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50 Things To Do Before You Die, Happily

Posted by admin on May 16, 2013 in Most Buzzed About Topics, What's In the News | 0 comments

Boating with jungle cats is not recommended on this list, but this study was commissioned to support the “Life of Pi” movie release earlier this year. Thanks, Life of Pi marketers! Cool research.

Apparently, if you want to live a “full life,” the most important elements are not worrying about money, and not worrying about what other people think of you.

Seriously, if I could never again worry about money or what other people thought of me, I’d be a happy ameobic blob, floating around the city of Toronto with bare feet, eating from the Smoke’s Poutine truck and returning home to drink wine when the sun went down. OK, so that is the single person version of what I’d do. With kids it might look more like spending the entire day laying in my bikini in the wading pool with a book (complete disregard for adolescent lifeguard’s disdain, of course…), rolling over once in a while, and returning home to drink wine when the children finally passed out in the grass. Anyway, you get the drift.

British researchers recently polled 2,000 English people about the behaviours and achievements they considered essential to happiness. The list is not as far-fetched as you’d think. Less “jump out of an airplane,” more “have a pet” than I would have expected. Also interesting and affirming – the list is much more about experience than material possessions. So the goal of “not worrying about money” (living on poutine is optional) is not necessarily the same thing about never HAVING to worry about money. It’s a state of mind, not a lottery win we’re talking about.

Sadly, only 23% of those polled considered themselves to be living their lives to the fullest, despite the fact that they could specifically name the things that could make that happen.

The averaged person polled has done only 8 of these 50 things. Read the full list below & tell me how many YOU’VE done! 

Then, think about how you can choose 5 for this year that you can either achieve, or start planning to achieve. All night drinking session, anyone?….  

1. Stop worrying about money

2. Stop worrying about what other people think

3. Take two holidays a year

4. Enjoy little comforts in life

5. Experience different cultures

6. Work to live rather than live to work

7. Pay off all debts

8. Be true to yourself

9. Concentrate on what you have instead of what you don’t have

10.Use money on experiences rather than saving for a rainy day

11. Make time for family and friends

12. Try all types of food

13. Find true love

14. Travel to at least 25 different foreign countries

15. Go outside more

16. Learn a new language

17. Be well thought of by family and friends

18. Help a member of your family out when they really need it

19. Lose a stone in weight

20. Treat each day like it’s your last

21. Visit all of Britain’s historical landmarks

22. Book an impulsive last minute holiday

23. Volunteer for a good cause

24. Take up a challenge

25. Go on safari

26. Blow a load of money in one shopping trip, just because you can

27. Learn a new instrument

28. Be married for longer than 20 years

29. Have enough money left for the grandchildren to enjoy

30. Start a family

31. Earn more than your age

32. Have a pet

33. Drive a really fast car

34. Travel alone

35. Be able to keep the kids on the straight and narrow

36. Meet strangers

37. Move away from home to an unfamiliar place

38. Have a one night stand

39. Pass your driving test

40. Get a degree

41. Rescue someone so that you’re a hero for a little while

42. Date someone exciting but completely wrong for you

43. Get a promotion

44. Reach the desired career peak by age 40

45. Have an all-night drinking session

46. Perform something on stage in front of others

47. Snog a stranger

48. Plan a surprise party

49. Embark on adrenaline packed activities such as sky diving or bungee jumping

50. Spend time with children even if they aren’t yours

How many of these have you done? Comment below! Plus, did they leave anything out?…

What I Ate Wednesday: Fluffy Muffin-Cup Frittatas

Posted by admin on May 8, 2013 in Trainer-Approved Recipes, What I Ate Wednesday | 0 comments

This is a protein-packed breakfast or lunch that is not only delicious and simple, it can help you slim down for summer and avoid sugar cravings later in the day.

How do I know?

1. Your mother told you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and, as you know, mothers are always right.

2. I have used my body as a human laboratory of sorts for 13 years and have discovered that a fat- and protein-rich breakfast makes a HUGE impact on my late afternoon and evening energy levels and snackiness. Yes, that is the correct term.

3. A 2005 Study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that women (anywhere aged 25-60 in the study) ate considerably fewer calories later in the day and felt less hungry throughout the day when their breakfasts contained eggs, compared to those who ate the same number of breakfast calories in the form of a bagel.

