bex life

New Website Is Up! Go See It!

2011-09-28T14:24:00.002-04:00

Bex Life: Chapter 2

2011-07-06T11:43:00.004-04:00

Bex Life is expanding beyond any expectations I had when I started blogging about my wedding plans and posting my workout journals on YouTube. I've decided I need a better way to keep in touch with all you, all in one place.

I won't be blogging here anymore, but you're free to poke around all the older content... there's lots of good stuff here. I'm busy working on a new site, and BexLife.com will continue to run without interruption.

Facebook is always the best place to find me and chat me up everyday, and you can follow me on Twitter for all the in-between nonsense that pops into my head.

Ciao for now!

♥ EXPLORE: http://bexlife.com

♥ FOLLOW: http://twitter.com/GirlRucki

♥ LIKE: http://facebook.com/BexLife

♥ SUBSCRIBE: youtube.com/genghisgirl

Build My Chicken Coop - BeWellPhilly.com

2011-06-02T10:44:00.002-04:00

Click on the image to watch my "how to" video on BeWellPhilly.com

The Farmless Farmer

2011-05-29T00:18:00.001-04:00

The grocery store has become a very scary place filled with all kinds of confusing messages. Is "all natural" the same as "organic"? Which non-organic fruits and vegetables are ok to buy? What the heck is GMO? Consumers are taking notice of food labels more closely than ever and what they're finding has started a movement that is taking them out of the supermarket and sending them to their local farm.

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms are farms where a community of individuals share in its food production by purchasing "shares" or "memberships". Typically, the shareholders will turn out weekly to pick up their share of the harvest or even have an opportunity to pick their own crops. These farms have exploded in popularity in the recent years and often have long waiting lists of people wanting to get in on the local green action.

If you're not lucky enough to have your own piece of earth to farm (or even plant a modest garden), joining a CSA is modern multitasking greenie's dream. Not only are you getting fresh whole foods (that are often either pesticide free or certified organic), you're supporting a local farmer and helping to preserve green space. CSAs also offer a different type of "green" social networking that allows you to actually meet like-minded people in person - maybe while picking up your share, maybe while volunteering to help with the spring planting or weekly harvest.

My decision to join my local CSA with my family was an easy one. I want to see where my food is grown and know the people who grow it. I can witness firsthand the care and love that goes into every crop. My kids come along and get to pick their own greens which they're more than happy to help prepare for a meal that they'll want to eat - something that never happened when I brought the same food home from the grocery store. Getting my kids to actually eat something green is worth the price of admission alone.

This year, my own tiny dirt patch is home to only a couple tomato plants and some herbs. Every Saturday morning this summer will be spent 10 minutes from my house at a local farm with my husband and four kids picking up our weekly harvest of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and greens that I could only dream of having enough room to grow. I get to play farmer for an hour or two and leave all the hard work and mess for someone else. The share costs roughly $25 a week (prices vary from farm to farm), but the overall experience is priceless.

For more information on supporting local farms, check out LocalHarvest.org for a nationwide listing of farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food.

Stay Tuned For June

2011-05-24T13:08:00.004-04:00

Thanks for visiting my blog at BexLife.com. I've been on a short break from blogging to enjoy my family & new baby, but I'll be back in June with brand new adventures, workouts, and food tips!

Until then, please enjoy Baby Summer suffering through another "bored Mommy" episode:

Baby Borucki Blog: Summer Has Arrived!

2011-03-31T20:07:00.001-04:00

Some Love for Vintage Bex Life

2011-03-11T18:44:00.002-05:00

Things are mighty busy on the Borucki Farm as we prepare for the arrival of Spring and a new baby. Don't worry - I haven't forgotten you all. I'll be back with brand new videos, projects, giveaways, and TONS of updates on the family, garden, and all sorts of Bexy goings-on very soon.

There's been tons of new activity on my YouTube channel and a lot of great response to my workout videos. Thanks to everyone for their continued support of my mission of bringing simple healthy living to the masses. I also want to thank BeWellPhilly.com for featuring Bex Life on its front page once again! This time a vintage Bex Life video on how to grow your own sprouts was given a shout out.

Please be sure to "Like" Be Well Philly on Facebook and maybe leave a little comment on the story to show your love for Bex Life and healthy living... tell them I sent you! xoxo

Road Tested: My Favorite "Beauty" Buys

2011-02-10T09:44:00.002-05:00

I recently reviewed a couple of my very favorite health & beauty products for my friends over at TheRoadTested.com. Check out the link for a peek at my basketball belly and the heads up on a miracle stretch mark oil by Mama Mio Skincare. I also review my favorite green yoga mats by Jade Yoga.

Baby Borucki Blog: 32 Weeks

2011-02-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

I Love Mail & Wild Cucumber Designs!

2011-01-28T11:45:00.005-05:00

I'm like a little kid when it comes to getting the mail everyday. I'm the first to run to the mailbox to see if there are any surprises inside for me (frowning at bills but rejoicing in a new issue of my one of my many magazine subscriptions). Today I squealed with delight when I saw that my custom garland by Wild Cucumber Designs had arrived! Packaged sweetly in a padded envelope with custom cloth mailing label, my adorable handmade felt garland lay inside along with a personal note from the designer, Lindsey Moldenhauer. What an amazing, special baby gift for Baby Bex!

I plan on using the garland to decorate the "baby cubby" that we've built in our bedroom. It's a converted closet that we've opened up to fit the crib and some baby things until she moves into her own bedroom. The colors are perfection, and I love the little hearts thrown in here and there. Lindsey is a true earth-girl and chose a felt that was made in the USA from recycled plastic. She also makes lovely fabric wallets that she sells online in her Etsy shop.

Love Wild Cucumber, love Lindsey, love crafters! Check out Lindsey and her designs on Facebook and on Etsy.com. Read her musings on her blog.

