So I tweeted earlier that I had some exciting news…
OpenSky!!!
Recently, the lovely folks at OpenSky contacted me about potentially setting up a ‘shop’ on their site. After a few more communications & exchanges of information, it’s all settled, I’m going to be a Shopkeeper on OpenSky! If you aren’t familiar with OpenSky, it’s a community where people passionate about certain topic and products can interact. Shopkeepers share their favorites products and customers can browse through shops of their interest, learning about products in that category and why the shopkeeper recommends them. I know I’m much more likely to buy a product or go to a restaurant recommended by a friend whose opinion I trust. OpenSky takes that idea to the virtual level. I have learned about so many new products and foods from my fellow bloggers, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with all of you!
Check out their mission and you’ll see why I’m so enthusiastic about being apart of this project. I strongly agree with their beliefs, particularly that “everyone can help somebody,” “when you’re living your dream your job isn’t work,” and “when you live your passion, you thrive.”
My goal in each of my professional pursuits, the reason for going back to school to get my MBA and now my Holistic Health certification, is to create a career that I love. I could never live my life after 5pm and feel like I’m between bars before then. It means everything to me to follow my passions and love what I do. My belief has always been that if I do this, the financial aspect will eventually come, but in the meantime I get to love and learn from every minute of it.
Look for a link to my OpenSky shop in the near future!
FITNESS
Camelback
I’ve bragged a lot about the Arizona weather this time of year, so I thought I better get out and enjoy it! Today a friend & I hiked Camelback Mountain, and there could not have been a better day for it; clear skies, 70s, slight breeze, beautiful! Camelback is not exactly a leisurely hike, in fact a lot of it is very rocky and at a serious incline.. just the type of interesting, cardio kickin, hike I like. It was also interesting to learn how my fitness level improved since the last time (sometime June 2009). Even though I was going at a similar pace, this time I only burned around 650 calories, where I’ve burned well over 800 in the past. Sometime I forget how refreshing a good hike can be, both physically & spiritually. Being that I don’t enjoy running I really don’t get outside to exercise as much as I should. But this time of year in Arizona is spectacular and I definitely plan on making hiking a part of my weekly fitness schedule.
After the Grand Canyon one-arm pushup shot, I had to get one atop Camelback!
On tap for tomorrow.. morning Spin (to finishing killing off those margarita calories), Yoga and Back & Core.
NUTRITION
After a few days of yogurt-based breakfasts, I was in the mood for something warm this morning. Ah yes, the return of Pumpkin Oats. Here we have the ‘fluffy’ version, aka soft-peak egg whites folded in at the end.. 1/4 c Oats, 1/8 c Oat Bran, 1/2 c UVAB+ 1/2 c H20, 1/3 c Pumpkin, 1/3 c Egg Whites, topped with 1/8 c chopped Walnuts..
Late morning snack was fantastic Pumpkin Yogurt (1/3 c Greek Yogurt + 1/3 c Pumpkin) topped with a couple tbsp of Apple Spice Granola..
Pre-hike I enjoyed a few Kobacha slice (this has definitely become one of my favorite snacks!), along with one of these..
Have you tried this type of Clif Bar? I hadn’t seen it before but picked it up at the bike shop when I got my Spin shoes. It was pretty good, very moist, but probably won’t get it again.
Cheater Cheater Margarita Drinker
My cheat this week was long-awaited. I enjoyed my favorite Chambord Margarita at Z’Tejas. These things are seriously potent; they actually cap you at 3, but 1 was more than enough for me.
I also ordered the Ahi Tuna appetizer (my hunger blinded me to remembering to take a photo :p) and had just a couple chips with guacamole. I stayed strong avoiding any other unhealthy food at the restaurant, so I made a healthier version when I got home.. Tahini Hummus & Cheddar is a fantastic flavor combo!
Mushroom Duo Ezekiel Quesadilla
2 Ezekiel Corn Tortillas
2 mini Portobello Mushrooms (grilled on the Foreman in advance)
2 mini Shitake Mushrooms (grilled on the Foreman in advance)
1.5 tbsp Tahini Hummus
2 tbsp Sharp Cheddar
2 tbsp TJ’s Salsa
Layer ingredients and grill up!
What a tasty, relatively healthy alternative.. it came in at around 350 calories, 15 g Protein, 42 g Carb & 16 g Fat. Much better than a standard restaurant Chicken Quesadilla meal that’s 1330 calories (holy pudge creating guacamole.. not like I haven’t enjoyed many of these in my time :p though).
FUN
Links
Fantastic timing by Yoga Journal! This article was in today’s Daily Insights on how yoga helps improve body awareness, a key component of weight loss.
My love affair with Squash has been well document. This article from World’s Healthiest Foods profiles it’s fantastic nutritional benefits.
Happy Friday! Any fun, long-weekend plans?
Fun Links
That is exciting news!! Seems like a pretty neat site!
Your hike looked amazing. Beautiful views AND weather! I’m jealous you are able to hike in a sleeveless shirt right now! I need to remind myself to go on more hikes once the weather is nice here!
As always, your meals look delicious! I especially think that quesadilla looks AmAAZZINNG! I may have to figure out a way to fit some kind of quesadilla into my macros.
Glad to see you could still post a blog post-margarita/tequila!
Congrats on the latest new gig I can’t wait to pop over and see what that’s all about!
Open Sky sounds really cool- congrats!
The hike looks amazing, I am hoping to do some similar hikes when I am in Arizona next month. I’m glad to see you wearing a tank top, I’m hoping it’s nice and warm when I am there. Do you have any recommendations for the Phoenix area? (we are staying in Scottsdale)
That’s so exciting about OpenSky!
I’ve thought about trying to “open up shop” there as well, ha. You’ll have to let me know how you like it ; )
Oh they contacted me too! I’m just unsure if I can do it since i’m getting unemployment. I don’t want to mess with the government
It sounds like fun!
Congrats with your opportunity! I’m so jealous of your weather by the way. Really it’s unfair for you to be posting such pictures when I’m in a turtleneck with an undershirt as well!
I love that you put walnuts in your oat bran, and egg whites. Very creative. I’m a huge fan of walnuts.
As for the soy chips, they are from Revival Soy (link on my site). They are really tasty, and if you go to their website they have many more flavors and other foods to try.
This weekend I have plans to relax, and celebrate Nick’s birthday, again! haha, third times a charm
This time the family is involved. Should be a good time. Happy Friday!
Congrats on the OpenSky venue! That is sooo exciting!! Keep us updated pa-lease
And the pumpkin yogurt looks good…is it as tasty as it looks? I also just realized you are an IIN’er like me! So very cool, have you started classes yet? I’m doing the live classes in nyc, which start next month. Thanks for the well wishes on the cooking class tonight!
Yum! Avocado looks perfectly ripe and delicious! I would eat avocados all day long if I could! Have a great weekend, no real plans here!