Happy New Year!!! Bring on 2013!!!

Happy New Year everyone!! It’s been a while and I have missed you so much. How are you??? How did you spend New Years Eve?

We were with friends down the coast and took this pic on our way there. Jumping in the air welcoming the New Year!

Happy New Year 2013 from Fitness Food And Style

We have been on holidays down at our beach house in Lorne, which has been great family time. Adrian hasn’t had a long break like this all year so the kids are loving spending their days bike riding, surfing, playing beach cricket, swimming, scooter riding and exploring with their Dad.

Our holiday snaps thus far....

Summer holidays

We have been eating relatively healthy although we have fallen in some bad habits. Treating ourselves with ice-cream’s (I should have packed my icy pole moulds) and potato chips! All these indulgences add up when you have them daily or every second day but hey! we eat well throughout the entire year so once in a while we find it’s okay to splurge on some junk! How do you go when you go away on holidays? Do you find you drop the ball sometimes or do you remain diligent at all times?

Here are some breakfast samples of the “healthier” food we have been eating;


Muesli with fresh fruit and natural yogurt

Muesli with fruit

Pear and mango porridge

Pear and mango porridge

I typically grab a can of pears and make my pear porridge recipe with milk and oats on a stove top or microwave. However I had very ripe pears so I ended up slicing them all in the mix and cooked them up with some water and majority milk. No sugar required as these pears were super sweet!!!! 


No added sugar waffles

Waffles no added sugar

With my waffle mix it is pretty much the carbon copy of my crepe/pancake mix I just make sure the batter is a bit thicker for the waffle machine. The kids go crazy as we all share the waffles on the plate/board and place whatever toppings on there eg: natural yogurt, fruit, maple syrup or honey etc....

We have been walking everyday to the beach which is a lovely 700 meters beside the Erskine River and just outfront the Mantra Resort. Lorne is such a beautiful place and we are truly blessed to have this beach house at this time. I have also managed to run to the pier and back with no stitch! YAY!!!

Lorne run from Erskine River to the Pier

The #planksjan2013 challenge has been going off on Instagram. There are over 300 photos tagged in 13 days!!! How have you been going with the challenge? I have increased my time from 30secs to 40secs planks but some people have been doing a minimum of 60 secs and some up to 4 minutes!!! They rock! They are inspiring me to double my plank time so I too can achieve a 2 or 3 minute plank by the end of the month!!

I will post more plank info in my next post, for now I wanted to say how much I missed you and to say a quick hello from our holidays!

Have a great week until we meet again, when we are back from our holidays!!!

Xx Dani

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Mt Buninyong run and Spooky party

Hello everyone, I know I am a teacher in my son's eyes but today he taught me something pretty amazing!!!! MIND OVER MATTER!!! Rather, reinforced it!!!

As all 6 of us snuggled in bed this morning, Noah jumped out of bed and said:

"C'mon Mum, we can run up that Mt Buningyong hill! Don't be scared!"

The belief in his eyes and passion made me bounce outta bed, put my running shoes on and go for this run!

Mountain Buninyong...elevation 719 metres above sea level.

Mount Buninyong is a hill overlooking Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. Formed from an extinct volcano.

We only managed to run a 5.5km course however I was super proud of Noah as he only stopped when we had to take these photos. Of course to show you all!!!!

Mt Buningyong

Seriously amazing stuff, the views were amazing and I was super proud of Noah as he also had his soccer game this morning and I thought this would completely exhaust him. But no! He was super charged! Said he was going to smash this mountain, and he did!!!

I must admit, I didn't want to do this run. I even sent a sms to our running trainer to say I'd give it a miss. Why? I drove the car up the mountain yesterday and I got scared! Yup! I didn't think I was built for something this extreme, so best I don't attempt it at all. Especially when I'm not a real runner and haven't ran since Run Ballarat (although I do think I did a 3km run?). Anyways, I didn't think I had enough training or prep work to get me up this hill! So I got discouraged and thought best I set some smaller goals......and do the Mt some other time.

But no! Thanks to my little champion Noah, he ENCOURAGED me do this run and for that I am truly grateful. I love you honey.

