Saturday, July 7, 2012

It's okay to...

So I may have stolen this from a blog I stumbled upon the other day (of which I can't remember the title of...yikes, sorry to whoever is the author; I would love to give you credit!) But it goes a little like this;


It's okay to...


Use the stopwatch function on your watch when you go grocery shopping


I mean you obviously have not seen me wandering around grocery stores because otherwise you would understand why I have to put myself in a time constraint. This time it was 10 minutes, heck yes! Seriously folks, (wow I just said that hah) I have been known to spend upwards of an hour in the grocery store just checkin out the goods, you know, browsing the food I could possibly purchase one day(:


Shhhhh..don't tell anyone it's closer to 11 minutes than 10 minutes


I even spent less than 20 dollars AND only got one thing that wasn't on the list! (insert gasp and applause here) Yes I did have to purchase that good-looking arugula that wasn't anticipated (I'm weird right?)


Sleep until 11:30 on your rest day


I'm taking Sunday off for a much needed rest day, as I followed my workout plan I posted to the tee and actually even added to it as my Yoga class went over by 45 minutes! Hey, at least I was all stretched out(: Today I also did my first ever Open Water Swim to prepare for my triathlon and then a bike ride to finish off some more tri training. Swimming in the lake wasn't as big of a deal as I think it gets hyped up to be. I mean yes you are looking into an abyss of brown and can't see in front of you, but it went by pretty fast and I just switched between freestyle and breaststroke so that I could see. I actually finished in roughly 15 minutes (a 750m loop) which was much faster than I thought I could have done on my first try; score(:


Make Vanilla Decaf Tea while babysitting (when the kids are asleep of course)


This is all in order to rediscover your love for tea. I mean it's like the perfect sweet treat at night time (next to my frozen dessert mess of course!)




It's also definitely okay to hold the object that you are photographing so it gets the best lighting


And while we are at it, I guess it's okay to be blogging while the kids are screaming for their parents and crying to themselves to sleep (why! I hate when kids do this, but I know you just have to let it pass, trust me I have tried to stop the shrieking, the only results that yielded was a burst eardrum)


Shed a little tear when you get to the last bite of something really good




The corn this time of year is just amazing! For real, our family was so into it that last night at dinner we were discussing how tender the kernels were and how good the corn has been this year (I had to get my quirky habits somewhere; note how I used the word quirky and not weird (; )


Post a picture of your nightly frozen dessert even though you promised not to, because it was berrylicious and beaut-iful 




Just look at that pomegranate aril of epic (insert adjective here in which I could not fathom) #iamsuchadork


Answer only the questions you feel like answering in the latest survey (I mean you don't want to bore your readers :P )


1. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?


I guess it's also okay to change the questions a bit, so I'll add on "What are you wearing this fine day?"



My Tulane Lacrosse Jersey of course; supporting my Riptide(:


 That would be Popped Amaranth with Buckwheat Groats, Oats, Cherries, Peaches, Blackberries, Mixed Nuts and some Pumped Up Milk




 And that would be it all mixed up(:


2. How much water do you drink a day?

A ton; I mean I only have to pee every 50 minutes or so..

3. What is your current favorite workout?

You want to know something funny? I found that if I actually follow a workout exactly or at least write one down I work so much harder (or at least I sweat more) than when I just wing it; I know, so strange ;) But I recently completed Courtney's Treadmill Workout and the Strength Workouts from this book

I also want to try some more Tabata workouts because I did that once and man was it tough, but I loved how short and intense it was!


5. What are your favorite healthy snacks?


Although cereal probably isn't the best option (it's better than chips I guess) I really am a cereal monster at heart. I also like the veggie and hummus combo along with my Peanut Butter Popcorn and smoothies, like my Green Tea one you should try (no pressure!)


