Treadclimber: Yes or No?

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I hope you've all had a great week!  I have been off class this week and being super lazy most of the time.

When I wasn't sitting on my couch watching 30 Rock and munching on Christmas goodies, working on my Recipage Page (it is taking forever!) or reading Mindy Kaling's book, I actually managed to test out the Treadclimber again.

I wrote on DailyMile a couple of weeks ago:

Honestly, I started out very skeptical when the Daddio wanted to buy one of these contraptions.  Although the official website claims that the calorie burn on the Treadclimber is more efficient than a treadmill or an elliptical machine or a stairstepper....however it just did not make sense.  (I also would have rather had a treadmill in the basement for running....I am running a half-marathon and was selfishly hoping for the possibility of being able to train at home.)

The day that I left that comment on DailyMile I was definitely annoyed.  There was very little up and down movement on the Treadclimber, which is the thing that makes the exercise so challenging.  I was convinced that the Daddio had just gotten overly excited about a piece of fitness equipment and bought it without researching properly.

We did finally get the up-down motion to work.  We had to adjust the settings on the side to be between the red marks.  (You can see it a little on the photo above on the right.)  I also believe it needed to be worked in a little bit.
 
I still believe that the Daddio got overly-excited about it, but now I do believe it is a good piece of equipment.  (Besides, it's not a terrible thing to get overly-excited about exercise!)

I have been working out at the gym on different cardio machines since I was in high school (I graduated in 2005 to give you an idea of how long ago that was.)  I have been a big fan of the elliptical, stair climbing machine, and have spent many hours running on a treadmill.  Since I have experienced many different pieces of exercise equipment, I believe I am able to give the Treadclimber a decent review.

What I like about the Treadclimber.

{Book Review} Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me by Mindy Kaling

Hello Friends!

I grew up a bookworm. 
I was a part of the summer reading club at my local library and would check out books in stacks of ten.  I would spend a month at my dad's in the summer and most of the time was spent making up synchronized bike routines with my sister or snuggled up in my bunk-bed with a mystery novel.

A funny thing happens when you are required to read for school.  It turns into an obligation, something that you must do with a pen and paper nearby to take notes and disect the plot and elements of the story. 

It also turns out that in college I always feel like if I'm reading something it should be a textbook.  The magazines pile up and so do my wonderful books I bought on Amazon with the lofty goal of holing up in my room at night and immersing myself in a different life.

Well, this Christmas I got a stack of books.

Do you think my family knows I have a blog and am into food?

I decided that over the one week I was out of school for Christmas break I would read at least ONE of these books.   

{WIAW #11} What a Semi-Health Nut Eats the day after Christmas

Hello Everyone!  Happy WIAW!

Thinking about the heaps of fresh turkey and smoky pulled pork and creamy mashed potatoes makes me long for the Christmas (and Christmas Eve) food from this past weekend.  Some leftovers remain, however as we all know, it is just not the same as sitting down to eat with your family listening to non-dinner-table-appropriate conversations.  (The conversation at Grandma K's house was largely about chaotic hospital experiences and all of the things I wish I never knew about hospital practices.)

Well here we are on Wednesday, already half-way through this lazy week in which most people chose to take their precious vacation time.  I have one glorious week free of classes and I have been eating it up..sleeping in until 9:30am, blog surfing, playing with my bestest Christmas gift ever (a fancy schmancy camera).

Today is a day I like to devote some time to a fun segment of the week called W.I.A.W. or What. I. Ate. Wednesday.

Never heard of WIAW? 
I got the idea from Jenn at Peas and Crayons and link up to her posts each week.  This uber-creative gal also inspired me to be more fun with my photos on my blog, thus the photo collage. 

 

What I do
I (try to) take photographs of each item of food I eat and each item I drink for an entire day (doesn't have to be Wednesday, Wednesday is just the day we share).  (Taking photos of all of the food I consume is no easy task...I applaud those who do this on a regular basis.)  Then I try to evaluate how well I ate or what areas could use some improvements. 

