Pre workout snack and kick your butt

Hello!  I have got to write another post today because I can’t handle looking at the crazily amazing looking cookie from the last post!  I want to gobble it up!  O.K.  I’ll be leaving for DISNEYLAND in a few days and I won’t get back till next Wednesday!  3 things to share today!  Pre workout snack, kick your butt workout, and a SPRING workout outfit!

First off, I have been working out too much lately!  I got up this morning to do a 45 minute plyo and fast run and then I’m going back to do zumba.  Don’t hate me, but zumba doesn’t count as a workout!  It’s better than nothing, but really…?  So, it’s 9:00 a.m.  I had breakfast at 7:30ish and I’m hungry again.  What do I grab that is sitting by me right now:

Cut up veggies, a yogurt dip from Costco, and water of course.  I think water is what I need most.  I forget to drink sometimes!

Next up, Wednesday workout of the day!!  We did this at the church yesterday and I’m still exhausted.  LOTS of reps and sooooooooo awesome to feel completely wasted

I saw the SIDE PLANK KNEE TUCKS from a workout chick I used to follow years ago.  I need to do more of her workouts.  Here is a visual of the knee tucks.  They are hard.  This is one rep from starting to ending position.  She’s not on bodyrock anymore and I’m glad.  You can find her at bodybuilding.com.  She’s amazing!

I’ve had a few teenagers jump on board with my workouts!  I love that.  The younger the better to learn how to love exercise.  I’m so glad I did gymnastics as a kid.  I was 11 and I remember being drenched in sweat and wanting to push myself so hard to keep up with the rest of the team.  I haven’t changed much (:

Yesterday, I had my first root canal and I feel so old, but the beautiful SUN shined the brightest it has all year!  I came home and sat outside on a blanket and read a book and played with my little one.  Later, my oldest came home and we played a quick game of Horse.  And I mean quick because he killed me and I was out like that!  The sun makes me happy!!

O.K.  SPRING is here!  It arrived a little early so I might have to eat my words, but SOON I’ll be running in shorts again!

Outfit-Nike

Shoes-Adidas

 Well, I’ve got workouts to create and a bathroom to clean.  Hope you all have a wonderful day.  We’ll be heading to the park!!

Healthy eats on vacation

Good morning and good new week!  We took off for a much needed get away this last weekend!  4 1/2 hours south of us is my heavenly oasis!

I went running on Friday and Saturday along trails with green grass, flowers, palm trees, sprinklers, golf courses, and red rocks surrounding me!  This morning I woke up to a beautiful layer of snow and 35 degrees!  Yes, I am home!  I really don’t mind the spring storms, but it was nice to be outside in almost 80 degree weather.  We explored a new spot on this trip.  Just over the border into Arizona is a place called “The Glitter Mines”.  It was tough to find and it’s over several trails but it was worth the drive.  We turned the corner and knew we arrived when the whole side of the mountain shone and sparkled.  It was almost too bright to look at.  The kids climbed over crystal covered hills and were able to chisel away at the mountain.  We brought several buckets home with us!  Here is my daughter picking away!

Most of the trip the kids wanted to swim.  I think we could of stayed swimming all day and every day and they would have been completely happy.  Here are the four oldest and my youngest little “beaver”.

We watched movies, played games, and read Harry Potter.  The first day we went to the store to get some food for the trip!  I made sure to have plenty of healthy snacks on hand.  One thing I always try to tell my kids when they are hungry is to eat something healthy first.  Here are a few examples!  Just don’t look in the background at the other food items we had around the place (:

Over the next month I need to get serious with my PT training!!  I took my giant book with me on vacation and read it several times while I toasted myself in the sun!!

 I REALLY hope I am ready to take the test by May 15th.  I want to get this over and out of the way so I can concentrate on my next BIG goal…body building competition!  As usual, I have a number of diet strategies running through my head.  Over the next two weeks I’m going SOUTH BEACH.  Which means: eggs, veggies, dairy, lean meat, nuts, and lots of water.  Time to slim up!  Here is a favorite protein powder I’m loving right now.  I’ll be having this every day blended up with spinach, PB, water, and ice!  You can order it on amazon, but here is the official website too: www.lifetimevitamins.com.

As I write this post, several of my inspiring and amazing friends are pounding the streets of BOSTON!!!  I’m so jealous I’m not there!  I need to take a deep breath and think…maybe next year I’ll try for that again!!  In the meantime, just keep swimming…RiP it up this week!  Think of 20 healthy foods to eat and get to the gym 5 times!! You can do it 🙂

Hands Down The Best Protein Balls

I have been with my sister many times when she pulls out the CHOCOLATE COCONUT CHIA PROTEIN BALLS.  EVERY time the vote is unanimous, THEY ARE THE BOMB!!!  You’d think people were eating homemade chocolate gooey brownies topped with fudge frosting or something!!  These are definitely one of the BEST healthy snacks!  I like to make a batch for my kids when they get home from school and they’re acting like they haven’t eaten for DAYS!  An excellent “GO TO” snack!  As always though EVERYTHING IN MODERATION, right??

My sister has the recipe on her blog happybeinghealthy.com.  Check it out!  I’ll post it below as well.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CHIA PROTEIN BALLS

1/2 c. Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 c. Honey

2 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder

1/3 c. Oats

1/2 c. Unsweetened Coconut (plus more to roll them in)

1 T. Chia Seeds

Mix everything in a bowl.  Form into balls and roll in coconut.  Store in airtight container in the freezer or fridge.  Let set for 1 hour.  Makes 20-25 balls

Nutritional Information (2 balls):  Calories: 155, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 11 mg, Sodium: 11 mg, Total Carbs: 15.5 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 10.5 g, Protein 7 g.

 

One alteration I make is with the honey.  I think honey is a little strong, so I use 1/2 honey and 1/2 agave nectar.  I buy my chocolate protein powder at COSTCO.  The CHIA SEEDS were a little hard to find, but definitely worth it!!  I found them at WHOLE FOODS.  I think I’ll go make a batch NOW!!!

I looked up the healthy benefits of Chia Seeds and found a great article HERE!!  Check it out!  They include fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants, and protein!!

HAVE A Great and Marvelous weekend!!