Category Archives: Ideas

21 Minute Killer Interval Workout

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This is my go-to workout when I am traveling or short on time! You will be dripping sweat in just 21 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule! It requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. You just need your running shoes and your phone. Interval training will kick your butt! High intensity work-outs that alternate between bursts of energy and quick breaks, are proven to burn more calories and increase your metabolism.

The workout is 12 different moves, 30 seconds each, 5 second breaks, for 3 rounds. I found this free app that is a perfect timer for setting up these intervals. In the app store, search “seconds”, it will be the second app to come up, called “Interval Timer – Seconds”. When you open it up, select “Create New Timer”, then select “Round Timer”, then set up your preferences for your workout. I choose 36 rounds, 30 second “Round Intervals”, 5 second “Break Intervals”. At the bottom, you can select music from a playlist on your iPhone and it will play songs for the full 21 minutes.21 Minute Killer Interval Workout / https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/21-minute-killer-interval-workout/

Here are the 12 moves. Do each exercise for 30 seconds, with a 5 second break between each exercise. Then repeat 2 more times for a total of 36 rounds.

  1. Jumping Jacks
  2. Butt Kicks
  3. High Knees21 Minute Killer Interval Workout / https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/21-minute-killer-interval-workout/
  4. Speed Skaters – Hop to right, landing on right foot while sweeping left foot behind right leg and swinging left arm across body and right arm behind back. Jump to left, switching legs and arms. 
  5. Burpees – Begin standing. Drop your hands to the floor and jump your feet back to plank. Return to your feet and jump up.
  6. Mountain Climbers – Start in push-up position and bring your right knee to your chest. Jump your right foot back and bring your left knee to your chest. Alternate bringing your knees forward as quickly as possible.21 Minute Killer Interval Workout / https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/21-minute-killer-interval-workout/
  7. Mummy Kicks – Extend both arms straight in front of you and move your hands over each-other in a scissor motion. At the same time, kick your right leg out and then your left, alternating as quickly as possible.
  8. Lunge Jumps – Start in a lunge position with your right foot forward. Jump up and land in a lunge position with your left foot forward. Do as many jumps as you can.
  9. Quick Feet – Stand with your feet wider than your hips in a slight squat. Run in place on your toes, leaving the ground only a few centimeters.21 Minute Killer Interval Workout / https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/21-minute-killer-interval-workout/
  10. Squats
  11. Push-ups
  12. Plank

21 Minute Killer Interval Workout / https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/21-minute-killer-interval-workout/21 Minute Killer Intervals

Complete each exercise in order for 30 seconds each. Repeat 2 more times.

  1. Jumping Jacks
  2. Butt Kicks
  3. High Knees
  4. Speed Skaters
  5. Burpees
  6. Mountain Climbers
  7. Mummy Kicks
  8. Lunge Jumps
  9. Quick Feet
  10. Squats
  11. Push-ups
  12. Plank

When is another good time to use this workout? When you wake-up in Wisconsin, like I did this morning, and it was barely above 0 degrees!! We made our interval training a family affair. By the end, you can see I was clearly dripping sweat! 21 Minute Killer Interval Workout / https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/21-minute-killer-interval-workout/Give this work-out a try while you are home for Thanksgiving! Your body will burn through those turkey calories in no time!

My Blog turns 1!

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Exactly a year ago today, I sent out my first blog post! I can’t believe it’s been that long already! I have loved sharing all of my favorite things with you. It is so much fun getting an email or hearing from someone that has tried something from my blog. I think I’ve really made it big time, now that I have my own branded cutting board…thanks MOM ;)

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comTo celebrate the 1 year mark, I went back to find the most popular posts. In case you missed them the first time around, here they are:

Most Viewed Post: Foil-Baked Tilapia with Vegetables – You can’t go wrong with this recipe when trying to make a quick and insanely healthy dinner.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com2nd Most Viewed Post: Balsamic Brussels Sprouts – I know brussels sprouts are the quintessential vegetable to hate, but I would be happy to have these for dinner every night.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comMost Pinned on Pinterest: Pretzel Necklaces – We had SO much fun wearing these at Beer Fest.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comMost Made: Bruschetta Lentil Dip – It’s speculation, but I think I get the most feedback from friends and co-workers that they have made this dip…several times! It’s easily one of my favorite recipes on my blog.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comPost with the Most Comments: Apple Brickle Dip – I dare you to make this and not eat 3 spoonfuls right away.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comMost Indulgent Recipe on this Blog: Mocha Chocolate Ice Box Cake – If you walk away from this blog making one thing, please try this cake. Words cannot describe. My fantasy world involves a piece of this cake with every meal.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comMy Favorite Post: Recruitment Video for Nestle – I loved getting to make this video about working at Nestle with one of my co-workers and best friends, Brian “Jimmy” Schoo.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comI currently have 74 email subscribers. Thank you to each of you for signing up to hear what I have to say! I truly appreciate it, especially since at this point, I haven’t yet figured out how to convince my brother to subscribe! I guess Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding and Spiral Hair Pins aren’t his thing. Weird….

