Category Archives: Fitness

52 Cards

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Today I reached day 17 of #100daysofworkouts.  I’ve been doing pretty good with this.  Even if I don’t “workout” per se, I count my time doing yard work and running errands all day long as movement-the ultimate goal is to just keep moving.

I was watching The Biggest Loser about a month or so ago and I saw Bob the trainer give his team a last chance workout in which they dealt out a stack of playing cards.  Each suite was an exercise and the number determined how many of each exercise they would do.  This looked like a great way to work up a sweat without having any equipment.  As long as you have a deck of cards, this workout can be done anywhere.

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When we do this at work we try to mix it up to keep from getting bored.  But pretty much it goes something like this: Hearts=Cardio (BURPEES!) Diamonds=Push ups or an arm workout (today we did tricep dips), Spades=Abs (in/out with our feet) Clubs=legs (squats today).  We used to do it so that 2 would equal two push ups, but we realized that was kind of a waste, so now we’ve decided that anything under 5, we add 10 to it.  So instead of two push ups, we do 12.  So much more challenging and effective.  I love this workout because you never know the hand you get dealt.  There was a time when we did 14 burpees, flipped another card and had to do 12 more.  Ass kicker!

For dinner tonight I make baked marinated salmon served with a kale salad.

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I marinaded the salmon in teriyaki sauce, red chili sauce, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, and juice from one orange.  I placed it in a tupperware container, shook it up and let it sit all day until I came home and baked it.  It was, in my opinion, the best salmon I’ve ever made.

For the kale, I mixed a bunch of bite sized pieces with 1/4 cup olive oil, sea salt, pepper, pine nuts, lemon juice from 1 lemon, lemon zest, parmesan cheese and cranberries.  Sooo good!  Normally when I make kale, I sautee it very lightly in a pan with olive oil, garlic and lemon but I prefer it not cooked-it taste a lot better that way.

People at work ask me why I eat kale over spinach and my response is, “Because it’s healthier!”  Here’s a link that goes a little bit more in depth about the benefits of eating kale.

So, I did something pretty crazy last night.  I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon post Madelyn!  I sat there and stared at the screen thinking, “Do I do this? Do I not?”  I’ve ran 3 1/2 marathons before this, so I’m not sure why I was so hesitant about this one.  So I did it anyway and I’ll be following an 8 week training program to a Tee.  I figure, it will help pass time while I’m away on my deployment and my goal is to beat my 1/2 marathon time of 2:25 which I feel is pretty doable.  Training starts in just a few weeks!  Until then, I’m focusing a lot on strength training in hopes of staying injury free.  I will be running the Rock N Sole Summerfest half marathon and I’m so pumped to run across the Hoan Bridge.

Any plans for a summer race or event? Hubs keeps talking about Tough mudder and other obstacle course races.  Tough Mudder is one that I won’t do, but I’m more than happy to donate money to the wounded warrior project without having to be electrocuted :-)

What’s Old is New Again

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I know I’ve talked about this before, but one of the perks of my  job is that we get an hour a day to workout.  Usually I will either workout at our little gym here on base or I will go to the high school up the road from us and run around the indoor track.  To fight the boredom of running indoors, I usually do a 1.5 mile warm up run followed by one lap sprints with a minute of strength training in between for the next mile.
Yesterday, a few of my co-workers and I decided to try Jazzercise.  Today’s Jazzercise ain’t your grandma’s class!  We jammed out to Usher, some Latin musica, and other upbeat and current hits.  It was so much fun.  It’s set up a lot like Zumba in that the instructor is in front of the class and you pretty much just follow a long with what she’s doing.  I actually found it easier to do than some of the Zumba classes I’ve taken.  Another plus that Jazzercise has over Zumba is that it incorporates strength training into the workout.  We danced for about a half hour and the rest of the class we focused on legs, arms and abs.  It was the perfect combination of all my favorite things.
I wore my HRM, which unfortunately kept cutting in and out, and it says that I burned about 364 calories-about the same that my Garmin calculated yesterday during my 20 minute run.  I’d much rather burn those calories by dancing and having fun than running around in a stuffy gym.  The class was $12 but they had packages and specials that you could choose to buy.  I might try to go near my house this weekend.
It’s finally getting nice enough here to run outside, so I’m looking into what races I want to train for this summer-but it’s good to change it up every now and then and try out some new classes.  I’ve decided to join the lovely Sarah, in #100daysofworkouts so I’ll be trying out a few different workouts to keep it interesting :-)

The Newest Bar(re) Addiction

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p57

If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know that I am a big fan of barre-based workouts.  When I lived in Chicago, I was addicted to going to Bar Method.  Even though the workout was challenging every single time and my legs shook like crazy, I loved the way it made me feel after.  I also loved it because I lost inches and toned up.

