Meat Free Mondays: Meals to Make

by Jenni in

I have created an entire folder on my computer of meals, side dishes, drinks, the lot that I will be making one day. Maybe, we will see them on the blog in the future, and maybe they will just be for experiments. Either way, these recipes look fantastic, vegetarian, and simple... It's about time I share!​

Skinny Broccoli and Cheese Casserole from Eat Yourself Skinny

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Kelly over at eat-yourself-skinny.com makes so many fantastic recipes! Seriously, I have quite a bundle in my "must cook" folder from her alone. I cannot remember how I came across her blog, but it is fantastic. She is full of great cooking ideas and healthy twists on food. This broccoli casserole looks super yummy and is only 118 calories, 2 grams fat, and 14 carbs. Yes please! ​

Low-Fat blueberry Scones over at Skinnytaste.co

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Ok, I have actually made these. They are fantastic and healthy and super gooey and warm. The recipe does not take too long and is p-e-r-f-e-c-t if you are needing some baking therapy. ​The best part is that they are made with Greek yogurt so you get live cultures, protein, and waaay less fat in a scone. I am dying to get my hands on some lemon yogurt for some lemon and blueberry scones in the spring!

Fresh Tomato Tart with Pesto and Mozzerella

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Seriously, who would not want to eat this yummy tart from thatskinnygirlcanbake.com?! I do not know how this could be considered healthy, but am totally willing to test it out. ​This tart would be perfect with some heirloom tomatoes, a light salad, and sparkling water with fruit. Yes, this sounds like the perfect meal for any girl! Please, let me know of any way you can justify putting this in the "healthy" category, I would so love to know. 

Roasted Spiced Chickpea

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Oh how I love chickpeas, these sound so great for a healthy party food option. Pumpsandiron.com has great recipes and some pretty hardy workouts as well! I would totally recommend trying these out, then letting me know how it goes! 

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Oscar Workout Special: Naomi Watts' Arms

by Jenni in

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Naomi Watts uses Pilates to keep her body toned and abs super tight. Pilates is also fantastic for arms, as seen by her killer upper body! She has been known to follow the Blood Type Diet in her younger years, but now tries to eat healthy and balanced instead. 

This exercise incorporates a lot of Pilates exercises along with some great toning moves. Start with a warm up jog for two minutes, then complete each exercise for one minute with a one minute cool down between each circuit. Complete three circuits, total. 

Chair Dips

Chair dips are so wonderful for those triceps and that jiggle. Place a chair a few inches behind you and legs stretched out in front. Hands should be facing you and on the seat of the chair with elbows bent, hold you off the ground. Rise up so arms are straight, then bend back down so you are about an inch from sitting down. Complete as many as possible in one minute.

Cobra Push-Ups

Such a fun push-up variation! Get into cobra position with toes on the floor and legs out straight behind you. Shoulders should be down and eyes should be looking up. Bend elbows back so you are completing an almost regular push-up. Complete as many as possible in one minute.

Long Plank Series

This is a great Pilates exercise that incorporates legs, arms, and abs. Start on all fours with abs engaged and shoulders down. Extend one leg, then the other, out so you are in plank position. Lift the right leg up while keeping your body still. Lower, and lift the left leg up. Alternate between left and right twice, then return to all fours. Complete as many as possible in one minute.

Pilates Push-Up

Start standing up with back against a wall. Arch your back downward and roll forward slowly until your hands are on the floor. Walk hands out until you are in plank position, then complete one push-up. Walk hands back until you are standing up with legs against the wall, then roll back up to standing position. Complete as many as possible in two minutes.

Triceps-Hammy

These are super fun and a mix of a few different routines. Start on all fours with back straight. Feel free to use a 3-5 lb. weight if you have one. If not, a water bottle or cat should do. Lift right leg up and extend straight back so it is level with your hips. Lift your left arm up so your elbow has a 90 degree angle and your upper arm is even with your back. Extend arm straight back, hod, then return to the bent position. Complete as many as possible in one minute, then alternate to the left foot and right arm for another minute.

Flight Position

This is a fantastic Pilates position that I had to do all the time in my ballet days. It will work your arms, back abs, and bum. Start laying on your stomach with your nose touching the ground and arms by your side. Lift your body off the ground while keeping hips and toes rooted to the floor. Arms should be activated and straight out behind you. Hold this position for 30 seconds, rest for 5, then hold for another 30. To increase the difficulty, hold the position for one minute without a break.

You can also use this as a tone and stretch pose by interlocking the fingers behind your back. So wonderful after an arm-tastic circuit! ​

Saturday

Be sure to complete all three workouts on Saturday, but only do one circuit of each. This will get you in red carpet shape for whatever you have planned on Sunday!

Oscar Workout Special: Jennifer Lawrence and The Hunger Games

by Jenni in

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Jennifer Lawrence's Hunger Games trainer gave this actress a complete run for her money. They were doing everything from parkour exercises to archery to rock climbing to tree climbing (for real!) and yoga. Phew, that is a handful, no wonder Jennifer Lawrence is so good at Kicking some major butt in, pretty much, every film!

