Weight Training at Home: February 2013

Push ups challenge and eat more greens

If this doesn't get your body moving, I don't know what will.....Check this out!

Push Up Freestylers

One of my ALL time fave songs and don't even mention the clip, it's crazy and I LOVE IT!!!! So watch this space for some Dani action and her push ups video clip!!!!

So here we go!!

4 week push up program 1-31st March

I am going to keep it simple so please adjust accordingly to your fitness level and reduce or increase your push up reps. Choose your preferred days.

Week 1

Day 1

3
4
4

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 2

4
4
5

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 3

5
6
6

NB: Allow 2 minutes rest between sets

Total push ups for Week 1 = 41

Week 2

Day 1

7
7
7

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 2

7
8
8

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 3

8
8
9

NB: Allow 2 minutes rest between sets

Total push ups for Week 2 = 69

Week 3

Day 1

8
9
10

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 2

10
11
12

NB: Allow 2 minutes rest between sets

Day 3

11
12
12

NB: Allow 2 minutes rest between sets

Total push ups for Week 3 = 95

Week 4

Day 1

12
13
13

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 2

13
14
13

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Day 3

15
15
17

NB: Allow 90 seconds rest between sets

Total push ups for Week 4 = 125

Grand total push ups in 4 weeks = 330

Even the green man himself The Incredible Hulk is asking ARE YOU READY? I know this program may seem a bit light for those that are used to push ups and are doing them in their regular fitness regime but I am totally hopeless, I am never consistent and I want to try and get more than 5 mens style push ups in a row by the end of the month. I know there are many of you too that cannot do proper push ups so we can do this together. Progress not perfection. I will be starting on the kitchen bench incline style, incorporating female push ups on my knees and then trying mens style. It's all about challenging ourselves.

I might also add that this is in conjunction with your usual fitness program. In no way will this push up challenge make you lose weight, its simply a fun fitness challenge that we can all do together and build our upper body strength at the same time. In fact doing push ups does give you a complete body workout so I look forward to my results and hearing about yours.

Guidelines and FAQ's

What is a push up?

You can peruse various push ups on YouTube in fact the first push up video that came up was this. I also came across Scott Colby the 6 pack abs expert who has this sensational push ups technique with a twist.

Can I do different styles/variation of push ups?

Sure thing! By the way this YouTube clip will blow your mind so please feel free to do mens style, womens style on bended knees, inclined, decline push ups etc.... Whatever.

What if I want to do less push ups?

We really want you to try and push up regularly throughout the week to build strength and endurance. So go at your own pace and increase your number each time you do your push ups. Also for those that just want a shorter challenge, I highly recommend you to check out SkinnyMs 7 day push up challenge

What if I want to increase my push ups?

I say GO FOR IT! The more the merrier and as my husband says BIGGER CANNONS!! So please increase your push ups to fit with your current fitness regime and challenge yourself by increasing them by 5 each time.

Can I do push ups 3 days in a row?

Freehand exercises such as push ups are great however it can lead to over training of the specific muscles being used, so there is an increased possibility of injury. Having said that since it is a relatively safe exercise, there is not too much danger but please take care if you happen to miss one day of your push up days and need to play catch up. Also technique is paramount. Like our #planksjan2013 challenge in January, it's all about posture so make sure you are doing them correctly and see yourself in a reflection to ensure you are doing them properly.

Will I lose weight doing this 4 week push up program?

No. This isn't a weightless program, it's to assist with toning muscle definition. In order to lose unwanted body fat you must eat healthy and regularly exercise. For the 90 minutes per week fitness program I follow CLICK HERE.

I was given great advice by a personal trainer who reviewed my program and she fully supports a permanent lifestyle change. So consistency is the key to see results. Thank you JC x

INCREASE YOUR GREENS

Photo courtesy of Loni Jane

As part of this challenge we will also be including one serve of greens per day. I mean ANYTHING that is green!!!! What is a serve?