I count popped amaranth as cereal; I mean I eat it with milk, it's homemade cereal (:


8.  What is your least favorite body part to strength train? 

I find it really hard to do pull-ups and push-ups, so I guess my arms/biceps; but I'm trying to make those stronger of course(:


Ah man, I definately cut out my bicep muscle there #oops


12. Do you eat fast food?


I'll take an occasional Moe's, Chic-fil-a, Which-Wich, or Panera pit-stop (okay that's so a lie, I rarely eat fast food, but if I do those are my go tos)


And on that note, it's ok to utilize the free salsa bar when you do stumble into a Moe's  


Those five containers of salsa may or may not have been hoarded by me, you never know, my mom is quite sneaky! (I mean she did hide my rabbit from as a Christmas present; do you know how hard it is to hide a live present?)


Make the most oddly shaped pizza you have ever seen


It was delicious and the details on the recipe will be coming soon (:

And the best was saved for last...DRUMROLL



It's okay to smile because you just got a new Macbook Pro! 


For all you readers out there who are still with me fill in the blank (if you kindly would ;) ) 

"It's okay to _____"

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

WIA Double Trouble(:

So first I was going to do a WIAT (What I ate Tuesday) but then I got bored (it is summertime) and I decided to do a WIAW too (gasp!). So here's my eats from Tuesday and Wednesday; double the fun ;)


Be sure to head on over to Jenn's and check out all the other lovely and creative posts that are linked up today too!



For the fitness aspect I'll share this week's workout a la DailyMile; PS- on which I think you should add me to your friends list, I don't have many friends on there :(


Oh and try that side bar button to do so, let me know if it works haha


right over there  --->




  1. FIT
    alrightZumba 00:45
    Followed by Weight Lighting Rules for Women's workout
  2. VELO
    great13.2 mi 01:00 13.2mph pace
    Followed by a 7 minute run (haha I'm building up!)
FIT
blahCardio Funk 01:00
Shouldn't have scarfed down my dinner an hour before #yikes




Oh and Velo means cycling (must be French or something? hmm)



So that was Monday, Tuesday and today; for tomorrow I'm going to the XC workouts that my old high school holds (hey; might as well, my old cross-country coach is intense so he always has great workouts planned) and then Friday I was going to do a short swim workout followed by Vinaysa Yoga; one of my latest findings right? ;)


Now onto the Good Eats (hey; you like that show too!?)

Enter breakfast numero uno (before working out):

Tuesday vs. Wednesday 
Macho Green Smoothie and a nanner with pb hummus and coconut butter (don't you love to layer pb?)
 
Mid-breakfasts snack:

Tuesday only
Raspberry Cho with bloobs

Breakfast numero dos (because one just isn't enough for me! I love breakfast foods):

Tuesday vs Wednesday
Chocolate Avocado Powercakeish topped with PB Hummus and a Peanutflour Sauce added midway through (it needed moisture) vs Chocolate Cookies n Cream overnight Quinoa and Buckwheat Porridge with Strawberries and Cherries topped with Freezedried Strawberries, Cacao Nibs, more Chocolate and Cocoa Almonds (anyone want the recipes? Buler?) 



Lunch

Tuesday vs Wednesday
Hippie bowl of Quinoa, Red Cabbage, Carrots, Edamame, Cucumber, Curry Tofu topped with Homemade Peanut Dressing, Wasabi Peas and Sunflower Seeds vs an Egg White Scramble with (get ready for this, or feel free to proceed without reading :) haha) Red Cabbage, Arugula, Okra, Carrots, Mushrooms, Spaghetti Squash, Peppers, Broccoli Slaw, a crapload of spices (Parsley, Basil, Garlic Powder, Tumeric, TJ's Everyday Seasoning, Mustard Powder, Smoked Paprika), one Egg, topped with Nooch and this Asian Sweet n Spicy sauce that I love


 yeah I may have  gotten a little picture happy; but it was so colorful :)


Snack

Tuesday vs Wednesday
A bowl of Cereal with Blackberries (yes that's a recycled photo; just stay with me here) and some Cherries vs Pumped up Coconut Ice Cream (check out my dessert for the details)





pre and post toppings of course (Peanutflour Candy, Peanuts, Blueberries and Freezedried Blueberries)

Dinner

Tuesday vs Wednesday
A salad with Roasted Veggies (Mushrooms, Peppers, Eggplant, Broccoli) topped with a Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge, Goat Cheese, Sprouts, Mustard and Salsa vs A Grass-Fed Beef Burger  (read: life changing!) with Avocado, Goat Cheese, Sprouts and Lettuce on a plate with Sweet Potato Fries, Tomato slices, Onion Rings, Watermelon and an un-pictured Corn on the Cob




 pre toppings (it was puhr-ty)




I know you love my drawing!