Another Etsy crafter I'm loving at the moment is Aisha Khan. Her hand-beaded jewelry is just divine. I love the bracelet I purchased from her recently and plan to add many more of her pieces to my collection.

Time To Work That Core!

2011-01-25T22:31:00.002-05:00

Baby Borucki Blog: 30 Week 3D Ultrasound

2011-01-16T15:22:00.012-05:00

3D Ultrasound Performed at Bundle of Joy, Marlton, NJ 08055

Better Arms Now!

2011-01-14T20:12:00.001-05:00

Baby Borucki Blog: I'm Famous

2011-01-14T20:04:00.003-05:00

During one of my latest pregnancy freakout episodes, I decided that Justin needs to read more books about being a dad. My husband, being the amazing man that he is, rushed me to Barnes & Noble to pick up whatever books that would calm me down and make me feel secure. We picked up a copy of What To Expect the First Year and the Caveman's Guide to Baby's First Year: Early Fatherhood for the Modern Hunter-Gatherer. Genius.

Just as we were leaving the baby how-to section, I noticed a new edition of What To Expect When You're Expecting. I was excited to see that the cover model got an upgrade from the mumu-clad depressed looking mom sitting in the rocking chair on the cover of my 13-year-old edition. I made a remark about how cute she is and then quickly realized that I was wearing the exact same outfit. Yes, to my horror, I actually look like a mom now. It's been verified in print.

Baby Borucki Blog: 28 Week Midwife Visit

2011-01-07T18:07:00.002-05:00

This visit to my midwife was a little bit of a rude awakening. My second trimester was textbook "what not to eat" and the scale definitely showed it. I'm happy to say that the arrival of my third trimester has brought with it the end of cravings for bad-for-me foods and that my love of fruits and veggies is back.

It's also time to start preparing for the home birth by picking up some supplies! Right after the visit, we trekked over to Target to pick up a big plastic bin to fill with everything I'll need for the delivery. I also ordered my custom "birth box" online. I've never been so excited about medical supplies. In fact, I've never been excited about medical supplies until now.

I'm also announcing a brand new giveaway especially for moms & kids in this pregnancy diary entry, so watch it all the way through for details!

Baby Mama Yoga 3

2011-01-07T18:02:00.000-05:00

Fast & Easy 10-Minute Core Workout

2011-01-03T15:07:00.001-05:00

Baby Mama Yoga 2

2011-01-03T15:06:00.002-05:00

Baby Borucki Blog: Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T15:01:00.000-05:00

Baby Borucki Blog: Tennessee Belly

2010-12-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

taken in our Nashville hotel room - Nov 20, 2010

Yoga Class 4 Life

2010-12-05T05:58:00.003-05:00

Strala Yoga has launched a new blog featuring teacher & student bloggers, news & events, and everything else "Stralan". Tara Stiles has asked me to contribute, so I came up with an exclusive vlog, Yoga & The Modern Girl. This series is meant to be a lighthearted take on lessons I've learned in yoga and how I've applied them to my crazy-busy-real life. I'll explore topics like sleeping, sex, shopping, organization, and more - all while (hopefully) making you smile.

You'll find the complete Yoga & The Modern Girl playlist below. Check back for more videos and semi-practical insights from yours truly. xo

Come see me @ Strala!

Gifted: Santa, Bring Me Some Fitness!

2010-11-30T09:26:00.001-05:00

a shot of what I want for Xmas - read the full story here

Baby Borucki Blog: November 28, 2010 - It's A Girl!

2010-11-28T14:08:00.003-05:00

from our sonogram on November 8, 2010

Baby Borucki wore #92 in her second 5K on Thanksgiving Day, 2010

Baby Borucki Blog: Running For Two

2010-10-31T09:18:00.006-04:00

It turns out that Baby Borucki actually likes to run. I joined my neighbor and a friend for another Philadelphia YMCA-sponsored 5K on Halloween weekend. The Skeleton Skurry took us through the adorable neighborhood surrounding the Hatboro YMCA and hosted over 600 runners, many of whom came in costume.

It's important for me to stay in shape during this pregnancy, so I'm maintaining with short runs like this and LOTS of yoga. I'm enjoying the break from my regular workouts, but part of me can't wait to get back to hitting the weights after the baby comes.

Justin and I have also been getting out for some long walks and hikes. We took a little overnight trip to the Delaware Water Gap recently to hike Mount Tammany and spend the night at The Deerhead Inn, a local bed & breakfast.

I managed to make it up the Red Trail and down the Blue Trail (a 4-mile round trip hike reaching a peak of 1500 vertical feet), but it took about double the time of my last hike up the mountain last year. Pregnancy has slowed me down but hasn't taken me out. It's important for me to read my body's cues of when to slow down, but I can't let the baby give me an excuse not to exercise at all. It's as important for the baby as it is for me to maintain my health, stamina, and endurance for the physical stresses of childbirth and raising a newborn.

Now it takes a full day of rest after a race or a big hike like this, but it's always worth it. I feel so good about myself and my body. Physical exercise works wonders for the self-esteem, which is often challenged while going through a dramatic body-changing event like pregnancy. Big accomplishments, like reaching the top of a rocky mountain, give me something to celebrate beyond the baby - something to celebrate that came from my efforts alone.

So now I have another badge and t-shirt to add to my race collection, and I'll keep putting 5Ks on the agenda (though I'm sure I'll be going a bit slower with each race) - next up, the Thanksgiving Day "Gobble Wobble"!

Meet Me On The Mat!

2010-10-19T10:00:00.001-04:00

I now have a permanent weekly gig at Strala Yoga in New York City. Join me every Saturday for my 9:30AM Basics class or my 4:30PM Relax class. If you can't make it on a Saturday, check in with one of the other fabulous teachers on the schedule below (click image for larger view). Note: the weekday 4PM class is now FREE!

Baby Borucki Blog: October 5, 2010 - Midwife Visit!