Vegetables

One serve of vegetables is 75 grams or:

½ cup cooked vegetables
1 medium potato
1 cup salad vegetables
½ cup cooked legumes (dried beans, peas or lentils)

For more information you can Read more here

I look forward to sharing creative recipes from green smoothies (see Loni Janes fabulous Instagram page) to juices, steamed veggies, eating them fully raw etc...the options are endless. So please share your recipes here and tag them to your social media plug ins and use #pushupsgreens on your pictures. So please come join me and @tonedtannedandfit for another sensational challenge.

I would love your feedback so please leave me your comments below.

♥ Dani

PIN IT

Fully Raw. Could you do it? Interview with Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram

How are you? We are doing all great thank you and loving life to the fullest. We have a jam packed week and this summer weather has just been sensational. We have been out beside the pool deck often and even when I need to write to you, I take you with me wherever I go.....

Let's talk about raw foodism

What is it exactly?

Raw foodism (or rawism) is a diet consisting of uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic foods or wild foods.

Depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selection of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds (including sprouted whole grains such as gaba rice), eggs, fish (such as sashimi), meat (such as carpaccio), and non-pasteurized/non-homogenized dairy products (such as raw milk, raw milk cheese, and raw milk yogurt).^[1]

Many raw foodist are also vegan or vegetarian and are sometimes called "raw vegans" or "raw vegetarians"

Could you go completely raw for health reasons and just for your general well being? This does look pretty amazing huh? Check out Kristina's Youtube V8 juice with no added preservatives, salt or fillers. Just complete natural goodness. These simple ingredients make an amazing juice, bouncing with all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need.

Simply juice;

Tomatoes (this should be your main ingredient)
Spinach
Beetroot
Carrots
Celery
Parsley

Fully raw V8 juice

I am super intrigued, so much so that I am willing to go raw for one of our challenges this year, do you think you could do it with me as well? There is just something about it that draws me to trying to eat just fruit and vegetables including fish (I love sushi) along with nuts etc.... as I love them so much AND you know how much I love to experiment with food and recipes. I also know I would find it extremely fun trying all these superb new recipes. Having said that I primarily use raw or blanched style vegetable with our mains so I really don't see it being a big deal for me. Or am I kidding myself?

Here is the person that has me intrigued. Her name is Kristina Carrilo-Bucaram from #fullyraw, she is a young, beautiful and sun shining 26 year old from Texas, USA with a Equador and Lebanese background. I think what grabbed me was her zest for life, her genuine kindness and love of raw food. Not to mention how beautiful she is and simply bounces off my screen every time I YouTube her channel!!!

Kristina ~ Founder of the largest raw, organic produce co-operative in the U.S

I had heard about raw people before when I started my healthy journey a few years ago but didn't think much of it as there is NO WAY I could give up my palacinke AKA Serbian Croatian crepes/pancakes or all the dairy, variety of cooked seafood, meats and poultry we typically have in our diet. But as I stated above, there is something that has got me intrigued. I would like to try it! I want to see the health benefits Kristina so passionately professes.

Why Kristina went raw is outlined in her video as she suffered from Hyperglycemia all her 18 years and constantly felt drained, nauseous, had shocking migraines and very underweight for her height. Until 8 years ago........one day a man crossed her path in a whole foods store and asked her while she was going through the packs of granola whether she was a raw girl? This took her by surprise as she had no clue as to what he was referring to? Anyways for more on Kristina's amazing story please view her video here.

I on the other hand have had the wonderful opportunity to do a personal interview with my raw goddess sister herself and here are some questions I asked her;

1). When you discovered you were hyperglycemic and you went down the raw food path. Did your body have any symptoms with the fruits eg: peaches you were just eating for the first week and then the vegetable and leafy produce thereafter???

When I first started eating raw, I literally ate nothing but peaches for two weeks straight. This is called mono-mealing. This is very cleansing and healing for the body for three reasons: 1) Eating one thing at a time is much easier for our bodies to digest. 2) Increases elimination because the body only has only one thing to process and eliminate. Things are easily "brushed through." 3) It is more natural to eat a smaller selection of fruits because that is how they are found in nature. It is rare that we find a grocery store selection in nature. When we find one fruit tree with ripe fruit, we LOVE to eat as much ripe fruit that we have off that tree until we are full, then move on to the next tree. Because I was very sick before I went raw, my body had a very positive reaction to eating more fruits. These simple sugars gave me energy, the fibers cleansed my body, and the vitamins fueled me! I was excited to cleanse and detox. For the first time in my life, my body felt ALIVE.