Why would you care what I ate?
I'm not vain enough to think that everyone will care, however this can give you some ideas for food for yourself as well as a way to space meals out.  There is a thought process out there that those who are "skinny" eat very little food or restrict calories or fat or sweets.  I would like for people to see that this does not have to be the case!  I believe a large part of the reason I am the small size that I am is that I allow myself indulgences AND I make sure to listen to my body when I am hungry.  Skipping meals is not for me.  (For more on my eating philosophy, see About Me - Semi-Healthy Life.)
Basically, I am at a healthy weight and this is how I eat!
 
WIAW Monday, December 26th, 2011

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good week! {2011}

Hello AGAIN Friends!

This is, infact, the third post I am doing on the Christmas festivities.  This one will be a sort-of photo dump.  (That sounds weird.)
This one will have many holiday pictures from Christmas day.  (That's better.)

All my life there has been the Christmas schedule/tradition.  It has worked out pretty well.  Christmas Eve is spent going to church and hanging out with the Daddio's family.  Then Christmas morning was spent opening presents at Mama Sue's (which I sadly have outgrown since I no longer live there), and then going over to Grandma K's house for more presents and a delightful Christmas dinner.  Three Christmases.  What a spoiled gal I am!

I present to you Christmas day at Grandma K's.  Remember I had a new camera that everyone wanted to play with so there are a bazillion and a half pictures.  Enjoy! :-)

Grandma Goodies:  Grandma K makes the best Christmas goodies ever.  My favorite are the snowballs and toffee bars.  Yum.  BF and I got to arrange them artfully on Christmas plates. :-)

^I thought this was cute because it looks like santa is holding the treats. :-)^

^He accompanies the Christmas goodies.  Grandma K LOVES snowmen. :-)^

Happy Christmas Eve To ME! {NEW CAMERA!}

Hello Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas weekend!

How crazy was it that Christmas Eve and Christmas was on the weekend?  Okay I know it happens every few years right, but I don't recall the last time it came around.  At least I get this week off from school! :-)

I have so many pictures from the weekend it will blow your mind.  Many of the pictures are of sugar-filled goodies.  Many pictures of family as well.  There are more photographs than usual because {drum roll please} I got a new camera!!  The Daddio and the BF went in on the best present everrrrr!

Nikon D3100.  Holy Buckets.  I cannot begin to describe the awesomeness I felt when I opened the 10 packages (the BF thought would be funny to wrap each individual part for the camera) I was ecstatic!

One of the first pics was of the BF.

Then those goodies and family pictures I spoke of. ;-)

^Delish almond bark covered oreos and peanutbutter truffles.^

 ^Daddio and Sis C.^

^Cousins!^

^Aunt K and I.^

^Grandma R, Me, Aunt D.  Aunt D. told me she had lost 75 pounds in the last few years by drinking water before each meal and controling her portions.  No diet food and no exercise at all, just the water and portion control.  Fascinating yes?^

Peanutbutter Truffles -- Sound Fancy, but Easy to Make

Hello Friends!

I have a lovely recipe to share with you that I presented to my family on Christmas Eve, but it can be used throughout the year.  I also have a couple of upcoming posts from Christmas weekend and I am super excited to tell you what I got for Christmas! 

Peanutbutter Oreo Truffles (adapted from my oreo balls recipe)
Ingredients:

• 1 Package Peanutbutter Oreos
• 1 8oz container cream cheese
• 1 scoop creamy peanutbutter
• Chocolate almond bark and decorations

Delightful discovery

Merry Baking {Christmas} Eve 2011! (Part 1)

Hello Friends!

Hope your holiday is starting out wonderfully...and that you are not as last minute as me in your food preparations!

Every year I set out to make a zillion different treats for Christmas.  The BF told me I should just start bringing side dishes so there weren't so many tempting sweets at holiday gatherings...but I just can't help it!
I love to bake!  Just check out my holiday round up/link-up!

I've even often thought about turning this blog into a strictly sweets blog, or starting another one based on my love for baking and sweet things.  But who has time for a second blog?  And how would it look for me to have a sugar-filled blog when I am a personal trainer or dietician? ;-)  (Not that it isn't semi-sugar-filled now!)