2010-10-05T16:53:00.001-04:00

Baby Borucki Blog: September 28, 2010 - Day 100

2010-09-28T17:48:00.003-04:00

Philadelphia Magazine: BeWellPhilly.com

2010-09-17T13:26:00.003-04:00

I was approached recently to contribute to Philadelphia Magazine's daily guide to health & fitness, BeWellPhilly.com. I'm so excited to be working with them to spread the word on diet & exercise to the local community.

In addition to contributing my "You Have 4 Minutes" YouTube series, I'll be writing about my personal fitness life as well as current news in health & fitness.
Cool things are happening!

Clean Program Interview

2010-09-13T19:12:00.000-04:00

I sat down in July with John Rosania from the Clean Program to talk health, fitness, and the Bex Life-style. We had so much fun working out in the rain in Central Park and sharing tips and tricks on gardening and green juicing.

Baby Borucki Blog: August 24, 2010

2010-08-24T07:42:00.001-04:00

It's pretty mind-boggling how something so small can pack such a big punch, but my inch-long baby is really kicking my butt and making me slow WAY down. I've been working out a lot less and focusing more on yoga, eating well, and getting as much rest as possible.

I'm starting a new series of Baby Mama Yoga videos on youtube featuring easy, strength-building routines for wobbly beginners and pregnant women. Here's my first video along with a video of my first sonogram!

Baby Borucki Blog: August 14, 2010

2010-08-14T07:07:00.005-04:00

It's kind of out of control how this blog has been such a perfect timeline for the recent giant events in my life. If you go all the way back to the first entry, you'll see my "Save The Date" for our wedding. As I prepared for my wedding I found inspiration to start a diet & fitness diary about my personal fitness journey, and soon after I launched into a full-scale career in fitness - following my dream of wanting to inspire others to live a healthy life and raise healthy families. Today, I'm writing my first blog about being PREGNANT! It's been a pretty incredible two years.

Hello Baby Borucki

I suppose I'll just update you all from time to time about big events, post belly pictures, and list endless complaints and swoons about being preggers. I'm quite a bit older than the first time I was pregnant and the experience is already proving to be very different. This already feels like a completely unique experience, so I'm excited to share all the twists, turns, and tumbles with you all.

A lot of amazing opportunities are surrounding the news of this pregnancy. I'm helping to put together Strala Yoga's first ever pregnancy & childbirth workshop with Lindsey Bliss, and I've been invited to make a pre-natal consultation video with Dr. Fred Bisci, for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect. I'm also starting a new yoga teaching practice at Strala in the Fall... I hope to see you there if you live in the NYC area!

Life has been amazing and busy and fabulous. I was so caught up in yoga teacher training and work in July that I didn't even realize that my cycle was two weeks late! It was truly an unexpected happy miracle...

I have big plans for this pregnancy, which will likely be my last. I've learned so much more about holistic living, health, and wellness since giving birth to Winona, Calvin, and Jack. I want to use that education to give my family and myself the best experience possible.

I'll be working with midwives instead of an obstetrician this time and we're considering a home birth. Justin and I have big ambitions on a natural childbirth and lot of mental and physical preparation will go into making that as wonderful an experience as possible. I will continue my organic whole foods high-raw diet throughout my pregnancy (though cravings and crankiness have ushered in some old bad food habits), and I'm planning on exercising and staying fit up until the day Baby Borucki arrives.

Pregnancy Notes

It's been a rough first trimester so far... my energy is low, my stress level is high, and I've been sicker than I can ever remember being with any other pregnancy. I'm not sleeping well which leaves very little energy for exercise other than yoga. I'm hoping that this will pass as I enter the second trimester and I can get back to the business of Bex Life and new projects.

I'm meeting with Dr. Bisci this Monday and I know that will get me back on my nutritional track. And I'm happy to say that I've successfully gotten dairy ice cream out of my system. No matter what my heart and hormones think they want, my belly and digestive system say differently.

My favorite pregnancy goodies so far have been...

a book by Deepak Chopra that my daughter, Winona, picked up for me from the library: Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives
the most amazing and comfortable pants from lululemon (which I've been wearing everyday): Dance Studio Pant II

When I start my nutritional plan I'll update you on all the health products I'm using and how I like (or don't like) them. I'll also be posting my favorite healthy baby items like carriers, strollers, cloth diapers, feeding products, and more.

Justin and I are over-the-moon with excitement for this pregnancy and the arrival our new little bundle. For daily updates and interactions with me, please head over to Facebook and "like" my page: Rebekah Borucki: BexLife.com

Blast That Post-Baby Belly!

2010-08-04T17:10:00.004-04:00

It would happen that as soon as I find out that I'm pregnant, I get a avalanche of requests for workouts to tighten the core and slim down that post-baby belly. So just when I'm ready to let it all hang out, I have to take one for the team and show my ladies how to beat that tummy pooch into submission! While the baby is safe in it's tiny bubble, I'll try to get as many of these out to you that I can. After that, it'll be all about big exposed Bex belly and pre-natal workouts until April 2011...

Bex Life Is Growing!

2010-08-04T15:24:00.002-04:00

Baby Borucki: Coming Late-March 2011

Bex Life: Profiled...

2010-07-28T12:13:00.002-04:00

I was given the amazing opportunity to guest-blog about "4 Days In the Life of Bex" for WeLikeItRaw.com. Check out my profile here:

"He Lived, and Let Me Watch Him Do It..."

2010-07-28T12:06:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite quotes on parenting is "My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it." My kids never want to practice yoga with me when I ask. But then this morning while I was uploading files from my camera onto my laptop, I found this video that Jack made without me knowing. He'll be 7 tomorrow.

Please excuse the renovation mess...

