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By admin On July 13, 2010No CommentsWhen the clock strikes midnight, most of you are probably snuggled deep beneath the covers of your duvet and dreaming the night away.
If you are a night owl, like me, you might be doing crazy athletic events that involve a bike, thousands of people, a great cause and an amazing city skyline. Just this past Saturday (ahem..Sunday morning!) I had the honor of participating in L.A.T.E. Ride 2010. Proceeds from this one of a kind bike ride benefitted Friends of the Parks, Chicago’s only citywide parks advocacy group.
So what was it like riding in the early morning hours?
It was an amazing experience, yet there were many precautions to be made with the large crowd and less-experienced, often reckless bikers. Here are some tips I’d highly recommend for late night biking:
Let’s Get Visible: Guess what, it’s dark out. Guess what, people can’t see you on your bike. Guess what, go and get a light for your bike. It’s best to have lights on the front and back of your bikes. Bike lights can easily be found at a sporting goods store near you. In true L.A.T.E. Ride spirit you could also don your glow lights and battery powered Christmas lights for full late riding effect.
“I can ride my bike with no handle bars..no handle bars”: Umm unless you are the Flobots who sing this awesome song, no you can’t. Make sure you have full control over your bike and are alert of your surroundings.
Midnight Suit: Get yo’ gear right. You might look amazing in black, but that car behind you might not think so when it hits you! Look for a quality reflective vest or jersey with reflective strips. I even suggest bike shoes with reflective strips.
Helmet Head: This goes for day time riders, too. Protect your head and make sure you wear a helmet at all times. The hard concrete doesn’t care about your hair, doesn’t care about the lines it leaves on your forehead. So be safe and wear one.
So, keep these tips in mind the next time you gear up, night owls!
Riding late at night was certainly an experience I will never forget, including the big reward of a beautiful, picturesque sunrise over Lake Michigan.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Most people do not consider dawn to be an attractive experience - unless they are still up.” ~Ellen Goodman
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By admin On September 5, 2009
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Liquid pounds put a damper on any diet–it doesn’t make you full, it doesn’t satisfy your chocolate cravings, it shouldn’t count, right?
Wrong. A simple glass of orange juice sets you back at 122 calories!
Researchers have concluded that we drink 10 percent to 15 percent of our daily calories. Unfortunately, all of those sodas, juices, energy drinks and (gasp!) Starbuck’s do quite the number on our waistlines.
How do I quench my thirst, you might ask? Stay hydrated with water and this fun, low-calorie drink, thanks to Chicago’s Red Eye Weekend Edition. It will satisfy all of your sugary, bubbly, say ahhh beverage cravings!
Homemade Orange Cream Soda
Get This..
6-ounces of pulp-free orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 liter club soda
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1 cup fat-free frozen vanilla yogurt, thawed
1 orange, seeded and thinly sliced
Do This..
Combine orange juice, club soda and orange extract in a pitcher. Blend in thawed frozen yogurt. Add orange slices and serve over ice.
**Shopping Savvy Tip: When searching for yogurt, try to stay clear of the artificial sweeteners. If you can pronounce the ingredients then throw it in your cart.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage. ~Erma Bombeck
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By admin On September 1, 2009
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It’s official.
Coffee is actually good for you!
No it’s not a dream. That cup of joe in your hand can help fight disease, increase brainpower, keep you feeling young and help fuel those tough workouts.
So put on a fresh pot, get your favorite coffee mugs out and learn why you should be jumping for java all thanks to Self.com..
Bean Benefits: Lifelong caffeinated-coffee fans may be less prone to develop Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Coffee’s antioxidants may tamp down cell damage linked to Parkinson’s. And caffeine blocks inflammation in the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer’s.
Smile Sips: Caffeinated java has antibacterial and antiadhesive powers, so it may keep cavity-causing bacteria from eating your enamel. It also slashes oral cancer risk by half!
Diabetes Dodger: People who sip 3 to 4 cups of regular or decaf coffee a day are 30 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Stop Those Stones: Gallstones grow when mucus inside your gallbladder traps cholesterol crystals. Xanthine, found in caffeine, may reduce mucus and risk for deposits.
Skin Saver: Two to five cups of regular coffee daily may help lower your risk for nonmelanoma skin cancer by up to 17 percent.
Bosom Buddy: Premenopausal women who downed four cups of regular coffee per day experienced a 38 percent reduction in their breast cancer risk, a study in The Journal of Nutrition finds.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee. ~Stephanie Piro
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By admin On August 25, 2009
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Running is hard enough, but add the following combinations into the mix and prepare for the worst to take a toll on your mind, body and goals.