I baked some cut-out cookies Wednesday (tryin to get a head start!) and then brought them over to the BF's Fam Christmas to frost em.  I am sure glad I did that because frosting with three or four people is much quicker than with one.  I mean really, it takes long enough to do all the cut-outs right?

At least I took the easy route by going Betty Crocker style. ;-)

{WIAW #10} A Peanutbutter Day

Goodmorning and Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Christmas countdown: 4 days!  Can you believe it??  So many things going on I almost forgot about WIAW!

Today will be filled with laundry, baking and last minute Christmas shopping with my friend Em and her sweet baby plus an equally sweet baby she watches.  (I like babies.)  Then tonight we are celebrating BF's dad's birthday.

Tomorrow is equally crazy...starting off working early at my coffee job, then off to Chemistry class, Body Pump (can't wait!) and then the BF's fam is celebrating Christmas (yep, 3 days early).  Busy busy.

Thankfully I have some free time after work Friday (for more baking) and Saturday morning.  Last year I worked the night before Christmas Eve and stayed up SUPER LATE working on baking projects and was so stressed and sick when I woke up that I missed breakfast with the BF's fam and was in a terrible mood most of Christmas Eve.  Not this year!

Back to WIAW (so I can get on with the busy day).  WIAW = What. I. Ate. Wednesday.

Never heard of WIAW? 
I got the idea from Jenn at Peas and Crayons and link up to her posts each week.

 

What I do
I (try to) take photographs of each item of food I eat and each item I drink for an entire day (doesn't have to be Wednesday, Wednesday is just the day we share).  Then I try to evaluate how well I ate or what could use some improvements. 

Why would you care what I ate?
I'm not vain enough to think that everyone will care, however this can give you some ideas for food for yourself as well as a way to space meals out.  There is a thought process out there that those who are "skinny" eat very little food or restrict calories or fat or sweets.  I would like for people to see that this does not have to be the case!
Basically, I am at a healthy weight and this is how I eat!
WIAW Thursday, December 15, 2011

Sweet Cinnamon Biscuits + Recipe Round-up +Holiday Link-Up

Hello Friends and Merry Christmas!

I have been toying with the idea of doing a holiday goodies link-up for quite some time now and I've decided to just go for it!

I will share with you some holiday friendly recipes and then YOU get to link your yummy eats to this post!  You can also feel free to share any holiday decorating tips or posts!  The more links the merrier! :-)

I also have been wanting to share the pumpkin biscuits I made over Thanksgiving.  I went a little pumpkin crazy this year, but hey, tis the season right?

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Biscuits 
Modified from the Novice Chef featured on my Friday Five Foodie Finds

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour 
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 cup crisco shortening 
• 4 tablespoons butter, little colder than room temp (sitting out 30 min to an hour)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 
• 1 cup pureed pumpkin (or sweet potato), chilled 
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (I used soy milk with a little lemon flavoring since I had no buttermilk)

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.  (Please Please Please note that parchment paper is not the same as waxed paper.  I learned this the hard way…the waxed paper will smoke and turn the whole house hazy.  Good times.)
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
3. Cream together shortening and 4 tablespoons butter. Mix in brown sugar until smooth. Add flour mixture, with mixer on low, until small peas of dough form. This will take a few minutes. 
4. Carefully add in the pureed pumpkin and slowly pour in the buttermilk (or milk with lemon).
5. Mix until the dough just comes together, do not over mix, and then turn onto a generously floured surface. Using the palms of your hands, gently pat the dough into a 1/2 inch thick disk. Using a 1 1/2 inch biscuit round cutter, cut out biscuits and place them on the lined baking sheet.  (You can also use a simple glass or mug.)
6. Carefully rework the leftover dough back into a disk and cut out biscuits once more. Your second batch of biscuits will never be as fluffy as your first batch. Each time you work with the dough, you press out more air.
7. Generously brush the tops of each biscuit with melted butter and sprinkle with additional cinnamon & sugar. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until slightly browned.

Pumpkin Spice Orange-Soaked Muffins

Happy Sunday Friends!