Road to Raw: Facts About the Raw Food Diet

2010-07-21T08:24:00.000-04:00

The Yoga Diaries: Teacher Training at Strala

2010-07-21T08:19:00.003-04:00

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 9

2010-06-27T17:26:00.001-04:00

Summer Update + eBook Preview

2010-06-27T17:14:00.005-04:00

This summer is going to be CRAZY busy. I have two huge projects planned for July and August and teacher training at Strala Yoga with Tara Stiles and her husband, Michael Taylor. I'll be vlogging weekly about yoga during the month of July as part of my teacher training. I've also teamed up with Rob Costello of Raw Food Naturals and Danielle Charboneau to bring you a 21-Day Raw Food & Fitness Detox, Road to Raw. This will be a HUGE project that you'll definitely want to check out. I can't wait to share these projects with all of you!

My latest eBook is a collaborative effort with Certified Nutritionist Marlena Torres of The Sunshine Center. It will feature seven video workouts and seven days of a complete "raw transition" meal plan with recipes. Click on the image of my new eBook for a preview on BexLife.com.

my newest eBook - coming August 1, 2010

Hoagie to 5K: Justin Runs His First Race

2010-06-23T21:32:00.008-04:00

As some of you may already know, this blog started as our wedding blog. The first post was our "Save The Date" and longtime followers have seen us through the entire wedding planning process, the transition from engaged couple to blended family, and our personal journeys as a couple and as individuals.

This blog is now completely dedicated to my latest passion, "Bex Life", and all of the elements of my message... fitness, family, and urban farming. I started my journey toward better health on my own, but over the years Justin has been an amazing source of support for me. If he's not cheering me on, he's right there next to me - working out, taking pictures, helping with video.

Yesterday marked a monumental moment in Justin's own fitness journey. On the single hottest day in New Jersey in two years, when you could drink the humidity out of the air, Justin ran his very first 5K race! Without a single stop, he made it through the entire race and crossed the finish line in under 39 minutes... a very impressive first try. He wants to call his new fitness plan "Hoagie to 5K". (For those of you who don't know, a hoagie is the regional name for a sandwich on a long roll... a hero, sub, grinder, etc.)

I wanted to cross the finish line with Justin, so I doubled back and ran and extra mile to run with him

I am also very proud of another member of our "team", Heather, who I met just a couple months ago when she asked for my help on Facebook, and who is now training for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon in the spring in Disney World! My neighbor, Aisha, also ran with us and made her best time ever at 29:30!

Aisha, Heather, and me after the race

One of my favorite quotes is "Be the change you want to see in the world." This applies to our little worlds as well - our homes. When you lead by example, your followers (and family) will not only listen to you, but they'll also respect and want to be like you. You can't nag someone into being a better person. With children it's all about discipline balanced with love. With a spouse it's about mutual respect and giving room to grow. We made a commitment to ourselves to run this race, to show up for life, and to show up for each other. And we did it... together.

we love to run, but we love running with each other more

Cluck Med: Our Chicken Spa

2010-06-23T21:13:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've had a proper chicken update, and there's so much drama in the coop! Two of my three Silkies have grown up to be little roosters... this means they have to go. We'll make sure to re-home them properly to a no-kill situation, but until then we have two new little chicks to keep our girl Silkie, Terry, happy. We haven't named the little girls yet, but we're open for suggestions!

Bex Life Fan Photos: Honk If You Love Me!

2010-06-03T21:07:00.002-04:00

I am constantly amazed and inspired by the love I get back from the people I share knowledge with. When you give just a little, you get loads back in return.

A woman I started helping a little while ago has my website displayed on her car as a surprise "thank you"! She just ran her first ever 5k on Memorial Day and is running the Disney Princess Half-Marathon in 8 months (and has already registered for a 5K with me in two weeks)... she's also making a green juice everyday, eating right, and feeling amazing... now SHE is an inspiration to ME!!

Woo Hoo! My Workout Download Is Ready!!

2010-06-01T19:21:00.011-04:00

My first downloadable PDF eBook is finally ready! It's packed with over a dozen home workouts, links to my videos for demonstrations of each exercise, a link for an EXCLUSIVE real-time no-equipment workout video, healthy shopping guides, and MORE!♥

As a special bonus to everyone who buys the download in June, I'll add you to a list to automatically be entered in EVERY future BexLife giveaway & contest!

"Pinkwashing": Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

2010-05-18T09:20:00.004-04:00

By now, most people have seen the KFC Pink Bucket Campaign ads or heard about the controversy surrounding the partnership between Susan B. Komen For the Cure and KFC to raise money for breast cancer research through sales of pink buckets of chicken.

If you're not outraged by this partnership, you should be. Please follow the links below to informative articles, worthy organizations, and websites that outline how you can help express your opposition to this partnership.

Greed, Cancer, and Pink KFC Buckets by John Robbins, Diet For A New America

Breast Cancer Action: the organization mentioned in John Robbins article

Think Before you Pink

Tell KFC and Komen to stop the pinkwashing! Send your letter of protest.

I sent my letter of protest to Susan B. Komen For the Cure and received this form response:

My First 5K: 80% Of Success Is Showing Up

2010-05-08T20:20:00.003-04:00

It's not about skill. It's not about will power. It's not even about motivation. It's about showing up. Nothing can be accomplished if you don't show up first. I tied up my Nike sneakers and just did it.

Channeling my inner superhero to run my first 5K...

Watch This Movie: "The Yes Men Fix the World"

2010-05-07T13:23:00.001-04:00

I don't have a lot of time to write about this amazing little gem of a movie that champions activism-by-grand-hoax. However, I do have time to tell you to watch "The Yes Men Fix the World" now!

Read the review by the New York Times: All Suited Up for Mischief, to Rumple Stuffed Shirts

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 8

2010-05-07T13:11:00.002-04:00

What are the benefits of getting out of the gym and taking your workout outdoors? Find out in my latest 4-Minute video. I use a Gymboss Timer for all my interval workouts.

