Friday, December 20, 2013

10 Healthy Habits for the New Year


The year 2014 is practically here! :)
As the new year approaches, I am trying to think of habits I want to establish and goals I want to accomplish. Here is my list of 10 Healthy Habits for the New Year. Please comment and let me know what healthy habits you want to establish in the new year. I would love to hear what you are working towards! Have an awesome day and may God bless you always!

Lots of Love,
Mariah

Blogilates!


Hello!

I'm super excited to share a wonderful blogger's fitness exercises today! I'm sure many of you know about Cassey Ho and her awesome blog, Blogilates!


Cassey Ho!

She has a wonderful website filled with great exercises and recipes. :) I think it is so beautiful that she is able to help so many people in their journey to fitness, so today I'll be sharing a few of her newest exercise videos which you will definitely enjoy! She has soooo many exercise videos posted on Youtube- here is her channel: Blogilates Youtube!

Have you seen her newest Hunger Games exercise??! This is the video!



Are you interested in ab workouts? Personally, I never get tired of doing abs! What's your favorite part of your body to train?? Comment and let me know!! For all of you who love to do abs, here is Cassey's workout video! It isn't even that long. :) I actually did this workout today, and it was a really good workout that made me get pretty tired. :)



Try these exercises and then tell me what you think! And by the way, if you haven't seen Cassey's store, I would definitely go check it out: Blogilates Store!

Have a wonderful day :) May the Lord bless you continuously this holiday! 

XOXOXO
Olivia

Monday, December 16, 2013

Peanut Butter Protein Shake



Happy Monday! :)

I thought I'd share one of my favorite shakes with you, before I go for my morning run.
This is just a quick little post, so I hope you enjoy it.

I love having a protein shake for breakfast. Shakes are quick to make, and this particular shake is delicious and satisfying. You can use any protein powder you want for this recipe. I recommend a vanilla whey protein, but use whatever you like. I just so happen to use whey, but I'm sure this would taste great with a soy protein or some form of vegan protein as well. Whatever you've got - use it! :)


Now sometimes this shake comes out like thick, creamy, ice cream. Other times ... it comes out a bit icy and more in a liquid form. I think the trick to making this thick and creamy, is using a frozen banana. I have tried it with a fresh banana, and it never tastes nearly as good. I highly recommend using a frozen ripe banana. If it's not frozen... well, I guess you'll see how it comes out.

Also, make sure that you put 1 cup of ice. If you put too little ice, it won't be as thick and cold. If you use too much, it will be more icy and not creamy. 

Well, that's all for now. I hope you try this super simple and incredibly delicious shake. I'm telling you, this is not only perfect for refueling after your workout, but this is a great meal replacement, breakfast, snack, or... dessert. This cures my sweet tooth like nothing else. Yeah. It's awesome.

Have a fabulous week and may God bless you exceedingly and abundantly this day! Please remember to comment and let me know how you liked this shake, and don't forget to subscribe to the blog! Thanks!

Lots of Love,
Mariah

Friday, December 13, 2013

Eating Clean & Detoxing

Sometimes, it only takes one little thing to set you off on the right path. It is also true, that sometimes it only takes one thing to set you off on the wrong path. Sadly, for me, I got off track for a while. After Thanksgiving, I got into the habit of eating a few too many carbs, a tad too much sugar, and a bit bigger portions. (I am sure you can guess the result of this unhealthy combination.)

Needless to say, I haven't been feeling my best lately. Besides not feeling as slim and fit as I would like, I have also suffered a sore throat and mild cold for the past few days. The sore throat was my wake-up call. It is time to start detoxifying my body and getting back in shape. Sure, I have been faithful in my workouts, but as we all know... diet is crucial.

To jumpstart my healthy eating and re-commitment to fitness, I am doing a 2 day cleanse. I have been looking at quite a few cleanses on Pinterest to get an idea of what I wanted to do. Today was Day 1 of my cleanse, and I have based it off of the "Look Better Naked," Two-Day Cleanse. I am not being as extreme with this first day, I have only had fruits & vegetables, but I have not stuck to the original cleanse completely.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you some cleanses that I had found. I think that these are safe, healthy cleanses to try if you want to jumpstart your weight-loss, healthy eating habits, or to simply detox after the holidays. I am currently working on creating my own cleanse that I am hoping to share with you within the next two weeks. I am not a registered dietitian or nutritionist, and have no qualifications for telling anyone what they should be consuming.

