Happy Holidays!

Oh my goodness. Merry Christmas! I hope the holidays have been fabulous for you. :)

I'm working to improve Muncher Cruncher, hence the lack of posting. No worries. I'll be back soon! xoxoxo

Muncher Cruncher Healthy Travel Tips

I am ALWAYS so excited to leave on trips. Traveling is so fun. However, I always get a little stressed too...probably because I hate packing. I leave tomorrow for my Arizona/Austin Christmas, and I can hardly wait! It was 10 degrees when I got in my car this morning...get me out of here. If you were wondering how the packing is coming, it is looking a little something like this...

and that is only just the beginning. According to my dad I have inherited my inability to pack lightly from my mother. What can I say? She is a good woman, and she always looks fantastic! :)

When it comes to traveling people will quite often use it as an excuse to throw in the healthy towel, if you know what I mean. Here are a few tips that will help you to avoid doing just that.

Muncher Cruncher Healthy Travel Tips:
- Bring your own snacks! Sometimes traveling puts us in situations where we are foodless for quite a while. These are the times we usually get so hungry that that the..."I don't even care give me that entire Cinnabon NOW," monster kicks in. Instead of letting your body get there bring your own snacks. Some of my favorites are almonds, turkey jerky, Larabars, protein bars, string cheese, apples, bananas, clementines, oranges, healthy cookies, etc.
- Bring a water bottle. When we aren't at home or in our normal element, we tend to drink much less water than normal. Bring a water bottle with you so you can fill up wherever you are and keep yourself healthy and hydrated.
- Eat before you go. If you know food may be an issue on your travel day, don't wait to see what the airport or convenience store may have that fits into your healthy eating plan, eat something beforehand that will fill you up and keep you from becoming ravenous.
- Bring your workout clothes! Even if you are going to an unknown destination in which you may not have a lot of options as far as working out is concerned, there is always something you can do. Bring your own workout DVD's, bands, or a jump rope if you are worried your options may be limited. If you are staying with family, go for a walk! If you are staying at a hotel, find out before hand what their amenities are. You can always use their gym, or swim some laps in the pool.

These are just a few simple things that you can do that can certainly make a big difference in how well you do on your vacation. I've said it about one million times, the key to success is preparation and planning. If you don't set yourself up for success, finding it may be a wee bit difficult.

Happy and SAFE travels to all those who are venturing to their Christmas destinations this week!!

A Day of Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

We will never forget. 

Merry Monday Circuit Workout

Merry Monday to you! This morning I was TIRED. We were up late playing Christmas games and laughing, and then all of the sudden....shoot it's 5:00 AM and I'm being beckoned by my alarm clock. My house was chilly and I didn't want to get out of bed...but I did, and I ended up having a killer circuit workout this morning that I thought I'd share!
In case you were wondering...this is what Monday looks like at my house...mid-day, wrapped up in a blanket, hood on, writing up a storm. Don't let this pic fool you...it has actually been a fabulous day!

Merry Monday Circuit Workout

15 32" box jumps
15 Pull ups with the TRX
15 DB squats with a curl
*repeat 3 times*

40 rope slaps (with the heavy industrial ropes)
15 Med ball snatches with a burpee (18 lb med ball)
20 alternating walking lunges with a curl (20 lb db's)
*repeat 3 times*

...and the grand finale heart rate killer...
20 kettle bell high sumos with 25 lb KB
10 Burpees
*repeat twice through with no break*

This workout took me about 40-45 minutes. I try to take as few breaks as possible, so my heart rate stays high! Although I was freezing and tired, it felt good to get a GREAT sweat in! The key to outwitting the holiday hype of weight gain is to keep up with the healthy habits you know and love so much! You may be busy, and you more than likely tired...but I promise...It's worth it!!

Muncher Cruncher Healthy Holiday Gift Guide

Oh my goodness...I love Christmas so much I can hardly stand it! This weekend was spent delving into all sorts of Christmas festivities! Christmas shopping...Christmas music...

 Christmas treats...Christmas concerts...

 Christmas wrapping...

I love it all! I really do. It really hit me this morning how magical and wonderful the Christmas season is. It is such an incredible time of gratitude, giving, and love. I hope you feel the same way! 

I always like to throw out some healthy holiday gift ideas that may give you some ideas for a few items to add to your own list, or may help you to determine some fun things to give your family members and friends this year to keep them feeling and looking great! In no particular order...

Muncher Cruncher 2012 Healthy Holiday Gift Guide

1. Gift cards to healthy restaurants or health food stores (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Sprouts, etc.)

2. A gym membership or class passes

3. Healthy Treats (fresh fruit, nuts, natural foods, popcorn, nut butters, etc.)

4. New workout clothes/shoes

5. An Ipod or MP3 player

6. New workout headphones

7. A new gym bag

8. Gift card for Itunes

9. Workout socks

10. Water bottle 

11. Exercise DVD's 

12. A Foam roller 

13. A gift certificate for a spa treatment or massage

14. Fitness & health related books 

15. Cold weather workout accessories (hat, gloves, scarf, neck warmer)

16. Garmin 

17. Heart rate monitor 

18. Exerspy 

19. Subscriptions to healthy eating or fitness related magazines

20. At home workout gear (kettle bell, TRX trainer, dumbbells, treadmill, elliptical, bike, etc.) 

21. Skincare products

22. Healthy cookbooks

23. Fun headbands, hats, hair elastics 

24. Lift tickets to a local resort 

25. Outdoor sport gear (snowboard, skis, snowshoes) 

26. A road bike (If you'd like to get me this I would gladly accept...) ;) 

Hopefully these ideas help you find ways to give and receive the gift of health this year!

