December 3, 2013

‘Fit For Christmas’ Kettlebell Circuit and a Turbo Kick Holiday Special

Today I am bringing a new twist to Transformation Tuesday.  Let’s transform ourselves and get Fit For Christmas! 

I will be posting a variety of workouts for you over the next several weeks.  Let’s first start with this one!  Grab a kettle-bell and get your sweat on!

 

kettlebell circuit

Use an appropriate weight for each exercise.  Kettlebell not needed for Burpees.  That would just be a disaster, ya?  Follow the links for demonstrations.

Fit For Christmas- Kettlebell Circuit!

1. Swings

2. Squats– Hold kettlebel to chest while squatting.  Alter the depth of your squat according to ability

3. Rows– Make sure to do each side for a total of 80 (40 each side).

4. Windmills

5. Clean and Press

6. Deadlifts

7. Bicep Curls

8. Burpees

Do 4 sets of 10 reps.  (make sure on rows, clean and press and curls you do both arms, 10 each set)

 

For my local peeps:

Turbo Kick Class Special!

My Turbo Kick classes are booming at the YMCA.  Super exciting!  I had the highest attendance yet during my morning class.  I joked with them that they were all feeling guilty from over indulging this Thanksgiving weekend. 😉

I am adding on two additional classes starting in January at the institution I work for.  If you live near Council Bluffs, IA and want to try out a Turbo Kick class, you have 6 options!

Holiday Special for the IWCC location is:  14 classes for only $20! 

You must sign up before December 18th to lock in the deal!  IWCC location only.  Register soon!  YMCA classes at the bottom of the flyer are FREE classes with your paid gym membership.  Sweet!

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Do you like working out with kettlebells?

Have you taken Turbo Kick before?

December 1, 2013

Turkey Trot, Hawkeyes Win, A Bet and our Harley Holiday’s

The Weekend in Review

Thursday

Turkey Trot- hosted by the Council Bluffs YMCA.  Thursday morning offered us a high of 28 degrees, and the run took place alongside the Missouri River, including a crossing of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.  Needless to say it was cold!   My girl, Jessica, ran it with me. 

ImageEven though the wind was in our face, it was still a really neat experience to run across the bridge.  The Bob Kerry Bridge runs across the Missouri River, allowing people to be in Nebraska and Iowa at the same time (what a touristy thing to say).

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The rest of Thanksgiving Day was spent attending three family dinners.  And, sadly, I didn’t take but ONE picture.  Just one!  I guess I was soaking in all the family time.

Dinner 1: Grandpa Goecker’s. 

ImageClint and my Gr’pa shootin’ the shit.

 

Dinner Two:  My mom’s.  My uncle and aunt were in town so we swung by to chat with everyone for a few hours before heading to…

Dinner Three: Clint’s mom’s.  Dinner, cocktails and family time for another few hours.

 

Friday

Hawkeye vs. Husker Game

ImageWe are Hawkeye Supporters in this house!  I don’t call myself a fan, because I don’t follow every last thing the Hawkeye Football Team does, however I always root for the Black and Gold. 

 

ImageHow fun is my Grateful Hawkeye shirt? (and my ridiculous selfie)

 

It was a great game and awesome to see the Hawkeyes take the WIN!

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We had some friends attend the game in Lincoln, so they came up to our house afterwards to celebrate with a few beers.

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I said a few…. ahem….

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A few years ago, Tyree and Clint made a bet on the Husker/Hawkeye Game.  Huskers won, which meant Clint lost and therefore had to wear Tyree’s Husker Shirt for the night.

ImageSexy.

 

Well, paybacks are a B!tch, and apparently this bet is long standing.  Doesn’t Tyree look adorable in this Hawkeye shirt??

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Shenanigans. 

 

Saturday

It started to look like Christmas in the Pirtle household!  I spent the entire day decorating while watching CSI reruns.  It was a PERFECT day.

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My entire tree is Harley Davidson theme. 

Did you expect anything else?  I mean, really.

🙂

 

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I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well!

Cheers to a great Sunday!

 

December 1, 2013

Beef and Veggie Noodle Soup

Soup Sunday!

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Beef, Veggie and Noodle Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 Tbsp. cornstarch plus water to make paste
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
  • 10 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 2 cans beef broth
  • 2 cups of water
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1/2 bag frozen peas
  • 1/2 bag frozen carrots
  • 1/2 bag frozen corn
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni

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  1. Brown ground beef, minced garlic and chopped onion.
  2. In a large soup pot to beef and onions add cornstarch paste and stir well until well incorporated.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the macaroni and cook on medium high heat for 30-45 minutes.
  4. Add 1 cup elbow macaroni and cook until tender.
  5. Adjust seasonings according to your taste.  I added more Italian and garlic seasoning at the end.

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November 25, 2013

Monday Must Haves- A Random Observation

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I think everyone needs a dog.
This guy makes me turn into a child in that I just want to pester him, love on him and challenge him to races up and down the hallways. Sure, he drives me crazy sometimes; like for instance in this photo. I’m trying to stretch after a morning jog and he is all up in my business. He thinks I’m down on the floor for him. Ya, not so much bubby.

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Egg whites, Whole Grain Sandwich tTin and light Provolone Cheese.

This is a must. Every morning. If I don’t start my morning with this combination my whole day is off. Ok, maybe that’s pushing it… But I really do eat this for breakfast 95% of the time. Or some combination of egg white and whole grains.

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Bucky’s Fountain soda

Absolutely. Must. Have.

I go between Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper. I know, terrible habit. But, I’m not willing to try and break it yet, so leave me be. 🙂 I always hit up the Bucky’s down the road from my work. The manager is great and I’m sure he comes to expect me every morning. Sometimes the cashier gives me the Refill Price as opposed to the New Cup price. She’s my hero. We shall call that Regular Perks.

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A Favorite Workout.

I have several but everyone needs to find at least one activity that they absolutely enjoy. Of course I love my Turbokick class that I teach (obvi) but I also LOVE kickboxing class. I only go occasionally due to my schedule (hashtag sad face). Right now, Monday nights is the one time I can typically get to a class, so tonight it’s on, baby!!   ILOVEKICBOXING.com

Oh, I’m also not afraid to point out that in the above pic, I am the one laying on the ground NOT participating in the ab work.

#winning

And there ya have it. The most random of random Monday Must-Haves.

Have a fab week my friends.

monday