2). I know you suffered from severe migraines as a cause of your illness, do you know of any other fully raw people that suffered from migraines and no longer do due to this lifestyle change?

Absolutely! I have personally coached people through migraines, cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, depression, etc. The list goes ON. I truly believe that any sickness can be reversed through a pure, FullyRaw lifestyle.

3). Are you okay with other people eating whole foods and meat?

It is the choice of a person whether or not to eat a vegan diet. There are always more ways to incorporate more FullyRaw fruits and veggies in the diet without going totally raw. If someone follows the principles of proper food combining, they can also get great results regardless. This depends on the person and their beliefs about food. I went raw vegan initially for health reasons, but that has evolved over time.

4). How would you help people convert to just raw foods. Is there a step by step plan or just bite the bullet and eat fruit & vegetables.

There are many ways to convert to eating FullyRaw. I know people who have jumped in over-night and I know people who have taken 7 years to finally commit. There is no wrong way to transition. You must feel comfortable, you must feel safe, and you must feel inspired. You want to feel confident in your journey so that you will succeed! I converted over-night, and for me this was easier because I made the commitment, and I found that I wasn't as easily tempted by other foods or confused about "acceptable" choices. However, this is rare. What I recommend to individuals who want to transition is to first start off with a juice or smoothie in the morning (32 oz.). After this step is complete, step two is to always have a humongous plate of fruit for lunch (about 1000 calories worth.) Once this is complete, step three is to always have fruit with a large rainbow salad. Then, if you want to have other things like meat or grains, to eat them after/with your dinner. Start in the beginning to reduce or eliminate dairy and meat products. This will create an enormous change in your health. Fruits and vegetables are high vibrational foods that will keep you properly fuelled, naturally thin, and internally clean.

5). Do you ever slip up and have a piece of cake or ever crave the "other" non raw foods?

I have not eaten cooked foods in almost 8 years. I completely reversed my hyperglycemia (onset of type 2 diabetes) by eating raw. I LOVE every bit of my life SO much now that I have never had the desire to go back!

6). What is the difference between a vegetarian, vegan and raw food person?

Vegetarians do not consume meats or fish.

Vegans do not consume any animal products or animal by-products. This includes things like meat and dairy.

Raw vegans eat food only nature's foods, uncooked, unprocessed, in their natural state. This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, typically fresh, ripe, and whole/organic. By not heating the foods, you eat them when they have all of their life-force and maintain their enzymes.

A bit of fun stuff about Kristina

7). What are some fun things you like doing on your own? With friends and family?

I am ALWAYS active! Eating healthy gives me the energy to do everything I want to do! I LOVE to run, salsa/ belly dance dance, practice acro-yoga, sing (jazz and blues), sculpt ceramics, lay in the sun, hug trees, hug everyone, read, connect with friends via social media, have juice parties, invite friends over for dinner, spend time with my ridiculously large family, co-operate at Rawfully Organic, meditate, and eat! Is there anything that I don't like to do!? ;)

8). What are some exercises/sports you normally do?

I am an avid runner! When I was sick before, I never had energy to run, so it has become a privilege for me that I will never take for granted! I also love to practice acro-yoga or couples yoga with my "other half," swim, salsa dance, belly dance, rock climb, and lift produce boxes. Carrying 40 pound banana boxes is a great workout! ;)

9). What's your favourite perfume?

I use only pure grade essential oils like Young Living and DoTerra. I love anything with patchouli, citrus, lavender, sandalwood, peppermint, or fresh spices.

a. What's your favourite gem stone and why?

How did you know?! :) Those who see me will always ask me about my bracelet collection! I literally have an entire ceramic bowl filled with original pieces/healing stones from friends that I have collected or personally crafted. My favorite is aquamarine because it is my birthstone.

