Happy Monday!!

So this past weekend- I went out – and really explored some fun activities around the NY area – many of which are available worldwide! I wanted to tell you all about my experiences and hope you find the time and energy to go and enjoy the splendors of life!!! These activities are great for all ages- and can be enjoyed as a trip with friends or the whole family!

Ok- so first – on Saturday – I took a paddleboarding lesson! It was AWESOME! We paddled for about 2.5 hours in a pond/lake in the Hamptons LI – what an amazing expereince! You get to stand on a large surfboard and paddle around….when we got tired, we layed on the boards and took in the rays…..we also paddled on our knees for a while…..really so much more fun then Kayaking – as you are much closer to the water. We took the lessons and then rented the boards for an additional 2 hours from Surf Hampton 631 283 8243.

SAILING NYC:

Then on Sunday night- I went sailing around NYC for 2 hours on a classic sailboat – about 20-30 people on board. Champane was included as we watched the sun set behond the Statue of Liberty. The sail was $50 and left from Chelsea Piers. Another awesome way to experience NYC…..meet new friends, relax and take a staycation…..

http://www.sail-nyc.com/

FINALLY -

Kandi’s Frittata!!!
A few weeks ago I was visiting my good friend and she invited me for breakfast……she happens to be my idol with respect to being an awesome MOM and housewife (as well as many other things….). This is a version of what she made! It was awesome!!! I HAD to share it with you!!!

In glass corningware dish- I use a medium rectangle dish – coat pan with olive oil cooking spray. Then cover the bottom of the pan with a think layer of shredded potatoes or sweet potatoes (for speed I use Simply Potatoes), then add a layer of any ingredients you wish……(last week I did sauteed basil, onions, tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, parmesean cheese, and brocoli) [today I will add sauteed portobella mushrooms, onions, spinach and asparagus with parmesean cheese] then top with 18-24 egg whites and shredded cheese. Then bake on 350 for about 30 minutes until set and slightly browning on top. Enjoy!!!

As Always,
Stay Focused Until the Miracle Happens!
Becky

Could it be true? Someone forwarded me an email making this claim….it was a reputable source too- so I was forced to inquire……and read on. What I found was amazing! YES it is TRUE! One ingredient ice cream- with NO artificial flavors, additives, dairy etc! MADE OUT OF FROZEN BANANAS! I read it – comprehended it- but still did NOT believe it…..how could this be? Soft serve frozen ice cream?

Take a look at this pic….

Happy Summer???!!!  Well looks like the rain is supposed to end tomorrow here in NY…..it has been almost a month of rain– making summer one month shorter and the Winter/Spring seem to last forever!!!!  Despite the insanity of Mother Nature- The Queens Boot Camp has been outside working hard at increasing fitness, having fun and getting healthy!!!  What amazing changes I have seen in all the boot campers!!

Toady I want to share one of my favorite quick easy recipes that is great to have onthe go……

Healthy Egg Salad:  There has been so much negative press about the egg yok- that this is almost a forgotten delicacy….with a few tweaks I have made it a worthwhile meal or snack option!

• 4 hard-boiled large eggs, peeled and chopped
• 8 hard-boiled egg whites, peeled, chopped with yolks removed
• 2 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons low fat sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 3-4 tablespoons minced fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, chives, and/or  tarragon
• 1/8 cup Vidalia Onion, minced
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 8 slices whole-grain bread or whole grain pita pockets

In a bowl stir together all ingredients except bread with salt and pepper to taste until combined well.  Make 4 sandwiches, pressing bread slices together gently or by stuffing pita pockets.

TIP:

Immediately after boiling the eggs, place in sink and run each egg under cold water as you crack and peel.  The cold water make the egg super easy to peel.

Also- I like to cut my fresh herbs with kitchen shears – it makes a challenging task fast and simple….be sure to cut very small……

Finally- if I am having the egg salad as a snack or do not want a sandwich- this egg salad is great on top of salad greens!!!

The new exercise demos will be up next week!!!

Until then……

Stay Focused Until the Miracle Happens!!

Becky

Good Day!!!

