Kath Eats Real Food

a healthy food, nutrition, and lifestyle blog

Mix It Up

I accomplished all 3 of my goals last night: bath, book, yoga! This morning I decided to do yoga again, but in combo with a sweat session at the gym to mix it up. There I spent 35 on the ET, 10 on the Stat bike and came home to do 20 minutes of Power Vinyasa Flow 3. It was a nice way to end the morning and start the day. I wish we had just and elliptical at home for days when I just want to hop on and off for a bit. Do you guys have home gym equipment? How expensive was it, and has it been nice to have? I would never buy a treadmill since I can run outside year round here, but I’d love a form of ET.

Breakfast was a mix. I couldn’t decide between cereal with soy milk or greek yogurt, so I had both:

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  • 1 generous cup Optimum Slim
  • Leftover mango (~1/4 cup)
  • Half banana
  • A few blackberries
  • 1 tbsp flax
  • 2 tbsp chopped onions
  • 3/4 cup heated vanilla soy milk
  • 1/4 cup greek yogurt
  • Drizzle honey
  • Sprinkle toasted almonds (end of the bag crumbs)

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Most of the milk was absorbed, which was kind of disappointing. But still fun to eat.

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+ Coconut chai tea.

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Tea Tidbits

More from the Lipton Institute of Tea.

Black Tea…

  • Black tea, like green, white and oolong tea, is produced from the plant Camellia sinensis. The difference lies in the way the tea leaves are processed. The leaves from Camellia sinensis soon begin to wilt and oxidize if not dried quickly after picking. The major step in making tea is then to stop the oxidation process by heating the leaves at different stages depending on the tea type – green tea (unoxidized), white tea (unoxidized), oolong tea (partially oxidised), black tea (fully oxidized).
  • Black tea undergoes substantial oxidation, which changes the colour of the leaves from green to brown, and alters the naturally occurring components of the leaves. Black tea naturally contains many goodies, including flavonoids, caffeine and L-theanine that have been associated with health benefits.
  • Although caffeine is undoubtedly responsible for some of the beneficial effects of black tea on mental performance, research suggests that other factors in tea may also play a role: When the level of caffeine in tea is matched to other caffeinated beverages, tea appears to have differential effects on measures of alertness and potentially produces better effects. Moreover, a study by Quinlan et al found that while tea ingestion produces mild stimulation of the autonomic nervous system and improvements in mood, the caffeine level did not affect those short-term responses to tea ingestion.
  • Emerging science suggests an interaction of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance. Haskell showed that 250 mg L-theanine significantly interacted with 150 mg caffeine and  enhanced the effects of caffeine on a number of cognitive tasks, as well as improved some aspects of mood.
  • Black tea can provide a beneficial effect on mental performance through hydration. Fluid balance is critical for mental performance as dehydration can decrease alertness, concentration, performance and short-term memory. In the DRI for water (Dietary Reference Intakes), the Food and Nutrition Board state that there is evidence to suggest that water deficits of 2 percent body weight or more are accompanied by declining mental function. Tea, as an ideal fluid choice for hydration, can make a significant contribution to body’s hydration status, helping
    to promote mental performance.

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Long day ahead. Peace out!

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Comments

  4. We have a treadmill at home as well as various weights and workout tapes and I LOVE it. I still go to the gym but the convenience of having the stuff at home where I can watch my recorded tv shows just can’t be beat. We had the stuff even before we had kids and now that we have two daughters there have been many times that working out at home was the only option. We are lucky enough to be able to have a separate workout room now but even before when it was out in the open it was still worth it, to me. The treadmill was expensive and so are the better elipticals, you can really spend a lot, but I think you can get a good one for about $3,000 probably less if you really look around and are open to buying someone’s used eliptical, which a lot of people don’t use.

    Reply

  5. I just wanted to say thank you for turning me on to yogadownload! I did the runner’s yoga last night and I woke up pain free this morning! That’s HUGE for me! I’ve dealt with PF for 2 years now and it didn’t hurt to get out of bed this morning.

    have a great day!

