Coconut Chickpea Curry

I had a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine and good friends. One of the highlights was having Sebastien’s sisters over for an impromptu dinner party with our friends Nadeem and Bonnie.

I love having my house filled with good energy so I was really looking forward to dinner, but at the same time perplexed as to what I was going to cook. Seb’s sisters are both vegetarians so I opted to make one vegetarian meal as opposed to a meat and veggie option.

When Seb and I were planning the meal (last minute of course) we immediately though of this one butter chicken paste I buy from time to time ,but mix with chickpeas instead of chicken, which is soooo yummy. So off to Loblaws we went with high hopes that they would have it in stock because our friends were coming over in 1 hour.

They were sold out :(

I love to cook from scratch and make stuff up, as you can probably tell from my recipes, so I knew I had to think quickly on my feet and come up with an alternative meal plan. I wanted to stay in the same category so I concocted in my head a recipe for a coconut chickpea curry with the hopes that it wouldn’t be a flop.

It was FANTASTIC. I even made it again on sunday it was so good. At one point Nadeem commented, “I didn’t even realize I was eating vegetarian until I looked and saw that Seb’s sister had the same meal on her plate!”

So here it is, in all it’s glory and simplicity…Coconut Chickpea Curry

Ingredients:

2 tsp sunflower oil
1/2 medium white onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
2-3 teaspoons of Chana Masala spice mix (made by MDH spices)
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust the heat to your liking, you can also leave this out)
1 can of chickpeas
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 cup of water

Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.

Add the onions and brown them, add the garlic when the onions are near finished. Saute garlic approx. 3o seconds.

Add the tomatoes to the mixture and reduce heat to medium. Saute for 1-2 minutes to soften.

Add the chana masala spices and stir to mix, immediately add the coconut milk and cayenne pepper and stir to thoroughly form a sauce.

Toss in one can of rinsed chickpeas and stir to mix. Add the water, adjust the heat to low-medium and simmer until the sauce is nice and thick and the chickpeas softened.

Serve warm over basmati rice and with a side salad.

Serves 4.

I hope you enjoy this delightful Indian inspired meal as much as I did with my closest friends.

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Booty Camp’s Got Talent – The post you’ve all been waiting for!

Alright ladies, I know you’ve all been anxious to hear the full details of the Booty Camp Fitness 2011 DVD auditions so here they are!!!

A few things to know BEFORE you apply to Audition:

  • You know you’ve got nothing to lose coming out to visit us, if you’re toying with the idea of auditioning just DO IT!!! I promise not to bite and I’d love to meet you!
  • Filming will take place from March 20 to March 24 2011, please ensure you are available to travel to Puerto Rico on those dates before auditioning.
  • You must have completed at any point in the past a full 8 weeks at Booty Camp (two 4 week sessions also count) and/or be currently enrolled for an 8 week session (if you have registered for a second 4 week session in September you also qualify)
  • You must be able to travel legally to the United States of America
  • Recruits will be auditioning 2 people at a time in 10 minute periods
  • Recruits will be auditioning to the FIRST segment of the Advanced Workout on the 2010 Ultimate Home Edition DVD (there will be a leader and you will be following along)
  • Please bring 2 copies of a short (500-1000 word) testimonial about your Booty Camp experience, results and why you think you will be a great addition to our 2011 DVD
  • Please bring 2 color photographs of yourself (attached to your testimonial)
  • Wear comfortable but fitted fitness attire (ie. tank top and yoga pants). Yoga mats will be provided.

Now for the full audition details for each city!

VANCOUVER


When: 2pm-5pm on Sept 2, 2010
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre Room A (MAP)
What to bring: Please bring your photographs and testimonial as outlined above.
Who to contact: Please email auditions@bootycampfitness.com to book an audition session. Please specify the top 3 ten minute time slots within the period specified above that you would like to book and we will confirm your audition time and exact location in an email reply.

CALGARY


When: 3pm to 6pm on Sept 3, 2010
Where: Hotel Arts Galleria Room (MAP)
What to bring: Please bring your photographs and testimonial as outlined above.
Who to contact: Please email auditions@bootycampfitness.com to book an audition session. Please specify the top 3 ten minute time slots within the period specified above that you would like to book and we will confirm your audition time and exact location in an email reply.

EDMONTON


When: 11am to 3pm on Sept 4, 2010
Where: Perfect Storm Athletics (MAP)
What to bring: Please bring your photographs and testimonial as outlined above.
Who to contact: Please email auditions@bootycampfitness.com to book an audition session. Please specify the top 3 ten minute time slots within the period specified above that you would like to book and we will confirm your audition time and exact location in an email reply.

HALIFAX


When: 3pm to 6pm on Sept 9, 2010
Where: Prince George Hotel (MAP)
What to bring: Please bring your photographs and testimonial as outlined above.
Who to contact: Please email auditions@bootycampfitness.com to book an audition session. Please specify the top 3 ten minute time slots within the period specified above that you would like to book and we will confirm your audition time and exact location in an email reply.

OTTAWA


When: 10:00am to 1pm on Sept 10, 2010
Where: Capital City Dance (MAP)
What to bring: Please bring your photographs and testimonial as outlined above.
Who to contact: Please email auditions@bootycampfitness.com to book an audition session. Please specify the top 3 ten minute time slots within the period specified above that you would like to book and we will confirm your audition time and exact location in an email reply.