However, I have studied many cleanses and diets, and the cleanse I am designing is based off of a variety of cleanses/detoxes I have tried or seen. I will let you know more about the cleanse when I actually post it. It will basically be a plan to eat as clean as possible for the upcoming new year. I am trying to completely eliminate processed foods, and refined carbs. (I'll explain more later.)

Anyway, here are a few cleanses that I found through Pinterest. I hope that these are helpful to you! 

This first cleanse I have not tried, but I thought it looked like a nice basic meal plan that would help you slim down after a week of slight indulgence.




This cleanse is going to be largely what I am basing my Eat Clean 2014 Cleanse on. I love the idea of really cutting out all of those unnecessary processed foods that we tend to consume without much thought. I would really like to cut-back on my dairy intake for the month of January. In fact, my New Year Goals will be coming soon in another post, so stay tuned. :)



This is the cleanse that I am tentatively doing right now. Today is a bit more lax, but tomorrow I plan on following it almost completely. I can't do the shake exactly, but I'll make a modified version with the ingredients I have. The second snack is another no-no. I don't have any asparagus. :( I'm just making do with what I've got on hand, but I am already feeling so much better.



Okay, this one is very intense. I understand that this might seem a bit extreme to some people, but I believe that it is a great option for someone who truly wants to cleanse their body. Actually, it's not that much different from the "Look Better Naked" cleanse.
I know from experience, that after binging on the holidays, I need something like this to get me back on track and relieve me of that gross, bloated feeling. If you are able to have self-control during the holidays, chances are you probably won't need this. However, this is for those of us who tend to overdo it a bit. ;)

Please understand that I am by no means advocating binging. In fact, I highly recommend that you do not binge - ever. Eat clean 80% of the time, and have your indulgences every once in a while as a special treat.



Please let me know if you have any recommendations for the cleanse I am creating, and let me know if you are interested in seeing some meal plans. Also, I would love to hear of any diets/cleanses you have tried. Were they successful, or unsuccessful?
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the cleanses/detoxes I've shared here. Thanks!

Have a fabulous weekend and may God bless you always!


Love & Grace,
Mariah

Thursday, December 12, 2013

My Banana Bread Mistake

Happy Holidays!

I know I haven't blogged in quite a long while, so I thought I would get back in the groove with a healthy and delicious recipe - banana bread. I LOVE bananas, and I LOVE bread. So... what could be better than a warm slice of banana bread for breakfast?



A few weeks ago, my mom asked me to whip up some banana bread for breakfast. I was more than happy to help, and I began pulling out the ingredients. Now whenever I cook/bake, I always try to modify the recipes and make them as healthy as possible. When my mom suggested I make a banana bread, I immediately thought of a banana bread that Taralynn had made. (You can find her recipe here: Healthy Gluten Free Banana Bread.)

Taralynn's Banana Bread
I explained to my mom what the basic ingredients were, and she said that I could base mine around that. Well, Taralynn uses a flax & whole grain, gluten-free flour in her recipe. I thought we could use some milled golden flaxseed in ours. Apparently my mom said to use 2c. of whole wheat flour, and 1/2c. to 1 c. of milled flaxseed. I completely misunderstood her, and put 2 c. of milled flaxseed and 1 c. of whole wheat flour, thus resulting in a whole new creation - Flaxseed Banana Bread.


My mom was shocked when I told her what I had done. She said that she could taste a different flavor in the bread, but that it wasn't too bad. She said it was good, but she prefers the original recipe. I guess I added too much flaxseed for her liking. :)
However, my dad really liked it, and I LOVED it! I was very pleasantly surprised by the unique flavor of the flaxseed, and I actually prefer this recipe to the other. This one is not as sweet, but it is delicious and filling. I especially enjoyed eating this with a bit of peanut butter spread on top. Yum! :)

I hope that you will give this banana bread a try and love it as much as I do - or more! Please remember to comment below and let me know how you like this recipe if you happen to try it. Thanks!



Healthy Flaxseed Banana Bread

  • 2 c. milled golden flaxseed
  • 1 c. whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 - 1c. sugar
  • 1/4. oil
  • 1/4 c. applesauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 very ripe bananas
  • 1/2 c. almond milk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 c. raisins
  • 1/2 c. walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 c. shredded coconut (optional)

You will first need to assemble your ingredients, and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using frozen bananas, make sure that you allow time for them to soften before making this recipe. 