Today I want to give you all some ideas on how to make oatmeal FUN and YUMMY!!! I am a huge advocate of eating clean fresh foods– staying away from corporate products and therefore I always tell my clients Steel Cut Oatmeal or Plain Rolled Oats are two of the BEST cereals you can have for breakfast. One of the most common reactions is GROSS!!! Well I have found ways to change that!! Here are some of the ways I prepare my oatmeal and it has passed the taste test of many picky palates!!!

First– examine the various flavors of current instant oatmeal’s….

- Cinnamon Raisin
- Cinnamon Apple
-Strawberries and Cream
-Blueberries and Cream
-Peaches and Cream
-Banana Nut
-Becky’s Goulash…..(I made that one up!!! LOL)

In order to mimic and actually get these flavors only better all you need to do is add the fruit and spice to the cold water you put on the stove top to prepare the oatmeal in…for instance, if I want to make cinnamon apple oatmeal, I measure out the proper water- usually 2 cups water, 1 cup oats. I add 2 tablespoons cinnamon and dice 1/2 and apple. Bring the water to a boil with with spice and fruit inside, add oats, stir and cook according to directions– 10-20 minutes. Your apples will be soft and yummy and your oatmeal will be jam packed with flavor!! Sometimes for a little sweetness I add a teaspoon of brown sugar splenda and some almond or soy milk!!!

For Becky’s Goulash-
I generally make a large pot of oatmeal– with about 6 servings…..I make it Sunday night and after it is cooked I pack it away in pre portioned containers- for the convenience of grab and go in the AM– you can eat it cold or toss it in the microwave to heat for 1 minute….

3 cups Rolled Oats
6 cups water
1 apple diced
1/2 banana chopped
1/2 cup walnuts (or nut of your choice)
1 cup mixed berries
4 Tablespoons Cinnamon

Add water, cinnamon and diced apple to large saucepan and bring to boil. Add rolled oats and cook for 10-20 minutes according to directions or oatmeal you are cooking. About 2 minutes before your oatmeal is fully cooked, add berries, walnuts and banana. Distribute evenly into 6 small containers. garnish with soy milk or almond milk and some brown sugar splenda! Enjoy!!!

As always, Stay Focused Until the Miracle Happens!
To your Success and Health,
Becky

Ok- so you are trying to make a life change– BUT there is a Summer time BBQ and you want to bring a dessert that you can eat, enjoy, not feel deprived but also- NOT feel guilty afterwards…..try out my Yummy Dark Chocolate Bannana Bites and Enjoy!!!!

BECKY’S DELICIOUS DARK CHOCOLATE BANANA BITES

2 Medium Bananas
1/2 Cup Special Dark Chocolate Pieces (for melting)

Peel bananas and slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Arrange banana slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Meanwhile, in a small heavy sauce pan, melt chocolate over low heat. Place chocolate in resealable plastic bag. Seal bag and snip off corner; drizzle chocolate over banana slices. Cover and freeze for 1-2 hours or until frozen. You can divide banana slices into resealable freezer bags and keep frozen for up to 3 days.

Enjoy!!!

Great News!!In July 2009 the Healthy Cooking Classes will launch!!  The first dates will be posted on the website!!!

As always,
Stay Focused Until the Miracle Happens!
To your Success and Health,
Becky

Hi All!!!

So this past weekend- I went to visit my parents. It is always a great trip, I get to relax, sleep, Mom cooks, talks life, brings me back to earth and grounds me when I need it most (I am not referring to punishment – LOL). My Dad listens to me, gives advice on career and business moves and most of all makes me feel like a kid again. I feel like all is right in the world when I am there. Nothing matters- not even who wins the upcoming election……

So- Mom always makes these awesome healthy recipes – as my parents are both health conscious vegetarians. Two of the recipes she made all weekend were so awesome- I asked if I could write a blog dedicated to her and these recipes- so I could memorialize the great weekend we had together as well as some of the awesome meals…….this food was served at breakfast. It satisfied me through a great day of bike riding over 6 miles, hiking 2 miles followed by kayaking!!! They are healthy and filling! Enjoy!

Mom’s Magical Fruit and Cheese (Good anytime- but I like for breakfast)

1 Quart Lowfat Ricotta Cheese
3 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put all ingredients in a bowl and using an electric mixer, mix the ingredients for about 10 minutes until fluffy creamy texture.