When I moved back to Wisconsin, I found a barre workout class at Danceworks-it was good but it didn’t really compare, especially for the price ($18 a class!)  Since then I’ve been on a mission to add more barre style workout DVDs to my collection.

I first read about Physique 57 on Gina‘s blog.  I didn’t think too much of it at the time because I was really into Bar Method and I just figured it was the same workout.  Well after a few weeks of doing the same Bar Method DVD, I was starting to get bored.  I needed a change of scenery, so when my grandma decided to send some birthday money my way, I knew just where I wanted to spend it.

When you log onto their website and read about the workout, it pretty much boasts the same thing that bar method does: small, isometric movements, a “lifted seat”, muscle burning and lengthening, etc.  Both P57 & Bar Method originated from the Lotte Berk Method, so the general idea of them are the same.  To start out, I ordered the Complete Physique 57 Kit Volume 1.  What’s nice about P57 is that they offer a free 30 day trial.  If for some reason you aren’t happy with the DVDs, you can send them back within the 30 days and you aren’t charged for them.  The kit came with an exercise ball & 3 DVDs (classic 57 min full-body workout, express 30 min full body workout, and Arm/Ab booster 30 minute workout).

As far as a workout DVD goes, I found Physique 57 so much more challenging than my Bar Method DVD. (I’d love to be able to compare in-class versions!) Instead of using 2 & 3 lb. weights that I would with Bar Method, I used 3 & 5 lb. weights.  My arms felt like noodles at the end of the “warm up”.  The thigh and seat section of the DVD is no joke.  I tried to keep telling myself that if I could make it through a natural birth, I could make it through this thigh set-it didn’t work…I had to stop and shake out my legs.  The music with P57 is more upbeat and I also liked how the DVDs seemed a little bit more up to date than the bar method DVDs.

The 30 minute full body DVD is a good one for when you don’t have an hour to dedicate to working out.  The arm portion isn’t as intense, but your legs, butt and abs still get an awesome workout (I was pretty sweaty 15 minutes into it).  The arms/abs booster is a good one to pair up with cardio.  Yesterday, I did some Zumba on the xbox and did the arms portion of the DVD.  I can still feel it in my arms today.

The reason I enjoy barre strengthening over other types of strength training is because it can be done at home (during Madelyn’s nap time), the weights you use are light but extremely effective, and it’s the only workout where I’ve seen a noticeable difference in my body.  I’ve taken body pump classes before at the gym, and although it’s a good workout I don’t find them as enjoyable.

Next fall, I hope to run the Chicago Marathon (EEK!)  and my goal for 2013 is to remain injury free.  In order to do this, I will need to make sure that I have to have a strong core, and thighs to help keep hips, knees and ankles in place.  So along with my regular running workouts, I’ll be incorporating barre more into my weekly workouts.  I’m excited and nervous about training for the full.  I think I’m more nervous about how I’m going to balance my time with a new baby than I am about the distance.  The good thing is, that by spring she will be old enough to go for runs in the jogging stroller and not just walks, so I can bring her with me on the easier days.  The long run days will be reserved for daughter/daddy time :-) I also have a BFF who wants to run it too!!! It’ll be nice to have someone to run with and to keep me motivated.

Anyone else have any 2013 fitness related goals? I’m not big of resolutions…only on how I’m going to make 2013 a better year than the one before.  2012 will be tough to beat though!

Take me to the Bar {A Giveaway!}

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I was first introduced to Bar Method by a co-worker of mine in Chicago.  I was looking for ways to change up my workout routine and get toned up for my wedding.  As tough as the first class was (even with 2 & 3 lb weights), I soon became addicted to this workout.  I quickly dropped my monthly gym membership and traded it in for a monthly Bar Method membership.  When I wanted a little bit of cardio, I either ran outside or hopped on the elliptical in our apartment gym.