Watch This Movie: "I Want To Look Like That Guy"

2010-04-30T08:27:00.010-04:00

Little frustrates me more about the health & fitness world than those misleading ads for the newest diet pill, workout system, or miracle supplement that promises that if you use it you'll look just like the model on the packaging. At best, it's misleading. At worst, it's a complete lie.

The truth is that the fitness models and bodybuilders used in those ads have literally made it their jobs to sculpt the "perfect" muscular physique. I'm not saying that it's an unattainable goal to look like them, but it is much more work than most people could ever imagine.

"I don't care if you fall down. I don't care if you faint.
Stick to your nutrition." -Jeff Willet
I've always said that bodybuilding is more about looks than health. The men and women who compete in fitness and bodybuilding competitions put their bodies and minds through what some might consider torture to look the way they do... often risking injury and internal health.

I Want To Look Like That Guy is the true story of an independent filmmaker and "Average Joe", Stuart MacDonald, who takes on the seemingly impossible task of transforming himself into a competitive bodybuilder. His trainer is Jeff Willet, IFBB (International Federation of Body Building and Fitness) Pro.

This movie is so great for so many reasons. It serves as a caution to consumers of diet products, it shows people that the only real way to achieve your fitness goals is through hard work and SWEAT, and it's an inspiration to every "Average Joe" who thinks they can't transform their bodies into something really incredible. I'm suddenly inspired to possibly train for a fitness competition... something that I thought was beyond my reach as a busy mom of three.

Watch this movie. Here's the official trailer:

Our Silkie Chicks: From "Awww" to "Oh My!"

2010-04-26T10:34:00.001-04:00

What happened to our sweet adorable babies? Adolescence! Below are pics of our Silkie babies when we first brought them home from the farm, and then pics of the chicks today. Their peach fuzz is nearly all gone, their big-kid feathers are coming in, they're gawky and awkward and -yes, I'll say it - a little hideous.

We call this stage the "dinosaur phase". The chicks look less like birds and more like their dinosaur ancestors... long legs, skinny necks, and stumpy little wings. You can see the beginnings of their feather crests appearing on the tops of their little ugly heads. Coconut, Bob, and Terry have a long way to go before they turn into beautiful Silkie adults, but I have to admit that I just love ugly animals!

Book Review: Awesome Juice Recipe Guide

2010-04-25T18:08:00.010-04:00

Thank you to my super-client, Kim, for bringing this book to my attention... and a GIANT THANK YOU to my Facebook and new-to-juicing friend, Heather, for getting it for me as a gift (I love presents)! This is the most no-nonsense, easy-to-follow recipe book for green juice that I've seen. It's packed with photos and (even cooler and more exciting) categories listed by benefits, so you know which juice to choose for what purpose.

I love, love, love this book! Buy The Top 100 Juices: 100 Juices to Turbo-Charge Your Body with Vitamins and Minerals now! And did I mention that the cover is PINK & ORANGE?!

Need a juicer? I recommend these (listed in order - GOOD, BETTER, BEST):

BexLife.com Review

2010-04-24T13:09:00.006-04:00

Every once in a while I stumble upon a product or gadget that makes my very busy life SO much easier, and this gets me extremely excited.

Now that the weather is warming up, I've been taking more client workouts outdoors and even making my videos in my neighborhood park. Lugging all my home gym equipment to the park is totally out of the question, but now I have a brilliant alternative.

Check out the videos below for demonstrations of the Myosource Upper and Lower Body Kinetic Bands and my favorite Tabata tool, the Gymboss Interval Timer:

You can purchase the timer by clicking on the product link at BexLife.com.

Veggie Winona

2010-04-17T07:48:00.005-04:00

I guess that it was an inevitability that the kids would start wanting their own YouTube gigs once they saw how much fun I was having making videos. My oldest, Winona, just started her very own YouTube channel for vegetarian kids and is making video demonstrations of super-easy vegan and raw recipes that kids can make on their own.

Bex Life Contest!

2010-04-05T19:53:00.003-04:00

Healthy is Sexy: Chats w/ the Stars

2010-04-05T19:48:00.001-04:00

I've started a new series of short interviews with some amazing people I've met on my journey to living fit. The playlist is below and will be updated automatically when a new interview is posted. Stay tuned for lots of big names in the world of fitness and entertainment.

Spring Garden Tour

2010-03-28T13:09:00.003-04:00

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 7

2010-03-28T08:31:00.001-04:00

I took it to the park for my latest installment of my 4-Minute series. For 4-Minute Tabatas on-the-go, I recommend using the Gymboss Interval Timer. Special thanks to GetFitGamer for the voiceovers.

The Spring Babies Are Here!

2010-03-25T15:25:00.002-04:00

We just brought home our new baby chicks last night, and we're so excited to have little ones around again!

Join us in welcoming our new Silkie chicks, Coconut, Bob, and Terry to our backyard chicken family!

2-Week Raw Challenge: Update & Playlist

2010-03-20T22:52:00.001-04:00

You can view my entire "75% Raw Challenge" video playlist below. New videos will automatically be added to the playlist as the challenge goes on. The last day of the challenge is March 26, 2010.

Our Vegetable Garden & New Traditions

2010-03-20T22:14:00.002-04:00

To celebrate the first day of Spring, Justin and I have started a new tradition of starting seeds for our vegetable garden. We picked up a Burpee seed starter kit from our local flea market and seeds from Home Depot. If all goes well, we'll be planting them in our vegetable beds around Mother's Day... wheeeee!

2-Week Raw Challenge: Day 3 Recap

2010-03-15T11:00:00.003-04:00

Our Backyard Chickens: The First Year

2010-03-12T11:16:00.003-05:00

My 2-Week Raw Food Challenge

2010-03-11T16:40:00.001-05:00

It's the day before I start my 2-week raw food challenge and the perfect day to hit the local farmer's market for some fresh fruit and veggies. It was a balmy 65 degrees in New Jersey today, and everyone came out to play - the chickens, the bunnies, the deer...