Everybody makes mistakes, the best way to approach your running mishaps is to determine what you are doing and know how to fix it.
Here are some of the most common running mistakes..
Sad Shoe Story: Wearing old running shoes, or even the wrong type of running shoes can lead to injuries galore. Go to a specialty running store to evaluate your foot type and running styles. They can determine whether you’re an overpronator, underpronator or neutral runner, this will lead to the perfect shoe recommendations. Always, always make sure to replace running shoes every 300 to 350 miles.
Terrible Too’s: Too much. Too Fast. Too soon. More is not better when it comes to running, especially if you haven’t been training. Pushing yourself to your limits is great in most cases, but in running it will only lead to injury. Be conservative and know what you can and cannot handle. Don’t be afraid to walk if you are just beginning to get into the routine. Pay attention to every ache and pain, listen to your body, if your arch feels like it might snap in two then stop! Give yourself a rest day every now and then, at least once a week!
Oh No Overstride: Overstriding, otherwise known as landing with your heel first can be bad news for your pace. This is a great way to waste valuable energy. Try not to lunge forward with your feet and focus on landing mid-sole with your foot directly underneath your body.
Downhill Don’ts: My favorite part. Downhill. With downhill comes the urge to lean forward, overstride and let the hill take control. Guess what? That’s a big no, no! Lean slightly forward and take quick, short strides. Do not do the opposite and lean back to brake yourself.
Drink Up: Don’t underestimate how much water you lose while running. Worried you are going to get a side stitch if you drink to much water? Well don’t. Dehydration is terrible for your performance and overall well-being. Pay close attention to how much you drink before, during and after running. An hour before running, try to drink 16 -24 oz. of water. Take in 6 -8 oz. every 20 minutes while running. Don’t forget to rehydrate afterwards!
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Running is one of the best solutions to clear the mind. ~Sasha Azevedo
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By admin On August 24, 2009
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It’s beautiful. It’s odd shaped. It’s purple. And as the bagboy at my grocery store said, “Why do they call it an eggplant? Why not a purpleplant?”
Not only are eggplants in season, they are loaded with fiber and antioxidents! As for the name, who knows! One thing I do know is here are some fabulous eggplant recipes that will have you asking for more…
Eggplant Cannelloni
Get this..
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 large shallots, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 jars (12 oz each) roasted red peppers, drained
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (juice of 1 orange)
Eggplant:
- 2 medium eggplants, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices
- olive oil cooking spray
Filling:
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 4 kalamata olives, pitted and minced
- 1 teaspoon capers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Preppin’..
For sauce: Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook shallots and garlic until soft, about 1 minute. Reduce heat. Cook until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add peppers and juice; bring to a boil. Lower heat; simmer until peppers are soft, about 5 minutes. Cool. Puree in a blender. Pour into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
For eggplant: Coat eggplants with cooking spray and broil on a baking sheet until golden on both sides, about 15 minutes. Heat oven to 400˚.
For filling: Mash cheese, olives, capers and 1 tbsp of the parsley in a bowl. Place 1 tbsp of filling at the end of each eggplant slice; roll up. Lay seam side down in dish. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Top with remaining 1 tbsp parsley.
Here’s the skinny scoop: 259 calories per serving, 10.7 g fat (4.7 g saturated), 32 g carbs, 10.8 g fiber, 10.5 g protein
Grilled Vegetable Flatbreads Stuffed With Zucchini, Eggplant and Tomato
Get This..
- 2 zucchini, cut into 1/3-inch slices
- 2 eggplants, cut into 1/3-inch slices
- 2 beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 2 roasted red bell peppers, cut into 2-inch slices
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups lima beans
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 4 flatbreads or pitas, uncut
Preppin’..
Brush zucchini, eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until each is tender. Put 2 tbsp olive oil and onion in a nonstick pan and sauté over medium-low heat, stirring until onion becomes brown and syrupy, about 15 to 20 minutes. In a food processor, puree onion, lima beans, Parmesan, parsley, lemon zest, and thyme. While machine is running, add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and broth. Season with salt and pepper. Grill or toast both sides of each flatbread. Remove from heat and spread with bean puree. Layer on vegetables. Cut in half.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
How can people say they don’t eat eggplant when God loves the color and the French love the name? I don’t understand. ~Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet
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By admin On August 20, 2009
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Who wears short shorts?
Michelle Obama wears short shorts!
It’s all over the news, everywhere we look there she is wearing *gasp* shorts!