Now, I know getting eggs first thing in the morning is not always easy. Weekends are egg territory for most of us and on weekday mornings we tend to live in carboland, where lovely coffee-accompanying treats like bagels, cereal, toast & peanut butter (or toast + butter + peanut butter + honey if you are pregnant Dara – let’s not go there…) are quicker and easier when you’re on-the-go.

Saute your veggies lightly before adding to the frittata! This batch: red pepper, spinach & ham.

I am going to fix that! I leave the house between 6:00-6:30 a.m. most days and I neither have time nor appetite before leaving home to cook and eat eggs. So I have included in my Sunday routine just 20 minutes to prep a batch of these delicious muffin-cup frittatas. I vary the content depending on what is in my fridge, waiting to be used up.

I grab two of these with a piece of fruit and I have a fantastic, filling, whole-food breakfast that’s packed with protein and gets me through to lunch, after Belly Bootcamp. When I don’t have them for breakfast, I’ll often reheat a couple of these frittatas with some kale, spinach or other veggies for lunch. They are also a great nighttime snack and an easy addition to your kiddo’s school lunch. Enjoy!

Fluffy Muffin-Cup Frittatas

• 1/2 pound chopped ham, bacon or other leftover breakfast meat from the weekend (optional; organic, low-sodium and/or nitrate-free are preferable)
• 1 – 1 1/2 cups veggies, sauteed lightly
• 9 large eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp melted coconut oil or olive oil
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta or other cheese (again, optional)
• sprinkle oregano
• salt + pepper (easy on the salt, as cheese and meat, if using, will add salt already)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and brush muffin cups with olive or coconut oil. Do not skip the oil as frittatas will stick otherwise. 2. Saute chopped vegetables and cool briefly. 3. Combine eggs, oil, milk, baking powder and any seasoning; beat until frothy. 4. Divide meat & veggies equally among muffin cups and top with cheese. 5. Divide egg mixture among cups – cups should be about 3/4 full. 6. Bake 15-20 minutes, depending on doneness preference for eggs – in my oven, about 17-18 minutes is plenty. They will puff up and then flatten once removed. 7. Remove and cool in pan 5 minutes for easier removal, then use a butter knife to slice around each frittata and remove to baking rack to fully cool, or eat warm!

Now, the real question is… ketchup? salsa? sriracha? 

And here are a few of my other eats – I haven’t posted a “What I Ate Wednesday” for a couple of weeks, so here are a couple of bonus pictures for meal inspiration! Enjoy!

xo

BBQ pork + beef lettuce “burger” with homemade guacamole & balsamic peppers

Chipotle canned tuna on bed of kale, fresh herbs, romaine + tomatoes

BBQ salmon + shrimp with corn on the cob + veg

mom + kids dinner out: pho rare beef + noodle soup and side of veggies, requested with no sauce (oil + water only)

super fast frozen shrimp + fresh veggie stir fry

Letter From A Mother To A Daughter

Posted by admin on May 8, 2013 in Most Buzzed About Topics, Personal Trainer Diary, What's In the News | 0 comments

This spring marks our 5th Belly Bootcamp outdoor season. I can’t believe it’s been 4 full years and already onto the 5th. We’ve had the pleasure of training so many amazing women that I rarely go to a park, farmers’ market or family event without running into at least one of our Belly Bootcampers. I’m always amazed to see their little ones’ growth, as I tend to keep their babies frozen in my mind at whatever age or stage they might have been when we first met.

Seeing other people’s children grow up makes me realize that my children, too, are growing older. 

Seeing my children grow older makes me realize that I, too, am aging.

This Friday my first baby, and favourite girl in the world, will turn six years old. WTF?

my mother & my daughter, 1st birthday

6 is so beyond the baby stage that I feel my head is spinning. Didn’t she just start JK, and now we’re onto actual grades this fall…? Screw that – Didn’t she just ARRIVE? Where has the time gone, and have I used it the best that I could? Have I loved enough, taught enough, cuddled enough, played enough, sung enough, disciplined enough, modelled enough?

While you may not be celebrating a birthday this week, I am sure most of you will be celebrating Mother’s Day. Maybe even your very first Mother’s Day. I hope you will be kind to yourself and enjoy your special day, and reflect on your own mother through the understanding eyes of one who loves her child.