Serve about 1/2 cup with chopped fruit of your choice. Berries, and cantaloupe are what we had this weekend! Enjoy!!!

The Best Ever Bran Flax Muffins – by Mom
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 c Flaxseed meal
3/4 c oat bran
1 c brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 c shredded carrots
2 apples peeled and shredded
1/2 cup raisins (optional – dates or crasins are good too)
1 c nuts chopped (optional)
3/4 c milk
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in carrots, apples raisins and nuts. Combine milk, beaten eggs and vanilla. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are moistened – so not over mix. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 325 for 15-20 minutes!! Enjoy!!!

Anyone else have a favorite recipe from Mom that is healthy and must be shared with the world- especially Boot Campers???? Put it up on the blog!!!! www.QueensLongIslandBootCamp.com

Motivating Quote:
“It takes a long time to grow young.” Pablo Picasso

Have you ever thought about getting older as essentially growing young? For most of us this may sound like a foreign concept, but it is one worth thinking about. Consider this: children are not scared to dream, they believe that failure is normal, and they truly think that they can do anything. Don’t adults need some of these behaviors in their everyday life? Think about how much you might be able to accomplish if you were encouraged to dream. What would you be able to do if you thought and believed that you could do anything? How much would your daily life change if you weren’t scared of failure? Obviously, at work we might not be able to act like we are a boundless child, but set some goals that will allow you to remember what it was like to live life without limits.

Make it a great day!!!

Becky

As you all know I am a huge fan of breakfast.  It is actually my favorite meal of the day!  I am bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to conquer whatever the world has in store for me– and am typically in my best mood in the morning!  So breakfast naturally is my favorite meal!!!  Plus it is so yummy- that sometimes I make breakfast meals for dinner!!!  Here are two of my favorite recipes…..they entail innovative ways to make Egg Whites Yummy and Appetizing!  How can all of those words be used in the same sentence?? Egg White, Yummy and Appetizing??  Try my recipes below and you will see!!!

Yummy Scrambled Eggs:

1 Egg
3 Additional Whites
Dried or Fresh Dill
Dash of skim milk
Salt Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and beat lightly with a fork. Heat pan and coat with cooking spray. Pour egg mixture in pan with the hot, cooking spray. Cook over low heat, stirring gently and more or less constantly with a wooden spoon.

It will take 3 to 4 minutes for the eggs to become just set, but very creamy. If you prefer firmer, dryer scrambled eggs, cook for another 2 minutes.

When the eggs are scrambled to your liking, season with salt and pepper. Scrambled eggs are best served immediately.

Egg White Banana Pancakes:
1-2 bananas
5 Egg Whites
1 Cup of Skim Milk
1 Cup Aunt Jemima Whole Wheat Pancake Mix
1 Tbs Cinn
1Tbs Vanilla

Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over low to medium. Whisk together pancake mix, milk, egg whites, cinn and vanilla. Slice banana cross wise and add to pancake mix. Pour 4 medium-sized pancakes (about 1/4 cup batter each) onto the hot skillet. Cook about 3 minutes; flip and cook about 3 minutes more. Transfer to serving plate and keep warm until all pancakes are prepared. Serve with syrup (and berries, if desired). This recipe can be made with blueberries, strawberries whatever you want!! Enjoy!

As Always I love to hear your comments!

Stay Focused Until the Miracle Happens!

To your success and health,

Becky

Healthy Over Easy Eggs

So I will now share with you one of my favorite healthy morning recipes!!! I usually eat these eggs with some sliced fruit on the side, like berries or peaches, and two Applegate Farms Chicken Sausages.