I spent a total of $41 on my food items and then splurged on some camping and gardening supplies. I can't wait for Spring!

My original YouTube challenge response:

How to Build a Home Gym for $199 (or less)

2010-03-10T13:07:00.005-05:00

Take a Hike 2010: Wilderness Workout

2010-03-08T08:17:00.001-05:00

I'm a creature of change... that means I get bored - fast. If I'm not changing my workout all the time, I can't bring myself to do it. This video documents Justin's and my very first hike of the season. We're in the NJ Pine Barrens, running amok, hanging from trees, and building illegal campfires (no worries, we put it out).

Watch for a special appearance by Sasquatch at the end of the video :)

Vegan Pirate Peanut Butter Cookies... and Hats

2010-03-04T00:39:00.003-05:00

Of course I would turn my very first ever attempt at baking cookies into a video. So there was no practice run, no tasting, and certainly no planning... the perfect recipe for a big mess. Surprisingly, my little vegan cookies turned out quite good. Thank you, Facebook Friend Michelle, for the yummy and EASY recipe - so easy, even a Bex could do it. Thank you to Jack-Jack for being my awesome assistant. And thank you to Winona for pretending to love peanut butter cookies and wearing your brother's hat for the sake of my video.

Calvin's Directorial Debut

2010-03-02T18:50:00.001-05:00

Jack Can Juice!

2010-02-25T23:04:00.013-05:00

My favorite vegetarian/vegan cookbooks for kids:

The juicer in the video is our 12-year-old backup juicer {which I will never get rid of, because for some weird reason I'm attached to it like my favorite childhood teddy bear). If you're looking for a great juicer at a reasonable price, get one of these:

Superhero Workouts: My 200th Blog Entry!!

2010-02-23T10:43:00.005-05:00

I'm celebrating blog entry #200 by sharing my brand new fitness series:

300 Rep Superhero Workouts
These workouts focus on all the major body areas and parts or your workout routine... upper body, lower body, core, warmup, & cardio. I'll be adding new videos all the time, so check out my YouTube channel and SUBSCRIBE!

Happy Birthday, Winona Frances!

2010-02-22T10:15:00.007-05:00

Today, you turn twelve...

The Day You Were Born: We named you Winona Frances... Winona means "first daughter" and Frances is after your father's grandmother, Nanny Frances. We were both babies... I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew you deserved the best. I read every book - learning all that I could, carried you everywhere, nursed you around the clock, and slept with you by my side. Your love saved my life.

Our Last Days of Just Us: Your little brother was on the way, and I would cuddle you close every night cherishing our last days together... just you and me. I know we have so many special "just you and me" days ahead, but sometimes I wish I could go back to those days of quiet time alone, Blues Clues, and stroller walks through New Dorp to the comic book store.

Your First Birthday: I loved making special birthdays for you. This one was an African animal theme... everyone had to dress up in animal print and you wore a traditional African outfit. Your favorite things were Disney movies, Blues Clues, and dollies.

Girl Time: The two of us at your Aunt Tracy's bridal shower. I love getting dressed up and having girl time with my Winona! One day I'll be planning your bridal shower and helping you with your wedding. Can you grow up and stay little at the same time? Please?

Today: You're growing up so fast... getting more beautiful everyday. Your personality and ideas are your own. My dreams for you have been replaced by your dreams for yourself. I struggle with wanting to keep you close and allowing you to find your own way. You are an amazing young woman. I love you forever. -Mommy

Fitness Photo Shoot

2010-02-20T15:22:00.001-05:00

I wanted to get some updated photos of me for promo use, so Justin was nice enough to set-up the dining room for a mini photo shoot. The photos came out great, and I was finally able to get my "fitness goddess" pic I've been wanting to make.

Train to bring out your inner-goddess at YouTube.com/genghisgirl

Bex Life Fan Photos: Fit Kids!

2010-02-15T14:27:00.003-05:00

Photos sent to me by a mom who does my online workouts... her kids like to workout along with her, and here they are watching me on the laptop. So ADORABLE!

Valentine's Day: Borucki-Style

2010-02-14T23:34:00.005-05:00

Instead of buying gifts for Valentine's Day, we have made a tradition of making hand-made gifts for each other each year. This year, we're making something together... a shadowbox craft featuring our "future cabin in the woods" and little trinkets representing things we love as a couple. We had a ball picking out cheesy goodies in Michael's Crafts, among them a winter cabin paint-by-number. Besides almost blinding ourselves trying to paint tiny little numbers with what seems to be nineteen different shades of the same color blue, we're having fun working together on a new project. I can't wait to show you all how it turns out!

Borucki Fan Photo: Mr. & Mrs. Fitch Billboard

2010-02-14T15:54:00.000-05:00

Spotted by our dear friend, Tina, on the corner of 43rd St. & 8th Ave in Manhattan:

Chickie Fan Photo: Baby Sophie

2010-02-13T21:39:00.006-05:00

I'm beginning to think that my chickens, or "chickies" as Jack refers to them, have more fans than I do. My neighbor and very enthusiastic chickie-fan, Tiffany, sent me these adorable pics of her friend's baby, a brand new baby chickie fan, admiring my eggs before her family ate them all up.

Bex + Strala Yoga = Fitness Outlook Upgrade

2010-02-13T21:00:00.003-05:00

Strala Yoga
Tara Stiles on YouTube
Chirag Indian Cuisine

BasketBall & the Boys

2010-02-08T08:10:00.003-05:00

Blizzard Chicks

2010-02-06T14:46:00.002-05:00

This video was made during today's Nor'easter

Fitness Diary: Love For Bex Life!

2010-02-04T18:08:00.005-05:00

Tara Stiles gave me a shout out in one of her latest videos. It totally made my day, and I have big plans to visit her studio in the very near future...

