It's back in action...

Let me tell you about my recent quibble with iCloud.

As a loyal mac user, I purchased a MobileMe account about a year ago to host my published website (created on iWeb). I could also access documents, photos, etc, on the go on different computers or my phone. It was awesome. Then, a couple of months ago, I discovered that Mac was transitioning from MobileMe to iCloud, and a few things would change in the interim. The biggest change would be the elimination of web hosting. I had to find a new hosting company, but at least I had until April of 2012 to do so.

Then I upgraded to OS X Lion last week. At the end of the installation process, I was asked if I'd like to upgrade to iCloud. Not thinking, I clicked YES.

Then a bunch of us put on a flash mob at a local health and wellness fair to promote Elevated Fitness and I handed out about 75 business cards. I came home to make a small change to the EF site. I published, then visited the site to make sure it came out ok. CRAP! I quickly realized that with the upgrade, my grace period was no more. I didn't have until April to find a host. I needed to do it now.

A client of mine recommended 1and1 for hosting. I registered, and got the ball rolling. But time was a-wasting, and I was afraid that all those contacts I had made at the fair were getting turned away by an error message on the computer screen, just like I had. I messed around with "pointing the domain" and writing down server info, just to find out that the domain I purchased last year @ go daddy.com (elevated-fitness.com) could take up to 2 days to bounce over to 1and1.

**I should also point out that I have zero experience with these sorts of things. What limited knowledge I have is from creating and publishing on iWeb...and learning from my mistakes. When searching for FTP how to-s and help sites on the internet, I have decided that this is totally a different language for me. And not something that you can sort of fudge your way through, like, "oh, I recognize 'leche'....that means milk". As the saying goes, it's all greek to me.**

Now, I have no doubt that 1and1 provides a better service, but I already had my domain with go daddy, so I decided to stay with them for the time being. Sorry Townsend, I know we discussed this earlier ....  :)  

To make a long story longer, I am upset that one of the most valuable aspects of M.Me was lost when I converted to iCloud. But, you can't have it all, I guess...

Website Down

Of course this would happen after we passed out a gazillion business cards this morning...but, the EF website is down temporarily. Hopefully things will be up and running soon.

A couple of great journal articles

I found a couple of very interesting (and pertinent) journal articles today. They may be a bit thick in medical/scientific lingo, but I have no doubt you can muscle through!

Please reference the "article tools" section on the right side of your browser. Click on "article as PDF" or whatever works for you if you'd like to print or download.

Exercise in Pregnancy: Weighing Up the Long-Term Impact on the Next Generation

A 45-Minute Vigorous Exercise Bout Increases Metabolic Rate for 14 Hours

Super Snacks recap

So the Super Snacks EF Party was a great success! I tried to look outside of the box for some different recipes that pushed the participants out of his/her comfort zone. Attached you will find the recipes that we created. I have changed a few things, so be sure to double check this file before adding salt/oil to the recipe sheet that you received at the party.  Remember, all snacks have a hands-on time of 10 minutes or less.

What are your super snacks? Please share!

Keep your eyes open for the EF Party in November: Clean Cocktails. Saturday, 11/5.  See you there! Are there any beverages (alcoholic or non) that you'd like to see a healthier version of? Post your requests on the FB page or right here on the blog.

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Super Snacks:

Blueberry Health Muffins

Party Favorite!

from Pat Dill

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup wheat germ 

   (found next to oatmeal or in the baking aisle)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

cinnamon, to taste

nutmeg, to taste

allspice, to taste

1 cup blueberries

1 banana, mashed OR 1/2 cup applesauce

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350’. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan, or line with paper muffin cups.

In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, oats, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently stir in the blueberries and nuts (optional). In a separate bowl, mix together the banana or applesauce, egg, buttermilk, egg and vanilla. 

Pour the wet ingredients in to the dry, and mix JUST UNTIL blended. Spoon into muffin cups, filling all the way to the top. Add optional streusel topping.

Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched.

Optional streusel topping:

4 Tablespoons dark brown sugar

1/4 cup oats

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup flour (white or whole wheat)

3 Tablespoons Smart Balance 

Mix together and put 2 Tablespoons on each muffin before baking. 

Eggplant Dip

from Clean Eating Magazine

1 large eggplant, washed and halved lengthwise

1/2 teaspoon + 1 T olive oil

2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1/2 cup roughly chopped sweet onion

Olive oil cooking spray

1/4 cup loosely baked fresh basil, roughly chopped

black pepper

sea salt

Preheat oven to 400’. Brush cut sides of eggplant with 1/2 t oil. Toss reserved bit of oil with garlic and onion. Place eggplant cut-side down in a large roasting pan misted with cooking spray. Arrange garlilc and onion around eggplant. Roast in oven for 30 min. Set aside.

When eggplant is cool enough to handle, remove seeds (they will come out in strips) and scoop out meat with a spoon. Place meat, garlic, onion, basil, remaining oil, pepper and salt in food processor. Pulse about 8-10 times or until smooth but still chunky. Serve immediately or chill for one hour. Will keep up to 2 days in fridge. 

Beanless Zucchini Hummus

from Clean Eating Magazine

3 zucchini, peeled and chopped

6 T lemon juice

4 cloves garlic

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp sea salt 

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp turmeric

2 pinches cayenne pepper

1/2 cup almond butter or tahini

1 tsp sesame oil

1 cup sesame or sunflower seeds, soaked and drained

EVOO, for drizzle

minced parsley for garnish

Place all ingredients, except oil and parsley, into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Drizzle with oil and parsley. Compliment with raw veggies or whole grain crackers.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas 

* Party Favorite!

1 can chickpeas (20 oz)

Olive oil cooking spray

1/2 tsp black pepper

3/4 to 1 T chili powder

1/8 to 1/4 tsp ground red pepper

1 lime, cut into wedges

Preheat oven to 400’. Rinse chickpeas in a colander; drain well.

Combine chickpeas, a few sprays of oil, and black pepper in a large bowl. Spread in a single layer in a 15 x 10 baking pan. Bake 20 min or until chickpeas begin to brown, shaking pan twice.

Sprinkle with chili powder and red pepper to taste; bake 5+ min or until dark golden red. Serve with lime wedges. (I like to use red pepper and  curry powder instead. Try any combo you like!)

Trail Mix

from Clean Eating Magazine

1 cup toasted oats cereal

1 cup raisins (or any unsweetened dried fruit of your choice)

1/2 cup dried cranberries (or any unsweetened dried fruit of your choice)

1/2 cup fiber cereal

1 cup roasted soy nuts

1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a container with a lid. Dish out 1/4 cup portions into snack-sized bags.

Power Yogurt Parfait

* Party Favorite!

from Clean Eating Magazine

1/2 cup plain yogurt

Optional 1 scoop whey protein of choice

1/3 cup frozen fruit

1 tsp ground flax

     (found next to oatmeal or in the baking aisle)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix yogurt, protein powder, flax and cinnamon. Top with frozen fruit or split the yogurt into two portions and layer with fruit. 

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NOTES

site

The new site is up and running at elevated-fitness.com   Feel free to leave any comments about the site's flow, attachments, setup, etc here on the blog, or at our FB page.

Also, there might be room for one more snack on the menu for Saturday. Do you have any quick and easy favorites that you'd like to share?