Greenhouse 3/3/15

3/3/15 - As the Touch-Me-Not seeds sprout about 2 at a time every couple days, I've transplanted them here. 

 3/3/15 - Planted two cups of Tokyo Long White Bunch Onion and Brunswick Red Onions (both new to my garden this year)

 3/3/15 - I saw a video clip about growing green onions from the bottoms of the onions you buy at the store, so I got a few and planted them to start my never ending supply of green onion tops!

 3/3/15 - 12 green onions planted

3/3/15 - tomato seedlings

 3/3/15 -peppers and strawberries

Greenhouse 2/26/15 - paper towel sprouting

I started germinating these seeds on 2/22/15. I've never used the paper towel method, but I heard it works great for fast germination so I thought I'd give it a shot this year with the plants I wanted to sprout earlier:)

I dampened the paper towels, then added a tiny bit of seaweed powder for a boost and so far they did great!

 2/25/15 - germinating seeds - Giant Szegedi sweet peppers

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 2/28/15 - germinating seeds - Giant Szegedi sweet peppers

 2/25/15 - germinating seeds - Touch-Me_Not (Sensitive Plant)

 2/26/15 - germinating seeds - Gold Berries Tomato (a new cherry type tomato I'm planting this year)

2/26/15 - germinating seeds -Ground cherry tomatoes

2/28/15 - germinating seeds - Yellow Wonder Wild Strawberries (another new crop in my garden this year...these took a little longer to sprout

Bridge

by Skinny Mom Team
 
Bridge: The bridge is a great way to work the core muscles and the glutes! Get your heels as close to you as you can, and as you raise your hips, make sure you clench your butt cheeks together to get as much height as possible. For a fuller explanation, click here.

• Beginner: 3 sets of 15
• Advanced: 3 sets of 20
• Why? This move works your thighs, glutes, hips and core when core is kept engaged.

Move Targets: Gluteus, hamstring and abdominal muscles

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Step-By-Step:

Step 1: Lie face up with your knees bent, feet hip-width apart and arms by sides with palms down.  

Step 2: Slowly lift your hips off the ground until you form a diagonal line from knees to shoulders. Try to keep your abs tight as you lift your hips higher. Raise butt as high up as you can, keeping your glutes squeezed tight. Hold for a 5 count and lower back down to mat.

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Modification (beginner): Lower the height of your lift.

Pasta with shrimp and veggie Marsala sauce

Ingredients 
1 box of Barilla Veggie Spaghetti (carrots & Tomatoes)
About 17 Mushrooms
1 Red onion
1 White onion
3 tomatoes
1 large zucchini
Shrimp
Marsala cooking wine
fresh garlic                      
fresh ginger
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
Sweet Basil
1 green chili 
garlic powder
Salt Free Garlic & Herb spice
Himalayan salt (to taste)
olive oil
fresh cilantro

Directions
Chop up all ingredients to size preference. 

Heat up olive oil, then add in ginger, garlic, cumin, black mustard seed and green chili.  After about a minute turn down heat to medium high and add red and white onions. Stir and let cook for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes. Sprinkle on some salt free garlic and Herb spice, sweet basil and let cook for a couple of minutes. 

Add zucchini, stir and cook for a couple minutes. Then add the mushrooms and stir and cook for a few minutes. Do not over cook veggies. At this point add in some Marsala cooking wine...the amount is per your preference of how sauce you want it. Let simmer for just a few minutes as it blends in all the flavor. Once done, as in the veggies seem slightly undercooked, sprinkle the cilantro over it and cover. Leave it on the lowest heat and let it sit a few minutes as you get the pasta and shrimp ready. 

In a separate pan follow instructions for cooking the spaghetti.
In a separate pan heat up some oil and when hot add the shrimp. I used jumbo shrimp, so I cut them into bite side pieces. Dab them well to remove moisture before putting them in the hot oil. If you don't do this it will become very watery and fishy tasting. Keep the heat at a high level, as it will expel some liquid and it will slowly disappear. Sprinkle a generous amount of garlic powder and stir or shake pan to coat shrimp peaces. Cook until it's a desired stage...I like the shrimp coated garlic to get a little crispy. 

When pasta is done, serve the veggie sauce over it and sprinkle the cilantro and shrimp on top and enjoy! Sriracha hot sauce optional:) For me, it's always essential! 

Russian Twist with Kettlebell

 by Skinny Mom Team

Weighted Russian Twist: Russian twists are a great way to work those core muscles and obliques! Throw in a kettle bell or dumbbell, and you will really feel the burn! Try to keep your back as straight as possible as you twist to avoid injury. Click here for more directions!

• Beginner: 3 sets of 12 per side
• Advanced: 3 sets of 15 per side
• Why? This move works your lower abs, obliques, thighs, and lower back.

 Move Targets: Total body

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Step-By-Step:

Step 1: Get in a seated position on the floor with knees bent. Hold kettlebell above chest as you lower your upper body down to about a 45-degree angle. Lift your legs and engage your core for balance.
Step 2: Keeping core tight and shoulders back, rotate to the right as far as you can. See if you can tap the kettlebell to the floor.
Step 3:  Pause then reverse your movement, twisting through the center and to the left as far as you can, tapping kettlebell on floor. Repeat this motion as many times as possible for 60 seconds. If you feel pain in your lower back, drop feet to the floor.

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Modification (Beginner): Leave your feet on the floor, knees still bent. You can always do this without the weight and remember, the farther you lean back the harder the move is.

Stability Ball V-Pass

by Skinny Mom Team

Warm-Up: It’s always good to start with a 10-15 minute warm-up. Get those muscles nice and warmed up.  Not only does this help prevent injury, you get half of those 30 minutes of cardio in! If you’re at the gym, jump on the treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical or stair master.  If you’re home, hit the neighborhood. Walk, run or bike 5-8 minutes one way then turn around and head back.

Stability Ball V-Pass: That ball might feel light, but wait until your abs have to support it! You’ll start sweating in no time! Click here for a full description of how to do this move.

• Beginner: 3 sets of 12 (bend your knees if necessary)
• Advanced: 3 sets of 15
• Why? This move works your entire core and is a great mix up from the traditional ab exercises.

 
Move Targets: Total body

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Step-By-Step:
 
Step 1: Lie face up on the floor with arms and feet extended, grasping a stability ball with both hands.

Step 2: In one fluid movement, use your entire core to lift your arms and legs off the ground, keeping legs and arms straight the entire time.

Step 3:  Transfer the ball from your hands to your feet and allow yourself to lower back down to the floor. Repeat passing the ball back and forth as many times as possible for 60 seconds.

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Modification (Beginner): Bend knees while performing move or ditch stability ball altogether.

Side Crunch

by Skinny Mom Team

Side Crunch: Side crunches are a great way to target those obliques. As you crunch up, make sure that you are curling from your stomach, rather than your shoulders. For more pointers, click here!

• Beginner: 3 sets of 10 per side
• Advanced: 3 sets of 15 per side
• Why? This move works your obliques, upper and lower abs.

Move Targets: Obliques

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Step-By-Step:

Step 1: Start by lying on the floor face up with your knees together and bent at a 90-­degree angle. Without moving your upper body, lower your knees to the right side so that they’re touching the floor. Place your fingers behind your head.

Step 2: Raise your shoulders toward your hips, pause for one second, and then take two seconds to lower your upper body back to the starting position. Perform this move for 30 seconds and then switch your legs to the other side for an additional 30 seconds.

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