Free Willy

2010-02-03T08:20:00.006-05:00

Mornings are very noisy in the chicken coop with all the egg laying going on, but it's rare that we hear noise coming from the girls after dark. Last night, when we heard a ruckus going on in the coop, we ran out to see what was happening.

Meet Willy, our new opossum friend:

Our attempts at capture were unsuccessful (and quite comical), but at least Justin got a good photo.

Sick Ick & Edy's All-Fruit Bars SWOON

2010-02-02T09:16:00.002-05:00

No matter how well we eat, how much exercise we get, or how many times I diligently disinfect the doorknobs, there was no avoiding the tsunami of sick that washed over my kids' schools this season. We managed to stay well through the holidays and the first wave of the flu, and then BAM, the sick ick pummeled us like rag-dolls this week. I was down for the count all weekend and vlogged all about it.

Calvin was only out of commission for a day, and Winona, Justin, and I are all still suffering with a laundry list of symptoms. Jack is the only one who hasn't even had a hint of a sniffle... he's probably the host.

So here we are as a family, drowning in a sea of dirty tissues, cold medicine, and cough drops. Besides all the mucus-filled quality time we've been spending together, there were other sunny moments. We discovered Edy's All-Fruit Bars!! Yummy, cold, hydrating, and only 80 calories! The strawberry bars are my favorite and have big chunks of strawberries frozen inside. The kids prefer the lemonade bars. I think we've gone through no less than 7 boxes over the past 4 days, and we can't stop eating them. Something tells me a new blender and ice-pop mold are in our near future *wink*.

How We Do Sick Days

2010-01-28T20:29:00.003-05:00

He says it's a bad headache, I say we overdid it on the Buffalo wings and chocolate cake. Calvin turned 10 yesterday and it was total digestive carnage at our house today. Justin had an appointment in Manhattan, Winona and Calvin were shoved off to school, and Calvin and I played sick, stayed home, and rocked out on his brand new pogo stick. This video is part of my series of fitness diary entries that you can view by clicking on the link to the left or by visiting my YouTube channel: youtube.com/genghisgirl

BexLife on YouTube

2010-01-26T20:49:00.001-05:00

Oh, in case you didn't know {from the million and one exercise video posts}, I have a YouTube channel dedicated to my love for all things family, fitness, and {urban} farming...

click to visit my YouTube channel

You'll Want Their Autographs...

2010-01-25T21:43:00.000-05:00

I predict that my children are going to become very hard to live with in the very near future. The boys have long been enjoying their success as miniature metalheads, and today all three of the kids had the very awesome opportunity to be extras in a video shoot for our friends over at Paxen Films. Ditching school, hanging out in Brooklyn, acting in music videos... yeah, they're livin' the rockstar lifestyle.

It's Like A Birthday, That We Share

2010-01-24T08:58:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a very special day in Borucki-ville... our ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! This blog started as our wedding blog, so it's very exciting for me to be posting this entry. We decided to do it up low-key with a movie and dinner & drinks with family. I'm big on new shared experiences, so we went to our first 3D movie, Avatar.

So blah, blah, blah, we made it to AVATAR!!! Friggin' awesome!!! {However, this did not go down without me making very clear that "I don't want to go" and "you're not taking pictures of this" and "this better be good or I'm walking out" repeatedly between leaving our driveway and walking up to the ticket counter.} Yes, I'm a colossal pain in the heinie.

Oh my baby Jesus, this movie was bananas! We were "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" at the 3D Shrek preview even before the movie began.

After the movie, we met up with my sister, Dani, and brother-in-law, Russell, at a local Irish Restaurant, Dublin Square. It was meant to be "just drinks" and for me, "just one drink", but that all rapidly turned into Buffalo wings, fish & chips, chocolate brownie dessert, and LOTS of high-alcohol content beer.

Now we have to start making our Spring camping plans, so I can hurry up and get all my complaining out of the way...
xo
Bekah

My Fitness Diary: 01.20.10 "Flogged!"

2010-01-20T22:44:00.004-05:00

Inspired by fellow YouTuber and awesome yoga girl, Tara Stiles, I'm making a "7-Day Flog (food log)" on YouTube. I started yesterday, but I posted the whole playlist below so you can see all the videos in one place as I post new ones. You can always view all my videos on my YouTube channel: youtube.com/genghisgirl... please be sure to comment, rate, & subscribe.

Happy noshing!

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 6

2010-01-14T21:04:00.007-05:00

I promised a change of scenery for my 4-Minute videos and that brought me all the way into my backyard. I had big plans to wake up at 6AM and get to the gym to make a video before the kids even got up for school, but that planned failed miserably after I spent the night tossing and turning from bizarre gym-themed nightmares.

So here I am, in my backyard under the hawk-like eye of my old lady neighbor, working out to Monty Love and freezing my heinie off.

You'll need a Bosu ball and a jump rope for this workout.

My Fitness Diary: 01.11.10 "Up In the Gym"

2010-01-11T15:17:00.002-05:00

Bitch, complain, whine, and then a sprinkle of some "woe is me". Then, without fail, hit the gym... no matter how crappy or miserable I'm pretending to feel. 2010 is about keeping my commitments - to other people AND myself.

Today's diary entry is a little bit about feeling sorry for myself and more about showing you some of what I'm up to when I'm in the gym. I run through one of my many circuits that I did today during my upper-body gym workout with my trainer, Chris.

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 5

2010-01-10T17:54:00.002-05:00

This video is my last "dining room" workout. From now on I'll be taking it on the road and on location to my favorite fitness & recreation spots. Stay tuned to my YouTube channel for more 4-Minute routines as well as playground workouts, fun on the track & field, and even workouts on vacation!

Death Metal Rooster

2010-01-10T09:09:00.004-05:00

I need a proper farm so I can keep a guy like this. I think I've watched this video 15 times already...

Borucki 365 Update: Day 44

2010-01-09T21:25:00.006-05:00

click for flickr photo set

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 4

2010-01-09T20:15:00.001-05:00

Back to my dining room/home gym for another 4-minute workout...