10). Link your favourite green juice, breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner meal

My favorite foods change as the seasons change, as I love to appeciate what nature gives me at every given moment. At the moment, my favorite juice is my SoulShine juice! It makes my skin glow, my energy high, and my belly flat! That juice is usually my breakfast! My lunch lately has been a HUGE bowl of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and bananas! For dinner, I am famous for eating citrus with ridiculously large rainbow salads! I make my own salad dressings, typically oil free and very savory using fresh herbs.

There you have it!!! I hope this gives you a bit of an insight on raw foodism especially from the guru herself! Kristina is amazing and I found it unreal that people have completed healed themselves from various illnesses and disease by going on a fully raw diet/lifestyle. I need to get my Mum onto this as some of you may know she suffers from severe rheumatoid and osteo arthritis.

Until we meet again, love and friendship

♥ Dani

Hot date with the Tooth Fairy

It's been a busy week for our Tooth Fairy as not only did Noah lose his first tooth on Wednesday! but he lost his second on Thursday! Ka-Ching a ding ding!

Noah was one of the last ones in his class and now he feels like a big Grade 2 kid. He really wanted to try the string around the tooth and door handle trick (NB: the tooth was on its last thread! I reckon if I blew it, it would've fallen out!) but nevertheless he was persistent and super brave and whalla! The tooth came out!!! He now feels a part of our childhood as Adrian and I used to do that with our baby teeth.

Tooth fairy and the pepper trick

PS: my little entrepreneur placed a sprinkle of pepper in the glass to make his tooth fairy sneeze and accidentally drop some extra coins!!! Cheeky little monkey. He made sure he didn't do it on Thursday. We told him fairies don't like to sneeze so they won't be coming back to his glass if it had pepper in it.

We had a sensational weekend, loads of family fun down the beach. We also hope you had a happy weekend with your loved ones.

Food

Now back to some glorious food. For those that follow my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages you would've seen this amazing pizza!!!!

Healthy pizza's in 10 minutes

This is by far the quickest and in my eyes the most healthiest home made pizza I have EVER made!!!

Typically I get my blender with the blade (I am yet to try this in my KitchenAid with the dough mixer) and I pour;

Ingredients:

1). 2 1/2 cups of wholemeal flour (those that are GF feel free to use your preferred flour)

2). sprinkle of S&P

3). 1tsp chia seeds

4). crushed garlic

5). sprinkle of rosemary & oregano (or use whatever herbs you prefer)

6). 1/2 or 1 cup of warm water

7). drizzle of olive oil

Method:

Whizz the above ingredients until it's all incorporated. Then as the blender is whizzing, slowly pour warm/tepid water with a drizzle of olive oil until the dough forms. This whole process seriously takes only 2 mins!!! I can't wait to make a video for you guys, as I want to make your meals simply fast and easy and so mouth watering!!! Let me know your thoughts?

Anyways back to the pizza.... Separate 2-3 quantities and roll out into thin pizza crust. Place in heated (lightly sprayed with olive oil) frying pan and start putting your toppings on. We use;

- Tomato passata (crushed garlic, herbs, fresh basil, S&P) or buy a store bought pizza tomato base

- Freshly sliced tomatoes

- Smoked ham

- Spinach & Basil

- Marinated Feta

- Olives

- Mozzarella/parmesan cheese (pls omit this for a super healthy pizza version)

You have to believe me when I tell you, YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO BUY TAKE AWAY PIZZA. EVER. I guarantee it!!!!

This recipe is adapted from Jamie Oliver's self raising flour pizza version (simply use 2 cups of SR flour) however I prefer the ultra thin and crusty base without the rising agent.

March Challenge

You also know I am currently prepping up for our March PUSH UPS & GREENS CHALLENGE and super excited what this month has in store for us all. Not only toned arms, shoulders and back but a luscious array of beautiful greens filled with all the vitamins and nutrients we need to clean out the bad stuff in our body and replace it with all that green goodness!! I can't wait!!!

Here's a simple colour wheel to ensure we are getting all the vibrant colours of rainbow fruit & veg in our healthy bodies on a daily basis!!!!

Rainbow fruit and vegetables

How good are you with your fruit and vegetable intake? How many serves would you have throughout the day? Do you try and have them fresh, raw, frozen, steamed, boiled, grilled or oven baked???

