As crazy as this sounds, I am thinking of replacing cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving with my new cole slaw. Who needs all that added sugar? This tasty slaw will add some moistness to the turkey and give it a little kick. Who’s with me? It’s also a great way to use up that never ending cabbage that is always staring back at you from the fridge.
Chipotle Cole Slaw:
4 cups cabbage, shredded
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp chipotle pepper
juice of 1/2 lime
1 inch or more of shredded carrot
Steps:
Combine all the above, stir until fully combined and chill before serving.
For more great recipes, please visit takebackthekitchen.com
Don’t just be a Mom. Be a Fit Mom!
Over the past year, I’ve had a few health setbacks that have caused me to put on weight at an unbelievable pace. Back in the spring, I threw out my knee and spent an entire week on the couch and then the next few months slowly making my way back to the gym. In fact, after that incident, I gave up Jazzercise since the activity was really causing my knee to ache. Then, last month, I woke up in excruciating pain and discovered I had two wisdom teeth that were infected, impacted and had to be removed. There I was, back again on the couch and despite the fact that I could have lost weight on a liquid diet, I still managed to find ways to satisfy my sweet tooth (I did get my teeth pulled on Halloween so you can’t blame me for not avoiding chocolate!) And so, as we get ready to start a new year, I’m faced with having to lose at least 15 pounds so I can fit back into my skinny jeans.
I don’t know about you, but I hate when I gain weight. It makes me feel lethargic and my joints and muscles ache even more. Being overweight causes a host of health and self esteem problems and as a mom of two young teens, I know I need to set an example for them to keep them active, be it in school or at home. While I happen to love to curl up on the couch at the end of a long day, the fact is, my son has been partaking in my nightly ritual too and while it is fun and relaxing, we also have to mix up our routine with exercise. So, get up and get fit before it’s too late. Here are some interesting strategies that will help you get fit and, at the same time, it will be a fun.
Plan your day, week and month: Planning is crucial for everything you do. Planning your day, you need to give time for feeding your kids, playing games with them, your job and your TV time. But I failed to mention the most important thing. Exercise! Yes, you need to take time out of your busy schedule and devote time to your workout. In this case, start small, but make a steady effort to keep your schedule intact. Once your daily schedule is on track, you need to make a weekly plan, then for a month. This way, you will be on your road to being fit.
Ask for help: You may think you can do it all, but you still need help from others. Asking your husband or partner for help along with your nanny, friends, siblings, or your parents can help ensure that you won’t miss out on taking care of yourself during a busy work week. With their help, you can be sure that your workout will not be affected. Don’t hesitate. You don’t have to ask them to be available at your place for hours and hours. All you need is 30 minutes a day to get back in shape.
Yoga: Yoga is a great option too. If you have some peaceful music CDs, play it and focus on meditating and exercising. It can even help you cope with daily stress by teaching you how deep breaths and stretching are good for your body. If you need a yoga mat for your session, here is a sears code to get it at a discounted price.
Breaks: Your dedicated time for workouts should include decent intervals so that you can rest for some time. This will help you have a healthy routine and boost your energy. So, take breaks and end your workout with ease.
Dance: One of the best options to workout is to dance. As I had mentioned before, I was doing Jazzercise last year and really enjoyed it until I hurt my knee. So take it easy — you may not be 15 anymore but you can find low cardio dance options that won’t affect your knees. And the best part is, you will burn calories without even realizing it!
Equipment: Exercise cycles, incline trainers, or any other fitness equipment. Have at least one of them at home and don’t use it to hang your dirty laundry! Make sure the equipment is in one of your favorite rooms so that it keeps you motivated to use it. So as you contemplate the couch or the climber, jump on the climber for 30 minutes and then reward yourself by crashing on the couch afterwards! If you are planning to buy one for yourself, here is a sears shipping coupon code. Use it and get an amazing discount on your purchase.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.