Tighten + Tone Tuesday: Why exercise IS an effective way to lose weight and tips to maximize your routine

Happy Tighten + Tone Tuesday! This week's video is the last in my March Madness series.  Yes, I know it's April 1st, but since March Madness at Fit Armadillo is more about shining a light on fitness myths than it is about March or basketball, I figured it was still timely.  Especially since it's April Fool's Day and this week's myth is one I don't want someone to prank you into believing!

What myth am I uncovering this week? It's the myth that exercise "just isn't proven to aide in weight loss."  This myth always really grinds my gears, because it's just not true!

However, haters are gonna hate and they keep talking all this trash about exercise. I think the myth comes from the fact that while your eating and exercising habits work together to impact your overall weight and weight loss goals, it's a lot easier to overeat than it is to overexercise! 

Most of us don't realize what we actually eat during the day and tend to overestimate the amount of exercise we enjoy.  But "most of us" doesn't have to be YOU! Take charge of your healthy living routine and get a few steps closer to your goal by getting real about your current routine with me.  If you're not sure where to begin, you'll love the quick tips for learning how to modify both your eating and exercising routines that I reveal in the video.


Find out more about my thoughts on the maddening idea that exercise doesn't work by watching this week's video here:

Did you enjoy this video? Share it with a friend and then share your thoughts with a comment below. Did you visit Choose My Plate yet? It's a great resource and I'd love to hear your thoughts on that as well :) Type away: 

Dinner is served! High Class Chicken Fingers

This week's What's for Dinner? Wednesday meal is ready for you to enjoy (at least in a visual way)!  It's a grown up version of a childhood favorite that I like to call High Class Chicken Fingers.

The blackberry, honey, and mustard sauce will delight your adult tastebuds as you reminisce about days of old enjoying tasty fingers or nuggets of goodness. Many kid-friendly meals are not very healthy living friendly. However, this dinner won't fill you with regret! There's no frying involved.

To view the full recipe check out the post from this morning HERE>>

Did you cook with us? Share your version of High Class Fingers and Tag it with the #W4DW hashtag.  Have a comment about this meal idea or a favorite childhood chicken finger/nugget story? Share that below too:

What's for Dinner? Wednesday: High Class Chicken Fingers

Happy What's for Dinner? Wednesday! Last week I shared a recipe for Falafel Scotch Eggs that was brand new to most of you. This week's recipe is one you've likely seen before, but it has a little bit of a twist.  It's for High Class Chicken Fingers! This blast from the past (or a least my past, I couldn't get enough of chicken fingers when I was a kid!) goes healthy in this recipe that I slightly modified from one I found on Eating Well.

Besides enjoying reminiscing of a simpler time when cooking up this childhood classic gone all grown-up, I think you'll enjoy the fact that it only requires 15 mins to make and you're likely to have most of the ingredients already in your pantry! Plus, the fancy sauce that goes with it is a fun, adult twist.

Here's what you'll need to serve High Class Chicken Fingers to four:

Ingredients:

1 cup blackberries 

1.5 tbsp mustard

2 tsp honey

1 lb chicken tenders

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3 tbsp cornmeal

cooking spray

How to put it all together:

Step One: Get saucy! You're all grown up now so you won't be dipping these chicken fingers in ketchup.  To make your classy dip mash up your blackberries, mustard, and honey in a small bowl.  It will be a little chunky and a lot of yummy!

Step Two: Prep your chicken.  Cut your chicken into nuggets or finger size (your choice) and then sprinkle them with your salt and pepper.  One your chicken is seasoned, coat it with cornmeal by tossing the topping and your meat together in a bowl.  

Step Three: Heat a skillet over medium-high and spray it with cooking spray.  Add your chicken and cook it over medium heat for about 3 minutes per side.  It should be ready when it's lightly browned.  Once your chicken is done cooking, divide it among four plates and add a dash of your berry sauce.  

That's it! Three easy steps and one delicious and healthy entree.  Don't forget to add some veggies for a complete meal.

Are you going to try this recipe tonight? Does it look delicious or do you think chicken nuggets are best served with ketchup? Share your thoughts and your favorite chicken finger memory with a comment below:

Tighten + Tone Tuesday: Does Running Cause Knee Injuries?

Happy Tighten + Tone Tuesday! This Tuesday I've booked you an appointment with a doctor. Don't worry, it's not for a check-up! Rather, it's to watch this week's March Madness video, which is an interview with Dr. William Turley who has stopped by to discuss the question: Does running cause knee injuries? 