Mt Buninyong running superstar Noah

We had a full on day today with many parties and this one was completely spooky!! Our new friends did a sensational job with the cake, decorations and activities today.

How cool is the cake?? I loved it!!!

Oscar's a classic jamming away on the trampoline above!

 Mietta and her new little friend were searching for some spooky stuff in the green goo, while the hosts dressed up as a witch and zombi!!! Thanks for a great day guys!!!

I had a lot of requests from Facebook and Instagram to post the recipe for our pizza's last night so here it is. Enjoy! These seriously take under 10 minutes to make and eat!!!!


Ingredients
2 cups wholemeal (wheat) flour
2 tsp baking powder
S&P
10 kalamata olives
2tbs luke warm water

NB: Makes 3 medium size pizza's

Clean eating home made pizza's

Method
Mix all ingredients in blender until dough forms
Roll dough into preferred thickness (we do ours super thin)
Lightly grease fry pan and place pizza dough, add toppings
Once base is cooked (1-2 minutes) place under griller for toppings to cook & melt

EAT and ENJOY!!!!

Xx Dani

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BOO! I'm back! It's time to refocus and get a riggle on

Hey there!!!! thanks for all your lovely comments. YOU ROCK! I love reading and replying back to you so here I am only 2 days later from my last post! Told you! The more comments I get, the more posts from me. Nah! Kidding, I'll keep posting when I can, so you too keep making comments!

These last few days, have been a blur. I cannot believe it's Friday tomorrow!!! WTH? Don't get me wrong, I am super excited as we get closer to Christmas, such a special time with family and friends. Also looking forward to all the social catch ups, so I'd like to thank all my babysitters in advance for taking care of our babies. Muah!

Exercise has been a little shady, even though my workouts feel like they're happening ALL DAY running after the kids, errands, house work etc...however I do miss that glitter that beads off me! Ha! Just thought I'd make you laugh! On a serious note, I need to get a riggle on! Yes, as it's beginning to jiggle. Amazing how your body works. Don't do anything and it goes back to how it was. Workout and it tones and firms up. Funny that! ;-)

Running is on my agenda this weekend, I am challenging myself to run up Mt Buninyong with our running group. This is a map of the area,  I am yet to find out the exact course but this will give you an idea of the terrain. I'll attempt the 7.5km run as the 12km run is pretty much up a steep incline up the highway and I have been told by many to take things easy.

1. it's my first "long" run since Run Ballarat

2. I get severe stitches!

I am still very new to running, or rather slack! So I need to get back on track if I want to train for half a marathon next May!

Breakfast
Strawberry and kiwi oats with walnuts

Morning snack
Hummus dip with veggie sticks

Lunch
Ham, egg & feta submarines served with cherry tomatoes

The kids were gorgeous today as they made their own sandwiches, so it was cute to watch the ingredients they were getting out of the fridge. 

Afternoon snack
Anzac biscuits from the best healthy chef Teresa Cutter

Anzac biscuits

This recipe is super easy and so quick. I always have these ingredients in my cupboard. If you have a blender, you are set in 3 minutes!!!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (175g/6oz) rolled oats
1/2 cup (40g/1 1/2 oz) desiccated coconut
1/2 cup (60 g / 2  1/4 oz) flaked or chopped almonds
2 1/2 tablespoons macadamia nut oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 tablespoon water

Method
Combine oats, coconut and almonds into a food processor.
Add the oil, honey and vanilla.
Turn on the food processor and mix well for about 30 seconds or until combined.
Add the water and process again. The addition of water will help the cookie mixture stick together.
Form into 20 small cookies and place onto a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
Flatten down with enough room around each cookie.
Bake for 20 -30 minutes in a low 150 C (300 F)  oven. or until golden brown.
Cool completely before eating and enjoy.
Makes 20 delicious Anzac cookies
Store in an airtight container for 5 days.

Super quick and easy! We did this as our activity and the kids were even rolling them into snakes and snail forms. They didn't look that pretty, so I took only their circle shapes!