I was looking through some recipes and ideas for holiday goodies and came across the post I did for Lee at Fit Foodie Finds awhile back.  I had this extra copy of the post and I thought I'd re-share it because I am super proud of the recipe.  It is definitely a semi-healthy recipe.

This is exactly what I sent to Lee to post to her readers and it shows a little of where I was at in my blog a couple of months ago.  Enjoy!

{{Hello everyone!  My name is Amanda and I am the author of the healthy living blog called Diary of a Semi-Health Nut.  I blog about balance in my daily life which involves healthy recipes, running, and of course, baking delicious treats.

I started blogging about a year ago...like once a month.  In January 2011 I was training for a half-marathon so I started blogging more frequently and then a crazy thing happened...I started looking at *gasp* other blogs!

I had no idea there were so many talented people out there blogging!  One of the first blogs I found that interested me was Fit Foodie Finds.  Such fun writing!  The most beautiful photography!  So so healthy!  I was in love and so began an obsession of following some amazing foodies.

I also got on Twitter a couple of months ago (how many years after everyone else got on??) and found even more people who shared my passion!  Lee is, of course, one of the peeps I follow (let's face it, I want to make sure I know when she posts another amazing recipe or fun workout) and she sent a message out along the lines of "who wants to do a guest post for me?"

Didn't have to ask me twice!  I'd love to give this gal a break from posting for one day and I will even share a new recipe with her because I appreciate all of the hard work she puts into her blog!

So I present to you, followers of Fit Foodie Finds, a sweet fall recipe:
Pumpkin Spice Orange-Soaked Muffins

One of the best desserts I have made yet.  I could barely stop myself from licking the batter bowl and the glaze bowl...oh how I love you pumpkin muffins!

I brought these to the BF's farm this weekend and he caught me mowin down on 2 of em!

Ingredients (for muffins):

• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup cream (I used cinnamon vanilla creamer..yum) {healthier: skim milk or water}
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar {healthier: can be omitted}
• 1 can of Pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup oats {healthier: can add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more but will be very dense!}
• 2 cups flour {healthier: sub 1 cup whole wheat flour}
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• (see below for *orange soaked* part)

(Note: I know spices can be expensive...so if you don't have them and don't want to buy them now...this recipe can be made with spice cake from a box + vegetable oil+eggs+cream..although it won't be quite the same!)

How To (for muffins): 

Friday Five Foodie Finds #11

 

Happy Happy Friday!!

How has your week been?  I can't believe it's Friday already!  It's a sneaky yet wonderful day that appears once a week to delight us all!

I am still a little sore from Body Pump so I didn't even write this post last night like I said I would.  Yep the arms are that sore.

Back to the Friday deal.  On Fridays I like to recognize some of the foodie's that I stalk follow all week. There are some very talented food writers and photographers out there and I can't help but ooh and ahh over their recipes and think to myself, "I need to try that!"

So I compile a list of five to narrow it down.  Enjoy!

Friday Five Foodie Finds

1. Peas and Crayons' Snowflake Gift

Since it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...a beautiful foodie gift is the perfect way to start off!  Jenn is super creative and I can't get over how adorable these are!!  I even put this on my Pinterest DIY Board!

Like Chicken Parmesan...but not

Good Evening Friends!

You like the title right?  

I could not for the life of me figure out a name for this little meal I've created...but it reminded me of Chicken Parmesan, so there you have it.

I have had this dish twice this week and loved it both times.  Super quick and simple to make!

It resulted from the fact that I didn't have much foodwise in the house...not even sandwich thins to make the chicken patty into a sandwich or even broccoli (I always have broccoli in the freezer!).

I was very pleased with how these different items melded together into a mouth-watering, semi-healthy and satisfying meal.  I also love any excuse to eat my easy mac that I always seem to keep stocked. ;-)

Chicken Parmesan but not

{WIAW #9} Weekend Eats

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

How is your week going so far?  Mine is flying by!  But then again, doesn't it always??

Really I am writing this on Tuesday to try to get ahead of the game since I have bible study tonight, then ladies night after and working at the coffee job in the am.  Woohoo for planning eh?

Wednesdays mean WIAW {What. I. Ate. Wednesday.} as of the last couple of months.