Aside from being a medical doctor, Dr. Turley has been running for 45 years so he knows a thing or two about the sport.  In addition to providing his personal insights as a runner, he'll also teach you several reasons why tying up your laces should be on your to-do list this spring that might surprise you. The best part? You don't have to wait 2hrs in an uncomfortable chair reading old AARP magazines to hear what he has to say.  This might just be your favorite encounter with a doctor, ever! 

Ready to figure out if running is dangerous or worthy of your time? Check out the video here:

What did you learn from this video? Share your thoughts with a comment below and be sure to "share" this video if you found it useful!

6 Ways to Look Great While Working Out

by Nikki Duckworth


On a recent shopping trip a dear friend said something that really stuck with me. 

She said that cute workout clothes made her actually look forward to exercising.

It made perfect sense and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t made the connection before! I’d forgotten about our conversation until I picked up new running sneakers a few weeks later. I’d gotten them for function, but I couldn’t ignore the stylish touches that made them feel special. 

Whenever I run in them, I can’t stop staring at my feet! Even on the days that I realllly don’t feel like working out, I get more motivated just looking at my lovely sneakers sitting by the door. I know for sure now that my friend is really on to something.

When you think about working up a sweat doing it in style may not be your first thought, but there’s no reason why fashion and fitness can’t coexist.

With that in mind, here are 6 tips to keep you looking good before, during and after your workout:

Tip 1: Upgrade your gym bag

Nike Victory Bag

Embrace your woman on the go status with a fashion forward gym tote. I’m thinking about a bag that not only looks good on your arm, but keeps you organized and can handle anything you throw at it. No time to shower right away? Stock your bag with face/body wipes, dry shampoo and deodorant to freshen up in a hurry.

Tip 2: Keep it fresh

Lululemon Nice Asana Jacket

Speaking of freshening up, when it comes to workout wear wicking technology is your best friend. Moisture wicking materials pull sweat away from your skin to keep you feeling dry. Terms like Dri-fit, Dri-more and GoDry indicate that the fabric is designed to keep you from feeling like a sweaty mess no matter how hard you’ve just trained.

Tip 3: Make it personal

Old Navy Fun Fearless Free Tee

Want to inject more personality into your workout wardrobe? Try grabbing a graphic tee or tank that speaks for you. Get one with a motivational saying that will inspire you and your gym mates. Added bonus: This kind of top holds its own style wise once the workout is done.  

Tip 4: Work it out in prints and patterns

Women's UA Perfect Tight Fitted Capri

Prints of all kinds are going strong in fashion. Carry the trend over to into a street and sweat friendly workout ‘fit. Just the thought of doing a downward dog or lunges in your favorite print makes the impending exercise seem more fun. 

Tip 5: Add Color

Nike Free Run 5.0+

If prints aren’t your thing, play with adding a splash of color. Even it’s just a pair of sneakers or bright socks, color is sure to brighten your mood and fitness session. Of course if you’re feeling adventurous don’t be afraid to mix prints and colors!

Tip 6: Flatter your figure

C9 by Champion Women's Yoga Layering Top

Put away the oversized sweats and opt for gear that better celebrates your body. You’re working hard to whip (or keep) that body in shape, why suit up in clothing that doesn’t fit or flatter for a workout?

Whether you’re working out to whittle your waistline, increase strength or just to maintain your health, using these tips to elevate your fitness look is no sweat at all.

Nikki Duckworth is a personal stylist armed with nearly a decade of fashion industry experience and a passion for helping women look their best. She loves helping clients banish frump to hone a sense of style that works for their real lives, real bodies and real needs over at NikkiDuckworth.com.

Dinner is served! Falafel Scotch Eggs with Radicchio

Here in Houston, TX it's been a lovely What's for Dinner? Wednesday!  This week's meal, Falafel Scotch Eggs with Radicchio, was inspired by a recipe I found while visiting my sister down under and it was delectable!  

I hadn't heard of scotch eggs until finding the recipe that inspired this meal in MiNDFOOD magazine. If you read the magazine or have eaten this dish before you know that a true Scotch egg is fried.  The version I shared HERE>> cut out that step and still resulted in nicely browned and tasty eggs.  Instead of using meat as the egg's coating, this version uses a homemade falafel mix so the entire dish is vegetarian friendly!

