Monthly Archives: June 2010

Hey there friends! Como estan en este bello dia? Doing well I hope on this gorgeous day!  Did you ever feel like you have ADHD?!?  Boy is my brain on speed lately and I complain that my son doesn’t know how to focus! Funny how I feel the same way sometimes, ok many times   Sharing with you some tricks I implement throughout the day to get my workouts in even if I don’t hit the gym or studio. Actually doing them right now as I am sitting on my desk typing away Belly tucks and glute squeeze. Two that go hand in hand. Sit with your feet on the floor firmly and squeeze your abs as tight as possible breathe and hold for several seconds and release. Do this several times, at least 20…yes 20. Then while your belly is held in squeeze your butt/glutes tight and hold for a few and release. Repeat as well. Friends, once you get into the habit of doing this you can do it anywhere! Driving, watching TV, working, you name it. Another nice one for the arms is simply picking up your laptop and doing shoulder presses. Without fully extending your elbows raise the computer over your head and repeat 20 times for three sets. If the laptop doesn’t work for you than pick up the heaviest book you have. Dust off the dictionary   One more before I go that I used to do all the time when my kids where smaller. Pick up and cradle your child, or you can put them in those baby front carriers I loved! Once secure do squats with your kid Nice workout. No kid, grab a gallon of milk. Bottom line there is NO excuse! You can make your home your gym. “The world is your oyster” So very true!!

Make Fitness & Wellness a Part of Your Life!

Until Tomorrow…Have a Great One! Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends! Happy Day to You ALL! Had a great weekend and feel fully re-freshed and energized! Not quite, just trying to convince myself of this   It is so hard to do anything with this sticky thick air we call humidity! It was 100 degrees yesterday, no joke, at least it felt like that to me. The worse part of it was the breeze…it was HOT! YUK!  Looks like we will be getting a break for the rest of the week. Much going on at Casa Gomez with baseball practice and tournaments coming up. Yes, we will be consumed with baseball once again. All weekend and throughout the week Max and the rest of us will be cheering “Big Blue”   However for today a full day of conference calls, meetings, appointments, playtime, and work time will be in full swing.  Supermom/Mommyhood..gotta love it!

Ok, so here it is. I finally got it, well until the next report comes out   I have to admit, I have always been a fan of Dr. Agatston and The South Beach Diet so when I read a recent study of the importance of consuming low glycemic index foods to control belly fat I eagerly continued with my reading. Fact is that foods low in sugar help in the burning of the harmful fat in the body. Foods with a high GI index, such as watermelon and rice, cause sharp spikes in your blood sugar. When this happens the body chooses to burn the sugar fuel instead of the fat that is stored and in dire need to be removed from our belly and buttocks .  Research The Glycemic Index. Enlist the help of “Googie” and keep the list handy. Next time at the market choose purchases wisely and you will definitely see a difference in your weight and belly fat attack.

Have a Great Energized Workout! Sweat it Baby

Have a Great Day…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Que Rico Viernes is here! Happy Friday all Taking the day semi off today. Semi because modern technology doesn’t really ever allow us to be completely disconnected unless you are lucky enough to be at a location where you have no choice AND you are there by choice   We at Casa Gomez are looking forward to enjoying a much needed pool day with my cousin and her kids.  Going through a tough time after the loss of her dad, I will try all I can to make it a little better today. Baby steps, that’s all one can do when grieving a loved one. I remember feeling like I was never going to be able to continue with my life after my dad died. But we do. We learn to live with the pain. In many ways we re-invent ourselves, and find other ways to connect and feel the presence of our loved ones. At least those are some of the things that have worked for me.  My uncle loved my house and yard. I hope my cousin will be able to find comfort in the great memories we all shared here many a times

ABS DIET POWER!  Thanks to the great folks at Women’s Health Magazine, I am going to share a fantastic way to make sure you are eating the powerfoods that will help with your diet while achieving that much desired flat belly   Make sure you add at least 6 of the following daily.

A- Almonds (and other nuts)

B- Beans (and other legumes)

S-Spinach (and other green veggies)

D- Dairy

I- Instant Oatmeal (I prefer stove top cooking)

E- Eggs

T- Turkey (and other lean meats)

P- Peanut Butter

O- Olive Oil

W- Whole Grains

E- Extra-Protein Powder (I like Whey)

R- Raspberries (and other berries)

Line up the letters- ABS DIET POWER Love it!

Have a Great Workout of a Day!   Buen Fin de Semana!