Today was Mietta's orientation for 3 year old Kinda next year. WOWZA! Time is flying by. She had a good time although, I know there will be tears next year when it's time to say goodbye and Mummy not playing with her at Kinda. Here she is enjoying some play time which will be her second home next year. 3 times per week for 2.5hrs. Enjoy honey.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend, I'll be jetting down the beach tomorrow so stay tuned on Instagram or Facebook until I return back here to update you all. Much love &....

Xx Dani

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Another birthday and FYM challenge week 8

Seriously too much birthday cake, I have literally exploded! As much as I tried to make them supportive....I didn't really succeed this year! I figure we eat clean 80-90% of the time, we really need to enjoy these special moments even though I am determined to bake a choc zucchini/carrot cake next time! With no sugar of course. 

Yes, Adrian's birthday was another success in the cake department. I went with a lemon butter cake heart theme this time with his favourite lemon icing.

Adrian really loves lemon tasting desserts especially lemon meringues!!! Me not so much but I must admit I do enjoy putting lemon in most of the dishes I cook these days. It just adds zest and such a good flavour! My Mum puts it in almost everything!!! So I simply mixed some lemon rind in the butter cake mixture (didn't use as much sugar! and made my own self raising flour with baking powder and plain wholemeal flour) and did the lemon icing as well. There were 2 pieces left over, that's how delish it was!!

Here we all are, trying to squeeze into the picture.

For dinner, I made something quick and easy. We had left over steak rump which I shredded and added all the ingredients I had left in the fridge and pantry that would make a kinda Mexicana beef taco style dish. So here it is....

Dinner

Mexican beef taco's in cos salad shells

Ingredients
Olive oil
Shredded cooked beef steak
1 finely diced onion
2 sliced/chopped carrots
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1 can corn
1 can peas
1 jar of Mexican salsa
handful of olives
cos salad

Method
Gently fry onions, carrots and mushrooms until soft in olive oil. Add beef, salsa sauce and corn, cook for a further 5 minutes. Just before serving add cooked peas and sprinkle olives in the mix. It's done, super quick as most things are cooked except for the onions, carrots and mushrooms.

Instead of the greasy taco shells (even though I do love them dearly) it was so fresh and crisp tasting serving them in the cos salad shells/cups!

I didn't buy these specific ingredients to make this dish. I simply go through my left over fridge/pantry ingredients when we have a low budget food week (and I promise I will share my meal planning ideas with you REALLY soon) and I google for ideas, inspiration or through the years I have learnt what flavours work together. This meal would have been under $15 for the 6 of us and with left overs the next day.

Today I managed to fit in a run with my gorgeous life saving friend Celeste (who I borrowed the love heart shape tin to make within the hour!) and ran 3kms with a slight stitch but not that severe! Perhaps it's more in the mornings that I get the stitch and my body not warming up? Who knows? I am still working it out. Keep you posted!!! I am really determined to complete a marathon now, even though the back of my mind I'm still thinking why am I doing this? Because I love it! There is something about running that is kinda cool (still could be doing other cool stuff within that time, mind you) but you know what I mean. Once I set my mind on something, there is no stopping me!

FYM Workouts

My FYM challenge ends in a couple of weeks (on Oscar's birthday in fact 11/11) so I have been quite good with my nutrition however limited with my workouts as my neck hasn't been quite the same. Also with my lower back after the 6km run on Sunday, something with the stitch and lower back muscle isn't gelling. Having said that, it's only my body not used to this type of fitness.

I am taking things easy and only doing what my body can do, at this stage. Still happy following the program and linking with my beautiful FYM girls!!! Love them dearly!

Sending you all my love and hope all is well with you and your families. I look forward to touching base with you real soon and love reading your comments. IT MAKES MY DAY!!!

Xx Dani

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Run Ballarat I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

Hello my beautiful people, what can I say?? The fun run is this Sunday and I am a tad excited!!! There are over 3,000 people participating and I just can't wait for the vibe on the day. My gorgeous friend from Melbourne will also be joining me, so I am super excited about that. She is my role model. She just did a half marathon in Melbourne on Sunday and completed her first ever marathon in Paris this year!!! You know who you are number 56184!!! I'm so proud of her!