I know now, six years in, that time flies with our little ones but motherhood never stops. 

I know that I appreciate my mother more than ever before in my life. I know she must wake up sometimes and wonder where the last 32 years went, just as I marvel at the passage of 6. Motherhood doesn’t stop just because a child reaches 18 years, or has her own child. At least I hope not, because I plan to hold onto my babies a lot longer than that.

I love this beautiful poem by Guillermo Pena of Spain, and the gorgeous photo that was published with the poem.

Love and hugs to you and your babies and mothers. 

xo

D.

Letter from a Mother to her Daughter

My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please.  Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story… night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me.  Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day…

The day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant.  Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.

When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.  I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared.

With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter.

Original Text in Spanish and Photo by Guillermo Peña.
Translation to English by Sergio Cadena

Join Toronto’s Hottest Stroller Fitness

Posted by admin on Apr 29, 2013 in Most Buzzed About Topics, Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness | 0 comments

Are you ready to play? Come join us at Toronto’s best stroller fitness classes! We can’t wait to launch the 2013 Belly Bootcamp outdoor season – our Bellies & Strollers postnatal fitness classes have caught the attention of BlogTO, CTV, Today’s Parent and numerous online publications.

The BEST results. The MOST fun.

This year is going to be better than ever! Come to a park near you to join us for a trial class and see for yourself why Belly Bootcamp is Toronto’s hottest fitness for modern mommies.

Joining us for Bellies & Strollers this season? Following are the exact meeting points for each location, plus a reminder of what you’ll need to bring to class.

High Park (west): Enter the park at Bloor St./High Park Ave. and meet at the cluster of picnic benches directly between the north and south parking on the ring road. By TTC, exit at High Park station and walk across Bloor St. to enter the park. Parking is available for free at the first lot as you enter from Bloor St.

Trinity Bellwoods/Fred Hamilton Park (central): Meet at the northwest corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park, at Dundas St./Shaw St. By TTC, take the Dundas Streetcar to Shaw St. or take the Queen Streetcar to Strachan and walk to the north end of the park. Parking is available for free along both Shaw St. and Dundas St.

Cedarvale Park (midtown): Meet on the large field next to the Phil White Arena, at 443 Arlington Road, in the center of Cedarvale Park. By TTC, take the subway to Eglinton West station and walk south through the park to the arena, or St. Clair West station and walk north through the park to the arena. Free parking is available at the arena.

Jimmie Simpson Park (east): Meet at the southeast corner of Jimmie Simpson Park, at Queen St./Booth Ave.. By TTC, take the Queen Streetcar to Booth Ave. Metered parking is available along Queen St. E. and free parking is available on nearby side streets.

Woodbine Park/Measurement Park (east): Meet at the northeast corner of Woodbine Park, in the area marked “Measurement Park” near Queen St./Eastern Ave. By TTC, take the Queen Streetcar to Eastern Ave./Kingston Rd. Parking is available for free in the large lot just south of the Green P lot (enter from Eastern Ave.).

We provide the equipment and expertise. Please bring the following items for your use:

• Water
• Clothing in layers so you can remain warm or cool as needed, with a supportive bra
• Comfortable, supportive athletic shoes
• Sunscreen/hat/insect repellent, if desired
• Garbage bag to act as “mat” in case of dampness
• Infant carrier in case baby becomes fussy in the stroller
• Medications/orthopaedic supports you might need
• Snacks/toys/diversions for baby, plus a blanket or mat for baby, if you wish

We run rain or shine! A few notes regarding weather:

• In cases of truly inclement weather, you will receive an email the morning of your class to inform you that class has been cancelled. Cancellations are only in cases of unusually extreme heat, lightning, unusually heavy rain and hail. If you have not received an email, class is on! Make up classes are not awarded in cases of regular summer coolness and/or rain.
• Don’t rely on the morning weather when you wake, or on the forecast. Many times we have seen forecasts of rain or rainy early mornings that turn out to be beautiful sunny workouts, or pleasant, cloudy and cool workouts. Your Belly Bootcamp trainer is armed with an arsenal of effective exercises, even when the ground is muddy and wet.
• Don’t underestimate yourself! Often the cooler days are the easiest on which to exercise – less sweat, less heat. Put a rain cover on your stroller, throw a hat on your head and wear a windbreaker. Within 5 minutes you’ll be warm!
• Don’t wear your best workout clothes to Bellies & Strollers. Whether rainy or dry, dirt, dandelions and grass all await you. Save your most fabulous gear for a walk with your girlfriends or your indoor classes.
• Keep a black garbage bag or two stuffed in the bottom of your stroller. When the ground is a bit damp or just dirty, a garbage bag can act as a “mat” to perform core work and will spare your expensive yoga mat from park mess.