This circuit uses massive cardio to burn some major calories and get us in combat shape... Hunger Games style! Start with a warm up jog for two minutes, then complete each exercise for one minute with a one minute cool down between circuits. Complete three circuits, total. 

Four-Square Runs

The more space you have, the better. This exercise will keep you running in a square in front, side, back, side movements. Start by running forward as far as possible (50 ft is great!), then run side ways the same amount, then backwards, and sideways again- making a complete square. Run one direction for one minute, rest for one minute, then complete the opposite direction for another minute.

Knee-Up Lunges

Ooohh, your bum is going to feel this. Get into Lunge position with left leg front and arms bent in at your sides. Jump upwards and bring your right leg up so your knee is tucked into your chest. At the same time, bring your left arm up towards your right shoulder and press your right arm back. Complete for one minute, rest for one minute, then complete one minute on the other side. 

Bow and Arrow

Archery was a major part of Jennifer Lawrence's routine. I do not have an archery range nearby, so this will have to do. Place one end of a resistance band in each hand. Start with arms out-stretched in front of you and feet hip width apart. Pull the right arm in towards your ear while rotating your body to the right as well. Be sure to keep arms up while doing this. A better form equals a better tone. Complete 30 seconds with the right arm and 30 seconds with the left. 

Speed Skater/Knee-Ups

You ready to get that heart pumping! Start with thirty seconds of speed skaters with the right leg bent and in front of the left. Your right toes should be the only things touching the ground. Bend down with arms to your side and alternate moving the right, then the left arm outward as fast as possible for 20 seconds, then go straight into knee-up for another 20 seconds before completing 20 seconds of speed skaters with the left foot out in front. This should take one minute total and go right leg speed skaters, knee-ups, left leg speed skaters. 

Kong Prep

This is another exercise Jennifer Lawrence did quite a bit in prep for The Hunger Games. Start by completing one push-up. Them, jump feet in between hands and jump back to push-up position. Complete as many s possible in one minute.

Oscar Workout Special: Jessica Chastain's Legs

by Jenni in

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The Oscars are coming, the Oscars are coming! To celebrate this fabulous film event, P+K is going celebrity on this B (b is for blog, people). Today, we have a complete workout that will tone arms, legs, the bum, and the stomach- Oscar style. These exercises are sure to get you Naomi Watts' arms, Jessica Chastain's legs, and some cardio that could get you Jennifer Lawrence's Hunger Games physique.

The workout is separated into three circuits- one for arms, one for legs, and one for toning. The best way to use this workout is as a four-day plan.

Start today by doing the Jessica workout, then complete the Jennifer workout  tomorrow, followed by the  Naomi workout on Friday. Complete one circuit of each workout on Saturday for a mini Oscar bootcamp workout. 

Start with a warm up jog for two minutes, then complete each exercise for one minute with a one minute cool down between circuits. Complete three circuits, total.  

No matter which way you choose, the workout should take 30 minutes. And the nominees are...

Wall Walks

You may prefer to do these outside, at a place where you do not care about the wall (gym), or with only socks on. Start in plank position with feet flat against the wall. Walk your feet up the wall while walking your hands back. Alternate tacking the right, then left leg off the wall once you are almost in a handstand position. Hold, then walk you feet back down and your hands out to starting. Complete as many as possible in one minute.

Chair Kicks

Have I told you how much I love these? Well, just in case... I looooveee these! Place a chair in front of you with the seat towards you (intermediate) or away from you (advanced). Stand to the left of the chair and kick your right leg, then your left leg over the seat or the back. Then, return to your starting position by kicking the left leg, then the right leg over the chair. Complete as many of these as possible in one minute. Rest for one minute, then complete another minute standing to the right of the chair. 

Curtsey Lunge

I like to pretend I am a dainty little lady when doing these. Start with feet hip width apart and arms tucked into your chest. Cross your right leg behind your left and bend downward. Hold, then return to starting position. Alternate between the left and right legs for one minute.

Side Plank Knee Tucks

Oh goodness, these will work your legs and lower abs. Get into side plank position with your right arm extended and hand flat on the ground. Stack your legs so each foot is touching the floor. Bring the left leg in towards your chest, hold, then return to starting position. Complete one minute with the left leg, then complete one minute with the right.

Leg Lifts with Chair

Another great use for a chair... Start with your shoulders on the ground and feet on the chair. Your entire back should be off the floor. Alternate lifting the right leg, then the left, off the chair and as high as possible. Be sure to keep your body straight and stationary during this entire workout. Complete as many as possible in one minute. 

Arabesque with Front-side-back

This is a ballet pose that, if done right, you will feel for a week. No joke. Arabesques are great for the legs and the sole reason my bum was fat free while in ballet. Start in first position with the left arm on the back of a chair and the right out to the side in second position. Be sure to keep your shoulders down, hips even, and a light grip on the chair during the whole exercise. Point right foot and lift leg up so it is straight out in front of you. Hold, then return to starting position. Next, bring the same leg out to the side so it is on the same plain as your body. Return to starting, then extend the leg out behind you. Continue for one minute, then complete on the left side. Hold each position for 4 counts before returning to starting.