Maybe one day, I too will complete a half marathon (if I ever overcome this stitch of mine) who knows? Might even complete a marathon. Watch this space.....

Run Ballarat fun run to help raise money for The Base hospital

I am also happy to be doing this run for such a wonderful cause. We are regulars at The Base hospital ER section, if it's not one of our boys falling off a motor bike and cracking his head open, it's the other one falling off his skate board with the same injury. Lucky, they have a tough Mum! 

Workouts

I have been a little slack with my fitness this week. Minor neck issues and keeping motivated have kept me away from what typically drives me and my "no excuses" attitude. I will get over this head space. TRUST ME!! Nutrition has been great, no more cadbury chocolate to report!

I must say the yoga challenge is fabulous and I am loving that movement every day. 

Breakfast

Overnight soaked muesli

Morning snack
Yogurt with fruit salad

Lunch
Fritatta sausage pizza

Ingredients
Eggs
Spinach
Tomatoes
Turkey sausages
Feta
S&P
Parsley

Method
Chop ingredients and start sautéing mushrooms and sausage, beat up eggs, add chopped vegetables, feta into egg mix and pour into frypan. Allow base to cook and then place under pre heated griller until toppings are cooked. Really quick, under 10mins!!!

This is simply our version of a crustless pizza, using the eggs as the base but really it's a combo of an omelette and fritatta but I make it look all fancy like a pizza and the kids love it!!!

Afternoon snack
180 Nutrition coconut protein drink

Dinner
Coconut and split green pea curry with steamed brown rice

This was my take away dinner as I went to the hairdressers this evening.

Ingredients
1pkt green split peas
onion finely diced
2 carrots finely diced
1 can of crushed tomato
2 cans of coconut lite cream/milk
1 fresh garlic minced
spices (curry, tumeric, corriander, moroccan)
Olive oil
S&P to taste

Method
Dice vegetables and fry with spices, add can of tomatoes, peas and cook for 10mins. Add coconut milk/cream and simmer until peas are soft. Serve with rice.

NB: I washed and soaked my peas overnight with 1tsp of bicarb soda, this helps quicken the cooking process

So sorry for the rushed recipe process and steps, I really can't wait when I have more time to document my passion for food. I will endeavour to link as many recipes to what comes close to mine as possible (just for those that need measurements etc). Thanks so much for coming past, it means the world to me. Even more when you leave a comment! So please, don't be shy!

Have a sensational week and as always, can't wait to touch base with you again.


Xx Dani

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Did you say run? Yes I can run now...

So I started blogging a few months ago, I think that was around the same time when I started running. As you may be aware, I'm not a huge fan but I have it as one of my goals before I turn 40 to complete a fun run. So I have registered for the Run Ballarat 6km fun run which is only a few weeks away. I have managed to do the 12km course already, however still battling this mild stitch and would much prefer to defeat this and work out the cause than run in pain. 

So this is my track.....the road I turn onto to go running from my home. 

Run Ballarat has inspired me to do my first fun run!

PWOS (post work out shake after my 6km aka 3.75mi run)
180 Nutrition coconut protein drink with water not milk

I must admit my legs were extremely heavy between the 4-6kms mark as I did a deadly Fit Yummy Mummy workout out the day before, with the Transformation Kit. Bring on Summer and get these legs out, I say!!! Can't wait for the warmer weather to get here!!!


Breakfast
Cinnamon pear porridge

Pear porridge

Morning snack
Apple and carrot muffins

Carrot and apple oat muffins

Ingredients
Oats
Wholemeal flour
Chia seeds
Eggs
Vanilla essence
Grated carrots
Apple puree
honey
raisins
yogurt
sprinkle of nutmeg & cinnamon
walnuts and apple slices added on top for decorative purposes

Method
Mix wet ingredients with dry and leave the mix overnight in a cool room (or the fridge) and then you have your muffins ready in the morning to bake! Ran out of muffin cup holders, so I used baking (parchment) paper and cut them into squares and laid them in and poured the mixture!