I'm loving them fully raw and in their pure form as much as possible. In fact I remember blanching them as I love the crispness in beans, brocolli etc...and my husband queried why I hadn't cooked the vegetables one night. So now I just cook them for the rest of the fam while I try and eat them in their rawest form.

Fitness

I am super lucky that I get to workout for 15 minutes per day as I find my time very limited managing a house hold of 6 people. So I managed to do my resistance training today and sheesh! did I break out into the biggest sweat! Lucky we have cool water to refresh ourselves into!

To check out my workout program, simply click here to receive your 50% discount off the ebook and 30 days free trial at a place that offers you 24x7 support with amazing like minded women who are on the same journey and such helpful resources, forums with all sorts of questions you may be asking. Updated monthly workouts so you are never bored with the same 15 minute workout.
Everything you can find is there. If not, you simply start up a discussion and whalla! So go check it out here if you're not seeing the results you're getting at the gym, running, bootcamp whatever!!! It's worked for me these past 5 1/2 years. I love it! And.......

You know what????

Workout and feel amazing

How much more energised do you feel after a workout? I know it lifts my mood and I feel so alive!!!

Until we meet again my beautiful friends. May the workout be with you!!!! ;-)

♥ Dani

Push ups and greens challenge in March

Are you ready for another brand new challenge coming up in March?

I thought seen as most of the world is familiar with St Patricks Day why not get everyone to do some push ups and green it up a little!!!!

St Patricks Day push ups and greens challenge

I will do a bit more research and have more information coming soon but for now let me know your thoughts on the challenge and whether you are in? Please ensure you subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any updated posts!

NB: Always check your spam folders as your confirmation to my blog from Feed burner will need to be activated

Push ups

Push ups challenge 100 in one month

How many push ups can you do? Regardless of mens or female style, a push up is still a push up so I want everyone to give this a go!! If I am consistent I can typically do 5 push ups straight, that's it! I'm thinking 100 push ups by the end of the month!!! I'm even scared just thinking about it!!! But I REALLY want to do it and I REALLY want YOU to do it with me!!! Besides can you imagine our arms in a lovely singlet dress top and just tops in general minus the wobbly part ;-)

Push ups are the most traditional and most effective exercise to strengthen your arms and build definition in your upper body and back. I want us to learn the different variety ones, from incline to decline, on a fit ball, wide grip, close grip you name it!!

Greens

Fully Raw Kristina recipe here

Also with the greens, I want us to explore ANYTHING green related. Be it raw (I am absolutely loving Kristina and her gorgeous pics from Fully Raw and I can't wait to try her recipes with you all next month!) blended, juiced, smoothies, steamed WHATEVER!!!! Lets just increase our greens for the St Patricks Day theme. 1 serve of greens per day, what do you think??

Why greens? For the amazing MAGIC substance Chlorophyll!!!! which is what the plant uses to capture and store the energy from sunlight! Without this mechanism there would be no life on earth as every living thing directly or indirectly derives its energy from plant sources!!!

Fully raw green boxes

Besides I want us all to shine and see how much our skin glows with this challenge!!!!!

Leave me your feedback below as I would love to get this challenge started and ready for kick off on the 1st March.......have a sensational weekend!

♥ Dani

Day 14 - no added sugar challenge on Valentines Day

WE DID IT!!!! 14 days with no added sugar! Bravo! I am so pleased you all took the plunge and read your labels with all that extra uneccessary added sugar and replaced it with the natural foods that have already has sugar in them (as our bodies still need some sweetness :-)

How do you feel? Did you think you were not able to do the no sugar over 14 days? What now? Can you try to continue it and allow yourselves a treat once or twice a week? I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!

Breakfast
180 Nutrition coconut protein drink
1 banana
chia seeds
milk

*For your exclusive 10% discount on any 180 Nutrition product simply use my 264464 promo number at checkout

Morning snack
Watermelon and mango fruit salad with ricotta

Lunch
Eggs with asparagus

Asparagus with poached eggs on wholegrain bread

Afternoon snack
Spinach dip (store bought with no added sugar or preservatives) with wholemeal crackers

Healthy kids snack dip with crackers

We've had a superb day! A lot of fun in the sun today with the heat being over 30C degrees. I was going to make dessert from Sarah Wilson's I QUIT SUGAR but we opted against it as we just wanted the frogurts we made yesterday! Although having said that Noah did ask for a special request that we go buy that healthy dark chocolate because a little sugar is okay as long we don't consume the entire block! He obviously doesn't know his mother!!!! HA! Well the old one anyway......

