Gaga for Lolla

As any Chicagoan knows, Lollapalooza is a BIG deal. Or at least, for any music lover living in Chicago. Three days of pure madness in the heart of downtown, pretty much sums up the experience. I admit I am one of those crazy people who brace the madness every year. Dressing up like a complete hippie and enjoying all the music I can soak up in a whole day. This year I managed to get three day passes! Honestly, I have no idea how my sister managed to grab ten three day passes to the most popular music festival in Chicago. But, she did and I am BEYOND excited that I got one of them!! Sadly, I will be M.I.A. from the Internet world as I plan on staying at my sisters place all weekend. But, no need to worry! I plan on taking tons of pictures to showcase the craziness. Not to mention, it is my brothers first time going to a music festival. He's not so much of a crowd person but loves electronic dance music ( aka EDM crazy music that people love to do drugs too). I'm excited to see his reaction to how EDM concerts are. Honestly, it looks like a war zone at times. Mud everywhere, kids wearing barely any clothing. Overall, a great time! (sarcasm)


THROWBACK
Taken two years ago, you can clearly see how excited we were for lollapalooza! (haha we were trying to do our bad ass poses)

Happy Thursday everyone!! :D

Breaking the Routine

Being a fitness nut, I admit, I go to the gym on a daily basis. I feel like the number one rule for any fitness routine is never do the same routine two days in a row. Therefore, in order to follow that rule, I switch up cardio machines on a daily basis. However, I can't help but wonder if switching machines counts. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut at times. Failing to break that exercise routine on the machine. For example, on the elliptical machine I always pick the fat burn setting, go for about 25:00 minutes, and then switch to the reverse setting for about forty minutes. The only change I implement is the resistance, each week setting the resistance to a higher setting. Yet, I am scared that that is not enough. I love cardio machines and do not plan on eliminating them from my workout routine. However, with a very limited variety of machines, I feel stuck to the same 4 or 5 machines on weekly basis. So what is a crazy, cardio girl supposed to do?! Well luckily, today I feeling a little spontaneous (surprise surprise). I found this elliptical routine on pinterest that I plan on doing this afternoon (today is my elliptical day). Fingers crossed that I stick to this routine, at least for today.

The URL for pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/115264071687345744/
Original source: http://theberry.com/2012/07/29/daily-motivation-16-photos-76/get-fit-sunday-8/

Another great source for creating a variety of toning exercises (abs, legs, arms, etc) is at
http://workoutlabs.com/custom-workout-builder/ ..

This website is awesome for creating workout routines that are suitable for your body type and comfort zone. Definitely a place to check out if you are like me, and have a habit of resorting back to the all time favorite crunches. Doing a million crunches until you feel like your neck is going to fall off can make you feel like there is no hope for that washboard stomach. However, this website allows more a variety of ab exercises that reach far beyond the crunches. Love it!!

Breakfast for the Lazy Bums

I admit, for the twenty one years that I have been alive I have taken breakfast very seriously. Serious, to the point that I pretty much stuffed myself until I could no longer move. It's the most important meal of the day so why not stuff your face, right? Chocolate bars, cookies, brownies, cheesecake, pretty much everything bad for you, I grabbed. Little bits of each until I had a paper towel full of little goodies. I would think nothing of it since I would work my butt of that day to burn it off. Nothing but a little motivation. However, I beginning to think that it could be dangerous or at least, affecting my blood sugar level. According to a recent Times article "Why you should Eat Breakfast and the Best Times for the Rest of the Day's Meals", Judy Caplan, a registered dietitian from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spoke out against the dangers of eating pastries in the morning hours. When you eat an overly processed and refined food, such as, sweet cinnamon roll, the body responds with a spike in insulin production, causing blood sugar to drop to low levels which results in hunger. So overall, you're satisfied for about an hour maybe less, until hunger pains come back around.

