New Years Resolution one month early

Spin class has started again and I'm so excited! I'm also trying to eat cleaner than I have been and cut out some of the junk I'm started eating. So let's see how it goes.



First class- Monday

Spin

I started spin class again after 2 months off due to unexpected circumstances with the instructor. I am so excited to get back into classes because I love how quickly I see results. I am going twice a week and have signed up until April. By then I'm sure I will be bikini ready!

To keep me motivated I am tracking my progress each class. I'm also making sure to lift weights and do some cardio 4 other days of the week at the gym as well and I realized how much I missed lifting. I've gained some weight in the past few months and am ready to get back down to my previous size, so I think I'm on the right track.

Second class- Friday

 

Third class- Wednesday

Fourth class- Friday

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Today was a sugar cookie baking day! My students have been performing Random Acts of Kindness and they decided they wanted to deliver Christmas cookies to people/places in the community. Since I only have them in class for an hour I had to bake the cookies and they will decorate them tomorrow at school.

Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cups butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer. Add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt, then combine with the wet mixture. Wrap in Saran wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Roll out sections of dough on a floured surface and use a cookie cutter to make shapes.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cookies.

Let cool, then ice with Royal Icing.

These cookies are really simple to make and yummy to eat! You can even freeze them once baked and iced. Now I just need to try a gluten free version.

French Onion Soup

It snowed today. Actually, it snowed Friday and Saturday too. Don't get me wrong, I love snow. I just love snow in December instead of the middle of October. Snow makes everything more pretty, almost enchanted. I wish I had a fireplace to cuddle up near by with a good book and a cup of tea and that would make for a perfect weekend.

But I don't.

Instead I spent the day making pumpkin pie pancakes, working out at the gym, making French onion soup, and spending the evening with my family...pretty close to perfect!

And yesterday, although cold, was bright and I spent the early afternoon taking pictures with my dog and boyfriend. Here are a few of my favourites.



 



When my parents invited us for supper I knew I was going to bring homemade French onion soup to warm us all up. It got rave reviews and I was told it was better than a restaurants!

French Onion Soup
5-6 large sweet yellow onions
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
a few sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 tbsp. dry
1/2 cup sherry
1 box beef broth
1 box chicken broth
2 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste
croutons, bread, etc., toasted
grated swiss, provolone, and mozza cheeses

1. Add butter and olive oil to a large pot on medium low heat. Add onions and stir every 20 minutes or so.
2. Once onions are soft and starting to turn light brown, add the thyme. Cook until the onions are completely soft and caramel coloured.
3. Add the sherry to the onions and cook for a few minutes. Add the beef and chicken stock and bay leaf and bring to a boil.
4. After the liquid reaches a boil, turn to low heat and let cook for a few hours. The longer the better. Remove the bay leaf. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. When ready to serve, ladle the soup into oven safe bowls. Place the toasted bread of your choice on top of the liquid, then cover with the cheeses.
6. Broil in the oven until bubbly and golden.

You Spin Me Right Round, Baby, Right Round

Photo credit

So I joined a Spin Class.

At first I thought it was the greatest idea I had ever had, so I talked a few friends in to joining me. Then as the class loomed closer I got more and more nervous and was pretty sure it was the worst idea I ever had. I hate riding bikes. What was I thinking??

My first class proved me correct. I hate riding bikes. That seat HURTS! The whole class all I could think about was getting off of that horrible seat. The instructor told us that we would get used to it after a few classes, and the pain took my mind off of how much my legs hurt. We were all covered in sweat and completely exhausted by the end of the 45 minutes, but as soon as I tenderly got off of the seat and the numbness started to go away, I knew I was in love.

I couldn't wait until the next class!

Fortunately the instructor was right. You do get used to the seat and every class my butt hurts less. Not to mention how much tighter my legs and butt are too. Spin class is amazing! It is an incredible workout where I can challenge myself to go further than I did in the last class. I love it so much I signed up for a second class and now go twice a week.

Combined with my clean eating, gym sessions, and yoga classes starting soon I am pretty confident I will once again fit into my size 2 clothes that don't fit right now. Thank goodness for great ideas!

Orange Pumpkin Smoothie

It is officially pumpkin season. Yesterday I made yummy pumpkin muffins that didn't use the whole can of pumpkin purée so I have been trying to use it up in different ways. So far I mixed it into my plain greek yogurt with some ground flax and half a package of Stevia, and then into a smoothie after the gym. It would also be so good in oatmeal pancakes but I will save that for a weekend! 

Here is what I put into the smoothie:

Skim milk (maybe half a cup)

Orange juice (more than the milk)

1 tbsp. roasted ground flax

1 tsp. chia seeds

2 spoonfuls of plain nonfat greek yogurt

A sprinkle of cinnamon

5 ice cubes

My measurements are just approximates because I just throw ingredients in until my blender cup is full, plus I like lots of ice. 

The smoothie wasn't very sweet so you could always add maple syrup or vanilla protein powder to make it sweeter. 

Beef Soup

I posted on my Facebook status that I was making soup today and had some requests for the recipe so here it is!

Beef Soup
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
2 small potatoes, peeled and diced
1 small package stewing beef, cut into small cubes
1 box beef broth
3 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. sherry (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
optional: rice, barley, quinoa, noodles

In a big pot add the oil, onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for a few minutes, then add the beef. Once the beef is browned add all of the other ingredients, except for the optional add ins (rice, barley, etc.). Bring to a boil then simmer for a few hours. I let it simmer all afternoon on the lowest heat possible and then served it over rice noodles. If you are using something else, like rice or pasta then add it for the required time closer to when you want to serve it.