TORONTO AND GTA


When: 5pm to 9pm on Sept 23, 2010 AND 3pm to 8pm on Sept 24, 2010
Where: Renaissance Hotel Toronto (MAP)
What to bring: Please bring your photographs and testimonial as outlined above.
Who to contact: Please email auditions@bootycampfitness.com to book an audition session. Please specify the top 3 ten minute time slots within the period specified above that you would like to book and we will confirm your audition time and exact location in an email reply.

I look forward to meeting all of you in person and know I’ve got a really hard job ahead of me selecting my 2011 DVD cast! Lots of love and good luck!! xoxo

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Sammie’s Supper …. plus sugar free lemonade!

In true form, Seb and I were taking full advantage of a lazy rainy Sunday. But you can only lounge on the sofa for so long before your stomach starts to grumble for another meal.

I love all the extra time that weekends give me to prepare food. I had picked up some organic pork tenderloin yesterday and some veggies to roast but wasn’t feeling the whole “meat and potatoes” meal that it meant we were going to eat. So, I thought back to my childhood for all the cozy meals my mommy used to make that I loved, and the first thing that struck me was stew with biscuits.

Now every one of you reading this knows that I’m not about to make the traditional buttery biscuits my mom used to make and that I have to make everything as healthy as possible. It’s my blessed curse ;)

So without further delay, the full meal is here for you to try. Stew with carrot biscuits, spinach and feta salad, and sugar free lemonade!

Sammie’s Stew: Classic with a whip


1 tsp sunflower oil
1 large white onion (diced)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
8 cups of water
2 tsp vegetable stock powder
2 sweet potatoes (cubed)
1/2 butternut squash (cubed)
2 potatoes (cubed)
12 brussel sprouts (core removed & halved) (yup I put in brussel sprouts, I find that cabbage veggies add a great flavour to soups)
1 organic pork tenderloin (cubed)
1/2 green chilli pepper (minced)
1-2 tsp dill (to taste)

cracked fresh black pepper and salt to taste

2 tsp corn starch mixed with a little water

In a large pot heat the oil and add the onions and garlic. Once softened add the water and veg stock powder and bring to a boil. Add in the rest of the vegetables and finally the pork tenderloin. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Allow to simmer and add your seasonings to taste. Continue to cook for 30-40 minutes. When ready add the cornstarch mixture and boil for an additional 5 minutes to thicken. Serve piping hot on top of the biscuits!

Carrot Biscuits

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1 cup cooked and mashed carrots (if cooking these dishes together put the carrots on to boil before beginning the stew)
1 cup flour (I used white because I was out of whole wheat but either should work fine)
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup oil (I like sunflower, safflower or omega blends)
dash of salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl together to form a dough. Divide and hand roll/press into biscuits.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

(I put some low fat cheese in some of them but the plain ones were better)

Salad dressing


1/4 cup omega blend oil
juice of 1 lemon
1 capful of apple cider vinegar
1 tsp of red wine vinegar
1/2-1 tsp oregano
1/4 cup of sheeps feta crumbled
salt and pepper to taste

Mix the above ingredients in a bowl and toss with tomatoes and spinach.

Sugar Free Lemonade


This recipe I came up with after visiting one of the lemonade stands at The Ex. I figured there had to be a way to capture that delicious refreshing flavour without all the calories and sugar.

1 pitcher of water
juice of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 lime sliced
1 tsp. stevia powder

Stir ingredients in the pitcher, add ice or refridgerate to chill.

The Meal Review

This meal was beyond delicious, it received a constant barrage of compliments from Seb including, “you should be a chef!”, “this is the best stew I’ve ever had!”, “Holy F@*k!”, and “this is better than sex!” (not sure how I feel about that last one LOL)

Honestly the meal was absolutely delicious and guilt free. Plus there’s lots of leftover stew for lunches this week! Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine!!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Chocolate mousse that won’t make you the size of one

Everyone knows how much I like my treats….and how much I have to invent new ones so I don’t end up the size of a house :p

I decided to share the simplest and tastiest chocolate mousse recipe I have every laid my hands on. I swear you will NOT regret making this treat and the best part is it is rich and creamy and you don’t need to eat a lot to feel like you’ve satisfied your craving for chocolate! It’s made with 3 ingredients and even has protein in it!!

Ingredients:

1 package Mori Nu Silken Tofu (Lite)
1 1/2 bars 85% Dark Chocolate (any brand)
2-3 Tbsp maple syrup

Prep:

Using a double boiler melt your dark chocolate until it is liquid.

In a separate bowl (actually a food processor or blender creates the creamiest texture but I did this in a bowl and it worked as well) blend the tofu and maple syrup.

While blending combine the chocolate and the tofu mixtures

I like to portion it out in small ziploc containers for teeny snack portions.

And whatever you do don’t let any go to waste, be sure to lick the spoon ;)

Enjoy!

p.s. add some raspberries for a real heavenly experience.

p.p.s. I hate tofu so I swear just try this. The maple syrup covers the soy flavour perfectly.

Always living with passion,

Sammie

My poor little tum tum

Warning: I am about to talk about my digestive tract …..ewwwwww

Well ladies I was getting pretty sick and tired of waking up looking like a fitness professional and going to bed looking 5 months pregnant! I was getting even more tired of not knowing WHAT was causing all my bloating, abdominal discomfort, cramping, gas and abnormal bowel movements.

I decided that something needed to be done about this issue. I can’t go on with life knowing that if I eat anything (because the culprit was a mystery) I will instantly find myself distended and potentially embarrass myself at a photo shoot or filming. I was also struggling to lose body fat in the abdominal area DESPITE eating healthy and 95% sugar free so this needed to be figured out!

I booked an appointment with my naturopathic clinic in Oakville and their specialist Gabriela Novak for a food sensitivity workup. I was unsure of exactly what I was getting myself into. Would I be getting injections? Were they gonna take blood? Was this going to be uncomfortable? Lucky for me it was none of the above.

The testing was really quite simple. You are examined using Magnetic Impedance testing. In other words a electromagnetic stream is run through your body the side of your 4th toe to your opposite hand. A normal flow brings a reading of 100 on the meter. The meter is then calibrated with sources of a normal flow of certain food substances and simultaneously administered to your body. If the reading comes in lower than 100 there is some sensitivity to that item.

Also tested were the normal magnetic flow for your organs and comparisons were done to your body.

What an educating experience!! I found that some of the foods I was sensitive to I also tend to turn my nose up to at the dinner table hehe. I guess my body knows what the heck is going on.

So what were the results (here i get personal)….

Food sensitivities:

Brewers Yeast
Yeast
White and Brown sugars
Aspartame (only a little)
Onions
Garlic
Green Peppers (I hate green peppers)
Lactose
Goats milk
Food coloring
White and Red wines :(

Furthermore my organs with inhibited function

Lower Intestines
Thyroid (mildly hypothyroid – meaning I have trouble losing weight)
Adrenal Glands

My adrenal glands were by far the most inhibited of all organs followed by my lower intestines. Meaning I need to DE-STRESS.

Problematic with my lower intestines is that I have an acute overgrowth of Candida (yeast) in my digestive tract. Meaning the bacterias in my lower intestines are out of balance. Candida is the same microbe that causes yeast infections :( This is most likely due to several rounds of antibiotics from Strept throat last winter as well as reduced immune function from my burned out adrenal glands.

And yet I am excited! Having this information is so powerful to me. No I KNOW what is going on and how to correct it! I can feel better soon!!!

I’m taking this on like a champ and doing a full Candida cleanse using herbal supplements to kill the infection and a sugar/yeast free low carb diet so that I do not give the Candida any fuel to grow while replacing my natural flora (balance of healthy bowel bacterias) with an acidophilus supplement.

I can’t wait to get my body back into gear so that I can get my energy and stamina back and start feeling comfortable all day long. I highly encourage you to try this route if you have any suspicions that you may have some sensitivities. Knowledge is power and although I can still CHOOSE to eat the foods I am sensitive to I am aware of how it may make me feel afterwards.

Looking forward to this again :)

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Calling all Canadian Booty’s….errrr Beauties!

Do you want to showcase your Booty Camp results and passion as a recruit to the world!?

Would you like to travel with me and the Booty Camp crew to the tropics of Puerto Rico and stay on a beautiful 3 acre ocean front villa during the winter months of Canada?

Girls are you in for a treat!!

Booty Camp Fitness will be holding OPEN AUDITIONS* in September to be a star in our 2011 Ultimate Home Edition DVD!

We will be looking for passionate recruits across Canada to join us at our tropical retreat and be featured in our workout videos! We are auditioning for 1 Western Canada, 3 Ontario and 1 Eastern Canada recruits to participate in our December filming of the 2011 DVD. We will also be looking for one understudy in each region!

AUDITION CRITERIA

  • Recruit must be have a relatively high level of fitness to sustain 2 hours of  consistent exercise while filming on site
  • Recruit must have completed or be in the process of completing 8 consecutive weeks of camp at Booty Camp Fitness (haven’t done so yet? what are you waiting for!? Register for 8 weeks in August now!)
  • Recruit must be able to SMILE while exercising :D
  • Recruit must be willing to share their own personal success story with Booty Camp Fitness on video
  • Recruits must be available to travel during the first 2 weeks of December
  • Recruits must be willing to attend weekly rehearsals on Friday evenings or Saturdays during the month of November. (out of province recruits exempted)

What to expect at the Audition?

  • Two ladies will audition in 3-5 minute segments at a time.
  • You will be following a lead instructor from BEHIND them and exercising to a portion of the current Advanced DVD workout
  • You will be auditioning in front of a 3-5 person panel of Booty Camp HQ staff and Production Crew
  • You may be asked to come in for a second audition at a later date once applicants have been narrowed down

FUN things we learned/did at the 2010 DVD shoot

  • Our film crew is a RIOT!

  • Sally Hansen Liquid Nylons make for a great ON CAMERA glow/tan when applied full body!
  • Spray sunscreen provides the perfect balance of sweaty shine!
  • I discovered that a spoonful of sugar washed down with Powerade really is an effective energy boosting meal during hour 6 of filming in the hot sun!
  • It’s amazing what adrenaline can make you do
  • My cleavage can hold a mic pack!

  • Yes I am a mad woman
  • The pool is a beautiful thing
  • Champagne toasts and a GIANT pool/ocean party at the conclusion of filming is the biggest reward of the trip!

I hope you ladies can make it out to our audition and that I get to see a tonne of smiling faces. I can’t wait and my job is going to be difficult narrowing it down but I think this year’s DVD is going to be the best!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

*Exact audition dates TBA.

Bootyfication Challenge WINNER!

A great big congratulations goes out to the Bootyfication Challenge winner Ashley Hayes!

Ashley is a mother of a one year old and she looks fabulous. Great work Ashley sticking to the program and transforming your body!! Ashley is getting married in September so she will be redeeming her prize package and doing a photo shoot with me in October once things quiet down a bit for her. I’m looking forward to it and we will post the photos shortly after!

To recap the Bootyfication Challenge consisted of:

  1. Giving up refined sugars completely
  2. Giving up all dairy
  3. Reducing alcohol intake by at least 50%
  4. Adding one large salad daily
  5. Doing 45 minutes of activity every day
  6. Doing 1 minute of “belly breathing” daily

The Prize Package:

  1. A new fitness outfit at Lululemon with image consultant Suzanne Colmer at Your Shop Girl
  2. Professional hair, makeup and nails makeover at Fiorio salon
  3. Professional photo shoot and lunch with me!
  4. Workout with Sebastien Rahman and I in the park!

And now, dumroll please, here are Ashley’s before and after PHOTOS and Measurements! Wowsa Hot Mamma!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

Measurement (Inches)          Start                       End
Upper Arm                              11″                      10.5
Chest                                     33.75                   32
Waist(Belly button)                   31.25                   29
Buttocks                                 39.75                    38
Upper Thigh (Left)                   22.5                      21.75
Upper Thigh (Right)                 22.25                    21.5
Total inches:                           160.5                       152.75

Total inches lost: 7.75
Total weight lost: 10lbs!

BIG CONGRATS!!

Stay posted for new challenges coming soon and thank you to all the lovely ladies who entered the Bootyfication Challenge. You all looked fantastic!!

Always living with passion,

Sammie


Risk vs. Benefit…no this is not a business post ;)

So part of day 1 (aka my initiation to the Guatemala trip) as planned by the evil Jessica and Alima, was a midnight hike up the Santa Maria Volcano.

This by far was THE most challenging adventure of my entire trip in Guatemala…..and the most rewarding.

Being the beautiful sales people that they are, Jess and Alima positioned it as a nice hike up the volcano, we’ll get to the top for sunrise and then come back down. Sweet, sounds quite lovely, and a little fun since we’ll be hiking in the woods at night. I’m game for all that fun stuff!

So off to Xela (real name is Quetzaltenango) we go to embark on our journey. We are not staying overnight in Xela so we have packed our multiple layers for the hike in various garbage bags and backpacks for the trip. In short we look like hobos.

After killing a few hours in the town and attempting to nap on some hostel couches since we weren’t paying for a room (in the meantime having a giggling fit and getting in trouble by the hostel owner) we stepped outside to wait for our ride to the base of the volcano….and the adventure begins.

We were waiting outside the hostel, watching vehicles pass, dressed like it was winter in the arctic when a car pulls up windows blacked out and says “Get in”. WHOA there dude, one second, who are you!!?

The driver explains that he is our shuttle to the mountain, I was a bit weirded out but we got in (it’s Guatemala they don’t have fancy vehicles for tour groups all the time.) As we drove into a remote area of town he explained that the windows were blacked out for the rain! I began planning our escape and was ready to book it as soon as the car stopped! Turns out though, it was legit and we met at the base of the volcano with our guide Edgar and his little dog Pinta.

So we begin our hike at 12am on July 3rd, 2010 and immediately I can tell this is gonna be no walk in the park. This is rough, uneven, steep and crazy terrain that we are hiking with our little headlamps! All you can do is look at your feet and occasionally glance up at the person ahead of you. We have NO idea where we are and where we are going and we’re getting whopped already and it hasn’t even been an hour!

We keep pushing forward with various obscenities spewing from our, well mostly my, mouth and we push on through the night. I can’t count how many times I thought, “this is absolutely insane, what was I thinking”…..and that was before I got sick.

Yes ladies and gentlemen I somehow managed to get altitude sickness! It happened probably about 4.5 hours into the hike, but I thought I was just being a wimp and we kept on going and going and going (I’m an A type lol). We hiked on until at about 5.5 hours I could go no further, I had been crawling on my hands and knees for the past 20 minutes and my body had enough! We stopped on a ledge about 15 minutes from the peak :’(

I managed to muster up the strength to drink my tea and then I laid down to rest until the sun rose….

That’s where it was all worth it. The sun began to rise and it’s like we were in heaven! We were above the clouds and could see the peaks of other volcanoes and it was absolutely breathtaking!

It gave me some strength to stop wondering if Guatemala had hospital helicopters and to get up off my butt and head back down to discover even more beauty! And rediscovering the path we took up was amazing since we didn’t see any of it in the dark!

And once we were back down below the threshold for my altitude sickness it went away and I could smile again!