Throughout the day, I am on the run. Trying to keep myself busy until 5 pm comes rolling around. Therefore, I have no time for awful hunger pains especially if I plan on going to the gym after work. With this in mind, I revamped my morning meal to include some protein to help level out my blood sugar, allowing me to feel full for longer period of time. I'm not a huge fan of eating hard boiled eggs in the morning time. However, I paired one hard boiled egg with an English muffin and, honestly, it has worked! Not to mention I pair my breakfast meal with a BelVita biscuits and one Special K cereal bar. This combination pretty much fills me up until about noon when I am ready to hit the gym. The dangers of consuming any packaged food is getting a dose of unhealthy ingredients that allow the food to be preserved for a long period of time. With that in mind, I am trying to cut down on my processed foods (Special K bars). It's been hard though. For many years, I have enjoyed these breakfast bars. Kind of feels like an addiction (as weird as that may sound). But I think slowly decreasing my consumption (eating one bar instead of two) is my best bet to help stop completely.

If you are a picky eater, Mayo Clinic.org provides some suggestions below than can help you create a healthy breakfast plan:

• Whole grains. Examples include whole-grain rolls, bagels, hot or cold whole-grain cereals, low-fat bran muffins, crackers, and Melba toast.
• Lean protein. Examples include peanut butter, lean meat, poultry or fish, and hard-boiled eggs.
• Low-fat dairy. Examples include milk, plain or lower sugar yogurts, and low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses.
• Fruits and vegetables. Examples include fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, 100 percent juice drinks without added sugar, and fruit and vegetable smoothies. Choose low-sodium versions of beverages, though.

According to Mayoclinic.org, these foods together provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein and small amount of fat that allows for a filling, healthy meal to start your day with. If your looking for specific ideas for breakfast meals follow this link:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/food-and-nutrition/art-20048294?pg=1


Overall, it is important to eat breakfast. Not only will you be satisfied, but you are also more likely to be able to control your weight while consuming more vitamins and minerals, eliminating most of the bad fats and cholesterol throughout your day. So, why not try it!!



Other source used in this post:
 http://healthland.time.com/2013/07/23/why-you-should-eat-breakfast-and-the-best-times-for-the-rest-of-the-days-meals/

Flashback FRIDAAAYYYYY!!

TGIF! Can't believe it's Friday! Wooh this week has gone by so fast. Of course, time always flies when you have one more month left of summer. That's right, one more month before all stress comes back to haunt me. This year my summer is shorter than years before since I am transferring colleges. I got out of school on June 13th and now, go back August 25th eek! Another huge adjustment for me is having to live at home. I'm going to a school that is only about 20 minutes from my house, so I do not have to live downtown anymore. Kind of a relief, getting food for free and not having to do my laundry (laziness at its finest). But, having to come home to craziness is going to be hard to concentrate in. I guess the library is going to be my second home this semester.


Time sure does fly though. My mom has her own blog (follow her!! Link: http://mary-myneedlethread.blogspot.com/). I love looking through her old posts to see all the old pictures she posted of my family and I throughout important life events. Looking back at these pictures, it's almost as if I am looking at a different person. Kind of like that moment when at the time you thought wow I look so good! But then, when you look back at the picture years later, you think to yourself: wow, what was I thinking?!?!

Prime example! I am the awkward one with the hot pink shoe laces. I went through that phase where I wanted to be "emo" with the skater shoes (I never skateboarded a day in my life) and studded belt. Ahh the good old days! I was a sophomore in high school. Such a little itty baby back then.

Again emo kid in training. Look at those cool bracelets with the skull ring. I went through a phase where I loved bows and wore them constantly along with my 0399320839758743 bracelets that I NEVER took off. Gross, I know!

Here's another fun one! Dancing in the car. You can see my rebel stage had evolved with the black streak in my hair. I was rocking with that beanie (just look at that million dollar stare).

Um..... yeah I was going through a mid life crisis........ high school

Sophomore homecoming dance picture with my sister. I guess we do not look that much different compared to her wedding day picture. Aside from looking a bit older and more confident, now. But I love seeing these pictures. It's crazy to think of the state I was in then (sophomore year) and all the things I had yet to experience up until now. My sister, Kate, was my age (21 years old) in this picture.

Last October 2013 (Kate's wedding day)

Ahh the memories! Aside from all the craziness and sometimes sadness, I wouldn't change anything. I believe, you grow from every experience. Each life moment molds you into the person you are today and for that, I am truly grateful. But, then again I am only 21 years old. I have a lot more growing to do!! 

Happy Friday Everyone!! 

World's Healthiest Foods

Ever wonder what the world’s healthiest foods are? Random thought, I know. But, I discovered a list of the world’s healthiest foods while perusing through the internet. The list of foods is provided by the George Matelijan Foundation for the World’s Healthiest Foods. This foundation is a non-for-profit organization made to share scientifically proven information in order to help people understand the benefits of healthier eating.

