Buen Sabor Wednesday- Gourmet Vegetarian Meals
Submitted by admin on March 30, 2010 - 3:00 pm
As you all know, I usually feature a healthy, (and yummy), recipe on Wednesdays. This week, La Buena Life Member, CJ Arabia, sent me some information on this gourmet vegetarian food line, Life Foods. So I thought that I’d let you all know about it, too. These frozen meals are made with soy and wheat protein and have no cholesterol, trans fats, preservatives or msg. They are currently available at 9 Whole Foods Markets and all Famima Markets.
Here’s what CJ Has to say about Life Foods, (taken from one of her blogs),
“Since I wrote that article about being a vegetarian a few month’s ago a few things have changed. I have not gone vegetarian sadly enough… BUT I have been eating less meat. A lot less meat. I get vegetarian breakfast sausages, Morning Star Farms rocks. They make NOT eating meat really easy. I still eat meat but not every day. I get lots of protein too. One delicious thing I’ve discovered is these Life Foods gourmet vegetarian entrees. My sister brought me a couple to try because she knows the woman who created them and she loves them and she wanted to try them. She knows I’m trying to lose weight. These vegetarian frozen meals have been a life saver. They taste like meat and feel like meat in your mouth. The flavors are really good too. That Sauteed Sirloin is sweet and spicy and delicious. At about $5 a pop they are great to take to work and heat up in the microwave. You’re saving an animal’s life every time you eat one so even if you don’t want to go completely vegetarian but like me, try to eat less meat you’ll enjoy these healthy low calorie meals. I’ve been eating them as part of my diet and I’ve lost 10 lbs so I know they work…”
Maravilloso Monday- Half Way There!
Submitted by admin on March 29, 2010 - 10:30 am
I can’t believe that there are only 4 more weeks until the MORE Magazine/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon that I am training for. I am feeling confident that I won’t totally collapse at the finish line, (and more importantly, that I will MAKE it to the finish line). Training for this race I have been more inspired to exercise than ever before. Each week I schedule my workouts right into my iPhone and in the past month I have only missed one workout, (last Monday when I was feeling run down). In general, I feel great, am getting in rock star shape and more importantly, I see that I have inspired some of you to kick your exercise up a notch. That’s fantastic!!!
If I’ve inspired you to workout please share, below.
Fabuloso Friday- Earth Hour
Submitted by admin on March 26, 2010 - 10:30 am
Tentación Thursday- Agua with a Twist
Submitted by admin on March 25, 2010 - 10:30 am
This week I had the pleasure of tasting Talking Rain Twist natural, certified organic juice water. A natural blend with a twist of juice. I love the combination of flavors in this non-carbonated, lightly sweetened water, made from artesian well water.* I just finished a bottle of the Pomegranate Blueberry flavor, which was delicious! It only had a hint of natural sweetness, produced by agave nectar. It’s the perfect drink for the person that thinks water is boring. I like that it’s refreshing but not overly sweet, as most flavored waters tend to be. And the best part is that it has only 9 calories per serving. So drink up! Organic flavors include: Mango Açaí, West Indies Lime, Mandarin White Tea, Pomegranate Blueberry, Wild Strawberry and Lemon. As I type I am enjoying the Mango Açaí flavor. (I think that I like this one even more than the Pomegranate Blueberry. The best part? A portion of the proceeds go to find a cure for breast cancer). 
ONE Lucky La Buena Life Member will win samples of Twist Naturals Certified Organic Juice Water. For your chance to win visit DrinkTwist.com to check out all of the flavors and more. Report back to LaBuenaLife.com and tell us which flavor speaks most to you and why, in the comment box below. If you’re lucky I’ll choose YOU as the lucky winner. (Please submit comments by Thursday, 4/1/10 at 7:00AM PDT).
*Artesian well water comes from a confined “artesian” aquifier whose water is pressurized and therefore flows out of the well, without pumping.
Buen Sabor Wednesday- Breakfast de Campeones!
Submitted by admin on March 24, 2010 - 10:30 am
Aside from my dad’s homemade waffles, covered with fresh strawberry pureé (yes, I eat waffles), my favorite breakfast is huevos rancheros-healthy style. I eat eggs almost every day, but my favorite way is Mexican style. The ingredients are:
Terrífico Tuesday- What I Love About Running
Submitted by admin on March 23, 2010 - 10:30 am
As most of you know, running is new for me. (I shouldn’t even call it running, it’s jogging, really). Anyway, the idea of jogging for long periods of time is not really my idea of a good time. But I have committed to participating in the MORE Magazine/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon on April 25th, so I’d better get used to jogging.
- Having a goal and a workout routine. (I have NEVER been so diligent about my training routine as I have been over the past 3 weeks).