    Reply

  6. we have an elliptical trainer in the basement. i almost never use it because i hate the elliptical, and if i were to join a gym i’d probably never use their elliptical either 😉

    i have relied on it in the past for winter exercise though. this year i really really enjoyed having a bike trainer set up year (so i basically turned my own bike into a stat bike0. i enjoy spinning a lot more than the ET and it was great to not have to get out and go anywhere. i got my trainer at the bike show for $150 which was an awesome deal. paired with some hand weights, a yoga mat and a chair for stepups, it was like having my own home gym for super low cost. now i’m in great shape for outdoor running, racing and biking season.

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  11. We have an elliptical and I LOVE having it. I actually just let my gym membership expire since we have the elliptical, hand weights, and I have a trainer for my bike. Plus I can run outside all the time too. It’s so nice when it’s cold or raining to just jump on the elliptical and put a dvd on or watch a tv show while I’m doing it. It makes the workout fly by and takes the commuting time out so it’s nice when you’re pressed for time too. I don’t know how much it was, I think around 2k? It’s not the fanciest model but it gets the job done.

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  12. oh. i guess i should note. i didn’t buy the ET (because that would be silly!). it’s my dad’s and i am long-term housesitting for them so i get free use of their gym equipment. he loves it. think it was 5-600$? i don’t know. we’ve had it for almost 6.5 years now.

    for us these things mean not having to join a gym at all so the cost is worthwhile i guess.

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  13. I have an elliptical at home that I bought from Nordic Track. They have lots of good sales and will let you pay it over 6 months with no interest. It’s not a credit plan you have to apply for but they just take it off your credit card each month.

    I have it in a small room with a tv and sometimes I don’t even turn the light on. I just have my ipod and workout by the glow of the tv. It’s very relaxing and then I’m in the shower within a minute after I finish.

    It was probably about $1,000 but it gets used so much it was worth it. Also, you seem to have a marriage that can survive putting it together 🙂

    Sorry for the long post I’m just a home gym equipment advocate!

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  14. I do have a treadmill back home, but rarely use it. I like getting out of the house and to the gym, which in the end, motivates me to do a longer/more intense workout than I had intended. When at home, I would rather do strength moves, or just use my body as my own resistance through yoga or pilates!

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  15. hahha i’m guessing you’re kidding about the “2 tbsp onions” in the cereal mix– EWWWW 🙂

    Have a GREAT day!

    Reply

  23. Ellipticals are pretty expensive. A cheaper home remedy would be to get a stand for your bike. This would turn your bike into a stationary bike (but of course you can take it off.) I know you love to bike outside, but it might be nice to have it inside for the humid summers. Just a thought. 🙂

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  24. i had to click through to the comments to make sure i wasn’t the only one doing a double take on the onions! haha

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  26. We have a treadmill, recumbent bike and a weight bench at home on top of our gym membership. I use the treadmill and the dear husband uses all three. We actually bought the treadmill at a thrift store in like new condittion for less than $200 and the bike in like new condition at a yard sale. The bike is pretty simple but the treadmill is pretty high tech considering the price we paid. I highly recommend looking on craigslist and in thrift stores, you really can get some great deals!

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  28. Looks like we know you too well for you to fool us! LOL I was like: 2 tablespoons of chopped onions??? What??!!! Funny! 🙂

    Have a great April Fool’s Day, Kath!

    *giggles*
    Michele

    Reply

  29. I have an elliptical, which I find super convenient, especially because my schedule doesn’t always mesh with the gym’s. We bought it from a local sporting goods store, and it was pretty inexpensive – about $399 I think. It is definitely not as high quality as the ones I use at the gym, but it’s perfectly fine for what I need. It has a variety of settings, and movable arms which I prefer.

    Reply

  30. that spoon is so cute!

    We only have dumbbells – I would love to have something else, but we don’t have space for anything yet.

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  33. I have an elliptical and treadmill, and I love them! I got the treadmill for free, and I bought the elliptical off Craigslist for $150. I would def. check out craigslist. It took me a little while, but I was able to find a decent quality machine for a price I was willing to pay (some people try to sell $200 Target ellipticals for $500, etc.). I also hated going to the gym after my hour commute home, so it is so much easier for me to change and get on it when it is in my own house.

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  35. Hey Kath!

    We have an ET in our garage that we got off of Craigslist for around $600, I think. It’s nice for the days when I can’t get to the gym, or don’t want to run…I can hop on it while our baby is napping, too. I tend to use it at least a couple o times a week…some times I will use it and then go to yoga or another class, too.