If you haven't tried this dish, I highly recommend it. Plus, it's a great way to hide your eggs from the Easter bunny when he comes hopping through next month!

Would you try this meal? Have you ever heard of Scotch eggs? Share your thoughts with a comment below: 

What's for Dinner? Wednesday: Falafel Scotch Eggs and Radicchio

Happy What's for Dinner? Wednesday! As you may know I was in Australia last week for my little sister's wedding.  She was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen and we had a wonderful time! I have a few "snaps" (that's Australian for pics) over on Facebook if you want to check them out head here>>

While I was gone, I didn't have any time to cook! However, I did get to read some new health magazines and am excited to share with you a recipe I discovered while down under! It's not made with kangaroo (although I must say kangaroo meat is really delicious and healthy)!  Rather, it's the vegetarian dish, Falafel Scotch Eggs and Radicchio. The version I'm sharing has been modified from a recipe found in the March copy of MiNDFOOD magazine to make it even more healthy and easy.

If you've head of scotch eggs, you know they aren't normally vegetarian and aren't really Fit Armadillo approved! In fact, this dish that's from the UK is traditionally made by wrapping an egg in meat and frying it, but as you know I'm really not into frying things so I've cut out that step.

If you're a newsletter subscriber, you already got your list of ingredients for this meal on Monday.  When I made the recipe today, I found myself with a LOT of leftover ingredients even with the modifications I originally made so I've adjusted these in the list that follows. If you already bought all the ingredients listed in the newsletter, you'll have enough leftovers to double the recipe if you buy a second head of radicchio and four extra eggs.

If you are sad that you missed out on this week's newsletter, turn that frown upside down and become a part of the club by signing up HERE>>


Ready to try out this shiny new recipe with me?
Here are the ingredients you'll need to serve Falafel Scotch Eggs and Radicchio to yourself and three lucky guests:

5 eggs
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp flour
1/2 can chickpeas (200g)
1/2 can cannelli beans (200g)
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp allspice
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
cooking spray
1 radicchio
1 cup +1/2 cup fresh parsley
1/2 cup mint leaves
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
Greek yogurt (topping)
Optional:
Oregano, thyme, and sesame seeds for seasoning

How to make your healthy, vegetarian version of scotch eggs:

Step One: Boil four of your five eggs for six minutes.  In case you haven't boiled eggs in a while and want to avoid embarrassment, you want to make sure the water is boiling before you add your eggs and start your timer.  Not that you'd make this mistake, but I recently did when I was really hungry and impatient and it wasn't pretty!

Step Two:  While your eggs are boiling, it's time to whip up your falafel coating.  You'll need 1/2 a can of chickpeas and 1/2 a can of cannelli beans.  Rinse each can before dumping the necessary amount into your food processor.  Add 1 tbsp each of water, flour, and cumin, 1 tsp of allspice, and 1/2 a cup of fresh parsley and processes the ingredients until they are smooth.  If your mixture gets stuck, add a little extra water.

Step Three: By now your eggs should be just about done. Take them out of the pot and rinse them off in cool water before removing their shells.

Step Four: Re-shell your eggs! Set up the following four small bowls to "re-shell" your eggs in tasty goodness: In bowl one add your recently processed falafel mix, in bowl two add 1/4 cup of flour, in bowl three whisk a raw egg, and in bowl four add 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs.  Take each egg one by one and coat it with the ingredients in each bowl.  When you're done you should have four eggs coated in falafel mix (use your hands to form the falafel around the egg so it sticks), flour, egg, and lastly, breadcrumbs.

Step Five: Cook up your covered eggs!  Spray a medium sized pan with cooking spray and heat it up over medium high heat. Add your eggs and continue to cook and turn them so that the outside is lightly browned (about 4 mins).

Step Six:  Add your finishing touches.  Make your radicchio salad by combining the radicchio with 1 cup of fresh parsley and 1/2 a cup of fresh mint before topping it with 1 tbsp of balsamic and 1 tbsp of olive oil.  Divide the salad among 4 plates and add 1 falafel scotch egg to each plate. Cut each egg in half and admire the interesting pattern that you've made.  Finish each plate off with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, oregano, and thyme if desired.

And there you have 'em: Falafel scotch eggs! Did you try this recipe? Don't forget to stop by later tonight to see the final product and share your thoughts below: