Summer version of a caprese salad, foam rolling your neck, and my 100th YouTube video!

Camera man and I went to our friends house this past weekend and had a wonderful meal. The most memorable part of the dinner was the appetizer; a twist on the traditional tomato mozzarella.

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Ingredients:

4 peaches (one for dressing)

big mozzarella ball

honey

fresh lemon zest

lime juice

cumin 

chilli powder

tequila 

salt

Dressing:

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1 peach

2 tbs honey

fresh lemon zest

1/2 c lime juice

3/4 tsp cumin 

3/4 tsp chili powder

1.5 tbs tequila 

salt to taste

place in magic bullet or blender and mix away until smooth!

Directions:

slice your other three peaches 1/4 inch thick

slice mozzarella a little thinner than the peaches

Coat each peach-slice with dressing and then place on grill on medium to high heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear. 

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When peaches are ready, plate immediately. Place one peach followed by a slice of mozzarella followed by a peach followed by mozzarella and then top off with a peach. In the end it will be 3 slices of peach and 2 slices mozzarella! You can drizzle a little more dressing on the top.

Dish will be warm and delicious. The mozarella will melt just a little from the heat of the peaches! ENJOY!!!

My neck has been acting funky lately so while the peaches were grilling I grabbed my friends foam roller (who also happens to be an amazing trainer) and she taught me how to foam roll my neck against a wall!

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You want to place the foam roller on your neck and walk your feet out away from the wall so that your body weight pushes against the foam roller and puts some nice pressure on your neck muscles. I loved this! It felt so good!

In other news....I  posted my 100th video to YouTube!!!! In order to celebrate I did 100 repetitions of all the exercises in the video. It sounds more intimidating than it is... I promise! Give it a shot and let me how you did. Thank you for all your continued support!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMyyTYzF7kc&w=560&h=315]

Fiesta Quinoa side dish or snack

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Quinoa is just awesome. And this easy to make, looks like you worked harder than you did dish makes it even better! This can be served cold or at room temperature so it is perfect for summer.You can make this for your next BBQ or to keep in the fridge ready to take out and eat as a snack or side dish.  (** the picture above does not have black beans OR cilantro)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Cooked Quinoa
• 1.5- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half (you can cut it again to make it smaller if you wish)
• 1 large avocado
• 1 can or 2 cups black beans (you can get canned black beans or make them fresh! Follow bag directions for fresh black beans)
• 3 ears fresh corn
• 1 batch cilantro chopped 

Directions:

• Cook your Quinoa and then set aside to cool off completely
• dice tomatoes 
• chop cilantro
• dice your avocado 
• if you are using fresh beans this may take a whole night to prepare. Follow package directions. You can use cans if this is all you have.
• I think fresh corn is BEST for this dish. So try to avoid the canned stuff. How to make corn? You have options:

1. grill
2. boil
3. bake (simple and comes out really good! Add salt and paper to the corn before you place in the oven)

Let the corn cool off and then CAREFULLY cut the corn off the cob. 

After everything is prepared and cooled off you will get a large flat dish to lay out your quinoa. On the side mix the avocados, black beans, corn, tomatoes and cilantro. To this mixture add 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and one whole juicy lemon! Salt and pepper to taste. 

Place dressing and vegetable mixture on top of quinoa. Do not mix. The vegetables are meant to say on top of the quinoa and get mixed in as people serve themselves.

This makes an amazing dish. If you have leftovers it keeps great in the fridge! Enjoy!

A workout for a bummed leg or foot

I rolled my ankle last night during my dance cardio class. It happened in the first 10 minutes of class and somehow I was able to finish teaching. Everyone in the class saw it happen, so they were all supportive. All class I felt like I was doing the sprain dance, like Lisa Turtle. I even saw some students in class hopping on one leg like me.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Jhvlag9vM&w=420&h=315]

It is annoying to have an injury but you can still find ways to work out. Like this person:

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtrciwU4Fbo&w=420&h=315]

I sprained my ankle once in college while in dance practice. I was out for about 2 weeks. I swam every day to keep myself in shape. So if you have a bummed leg or foot try this workout. It will focus on your pecs (armpits), abs and your back! 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO66pqf6HCg&w=560&h=315]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1dpwovNnxA&w=560&h=315]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO8cLBrLNZI&w=560&h=315]

First dance and wedding trailer

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Photograph by Abby Lorenz Photography.

I hope everyone had a great fourth of July weekend! It was HOT here in Boston, but I was able to make it to the beach for one day and dunk my body in the ice cold ocean water. It is a love hate relationship.

I know some of you have been asking to see our first dance, so here it is!

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/68869846 w=500&h=281]

We took lessons at Ballroom in Boston and really loved working with Lilia. Lilia made us feel comfortable and confident and she allowed us to add our own moves and creativity to the dance. Even if you do not plan to do a choreographed first dance, taking lessons with your partner is a very cool experience and you will connect on a totally different level. Keep a look out for groupons and special deals online, they come up often! Enjoy!

Our wedding trailer. Byt the amazing Rachel Globe.

See you next week for some awesome workout videos!!

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/68722243 w=500&h=281]

How NOT to blow your healthy eating this July 4th weekend.

July 4th means a lot of food, drinking, and dessert. But it does not mean that you have to throw your healthy eating out the window! This is what I would do before heading out this weekend:

1. Workout before you leave for your BBQ or outing.  (you could workout after but I like before better)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSrdAwUfCUM&w=560&h=315]

2. Drink a lot of water the morning of. I would eat a light breakfast. Maybe an egg, avocado and toast? Or some nuts and a banana. You could even do a green juice! I would never leave my house with an empty stomach. That would just set me up for disaster. Get something in your belly so you are not starving causing you to overeat.

3. I always try to bring a healthy side dish or appetizer. I am bringing a hearty and delicious salad to my families BBQ. Bringing something is helpful because if there is nothing on the "healthy" side at your BBQ, you know you always have your dish to fall back on!

4. If you are going to a place where there will be a lot of people, loud music and drinking it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and just start shoving food in your mouth. Try to be mindful. Find a seat and enjoy your beer (or cocktail!) and food. Sitting makes a HUGE difference and will somehow make you feel more satisfied.

5.  Fill your plate with veggies or salad, first! Then you can add in your protein and starch. I would grab a sweet potato or brown rice if that is an option!

How I will fill my plate:

- half my plate will be filled with a salad or veggies of some sort

- a protein (probably grilled chicken). About the size of my cell phone, or smaller.

- possibly some type of starch. Brown rice? Sweet potato?

- and I will always leave room for dessert!!!!

6. How I will choose my dessert: I will most likely scope out the table and choose something chocolaty. I love chocolate. And I will take just a little to satisfy me. Look at the table first, then pick your favorite dessert. Who knows, it might even be the fruit!?

7. Try to avoid sugary margarita mixes and drinks. I would stick to the less sugary drinks. After every alcoholic drink grab a water. If you are hosting a BBQ maybe you can try one of these: (Thanks Sarah!)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMPFQxfl5kE&w=560&h=315]

So there you have it. Do not stress about what you are eating, just enjoy every bite. Holidays should be fun. Do not deprive yourself, that will just lead to over indulging. Enjoy your friends and family (or whoever you are with)! Be mindful of what you are putting in your body. And if it is a chocolate chop cookie, enjoy and embrace every bite :)

Be safe and  happy fourth!