Sunday, January 23, 2011

Positive Body-Image Positive Self-Esteem Love Yourself Purely Fit Video ...

Positive Body-Image and Self-Esteem Sunday

What have you said that was truly nice about yourself today? Did you tell yourself you loved you? Did you send yourself love? Did you believe it?
Truly loving the essence of you, your spirit, who you truly are, is the first step in learning how to truly love your body!
So many women try and get their ideal body from the outside first, resulting in the dreaded weight-loss/weight-gain yo-yo cycle. When you don't address the issues of how you truly feel about yourself and your body first, you can't live in the body you are meant to be in.
Today's video will take you through the process of "flipping" negative body-image thoughts, which will help you achieve your ideal body, forever!
Enjoy, and for more information or questions, Please email me!
Stay Purely Fit!
Shannon

Play Outside - Purely Fit Video Series 7

Sexy Hip Moves - Purely Fit Video Series 6

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday - I.-A.M. day, be sensual

Today is I.-A.M. (Independent Authentic Movement) day! It's all about being sensual, sexual and feeling good about moving your body! It's about getting in touch with your femininity and loving yourself.

One common problem I have seen in my female clients over the past 25 years is the disconnect that happens between their body and soul. This comes from being a spouse, mom, friend, daughter, sister, brother, caregiver, cook, driver and putting everyone and everything else in your life first. You forget what it feels like to be a girl, to feel you body, not just use it to help take care of others.

I developed the I.-A.M.! class as a way for my female clients to explore movement in a safe, non-judgemental environment. My years of taking and teaching different styles of free dance such as hip-hop, burlesque, pole-dancing and free-form dancing helped me develop this unique fun class, that encourages women to love moving their body, for THEMSELVES!

The video for today has a technical glitch, so it will be posted tomorrow along with the Saturday -Get Outside and Play video. Be sure and check it out, I show you two really fun moves that will teach you how to connect to the power of your hips!

Remember girls, love your body, love moving your body and it will love you!

Until tomorrow - Stay Purely Fit!
Shannon

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Information on Video 4

Today's video is on how to De-Stress, with tips on beginning meditation, yoga and dance stretch. I normally go to a quiet location up away from noise for these videos, but due to time constraints today I had to stay closer to home. While filming I encountered excess noise and my Husky Slush trying to help. ;o) This is a great lesson to learn how to quiet your mind, relax and meditate through noise, distraction and stress.

So enjoy the tips and information and please let me know if you have any questions! Tomorrow is strength training with focus on your core this week.

Stay Purely Fit,
Shannon

De-Stress Meditation Wednesday Purely Fit Video Series 4

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Purely Fit Video Nutrition video 3

Healthy Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

This recipe is from one of my vegetarian magazines. It's one of the better cupcake recipes I've tried. Now, I don't really like cupcakes. I'm just not a fan of cakey-stuff, I prefer brownies or just plain chocolate bars! My son and husband however, are experts! This recipe has passed the guys seal of approval.

Join me tomorrow for De-Stress Wednesday!

Stay Purely Fit and enjoy a cupcake!

Shannon





Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

Frosting
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Finely grated zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
Cupcakes
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded, peeled zucchini (about 2 small)

Instructions

Frosting
  1. Combine the egg whites, sugar, salt and vanilla extract in a heatproof bowl.
  2. Set over (not in) a pan of simmering water.
  3. Stir continuously over heat until the mixture is warm and the sugar is completely dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Remove the bowl from the heat.
  5. Using a handheld electric or standing mixer, set on high beat until the mixture is entirely cooled, glossy and stiff, about 7 minutes.
  6. Beat in the lemon zest, and add the butter cubes, a few at a time, beating until the butter is almost fully incorporated after each addition.
  7. Beat until smooth – once smooth, take care not to over beat, or the mixture will get lumpy.
  8. Let frosting set and cool in the refrigerator (at least 30 minutes) while making the cupcakes.
Cupcakes
  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
  2. Arrange a rack in the center of the oven. Line a 12-muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
  4. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla with a handheld electric or standing mixer until thick and light colored, about 4 minutes.
  5. Beat in the zucchini on medium speed until fully incorporated.
  6. Add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until fully incorporated, scraping down the bowl once with a spatula during beating.
  7. Use a 1/3 cup measure to spoon into the muffin cups.
  8. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes, turning the pans midway through baking.
  9. Transfer cupcakes onto a wire rack, and cool completely before icing with the chilled frosting.