In a large bowl, add in your flaxseed, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and sugar.


Next you will need to add in the oil, applesauce, eggs, bananas, milk, and vanilla. 



Stir very well, then add in the raisins, walnuts, and coconut. I didn't add any walnuts this time, but they are sooo delicious in this bread. If you can add them, I highly recommend that you do.


Once thoroughly mixed, pour batter into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes, or until light brown/golden. It should feel firm to the touch. Let cool for about 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy!


I recommend topping your slice of bread with a teaspoon of peanut butter. The peanut butter really compliments this bread. In fact, I actually prefer the bread with some peanut butter on top. Also, I enjoyed my banana bread with a steaming cup of chai tea. It was the perfect breakfast for a cool winter morning. I hope you enjoyed this recipe.



If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to the Fit2Be Blog, or follow through BlogLovin'. I hope you have a fabulous day and may God bless you always!

Question of the Day:
Have you ever made a cooking/baking mistake? If so, was the result a masterpiece or truly a mistake? :)

Love & Grace,
Mariah

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Killer Core Workout

Happy Monday!

Today I have a challenging workout to share with you. This morning I decided to create my own ab workout, and I put together these highly-effective ab exercises for you. I loved how intense these exercises were. I am sure I will be very sore tomorrow. The planks made by shoulders burn! 

This 15 minute workout is super quick, and perfect for when you're short on time.
I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know if you try this exercise! Thanks! :)



God bless,
Mariah 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Burnin' Buns & Legs Workout

Happy Sunday!

I know this post is late, but I am sooo excited to share this awesome lower body workout with you! :) Friday morning, I was unsure of what workout to do for my lower body, so I decided I would just do my own thing. I made up this Burnin' Buns & Legs workout, and I loved it! 



I was literally dripping with sweat and my legs felt shaky and weak afterwards. I hope you love this workout! Please comment below and let me know how you liked this exercise. I will continue posting more of my personal workouts, so keep checking back.
Also, if you have any suggestions for workouts you want to see, please let me know! Thanks! Have an awesome day and may God bless you always!

Lots of Love,
Mariah

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Running Late - But Not Out of Time!

Do you ever wake up with absolutely no motivation to get out of bed?
Yeah. That's how I felt today. My bed was much too comfortable, and I was a bit too tired - a combination which can be dangerous. Usually, I get up ready for my workout and a productive morning. Of course I don't roll out of bed and begin to exercise immediately, but I do try to workout as soon as possible. I like the energy an early morning workout gives me. Exercising in the morning is my coffee replacement - well... that and chai tea. ;)




Anyway, this morning I had no desire to workout. Last night I had planned on doing a workout from my favorite blog: pbfingers.com, but I honestly just felt like I couldn't workout. It's not that my body was tired from an intense workout yesterday, I just... I just couldn't. Perhaps it was because I woke up a bit later than usual and I needed to get other things accomplished. It probably had a lot to do with the ferocious wind and biting cold outside. Either way, I opted out of the early morning workout, and instead fixed myself one of my favorite breakfasts... chai tea and peanut butter apple slices!




It was so amazingly delicious. Into a little dish I put my large, sliced, Gala apple; a  heaping tablespoon of peanut butter, and 3 tbsp. of raisins. After I took the picture, I decided to sprinkle the peanut butter with a teaspoon of ground flaxseed, and some cinnamon. That made it 10x better. The chai tea was the perfect complement to this simple breakfast, and I very much enjoyed it.

Anyway, as the day continued on, I tried to decide when I would workout, and what would I do - after all, it is Workout Wednesday. Although I had originally planned to to the Outdoor Running Circuit Workout, it seemed as if the day had escaped me.

Finally, at around 4:00 P.M., I decided I would go and just do it.

Well, let's just say that didn't happen. Instead, I drove to the library and then to RaceTrac to get a free hot cocoa.  By the time I had that hot chocolate in hand, I had pretty much given up on getting a workout in today. But then, I took a sip or too and thought... "is it worth it?"