We met many locals on the path back and learned some new languages. We arrived back at the base at 10am as scheduled and we gave Edgar big hugs for dealing with three crazy girls all night long. This was an experience I never thought I could finish and that I will never forget! We all pushed through and the reward was the most amazing sight I’ve ever had the advantage to look upon with two of the most amazing women I could possibly wish to travel with. I am eternally grateful.

P.S. That’s the volcano in the background.

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Stepping outside your comfort zone

Hola mi amigas!

Well ladies my trip to Guatemala was absolutely incredible! It was an amazing experience with tonnes of challenges and growth opportunities.

I was very fortunate to experience many firsts on this trip and I’ve decided to focus today’s post on stepping outside your comfort zone and opening your heart to experiencing new things. It’s essential for you to learn and grow to do new and exciting and sometimes scary things.

Guatemala was the perfect setting for many firsts. It was my first time …..

Travelling outside of North America on my own

Being met at the airport by a man with a sign with my name on it :)

Meeting up with Sebastien’s sister for a backpacking adventure (and Jess, can’t forget Jess)

Sleeping in a hostel

Using a washroom in which you could NOT flush your toilet paper or even better a washroom with NO WALL between toilets!

Galloping on horseback

Negotiating the price of purchases (in another language!)

“stealing” napkins from every restaurant we ate at for “emergency” washroom purposes

Hiking for 5 hours at midnight up and 4 hours at sunrise down a volcano

Going to bathroom outside on the edge of a cliff!

Getting altitude sickness (that was a treat, I’ll post about my hike up Santa Maria separately)

Being held up by the “Fruit Police”

Passing another vehicle in oncoming traffic, uphill, on a corner, and STOPPING for the speed bump!

Visiting a Jade factory

Trying to carry my purchases on my head like the locals

Buying breakfast 3 times in one day once for me and twice for the stray dogs

Being serenaded 3 times in one day by 3 different people

Accepting a free salsa dance lesson (I have two left feet when it comes to dancing with steps)

What did I learn on this trip, well I learned some Spanish. I learned that there is abundant warmth and love and connection if we take the time to get to know new people. I learned that the human body is capable of persevering for great lengths beyond perceived limits when I managed to continue to hike upwards for 1 full hour after altitude sickness set in! I learned that the world is full of beauty and the real beauty is in the simple things. I learned that it takes only a moment to say “buenos dias” to make the day of someone less fortunate. I learned that there is smiling and laughter and love in the very direst of situations. I learned that we take so many things for granted and that happiness is a VERY clear and true choice.

I’ll be sure to post more stunning photos in my post of my midnight hike and a general post about the adventures of Guatemala. I also have to get my hands on some of the photos Alima and Jess took with me in them!

I encourage all of you to step outside your comfort zone and try something new today. It’s the most rewarding way to live! I’ve learned so much about myself and this trip has really changed me in some very significant ways!

Love all of you ladies (and gents)! xoxo

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Who said salad was boring??

There are really so many ways to enjoy a good healthy salad. Salad does NOT have to be a big plate of lettuce! I’ve had a couple of requests for different salad recipes so I dug out my salad cookbook for some inspiration to provide you with 4 great salad recipes that are more exciting than the old lettuce salad (but not so crazy you won’t try it LOL)

I’ve come up with 2 poultry salads, 1 seafood and 1 veggie for the different palettes out there!

CHICKEN

I chose this “Asian Chicken Salad” not only for it’s great flavour but also because it uses cabbage as the base ingredient and cabbage is known for it’s wonderful cancer fighting properties. It’s got such a yummy crunch and a great flavour!

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts (boneless/skinless) cut into bite size pieces
2 tsp soy sauce (or Bragg’s seasoning, it has the same flavour but minimal sodium)
1/4 tsp white pepper
2 tbsp safflower oil
1/2 head chinese cabbage
3 scallions (or spring onions) sliced diagonally including green parts
1/4 cup slivered almonds
sesame seeds (optional to garnish)

Dressing

5 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp light soy sauce (or Braggs)
a few drops sesame oil for flavour
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Whisk dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl or cup.

Drizzle the chicken bits with soy sauce and sprinkle with white pepper.

Heat a wok/pan over high heat and add the safflower oil. Stir-fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes or until brown and crisp. Drain on a paper towel and let cool. NOTE: you can also use water for stir-frying purposes. Simply keep a squirt bottle next to the pan to add for “frying”

Arrange the chinese cabbage in your serving dish and place the chicken, almonds, and scallions on top of the cabbage. Remix the dressing and pour over the salad. You may sprinkle with sesame seeds and if you so desire add a few rice noodles on top!

TURKEY

Turkey is the forgotten white meat and a wonderful alternative to chicken. Turkey breast is lean and it cooks well. This recipe incorporates grains and snow peas as the greens!

Ingredients

4 cups chicken stock
1 cup long grain rice
2 tbsp sunflower oil
one large turkey breast cut into thin slices
2 cups snow peas
1/2 cup oyster mushrooms torn into pieces
1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tbsp fresh garlic chives (snipped)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Set aside 3 tbsp of chicken stock. Boil the rest in a large pan. Add the rice to the stock and cook for 30 minutes or until cooked. Drain and let cool a little.