    Reply

  36. I have a spin bike at home and weights. I get alot of use out of it, especially in the winter or when I get home from a long flight. During Century Season, I follow some strict guidelines and if I get home late from work I can still keep on track

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  37. I wish I saw the april fool’s joke in action, Kath!! 😉

    I have tried adding soy milk and yogurt with cereal, and it tasted funky and not very pleasant. maybe it is because I did not heat up the soymilk.

    Reply

  38. We have an elliptical, bench, weights, yoga mat, ball and various workout dvds…and I love it! Would never go back to a gym membership, its convenient to walk in the door and jump on the elliptical and get straight to work! Ours is a gym quality Precor that we bought at an auction for a gym going out of business. It cost us around $2300 but was worth it for the better quality versus home versions and the savings of a gym membership.

    Reply

  39. April Fools!!! Onions in your breakfast?! I don’t think so! But it looks yummy

    Kath, thank YOU for blogging for all of us. The time you put into this is amazing and so beneficial to all of your readers. I am a huge fan! Keep up the great work 🙂

    Reply

  40. I have a Schwinn elliptical at home – it cost about $1,000 at the time. I love it for the convenience. My tip on buying an ET is to test it out for stride AND handle length. I’m 5’3″ and the stride is fine, but the handles go too far forward to be comfy.

    We also have adjustable weights, a stability ball and until our recent move, my husband had his fancy pants bike on a stand and used it religiously. Having equipment at home is so convenient and eliminates any excuses!

    Reply

  41. I considered buying an elliptical, but I just couldn’t handle the price – it seems like good ones are so expensive. Plus I love the variety at the gym – elliptial, arc trainer, stepper, classes, weights. and there’s no way i could justify a gym membership plus an elliptical! so it’s just the gym for me. 🙂

    Reply

  42. Onions??? The bowl sounds amazing, but how does onions taste with all that good breakfast flavors? I’m very curious. Was this bowl similar to a meusli-type breakfast? I want to try it!

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  44. I have an elliptical that I bought new several years ago for $700. Looking back now, I can’t believe I spent that much, but it has been getting a lot of use lately. It is nice for when I don’t want to leave the house to exercise, but it can definitely get boring! It helps to blast Pandora internet radio though!

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  46. I bought an elliptical for ~$100 on craigslist – I love it for rainy days and I have it in front of the tv. When guests are coming, I roll it into the bedroom (I have a small condo) – very convenient.

    Reply

  48. Haha on the onions!

    We have a bowflex at home, and it is a piece of equipment that I have enjoyed a lot over the past few years. If I were to get something cardio, it would be a recumbent bike. I can’t bike year round up here in the northeast, and I love biking more than running, so that would be my machine!

    Reply

  50. There’s a small gym on the first floor of our apartment building. It’s free for anyone who lives there. (That’s what they tell you anyway, I am sure we’re paying for it in our rent) I love going there because it’s so convenient, it’s just like having my own gym equipment at home.

    Reply

  51. Ok…I thought Onions Ewwwww!! But then APRIL FOOLS!!

    We decided to ditch the gym memberships long ago and have slowly built up our home gym. We have an ET, Treadmill, Universal Gym and free weights! I love being able to climb out of bed and just go to my basement and workout every morning! No excuses for me! I have a Treadmill because I live in Alberta and our winters are nuts sometimes so I envy you for being to run and bike out doors all year long!

    Have a great hump day! 🙂

    Reply

  53. Chopped onions, hahaha. Nice. I def did a “huh whaa?” when I saw it.

    You could probably find a good used ET on craigslist for a good price.

    Reply

  57. I also heard that Nordic track has very good elliptical machines. Sears actually carries them (probably not all models as you would find on-line) so you would be able to test them out before ordering. Sometimes the on-line site(Nordic Track) offers some great deals and payment plans. Hmmm….I just might have to look into these a bit more myself!!!
    Have a great day!

