#FitBlogNYC is a conference hosted by Fitness Magazine that brings together bloggers, awesome brands and inspirational and influential speakers for a great day filled with fitness, learning and fun. The event was held at the Mercedes Club in Manhattan, just like last year.

We started off our rainy morning with checking in and grabbing breakfast before getting started with the seminars. Breakfast was fruit salad, vegan scones and muffins and juice from The Squeeze.

The seminars began with a welcome from Fitness Magazine’s Editor-in-chief, Betty Wong. The first speaker was Holly Rilinger, former WNBA player and fitness trainer.

She shared some tips for fitness success:

• Work out smarter – not longer. Maximize the time you have and it is possible to get a good workout in 20-30 minutes if you work hard, especially using HIIT.
• When you plan out your weekly schedule, plan your workouts like important events. You wouldn’t just skip a work meeting or interview, so why do you just skip workouts?
• Make a dreamboard. Put the things you want to achieve in front of your face to remember what you really want.
• Sleep is as important as your workout. If you are working out and not getting enough sleep, you might just be wasting your time.

Next up was Dr. Marci Goolsby, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. She spoke about how to stay healthy in the hardcore world of marathons, mus runs and crossfit.

• Don’t go to fast. Ease into new workout and don’t ignore aches and pains.
• Learn the different between good pain and bad pain. Soreness and DOMS are normal, but if the pain you are feeling is causing you to limp, impairing your workouts and lingers it might be an injury.
• Working out during pregnancy is great – it helps mommy and baby during delivery and recovery. If you already workout then continue, if you’re just starting, ease into the new exercises.

The final speaker before lunch was Carla Hall, host of the TV show The Chew. She was the speaker that I was most excited about hearing and she kept us all laughing and shared some great tips for following your dreams.

• You know you have found your passion when you have your ‘Aha moment’ – you are working so hard but you don’t care because you are doing what you love.
• When trying to turn your passion into your career, work with people who are already doing it. See if you actually want to do it, don’t just quit your day job and hope for the best.
• When it comes to cooking, don’t over think technique. Use spices to add variety to your meals. You can make chicken 15 different ways by using different blends of spices.
• Her cooking philosophy is to cook with love. If you’re not in a good mood, the only thing you should be making is a reservation.

After hearing all the amazing speakers, we had some time to grab lunch and meet with all the different sponsors. The sponsors included Balance Bar, Dermalogica, Eddie Bauer, Hoka One One, Luna, Oster Versa, Pure Protein, Tonalin and Tria. We got to try some delicious green smoothies and protein shakes, practice our planks with Tonalin, get awesome shoes and tops from Hoka One One and Eddie Bauer and get some skincare advice from Dermologica and Tria.

Next, we headed for lunch, which consisted of two delicious salads, a huge spread on roasted veggies, grilled chicken and apple crisp cups. It was all soo good!

After lunch, we headed back for the last panel – My Digital Brand is My Business by Laura Sykora, Anne Mauney and Bianca Jade.

Their biggest message was to be authentic. Very often, bloggers lose their voice when trying to monetize and make money off their blog. Be yourself, work with other bloggers, not against them.

After the panels were over, there was a run with Hoke One One, but I had to leave early because I had to pick up the little man. Instead I headed to the exit and picked up my goodie bag. All of the sponsors were ridiculously generous and we all left with bags filled to the brim with goodies. A huge, huge thank you to all the sponsors!

I had an amazing time catching up with blogger friends and learning from some amazing women. I can’t wait until next year!

The post Fitness Blogger Meet and Tweet: #FitBlogNYC 2014 appeared first on Frolic Through Life.

I’m a firm believer that moderation is key to a healthy diet. Deprivation is not something that I have ever been good at, nor would want to practice. I mean, who doesn’t want to eat that cupcake, fro yo or chocolate? You’d be a liar if you said you didn’t! The two recipes I’m sharing today are on totally opposite sides of the health spectrum – one is packed with fresh greens, the other with sugar and butter, but both are equally delicious and part of a diet that is high in moderation!

Spinach and Kale Tomato Sauce with Shrimp

• 2 cups farm fresh spinach
• 1 cup curly kale
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup shrimp, cooked
• Italian Seasoning, to taste

On a hot skillet, saute the spinach and kale in olive oil, until wilted. Stir in crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Add in shrimp and seasoning. Allow to simmer until shrimp is pink and fully cooked. Serve over quinoa pasta.

Since my dinner was on the healthy side, I knew that I had room for a delicious treat! My parents came home from PA with farm fresh strawberries, eight pints of strawberries to be exact.

I made these muffins last year during strawberry season and have been craving them ever since.

Strawberry Muffins (recipe adapted from Heckman Orchards)

• 1/2 cup room temperature butter
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 cups all purpose flour [I’ve also made these with half whole wheat flour]
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup strawberries, halved or quartered

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pan with paper liners.  Cream butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg.  Blend in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Mix dry mixture into creamed mixture until well combined. Gradually mix in lemon zest and buttermilk. Fold in strawberries.
Spoon batter into muffin cups until 2/3 full and sprinkle with a little sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick placed in the center comes out clean.  Cool and enjoy!

Have a great Tuesday!

What’s your diet mantra?

The post A Diet High in Moderation appeared first on Frolic Through Life.