Row and Run Workout
Last night was taco night! We also celebrated a certain special someone’s 1/2 birthday.
The last couple of times I’ve made tacos, I’ve made them the “restaurant way” (browned ground meat in a crispy or soft corn tortilla shell) which isn’t usually how we eat them in our family. My mom, aunt, nanas, everyone all make tacos the same way- we call them “hamburger tacos.” You take a corn tortilla, add seasoned ground meat to one side, fold it in half and fry it. It’s kind of like a burger in a tortilla. I’ve always been afraid of making them this way because frying things scares the life out of me. I set the smoke alarm off making a salad, so hot oil is just a recipe for disaster. But, somehow, it worked.
The hamburger tacos came out pretty amazing:
We had them with quick Mexican rice, refried beans, lots of guac, cheese, lettuce and salsa,
and the half birthday cake. (I was originally going to make it for July 4th, but we did cupcakes and s’mores instead.)
Little half-birthday girl loved it 🙂 We also did some of the things we’ve wanted to do for her half birthday of giving instead of receiving. Lots of old toys and clothes went into donate, trash or storage bags, and we enjoyed a day with her cousins at the library, swimming and then a lovely dinner + “happy half-birthday to you.” It was a bit of a sentimental day for me- I wrote a post for the family page- but I have to cliche-ly say that time passes way too quickly.
After little miss went to bed, I went to the gym for some cardio and strength. This cardio session was only 18 minutes, but got my heart rate UP. Part of this workout is done on the rowing machine (the erg!) which used to really intimidate me. Since using it more often for CrossFit, I realized what an effective cardio option it is. If you’ve never used the rowing machine before, check out this how-to video or talk with a trainer before giving it a whirl. I alternated rowing with steady state running for an intense and sweaty interval workout:
Please let me know if you give it a try!
What’s your all-time favorite cardio method? Any cardio or weight equipment that intimidates you?
Hope you have a wonderful day! See ya later on the Family page with Liv’s 18-month update <3
xoxo
Gina
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Those tacos look AMAZING and delicious!
One year my mom made a 1/2 birthday cake – but used a full cake and layered it higher and cut smaller pieces… it was a masterpiece until we tried to cut it and it was so high it toppled right over! Still tasty though and a good story 🙂
Those tacos look delicious!
My fav cardio is definitely any type of dance. It’s like your not even working out! TRX scares me- it’s so hard!
I’m definitely going to start giving rowing a try! I’ve always sort of been intimated by them, as well.
Happy half-bday to Liv! I just love this idea! The tacos and cake look delicious by the way!
Oh these Hamburger Tacos look so delicious!! Drooling!
I love the rowing machine, it’s such a nice change up with running or the elliptical. Never thought of combine it with the treadmill, great idea!!
Ohh baby do those look delicious! I’ve had a few experiences with the rowing machine, but I personally love running/stairmastering/ellipticalling more! My main man just got into rowing though and LOVES it!
It’s such a great workout!
The rowing machine def intimidates me because I have no idea how to use it! The glute ham raise used to scare me but working with my trainer on it, it’s really helped build up my hamstrings
I love the idea about giving rather than receiving on a half-birthday!
Hamburger tacos look yummy. Do you pre-cook the ground meat before you fry the taco?
nope just seasoned it with garlic, worster sauce, salt, pepper and cumin
We make our tacos like that, too! My nana does ground beef or chicken, heavily seasoned. We’ve continued the tradition, YUM!
Those tacos look awesome!! How do you keep them healthy when frying them??
awwwwww so cute! happy 1/2 bday to that little precious girl of yours 😀 I love the sounds of burger tacos! how fun 🙂 I might just have to give that a try 😉
That looks like fun! I always feel weird hopping to and from machines. There’s always that feared moment when you turn around and someone is on the only rowing machine. HAHA. Awkward.
I NEVER use the rowing machine at the gym but I hear it gives you a great workout! Might have to add it to my routine next time I’m there! 🙂
One of my favorite underrated cardio machines is the stairmill. It can really get your heart rate up and is great for working the legs and glutes! The only caveat is that people need to realize that by leaning on the handrails they are making it easier and taking a lot of the “work” out of the workout.
The piece of equipment that intimidates me is the highest box that my gym has for box jumps. I’ve been at the same box height for a while (or rather I was before I got pregnant and cut back on plyometrics) because I saw someone miss the tallest one and fall and it at looked really painful!
Mmmmmm tacos!!!
I like the stairmill. I also like the elliptical–I just do. Esp for steady state–so easy to read on it!
I am so intimidated of the rowing machine! Whenever I am running I just stare at it and always want to try it out but have no idea what I am doing! It looks like such a great workout!
I will always have a soft spot for the spin bike. Crank up those tunes and ride……. That being said, I am totally digging the rowing machine lately. Row baby row!
I’d have to say that class cardio is my favorite because it really pushes me to finish. I’m intimidated by anything “boot-camp”!!! I need to do a sesh with a trainer to find out even how to use the machines, most all intimidate me! 🙂 Enjoy!
It’s funny that you call them “hamburger tacos” those are just regular tacos in my house. No specifications needed.
