Hello friends! Welcome to another edition of Friday’s Food and Fitness. It looks like it is going to be a rainy weekend over here but at least the temperatures are getting slightly warmer!
Well, now that my secret food source is out, you know what I’ve been making for eats!
I also managed to do a lot of meal prep over the weekend and came up with some delicious eats like these homemade huevos rancheros. I like to think they are a healthier version of the real deal! So yum!
These bbq chicken pizzas were another gem from Cooking Light. I’ve made them in the past but felt like I needed to break them out again! I used a whole wheat pizza crust and topped it with bbq sauce, grilled chicken, yellow peppers, red onion, plum tomato slices and some blue cheese. Amazing combo!
This week I tried Workout 1 of Jillian Michael’s Hardbody DVD (affiliate link). I won this DVD through Shape Magazine somehow (cannot remember entering anything but not complaining). The DVD is tough just like her other DVDs. It was a full-body workout and although there were cardio intervals, I would classify this as a strength DVD rather than a cardio DVD. Workout 1 was pretty challenging so I’m a little scared of Workout 2…!
After taking some time off, I was back at my lunchtime yoga class this week with Mang’Oh! Yay! Love a vinyasa break. The only thing was that we had a sub this week and he spent like 10 minutes at the beginning of class telling us all about himself. The point of the story was to set an intention for your practice but I was kind of annoyed. I only take an hour for lunch so I can’t stay for the entire hour of class and I kind of want to just get moving. At least he was a sub!
Speaking of yoga, last week when I reviewed the Best Online Workouts, I got a lot of responses about how much you enjoy YogaGlo. So I decided to give it a go this week and signed up for a free trial. So far I’ve done a restorative class, which helped me fall asleep and I’m looking forward to trying out some of their other classes. There are so many different types of yoga out there and I don’t pretend to know everything about all of them but here is a little bit of info I picked up from YogaGlo’s website and my own experience:
– Hatha- a slower moving yoga that emphasizes breath (pranayama breathing) and has less flow than other classes. Poses are sometimes held for longer periods of time to promote relaxation into the pose.
– Vinyasa- Often referred to as power yoga, this class links postures together using the breath. Traditional sun salutations are usually done in this class with one breath per movement. Vinyasa classes can get the heart rate up and are often seen as good for promoting weight loss.
– Ashtanga- Similar to vinyasa classes, ashtanga links movement to breath. The ashtanga primary series is a set of yoga poses that are flowed through in each class.
– Anusara- A form of hatha yoga, anusara focuses on heart opening poses and alignment.
– Ivengar- Ivengar yoga is based on the teachings of yogi BKS Ivengar. Ivegnar focuses on precision and form with a mix of strength, flexibility and relaxation. Props are often used in this class.
– Kundalini- Kundalini uses movement, sound, breath and meditation to relax and restore the mind while improving strength and flexibility. The breathing and movement techniques in this class often differ from a traditional yoga practice and are meant to help your body restore balance.
– Yin- While Ashtanga or Vinyasa may be considered “yang” yoga, yin is the opposite. Poses are held for longer periods of time (3-10 minutes per side) to lengthen connective tissue and help promote flexibility and elasticity.
– Meditation- Usually paired with no or minimal movement. Meditation teaches techniques to relax the mind and in turn focus on relaxing the body. Principles like being mindful are emphasized.
– Restorative- Easy poses that promote passive stretching are held for long periods of time to initiate deep relaxation of the mind and body.
Readers, what is your favorite type of yoga? What kind of yoga would you like to try? Have you ever had a fitness instructor talk endlessly about themselves?
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself)
March 28, 2014I’ve always wanted to start a serious yoga practice, but I have never committed to it. Right now, my goal is to foam roll and do 1 plank a night to help with my knee issues… maybe after I feel better I can commit to adding 1 or 2 yoga poses in there too. 🙂
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Foam rolling is so good! I had IT band syndrome a few years ago and the foam roller completely took care of it!
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself)
March 28, 2014I’ve always wanted to start a serious yoga practice, but I have never committed to it. Right now, my goal is to foam roll and do 1 plank a night to help with my knee issues… maybe after I feel better I can commit to adding 1 or 2 yoga poses in there too. 🙂
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself)
March 28, 2014I’ve always wanted to start a serious yoga practice, but I have never committed to it. Right now, my goal is to foam roll and do 1 plank a night to help with my knee issues… maybe after I feel better I can commit to adding 1 or 2 yoga poses in there too. 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
March 28, 2014I still need to sign up for the yogaglo free trial!! I have totally fallen off the yoga bandwagon 🙁 So you know heuvos rancheros is my absolute fav breakfast right? there’s a place called coppelia in chelsea (1/2 block from my old place) that makes my FAV huevos rancheros. They’re owned by yerba buena but it is far more affordable and you can actually get it! Plus the waiters are so freaking cute. I want to steal one and put him in my pocket…is that weird?
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Totally not weird at all! I’m going to try out that place! I love some good hr!
Allie
March 28, 2014Oh I love fast moving, sweaty yoga like Ashtanga – surprised??
I would have been totally annoyed with that guy! OMG enough – let’s just get started buddy!!
Love that picture of you in the headstand. Gorgeous!
