/wk was doing anything on its own.
I realize something drastic needs to be done, so I'm committing to 30-days on the Tracy Anderson Method (TAM). I picked up her book Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method: The Weight-Loss Kick-Start that Makes Perfection Possible
.
I figure Gwennyth Paltrow and Shakira's trainer must know something that can help! The Daily Julie was an inspiration for me, so I decided to just do it!!
There are 3 parts to her method:
1) Mat workout
Strength moves that take me back to dance class in Brooklyn 20 years ago with what feel like grueling leg lifts, crunches and arm moves to sculpt the small accessory muscles for a lean look rather than bulking up!
2) Cardio
40 minutes of a cardio dance routine that, admittedly, even I had trouble following without the typically annoying cheerleader-y instructions Tracy has conveniently left out. But after getting it down and adding my own music, it's lots of fun
3) Meal plan
The hard part for me will be the food. Even though we've become a much healthier household over the years, there are still cookies and cupcakes and pretzels in the line-up which are big no-nos for Tracy. Day 2 and I'm still surviving - even without my beloved lattes!!!! I am going off the reservation a bit. Tracy said we're supposed to eat exactly what she laid out for the first 30-days. I am, however, eating her recipes but not in the exact order. My reasoning is that I'm a busy mom and only have so much time.
On Sunday I made double batches of 2 recipes: sweet potato corn pudding and the AMAZING choco chestnut pudding. With that and some store bought carrot ginger soup and lowfat strawberry kefir, I'm good to go for a few days. I've been drining my weight in water and green tea and trying not to overeat but she did say if we're hungry, we can increase our portions until we're satisfied but not stuffed. It just has to be her food.
Today's Day 2 of TAM - wish me luck!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
With that in mind, and a few inches in squishy tummy in sight - the amount I've been paying my gym for the privilege of NOT going did not add up. So I put my membership on hold and decided to take advantage of all the free fitness NYC has to offer in the summertime! NYC Parks has Free/Nearly Free events all summer long. My favorites are:
Tues: Pilates in Riverside Park
Wed: Yoga in Riverside Park
Thurs: Yoga in Bryant Park
Sat: Race Walking in Central Park
Sat: Kayaking on the Hudson
Sun: Tai Chi in Riverside Park
When those are not available or on a rainy day, there's cheap hot yoga from Yoga To The People for $5!!
I've been taking advantage of many of these wonderful events, but still didn't feel like I was getting any closer to happiness in a bikini. I even tried a few free sessions with a personal trainer at Serious Strength, but didn't feel like 30 mins 2x/wk was doing anything on its own.
I realize something drastic needs to be done, so I'm committing to 30-days on the Tracy Anderson Method (TAM). I picked up her book Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method: The Weight-Loss Kick-Start that Makes Perfection Possible
. I figure Gwennyth Paltrow and Shakira's trainer must know something that can help! The Daily Julie was an inspiration for me, so I decided to just do it!!
There are 3 parts to her method:
1) Mat workout
Strength moves that take me back to dance class in Brooklyn 20 years ago with what feel like grueling leg lifts, crunches and arm moves to sculpt the small accessory muscles for a lean look rather than bulking up!
2) Cardio
40 minutes of a cardio dance routine that, admittedly, even I had trouble following without the typically annoying cheerleader-y instructions Tracy has conveniently left out. But after getting it down and adding my own music, it's lots of fun
3) Meal plan
The hard part for me will be the food. Even though we've become a much healthier household over the years, there are still cookies and cupcakes and pretzels in the line-up which are big no-nos for Tracy. Day 2 and I'm still surviving - even without my beloved lattes!!!! I am going off the reservation a bit. Tracy said we're supposed to eat exactly what she laid out for the first 30-days. I am, however, eating her recipes but not in the exact order. My reasoning is that I'm a busy mom and only have so much time.
On Sunday I made double batches of 2 recipes: sweet potato corn pudding and the AMAZING choco chestnut pudding. With that and some store bought carrot ginger soup and lowfat strawberry kefir, I'm good to go for a few days. I've been drining my weight in water and green tea and trying not to overeat but she did say if we're hungry, we can increase our portions until we're satisfied but not stuffed. It just has to be her food.
Today's Day 2 of TAM - wish me luck!
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
Bug Bites
It'sABusyLife - re-start
Wouldn't ya know it...life got too busy to blog! Over the past year I've taken on more at work, taken to trying (and sometimes failing) to keep up with my very active toddler and trying to be more available to/on top of the teenager. But I found I was jack of all trades and master of none - isn't that the classic mom dilemma??
I need an outlet, like a blog, and a few more glasses of wine to help me keep it all together. Hoping my outlet gives you a few useful pieces of information to help you along in your busy life too :).
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
I need an outlet, like a blog, and a few more glasses of wine to help me keep it all together. Hoping my outlet gives you a few useful pieces of information to help you along in your busy life too :).
It'sABusyLife,
Danielle
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