Until Monday…Have a Fantastic Weekend!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends! Busy day and quick workouts, my life and that of so many of us   I often find myself dropping and doing push-ups whenever & wherever I can get twenty in. Sounds crazy but it works for me.  I am a firm believer of implementing activity throughout your day and making your life a workout. I get bored with routine and luckily for my body being consistently inconsistent is the best form of exercise.  Whether its running up and down the stairs or squatting while I am boiling my eggs in the morning, I try to  get something ultra beneficial out of moment. Maybe its not all physical, mental workouts are essential as well. Nothing like a nice meditation session gazing out the window on any given moment of the day Bottom line, make the most out of your minutes, you won’t get them back   A recent study I read agrees with me. Allow me to share According to a study by the University of Tokyo, exercisers who did two half-hour stints of moderate cycling with a 20 minute rest in between burned 10% more fat then when they cycled straight for an hour. Apparently the repeated bouts trigger a release in hormones that help metabolize fat more effectively. This same mindset goes along with interval training. Mixing your run with sprints and jogging burns more fat in the legs and butt than running at a steady state. Same goes for those power walks. So mix it up and slice and dice your workout routine!

Make it a FUN workout!

Until Tomorrow…Have a Great One! Buen Dia!

Besoso y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Toy Story 3 EPIC! All I got to say.. xoxo… “Ay un Amigo en  Mi”

AHHHHHH!!!! Great Morning Friends! Yes have to keep it GREAT!  BUT, why is it my kids don’t sleep in when they can?!?!? Today is the first full day of Summer vacation and they were both up before 7a.m.!  And they are exhausted which makes it all the more pleasant to deal with   We had the first of Max’s All Star games last night and didn’t get into bed until way past 9 p.m. So why are they up so early I ask ?!?!  I got on my computer at 5 a.m. to work and had to struggle with Ni Hao Kai Lan and “I got it, I really really got it..” in the background to focus!!  OK, I KNOW I am not the only one out there…so breathe B. Its all good   Going to give you a quick one today. I like to deliver a fitness approach that helps me, and since I am starved and going to make myself one as soon as I am done with this blog I thought I’d share…

Smoothies: Drink smoothies regularly friends!  Your blender in your weight loss buddy   A University of Tennessee study found that people who added three servings of yogurt a day to their diets lost 61% more body fat and 81% more stomach fat over a 12 week period than those who didn’t eat yogurt. Researchers speculate that the calcium helps the body burn fat and limits the amount it can make! Nice Sounds yummy to me! Add some whey protein and you are good to go OR just make it simple and fruity….Enjoy!

Until Tomorrow…Have a Great Day! Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Good Morning Friends! And a Happy Tuesday to all I woke up a bit stressed already which is NOT a good way to start the day I went to bed at a decent time, but since I had a full day of kid and work activities I had to finish off some work related duties in the evening. Needless to say I dreamt about work all night!! Ugh…hate it when that happens. Especially if they weren’t good dreams   I have a photo shoot coming up and lets just say my best side was not being photographed very nicely. Talk about anxiety!  Have to laugh about it now actually Dreams can sure put a number on you!  Talking about it, releasing it, and letting it go. A few things that help me when my mind is cloudy. Stress and life can do that to you. So in order to deal with it I like to simply breathe The summer and nice days ahead are truly on our side to get your zen on Going out for a break during your day, having lunch or dinner outside. Even that morning cup of coffee. Take in all the senses and truly get into the moment.  If you still need to release~breathe. Close your eyes and picture something beautiful and tranquil. Take 8 long breathes paying full attention to the air filling your chest. As you exhale imagine all the stress and tension exploding and leaving your body. Let it out and don’t let it back in

Take Your Workout Outside! Make it a full mind & body day

Until tomorrow…Have a Great One! Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Buenos Dias Friends! Happy Monday Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Casa Gomez was filled with baseball and Dad Day celebrations. It was a very hot weekend here in the North East, so most of our time was spent in the pool   School is about to let out for the Summer and I plan on having a great time with my kids. I am not going to let my work responsibilities interfere with my allowing myself to enjoy these special times that will very quickly disappear. Bottom line is time flies and kids grow up, and before you know it they rather be out “hanging out” with anyone other than mom or dad. This is why I have changed my whole approach and plan to join them on all the fun!  So I may have to add a couple of hours here and there of work time while they are in bed~that’s OK, its the Summer and it’ll get done   Aside from running around playing wiffle ball or tennis with your kids a great form of exercise that I LOVE is of course swimming Summer was made for swimming! Just remember those great swimmer bodies of the Summer Olympics~my fav event Swimming provides you with an all around great total body workout without causing injury or strain. It is also great for your lungs and cardiovascular health. The best part about it for me, is that even if you can’t get full laps in while your “playing”, moving your legs, running in place, kicking with your noodle, piggy backing your little one while you swim are just a few fantastic and fun forms of exercise! AND the laughter will enlighten your soul and add Summertime Fun Lasting Memories

Have a Great Workout! Jump In and Make a Splash!