No!
So...I didn't drink that hot cocoa! I came home and I did the Outdoor Running Circuit Workout. It was late, it was dark, and it was cold; but by the grace of God, I did that exercise, and I loved every minute of it. :)


It was a beautiful night run - regardless of the cold -  and I was so grateful that the Lord allowed me to get in my exercise today. He is so faithful. I just want to encourage you to never give up, and to trust in God always. Even when the circumstances aren't always the most desirable, He is with you every single moment of the day, and with God on your side, you are an overcomer.


I am so happy I got to do an awesome exercise today. All glory to God for blessing me with such a great workout. I hope this reminds you that it is never too late. Sure, I was running late, but I wasn't out of time. Every day we have choices to make. I could have stayed home and exercised, but I chose to go get hot cocoa. Thankfully, our great God still blessed me with a terrific workout. And as for that cocoa... it's still sitting on the counter.

I was able to go and run, and sweat, and feel energized. For some, maybe that doesn't sound too wonderful, but for me, it was just what I needed, and I was blessed to do it.

I loved Julie's workout, and so I am sharing it with you tonight. I'm sorry this wasn't up earlier; otherwise you could have done it this morning. Oh well, if you've already done your exercise, you can always do this in the morning.

Well, I hope you had a fabulous workout today, and may you have a blessed week!
Please comment below and let me know how you liked this workout, and also, if you have ever had any similar challenges. I would love to hear your stories of overcoming and making wise choices!

Lots of Love,
Mariah :)





Sunday, November 10, 2013

Anna's Power Reds Review

Happy Sunday! :)

I hope you had an awesome weekend. Are you ready for a healthy, wonderful week? I know that I sure am. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or requests for healthy recipes this week. ;)

Do any of you recognize that beautiful girl to the right? Yup. It is the fabulous Anna Stocker from Healthy Living Maintenance! I am thrilled to share one of Anna's review with you.

The lovely Anna, from Healthy Living Maintenance, has reviewed one of the Nutrisimo products! I sent this Power Reds Antioxidant Powder to Anna in September, and have been eagerly anticipating her review. Please go check out the lovely review she wrote, and while you're there, check out her other great posts. She has some great recipes for any time of the day.




If you are interested in the Power Reds Antioxidant Powder, you can check out the Nutrisimo website to find out more about it, and place your order. I am planning on posting some Power Reds recipes this month, so check back to see what I come up with. You can expect a Power Reds granola bar recipe sometime soon. 

If you have already tried the Power Reds Antioxidant Powder before, please comment below and let me know your thoughts on the powder, and if you have any recipe ideas, please share them. Thanks!

God bless you now and forevermore!


Lots of Love,
Mariah

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Change of Plans - From Sweets to Sweat

I was originally planning on posting a cheesecake recipe, but.... the cheesecake didn't come out as well as I had hoped. So, I will be posting something completely different today. We are going from sweets to sweat!

Instead of a dessert, I am sharing an awesome workout with you! Hopefully I will be able to share a good cheesecake recipe with you soon, but until then... it's time to sweat!

I found this workout on my very favorite blog: http://www.pbfingers.com
This awesome healthy living blogger, Julie Fagan, has tons of amazing recipes, intense workouts, and lots of motivation. I love her blog, so check it out when you get a chance, I'm sure you will love it too!

Since I am not able to post the yummy treat I promised, I have decided to give you this awesome workout from the Peanut Butter Fingers blog. I just finished it and I loved it! Trust me when I say that it is challenging and intense. You will definitely work up a sweat with this one. Enjoy! :)

The Quick 'n' Sweaty Boot Camp Workout

(Peanut Butter Fingers - Workout)

Have a blessed day everyone! Please let me know if you do this workout and how you like it. 
Was it challenging or easy? Please comment and let me know. Also, if you know of any healthy and delicious cheesecake recipes, maybe you could let me know. ;) Thanks!

Lots of Love,
Mariah <3

Friday, November 1, 2013

Tasty Tuna Burgers


Today I have one of the most delicious recipes to share with you.
I think my mom found the recipe on Pinterest, and the whole family was absolutely thrilled with these amazingly delicious.... tuna burgers.

Yum.

These are soooo good, and are so quick to make. Not to mention, they are healthy and inexpensive to make. It's an all-around win! I'm sure you will love these burgers. They taste amazing wrapped in a large iceberg lettuce leaf, served on a burger bun or sliced bread, or just plain! I hope you're ready for this taste sensation.