After a few short weeks of going to class about 4 times a week, I began to notice changes in my body that no other workout has ever been able to give me.  My jeans fit better and my arms were quickly toning up.  In four months of going to class consistently, I dropped 10 pounds and lost a little over 6 inches from my body.  The biggest change came in my legs where I lost 2.25 inches from thighs.

Besides losing weight and inches, going to Bar Method also helped with the patella femoral syndrome that I had suffered from in my left knee.  All the core work and thigh work helped strengthen the muscles in my legs and hips and soon I was able to run pain free.

When I found out I was pregnant in December, I was determined to keep up with it as much as I could.  But after my first class of fighting through morning sickness, I decided to take a break from classes until I was feeling better and stick to the prenatal DVD at home.

The DVD did a great job of modifying the class.  Everything’s pretty much the same except they take out pushups {which I’ve continued to do up until the third trimester}, the abs portion involves propping yourself up with pillows, and the last bit of seat workout is done either standing or kneeling instead of lying down on your back.  Doing the pregnancy DVD on a regular basis has definitely helped with the lower back pain that I started to feel later on in pregnancy.  After a week of doing the workout just 3 times, my lower back & hip pain was completely gone and I started sleeping better (until the bathroom thing became an issue).  It’s also helped keep my arms and legs toned as my middle section continues to grow :-) And I’m hoping that all the core work will help with a quickly and easy delivery.  Not only has this workout helped me stay in shape through my pregnancy, but holding static movements and “staying in it” has helped me mentally prepare for dealing with contractions.  When you’re doing the thigh portion of the DVD, your legs shake uncontrollably and it takes everything in my willpower to not just stop and stretch them out.  I feel like if I can get through that, it will help make dealing with contractions a little easier (mentally at least).

Unfortunately, there are no Bar Method studios in the Milwaukee area.  There’s not even a barre style workout anywhere close, so I’ve become reliant on the DVDs.  They are all really challenging and comparable to taking an actual studio class.  But I do miss the personal style training that the teachers give you and the motivation that you get from going to the studio.  The teachers give you a lot of one on one attention to make sure that you’re doing the movements correctly and that you get the most out of your workout.  I miss the studio so much that a few weeks ago, I had debated on driving to Highland Park, IL to take a class.  Instead I stuck to the DVD.

What is The Bar Method? 

It integrates the fat burning format of interval training, the muscle shaping technique of isometrics, the elongating principles of dance conditioning, and the science of physical therapy to create a revolutionary new workout that quickly and safely reshapes your entire body. (source)

Want a chance to try this workout?  Visit the Bar Method website DVD section *Here* and find a DVD that interests you.  Then, leave a comment below telling me your favorite way to tone up and what DVD you’d like to try out.

Giveaway closes on Thursday, August 2nd at 11:59pm CST.  The winner will be announced Saturday morning.

Good luck!!!!

*Please note that The Bar Method in no way sponsored this post.  All thoughts and opinions in this post are my own :-)

34 Weeks-Staying Active while Pregnant

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tank from fortwofitness.com

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was determined to keep up my fitness routine for as long as I could. I’ve done a pretty good job of remaining active throughout my pregnancy, but at 34 weeks pregnant, things have definitely slowed way down over here.

In the first trimester, things pretty much stayed the same. Yes, I was nauseous and extremely exhausted, but exercise was the only thing that gave me energy. I continued to run, ride at Flywheel, shake it at Zumba, and participate in Bar Method classes as often as I could. I did tons of planks and worked my core every chance that I got when I learned that it is your core muscles that help with the pushing part of labor.

In the second trimester there was a lot more walking and a little less running, more Bar Method in studio classes in Chicago, and more Zumba. To keep from getting bored, I did a lot of interval/incline walking on the treadmill and downloaded lots of podcasts to listen to. My energy was back to normal, so much so that I even added in a EZ 30 minute Turbo fire DVD from time to time.

And then there’s the third trimester. The final stretch. Running has become a distant memory. Walks with intervals/inclines have been replaced with a more leisurely pace. Weight training, Zumba (1/2 classes) and Bar Method pre-natal DVD still remain in rotation.

Last Thursday, I Stormed the Bastille with my mom and a group of women here in Milwaukee. It’s a 5k run/2 mile walk that’s held in downtown Milwaukee on Thursday night before the Bastille Days festival kicks off for the weekend. I was really excited to do it because participating in a race is on my summer 2012 bucket list AND because it was my first ever night time race.