Dinner
BBQ porterhouse steak with vegetables

Porterhouse house steak with steamed vegetables

Instagram your day!!!

I will be running a mini challenge called #igyourday over in Instagram land until the end of the month and of course here on my blog, Twitter and Facebook page. Just share what you do throughout your day and we can all learn off each other, how to best utilise our day as everyone says how busy they are. Let's see how everyone fits in their healthy living, eating, fitness regime, work/study, family time, hobby etc.... so it doesn't matter if you are student, single parent, family of 8 we can all get ideas on how best to manage our time and day. Please join in and invite your friends!

Watch this space and let me know if you will still be doing the no added sugar as part of your new healthy regime. I know I will be!!!! Especially when I see results like this!!!

NO SUGAR CHALLENGE

Until next time.

♥ Dani

Day 13 - no added sugar challenge

Hello there! Feeling more energised? Skin clearer? Mood better? That's all the feedback I have been receiving about this challenge and you know what? That's brilliant!!! That's what this is all about. Becoming healthier and happy peeps.

Today was a struggle for me. I have a pretty hectic day when Mietta goes to Kinda (early learning centre) for 2 hours as I drop off the boys to school in the morning, run some morning errands before heading back home for Zali to have her sleep, we then have lunch and then wake up Zali to take her big sis to Kinda for 2 hours! Then it's either another errand or walk around the lake during those hours. Then pick up the boys between 3-3:15pm and then rush to grab Mietta at 3:30pm!!! WHOOSH! That's the day GONE!

Breakfast
180 Nutrition coconut green smoothie (needed something to take away for the kids school run!)
spinach
celery
apple
ginger

Green smoothie spinach, apple, celery and ginger

*For your exclusive 10% discount on any 180 Nutrition product simply use my 264464 promo number at checkout

Morning snack
Fruit salad with yogurt

Lunch
Tuna salad wholemeal wrap

Afternoon snack
Tzaziki dip with cherry tomatoes, hard boiled eggs and wholemeal rice crackers

Healthy snack

Dinner
Steamed vegetables with legumes

Steamed vegetables

Wasn't feeling overly hungry tonight, especially with the warm weather today. So we just steamed some vegetables and served the kids with tuna while we had a chickpea/legume mix.

Dessert
Yogurt mango and berry icy poles

Method:
Mix natural yogurt or coconut milk with mango and berries (or whatever fruits you have) freeze and enjoy!!

Can I just say how pleased I am to see such wonderful no added sugar meals in our #noaddedsugar #nashchallenge gallery. I am blow away!! Here's just a few that caught my eye!!!

No added sugar challenge

Thanks to @pippafitness for her mexican inspired stuffed capsicum @mrs_parkinson for her amazing protein pancake stacks layered with coconut yogurt and banana @fithealthymade sweet treat ideas for Valentines Day and @laura_rixon for her array of food colours!

This challenge has been fantastic and I am so proud of you all for taking the plunge! I'm loving my Sarah Wilson I QUIT SUGAR ebook, grab a copy here if you need some inspiration.

What about next month? And the rest of the year? Please let me know what other challenges you would like to see me run!!!

Ready for next months challenge?

List them in your comments below and see you tomorrow on the most romantic day ever.

♥ Dani

Day 12 - no added sugar challenge

Day 12.....can you smell the roses????

I love Valentines Day, I'm one of those hopeless romantics (and yes my husband tends to deliver every year) however, we have agreed I'd much rather them spread out throughout the year. I see no point spending $200 on the one day!!! Well, I do but that's another romantic story....

How have you survived the last couple of weeks? Can you believe we only have 2 days left? Awesome! I'm pumped and so proud to know there are many of you across the globe doing this with me. I really appreciate you. I sincerely do.