    Reply

  58. We have a treadmill and an elliptical at my house. The treadmill was less than $1000, and I’ve used it for years with only minor adjustments (it’s kinda’ loud though). The elliptical, eh, I’m not so excited about. My dad bought it and I thought I would use it all the time, but apparently I’m used to the Precor ($$$) machines at the gym. But my parents love the elliptical, and they got a great deal (definitely less than $1000). The incline is just a bit disappointing. I’d recommend looking at user reviews and trying the machine before investing. My family uses the equipment everyday though, we just plop open a magazine and start sweating!

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  59. I have a recumbent bike, bought it new 3 years ago for $800. It has 10 different programs that I use in various combinations to challenge myself. I ride pretty much every day at 5:30 a.m. (before anyone rises!). Working, married and with kids, it’s really the only way for me to get a work out squeezed into a jam-packed day. I also use stability ball, hand weights and bands for resistance exercise. And thanks to Kath, have started using yogadownload.com to improve flexibility! Someday I’ll go back to a gym membership to have access to the various classes.

    P.S. Onions–funny!

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  64. Haha April Fools! I was hoping I would be the clever one to figure it out, but clearly you have some pretty smart readers 🙂

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  66. April Fools! Onions in that b-fast combo would be a bit gag inducing even if you liked onions!

    I don’t have an ET at home, but I do have a trainer that I throw my road bike on when I’m feeling like working out at home. I also have invested a ton of time into getting various WO videos from Netflix to find a few good ones to work into my at home workout rotation. Its actually nice to have some of the strength training ones on hand ’cause I often feel like my strength WO are focus less. I know you guys have Netflix- try it out!

    Reply

  67. I have a home treadmill and love it (I’m too wimpy for outdoor running in extreme heat or cold). One option is to look for sales when the next year’s models come out. We got about $1,000 off of our treadmill because it was an ’07 and we got it at the end of the year for that model.

    Reply

  69. I have an Nordic ET in my apartment and it was close to 1,000 (warranty, and we paid for delivery and set up) but my fiance and I use it ALL the time! We also have free weights, bands, yoga DVD’s and a few work out DVD’s and I don’t have a gym membership b/c I don’t need one! I also walk/run outside when I’m bored of the ET but it was a great buy. I watch TV when I do it and I sometimes do it in my pjs right out of bed! haha

    Reply

  70. I have a treadmill for bad weather running days and a weight bench. I also have free weights, resistance bands, medicine ball, stability ball, so I don’t have to belong to a gym!

    Reply

  72. We have tons of home gym type stuff and I LOVE working out at home. We have an elliptical ($700) a gazelle ($99), some hand weights, stretch bands, an excersie ball, yoga equipment, and workout videos.

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  73. No ya’ll, it’s true. She called me this morning to say she was happily chopping up onions for her oats.

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  74. Is the tea the Celestial Seasonings Coconut Thai Chai? That is my absolute favorite tea of all time and every time I can find it I buy every box they have!

    Reply

  75. Thanks for all of the recommendations guys! I think our budget for this would be a couple hundred MAX so we might just pass. Or check out some used equip. stores!

    Lloyd ,
    We buy it whole and keep it in the freezer and grind it in a coffee grinder about every 2-3 weeks and keep that in the fridge.

    Kori @ All Things B,
    Which Netflix DVDs do you recommend? Any that you can watch instantly?

    Heather ,
    I forgot the brand, but it’s not CS. It’s from World Market.

    Kath

    Reply

  77. sounds like a lovly morning/night! Hehe- onions, for a second I thought you were serious! I wish we had room for exersize equiptment…

    Reply

  78. We have an elliptical and stationary bike. I use one or the other 5-6 days a week after walking the dog in the morning. I like to exercise before I shower and with my husband at work already and two small kids at home, I can’t really drive to the gym at 5am. I think our bike was one from Sears and only cost about $500, but it’s held up for 3+ years. Our elliptical was from a Schwinn dealer (though it’s not a Schwinn) and cost about $1500 on sale.

    Reply

  80. you are a tea genius! I used to own a cheap-y elliptical in college but it was so poor quality I hated using it because it hurt my knees and clicked and was NOT smooth. So if you really want equipment I would not skimp on quality!

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  81. I discovered your blog a couple of days ago and I love it! Thank you for all of your dedication. I am relatively computer-illiterate. I do a lot of yoga and had never heard of the site you mentioned. I attempted to download a couple of the free 20 minute classes, but had no success. Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks!

    Reply

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