TASTY TUNA BURGERS:
  • 6 oz. can tuna, drained
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 c. seasoned Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/3 c. onion minced
  • 1/4 c. celery
  • 1/4 c. bell pepper, minced
  • 1/4 c. mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp. chili sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 dash hot sauce
  • 1 dash worcestershire
Combine all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Once the ingredients are well mixed, shape into four patties. Place the patties onto a greased cookie sheet or other baking pan. 


Broil on high for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden. 
CAUTION: Broiling is fast, 5 minutes may be too long for some ovens, keep a close eye on your tuna burgers so they don't burn.


These are sooooo good. I hope that you love them as much as I do. Please comment and let me know how you liked these tuna burgers, and how you ate them. Did you opt for a burger bun, or a lettuce leaf? My mom liked hers wrapped in a tortilla. What creative way will you eat your burger?

I washed my iceberg lettuce leaf and then sprayed a bit of mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup over it. I then placed my warm tuna burger inside. I topped it with pickles and tomato. It was fantastic!


Well, I hope you have a fabulous weekend! Happy November 1st!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, you know. Are there any recipes that you would like to see "healthified?"

I am so excited for this new month. I have lots o recipes in store, as well as a few challenges! Next week will be a water challenge. This month you can expect some plank and push-up challenges. Awesome things are store, so keep checking back for healthy and sweet recipes, fitness challenges and workouts, and lots of articles and advice.

Stay strong and may God bless you always!

Lots of Love,
Mariah


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars




Granola bars are one of my very favorite snacks.
They are satisfying, delicious, healthy, and easy to grab when you're in a rush. Granola bars can be extremely basic and quick, or they can be sweet and flavorful. There is so much you can do with a granola bar. You can eat them just as they are, or crumble them over your yogurt or ice cream. They are the perfect complement to a steaming cup of cocoa, coffee, or tea. Granola bars are also fabulous snacks for the road because they aren't too messy, and are really filling. Overall, I love granola bars.



However, I must clarify that I am not a fan of all granola bars. I have found that many granola bars contain high fructose corn syrup or other harmful ingredients. Besides that, why spend money buying granola bars, when you can enjoy the experience of making your own healthy bars at home?

Not only will you be saving money, but you will also be sparing your body of all those unhealthy ingredients. I have an awesome granola recipe for you to try today. I have tried a variety of granola bar recipes in the past, but this one is by far my favorite.




Have some fun with this recipe and experiment with your favorite flavors. You can really get creative and customize this recipe to your preference. As a peanut butter lover, I would recommend adding that heavenly goodness to this recipe. If you are a choco-holic, you can add chocolate chips/chunks, or you could even try adding cocoa powder. I'm sure you could even make these into pumpkin granola bars if you like.

Granola Bars
  • 1/4 c. canola oil
  • 1/4 c. applesauce
  • 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1 c. all-purpose flour (or whole wheat)
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
  • 1 1/4 c. crispy rice cereal
  • 1 c. mixed nuts
  • 1 c. raisins
In a bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, vanilla, and egg. Next add in your dry ingredients.
When they are thoroughly combined, add in your raisins and nuts. If you are adding chocolate chips, now would be the time to add those in. Next press the granola mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.

This recipe should yield about 24 granola bars. When your granola is done baking, let it cool for about 5 minutes, and enjoy!


I hope that you love this recipe as much as I do - or more! Please let me know how you liked it once you tried it. If you have any questions or suggestions, please comment and let me know. I am so eager to hear how you guys liked it, so once you make these granola bars, please remember to tell me how they turned out. Thanks!



These granola bars would make a lovely gift. You could make them a bit sweeter - maybe add some chocolate chips - and wrap them up beautifully and tie them with a ribbon perhaps. These are great for packing in your school lunch-box, or as an after-school snack. When and where do you like to eat your granola bars?

Question of the Day:
What is your favorite granola bar? 
(I like Nature Valley peanut butter crunch.)

Zucchini Muffins


Today I have one of my favorite muffin recipes to share with you!
When the weather gets cool and fall begins to arrive, I love sipping on chai tea and eating warm muffins. My favorite types of muffins are corn, pumpkin, and zucchini. I thought I'd share my delicious zucchini muffin recipe today, so let's get baking!

You will need:

3 c. all purpose flour (or whole wheat)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. applesauce
1 c. water
3 eggs
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. shredded zucchini
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. raisins




Gather your ingredients and preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 
In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, water, eggs, and spices. Mix together thoroughly. 