While the rice is cooking, heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a wok or pan. Stir fry the turkey over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until it’s cooked through. Transfer the turkey to a dish and continue to use the pan to cook the snow peas and mushrooms. Stir fry the veggies for 1 minute and then add the reserved chicken stock. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, covering the vegetables, and let simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove veggies and let them cool a little.

Mix the rice, veggies, turkey, nuts, cilantro and chives in a dish together, then season to taste with the salt and pepper. Drizzle with the remaining oil and the vinegar and serve warm.

SALMON

Salmon is such a great fish as it is rich in omega fatty acids! This warm salmon and mango salad is a pleasure for your tastebuds!

Ingredients

8 red cherry tomatoes
3 oz salmon fillets, skinned and cut into small cubes
1 large mango cut into small chunks
2 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp soy sauce (Or Braggs)
4 cups of your favorite salad greens
1/2 cucumber, trimmed and sliced into thin sticks
6 scallions (Spring onions) trimmed and chopped

Dressing

4 tbsp low-fat plain yogurt
1 tsp soy sauce (or Braggs)
1 tbsp grated orange rind

Preparation

Cut half of the tomatoes in half and set aside for garnish with half the mango chunks.

Skewer the whole tomatoes, remaining mango and salmon onto 4 kebab sticks. Mix the orange juice and soy sauce together and brush over the kebabs. Let sit for 15 minutes to absorb the flavour and brush once more with the remaining juice mixture.

Arrange the greens on a serving platter with the set aside mango and tomato pieces, cucumber and scallions.

Preheat your oven’s broiler to high and line your broiler rack with foil. Place the kebabs on the broiler rack and brush again with the marinade and broil for 5 to 7 minutes or until the salmon is cooked. Be sure to turn the salmon halfway through cooking and brush the opposite side with the marinade.

Divide the salad over 4 plates, top each with a kebab and drizzle with the dressing (which you can just whisk the ingredients together in a dish)

VEGGIE

Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies and one that is rarely prepared and enjoyed. For that reason alone I couldn’t resist this salad.

Ingredients

8 oz asparagus spears
1 handful corn salad (lambs lettuce)
1 handful arugula (my favorite salad green!)
1 lb ripe tomatoes sliced
12 black olives, pitted and chopped
1 tbsp toasted pine nuts

Dressing

1 tsp lemon oil
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp whole grain mustard
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Preparation

Steam the asparagus spears for 8 minutes or until tender. Rinse under cold water to prevent them from continuing to cook. Cut into 2 inch pieces.

Arrange the salad greens around a salad platter to form the base of the salad. Place the sliced tomatoes in a circle on top and the asparagus in the center.

Sprinkle the black olives and pine nuts over the top. Shake the dressing ingredients together and drizzle over the salad and serve.

…..And if you’re still not sold on the greens just have this guy make your salad to inspire you to eat up, I mean that’s what I’ll make Seb do ;) I hope this gives you a bit of a head start on salad fun and creativity. Bon Appetit!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Jungle Booty

So my backpack is all set for the next week of hiking through the jungles of Guatemala.

Featuring Vega Sport for electrolytes should I need them (Let’s face it Gatorade isn’t my top choice of beverage especially at 10 dollars a bottle) and some “fruit to go” and granola bars for snackin on the trails I am probably gonna lose 10lbs just lugging my 30+ lb home on my back.

This is the first time EVER that I will be backpacking and staying in hostels. I’m a little nervous about the whole experience. I mean what happens if I get REALLY sore?! What happens if I decide I can’t sleep in a cot/hammock or room full of bugs and come back bugged out from fatigue?! What happens if I forgot something?!

I’m usually a pretty chic traveller so leaving my designer duds behind and venturing into the world of sweat and communal living is an exploration in which I am sure to learn a great deal about myself LOL.

I spontaneously booked the trip before my travel partners updated their facebook status to include jungle cockroaches and scorpions!! EEEEEEEEEP!!!!!

I’m looking forward to catching up to Sebastien’s little sister and her friend (who have been trekking around for 2 weeks already) because she’s a ton of fun and we get along really well. All in all I think this will be an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. Any opportunity to grow and learn is too valuable to pass up.

So wish me luck! I’ll take photos and try to keep track of distances travelled as best I can while I am away to report back after the 7th when I return.

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Soft serve for a steamy day

The hardest part about summer for me is the desire to grab a soft serve ice cream treat at every corner! I seriously LOVE ice cream!

A couple of years ago when I got a VitaMix blender (although a food processor works well too) I discovered the ability to make my own soft serve treats!

I LOVE strawberry ice cream and have made a vegan version for all my dairy free girls today. It tastes just as great as real ice cream and it’s WAYYYY healthier. You know it’s kinda my thing to find an alternative to the yummy foods that boosts their fitness appeal ;)

So without further delay, here is strawberry soft serve a la Sammie

Ingredients:

Frozen strawberries (you can also experiment with other frozen fruits and berries)
1 tsp vanilla extract OR some fresh pulp from a vanilla bean
Silk Soy Creamer
2 stevia packets
Dash of cinnamon (it’s like the “Franks red hot” in my nutrition, I put that ish on everything! LOL)

Place all ingredients in your blender or food processor.

Blend until smooth (you may need to stop to scrape sides/move the berries around.