- Skin Glowing (no breakouts since I started training for the half marathon)
- Favorite Jeans Fitting Better
- Endorphin-induced good mood
- Sexy, Shapely Legs
Fabuloso Friday- Help a Child Through World Vision
Submitted by admin on March 19, 2010 - 10:30 am
A friend of mine returned from Haiti, two nights ago, where he was providing his medical assistance (he’s an E.R. doctor in NYC). Next week my best friend (also an E.R. doctor) will head to Haiti for the same purpose. So as you can imagine, doing my part, (to help those less fortunate), has been heavy on my mind this week. Although, we are not all trained to assist at that level, nor able to travel to Haiti, for most of us donating something (albeit $10) to relief efforts of the Haitian disaster, or any other great disaster is quite manageable.
The World Vision organization has a staff of 800 in Haiti, doing tremendous work. But that’s not all that this organization does. World Vision helps children worldwide, everyday. And you can also. For about $1 a day you can sponsor a child most any where. (Why, most people spend more than that on a coffee each day). And I love that you can even choose to the child you sponsor by country, gender and/or their birth date.
If you are interested in learning more about World Vision please Click Here.
Tentación Thursday- Love American Idol?
Submitted by admin on March 18, 2010 - 10:30 am
Do you love American Idol? Well now you can download music performed by the top 12 contestants on iTunes. Heck, you can download whatever you want, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, The Beatles, Dizzy Gillespie or even TV and movies! Gotta love shopping at your fingertips. That being said, this week I thought that I’d give away something that everyone would enjoy, a $15 iTunes gift card.
ONE (1) Lucky La Buena Life Member will win this gift card. For your chance to jam to your favorite tunes or watch your favorite TV show or movie leave your comment below. (Please submit comment by 7:00AM PDT Thursday, 3/25/10.
Buen Sabor Wednesday- Quinoa Vegetable Salad
Submitted by admin on March 17, 2010 - 3:30 pm
4 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups raw whole grain quinoa
1 cucumber, sliced
1 red or yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup lightly steamed broccoli florets
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
dash salt and pepper, to taste (sea salt tastes best)
For Cooking Instructions
Click Here.
Buen Provecho!
Terrífico Tuesday- Join My Mailing List and Get FREE GIFTS!
Submitted by admin on - 5:00 am
Maravilloso Monday- Oh What A Beautiful Morning!
Submitted by admin on March 15, 2010 - 6:34 pm
Fabuloso Friday- Relay for Life
Submitted by admin on March 12, 2010 - 11:30 am
It seems that so many of us have been faced with cancer in our families. That is why it’s so important to fund research to battle cancer. Please help me in supporting this worthy cause.
One of my husband’s great uncles died of stomach cancer 8 years ago. Since that time our cousins, (his grand daughter’s), have been participating in The Relay for Life. To help me help them please click on the links below to contribute to the fundraising efforts of Adriana Valencia and Francesca Valencia.
How you can help:
Click on their names below. When you get to the site, enter their name and contribute directly to their fundraising goals.
To donate directly to the American Cancer Society, click here.
Thanks so much!!!
Tentación Thursday-FREE Giveaway! Eco-Pencils
Submitted by admin on March 11, 2010 - 5:00 pm
I just found the coolest thing, pencils made from tires! Remember the yellow, #2 pencils you used in grade school? Well, the same company, Ticonderoga, has created a unique, patented process, to make pencils using the rubber compound from recycled tires. Isn’t that wild? I love it!
To learn more about these innovative pencils CLICK HERE.
Remember, ONE (1) Lucky La Buena Life Member will win a pack of 10 Ticonderoga Renew Pencils. For your chance to win leave a comment in the box below. (Please submit comment by Thursday, March 18 2010 at 7:00AM PST).
Buen Sabor Wednesday – Trainer Morgan’s White Bean Chili
Submitted by admin on March 10, 2010 - 9:30 pm
Today I am sharing my Trainer Morgan’s White Bean Chili. She says it’s great, so let’s see. (I’ll make it tonight and report back to you). The ingredients are:
1 tbsp. vegetable oil (can definitely use less)
2 medium onions, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 cups chicken broth (I actually use up to 6, to make it more soupy and I use fat-free, low-sodium)
2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro or 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
2 tbsp. lime juice
1 – 2 tsp. ground cumin (I used ground roasted cumin)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/4 tsp. red pepper sauce (tabasco sauce)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn
1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained
1 can (15 oz) butter beans, drained
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
(For extra texture Morgan likes to add some hominy, a can of chopped green chilis and celery).
