Do you wear yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve?

Let me start by saying my family is unique. I wanted to share with you a story. Growing up my grandmother Amparo (May she rest in peace) created a wonderful tradition for my family.  Every New Year’s Eve we wrote ourselves a letter. In this letter you announced what you are grateful for this year & what you desire from the next year. Then you sealed the envelope and put it away and you did not open it till next year’s New Years Eve, after sealing your new letter. Not only did we have a letter as our tradition, we also wore yellow underwear (for good luck) carried suitcase (that symbolized traveling all year to be together) we had coins in our hands (symbolizing prosperity & wealth) and of course ran up a staircase (symbolizing progress forward). Yes we did all of this exactly at midnight as a family every New Years Eve.

Through your letter, you have manifested your goals, visualized them, and put them on paper .It’s nice to open it a year later to see if you have accomplished your goals from the previous year, and what changes in your wants & needs. I challenge you all to create your own New Years Traditions & resolutions- write your letter. Give it a try! As said before-- set your goal!

2012 is going to be a wonderful year….Bring in the New Year with love, happiness & goals.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”  C.S. Lewis

WILL YOU GET UP OR GIVE UP?

You might have thought I have forgotten about our challenge, since it’s been 3 days, but no I haven’t. Just like most people at some point in time you fall off the wagon. Yes I have. I thought I could tough it out through the holidays, but nope, the treats especially the truffles got to me :)

On the brighter side, it made me think- wait a minute just cause you fall down it doesn’t mean you quit! Right? You get right back up and continue where you left off. Instead of beating yourself up – enjoy the moment, treats & relaxation.  Just think of this time as a reward,  you have worked hard for 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years, so you deserve your reward and rest-  then start back up another day. 

Once you built some muscle, you will realize your body has great muscle memory, even if you don’t feel it at the moment, give it a few weeks of consistent workout and you will bounce right back – looking & feeling great.

“Ambition is the path to success, persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”
William Eardley

WHAT CAN YOU ACHIEVE IN 8 DAYS?

Since all we have left is 8 days, it’s time to reflect & look forward to bringing it hard this next week. In the meantime, let’s go over a few things we have learnt the past couple of weeks. It’s very important to keep hydrated. How many of you noticed that when you workout you are more aware of your water intake and hydrate better? Let’s just keep drinking the H2O.

It’s also important to be aware of our food intake. Try to substitute unhealthy sugar with fruit and cut back on your salt. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet. No Butter or Ice Cream J cause he needs that stuff anyway!  Eat healthy grains like brown rice & Quinoa. Add super foods into your daily diet & get stuffiest rest- also referred to as Beauty Sleep.

But most importantly is SET YOUR GOAL- If you can envision your success, and believe in it, that’s half the work.

Today is a day off from any exercise. If you have already done your routine, then take tomorrow off.

Eat Breakfast

By eating breakfast you are starting your metabolism. Kind of like starting your car engine, you put energy into it and once it starts it keep going. Also if you eat breakfast then you don’t over eat at lunch or dinner.

Some quick and easy breakfast options can be granola & yogurt- eggs- toast- fruit- oatmeal- fruit smoothie- handful of nuts whole grains – healthy cereals.

Keep up on your workouts!

White Rice, Brown Rice or Quinoa

White rice is not very nutritious. White rice has less vitamins, fiber and protein that brown rice or Quinoa. Quinoa is one of the most nutritious grains you can find, but if you don’t like Quinoa or it’s hard for you to find then your second choice should be brown rice.

 It’s important to try and get the most nutrition possible out of your food.

I found this study on Cooking Quinoa that I thought would be a good way to share overall nutritional value of all three.

http://www.cookingquinoa.net

Today is Day # 16- As for your workout keep up the good work & no cheating on your wall sits!

 

VITB1mg	VIT B2mg	NIACIN mg	VIT B 6mg	FOLATEug	VIT Eug	Calcium mg	Phosphorous mg	Iron mg	Potassium mg	Zinc mg	Magnesium mg	Score
QUINOA	0.198	0.396	2.93	0.223	49	-	60	41	9.25	740	3.3	210
Score	2	4	3	2	5	-	6	1	10	7	3	6	49
BROWN RICE	0.413	0.043	5.91	0.509	20	0.661	33	264	1.8	268	2.02	143
Score	4	1	6	5	2	10	3	5	2	3	2	4	47
WHITE RICE	0.07	0.048	2.88	0.145	9	-	9	108	0.8	86	1.16	35
Score	1	1	3	1	1	-	1	2	1	1	1	1	14

 

Table of comparison of vitamin and mineral composition per 100gm of raw edible Quinoa, Brown and White Rice

	Carbohydrates	Proteins	Dietary Fiber	Fats	Vitamins & Minerals	Total Score
Quinoa	6	10	6	6	49	77
Brown Rice	7	8	3	3	47	68
White Rice	8	7	0	1	14	30