Some may call it scandal, some may say “how dare she?” but I believe she looks comfortable, sassy, stylish and in amazing shape. Good for you, Michelle!
Here are some tips on how to pull off the short shorts look yourself (as we all aspire to have legs like the First Lady)..
For the thin and petite (lucky girls): Cuffs. Cuffs. Cuffs. To make your body have a longer, leaner silhouette, reach for a pair of mid-thigh length, cuffed shorts. When choosing shoes, try wearing wedges or heels, these shoes will instantly lengthen your body.
For the tall and lean (wishful thinking!): If you’re tall and have a thinner, boyish shape, super short shorts will make you look like a giant. Mid-thigh or bermuda length shorts with give you some shape and make you look tall, but not TOO tall! For daytime, choose cute sandals. For night, go ahead and wear heels. Show off that height, think America’s Next Top Model!
For the petite and curvy (work those curves, girls!): Pick shorts that hit mid thigh and flare away from your body. Cuffed shorts are always great for that. Remember to pick solid colored shorts. If you like patterns, stick to patterned tops to draw the eye up, not down. When choosing shoes, always opt for heels or wedges to lengthen your body.
For the tall and curvy (show it off!): Tall, curvy women want to avoid skin tight shorts, shorts this style will only make your body appear bigger. Bermuda shorts and knee length shorts without pleats look great! Wear shorter, mid-thigh shorts if they flare away from the body and are paired with the right top. Wedges and heels will give your legs a nice shape, but you can also wear sandals.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Eat my shorts! -Matt Groening, The Simpsons
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By admin On August 18, 2009
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It’s no secret that high protein and low-carb diets are all the rage. With all of the benefits it’s easy to understand the excitement!
Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Not only are hair and nails mostly made of protein, your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood–who wouldn’t want to add more to their diet?
There’s great news for all of you protein fanatics out there, protein doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny. Check out these finds, thanks to fitsugar.com, all are under $2 and packed with up to 10 grams of protein.
Chobani Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt has double the amount of protein than regular yogurt. Most brands range under $2, but Chobani ranks in at the cheapest at only $1.19! It’s only 120 calories with 16 grams of protein. Opa!
Edensoy Organic Soymilk: Need to quench your thirst? Try this soymilk packed with 11 grams of protein and 140 calories. Get a three pack at only $2.61. I’ll have soy more please!
Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame: Sure frozen edamame is amazing, but you can’t quite keep it in your purse or gym bag. Try the dry roasted version and you won’t be able to put it down. At 130 calories and 14 grams protein, this edamame costs only $1.46 for a four-ounce pack. Now that’s a number I can certainly crunch!
Kind Plus-Almond, Walnut, Macadamia: If it’s an energy bar you are craving, look no further than this one. It packs a protein punch at 210 calories and 10 grams protein. Get a pack of 12 and you’ll find yourself with each one costing $1.48. That price, I believe, passes the bar.
Cheese n’ Crackers: So simple. So cheap. So yummy. So much protein! Try going for a one ounce stick of string cheese and a bag of Kashi crackers. The cheese is only $0.64 per slice and crackers only $0.58. So good it’s almost cheesy!
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Life goes faster on protein. ~Martin H. Fischer
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By admin On August 17, 2009
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Of course the Internet is great for Google, surfing for endless information, social networking. But, what about saving?
That’s right, saving!
Not only can you find the best steals with online shopping, there are also sites specifically dedicated to helping you save some dough. If you are lucky you might find yourself in a world full of freebies, finds and frugalista bloggers.
Here are some of my favorite sites for all of the freebies, deals and discounts right at the click of a mouse.
Coupon Geek: Not only does this site have a cute name, but it’s where saving and spending meet! Now those are two words I can live with, I certainly love to save and love spending more! Coupon Geek helps everyone save money with great deals, freebies and even helps readers transform their current shopping and spending habits. Check out this great freebie for a copy of the electronic version of The Full Plate Diet, loaded with healthy eating tips!
Freesnatcher.com: Who says nothing is free? Certainly not Freesnatcher.com. Find a wide range of free samples, coupons, deals and sweepstakes here. No extra fees. No special sign ups. No gimmicks. No kidding. Trust me, this is from the girl who got a subscription to Self magazine for free!!!
The Recessionista Blog: Fashion. Saving. Does it get any better than that? I think not. This blog is great for fashion/trendsetting savings in a down economy. Seems as though everyone is mad for plaid this season and Walmart is now featuring a collection from Miley Cyrus and Max Azria. Miley and Max at Walmart?!? Good to know, thank you Recessionista Blog!
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet. ~Carrie, Sex and the City
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