Optional topping:
3 cups grated cheese – (Which she usually skips)
Tomatoes
Avocado
Heat oil in 4 qt. dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Cook onions and garlic in oil (and celery if using). Stir occasionally, until onions are tender. Stir in remaining ingredients except chicken. Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Stir in chicken. Simmer until hot.
Optional: Top with cheese, tomatoes and avocado before serving.
Terrifico Tuesday- The Countdown Continues…
Submitted by admin on - 1:00 am
Maravilloso Monday- Oops! So Busy Training that I Forgot to Post My Blog
Submitted by admin on March 9, 2010 - 3:34 am
I got up so early to hit the gym that I forgot to blog today. So let me fill you in on my half marathon training. For those of you that are just tuning in, I am participating in the MORE Magazine/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon in Central Park, (yup! NYC!), on Sunday, April 25th. No, I have never ran a marathon, (of any length), before. Quite frankly, I don’t run! I grew up dancing and performing, not running and playing sports, like most children. (If you read my first post about this half marathon you’d like that I hardly even took gym class, throughout my life). That being said, this is a BIG DEAL, for me. I don’t expect to win, I don’t even expect to run/jog throughout the course. I DO EXPECT to finish, however. I started training a little over a week ago. So far, so good. Yesterday I jogged/walked for 4 miles, on the treadmill. But the end my legs were tired. Wow! But it’s all good (and good for me). Here is what I have done over the past week and a half.
Fabuloso Friday- Disney’s Give a Day. Get a Day.
Submitted by admin on March 5, 2010 - 4:00 pm
To find out how to participate Click Here.
Tentación Thursday- Jumping for Joy
Submitted by admin on March 4, 2010 - 4:51 pm
As most of you know, I recently began taking restorative yoga classes (which I love!) Well, I now have the perfect outfit for class, lunch at an al fresco cafe, or out to dinner. Check it out! It’s the Prancing Leopard Aix-En-Provence Jump Suit. (You may remember the beautiful organic cotton Prancing Leopard Princess Slippers that I featured a while back). Well, jumpsuits are the HOT fashion item of the moment, and this one is no exception. It’s made of super, super soft 100% Organic Turkish Long Fiber Cotton. The legs are super flowy, (yet flattering), and the hidden pockets are a plus. I love the v-neck and racer back, too. Can’t wait to rock my jumpsuit!
To purchase your own Prancing Leopard Aix-En Provence Jumpsuit, or other apparel, Click Here.
Remember that ONE lucky La Buena life Member will win this jumpsuit (please note, size Medium only). For your chance to win please leave a comment in the box below by Thursday 3/11/10 at 7:00AM PST.
Buena Suerte!
Buen Sabor Wednesday- Going Bananas!
Submitted by admin on March 3, 2010 - 3:30 pm
Did you know that two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout? No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. Because bananas contain 3 natural sugars – fructose, glucose and sucrose, combined with fiber, they give an instant, sustained & substantial boost of energy. (My son can’t get enough of them these days. Only, he calls them “ba”, not “banana”). In addition to being a great power food did you know that bananas are also good for the following:
Terrífico Tuesday- Keeping the Beat
Submitted by admin on March 2, 2010 - 3:00 pm
Well, if you read yesterday’s blog post you know that I have signed up for the MORE Magazine/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon in Central Park, my first. I have an entire workout schedule set for the upcoming 8 weeks, until the race. I am planning to finish, not finish first. When I started wrapping my head around completing a half marathon I realized that I would need a few things: new running shoes, check, new running bra, check, (probably many other things that I have yet to realize), but most importantly TUNES to move me, check. I found a few great podcasts that not only motivate, with a strong beat at specific bpm (beats per minute). Remember, I was a dancer, I can’t run off beat, so the music better have a beat at the right tempo to keep my on my training routine. I like the podcasts by Motion Traxx, that I found on iTunes. Coincidentally, Motion Traxx has several “Fitness Magazine” workouts. The one that I am using this week is called “Fitness Magazine You Can Do It: Lose 10 Pounds a Jean Size ’09 Interval #1, The Quickie“. That’s the one that I trained to on Saturday. It was just the right fitness level for me. If you want to try it out, do a search on iTunes for Fitness Magazine You Can Do It: Lose 10 Pounds ’09 Interval #1, The Quickie. I used it while working on a treadmill, but I could just have easily taken a run in my neighborhood, to the same tunes.
What workout mixes do you like? I’d love any suggestions that you might have. Gotta go! (I’m off to the gym now).
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“Good Life Guru” Ana Cabán wants women to have healthy, balanced, and fabulous lives. It’s a passion that informs everything she does. Creating a line of bestselling Pilates DVDs based on her popular and highly-addictive classes was just the beginning of a mission that she conducts in two languages, and bridging two cultures, as a successful fitness & lifestyle expert, certified wellness coach, and radio and TV host.
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