Until Tomorrow….Have a Great One!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Viernes!! Happy Friday Friends! So glad the weekend is here, and the Lakers win I was so conflicted last night watching game 7.  I like the Lakers but am torn since the Celtics was my dad’s all-time favorite team going back to his days in Cuba!  So I knew that either way I’d be happy   Its fathers day this weekend and ever since my dad passed its been a bitter sweet day for me   My kids make sure we honor Michael and let him do whatever he wants, but inside I can’t help but be a little sad. Its particularly difficult when I go out to buy his cards. Yesterday I tried, and after losing my uncle this week, I couldn’t do it.  I feel sick thinking about how my cousins must feel right now preparing for their husbands fathers day.  I decided to make our own card this year, this way it’ll be all that more special, without to mention keeping my little one busy for a nice amount of time    I’ve come to terms with the absence of my father. Although he may not be with us physically I feel him so many times. It may sound crazy to some but I really do.  The one thing I can’t get over, and miss so terribly are his eyes. I miss the way my father used to look at me. No one has every looked at me the way my father did and I fear no one ever will.  I know I am loved by my husband, kids, mom, but the way he would look at me, my goodness, words can’t describe.  Throughout every stage of my life, as a child dressed in an Adidas’s outfit he bought me, boys department to boot, yes I was the son he never had   or as a woman about to leave his house to get married, I’d feel my fathers love through his eyes. He’d tell me often “I love you man” but those eyes,  filled with so much love & pride would speak to me without even a word being spoken. Today I focus on them and allow my dad’s eyes to fill me with all the love that only a true father can have for his little girl   There’s a song by Gloria Estefan, Tus Ojos, that I am posting the link to. It somewhat describes what I feel. Hope you enjoy it too    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mskbBSLmtO4

So yesterday I made the fastest Tilapia dish in history!  I cooked my Tilapia with EVOO in a pan deep enough to allow me to saute my spinach later on. Added a nice combination of herbs to the fish. Once cooked I removed the Tilapia, added a little more EVOO to the pan & poured in my fresh spinach along with some garlic. Covered and cooked stirring occasionally. Once the spinach was done I added the Tilapia and poured some bruschetta mixture I had in the fridge. Mixed it all together. DONE & DELISH!

Have a Great Workout & Great Weekend! To all you Dad’s out there Happy Fathers Day!!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Happy Fathers Day Papi…..Gracias por esos ojos. I love you forever xoxo..

Happy Thursday Friends! Am I the only one out there who is literally pushing herself to get through?!?!  My goodness…if there was only a healthy pick-me-up out there? Any suggestions? Usually I am the motivator, but lately I’ve been in dire need of major motivation!  I am ready to drink coffee all day long just to get the added boost I need!  The talk of parents these days is “what are you doing for summer camp?” “where are your kids going?” Summer camp! I’m the one that needs Summer camp! Heck yeah my kids are going to camp. Not everyday, which by the way is not the norm,  but did sign them up for a few here and there. But you know what the kicker is? I have WORK to do while there at camp and then WORK to do when they get back. Yes, I need a Summer camp, and by golly I am going to figure out a way to get one! “By golly” now there’s an expression that brings me back to my youth and classic TV How the heck did our moms do it!? I never went to camp simply played outside all summer long, and frankly loved it. Of course we had the best block in town The occasional hydrant will let out or “unwanted visitors” would jump into our “above ground” pool. That was the highlight of some evenings. I shared a room with my sister, yes a thought that shocks my kids, along with just one bathroom for the whole family   Our bedroom window looked out onto our backyard and our pool, a small yard but huge to us. Well every now and again we would have “strangers” jump into our pool in the middle of the night, sometimes clothed others not  Imagine the intrigue of two young pre-adolescent girls enlightened by the mystery of it all..ooooohhh   I hope our kids today will remember special moments from their Summer experience….I’m sure they will Memories….what would we do without them. Just put a smile on my face and game me a little extra energy to get through the day

Tilapia~ Go get some. A delicate and light fish that allows itself to take on flavors. So go ahead & go heavy on the herbs and spices. Add some nice salsa to it along with a side salad or brown rice. This dish in itself is a very quick meal, but if you need it to be even quicker make yourself a yummy Tilapia Sandwich with your sprouted buns

Enjoy Your Workout!

Until Tomorrow..Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends and Happy Wednesday! I woke motivated yet tired today…talk about a struggle of emotions   My emotions have been on a roller-coaster ride the last few weeks and my diet has suffered in the process. There were days when I would barely eat, and days like yesterday where I indulged in all types of Birthday goodies. My little girl LOVES chocolate~she takes after her mom~ so I make sure she has everything she wants on her Birthday   I’m done! No more for me! I have to get back on track and focus on the big picture. Happens to all of us, even those who do it for a living . My own words of motivation will be drilled into me and I will seek that extra push and drive from those I look up to. We all have them I think its good to have and necessary. Listen, learn, & teach….Just a few words that keep me going.

I’m posting a link to an article I read this morning that I thought was simple and right on. Hope you agree.  http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/5-weight-loss-myths-holding-you-back-1639172/

Have a Great Workout Friends! Make yourself a great meal plan for the weekend! Experiment with some new healthy and fun dishes!

Until Tomorrow….Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”