Valentines Day!

Wishing everyone a day of self love and appreciation!  Let today be a time to reflect on YOU, literally the most important person in your life.  Remember you matter so do something nice for yourself!

Today can be the start to many days of self love.... You shouldn't have to wait for 1 day a year to feel special.  Make Valentine's day EVERYDAY!

For those joining me today at Crunch, not only will you get a AWESOME workout, but I have a special treat for you too.

Have a great day!

See you soon.

Taj 

Love Your Muscles!

Hello Folks and Happy February! I am sure each of you reading this blog has seen some commercial or  noticed the seasonal section at your local store promoting the either dreaded or looked forward too holiday Valentine's Day!

Well I challenge you to take a new approach to LOVE this month.  Starting with Love Your Muscles!  Its a charity event put together to support ALS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  ALS is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.  It comes in many forms such as: 

• Muscular Dystrophy 
• Lou Gehrig's Disease  

CRUNCH has been a HUGE supporter of the Charity Augies Quest which was started by Augie himself, the Founder of most of the gym equipment who use:  LifeCycle.   Unfortunately this fitness guru has ALS  and we are doing our part for the entire month to raise money for a good cause! 

How can you help?  EASY - Log onto Love Your Muscles and learn more about ways YOU can help us to make a difference.   

• Make a simple dollar donation
• Buy specially packaged Personal Training Sessions 
• Attend one of our 1-3 hour workshops

Speaking of workshops: looking for a totally awesome way to spend a couple hours this Sunday gearing up for LOVE?  Check out the Relax and Breathe Workshop dedicated to yoga and a bit of mediation.  Trust me I am sure we all need a little more breathing and relaxing in our lives.  Or maybe you want to escape all the lovey dovey folks.  I'd join you if I wasn't going to be in FL running a Half Marathon on the same day. 

SOOOO.... Please go in my place, Sunday Feb 12th 1-3pm at the Ft Greene Crunch! Bring a Friend or your LOVED one and tell them I sent you!  :)  Can't make it this Sunday we have TONS of other workshops across the country, yes from LA to Miami.   Log on and join a workshop near you.  

For every one of my followers that makes a donation or attends a workshop I will add an additional dollar to my own donation. But you have to email me so I can keep track.  If I had Donald's money I'd go bigger, but I have 180+ followers.  :) 

Keep in touch!  And see you soon. 

Taj

photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt220/4343621338/sizes/s/in/photostream/  

Day 31 of New Year New You

CONGRATULATIONS!  You made it to day 31!

This may be the last day of the month but this is not going to be our last time together.  This is not the end of a New Year New You as I said yesterday this has just been the beginning.  I will certainly be sharing lots of stories, recipes, interesting facts and more as the days progress.  You have inspired me to continue to write consistently so please keep coming back!

So here we go Day 31:

Fitness: 

Let your inner child out!  Do some activity that makes you feel like a kid inside.  Its time to show off that fun side you keep hidden behind the desk.  Take a dance class, go skating, jump on the trampoline in Rebounding at Crunch. 

Just have fun!  My favorite inner child thing is dancing to my favorite playlist or song.  And I am not afraid to do it in public.  :O) 

Food:

Try Again!  Didn't get an opportunity to cook one of this months recipes, like me.  The hubby cooked tonight so hopefully I will do the Spinach Pasta tonight.  :) 

Here is another opportunity for you to go back over one of those recipes and give it a try.  Oh and THANKS! I finally received a recipe email.  Whew Who!!!  Remember I'd love to hear from you and it doesn't have to be anything hard or gourmet.  Each of us has our own little flair or twist on something.  Just share something you like.

Self Growth:

Let your success inspire you!  Hopefully you are on your way to making exercise, eating and doing things for self improvement a regular part of your routine.  I am sure you are looking and feeling better.  Take time today to reflect on your successes:

• The recipes you tried
• Taking time Off
• Accepting Change in your fitness routine
• Sharing with others
• You take the stairs more

Remember this: "Allowing yourself to take on this challenge for the past 31 days will benefit you in more ways then one."  Yesterday your Self Growth was to Set New Goals, If you didn't do it, do it NOW!  

Until Tomorrow, 

Taj 

photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/caliorg/6141737562/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 30 of New Year New You

Well folks it seems like January just would not slow down for us, but hey we still have 11 more months to go this year!  Developing the New You doesn't stop tomorrow.  Its just beginning!  These past 30 days have been a great adventure and wonderful challenge.  I wasn't able to complete all three task each day which wasn't the purpose and I am proud to say I will be carrying some of these things over with me to Feb.  How about you?

