Diagonal.Leg.

Add this move to your workout routine and you'll be one step closer to hot, sexy legs!

1. Lie faceup on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat, hands on floor by hips.

2. Lift hips off the floor and tuck left foot under right thigh, left knee pointing left.

3. Extend left leg out diagonally and repeat from step 2.


Do 8-10 reps on each leg. This killer move targets your abs, obliques, butt, quads, hamstrings and calves.


Thank you Fitness magazine for this fit tip!

$9.A.Day.

A friend of mine sent me the following link this week so I could see how I'd survive real life only making $9/hr. Let's just say it took me two times of playing the game to make it through the month and on the second time, I wasn't left with much at the end.

This game really got me thinking about how thankful I am that for me, it was only a game. There are so many people, especially during this economic downturn, who actually have to deal with the scenarios that are presented in the game and unfortunately, they don't have the satisfaction of saying it's just a game.

We always say we wish we had this or we wish we had that, but how often do we stop and say I'm thankful I have this or I'm thankful I have that? Today, I am saying thank you for all of the blessings I have been given. I am grateful that I am not faced with some of the difficult situations that were presented to me in the game. My heart truly goes out to those who are struggling to survive on minimum wage. I know it's not easy.

http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2011/09/26/7926328-can-you-live-on-9-an-hour-play-the-game

Autumn.Beauty.

Autumn is my favorite season and ever since I moved to Orange County, I've never appreciated the season more than I do now. I always looked forward to the crisp, cool days when I grew up in Northern California, and now I long for those days. The leaves don't change the same way down here as they did where I grew up and the season just doesn't feel the same.

I wish that I could escape somewhere else every Autumn so I could truly enjoy my favorite season. I'd sit inside with the windows open, letting the crisp air in, with a hot cup of apple cider and a cozy throw blanket admiring the beautiful leaves. Doesn't that just sound so perfect?

Maybe next year I can travel to the East Coast to visit my Aunt, Uncle and little cousins. That would be such a wish come true. I've always wanted to walk on pathways covered with fallen leaves while bundled up admiring the natural change nature goes through every year.

Pumpkin.Soup.

It's finally my favorite time of year and I now have an excuse to make "comfort food," my favorite being homemade soups. I found this recipe for pumpkin soup that is only 241 calories per serving. Hope it's as yummy as it sounds!

Ingredients -

• 2 slices chopped bacon
• 1 yellow onion - chopped
• 1 29-oz can pumpkin
• 3-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 cup light sour cream

Directions -
1. Saute bacon and onion. Drain fat.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then simmer.

3. Add sour cream, stir and enjoy!

Little.Things.

Bridesmaids.

If you haven't seen this laugh-so-hard-that-you-pee-your-pants movie yet, you've just gotta run out and get your hands on a copy so you can spend this Sunday Funday laughing your booty off!

Fall.Color.

Now that we are officially enjoying Autumn, are you thinking of changing your hair color? Many women do. Here are a few tips complements of Fitness magazine for DIY hair color:

Stay in the same color family. If you are wanting to go to light blond from cherry red, forget it. "At-home kits don't have the strength to change hair that much," says Jason Backe, master colorist at Ted Gibson Salon in New York City. Pick a kit that's within one to two shades of your natural tone and look for one that's free of potentially damaging ammonia.

In between color procedures, treat your strands with a glossing treatment to give your hair a shiny, mirror-like effect.

Be sure to set a timer once you have applied the color product. A minute or two can make all the difference when it comes to coloring your hair.

And of course, if you're afraid of getting potentially scary at-home results, see a professional stylist. While it may not be the cheaper way to go, it may save your sanity :)

Obesity.In.The.US.

www.health.com

Check out this story from Health magazine that highlights the 50 Fattiest Foods in the States. No wonder obesity has become an epidemic in our country.

I have to be honest, I was really surprised to see what made the list for California: In-N-Out's Double Double. I always thought because In-N-Out uses fresh ingredients that it would fall below other fast food chains on a list like this, but apparently that isn't true at all. The fat content in a Double Double is extremely high and has definitely made me think differently about ordering one in the future.

What is your state known for?

Earthquake.Scares.

~THX~

Seriously! With all the earthquakes we've been having lately in Orange County, I can't help but constantly be on edge. Ahhhh, what was that?! :)

Yoga.

I think I mentioned to you a while back that I recently started subbing Yoga classes. It's a passion of mine and I absolutely love teaching mind body classes to others who need a little Zen in their lives.

Well, a few days ago, a wish of mine came true - I am now teaching Yoga on a regular weekly basis at 24 Hour Fitness.

If you haven't tried a Yoga class yet, you really need to. Don't be afraid of the typical Yoga cliché that you so often hear about - that it's just for hippies or that you have to chant while breathing in intoxicating incense fumes. It's not true. While some Yogis enjoy that form of Yoga practice, not all classes are that way. I personally would like to take a class in a setting like that to try it, but it's not the style I teach, and it's not what you typically see in mainstream group fitness settings.

Everybody needs a good stretch and a stress release. Perhaps Yoga is the very thing you've been longing for and you just haven't realized it. Give it a try. You may just fall in love!