Healthy Over Easy Eggs
4 Fresh Eggs
Cooking Spray

Heat a large skillet over a low to medium flame; eggs burn quickly so be careful with heat. Spray pan with cooking spray; crack an egg and allow only the white to fall out of the egg directly on the heated pan. Lift the handle about an inch so that the eggs pool in the far corner of the pan. Hold for 30 seconds or until the whites start to set, then lower the handle and give the pan a jiggle just to make sure there’s no sticking. Repeat with two more eggs. Take the last egg, crack over the pan and allow the whole egg to drop in the pan, including the yolk- be careful not to break the yolk. Season the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper and continue to cook over low heat until the whites become opaque. Jiggle to loosen the eggs, then flip the eggs over by pushing the pan away and snapping upward simultaneously. with either a spatula or by tossing them over in the pan. Once the eggs start their somersault, raise the pan to meet them so that the exposed yolks experience the softest landing possible. The goal of course is to avoid breaking the yolk. If you succeed, count to 10 slowly then slide them onto a plate and serve. If the yolks do break, act like you meant them to, fry for another minute and serve. They’ll still taste great. I like to cut my eggs up- and share the one yolk over the three extra whites!!! Serve with Chicken Sausage and fruit and PRESTO! Healthy, clean great way to start the day. Whole project start to finish should take less than 10 minutes to prepare- less than your daily bowl of oatmeal!!!

On June 21, I took a kayaking trip with fellow boot campers and friends! Here is a Pic!!! Remember- fitness does not mean GYM!!!! Enjoy life- don’t be afraid to live outside the box!!! Give something new a try! You will love it!!!!!

This trip was taken with Sea Kayaking Skills and Adventures in Long Island

http://www.sksa-ltd.com/index.htm

Until next week,

Stay focused until the Miracle Happens!

Becky

As you all may know- this is a new interactive blog- that you can register for, post and keep up to date on new innovative ways to work out, eat clean and be healthy!!!

As promised- here is my recipe of the week….

RECIPE of the WEEK – High PROTEIN FRENCH TOAST

2 Slices of Whole Grain Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Cinn with Raisins Swirl Bread
4 Egg Whites
1 tablespoon ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Cooking Spray

Beat egg whites with Cinn and Vanilla in small low rectangle container; Lay Bread flat in egg mixture; let soak for 1 hour in the fridge; flip bread and let soak over night covered. In the AM all eggs should be absorbed by bread; warm small pan, coat with cooking spray and cook french toast on low flame in covered frying pan to ensure slow thorough cooking (about 3-4 min each side).

Enjoy French Toast with fresh Cranberry Sauce, Apple Sauce (see recipe below)!!!

Now – one last thing…..this week I purchased and tested the Chef n’ Veggie Chop

Well what an amazing $25 tool!!  Here is the link to purchase it online….

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00196R9PI

It make choping and preparing sauces and dips SOOOOOOO easy!!  In fact- next week I will post some new recipes that I creat using the chooper!!!!  You can make a summer sauce (chopped fresh garlic, basil, tomoatoes and onions in hmm 3 minutes!!! Salsa in 3 minutes….chop ingredients for omelets……

Enjoy!

As always,

Stay Focused Until the Miracle Happens,

To your success and health

Becky

Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers

We heart this member, turned contributor, Susan is back to share another fabulous recipe!

It’s occasionally starting to feel like Spring here in PA and it’s got me all sorts of excited to start grilling everyday! I’ve been scouting for burger recipes for months. Here’s one I found at Rachael Ray. With cranberry and green apples, it’s also great for Fall. Everyone I’ve served these to is obsessed with them and is always asking when I will be making them again. It’s a quick recipe you can serve in roughly 30 minutes. I promise you, you will love these…

Apple Cheddar Turkey Burgers (serves six)

• 2 lbs Ground Turkey Breast
• 2 tbsp parsley
• 2 tbsp Adobo seasoning
• 1 tbsp grill seasoning (I use burger grill seasoning)
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 large Granny Smith apple – cut into 12 slices
• 8 slices extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce (store brand is fine)
• 3 tbsp grainy mustard
• 6 English muffins split and toasted

1. In a bowl, hand-mix the turkey, parsley, Adobo, grill seasoning and onion. Form into 6 patties. Press your thumb into the middle of your fresh burgers so they don’t bulge when they cook.
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Place patties and cook for about 7 minutes on each side for medium.
3. While cooking burgers in a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce and mustard and slather on both top and bottom of muffins.
4. When burgers are cooked, top each with apple slices and 1 1/2 cheese slices. Tent the pan with lid or foil and cook until cheese melts.
5. Add burgers to muffins and ENJOY!