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Haha, not surprised at all! I love two opposite ends of the spectrum: vinyasa or restorative!
Carly @ Fine Fit Day
March 28, 2014I will have to give YogaGlo a try! That’s so annoying that instructor did a 10 minute intro. He was probably nervous, though, if he was a sub. I mainly do Ashtanga yoga (when I actually get around to it!!).
Love your yoga photos. 🙂
FitBritt
March 29, 2014You’re right, he was probably nervous. I’m really loving YogaGlo so far, there are so many options!
LydiaF
March 28, 2014I do both Yin Yoga and Iyengar yoga. It’s just a preference as I prefer to move in and out of the poses more slowly and hold them for longer periods of time. The use of props is often necessary, too 🙂
FitBritt
March 29, 2014I think holding poses for a long period of time can actually be more challenging because it really forces you to breathe through the tough poses and focus on your mind/body connection!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit
March 28, 2014I want all of that food – seriously so many of my favorite things, yum!!! Also, you look awesome in that headstand – good job!
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Thanks Lauren! Have a great weekend!
Karen - Fit in France
March 28, 2014I did hatha yoga for 7 or 8 years and yes, a lot of pranayama – 60 minutes yoga + 30 minutes pranayama in the advanced class. Here in France I didn’t have much choice and have not tried other kinds of yoga besides Ivengar, which I did not really like.
My hatha yoga was always with the same teacher whom I really liked but I got bored after a while so stopped this year. I kind of miss it but am glad to have taken a break, it has given me the opportunity to do other things. Have a great weekend !
FitBritt
March 29, 2014I think it’s good to change things up! You might be able to try other forms of yoga online, especially for free on YouTube, if you are interested! 🙂
Carla
March 28, 2014That pizza sounds and looks awesome! Yum!
I have seen that JM video but not tried it. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks her videos are hard.
I’ve not done Yoga enough to have a favorite or even be able to tell the difference.
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Her videos are definitely hard! Even the moves that just use bodyweight are hard (I know that is something you are interested in now).
Lisa @ Lulu's Big Adventure
March 28, 2014Awesome that you gave YogaGlo a try! The styles of yoga I practice most often are Moksha (a hot yoga with a set sequence), Vinyasa, and Yin. I loooove Yin.
FitBritt
March 29, 2014I have never heard of Moksha. Is it similar to Bikram? I am going to try some more Yin classes. I’m hoping it will help improve my flexibility.
Lisa @ Lulu's Big Adventure
March 30, 2014Ah, I forgot, but it’s called “Modo Yoga” in the US. There’s a studio in NYC; you should give it a try! It’s similar to Bikram in that it’s a set sequence of postures in the hot room, but it’s not as strict as Bikram (and i just haven’t heard great things about Bikram in general).
Kim
March 28, 2014I love Jillian Michaels – I think I have that Hard Body DVD but have only done it a few times.
I haven’t ever done a yoga class – just DVDs.
FitBritt
March 29, 2014I just did workout 2 last night and I was huffing and puffing!
What yoga DVDs do you have?
Paige@FitNotFad
March 28, 2014Yay so excited you got Yogaglo! I seriously love it. Best $18 I spend every month, hands down. I am trying to cut down on expenses before my big move (Good bye Sirius XM in my car!) but I could never get rid of Yogaglo!!! Your view is so gorgeous outside!! Love your handstand picture. Have a good weekend Brittany! PS Jillian Michaels looks downright terrifying on that DVD…
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Thanks Paige! Have a great weekend too! I’m excited to try some new yoga today!
Cara's Healthy Cravings
March 29, 2014I have always enjoyed Jillian Michaels dvds. I am actually just about to head to a Jillian Michaels Shred class at my gym, I always love workouts that incorporate intervals.
FitBritt
March 29, 2014Agreed! They are really effective!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
March 29, 2014That Yogaglo looks fantastic, and anything that can help me fall asleep faster is AOK with me! Since I don’t take meds, that would be perfect for me! That whole wheat pizza looks amazing!
FitBritt
March 29, 2014The meditative and restorative classes are so good and so perfect for right before bed. It really helps me!
Cailee Joy @ http://www.hellohealthyeating.com
March 29, 2014Wow!! Look at you go Britt! Impressive yoga skills!! 🙂 And your food looks delicious!! YUM! 🙂
Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy
March 29, 2014All of your food looks fabulous, especially that BBQ pizza! YUM! I haven’t tried Yoga much, but you make it look so fun! You look like an amazing Yogi!
Megan @ The Skinny-Life
March 30, 2014I love Bikram yoga although some studios don’t have the stink under control as much as others. Vinyasa is my other favorite. I am dying to try that pizza! The dough is beautiful.
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy
March 31, 2014Love that meal prep is working for you, and your food looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing it with the Let’s Get Real party.
Holly
April 2, 2014Thanks for clarifying on yoga. Some poses are relaxing when held longer, others less so–which is probably just me. Love the food pics.
Nicole
April 2, 2014Sun salutation and Warrior Pose are about as far as I go in yoga. (Thank you, Wii Fit.) Seeing photos like yours just blow me away. I can’t imagine being so flexible and strong! Kudos! THanks for linking up to Let’s Get Real!