No one said these task can ONLY be done this Month.  So if you were late to join the Challenge or wanted to do something one day but ran out of time, there is always tomorrow and the next day!

So let's get started with Day 30: 

Fitness:
Challenge yourself!  We have done several different body part exercises from being at the office to working out in the gym.  Pick ONE and see if you can accomplish it even better the second time around.

Now if for any reason you are the same, good.  If you're not that's fine too!  You know what that means?  You have found an opportunity for growth.  See Self Growth below and see how you can apply.

Food:
Whip up something.  I have posted at least 5 recipes for you to try this month.  Go back through the days and see which one catches your eye.  Plan to make it TODAY.  Maybe its the breakfast smoothie I posted, or the hangover juice cure.  How about the Lemon Chicken or Lemon Tofu Steak recipe.

There are several options to choose from the past 29 days.  I personally will be doing yesterday's Pasta and Spinach Gratin.  I picked up all the ingredients today.  Planned to give it a try this evening but I got caught up making the Breakfast Hermits from last week.  :)  Check out my picture above and yes they are pretty tasty.  Yes it a little time consuming but nothing you can't handle on the weekend.  And its really easy to follow and do.  Have questions or want substitutes so its a little less healthy?  ASK!  I got you covered.

Oh and if you will be taking my class this week and would like to try one, let me know I will bring some to the gym, I have 4 dozen.  :)

Self Growth:
Commitment!  To keep the commitment going from these past 30 days, now is a good time to consider what you'd like to accomplish next month.  Make it something specific and attainable in 28 days.  Keeping up your success is truly about going forward one day at a time, just like we did here.  If this challenge worked for you follow the model and watch yourself progress all the way through December 2012.

Post your goals on the fridge, your desk, make them your screen saver, you get the point but remember you only have 28 days to get it done.  Want some help with accountability? Send me your Feb Goals and I can check in on you!  Taj Harris

Until Tomorrow,

Taj

photo:  Taj Harris - from my loving kitchen

Day 29 of New Year New You

Well Folks this is our last Sunday for the New Year New You Challenge.  BUT this is not the last you will hear from me. I have lots more to share as the year progresses.

So here we go Sunday Jan 29th!

Fitness:
Plus One!  Take a loved one with you today and enjoy a physical activity together.  This doesn't have to be gym related, try these ideas out:

• Walking around Macy's
• Cleaning out the basement
• Going for a bike ride
• Rearrange the furniture

Now if your loved one isn't down for any of the above, go ahead hit the gym or your favorite yoga studio.   Whatever you do today, don't do it alone! 

Food: 

Quick and Easy!  We may not have a rest day from physical activity like yesterday but there is no need to get bogged down in the kitchen either.  So try this quick and easy to the table dinner meal. 

Pasta and Spinach Gratin

1 lb tubular pasta (rigatoni, ziti or penne)

6 cups of Fresh baby Spinach

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Pinch of Salt

2 Cloves of garlic, minced

1 Cup Cream

1/2 teaspoon Chili flakes

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese (or a cheese of your choice)

• Preheat oven to 375.  Grease a 9x13 rectangular casserole dish
• Bring a stockpot of salted water to a boil then add pasta.  Cook until just a little less than al dente, drain
• While pasta is boiling - Heat oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat.   Add garlic and chili flakes, stir while cooking for 1 minute.  Then add Spinach.  (you might have to add it in batches)
• When Spinach has cooked down, season with a pinch of kosher salt.  Stir into the cooked pasta
• Take entire mixture and pour into the prepared casserole dish. Pour cream over the pasta and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
• Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crunchy and sauce is bubbly. 

Total Time 40 minutes!  Enjoy

Self Growth:

Just Because!  I am not sure what FTD stands for but I'm going to say "Florist That Deliver."  Everyone likes getting flowers wether its at work or home.  So go online and plan to send flowers to someone tomorrow!   

Write on the note:  Just Because!  You can leave it like that or fill in the blank: Just Because ________ Whatever the reason I am sure you will be the talk of the day.  

As a bonus if you are a SkyMiles member you too will get for giving!!!  Now that's not bad, you get Skymiles for sending flowers.  So stop procrastinating and get on it, its a win/win.  