While we were walking around waiting for the race to start, I got lots of looks from strangers. Some were friendly and encouraging while other glances were the exact opposite. I had one guy say to me, “I know you’re not running this race, are you?” To which I responded, “No, I’m walking.” But what I wanted to say was “YES! And my goal is to win 1st place!” As I walked past an older woman standing around with her friends I overheard, “That’s the fourth pregnant women I’ve seen here. What’s with all these pregnant women thinking they can run?”

If you were active before you were pregnant, there’s no reason (unless your doctor tells you) to stop exercising. Pregnancy is not a time to be lazy and become out of shape. You’re carrying around a lot of extra weight and growing another human being, so this is the time when you should really try to be your healthiest. Not only do I mentally feel better after a good workout, but my body feels less sore, I sleep better at night and I feel somewhat normal in this new body shape. Even in pregnancy, I still have those days where I feel fat or “skinny” and working out helps with those “fat” days.

Besides feeling and looking good for yourself, exercise benefits baby too! Studies have shown that women who participated in a walking program vs. women who led a very sedentary lifestyle had lower blood pressure and lower cases of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.

Other benefits to baby?

  • Lower your risk of gestational diabetes by 27%
  • You may boost your child’s athletic potential
  • Smarter children
  • Can improve your baby’s ability to handle the stress of labor and delivery
  • Fewer complications during labor and delivery

    • I plan on working out as long as baby let’s me. With 6 weeks left until my due date, I’m feeling really good for the most part.

    How’s baby doing? baby’s grown to the size of an average cantaloupe. Baby weighs on average about 4 3/4 pounds and is about 18 inches long. Fat layers are filling out and the central nervous system is maturing. I feel like we are finally in a safe zone. Babies born between 34-37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. Or course we’d like baby to stay in a little bit longer, but it gives me some piece of mind knowing in the event of preterm labor, we’d hopefully be okay.

    How am I doing? getting very anxious to meet our little one and to find out if it’s a boy or girl! By next month, our lives will forever be changed for the better and I’m so grateful that I’ve had such a good pregnancy so far. As much as I’ve enjoyed feeling this little one squirm around, the hot summer days are getting to me and I’m ready for the baby. I’ve also been a lot more tired than usual. I can’t remember the last time I had 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I’ve been napping a lot more and taking it easy, listening to my body. I commend pregnant women who have other little ones to take care of!

    I’ll be back later this week with a little giveaway!

    Only 3 more weeks until baby is full term :-) CRAZY!!

My Version of the Perfect Tri

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Today I decided to shake things up a bit in the workout department.  Instead of the usual (walking, zumba,bar method or gym) I decided to give prenatal yoga a try.  My roommate from college talked about how she enjoyed taking it in California and thought that the classes help you with learning different coping techniques for labor, so I thought I’d give it a try.  It felt really good to stretch and it was nice to learn how to modify different poses (like tree pose), but I miss hot, sweaty yoga.  I miss chatarungas and downward facing dog.  It felt good, but it just wasn’t the yoga that I’m used to.  And at $20 a class, I think I’ll hold out for the Bikram yoga that’s located across the street.  My prenatal bar method DVD helps me plenty in holding certain poses until muscle fatigue which I think will come in handy on delivery day.  Just like the instructor has said in class, “Don’t give up when it gets too hard, you can’t give up on contractions!” True story.
Speaking of Bar Method, yesterday was a 3 workout kind of day.  I just had that much energy in me, so why waste it?  I don’t think it’s the “nesting” energy you get before you go into labor.  I think my energy came from the good night’s sleep I had gotten the night before.
I started off with a walk early afternoon/ late morning.  I wanted to redeem myself after the Summerfest fiasco and make sure that I was ready for my Bastille Days walk on Thursday.  I do so much better walking in tennis shoes at a fast pace than I do walking in flat sandals at a slow leisurely pace.  After my 2.5 mile walk outdoors, I came home snacked on some watermelon and popped in prenatal Bar Method.  Always a favorite of mine.  After I was nice and sweaty, I decided that a dip in the pool was a necessity.  It was nothing too crazy: I swam a few laps, treaded some water and did some handstands in the pool.  That’s right!  This 8 month prego was doing handstands in the water.  Let me explain my crazy behavior.  At my last doctor’s appointment the doctor she informed me that Baby C is in a breech position.  While she’s not worried now (I was only 32 weeks), she suggested that I do some exercises that might help baby get into a head down position while baby still has some room.  Handstands in the water was one of the things I read on the website :-)  
After meeting up with my girlfriends to see Magic Mike and my 3 a day workout, I slept like a baby.  It’s amazing what some exercise does for the pregnant body! My lower back pain last night was pretty much non-existent.  So walking, Bar Method, and swimming makes up my “perfect for me right now” triathlon.  I’d like to one day complete a real triathlon, but this will have to do for right now.  The only thing that makes me nervous about completing one is the swim.  The run and biking I have down, but it’s been a really long time since I’ve done any type of distance swimming.
Question: Have you ever participated in a triathlon? If so, what training program did you use?  If you could choose any sport/activity to make up your own triathlon, what would they be?  