Beware: The Holidays are Heavily Upon Us

If you haven't noticed, we are in full swing of the holidays. I love it. I love it. I love it! I hope you are loving it too! It is definitely the time of year that stresses people out the most as far as their health is concerned. We seem to have less time to work out, and the food is abundantly before us. So much food...everywhere...and most of it is not greens and lean protein. Just saying. When times get crazy (and the food abundance gets crazier) a reminder of a few healthy holiday tips might just be beneficial.

(Image Source)

Don't skip meals. Instead of not eating all day to "save up" your calories, try to eat clean and healthy (and normally) and when you get to your holiday parties eat sensibly. If you skip meals you will be more likely to overeat when you get to your holiday functions.

Journal your food. You may consider this a nuisance, but if you are wanting to avoid the extra calories from excess bites here and there, the best way to do so is to write down your caloric intake. Keeping a food journal can help you to be more aware of what is going into your mouth.

Make your food choices worth it. There is going to be an abundance of sweets and junk, that is just the way it is. However, not all of it is going to be worth it. If there is some kind of sweet treat or divine indulgence that you make once a year and absolutely die for, by all means, have some. If you arrive at party with a table full of day old store bought cookies, passing them up is probably going to be OK. 

Get moving. When time seems short, the first thing that we let fall through the cracks is our workout time. Don't let this be the case. Try to keep your workouts regular, and you will feel so much better. (Especially if you aren't eating as well as you usually do.) If you don't have lots of time for exercise, get your family moving instead. Make some holiday memories by going snowshoeing, walk around the neighborhood to look at the lights, deliver your neighborhood treats on foot, go ice skating, etc.

Try to get some sleep. Believe it or not there is a direct correlation between not getting enough sleep, and not losing weight. Your body needs your sleep time to recharge and repair itself.
Get adequate amounts of sleep and you will help keep your body in a healthy place during the holidays, and your mood will be better too!

Bring your own healthy additions to the holiday spread. If you are attending a holiday party, bring a healthy side, salad, or appetizer to share. If you do this you will know that there is something there that you can eat and feel good about. Veggie trays and fruit platters are a great and easy contribution.

Don't give up! The worst thing you can do is throw in the towel, and say you'll start over in January. Just keep going doing the best you can, and then sure...kick it into high gear in January. There is no reason not to continue on with your progress throughout the holiday season. It IS possible!

Have a happy, healthy, holiday season!

Squashed.

This morning I was walking out to my car when I saw something that looked like a football on my windshield. As I got closer I realized it wasn't a football at all. It was this...

I have no idea who it is from, but it made me laugh. Most people receive cookies and candy...I receive squash. Someone knows me well? (And if it's you...you should tell me!) I hate not knowing these things.

It reminded me that I really do love squash though. In fact, here are a few of my favorite recipes.
Healthy Zucchini Lasagna
Low Fat Zucchini Cookies
Butternut Squash Soup
Healthy Pumpkin Pie
Paleo Zucchini Bread
Delicious and Quick Acorn Squash
Spaghetti Squash Pasta Swap
Curried Butternut Squash Soup

So, thank you...whoever you are? Merry Christmas back at ya!

November Mix Winner!

I guess since it's December we'd better announce the winner of November's Mix Giveaway! 
Drumroll please...

Congrats to Oliva! She said...

Amen to that sista! Families are the best :) Email me at megolina21 at gmail.com and I'll get you your tunes!! Happy Tuesday everyone! xoxoxo

FINALLY.

Last week there were some epic occurrences. Of the most important...I FINALLY got to meet Janae's (AKA the hungry runner girl) sweet lil' baby girl! OH MY GOSH!! We went to Jason's Deli for lunch, like we have done so many times...and I just wanted to eat this sweet little darling right up!

 Janae and I actually grew up in the same neighborhood, but we realized we were soul mates during our college years when she would literally kick my trash in her amazing spin class. I miss those days! She is one of the speediest marathoner's I know, and she is an absolutely amazing person. I love her, oh so much! Janae then introduced me to Ashley, and we became instant best buds as well. Ashley is an unreal marathoner turned cross-fitter who is one of the most mentally tough people I've ever met. She is a machine! She is also extremely funny and so sweet. Janae, Ash and I used to have frequent lunch dates where we would talk about running, working out, food, etc. etc. etc. and then Janae thought it was ok to up and move?? AND have her cutest little baby about a million miles away? WTF?

JK, I still love her to pieces. Anyways...last week I FINALLY got to meet Janae's beautiful little baby girl, and I instantly fell in love. I'm not going to lie, one of the best part about being a health fanatic is meeting health fanatic friends who don't think I'm crazy. :)

Don't forget you have until Monday, December 3rd at midnight to enter in the giveaway for Novembers Thankful Tunes mix! Click HERE to enter! :)