Never heard of WIAW? 
I got the idea from Jenn at Peas and Crayons and link up to her posts each week.

 

What I do
I (try to) take photographs of each item of food I eat and each item I drink for an entire day (doesn't have to be Wednesday, Wednesday is just the day we share).  Then I try to evaluate how well I ate or what could use some improvements. 

Why would you care what I ate?
I'm not vain enough to think that everyone will care, however this can give you some ideas for food for yourself as well as a way to space meals out.  There is a thought process out there that those who are "skinny" eat very little food or restrict calories or fat or sweets.  I would like for people to see that this does not have to be the case!
Basically, I am at a healthy weight and this is how I eat!

Let us begin!  What I ate Friday, December 9, 2011:

Cake Pops {How to keep them on the stick}

Hello Friends!

Hope you all had a great weekend!  Mine was spent relaxing, making cake pops and hangin with family.  Who could ask for anything more??

I am giving thumbs up because I finally got them to stay on the stick!!!

Saturday my friend Malalalalory came over to teach me how to make cake pops.  I realize that cake pops are not new...by any means, but I have never attempted them.  For some reason I had in my mind that cake+frosting+almond bark = too sweet.  This is not true!

Malalalory: my teacher in cake pops making

After many failed attempts at keeping the cake pops on the stick (mine kept falling off!!), I think I discovered the way to keep them on.

The one that died

How to make Cake Pops...and Keep them on the Stick!!

Salted Candy Bar Cookies

Oh yes you heard me right!  Salted Candy bar cookies!

I just can't get enough of these!  If you know me, you know I adore cookies.  {I have honestly thought of having a cookie blog...but seriously who has time for two blogs??} 

They are my weakness because I can never have just one, but they are my strength because I make them so often...I've gotten kind of good at it.  And I love adding lots of weird ingredients to cookies (I call em hodgepodge cookies).

I had some candy bars in the fridge from Halloween because the BF's roomie handed out full sized candy bars on halloween and somehow I ended up with a few. 

I ended up eating a couple of the candy bars in one sitting (okay two separate days, two separate bars, but still).  I wanted to get rid of them so I wouldn't eat another one in a single sitting and make some cookies so voila.  I really am not sure if the cookies are healthier than just eating a candy bar...but for some reason, cookies are more satisfying to me. 

The logic that goes on in my head does not always make sense when typed out.  Nevertheless, a yummy cookie came from it.

Salted Candy Bar Cookies

{Friday Five Foodie Finds #10}

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope your week has been great!  Mine has been alright...getting over being sick and starting Chemistry class, plus working at both jobs has made for a semi-hectic week.  But my "sick day" was a good day of rest where I spent the day hangin with the BF watching food network for hours on end so I really can't complain can I?

Plus on Fridays I don't usually work until 11 so I got a full 8 hours of sleep last night.  I just love sleep, don't you??  Did you know that people who sleep more tend to weigh less?  Just another reason to get your sleep on!

Throughout the week I read many wonderful blogs, food blogs, mommy blogs (don't judge, I will be a mommy some day), home blogs, craft blogs...and I like to showcase my favorite food finds each week.  I chose to only pick 5 each week because seriously, there are many talented people out there that I would have waayyy too many foodie ideas.  It takes me long enough to talk about 5 of my finds. :-)

So I give to you my Friday Five Foodie Finds this week!  Enjoy!

1.
Krissy's Creations' Gingerbread Biscotti

Biscottis are quite possibly my favorite treat after cookies.  I've made them a couple of times and even have a recipe that I've modified to perfection.  I got excited when I saw these because of my love of biscottis AND I have some gingerbread mix in the cupboard that I've been wondering what to do with.

2.
Allrecipes.com's Peppermint Biscotti

Biscottis on the mind? Yes. Yes they are.  I actually found a beautiful picture of peppermint biscottis that I put on my Christmas Foodie Ideas board but alas when I clicked on the picture (to get to the original site) I could not find the recipe or even the picture!  So what did I do.  Googled it of course!  I found a recipe for it but you have to see the original pinterest photo.  Maybe you can find the original recipe for me?

*Sigh.*  Lovely.