2013 Weekly Challenge #8: Eat Your (Veggie) Soup!

One of the the best things you can do for your body is fuel it right, and there's nothing better than veggies.

In the winter, at least for me, it gets a little harder to get in all 7 to 9 servings of vegetables my body needs. When it is cold and rainy outside, and all I want is comfort food, a salad or crunchy carrots just doesn't seem to fit the bill.

That's where this soup comes in. Warm and delicious, and versatile enough to enjoy as a snack or a full meal, veggie soup is comfort good that it good for your body.

Your challenge for the week: Cook up a big pot of veggie soup on the first day of the challenge. Add your favorite veggies, or add some protein to make it a complete meal. Eat it when you need a snack, or a meal, or just something warm and delicious. Enjoy your comfort food, and know that you are doing something great for your body and your health.

Have a great week!

VEGGIE SOUP
1-2 cloves fresh garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
3-4 (or more) cans chicken broth
1 onion
1 head of cabbage
3-4 carrots
3-4 celery stalks
1 red bell pepper
1-2 yellow squash
1-2 green squash

Chop all the vegetables and saute all but the squash in a big soup pot with a little oil and add 2-3 cloves of fresh chopped garlic. Saute for about 15-20 minutes until the veggies are starting to get soft. Chop and add the squash and 1 can of diced tomatoes. Then add 3-4 cans of chicken broth, or more if you want it soupy. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer for about 30-40 minutes.

You can add whatever vegetables you like to this soup. To change it up use a can of Rotel tomatoes with mild green chilies, or add a can of kidney beans, black, beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans or potatoes. You can also add turkey or chicken for a change.

2013 Weekly Challenge #7: Declutter your life!

This week’s challenge is to de-clutter your life!

Clutter can be draining and de-energizing. By getting more organized, you simplify and live a more meaningful life.   I don't know about you, but when I'm surrounded by crap, I feel  like crap and can't live my best life.

This week, pick a drawer, a closet, or a room depending on your time and ambition  and get rid of the junk!  You can give away things you no longer use, and dust off the things you forgot you had! You will live more simply and freely as you de-clutter one step at a time.

Have an outstanding week!

2013 Weekly Challenge #6: What's YOUR excuse?

This week is about excuses.

We all have them...the voices in our heads that come up with amazing reasons not to work out,  to procrastinate on a project, or to avoid someone we promised to spend time with. These voices are excuses, and we really all do have them and heed them more than we should.

How are your excuses preventing you from living your best life?  How do your excuses steal you Mojo?

If you are having a hard time getting motivated, or staying motivated, take a look at why. What are YOUR excuses and why are you sabotaging yourself?

Your challenge this week: Listen to the voices that make up your excuses and hear what they are saying. Write them all down.  Then come up with a strategy to defeat them.  Use a reward systems, an accountability partner or even a simple mantra to break through your excuses and get back to (fitness) business. 

Remember this:  If something is truly important to you, you will find a way to make it happen.  If it isn't truly important, you can always find an excuse.

How important is your MOJO to you?

Have a great week!

2013 Weekly Challenge #5: A Healthy Super Bowl

The BIG GAME is this weekend, and that means party time!

Leading a fit and healthy lifestyle doesn't mean you have to forgo the celebrations this weekend.  Mama Bootcamp is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change and so you can still enjoy fun gatherings like a Superbowl Party but with delicious, healthy food.  Your challenge this week is to consider nutrient-packed healthy party foods and keep away from the over-processed junk food.  Dips like salsa or hummus are great with carrots and jicima.  Fresh salsa from the deli or dairy case is better than jarred on the shelf.  If you serve them with chips, go with the baked style instead of fried.  Every supermarket around will be featuring avocados on sale this week since guacamole is a popular football party food. 

Here is a great recipe for guacamole from our food coach Erika!


Erika's Easy Guacamole
2 or 3 medium sized ripe avocados (if avocados are from Costco, 2 makes a lot)
Juice from 1 lime or 2 tsp of lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh style salsa or pico de gallo (Casa Sanchez mild salsa is my favorite brand)
Chopped fresh cilantro, about 1 tablespoon
Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper and garlic powder- season to taste

Remove avocado flesh from the skin and in a medium size bowl mash slightly with a fork, but leave it a bit chunky.  Mix in lime juice, salsa and cilantro.  Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Taste and add more of anything you want more of.  You can add more heat with a dash of hot sauce (like Frank’s or Crystal brand) or a dash of cayenne pepper.  Note:  I don't care for chopped raw onion in my guacamole, I find it too strong and takes away from the star of the show, avocado.  The addition of the fresh salsa adds just the right amount of onion and tomato as a hint of seasoning.  But if you love onion, go for it.


The most important part of your party plan should be just that:  PLAN!  Plan what you will eat, and what you will skip.  Plan to bring your favorite water bottle and use it to stay hydrated.  Plan to have a great day!  And, of course...plan to cheer on the 49ers!


Have a great week!