Purely Fit Video Monday Energize lesson2

Monday's Mishap, Energize, Nutrition and More!

Well yesterday's video in the Purely Fit video series didn't get uploaded because of a technical glitch. The glitch is being fixed right now and both Mondays video and today (Tues) will be posted by this evening.

Mondays are dedicated to Energy, how to stay energized naturally, tips and info on cardiovascular exercise and fat-burning. Yesterday's video shows how to incorporate a little cardio into your daily routine without leaving your chair. Cardio-Chair exercising is a great way to get your heart pumping at the office for a midday pick-up, or in the evening while watching you favorite TV show. In yesterdays video I also show you a quick 5 minute breathing-stretch exercise that helps ward off midday fatigue! It's way better than grabbing a sugary snack or high caffeine drink that will have you crashing a few hours later.

Today is Tuesday. Tuesdays are dedicated to Nutrition. I will be exploring the soul-mind-body connection to food, how we feel about food determines how it assimilates in your body, and giving you healthy recipes!

Get up and move today, say ONE nice thing about your body today and eat something that makes you feel good body, mind and soul today!

Until tomorrow - Stay Purely Fit!

Shannon

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Comfort Food Recipe to warm up those winter days!

It's 85 degrees here in sunny Southern California today, a heat wave even for us! So it's kind of hard to talk about comfort food that warms you in this kind of weather. I know there are many places right now that are knee deep in snow and sub-zero weather, so I'm posting the comfort food recipe just for you!

This first recipe is great by itself or as a side dish.

I LOVE potatoes! I love them baked, fried and mashed. What I don't love is grease, fat and extra calories that turn a healthy vitamin packed food into a heart-attack waiting to happen.

The potato has received some bad press, with many avoiding the potato or sweet potato completely. In actuality the potato is a healthy complex carbohydrate that is low in calories, high in fiber and vital nutrients.

This recipe is for healthy mashed-potatoes. Serve them with a main dish, or eat them as a main dish!

MASHED RED POTATOES

*1 lb small red potatoes, unpeeled an scrubbed
*1 tbsp olive oil
*1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
*1 tsp minced fresh rosemary leaves
*1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
*1/4 cup skim milk
*Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Step One:
Cut potatoes in half and place in a medium saucepan. Fill pan with enough cold water to cover potatoes by at least 1 inch. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes or until fork-tender.

Step Two:
At the same time, heat oil on medium-low in a small skillet. Add leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 8 minutes. Add rosemary and stir for 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat.

Step Three:
In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and milk; set aside.

Step Four: When potatoes are tender, drain well then return to pot. Lightly mash potatoes using a potato masher or large fork. Add leeks, sour cream mixture, salt and pepper, then stir until creamy but still slightly chunky.
Serve immediately.

Serves: 4
Total time: 30 minutes

Calories: 154
Fat: 5 grams
Carbs: 23 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Sugars: 4 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Sodium: 148 mg
Cholesterol: 8 mg

Friday, January 14, 2011

Friday Fitness

Fantastic Friday everyone!

After a long year off from blogging, focusing on writing and my SUP Shape-Up class, it's now time to get back to it! Purely Fit is officially launching our daily online Positive Self-Image Fitness and Nutritional Training tips, February 2011! I will also be blogging weekly and sharing fitness tips, healthy recipes and positive self-esteem tips for your best body ever!


Today is a great day to think about your fitness goals for the weekend. Although the weekends are well needed for rest and relaxation, it's also a good time to add a little extra movement to your week. Assess your movement and eating for this past week and determine what your fitness and nutrition goals should be for the next few days.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a great winter recipe that soothes and comforts, but is low-calorie, vegetarian and good fuel for your body!

~Shannon