Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Dough Balls

I hope you had a wonderful Canada Day! I am sure many of you are still celebrating with a day off today.

I had to work this weekend, but I still managed to squeeze in a little lounge time to enjoy the lovely weather.

I also managed to squeeze in a little bake time.

I wanted to create a healthy dough ball using a ripe banana that was past it's prime.  Sure, I could have made some banana bread or soft serve, but I wanted something portable that I could take with me in my travels.

These are super easy to make (only one bowl required) and turned out great. 
The secret is this: Refrigerate your dough.

I have seen this tip in quite a few blogs and it really works!  It really helps all the flavours mesh and makes the dough much easier to handle.

Yoga Games for Kids

What can I say?  I have yoga on the brain this week. :)

 I have talked before about the benefits of yoga for children and about my experience at a yoga kids workshop.   Today, I thought I would share a few more ideas for yoga-based activities that you can try.  

I am going to be teaching a Yoga/Pilates class for kids again starting tomorrow and am so looking forward to it.  I am not sure the ages/level of the group yet, so I have a few different options in my back of tricks.

Whether you are a teacher looking for fun ideas to bring to the classroom or a busy mom wanting to get her kids more active, I hope you will find these games fun and inspiring.

Have you ever done yoga games with your children/students?  How did they like it?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Friday Favourites: Offline Activities

The week has been a busy one and my online time has been pretty limited.  I have to admit that the break was kind of nice.

Don't get my wrong, I love social media, but sometimes it is very nice to (semi) unplug.  I was only on the computer for a total of 30 minutes each day this past week, compared to the 4+ hours/day I usually spend.

I used my free time to catch up on some offline activities that have fallen off my radar.  Here are a few of my faves.

Hobbies For Your Health

Did you know that enjoying any leisure activity  is just as important to your well-being as exercise?

Having a hobby is good for your health and here's why:

• It can help reduce stress and reduce blood pressure
• It keeps your mind sharp and engaged
• It fosters a sense of accomplishment
• It can help you find inner happiness

We often are trying to juggle so many things at once that we forget to do activities simply for the joy of it.  We put hobbies on the back burner using excuses like, "I don't have time" or "I can't afford it." 

I am absolutely guilty of this.

I have been wanting to take a cake decorating course for a few years and (as you know), just recently signed up.  I am loving it so much I am now wondering what took me so long to go for it.

Back-to-School: Continue to Keeps Kids Active

It's Labour Day!

While the kids are desperately trying to hold on the the last moments of summer, the parents are scrambling to make sure that everything is ready for the first day of school.

In honour of the kids (and continuing from last week's post about a few of my favourite resources for kids), I would like to present a quick round-up of posts from around the web to help you and your kids continue to stay active and healthy as the lazy, hazy days of summer give away to the hectic, busy days of autumn.

My 3 Favourite Healthy Resources for Kids

Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback on the new inspiration board (and my Blissdom Canada entry :)  I am so excited about moving forward.

Speaking of moving forward, it is the last long weekend of the summer and it is time to get ready to go back-to-school!  I am sure you are going to hear a grumble or two from the kids, while some parents are doing the dance of joy (remember this ad from Staples?)

Today, I thought it would be fitting for my 3 favourites to be all about the kids.  I really like these sites because they have an endless amount of fun activities, incorporate fitness and nutritional tips and are super easy to navigate.

  

Being Flexible with Your Exercise Routine

I am having a mind-body conflict.

My mind is telling me that I want to break in these babies:

PIPES Challenge, Week 1: The Push Up

Today is the beginning of the PIPES Challenges hosted by the lovely Morgan @ Life After Bagels and I am ready to get ripped :)

Shopping Saturday

Another beautiful day and I started the morning teaching a pliates class.  This new mat that I won for Joyce @ Freaking Fitness sure came in handy :)

March Break Activities for Kids

Source

I hope everyone is still working-in this week!

Just a quick little post today and I promise I will be back tomorrow with a new recipe makeover :)

March Break is next week (much to the excitement of many kids and perhaps not-so-excited parents).  Sometimes it is difficult to find a way to keep the whole family happy and healthy during this time.

Here are a few posts with some great ideas to keep you and your kids active during the break.

Active Kids

Winter Activities for Kids

How do you stay active with your family during March Break?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Active Kids

Source

Are you trying to get your kids moving this summer? Here are some fun ideas to keep you and your children active and having fun! 

Fitness Classes

Kid’s fitness classes are becoming more and more popular. You can look for these at your local recreation centre or fitness club. They focus on body awareness and easy to follow activities. 

Do It As A Team

Team sports are a great way to encourage socialization. Does you child love to kick a soccer ball? Sign him up on a team and let him play with his friends. Maybe she likes gymnastics. Find out where she can take some lessons. 

Take It Outside

Encourage you children to play outside with their friends. Kids can be very creative and come up with all sorts of wonderful activities. They are exercising without even knowing it.

Join Em’

Lead by example and make it a family affair! Take your kids cycling or go for a hike. Plan a family fitness day once a week. Your kids will love the time you spend with them and have fun getting fit!

Stay Healthy,

Tracy