Fall is Upon Us

Happy Fall Y’all! While balancebyj.com is under construction, I wanted to re-connect with all my favorites here and provide a new delicious recipe for the upcoming cold weather (even the husband loved it!)

With the weather changing, the mornings taking too long to turn to light and the afternoons fading before you even leave your office, motivation to get to the gym, the trail, or your home work out can often fade along with our beloved daylight. How do you manage to still get active during the day when the couch and new fall episodes of Scandal, Nashville, and The Voice (just to name a few) are calling your name? Here are some of my favorite tips/tricks to get your sweat on BEFORE you get your comfy on.

• 1.       Schedule it in like you would a dentist, doctor or hair appointment. That may require setting the alarm (or 4) in order to get out of bed in the morning and get to the gym or an early morning cycle class. Not your style, no problem! Get an awesome DVD and workout in your living room or call a friend and set up a time to meet right after work and hit the local trail or park and use your body weight for a workout.
• 2.       Layer up in long sleeves and leg warmers if the cool weather prevents you from getting in a workout groove. For one, you will be nice and toasty on the way to work out and your warm-up time will be less when you are layered up. Plus have you ever worked out in a sweatshirt and leg warmers, talk about sweat city!
• 3.       Hire a trainer. You may know how to use the machines and free weights, but having an accountability coach will make it easier for you to get up and get it done.
• 4.       Keep a log. Hang up a calendar where it is obvious and you will pass it throughout your day. Mark a big red ‘X’ on the days that you do not work out. After seeing two or three of those bad boys, you will definitely want to get your butt in gear!
• 5.       Keep your beats fresh. Changing up your playlist on your iPod/phone can make a significant difference during your workout! Don’t know where to look? Spotify and Slacker both offer free workout playlists or ask a friend if they can help you out with providing a copy of their favorite playlist.

Time to reveal my new favorite recipe! It is soo good and so easy to make, in fact, I make it a head of time so whoever gets home first just has to warm the oven and pop dinner in. I love Tzatziki sauce and a good one is hard to come by. This dish plays a twist on Greek chicken but in fewer calories!

Greek Inspired Chicken

2 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

¾ - 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

1 TBSP Fresh Lemon juice

1 tsp fresh cracked pepper

1 tsp oregano

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

1 can (15 oz) artichoke hearts
Kalamata olives

1 cup Cherry tomatoes, sliced

¼ cup Mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish (9x9 works too) with non-stick spray.

Mix in a bowl Greek yogurt, lemon juice, pepper, oregano, and parmesan cheese. Place

prepared chicken in baking dish and top with yogurt mixture. Add artichokes, olives, tomatoes,

mozzarella and parmesan to the top. Bake for about 30 mins. Serve with a whole grain or

steamed veggies!

I would love to hear from you! Take care of you!

J