My first post shared this quote: “An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. May you be open to each thread that comes into your life – the golden ones and the coarse ones – and may you weave them into a brilliant and beautiful life.” I started this blog to be able to send out “threads” of ideas to friends and family far and wide. “My Favorite Things” has now been viewed in 65 different countries, which blows my mind! I hope to continue to share my favorite things with you, regardless of what city you live in, or what city I live in, and that we all stay connected! Thanks for your interest and support!

Love, Sara

International Day of the Girl

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Yesterday was the first International Day of the Girl, a day that advocate’s girls’ rights, as declared by the UN. (Read this article by the UN to learn more about the cause and this year’s theme of ‘ending child marriage’.) CNN put together a slideshow, asking some of today’s most accomplished women, “What one piece of advice would you give your 15-year-old self?” When you have some time, you can read through the full slideshow here. One of my favorite quotes is from Robin Bernstein, a historian and professor at Harvard, shown below. I think we could all use this advice at ANY age!! Stop worrying so much about the future and remember to enjoy the moment.

International Day of the Girl“I have bad news for you: You are not clairvoyant. Not even a little. You have no idea how the future will unfold. But it will unfold, slowly and quickly and slowly again, in ways that you cannot now begin to imagine. So stop trying to guess what’s coming next. All the effort you put into figuring out what will happen, all the scenarios you play out in your mind — they’re useless. And that’s a good thing. Relax and let the future arrive on its own time and in its own way. Allow yourself to be astonished.” (Robin Bernstein)

Pretzel Necklaces

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Last weekend some friends and I went down to San Diego to Stone Brewing’s annual Beer Fest. Is there any other way to celebrate Andrew Maze’s birthday?? I can’t think of one! With the price of admission, you get an official Beer Fest glass and 10 tickets to sample beers from over 40 different craft breweries of Southern California.

Pretzel Necklaces

Because it was so hot and you are sampling paaa-lenty of beer, a co-worker of mine suggested making pretzel necklaces to snack on while you walk around. You guys, these necklaces were a HUGE hit! You would’ve thought we were celebrities the way everyone was pointing at us! And we’ve never talked to so many strangers! In order to make them extra special, I made them “birthday style”. This is how simple it is: cut some ribbon long enough to slip over your head, string on some pretzel twists, and tie a knot!

Pretzel Necklaces

I made mine a little more special by adding home-made birthday buttons. Andrew had so many people wishing him Happy Birthday because of his button. Lots of people wanted in on the snacks.

www.sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.comAside from a beer or wine tasting, I’ve been trying to think of what other events could be greatly improved by the additional of pretzel necklaces. I keep coming back to college keggers, tailgates, things of that nature….Apparently anytime there is drinking involved, pretzel necklaces should be incorporated!

Hello world!

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Hey Friends and Family!

I hope you are all having a great summer! One of my 2012 New Year’s resolutions was to start a blog and now that we are past the half way mark in this year, I am finally taking action! The idea developed because of how excited I get to share my latest “great find” with whoever is around. Since you, and all my other friends and family, are spread across the country, I hope to use this blog to share them with all of you.

I plan to share my favorite recipes, products, ideas, songs, books, movies – whatever is inspiring me at the moment. My goal is to post once or twice a week. If you are interested in hearing from me, please click on the link on the right hand side of my page under “Follow Blog via Email”. By doing so, when I post something new on my blog, the post will get emailed to you.

https://sarasfavoritethings.wordpress.com/

Here is an “idea” that I think agrees well with the theme of what I am trying to accomplish. My mom got me this frame for my birthday and I have it next to my bed so I read it when I wake up and go to bed everyday: “An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. May you be open to each thread that comes into your life – the golden ones and the coarse ones – and may you weave them into a brilliant and beautiful life.”

I hope this blog acts as a thread to connect all of us, regardless of city, and provides the opportunity to share golden ideas. Thanks for your support!!

Love,

Sara