Do you think you will be able to continue this way of living after the challenge ends? I really do hope to do our best. Our kids are brilliant and are such a supporting force to make this happen and live a more healthier lifestyle. It's not that we ban the sugar or say no! no! no! YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT!!! IT'S GOT SUGAR IN IT! Instead we just know it's not healthy for us, no panic, no fretting of missing out. Well, let's just see how we go.

As a super treat on Valentines Day I will be making our family Gwyneth Paltrow's berries with caramelised cream which she shares in Sarah Wilson I QUIT SUGAR ebook. Make sure you grab yourself a copy. Pretty cool meals in there that won't even make you want sugar any more.

Our day today in a nutshell.

Various errands, plenty of home domestic bliss, more errands and of course fun times with the kids!!! Trying to fit in one on one time with the boys and their reading whilst girls are playing together. We also plan for our day and get everything ready for another day at school, work and my home office of course! :-)

Breakfast
Pear porridge with blueberries

Pear and blueberries porridge

Method: Cook oats on stove top with canned (or fresh) pear with juices and add milk. Cook until fluffy. When serving I mix frozen blueberries to cool it down for us all as we are typically rushing to get all kids out for our school run!

Morning snack
Ricotta & watermelon with almonds

Watermelon with ricotta and almonds

Lunch
Beef salad

Afternoon snack
180 Nutrition coconut (green smoothie)
handful of spinach
1 banana
A glass of milk/water

Incredible HULK and SHREK green smoothies

Our kids love these and named them a few years ago when SHREK was out so for those that need to get greens into their babes, name it after their favourite super hero and cartoon character. I do the same when I make broccoli soup!

Dinner
Quinoa turkey burgers with salad

Just a reminder to send me your meals that you would like me to "make over" into more of a healthier option for us all!! I know I love to eat taco's but have converted them into cos salad cups. Little things like that make a huge difference and can change your entire family's health around! We still need it looking and tasting cool.

Until we meet again tomorrow.

♥ Dani

Day 11 - no added sugar

Hello all, well done!!! We survived Day 11!!!!!

3 more days left! How you doing with no added sugar?

I am having an early one tonight so forgive this short post but you are looking at (well reading really) one very tired Mama of 4 that desperately needs sleeeeeep. I hope you understand. I love you so much and am always here, so here's just a quick overview of my day.

Did an awesome 15 minute workout today and worked up a sweat. For those that don't have time to work out like me or are working out too long and not achieving results, I highly recommend this fitness regime. I have followed it since the birth of our 2nd son Oscar. He turns 6 later this year. So I am living proof that by eating healthy meals and doing only 15 minutes of resistance and 15 minutes of interval training, truly shapes your body and melts your fat away!! COME CHECK IT OUT!!!

I was rushed with kids errands ALL DAY!!!! Sorry no recipes below.

Our food today;

Breakfast
Overnight soaked muesli with strawberries

Morning snack
180 Nutrition coconut protein green smoothie

Green smoothie

NB: Don't forget to take up my exclusive offer. ALL my readers in Australia (overseas shipping COMING SOON) who purchase any 180 Nutrition product via my link will recieve a 10% discount off all your orders!!! Simply use promo code 264464

Lunch
Grilled capsicums with cottage cheese and chick pea salad

Chickpea salad

Afternoon snack
Fruit salad with cottage cheese

Cottage cheese with fruit

Dinner
Chicken thai salad

Chicken thai salad

Make over meals

Over to you now. Give me some of your dinners that you would like me to make over to a more healthy dish version.

For an example: Spaghetti bolognese, Taco's, Fish and Chips etc...something that is not so healthy but kinda is, sorta....... if it didn't have the thickened cream, added sugar, wasn't fried etc...

You name it! I need some of your meals to get this make over dinner underway!

Happy day 11 without added sugar! Super proud of you. Grab yourself a copy of Sarah Wilson's I QUIT SUGAR to help you tackle no added sugar in your day to day meals. You won't regret it. I love it!!!

KEEP GOING......XxDani

Smile and keep going

Day 10 - no added sugar challenge

Did someone just say 10? WOWZA! Well done everyone, what a superb team we are. I am so happy to read all your comments and glad we have each other for support. Another 4 days to go!! We can do this!!!