Vegetables	Seafood	Fruits	Nuts & Seeds	Beans & Legumes
·       Asparagus ·       Avocados ·       Beet greens ·       Beets ·       Bell peppers ·       Bok Choy ·       Broccoli ·       Brussel sprouts ·       Cabbage ·       Carrots ·       Cauliflower ·       Celery ·       Collard Greens ·       Corn ·       Cucumbers ·       Eggplant ·       Fennel ·       Garlic ·       Green Beans ·       Green Peas ·       Kale ·       Mushrooms, crimini ·       Mushrooms, shiitake ·       Mustard greens ·       Olive oil, extra virgin ·       Olives ·       Onions ·       Potatoes ·       Romaine lettuce ·       Sea Vegetables ·       Spinach ·       Squash summer and winter ·       Sweet potatoes ·       Swiss chard ·       Tomatoes ·       Turnip greens	·       Cod ·       Salmon ·       Sardines ·       Scallops ·       Shrimp ·       Tuna	·       Apples ·       Apricots ·       Bananas ·       Blueberries ·       Cantaloupe ·       Cranberries ·       Figs ·       Grapefruit ·       Grapes ·       Kiwifruit ·       Lemon/Lime ·       Oranges ·       Papaya ·       Pears ·       Pineapple ·       Plums ·       Prunes ·       Raspberries ·       Strawberries ·       Watermelon	·       Almonds ·       Cashews ·       Flaxseeds ·       Peanuts ·       Pumpkin seeds ·       Sesame seeds ·       Sunflower seeds ·       Walnuts	·       Black Beans ·       Dried peas ·       Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) ·       Kidney beans ·       Lentils ·       Lima beans ·       Miso ·       Navy beans ·       Pinto beans ·       Soy Sauce ·       Soybeans ·       Tempeh ·       Tofu

Grains	Eggs & Dairy	Herbs & Spices	Poultry & Meats
·       Barley ·       Brow n rice ·       Buckwheat ·       Millet ·       Oats ·       Quinoa ·       Rye ·       Whole Wheat	·       Cheese, grass fed ·       Cow’s milk, grass-fed ·       Eggs, pasture-raised ·       Yogurt, grass fed	·       Basil ·       Black pepper ·       Chili pepper, dried ·       Cilantro & Coriander seeds ·       Cinnamon, ground ·       Cloves ·       Cumin seeds ·       Dill ·       Ginger ·       Mustard seeds ·       Oregano ·       Parsley ·       Peppermint ·       Rosemary ·       Sage ·       Thyme ·       Turmeric	·       Beef, grass-fed ·       Chicken, pasture-raised ·       Lamb, grass-fed ·       Turkey, pasture raised

The source for both of these tables: http://whfoods.org/foodstoc.php

According to the George Matelijan Foundation for the World’s Healthiest Foods website, the list provided above was created using the following criteria. First, the foods must be considered nutrient dense. In other words, the foods listed above contain more of the essential nutrients than calories. Second, the foods are considered whole foods, containing rich nutrients that are not synthetically made or highly processed. Third, the foods listed are foods that everyone is familiar with. Therefore, they are easy to find and purchase. The other criterion that was used to create this list of healthy foods is that they are available all around the world, easy to afford, and taste good. Therefore, if you are reading through this list, and do not find a food that you like click on this link: http://whfoods.org/foodstoc.php and see why your favorite food was not included in this list.

I recommend this website to anyone looking for information regarding healthy eating. Being a non-for-profit, the information provided is based off of an honest, independent perspective looking to provide the public with the truth. Originally, I came upon this website while researching about GMO. Recently, I have read about the negative effects that GMO has on food. However, I was unfamiliar with the whole concept and wanted to read more from a reliable source. For anyone unfamiliar with GMO, the abbreviation stands for genetically modified organism. In regards to food, GMO represents a food product that was altered at the gene level. The modern day genetic engineering allows for genes of an animal, plant, virus, etc to be inserted into a different organism to alter the physical characteristics of the organism. This type of process is often used to prolong the shelf life of tomatoes, for example. For more information on GMO follow this link: http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=207 . It’s very interesting and will have you rethinking your grocery store choices.