Next you will add in your raisins, walnuts, and zucchini. Stir till everything is equally combined. Using a large spoon, scoop your batter into your muffin tins. Be sure to spray them! This recipe makes about 18 muffins. When the oven is ready, just pop them in and let them bake for 20 minutes or until done. I usually touch them to feel their firmness and test them with a knife or toothpick.



Let them cool and then enjoy!


I hope that you like this recipe. I absolutely love it! The walnuts make these extra delicious. You can have fun with this recipe and add some chocolate chips, maybe replace walnuts with pecans or do a mixture. I've heard of zucchini carrot muffins before. Perhaps you could use 1 cup of zucchini and 1 cup of carrots.



Please let me know how you liked these muffins, and if you made any adjustments.
I bet they would taste fabulous with some semi-sweet chocolate chips! If you add those please tell me how you liked them.

Thanks! Have a fabulous day and may God bless you exceedingly and abundantly.

Lots of Love,
Mariah

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Greek Pasta Salad




Pasta salads are so easy and so delicious. My favorites are tuna pasta salad, tuscan pasta salad, and macaroni salad. Yum! If you love pasta salads, then you will definitely love this delicious and refreshing Greek Pasta Salad. It tastes amazing, and is perfect for a quick healthy lunch.

GREEK PASTA SALAD
  • 12 oz. uncooked whole wheat pasta
  • 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cucumber
  • 3 to 4 tomatoes
  • 1/2 can olives (15 oz.)
  • 2-3 oz. crumbled feta cheese
  • 3 c. cooked chickpeas (drained)
  • 1/2 c. olive oil
  • 4 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tbsp. dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
First you will need to cook your pasta.  I recommend using bow-ties, rotini, or penne. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Rinse with cool water and drain well.

While your pasta is cooking, you can prepare the vegetables you will be using. Thinly slice your onion, but cut the cucumber and tomato into chunks. If you want to add more veggies into this salad, feel free to do so. You could add some bell pepper, parsley, and maybe even some spinach. Next you will need to toss together the pasta, vegetables, olives, feta, and chickpeas.

Now you will need to make the dressing. In a separate bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, sugar, mustard, and seasonings. Stir well and drizzle over the pasta salad. Toss the salad again until the dressing is evenly distributed throughout. Keep chilled until ready to serve. (It tastes best cold.)

When your pasta is nicely chilled, enjoy this delicious healthy meal!



This recipe is super simple, and takes less than 30 minutes to make. I hope you enjoy this Greek Pasta Salad. Please let me know if you try this. Did you add more veggies? What are your favorite pasta salads?

If you have any questions or suggestions, please comment below. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the Fit2Be Blog to stay updated on all the recipes, workouts, articles, and more.

Have an awesome day and may God bless you always!

Lots of Love,
Mariah

Monday, October 21, 2013

Tank-Top Arms Workout (PART 2)

Happy Monday! :)

I hope you are having a fabulous day. Did you do the Tank-Top Arms Workout yet?
How was it? Intense, right? Well, I have PART 2 to share with you today. I hope you like it!


(This image is from Lean Clean Girlie Machine)



  • Assisted Pullup x 12
  • Wide Grip Lat Pulldown x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
  • T-Bar Row x 12
  • Dumbbell Incline Rear Delt Fly x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
  • One Arm Lateral Dumbbell Raise – Right x 12
  • One Arm Lateral Dumbbell Raise – Left x 12
  • Dumbbell Front Raise x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
  • Reverse Grip Bent Over Barbell Row x 12
  • Dumbbell Lateral Raise x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
  • One Arm Dumbbell Row – Right x 12
  • One Arm Dumbbell Row – Left x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
  • Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
  • Cable Standing One Arm Rear Delt Pull – Right x 12
  • Cable Standing One Arm Rear Delt Pull – Left x 12
  • Cable Face Pull x 12
  • Jump Rope x 50
Repeat 2 – 4 Times
Well, I hope that you love this workout and that it gives you amazing results.
Please let me know how you liked it. Do you have a favorite upper-body exercise?
I love working my shoulders. My least favorite muscles to work are my biceps, but I love how they look when I do work them.

Well, I'm going to get myself a snack now. Have an awesome day! May God bless you more than you can possibly imagine! :)

Lots of Love,
Mariah