Get Fit and Stay Fit

We all need a little extra support in our daily challenge to stay fit.  I find that when I am surrounded by others with like goals--  it makes my fitness journey a lot easier.  It is so easy to put everything else in our daily lives ahead of exercising and making healthy food choices.  We have to stop... and put our bodies first.

So, start today with putting "YOU" first!  Get FIT... and stay fit!

Check out my brother's youtube page:

Bryan Keith Hall's Fitness Page on YouTube

Here's one video he made about how simple walking with a weighted backpack helped him back pain.

Also, check out his Facebook Board for more motivation-- 

**WARNING:  He does use colorful language at times.  He is straight and to the point.**

Click HERE to go to my brother's FACEBOOK group page, Get Fit & Stay Fit.

Yummy, Easy Salsa Recipe

I love good salsa!  I am constantly looking for a good recipe to make at home.  Salsa is a good low-fat way to enjoy many flavors all blended into one delicious dip or topping.

Here is a salsa recipe that I found at http://www.food.com/recipe/salsa-1078.  It turned out pretty good!

Ingredients:

• 2 large tomatoes, seeded (don't have to) and diced
• 1/2 small sweet onion, finely chopped (like Texas sweet or red)
• 1 -3 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1.  Combine all the ingredients,
2.  Blend everything in a food processor or blender
3.  Chill for 2 hours before serving with chips

What's your favorite salsa recipe?   

Air Drying with a Sock Bun

This is an easy method to air dry hair.  I like it because it does not require heat, and it stretches the hair a bit before styling.  I follow this method weekly. 

• Using a brush, I smooth her detangled hair into a ponytail.  I apply EcoStyler Gel with argan oil to lay down her edges.

•  After that, I slip a satin covered sock bun onto the ponytail.

• Then, I wrap the loose ends of her hair around the sock bun and secure with a pony tail holder or bobby pins.

• Apply extra gel if needed.

This style air dries overnight, and then her hair is ready to style for the week!

PREVIEW OF NEXT WEEK'S VIDEO TUTORIAL:

How to Make a Satin Covered Sock Bun

Making a neat bun using a sock covered with satin has provided me with a quick and easy hair style for D.W. while she transitions.  Here are the instructions on how you can make your own.

NOTE:  If you need a refresher on the stitches referenced in the video, CLICK HERE.

You will need the following:

• Sock
• Satin material with some stretch to it
• Scissors and a ruler
• Needle and thread

Video Tutorial:  How to Make a Satin Covered Sock Bun

1.  First, cut the toe off of an old sock.

2.  Starting at the end that was cut, roll the sock making a donut shape.


3.  Secure the rolled sock by wrapping the opening around the new donut shape.


4.  Next, take your satin material and fold it with the shiny sides together and cut your desired width
     (this should be about 1/2 an inch bigger than the widest part of your donut shaped sock bun).


5.  Now sew a running stitch down the open end of the satin material.  When you get to the end of
     the fabric, reinforce the stitch by second running stitch down the same side.


6.  Take your satin material and feed it through the sock bun.


7.  Start folding your material down over the sock bun in the same fashion that you did when you
     were making your original donut shape.


8.  Once you finish, take your threaded needle and secure the loose ends of the satin covering using a
     whip stitch.

Easy BBQ Baked Chicken Legs

This recipe requires little prep, but is big on taste!

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks, with bone and skin
• 1/4 cup of butter, melted
• Seasoning salt (I use a mix of Lawry's and Mrs. Dash Table Blend)
• Barbeque sauce (I like to mix the Kraft original with the Kraft hickory smoked)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
3. Place chicken in dish and brush with melted butter
4. Sprinkle with season salt to taste (I put A LOT of the Mrs. Dash because it doesn't increase the sodium content)
5. Bake for 1 hour or until the drumsticks are cooked thoroughly (if it seems they are cooking too fast on the outside, cover them with heavy duty foil)
6. Next, brush the drumsticks with BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes uncovered

That's pretty much it!  You can serve this dish with baked potatoes and a green dinner salad.

NOTE:  For easy clean-up, line your baking pan with heavy duty foil.