Fun photo Friday-Fitness Motivation

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Happy Friday!  I decided that I wanted to start a Fun photo Friday project on my blog.  Every Friday, I’m going to post either a picturesthat I found via the web (like the one below) or a picture that I took and write a bit about it. 

I came across this one on Facebook.  I think it’s important to remember when setting fitness/weight loss goals for yourself to aim for “healthy & fit” and not just “skinny” because being skinny doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing for everyone and it doesn’t always translate to healthy.  I thought this was a good reminder :-)   20120518-105155.jpg

{Kick} Me Baby One more Time

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Happy Friday eve :-) Unfortunately, I don’t much of a weekend because of some military stuff, but I’m going to make the best of it.  I look forward to drills because it gives me time to catch up with people I only see once a month.

The mornings in WI have been really chilly.  This AM, when I went out to my car, the dashboard told me it was a crisp 28 degrees…definitely an oatmeal kind of morning.

I enjoyed some Gluten Freeda apple cinnamon oatmeal with a side of strawberries :-) Even though I do enjoy oatmeal, smoothie weather can come back any time now.

Today I decided to join a gym.  I’ve been without a gym membership for almost two years now.  Our apartment in Chicago had a fitness center and when I was working in Chicago I was a devoted Bar Method goer, so I couldn’t really justify the money for a gym membership.  When I started working Milwaukee, I worked out at our fitness center at work and went to a Zumba studio.  The fitness center at work doesn’t really have a whole lot and I missed getting a good quality/sweaty workout in.  Yesterday I tried out the YMCA and I decided that it wasn’t a great fit for me, even though I really like their family focus and with a little one on the way, that is somewhat important.  Today I worked out at another gym in the area and I found it to be a better fit.  This particular location I went to doesn’t have childcare, but one of the other gyms that is close to us does.  It feels good to be back at the gym and into somewhat of the old routine.

After my workout, I was left to fend for myself for dinner so I headed to an old favorite: Chipolte!  Did you know that they now offer brown rice?  Just one more reason to love them.

Last night I was reading one of my baby Apps and it told me that I was far enough along in my pregnancy that I would be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat with a stethoscope.  Lucky for me, my mom’s a nurse and she brought hers home to me.  I held it to my stomach and got nothing.  Later at night I decided to try it while I was laying down getting ready to go to sleep.  I still couldn’t hear the baby’s heartbeat but I heard something else:  KICKS!  I knew that’s what it was because at the same time I heard them through the stethoscope, I felt them in my stomach.  I held the stethoscope to my tummy and heard, “Thump!”  And I would press back on my stomach only to hear, “Thump! Thump!” The baby either enjoyed playing with me or was saying, “Knock it off mom, I’m trying to sleep!”  I could’ve had that baby kick me all night long just so I could’ve heard its little feet.  It was pretty amazing and made things even a little bit more real.  I still can’t believe there is still another human growing inside of me.  
We have our second ultrasound on Monday and I’m praying our little bundle of joy cooperates this time!  Last Monday did not go as well as we had hoped for.  I’m definitely going to make sure I eat something sugary right before I go in there and bring along some ice cold water.
   

My Running Epiphany

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After work today, I headed down to Milwaukee’s lakefront.  It was looking pretty bleak and I thought to myself, “Where are all the runners?  Am I crazy for wanting to run in this?”  Then I saw a runner and I thought okay, I’m not the only person wanting to get a run in on this freezing cold day.  Then I saw a man running in a t-shirt and shorts…he definitely won the crazy award.  