Please forgive me for not providing you with my exact measurements. I do these at night so I am seriously just thinking about my bed and not the measurements. However please check out my favourite healthy chef Teresa's muesli muffins as these are as close to my recipe as I can recall. She truly does inspire me!


Lunch
Sandwich platter with various toppings, tuna, avocado, feta, tomato, spinach, cucumbers

We were out and about all afternoon and luckily packed snacks however were really fortunate to have these....

Afternoon snack
Date scones

Date scones

My girlfriend made these and she gave me her Mums ingredients, quantity and method. These were to die for!!! Simply divine. I am determined to make these clean and will let you know how I go and post the recipe for sure!!!!


Dinner
Honey soy chicken with potato salad and roasted chip carrots

Ingredients
Chicken tenderloins (x2 packs)
honey and soy sauce
boiled eggs
potatoes
carrots cut into sticks

Method
Mix honey soy ingredients in casserole dish and watch these babies glaze up. Ensure you don't over cook these as they will dry out! I also bake the potatoes and carrots while the oven is on as well. Another quick and lazy night for me to cook and just rely on the oven while I play with the kids.

Honey soy chicken

Oh yes the last pic is the dressing I poured on the potato salad. Simply mix yogurt, vinegar with some olive oil and add S&P and there you have a beautiful white dressing without the guilt AKA mayonnaise.

Hey!!! BTW I have a confession to make!!! This past week I have been loading myself up with that Cadbury Creations jelly popping chocolate and seriously wonder why my progress has plateaued??? "Keep eating that chocolate Dani, go on!!! Keep it up and you'll get to your goal!!!"

NOT!!!!!!

Goodnight all. From a chocolate junkie!

Xx Dani

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Fit Yummy Mummy WEEK 4 transformation challenge continues....

YAY!!! I can't believe we're nearly half way through the FYM challenge!!! Time to crank it up to the next level as I have been a bit complacent. I still haven't managed to buy heavier weights, so this is my mission this week. My 4.5kgs dumbbells are like lifting feathers (well, not really but you know what I mean). Just need to build my strength a bit more and looking at buying either heavier dumbbells, a 10kg plate or getting a kettle bell? Or maybe all of the above???

What weights do you prefer to use?

I'll keep you posted with my new purchase/s. My real hassle with all this equipment, is storage! I have no dedicated place to store these guys so that's why I have been a bit slack purchasing them!

Oh yes, forgot to mention I was featured on Fit Yummy Mummy's blog on Saturday if you'd like to check it out. I'm so glad that I can be a great ambassador of Clubfym and encourage those women who are wanting to regain their body back after having babies. 15 minutes per day is all it takes me to get the results I have got, so I do hope to see you there!!!!

Workouts

I completed my Transformation Kit workout yesterday and even managed to do my 12km run on Saturday. Pretty huge effort I think for someone that has only been able to run a bath!!! I am completely stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to embrace something I am not so good at!

Here is the scenery and running track I was running beside and loving every minute of it!

How divine is this running track ~ Lake Wendouree, Ballarat

Run Ballarat course

Breakfast

Bircher muesli with strawberries

Ingredients

Oats

pepita seeds

sunflower seeds

2 oranges (juices)

1 lemon (juice)

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

2 chopped dried apricots

Method

Soak above ingredients overnight and add milk and fresh fruit and enjoy!

Morning snack
Yogurt with fruit

Lunch
Smoked salmon and egg salad

Ingredients
2 slices of smoked salmon
1 tomato
1 handful of spinach
3 hard boiled eggs
drizzle of olive oil & vinegar

Afternoon snack

Coconut banana protein smoothie

Dinner
Broccolini with BBQ chicken skewers

The dressing
3 crushed garlics
1 tsp seeded mustard
1 tablespoon white rice vinegar
S&P
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Add all ingredients together (except olive oil) then add olive oil last to emulsify this delightful dressing!

This is the dressing I poured over the steamed broccolini which I prepare in 4 stages. I also toast pine nuts and generously sprinkle over the broccolini, we love the taste!

