MY TAKE ON THE GREEN SMOOTHIE

Green smoothies are all the rage, right? What better way to consume your fruits and veggies, but in a tasty nutrient-dense drink!

Smoothies are a great pre-workout meal to fuel your body without leaving that uncomfortable feeling in your gut. You know the one...that not so pleasant feeling that you get halfway through spinning if you chowed down beforehand. Try drinking my favorite nutritious green smoothie instead and I promise you'll never have to worry about that feeling again. I usually like to whip one up about 60-90 minutes before class so I have time to digest it before running into the studio.

Jen's Favorite Green Smoothie Recipe:

1/2 Banana 

1-Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

1-Cup Baby Spinach

3/4-Cup Frozen Strawberries   

3/4-Cup Frozen Pineapple

1-TBSP Chia Seeds

Throw all the ingredients into your blender starting with the almond milk (you can substitute milk of your liking) followed by the spinach and fruit topped off with the Chia seeds for consistency. Blend for 1-2 minutes for desired texture.

In all, this smoothie is a little over 200 calories, boasts nearly 10 grams of fiber and it is packed with heart healthy Omega-3's thanks to the Chia Seeds. If you aren't familiar with Chia Seeds, they are also rich in antioxidants, help you feel satiated and regulate your insulin levels. Meanwhile, spinach is said to be one of the most nutritious foods available. One cup of the leafy green vegetable contains an abundance of vitamin K and vitamin A, almost all the manganese and folate your body needs and nearly 40 percent of your magnesium requirement per day. All this and more in one healthy drink!

If you prefer to workout on an empty stomach, this smoothie also makes a good post-workout meal but make sure to add a little protein on the side like a hard boiled egg to aid in muscle recovery and growth. Or skip the workout entirely and blend one up for your morning commute - it's the perfect breakfast for those on the go!

xo

Jen

MEET MY SIDEKICK MADDY

You might see a poodle when you first look at Maddy, but she is no ordinary poodle. She's a Cockapoo!

Maddy is my lovable 8 year old pup who accompanies me on many of my outdoor activities. We have covered quite a bit of terrain together from LA's hip Runyon Canyon to the scenic Manhattan Beach Strand to our regular walks through the horse trails in my hometown of Yorba Linda.  

When Maddy sees mom get out of bed on Sunday morning to put on her workout clothes and running shoes and grabs the headphones, she knows it can only mean one thing. It's time to put on the leash and sprint out the door - arguably her favorite time of the week. I swear you have never seen a dog get as excited as Maddy does to see her owner lace up her running shoes. When I slip on my cutest wedges, it's a different story. No reaction at all. But running shoes? Running shoes have her jumping for joy!

In addition to keeping me active, pets like Maddy are great companions because they are natural mood enhancers, they help fight depression and keep your heart healthy. Research has shown that dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and boost levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain. 

I know that when I walk in the door, Maddy instantly puts a smile on my face. The unconditional love that she gives me is priceless. If you don't have a dog, I think you should highly reconsider. It's true what they say, they are man's best friend.

Until next time...

xo 
Jen

HOW I DISCOVERED MY INNER YOGI

Those of you who know me well, know that I live for my days off from my 9-5 job because it means I can squeeze one more yoga class into my schedule.  I began practicing nearly three years ago and wonder why I didn't start sooner!

I was always under the impression that in order to get a good workout you needed to sweat, and I thought yoga wouldn't do that for me.  Boy, was I wrong!  Little did I know that all it would take was a great Vinyasa Flow class to get me hooked and I haven't stopped since.

According to YogaWorks, my yoga home, Vinyasa Flow is a vigorous style of yoga that links breath and movement through a sequence of Sun Salutations and postures.  The smooth, continuous flow deepens breathing, increases endurance, and tests the edge of your balance and flexibility.  In addition to these physical results, yoga offers so many other healthy benefits including:

• Stress Reduction
• Happier Mood
• More Energy
• Improved Sleep
• Calmer Mind
• Increased Confidence 

It is also said that yoga enhances your experience in between the sheets too.  But shh, I didn't tell you that!

If you're looking for a motivating Vinyasa Flow class, I suggest visiting YogaWorks for their "1 Free Week of Yoga" and try some of my favorite instructors' classes.

YogaWorks LA
Mia Togo - Montana/Main St.
Calvin Corzine - Montana/Main St./Westwood

YogaWorks OC
Toni Wilkey - Costa Mesa
Tim Senesi - Costa Mesa/Laguna Beach/Newport Beach

(Go to yogaworks.com for the schedule.)

Besides being awesome people, who inspire you to give it your best shot, they play good music too.  Music is a MUST for me.  I not only walk out of these classes soaked in sweat, but I walk out with a sense of ease and accomplishment, which is what really keeps me going back for more.  

Try a class, you won't regret it!  Just remember when in doubt, child's pose! ;-)

xo 
Jen