Spinach.Salad.

Replacing everyday salad greens with fresh leaf spinach kicks up this salad's nutritional value. Tasty turkey breast meat adds protein, and orange juice gives a tangy kick to the dressing. You might even call this a salad for people who don't really like salad!

Ingredients -
Salad:

• 8 oz. washed leaf spinach, stems removed
• 1 small red onion, peeled and finely sliced
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 12 oz. cooked turkey breast meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dressing:

• 4 Tbsp. orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1 or 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions-
1. Whisk together all dressing ingredients and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients. Drizzle dressing on top and toss gently.

Thank you to Beachbody for this tasty, low-cal recipe. For more recipes like this one, please visit www.FitCoachTaryn.com

Slow.Down.

"There is more to life than increasing its speed." - Mahatma Ghandi

I don't know about you, but I am extremely guilty of saying "I wish it was Friday" or on a week day saying "I wish it was 6pm" but really, why do I want to speed up this life of mine? We only get one life and we need to savor every moment of it.

Take time to enjoy life's little moments. They come and go so quickly and before you know it, you'll be wishing you had more of them.

Hot.Yoga.

I am so excited! I found an incredible deal online - $29 for 10 hot yoga sessions. I purchased the package and I can't wait to try it out. I have been wanting to try hot yoga for quite some time, but have always been afraid of "over heating."

Everyone I know who does this yoga practice raves about it, so with a killer deal like the one I found, I couldn't resist giving it a go.

Thank you Screaming Daily Deals for this fabulous package deal!

Genius.Ideas.

Do you ever wish you were the inventor of something? I always think of that when I see such simple things. Why is is that AFTER I see a genius gadget, that's when the light bulb goes off in my own head. DUH! I could have invented that!

Hmmm...I wonder if I can come up with the next coolest, useful tool...

Brown.Rice.Italiano.

Mmm...this recipe sounds so delicious and easy to make! Can't wait to try it...

Ingredients -

• 2 cups brown rice
• 1 or 2 bags pre-washed greens
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 large yellow pepper, chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 can artichoke hears (in brine - not oil), rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 5 small, chopped black olives for garnish
• 1 tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated

Directions -

1. Cook rice. While it's boiling, chop/prep the rest of the ingredients.

2. Once the rice is finished, place it in a large mixing bowl. Pour in olive oil and vinegar, and toss.

3. Add the remaining ingredients, and toss again.

4. On a large platter, arrange the greens as a bed for the rice mixture. Arrange rice on top of greens in an attractive mound.

5. Garnish with olives and parmesan and enjoy!

Thank you Beachbody for the yummy inspiration. For more healthy recipes like this one, please visit www.FitCoachTaryn.com

Rain.Dance.

I hope you dance. And I hope you enjoy the storm while it lasts. Jump in life's puddles. Feel the rain drops and savor every moment they fall. Soak up the goodness of life!

Remembering.9/11.

It's hard to believe that the tragic events of September 11th happened 10 years ago today. I still remember that day as if it was yesterday. Most of us do...

My heart goes out to all of the families who lost loved ones when the towers fell and to all of the families who have loved ones who continue fighting for our country. To all the soldiers in all branches of the U.S. military who are so brave and strong and who fight for us each day - I thank you.

I know my words of thanks will never truly express all the gratitude I have for you, both soldiers and families of soldiers. I can't even imagine what a day is like in your shoes. It takes a special person to do what you do. To live each day in fear, yet you carry on with such strength. It's truly honorable.

God bless you and God bless the USA.


Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhoo­d of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You, you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one

~ John Lennon

Fall.Fashion.

Apparently sixties-mod shapes are really in this Fall, but I stumbled across this picture taken backstage at Prada and thought to myself, REALLY?!

I have to ask - would you be seen in public wearing an outfit like this?

P90X2.

Here it is - the program so many have anxiously been waiting for. P90X2! It will make it's debut in December, but it's ready to pre-order NOW!

For a limited time, when you pre-order P90X2, you will receive two bonus workouts, you're guaranteed delivery before Christmas, your credit card won't be charged until your program ships AND you don't pay shipping & handling. But these great deals are only extended to those who choose to pre-order the program.

What are you waiting for? Check it out right here and if you're ready for the X-treme challenge, reserve your copy at www.FitCoachTaryn.com

Life's.Purpose.

I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace. ~ Dalai Lama

Today, I am wishing you happiness my friends.

Yummy.Asparagus.

I love asparagus. Here's a quick and easy side dish to add to any meal:

Ingredients -

• 1 stalk of asparagus
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Parmesan Cheese

Directions -

1. Wash and trim asparagus.

2. Season with olive oil, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.

3. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Easy, right?! Enjoy!

Simple.Rules.

Baby.Peanut.

OMG I couldn't stop laughing when I saw this picture. How funny is this?!

Blonde.Bombshell.

I absolutely LOVE this shade of blonde. Lately I've been adding a lot of red tones to my usual blonde strands, but after stumbling across this picture, I do believe I'll be returning to the color I love. Thank you for the inspiration Hilary.