Today was a fun filled day with the kids and Adrian. We try to do as many kids activities together as a family over the weekend as during the week we are pretty time poor as it gets late in the evening when Adrian arrives home and it's time for the kids bed routine.

Another sun shining day and I took this picture to showcase how I utilise my time whilst supervising and having fun with the kids, along with blogging and working on my weekly planner.

Today was my day of rest but managed to do a little practise with my headstand (you may remember my handstand pose last month). I am really loving my yoga stretches pre and post workouts. I do want to take it to the next level and actually go to a class. Until then I practise and self teach myself at home.....

Headstand (Shirshasana) yoga pose

Headstand (Shirshasana) is often referred to as the king of all yoga poses. Here are some reasons why headstand should be practiced everyday.

1. Improved circulation occurs with a headstand practice. Because the heart constantly has to pump blood upward to the brain, the headstand gives the heart a rest and reduces unnecessary strain. In addition, while in headstand de-oxygenated blood is able to flow more easily from the extremities to the heart.

2. A headstand simulates a “face lift” by letting your skin hang in the opposite direction (which is always a good thing!) By reversing the flow of gravity, the inverted position of a headstand also flushes fresh nutrients and oxygen to the face, creating a glowing effect on the skin. We all love beautiful fresh and youthful looking skin :-)

3. Some yogis say that it will even convert grey hair back to its natural color! So I'm doing these every day since I have no colour pigmentation in my hair! Headstands increase nutrients and blood flow to the scalp, decreasing onset of grey hair.

4. Increases your sexual hormones, so you can expect better sex with a consistent headstand practice. Headstands stimulate and provide refreshed blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands are vital to our wellbeing, and are considered the master glands that regulate all other glands in the body (thyroid, pineal, and adrenals).

5. When the adrenal glands are flushed and detoxified with headstands, we create more positive thought. Depression will decrease, as going upside down will almost always put a smile on your face.

6. Once you have perfected these you can do a headstand at the next party you attend. Your friends will be extremely impressed!

7. Strengthen deep core muscles. To hold a straight headstand for an extended period of time, the practitioner must engage the obliques, the rectus abdominus and the transverse abdominus. To really engage and strengthen the core, pike the legs by lifting and/or lowering both legs at the same time when coming in and out of the pose.

Please ensure you learn a headstand from a qualified teacher, these should be avoided if you have neck injuries, extremely high blood pressure, ear and eye problems, if you are menstruating, or have acid reflux.

Our food today;

Breakfast

Scrambled eggs with bacon, feta and spinach

Clean eating scrambled eggs

Ingredients:

8 eggs (serves 6 people)

5 slices of rindless bacon

1/2 cup of feta cubes

splash of milk

minced garlic

spinach leaves to serve

Method:

Cook bacon with garlic until golden. In the meantime whisk eggs, add milk, feta in a bowl and pour into frypan on a gentle heat. Swirl and stir until cooked to your liking. We served ours on a bed of spinach and sundried tomato pesto. Real quick, kids had a second serve.

Morning snack

180 Nutrition chocolate protein drink

1 banana

1/2 cup berries

250ml milk

NB: please take up the exclusive 10% offer when ordering your next 180 Nutrition protein powder and bars. Simply quote promo code 264464 at checkout.

Lunch

Chickpea and 3 mix bean vegetable salad

Afternoon snack

Corn thins with laughing cow cheese

Vegetable sticks and cherry tomatoes

Dinner

Prawn salad with tartar sauce

Clean eating tartar sauce with prawns

Tartar sauce

1/3 cup of plain yogurt

1-2 tbsp of dijon mustard

3 diced baby pickles

5-6 diced capers

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp of lemon juice

Mix all these together and enjoy a guilt free dipping sauce!

Dessert

Watermelon with ricotta cheese

I hope you had a sensational weekend and are looking forward to finishing off strong this week with the no added sugar challenge. Have you found the Sarah Wilson I QUIT SUGAR ebook helpful, do you think you will kick the habit after 14 days as well? Let's see how we go. I would like to try and perhaps incorporate some indulgences throughout our week so we don't go out and binge. But hey! That's just me.

Any plans for Valentines Day?

♥ Dani