Twins! Well, kind of...

2010-01-09T10:53:00.003-05:00

It's remains a mystery as to which of our girls is laying these giant "double-yolker" eggs, but we're thrilled that she's giving us one almost everyday. We can tell from the odd shape and extra-large size of the eggs which have two yolks. I've read that this occurrence is more common in younger chickens {sometimes eggs may even produce three yolks}, and we're excited to see how long this trend lasts.

You Have 4 Minutes: Jersey Shore Special Edition

2010-01-07T13:39:00.012-05:00

You say things like "I don't have time" or "I don't have enough space", but that only challenges me to prove you wrong. In this special "Jersey Shore" edition, I show you how to fit in your entire cardio routine during a commercial break of a TV show.

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 3

2010-01-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

Whether you need something to kick your heinie into gear in the New Year, or just a great cardio routine to compliment your current weight-training regimen, these 4-minutes videos are perfect for you. Click on the image links in the sidebar or visit my YouTube channel to view all my fitness, chicken, family, & favorite videos.

Georgia On My Mind

2010-01-04T20:08:00.003-05:00

It has becoming very apparent in the recent weeks that we have a problem chicken on our hands. Camilla the Hen has become a world class pain-in-the-butt… escaping the yard, squawking about anything and everything, and bullying the other girls. We’re now positive that she is the one who has been pecking at Georgia’s back & tail feathers, leaving her poor little back all bald and bloodied.

This sent me into an immediate panic. Georgia happens to be my favorite of the girls, and I hate the thought of her being bullied. I did some research on why Camilla may be acting this way, and we’ve done the following to avoid having to cull {kill} her.

gave them lots of free-range time in the backyard everyday since
fed them extra protein & treats {ground beef, scratch, sunflower seeds}
applied Blue Kote to Georgia’s bald spot to help her heal & hide the blood

It all seemed to be working until tonight when I put them back together in the coop after a long day free-ranging. Camilla wasn’t able to roam the yard because she escaped yesterday and wound up on our front porch eating cat food… we have no idea how she knew to come up onto the porch and we’re so happy she didn’t wander out into the street. As soon as we put Georgia inside with Camilla, Camilla lashed out and starting pecking at her bald spot again. It was so awful… Georgia just took it and wouldn’t even run away.

I swept her up and brought her into the house. We applied the Blue Kote again to avoid infection and Justin and I made a bandage for her out of duct-tape {I saw it online}. I made a “pad” out of duct-tape so it wouldn’t stick to the wound, and then attached it onto her feathers with longer strips. She doesn’t seem bothered by it, but she sure looks pathetic. We’re keeping her in the kitchen until the other girls fall asleep. Tomorrow, we’ll figure out what to do with Camilla and start to set-up a place in the yard where they can all free-range safely.

Free eggs ain’t so free.

My Fitness Diary: 01.04.10 "Juice & Toothpaste"

2010-01-04T15:01:00.012-05:00

Today's video is a "how-to" on making your own homemade toothpaste... it's cheap and it's fast, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen cabinet. I also treat myself to a yummy green juice and give reviews for a few of my favorite products. All of the products are widely distributed brands and can be found in your local grocery or big box store. I also provided links below the video, so you can shop my favorite products online.

Omega 8003 Juicer
Bragg Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Stevia Sweetener
Peppermint Oil | Orange Oil | Sampler Set
Slap Chop
Mr. Coffee Coffee Bean Grinder: Black | White
Naturally Fresh Deodorant: Roll-On | Spray
BJ's Wholesale Club store website
How to make your own Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Snow Birds

2010-01-02T13:47:00.004-05:00

Our chickens playing in the snow for the first time...

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 2

2010-01-02T02:50:00.012-05:00

Grab your jump rope and your aerobic step and get ready for another fat-burning 4-minute routine! Be prepared, this one gets intense!

If you like my workouts, please visit my YouTube channel and subscribe to be alerted whenever I publish a new video.

One Month - Twelve Workouts: Video 12 of 12

2009-12-31T19:29:00.019-05:00

Today, on New Year's Eve, you have a chance to make your change for 2010 a little early. Each new day should be met with the commitment to live your life happier, healthier, and with more gratitude, but the New Year brings such an exciting starting point to renew these goals in a grand and celebratory way...

Join me for the final installment in my series of 12 workouts and get a jumpstart on healing your body from whatever damage you may do to it later tonight :)

Now that you've made it through the entire series {or even if you're just starting}, you can go back through all the videos #1-12 and go through the routines again. You may also match any "Part 1" to any "Part 2" of videos #2-12 to make new workouts. I added the complete YouTube playlist at the end of this blog entry so you can view all the videos at once.

The first video is the "upper-body" strength segment, and the second is the abs/core segment.

You'll need the following equipment to follow along with this routine:

dumbbells
kitchen chair or low table
yoga mat or floor pad

View the entire "One Month-12 Workouts" series below

You Have 4 Minutes: Video 1

2009-12-30T12:26:00.004-05:00

There are few things that can’t be put-off for four minutes… babies tumbling off changing tables, dogs eating furniture, and crock pots exploding in your kitchen are legitimate examples. My challenge to you is to find another activity that can’t be neglected for 4 minutes to make time for your personal fitness. Even a commercial break during Real Housewives or Jersey Shore is enough time for you hop off the couch and run through today’s video.

My new series of workouts, “YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES”, is based on the Tabata Method of interval training.

I’m going to take you through 4 minutes of a series of 8 rounds of heart-pounding, fat-blasting exercises. Each round will consist of 20 seconds of an intense cardio-driven exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. A tool that is NOT required, but may make this workout easier for you, is the Gymboss Timer.

To download your own Tabata Timer, like the one used in the video, visit Beach-Fitness.com. You'll be able to download an MP3 file that you can add to your iPod or any MP3 player.