1. Wash broccolini thoroughly
2. Steam broccolini
3. Place in cold icy water (remains green and fresh looking)
4. Drain in colander with absorbent kitchen paper

With the chicken skewers I pretty much marinated them in lemon juice, seasoned with S&P, 2 crushed garlics and tarragon leaves. I also leave the bamboo skewers in the tub to soak up the lemon juice to avoid them burning!

Off to bed early tonight, had vertigo all day today, very dizzy and light headed. I think it's caused by my pinched nerve in my neck. Not cool. Will go to Chiropractor tomorrow to check it all out.

Look forward to touching base with you all again! Have a sensational week!!!

Xx Dani

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My Mum is back from Serbia!!! Woo hoo!!!

Hello everyone, how are you? We are all really well and keeping busy these school holidays. Noah finishes up tomorrow so we have a full 2 weeks of kids activities which I'll keep you posted with. Many catch ups and day trips along with the arrival of my Mother from Serbia, which the kids and I are really excited about. 

How quick 3 months have gone.... I really did miss my Mother, Mira. For those of you that don't know who my Mum is, this photo was taken when I just announced I was pregnant with baby no. 4 Zali "Mirjana" which my Mum was stoked about that we named her after her!

My Mum Mirjana and I Dec 2010

Workout

Day of rest however I did go out for that run I mentioned last night, so early to bed for an early to rise run which was great fun!!! 

I did a bit of a cross country running course this morning which was very challenging, I don't typically run big hills but this morning I had a limited window to run (only ran 4.6kms AKA 2.9mi) so I thought it may as well be a challenging course. Mind you majority of the hills I had to stop and walk it a bit but better than me laying in bed thinking about running, I just did it!!!

I'm looking forward to the practise run for Run Ballarat this Saturday morning and in my mind I'm thinking of trying out the complete 12kms (7.45mi) circuit. See how I go....



Breakfast
Pineapple quinoa with milk

I added the milk after I took this photo

Morning snack
Natural greek yogurt with strawberries, sunflower, pumpkin and chia seeds

Lunch
Chickpea curry on 2 toasted (wholegrain) sandwiches with tomatoes

We went to meet with a girlfriend (impromptu) at our local park for lunch so I quickly packed this for our kids...

1. Chicken and parmesan on white rye bread
2. Laughing cow cheese
3. Apple and cinnamon with freshly squeezed lemon juice
3. Strawberries
4. Muesli bars
5. Fruit and vegetable puree's for baby Zali

Spent the late afternoon with Celeste and her gorgeous kids so when we got home I had to whip up a super quick dish.

Afternoon snack
Dip with vegetables and crackers

Celeste made a similar dish the other night and gave me her BIG bright idea!!! Meatball sausages!! Meaning, squeeze out the meat in small pieces and throw away the skin!!! I purposely bought gourmet red bell pepper and onion sausages (not a fan of the plain butchers sausages) so this dish was just that little bit tastier with the spiced up sausages!!!

Dinner

Meatball sausages and vegetable pasta

NB: I served mine on a bed of spinach while the rest of our family had wholemeal pasta 

Ingredients
1x packet of gourmet sausages
3 tomatoes or punnet of cherry tomatoes
2 mushrooms
bag of spinach
1 capsicum finely sliced
1 lemon
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
1 tbs yogurt or low reduced sour cream
S&P
olive oil
wholemeal pasta (optional)

Method

1. Cut ends off sausage and gently squeeze small amounts of meat and gently fry in olive oil. Add any spices and herbs at this time, I used a Moroccan based spice with cumin and coriander.

2. Add sliced capsicums, spinach, chopped mushrooms and tomatoes
3. While pasta is cooking, use pasta water as part of your sauce and squeeze entire lemon followed by all the drained pasta

4. Add a tablespoon of yogurt (or fat reduced sour cream) to make a lovely cream based sauce
5. Taste and add S&P if required, garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese


Here's me cooking in the kitchen with our kids!!!

Mietta pulling her famous wink smile for the camera, while Zali (mini me) poses for the camera!

It's always busy in our kitchen with one or all of our 4 kids in the kitchen, I love it! I hope one day they enjoy cooking in the kitchen as much as I do!!!

Goodnight my friends and I look forward to meeting with you all again tomorrow.

Xx Dani

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