Until Tomorrow, 

Taj 

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/4510152438/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 28 of New Year New You

Whew, we made it to the weekend baby, Enjoy!  I am starting the day with my last long run before the race on Feb 12th in St Petersburg FL.  :)  Trust me I'd rather be sleeping in but a girls got to do what a girls got to do.  And I have two ladies from my run group joining me so I have to be up and adam at 8am!

However don't let my fitness activities make you feel lazy... its Saturday enjoy the day, you have my permission -  Be Lazy!

Here we go Day 28:

Fitness:
Unlike me you should be RESTING!  Yup is time for a day off.  But you probably figured out that was coming.  You can't workout 7 days a week and expect your body to love and respond to you in kind.  My day off is tomorrow. Yours is TODAY so take advantage of it.

Food: 
Feeling like a lil Brunch because you took my advice and slept in?  Well if you don't have a waffle iron to make your own Belgian waffles?  You can opt for 2 honey sweetened waffles made by Van's in your toaster.   Only 180 calories and .5g of saturated fat!  I'll take it!  Or you can stop by Jamba Juice and pick up Belgian waffle there only 310 calories and one is equal to TWO toaster size.   Add an coffee or tea and enjoy, guilt free!

PS. If you like waffles... go grab a waffle iron from bed bath and beyond... I have a great recipe I'd like to share with you.

Self Growth:
Be kind to yourself!  Do something today to reflect on kindness for your body and all it's hard work, like:

• Taking the day off from exercise
• Getting a massage
• Taking a hot bath
• Going Shopping for a new outfit
• Signing up for a PT sessions
• Lying on the couch and watching TV

I don't care what you do, just make sure you are doing something today with YOU in mind.  Its a Love Yourself Day!

Until tomorrow,


Taj

photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhaithaca/357480376/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 27 of New Year New You

Happy Friday!  Its the last Friday of the month!  Doesn't it seem like you were just reading Day 1 of our challenge yesterday?  Well before you get sad because you realize Jan 31st is really around the corner, keep your head up we are still taking it one day at a time and you NEVER know what I might offer for Feb. :)

So let's get started with Day 27:

Fitness:
OOOOMMMM!  Treat your body to a yoga class today!  Usually take yoga on Friday? Then try a different type like:

• Bikram
• Ashtanga
• Iyengar
• Prana Power
• Kundalini 

Allow your body time to find repair and restoration.  For some the body might just embark on a new experience and way of working out those tired muscles.  Never did Yoga before?  No problem, just let he instructor know you are new and I am sure he or she will be glad to help you out.

Food:
Savor your food!  Slow down today and enjoy every meal, even the quick snacks.  We have taste buds for a reason.  Use them!  No eating in front of the TV, computer or while talking on the phone.  Have your meal in front of you and enjoy the flavors, maybe try to notice what seasonings were used especially if you are at a restaurant.

If you're doing the cooking, you should be savoring the fruits of your labor not woofing it down.  Its even nicer with a friend.  Share the experience.  Make it fun: Imagine yourself having that glass of Red wine in an Argentina Vineyard or sitting on top of a mountain over looking the ocean while you eat a Mango.

Taste buds do more then tell us we don't like something, they create memories.  Feel the textures, taste the flavor and enjoy every bite. Its been said good food can be "orgasmic!"

Well it has been said.......  :) So go there if you dare.

Self Growth:
Break away!  Did you know that 90+% of women sit around and have "fat talk" and I don't mean about other people.  How many of us are guilty of comparing diet trends, or our weight to our friends who just happens to be taller then you?  

Go ahead admit it, you have number envy! Are you competitive when it comes to your friends body image? Do you fall into the traps set out by main stream media and tabloids which happen to be sitting at the check out right next to the M & M's and Twix Bars.  Ironic!  Or worse have you allowed family to scar you with self body images that you can't seem to shake?

Misery loves company.  Nows the time for you to BREAK AWAY from the negative chit chat and surround yourself with positive outlooks. Don't get sucked into the "have nots" i.e. taking a compliment and turning it into a negative:  "Wow you look good" your response: "Really do you see this jelly roll." Stop agreeing with a friend who might say, "ugh I feel fat", and you say "me too".  You are just adding fuel to the fire and body bashing never gets us very far.

Smile! Take a compliment and remember that we have LOTS to be grateful for when it comes to our bodies, from head to toe.  Make it a LOVE YOURSELF day EVERYDAY!  So what if you put on a few pounds, on the bright side you aren't starving or missing meals.  :)

Until Tomorrow,

Taj

photo:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/easypickle/16823755/sizes/s/in/photostream/