I parked at McKinley marina and started my run Lafayette hill by Alterra.  Nothing like jumping right in!  If anyone’s familiar with this hill, you know what a killer it can be.  The thing I love/hate about Chicago is that it’s so flat. Love because it’s great for speediness, hate because it gives me zero hill training.  Needless to say I had to walk for a few seconds when I was done running the hill…but hey, I ran it!  
When I set out to run today, I had no path layed out.  My initial plan was just to run, enjoy it, and look at some Christmas lights (and glimpse inside those big fancy east side houses).  I left my Garmin in the car, so I had no sense of how far I had ran since it’s been a while since I’ve ran this route.  After running for a while I found myself somewhere very familiar. 

My old stomping grounds.  It felt very nostalgic to be running around my old college campus.  It brought back lots of great memories and very little has changed in the past (almost) 4 years since I graduated.  As much as I enjoyed my time in college and the friends that I made, I’m very happy that that chapter in my life has closed.  I’ve grown up so much in the past 4 years and I can’t believe everything that I’ve accomplished after leaving school.  I must say, that I’m very proud of myself :-)

I’ve been struggling with trying to figure out my career and path in life.  I’ve been at a job that I don’t really care for for the past 3 1/2 years and tonight, I realized that my job does not define who I am.  My career doesn’t make me any better or any worse than anyone else.  I need to remind myself of this from time to time because I have a tendency to compare myself to others who have, should I say, “fancier” careers who graduated at the same time as me.  Sure, some people might have better paying jobs with distinguished titles, but are they happy? Did they run 3 1/2 marathons in the past two years or have a beautiful wedding to a wonderful husband? Or did they get to pet a camel in Qatar or swim the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey?  Yes, I’m not where I want to be job wise, but my life has been pretty damn awesome post college graduation. 

After I circled the campus, I started to run back to my car and spotted some nicely decorated houses on one of my favorite east side roads.

FYI, these pictures don’t do these houses justice.  Mother nature can bring on the snow any day now.  I’ve been patiently waiting.  After my run, I stopped by Whole Foods and stocked up on some hotel friendly meals for the rest of the week.  I was so happy when I found a rotisserie chicken meal for one:

I decided to give glutino’s frozen macaroni and cheese a go. Verdict? Eh.  So far, I’ve been really satisfied with all of their other gluten-free products that I’ve tried, but I wasn’t loving this.  I felt like it was missing something.  Tomorrow, I’m headed west for a home cooked meal and to spend some time with the ‘rents! Enjoy the rest of your evening, I’m off to drink so tea, read and then bed.

Frozen Tundra 100 challenge update: 10.37 miles complete; 89.64 left to go!

Oh, Snap!

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This past Saturday we got out of drill early because of the family Christmas party.  Because this is a rarity, LC and I didn’t know what to do with ourselves so I suggested we venture out to Sports Authority.  Damage done:   
 
New running shoes.  Hubs and a friend of mine swore by their Zigs and I was in the market for new running shoes with lots of ankle support.  These babies delivered.  I ran 3 miles outside today free of ankle pain.  Things are looking up and I think 2012 is my year for the Chicago marathon :-)   I really love these shoes.  They’re light in weight, yet offer a lot of support for my weak ankle.  Win & win.

 

Mondays around here are normally meatless, but tonight I was craving fish.  Inspired by How Sweet it Is, I created Gingersnap crusted salmon.  Deliciousness. 
Everytime I see gluten-free cookies at Trader Joe’s, I feel the need to purchase and try them.  I’ve finally reached my cookie limit.  The gingersnaps were my first purchase.  Although they were really good, I could only eat so many of them.  One day, I was browsing blogs & came across a recipe for gingersnap crusted salmon.  A solution for too many gingersnaps.    
source
Here’s how I made this awesome salmon.  I beat two eggs in a bowl and dipped the salmon in them.  I crushed up the rest of my gluten-free gingersnaps (about 10 cookies).  Seasoned with Mrs. Dash, pepper and sea salt.  Then, I baked the two salmon fillets  at 400 for about 30 minutes.  Served with rice & asparagus.  Perfect Monday night dinner, and now I know what to do with those leftover cookies (a rare occurrence in our house).  
I’m off to relax & watch Water for Elephants! I’ve been waiting since forever to see this movie! I loved the book so I’m hoping the movie doesn’t disappoint.  Have a great night!