Re: The Half Birthday – I’ve never heard of someone celebrating that. My next to youngest has a half birthday coming up on the 22 – so that might be a cool way to celebrate it – of course if I do it for her I’m going to have to it for the others, but hey it can be something they look forward to next (half) year. lol
I love rowing! I never get bored like I do on the treadmill. I’ll have to try this workout, thanks for posting! 🙂
Love the half Birthday cake! My Dad did that for our 6 month wedding anniversary. It cracked me up.
My favorite cardio is HITT, the time goes by quickly and I feel I get more out of it for a shorter time! By the way…. those hamburger tacos, goodness. What a fantastic idea! I think this would also be great for kids to sneak veggies in there 😉
It’s funny you mention rowing! At the fitness studio I work at, we have Indo-Row classes, and I’ve been meaning to try one, but I still haven’t! So yes, I’m kind of intimidated, haha. Spin is so familiar to me, so it’s always my cardio of choice. Maybe I’ll have to step out of my comfort zone some day soon!
I don’t know why, but I’m really intimidated by the rowing machine. We don’t have one at my gym now, so I guess I’ll have to wait until we move and change gyms to tackle it. Its an all out war to get a treadmill at my gym, so I usually just do my cardio outside or do some kind of crossfit wod at home.
Those tacos look delish! May have to bump tonight’s meal plan in favor of Taco Tuesday 🙂 Love how you guys celebrated Liv’s half-birthday. My childhood bestie’s mom used to throw her an awesome half-birthday party every July 4 to coincide with her Jan 4 b-day. It was always so much fun and I used to beg my mom for a half-birthday party of my own. She didn’t go for it, haha 🙁
i love your idea of starting the kiddies young with giving rather than receiving. and, as an extra bonus, houses don’t get cluttered with toys, etc. when you are donating/giving things away. a win/win for everyone!
Liv’s half birthday eats look super fun and delicious! Especially the tacos!
I’ve never tried the rowing machine for cardio, but now I’m thinking I should! The stair master intimidates me for some reason. Maybe it’s because it’s so high and it would make me visible to the whole gym. But I want to try it one day!
I LOVE the idea of donating clothes. Giving away gifts instead of receiving them for birthdays and other special days is a great way to learn that giving brings more joy than gifts do.
daniela
Your posts always make me nostalgic for Tucson! My parents grew up there and I was born there before my family moved to the East coast. My mom still makes her tacos that way and we also call them hamburger tacos! I like putting my beans inside the taco and of course cheese, salsa, and avocado! Yummm, I can seriously taste them just seeing your pics. Going to request them from mom next time I’m home!
Yum, food looks great! When you work out at night, does it keep you up? Late at night is sometimes the only time I have but I often skip the workout for fear of being awake until past midnight! My little guy wakes up EARLY.
Just curious if you are eating beef again? What fun celebrating her half!:)
No, they’re turkey tacos
I love & hate the rowing machine at the same time! I love that it’s a full body workout, but for some reason time passes much more slowly on that thing and I can’t explain why. I’m intimidated by the stair climbers. I just have these nightmare images in my head of falling off somehow because I tried to go too fast.
I miss your fashion posts! Will they be starting up again??
Those tacos look mighty tasty!! Happy half birthday to the little one, what a cute idea! Lots of love courtstar
Rowing and running are my two favorite workouts. Why have I never thought to combine the two?
Just curious as we have tons of toys and clothes too and I’ve thought of donating but then think I should wait until we are done having kids or if we find out we are having a boy and we give away our girl stuff. I know you have said you are open to another child so are you just giving stuff away because, like me, you have so so much and want to help someone out? I just always feel like I should wait?
Those tacos look so much nicer than the ones my family has on taco night!
I just tried then row and run workout and I can feel the effort I put in now
My all-time favorite cardio method is tied between running outside and cycling. I love getting to spend time outdoors while exercising
How did you fry those tacos? Did you deep fry them? They look so simple and delicious (something my hubby would enjoy!).
Happy 1/2 Birthday, Livi! 🙂
yep i just fried them in canola oil. it was so easy (and yes, the hubby went crazy for it!)
love the workout! That’s my favorite kind; one that mixes running, with rowing, with circuits! Keeps me busy! 🙂 I get bored too easily! haha!
Thanks for the workout inspiration! I did it as 4x4x4x4: 400 M Run, 400 m row, 4 burpees….repeat 4x. I was sitting on the bus ho-humming about my workout and reading blogs on my phone…and your post totally turned a lightbulb on!
That cake looks amazing!!
That cake looks delish. PLEASE tell me you didn’t throw the other half away.
My favorite cardio is turning into Tabata style boot camp. I am adddddicted.
Omg never! I cut two cakes in half to make a four layer half cake 🙂
Looks like an amazingly sweaty, “get r done” type of workout!! Just my style!
Also, those tacos look delicious and authentic estillo Mexicano! Qué ricó!
I did the row/run workout as my “interval session” last night. 4 rounds in 18 minutes???–can I say “impressed”! (Or maybe I am just that slow…haha) After the first round, my goal was to row each 800 and run each 400 faster than the last round: mission accomplished. Thanks for inspiring me to use something other than the treadmill for my intervals (a running girl at heart here!)
that is so awesome! glad you liked it 🙂
Those tacos do look really good! And happy 1/2 birthday to the special girl!
did the row and run workout and it kicked my booty, or rather, my back and shoulders! what a great workout. the guy on the row machine next to me must have thought i was crazy since i was jumping on and off the rower/treadmill every few minutes 🙂