Heart Healthy Cardio, Eggplant Chips and Lent Plans
Is it Thursday already? Beavis.
Workouts this week have been limited. I’m intentionally trying to cut back and just rest during this staycation week. We’ve been getting lots of other cardio in though.
Yesterday it was all about the cleaning cardio yesterday and it really should be today also.
I got a little assistance from Mowgli, but really, cleaning can be a serious workout if you do it right. I posted a really short video here.
February is Heart Health Month and merry maids has teamed up with the American Heart Association with a campaign to remind us all to "Get Moving, Start Cleaning, Be Heart Healthy".
Recommended aerobic activity is 3-5 days a week at moderate intensity for a minimum of 20 minutes per session (working up to an hour). If you’re cleaning well, I totally think that fits the profile for an aerobic workout, don’t you? I should really think about subbing in more cleaning for my elliptical time. It would definitely benefit more people and the house would sure look a lot better. Ha.
*Random side note, but I’m on the lookout for a really great floor cleaner. I just can’t get rid of those streaks and want my floor to look sparkling clean for at least 2 minutes once I’m done before everyone gets it dirty again. If you have a magic cleaner that I need to know about please share.
I really love the idea though about getting moving though with simple daily tasks. It’s not that hard to just move a little more. I even think a trip to Costco should count. We did that yesterday too and I’m still recovering. Ha.
In addition to the cleaning cardio and Costco trips, we’ve been playing some soccer games at home and taking some trips to the park.
Yeah, these guys are starting to take the soccer thing a little more seriously. Yesterday we decided it was time for new soccer specific shoes and another pair of socks because Mommy can never get them washed in time.
We went all out. If only Mizuno and Pro Compression made kid sizes, right?
The game was a little unfair as it was two against one and I still have this bum hip thing going on, but it was still so fun being active together.
Once the soccer game was done, Judah suggested that I run the stairs and that he would be my timer. What a guy, right? I’m never one to turn down the opportunity to run stairs so we went for it. They ran twice with me and then decided to just give high fives instead.
It was a successful evening.
It was even more successful when I whipped out this organic Vegetable Minestrone soup we got at Costco since it was on coupon and we’re really trying to focus on healthy eating and getting more vegetables right now.
I also tried to make eggplant chips for the first time. I can’t take credit for the idea, my coworker (aka new best friend) told me how to do it. I love that she loves random food stuff like me by the way. Isn’t it always fun to talk food creations and finds with other people?
She told me that they came out crispy and she was so right. They were awesome and I’m not even a huge fan of eggplant.
Since I haven’t posted a recipe on here forever (or roasted a darn kabocha squash for that matter), I thought I’d pass it along.
Print This!
Roasted Eggplant Chips
1-2 medium sized eggplants
coconut or oil oil (or oil of choice)
season salt, garlic, sea salt, cayenne, etc.
optional- parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
Directions:
Slice eggplant. Place on wire rack and sprinkle with sea salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour. (Mine actually sat out for about two hours.)
Place slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Brush oil of choice on eggplant. (You can also make these dry.)
Sprinkle with seasoning of choice. I used garlic, spicy season salt from Penzeys Spices, and cayenne.
Roast at 425 convention for about 15- 20 minutes. I’m not totally sure on the time, but I just kept a close eye on them. If you don’t use convention it might be a little longer.
Yep. That’s it. A new chip to play around with. Yay!
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Here’s some quick pictures I actually managed to snap of the process.
Letting the salt soak up the moisture.
Mom and I were just talking about how it’s almost better to add something for 40 days than to take something away for 40 days. I’m doing a bit of both.
I think my poor food choices of late have been slowing my healing progress a bit so I’m making some dietary changes for Lent. It won’t be easy since I’ve really let myself go for awhile, but it’s time to really focus on anti-inflammatory and healing foods and stay away from added sugar. I’m not doing anything as extreme as the whole STUFT Detox from a couple years ago, but I’m definitely eliminating certain foods and getting everyone one board with healthier meals and more veggies.
More importantly I’m adding some more devotional time at night instead of blogging/computer time. It’s so much better for my overall well-being. The Man upstairs has been calling me to do that for way too long also.
Okay, off to make up my cleaning cardio workout for the day. Unfortunately this guy hasn’t learned how to fold laundry yet, so that’s always on my list.
How in the heck is laundry just never-ending like that by the way? I mean, seriously.
Oh and I think the whole breakfast egg white STUFTwich is going to make a comeback.
This one was egg whites on whole grain bread with a Bagel Spice and a little spicy seasoning salt and a slice of lite Muenster cheese made in the sandwich maker. It was so darn good.
We were visiting a friend the other day and I walked past this sign in the hallway.
How awesome is it? I want to post this picture up on my wall or just “borrow” the sign for a awhile. Ha.
You are so much braver, stronger, smarter and beautiful than you give yourself credit for. Yes, YOU. Whatever you dream of or imagine, know that it IS possible.
And that’s my deep thought for the day.
See you tomorrow with some fun spin chat!
Woot!
What’s your favorite cleaning cardio? (Mine is the kitchen floor. I despise bathroom cleaning.)
Are you doing anything for Lent?
Have you ever made eggplant chips?