There are a few spots remaining in Bellies & Strollers, although registration is always open and our is expanding soon. Know someone who might like to join you at Bellies & Strollers this spring? Refer a friend to Belly Bootcamp and you’ll receive a free week when she signs up! 

See you at Bellies & Strollers!

What I Ate Wednesday: Quinoa Fried Rice

Posted by admin on Apr 17, 2013 in Trainer-Approved Recipes, What I Ate Wednesday | 0 comments

The sun is shining and it’s finally starting to get warm in Toronto, and for some reason that made me want greasy fried things… So I drove past the McDonalds that sits 3 blocks from my house and came home to make this bowl of yumminess for lunch. This is a spin on fried rice that is packed with protein, fibre and healthy fat! (more…)

Belly Bootcamp In Today’s Parent

Posted by admin on Apr 14, 2013 in Most Buzzed About Topics, Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness | 0 comments

Are you a Today’s Parent magazine subscriber? Maybe you noticed that WE ARE IN TODAY’S PARENT this month! And we are more than a little excited about it. Obviously.

When Today’s Parent did their round-up of family fitness activities in Toronto, they chose Belly Bootcamp fitness for modern mommies as their “fitness for moms” option. Very flattering, given all of the fitness options out there these days. (more…)

What I Ate Wednesday: Eggs In A Spinach Nest

Posted by admin on Apr 10, 2013 in Trainer-Approved Recipes, What I Ate Wednesday | 0 comments

a little yolk porn for those of you who get off on that sort of thing…

Everyone is always very curious about how a personal trainer ACTUALLY eats. There are all types of personal trainers with all kinds of eating habits. I’ve worked with trainers who ate all day from strange little containers of seeds, sprouts, veggies and more and virtually never ate anything cooked, let alone prepared. I’ve also worked with trainers who live on Starbucks pastries. It takes all kinds, as they say. But there is a little something to practising what you preach. (more…)

Gluten-Free Chocolate Olive Oil Cake

Posted by admin on Apr 4, 2013 in Reviews & Resources, Trainer-Approved Recipes | 0 comments

This chocolate olive oil cake is rich in healthy fats and totally gluten-free! It was simple enough to make quickly, with help from my kiddos, tasted delicious, and lasted several days for secret late-night snacking.  :) (more…)

Kitchen Cheat Sheet

Posted by admin on Apr 2, 2013 in Healthy Parenting, Reviews & Resources, The Trainer's Toolbox | 0 comments

As they say, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” You can work out 2 hours per day and eat out every night, and never see the results you want. Studies also show that families who eat dinner together, at home, are not only leaner – they’re happier!

So cook at home!

Some of my favourite recipes have come from UK chefs Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver, but converting metric to imperial, or vice versa, forces me to pull out my laptop during cooking… which means I have food all over my laptop. This makes my husband roll his eyes. Also, apparently Apple does not include “olive oil damage” in my warranty.

Instead, print and stick this handy dandy Kitchen Cheat Sheet to your fridge (or tuck it into your recipe file) for easy reference. If you have a question that is not answered by this cheat sheet, I will personally do 10 push ups – just comment below.  ;) (more…)

Top 5 Reasons Parents Can’t Say “No”

Posted by admin on Mar 6, 2013 in Friends of Belly Bootcamp, Healthy Parenting, Most Buzzed About Topics, Reviews & Resources | Comments Off

Saying “no” starts with those first bites at the breast and grabs at the family dog… but the ability to say “no” means the ability to protect your little one from unhealthy behaviours and to teach her restraint. Guest poster M.E. Picher, founder of Wholeplay, explains the top 5 reasons parents can’t say no, and why we should.

Wholeplay founder & educational director, ME Picher

Look around you.  Are there crayon marks on your walls?  What about tiny, little fingerprints on your computer screen?  If you answered, “yes” to either one of those questions, you might have a tiny, little problem saying “no.” (more…)