This was the first time my family had tried Grass-fed Beef and we all agreed, it was the best burgers we have ever eaten! I don't know what it is but they tasted different. They had this amazing flavor that I don't even know how to explain (wow that's helpful) haha but seriously YOU MUST TRY THEM! I am not even a big beef person (I don't like steak) but please take my word for it and give them a try :)


Dessert


Tuesday vs Wednesday
Nightly Dessert Mess with Mango, Raspberries, Freezedried Raspberries and Mangoes (man am I spoiled), Chocolate and a Pomegranate Chocolate Vitatop along with a few gummy bears vs that Pumped up Coconut Ice Cream I was talking about from before and Buttered Popcorn




 I like the layers :)









For this I basically took about 1/4 cup of my Coconut Bliss Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream (that is so delicious) and pumped it up by adding Cottage Cheese, Frozen Banana pieces, Applesauce, Almond milk and then blended it. I had some for a snack then (up above) and then blended the rest with more Almond milk and added Spinach  to save for later. I topped it with Sprinkles, my Adora Chocolate Disk and Shredded Coconut.

If you are still with me; Thanks! Love You

Maia says bye too!

Things I Learned {Including a Recipe!}

Hey peeps! Ready for Fourth of July? I am, I mean come on, check out my toes :)



My friends and I went to a local fireworks show; Have you been to one yet? Or do you set off your own (technically they are illegal in NC but everyone just goes to SC to buy them because it's only about 30 minutes away)



I can't take the photo credit for these; they were taken by my friend Jillian 

So I'd like to share some of my latest revelations and creations of course!


Well first I learned that Matcha powder is EXPENSIVE! Like seriously, almost fifteen dollars for this little gem.


But I have been using it lately and lovin it(: Check out this recipe I came up with;








Double Green Macho Smoothie

1/4-1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (or Water)
1/3 Frozen Cooked Sweet Potato (I cubed mine) or Bananas work too
1 T Matcha Powder
1 T Espresso Powder
1 scoop Incredible Greens
1/2 t Vanilla extract
1/8 t Stevia Extract (adjust to taste)
1/2 t Cinnamon
Pinch of Salt
Ice Cubes (adjust to taste; I like mine icy so I use around 7-8)


Optional: Protein Powder (I have played around with Vanilla and Banana Cream)


Instructions: Blend it all up! I would suggest putting the liquid in first so it's easier for your blender (actually powder first and then liquid so the powder doesn't fly up everywhere


I topped mine with blueberries, a crumbled rice cake, peanut butter hummus and a little love grown(:


I've learned that my braiding skills are better than I thought (If I do say so myself)



I just did pigtail french braids and then twisted them up and bobby pinned to mi cabeza(:


I found out that my dog will rip any UPS package she finds to shreds; good thing she didn't get to my foodie pen pal package!

#yikes

I've found that these nutty protein bites make the perfect fuel for a gym seesh or a Cardio Funk Class

This song is a great high energy tune that always comes on my Pandora Station #lovinit
I found a grr face; great for heavy lifting :)


That colorful plates are the tastiest!



Sautéed Spinach, Rainbow Tahini Slaw, Peach Salsa and Pork Tenderloin


That too much Xanthan Gum doesn't sit well with my stomach; anyone else?



I made Shannon's protein cinnamon rolls with 1/4 tsp of Xanthan Gum and I was feeling it! Also there was way too much cinnamon (read: spicy) Sorry girl :( I had high hopes! But I'm going to try again; and I'll let you know how they turn out


And finally that Vinaysa Yoga rocked my socks; A little bit faster paced (thankfully), great breathing techniques and some great stretches!


 What have you learned recently? Any good food combos worth sharing?