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Bat from Lisseneung
Don't (get conned by) let those heart shaped little candies make you forget about your New Year's Fitness Resolutions!
it's not even FEBRUARY yet!

Happy New Rear!!

(I mean Year!)

 My goal for my new REAR is always to only have to glance in the mirror ONCE to see my entire tush . 

If I have to check/glance to view both left and right side....
then I'm in cardio trouble--back to the cardio machines!
 

How are we doing with the resolutions?

 

Each New Year I observe everyone ramp up wtih motivation and then fold far too quickly, BAAM!, when those pretty sparkly Valentine's chocolates creep into the office WAY WAY too soon in the first week of January. 

Don't get sucked in by those pretty shiny red wrappers!

as if the plethora of salty Superbowl snacks aren't bad enough

 
Twelve layers of dip, I mean really,
does Bean dip doesn't really need 12 layers? Ugh....

What does Michele Eat?

Need a DATE?**
  • Dates are fat free
  • Dates are 23 calories each
  • Dates are full of potassium a necessary electrolyte (for you cardio & stepping freaks :)
  • "Potassium-Packed California Dates

    Potassium is an essential mineral needed by your body to maintain muscle contractions, including the vital heart muscle. Potassium is also needed to maintain a healthy nervous system and to help with the body's metabolism. This is an important consideration for physically active people because the body's supply of potassium can be reduced through perspiration.

    Eating California dates and dringing water is an ideal, natural way to replenish the body's need for potassium. One serving of California dates contains 240 milligrams of potassium, or 7% of the recommended daily value (DV) of this essential nutrient. In fact, weight for weight, dates contain more potassium than do bananas." (Information provided by: Oasis Date Gardens and The California Date Administrative Committee)

  • Dates are included as a fruit choice in the USDA food pyramid **(be aware that diabetic exchanges are noted as different on the food pyramid website)http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/fruits_tips.html**

  • Well you know this time of year just BEGS me to rant about DATES... sweet dates, fresh dates, honey dates, carmel tasting dates, (for a hot date, however, you might be on your own)

  • Dates are a biblical food! (see below)  I got hooked on them in Israel

...if you know me you know I'm obsessed with DATES and being a date connoisseur...
My personal favorite are
organic medjool dates...and not just any dry old date...they are NOT all created equal (just like real dates..LOL)
You have to find a good fresh honey dripping rich squishy one...
Don't waste your calories on those dry dates that look-like-dried-leather and taste like old shoes...blech....
Fresh dates don't even need to be dried!
Seek them out!
I was in death valley recently and I could not believe my eyes that they have a DATE FARM there with some pretty decadent HONEY dates.....
(yes they had samples but I also squished them thru the bag to make sure..LOL)
USDA food guide pyramid recommends 2-4 servings of fruit per day.
THE HARD AND STICKY PART:
Get your ziplocs out and get ready to portion your dates in bags of 5.  They are so portable.
 5 is the magic number.
A fruit portion of dates is 5 dates.
To prove that they are not equal, did you know that the US even has a standards document for dates?
 
I used to hate dates, until I found the good ones!
 
Recipe:
1/2 - 1 tsp raw almond butter
Slather on 1 big jucy organic medjool or honey date
 
That's it. 
Tastes like almonds + caramel.
Kiss your candy cravings buh-bye!
May you leave a trail o' pits wherever you roam
 
Connecting Quote:

Genesis 43:11 "

And their father Israel said unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:"

ponder that during savasana!
Motivational Quotes to inspire (or relate to..):

"all of us tend to put off living.  We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today"  Dale Carnagie

"What makes a great endurance athlete is the ability to absorb potential embarrassment, and to suffer without complaint." Lance Armstrong

"The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again." Erma Bombeck (heh)

"The trouble with jogging is that by the time you realize you're not in shape for it, it's too far to walk back."
Franklin P. Jones

"The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals." Hal Higdon


Michele Tested Tough:

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If you are interested, please use this link to order, thanks!