Guest Blogging at My Pixie Blog

One of my dearest friends has so kindly offered her lovely corner of the internet to me today. I am so blessed to have Charlotte in my life, and grateful for the opportunity to guest post at My Pixie Blog. Charlotte so eloquently and honestly examines the ups and downs of navigating love and relationships, enriches us with her tales of dog fostering, and makes us feel less alone with her honestly about being a 30-something woman in this day and age. I love her to pieces, and am eternally grateful for her ongoing support and our beautiful friendship. Please follow her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Chicken Cacciatore

A healthy twist on a traditional comfort food.

Ingredients:

4 thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets

1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 medium zucchinis, sliced in 1/4-inch slices
1 large can of Trader Joe's diced tomatoes
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat
Add zucchini slices, cook for 3-4 mins
Add onion slices, cooking until onions and zucchini start to soften
Add entire can of diced tomatoes, and mix thoroughly
After about 5-7 mins, "bury" chicken cutlets beneath tomato mixture
Cover pan, and allow chicken to cook 3-4 mins
Turn over chicken cutlets, cover, and cook another 3-4 mins

Serving size: 1 cutlet topped with generous portion of tomatoes, onions, zucchini

Tip: Vegetarians can use the tomato, onion, and zucchini as a sauce with pasta or spaghetti squash

Workout of the Week: Killer Core

Summer may not seem like it's right around the corner, but before you know it, you'll be seeing promises of "bikini abs in 4 weeks!" Though we all want a flat tummy, there are far more important reasons to have a strong core. Good posture, spinal support, hip strength, and low back strength are critical to healthy living and healthy aging.

Do each exercise for 30 to 60 seconds, completing at least 2 circuits.

Plank: lying on your stomach (use a mat or a soft surface), come up to rest on your forearms and toes. Make sure your elbows are directly under your shoulders, your back is level (squeeze your abs and butt), and you're on your toes. Hold the position.

Plank position

Mountain climbers: In push up position, alternate drawing your knees up to your chest. You can do these slowly, or faster for a cardio element.

Russian twist: Sit upright, with knees bent and toes pointed up (your feet are resting on your heels). Keeping your back straight and chest up, rotate side to side, tapping an 8-lb medicine ball or weight on the floor next to your hip. To make this more advanced, lean back a bit and balance on your sit bones, feet off the floor, and twist.

Plank walkup: Return to plank position (on your forearms), and alternate coming up onto your hands to pushup position (on your palms).

Pushup position

Spiderman crunch: In pushup position, bend your right knee and bring it up toward your right elbow. Alternate sides, drawing the knee as close to the elbow as you can.

Tip: If you need a break, rest, count to 3, and go back into the exercise, but complete the allotted time! This will allow you to see your progress. If you take less breaks in the 30 seconds each time, it shows you're getting stronger!