Enjoy your cold treat! You can store in the freezer in an airtight container but be sure to bring it out shortly before serving to soften up!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

This is NOT MY Toronto

I’m shocked an appaled and horrified at the goings on in the city of Toronto today for the #G20 summit. The violence and vandalism is NOT a way to spread a message or make changes!

In an effort to shift the focus from the “rioters” (because they are NOT protestors) and deny them the media coverage and negative energy that they are so desperately trying to build my friend @AlexConde and I have started a campaign on twitter called #MyToronto.

#MyToronto is a forum on Twitter for you to voice what your city is really about! What we really love about Toronto and how amazing we really are! Let’s spread some positivity and take the power away from the anarchists!

Some remarks so far include:

In #MyToronto the only fighting we see on a Saturday night happens when watching Hockey Night in Canada

#MyToronto is street hockey not street riots

#MyToronto is full of love & empathy, not violence and chaos.

#MyToronto is @TorontoJazzFest not sound cannons

#MyToronto is diverse and peaceful

This is not my city. #MyToronto is built on respect, not riots

#MyToronto is full of good people who embrace everyone’s uniqueness

#MyToronto displays tolerance not tempers.

#mytoronto is about Serenity, not Stupidity.

#MyToronto encourages expression NOT extremism

#mytoronto will build more than anyone can ever destroy

#MyToronto is ice-cream on the front porch, from the truck that the kids chased down in bare feet

In #MyToronto Tim Hortons stores are treated like holy ground, not smashed

#MyToronto is enjoying a free concert at Dundas Square with friends.

#MyToronto wears black cuz it’s slimming not cuz it’s a coward

#MyToronto includes patio cocktails and dancing not molotov cocktails and looting

#MyToronto is a place where positivity and support is louder than violence and negativity

Share with us your view on #MyToronto! Let’s drown out the negative voices!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Weekly Challenge: Green and Lean

Okay ladies, this is it, the LAST weekly challenge!

It’s actually a really easy one, and some of you might be doing it already. Basically you MUST eat your BIG salad for dinner this last week. So no sugars, starches, fruit, just green stuff and lean protein after 4pm this week!

Be sure to eat some good oats for breakfast to fuel your day and make the decision not to eat starchy or sugary carbs after 4pm.

Reasoning….well since you are going to bed shortly enough after dinner you don’t need to “refuel” in the evening time. Your body can’t use large portions of carbs that we consume at and after dinner time as fuel before we sleep so it ends up getting stored as FAT overnight. You can still eat your carbs during the day though and PLEASE DO.

So give your digestive system a break at night and be a lean mean green fitness machine!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

I Miss YOU!!!

Oh my, how delinquent I’ve been! I miss all you ladies and I have to apologize for my tardiness with my blogging. As you probably know we hit 100 locations for July so I’ve been rather busy!

Regardless I wanted to write a post catching up on some info you might be waiting to hear before I commence regular blogging already.

Fit Dates – Will be on hiatus until the weekend of July 10th. This weekend is G20 (don’t get me started on that one) and next weekend is the Canada Day long weekend and I will be hiking the jungles of Guatemala so no Fit Date. However the 10th will be a super exciting one!

Bootyfication Challenge – We are almost at the end of the challenge. Tomorrow morning I’ll be posting your weekly challenge for you to constantly improve! Remember that you are to submit your photos the week of July 1st so stick with it the finish line is in sight!!

Thanks for your patience all my gorgeous followers! Sleep tight and I’ll see you in the morn’

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Do what you love!

I’ve reached a very important milestone in my life today! Booty Camp Fitness just launched it’s 100th location in Canada!!!

AAAAYYYYYYYYEEEEEE! Doin’ a little happy dance!

It’s been a 3 year journey to reach this point and I couldn’t be happier with my life. I’ve learned and grown a lot over the last 3 years. I’ve been through ups and downs, and now to be so fortunate to have 100 locations of my “baby” makes me feel so fulfilled.

I thought I’d share the top 5 things that I’ve learned over the years of development as a female entrepreneur.

Lesson #1: Do what you love

If there is one thing that I believe you MUST have for success in any area of your life it’s passion. It’s the one word that sums up everything I do. I even tattooed it on myself because it really says it all.

If you do what you love you will be able to find happiness, perseverance, willpower and drive to get you over the humps (and trust me there are humps) and make your dreams a reality.

I love working in fitness, I love exercising, I love inspiring other women, I love teaching other women how to take care of themselves and their bodies, I love boosting people’s self esteem, I love working with other incredible ladies, I love awakening passion in others. I LOVE MY “JOB”!!!

I mean where else do you get to do an ab workout in Hawaii??!


Lesson #2: Grow Grow Grow

“Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow”…by Sammie Kennedy ;)

I have grown soooo much over the last 3 years that people do not even recognize me anymore. There is a great deal of fear and unsureness when you start your own business. Over time you learn that every folly does NOT mean you will go bankrupt and that small failures are just feedback mechanisms. Every mistake gives you a chance to find a better way to do something so that you can improve the experience for customers, staff and everyone involved.

Mistakes and challenges are the exciting part about business. It means you’ve got to start thinking, building, brainstorming, and CHANGING (scary word for most people) to adapt and make things better. It’s where you get to step back and take a good look at what’s going on and get creative. If you follow lesson #1 that means FUN!

