ashleyd /

Guest Post: Southwestern Black Bean Hummus

Hi everyone! I’m Gabriela from Une Vie Saine. Like Ashley, I’m a New Yorker with an interest in running, health, and enjoying all that this wonderful city has to offer! unviesaine

Though my kitchen forte is undoubtedly baking, I do like to experiment with savory recipes as well. I come from a family of hummus-lovers, and while I used to think that the spread was difficult to make, in reality it’s incredibly easy. To change things up a bit, here’s my recipe for a black-bean based hummus.IMG_0314Southwestern Black Bean Hummus

1 15.5 oz can black beans, drained with liquid reserved
2 tablespoons tahini
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, depending on spice preference)
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt

Simply put all your ingredients into the food processor:IMG_0308

And blend until your desired consistency is reached, adding bean liquid to smooth if necessary. Makes approximately 3 cups.IMG_0317

The result is a thick, filling hummus with tons of spice and flavor. Served with tortilla chips, pita or crackers, it would make the perfect appetizer for a Mexican-themed meal!IMG_0319

Thank you so much to Ashley for the opportunity to guest post. Feel free to stop by Une Vie Saine any time for more hummus (or healthy cookie) recipes!

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Gym Buddy = No Snooze Button

Hi Lovelies!

148806_10100301645332153_2202253_60497894_918234_nSara here from Miles & Manhattan. Since Ashley is spending time with her wonderful hub and family right now (they’re probably all saying ‘y’all’ a lot. I love that she says that, don’t you???) I’m sending lots of warm thoughts her way and I am popping in for a quick post.

I am sure many of you readers know that Ashley is quite the workout-ista, and has an aggressively awesome workout schedule she tends to follow. The good news (for me) is that Ash and I both belong to Equinox (the gym I proclaim my undying love for all month except when I get my credit card statement…) and have become what I like to call gym buddies, partners in insanity and crime when it comes to the gym. (And friends in non-gym life, of course!)

Before I worked out with Ashley, my snooze button got a lot of working out too. I frequently convinced myself I was too tired, or too sore or I’d go later. None of which were true, as I am sure you can imagine. I was kind of stuck in a rut, bored with many lonely morning of wandering around they gym by myself or making a fool out of myself in group exercise classes alone.

Now, I have someone to make a fool out of myself WITH! I still look pretty “special” sometimes when they try to throw some “step” moves into classes (Step? Isn’t that from the 80’s?? Don’t you have to be COORDINATED to do that?? I digress…) Working out with Ashley has been truly a savior in my routine for many reasons.

Here are some reasons why Gym Buddies are Awes-fied:

  1. Some also interested in working out and staying fit while most of your friends think you’re an utter nut job for going to a 6:30 am spin class
  2. Some you feel accountable towards and would feel bad if you slept in a missed a class or workout with them. MOVITATION meets humiliation 😉
  3. You can share workout goals, challenges or ideas. And your aforementioned friends don’t have to listen to your class reviews or constant analysis of which classes you want to go to and why. Your GYM BUDDY is stuck listening instead 😉
  4. Walking around the gym alone can be intimidating for some people. Having someone there with you can give you motivation to try new machines or even simply stay longer, doing a couple more abs while you gab.
  5. Who doesn’t like a buddy? 🙂

But I know what you’re thinking. Not everyone can have a gym buddy. Sometimes you live far away from family and friends or your friends don’t work out, there are tons of legitimate reasons. In the case you aren’t as lucky to have an Ashley to workout with, here are some suggestions:

  1. Make a FUN workout schedule. Pack your schedule with classes you enjoy or runs on new paths, make it interesting and mix it up!
  2. Go to free classes! In NYC, you can basically get a free first class at any specialized (yoga, spin, pilates etc etc) studio. Capitalize on that! Call around and ask, then mix up your routine with exciting new classes.
  3. If you you’re a gym rat, try to see if anyone seems to share your schedule. Keep an eye out for regulars. Then….
  4. Smile at the gym. Smiling at random people might seem creepy, but the more you smile, the more likely you are to strike up a conversation with a fellow gym go-er which brings me to…
  5. Strike up a convo! Compliment someone on their workout outfit, ask for advice/about their routine, ask abut a class or instructor. Then make sure when you see that person subsequently, always smile, wave and try to chat. You might just find yourself with your very own Ashley!