Lesson #3: Be true to YOU

I learned this lesson the hard way in life through a very negative relationship (which I am fortunately no longer in) and the lesson applies to business success as well. There is always going to be someone who has a plan FOR you and tries to change you, mold you and make you/your business what THEY want you to be. If you stay true to yourself there are no regrets and you will always be happy.

I’ve heard it said the best in a favorite song of mine “Details in the Fabric” by Jason Mraz. The line is “Hold your own, Know your name, And go your own way”. BINGO

Lesson #4: Surround yourself with positive people

There’s no “I” in Team. It’s so important to surround yourself with like minded, positive, supportive and passionate people. I attribute most of my success to the amazing team of women that I surround myself with daily (and to my incredible supportive boyfriend Sebastien). My staff exemplifies all these lessons and most importantly they are passionate about Booty Camp. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I cry more at my work out of laughter and joy than out of sorrow that’s for sure!

Part B of this lesson is to remove the negative people from your life. If you allow others to bring you down, well, you can only blame yourself for letting it happen. Negativity breeds more negativity and the same goes for positivity and happiness. You choose which team you want to be on.

Lesson #5: Work hard, play hard

Ask anyone who works for Booty Camp and they will confirm I live by this rule. At Booty Camp we celebrate our successes (big and small). We hold parties, we take the time to enjoy each other’s company. We hold conventions full of fun!

I feel that everyone who works WITH  me (NOT “for” me) should enjoy their jobs as much as I do. And I make it happen!

You only live once, make the most out of it!

Celebrate with friends ….

Take the time to do things you enjoy….

Laugh at yourself…..

And you will be authentically happy!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

G20 – The bain of my existence

I’ve got some sad, bad, bummer news for you ladies. G20 is officially interfering with my competition and I won’t be on stage on the 26th. I live in the “RED ZONE” :(

Basically in order to compete I’d have to move out of my house early next week because I won’t be going anywhere that weekend, a stress I am not willing to put on myself right before a show, and live out of a hotel.

On A Positive Note!

I will however continue to train and get ready for my photo shoot in July with the Bootyfication Challenge winner!

Since the winner will be decided in the first/second week of July  after I receive all my entries we’ll do the photo shoot mid to late July so that she gets a chance to prepare for the event!

I’m excited to be able to prep for this photo shoot, they are sooooo fun! I’ll most likely do a personal shoot that day too with my outfits I would have worn at the show so it’ll be a fun filled day!!!

As long as I still get to share this experience with you ladies with a goal in mind I’m a happy camper!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

STOP..step away from the scale!

Okay one of my, and EVERY personal trainer’s, pet peeves is the friggin’ scale! Far too often we see clients basing how they feel about their body on the NUMBER on the scale.

Really! Really? It’s a NUMBER!

Step away from the scale!

Here’s a concept. How about basing how you feel about your body on how you FEEL. Your energy, stamina, strength, or even….visible changes. Are your clothes fitting better? Do you look better? Is everyone commenting on how great you look? Then WHY, please tell me, WHY does that number affect your image SO much?!

Just so I’m not only ranting here I actually have a reason for this dissertation. When you begin a new exercise program it is not uncommon for you to actually GAIN weight. Now breathe, your body will adapt by increasing the lean toned muscle mass in your body, and guess what…muscle weighs more than fat! So while you can be losing inches and getting fitter your scale may not budge at all and even in some cases the number may go up!

It’s a common scenario to see someone who looks fantastic after a month of working out, has lost 10 plus inches, but beats herself up because the number on the scale has not gone down. What’s up with that!? NOT COOL

Are you going to let a number dictate how you feel about your progress? I say “Step away from the scale” and start listening to your body, and how your fitness affects your moods, energy and overall health.

Numbers have no power over you!

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Fit Date Cancellation

Sorry ladies, due to the weather forecast of rain and storms tomorrow we unfortunately have to cancel the filming of The Ultimate Home Edition DVD boot camp shoot. :(

We will be rescheduling for a date TBD in July so stay posted for that week’s fit date.

Always living with passion,

Sammie

Temporary cardio solution

So recently I decided that I needed a cardio solution in my home so that I could do my cardio while I blog, check emails, watch tv or chat with Sebastien. 2 hours of cardio can drag by so I need distractions for my cardio ADD.

Seb and I were driving in the car when I said with certainty, “I am going to find someone to rent me an elliptical or bike for a month till the show.”

His response was to laugh and reply, “nobody is going to rent you a cardio machine!” ….. to which I exclaimed, “that sounds like a challenge!” And I love me a good challenge :)

I returned home to do some “digging” online and it wasn’t too long before I found my answer at Home Health Canada.

They specialize in renting, swaping, and “rent-to-own” home cardio equipment for as low as $69 a month. I had to share because I think it’s a brilliant solution for anyone looking to “test out” having a system in their home or anyone who is preparing for a special event looking for a temporary solution to make their training regime easier to achieve!

I contacted them right away and now have a brand new lovely elliptical delivered and assembled in my living room temporarily YAY!

Additionally if you are interested in renting your own elliptical, bike or treadmill and you mention my name you will save 10% on your rental! So if you are interested please contact the staff at Home Health Canada.

Happy exercising!

Always living with passion,

Sammie