What are your tips for staying motivated? And how you feel about gym buddies??

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Guest Post: These Healing Hands

Thank you Katherine for the below guest post! I am currently with my family remembering my amazing grandmother with her friends and loved ones during her funeral. Luckily, I have blog friends like Katherine who can step up during times of need!

 

Hello Healthy Happier Bear readers and a big thank you to Ashley for the chance to guest post on her blog. I’m just so sorry the opportunity comes under such sad circumstances, but my thoughts, and I’m sure yours too, are with Ashley, Bo and their family.
You might have seen my name on this blog in the past, while Ashley was training for the NYC Marathon this past fall, which she completely rocked by the way! I’m Katherine and I used to write A Runner Wife’s Life. Then, seemingly out of the blue, I disappeared from the blog world. Truth is, massage therapy school got the best of me. I was taking neurology, shiatsu, swedish II, and an assessment class, in addition to having clinic hours on Sundays. Basically, I was pretty much MIA from everything – the blog world, my social life and even my family life! Now, even though my schedule is even more hectic, I feel like I’ve turned the corner and am finally starting to discover who I am both personally and professionally. Personally, I’ve revamped my blog identity and now write These Healing Hands, and professionally, I’m going to be a healthy, happy massage therapist. I’m going to help people recover from injuries, accomplish new goals, and generally feel better as they go about their every day lives.
How will I do these things all within a 60-minute session? Well, I won’t! How many of you have gotten a massage at a spa, or on vacation, and felt great when you walked out, but found yourself just as stiff or uncomfortable a few days, or even a few hours, later? That’s because massage therapy isn’t a purely passive treatment. It takes two! Sure, while you’re on the table you get to relax, zone out, even sleep. But when you go home, the real work begins and that work is exactly what can help increase the efficacy of your massage, and help you get back out on the road to log more miles, or back to your desk without having low back or sciatic nerve pain.
So what exactly are you supposed to do? Isn’t paying all that money for a massage supposed to fix everything? The good news is you can do a few, easy things that will greatly improve the effects of the massage, and your overall comfort.
1. Drink water. Chances are, if you go to a spa for your massage, you might be offered some hot tea before or after your massage. Tea may be chock full of antioxidants and radical-fighting factors, but it’s also dehydrating. Try to have at least two cups of water for every cup of tea you drink. And keep your water intake up for the next few days. While massage can’t actually eliminate toxins (a common selling point suggested by many spas), it does manipulate tissues and increase circulation. If you have toxins floating around in your blood and you’re dehydrated, those toxins aren’t going anywhere because, let’s face it, you’re not going to eliminate as often. A simple fix for that? Drink more water! Keep your body well hydrated to support your body’s natural impulse to eliminate waste through urine.
2. Do your homework. If you see a massage therapist for an ache or pain, it’s likely due to either an inflammatory condition or a postural imbalance. Either way, a good massage therapist will give you homework to do after your session. She might ask you to apply ice or heat (or both!) for certain periods of time, or give you a few stretches to perform to keep specific muscles loose. You might also be assigned some exercises that will help with postural reeducation. For example, if you sit at a desk all day, your back muscles are tight, but they’re also stretched. While massage might help reduce the adhesions that aggravate the condition and increase circulation to nourish the muscles, you’ll go right back to your slouched, slumped posture without some simple exercises and stretches. Your therapist should suggest stretching your pecs and strengthening your back extensors. This simple homework will help reeducate your muscles so you’ll naturally sit more upright, which will keep your back from becoming overstretched and your pecs from returning to their short, hypertonic state. The same concept applies to conditions like achilles tendinitis, sciatica and other soft tissue disorders.
Who knew you could fix your own problems with just some water and some stretching? Well, that and a good, focused massage session from an informed, professional massage therapist will go a long way to help you live a happier, healthier life, just like Ashley! I hope you enjoyed this post and, most of all, I hope you enjoy the benefits of your next massage even more now!
Katherine
Disclaimer: I am a student in massage therapy and am not yet licensed or insured to practice massage or any other soft tissue body work. I also am not a registered dietitian or nutritionist. Please consult a professional to discuss appropriate water intake and please consult a personal trainer of physical therapist regarding additional strength training regimens.

Share Button
Follow: