Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Life as I know it

There are a few things that have slipped under the radar around here lately.  First, you have probably missed the photos of my daily bowl of oats.
It seems so redundant...and not very attractive so I haven't really shown you my beloved breakfast creations lately.  I am usually in such a hurry to eat the goodness, that I don't bother to take time with a beautiful photo.  True to form, however, there is always a photo snapped so today I am showing you what I had for breakfast.  

In the mix: 1/4 cup oats, 1/2 mashed banana, 1/2 cup almond milk + more if needed, 1 tbsp chia seeds.  All topped with shredded coconut, peanuts, dark chocolate, sweet potato butter and peanut butter.  Mmmm!  

Typically my oats to toppings ratio is one 1:1.  I love toppings!

I actually turned down chocolate donuts in favor of my oats this morning.  This is what breakfast could have looked like:
Glazed Chocolate Donuts
Adapted from the Happy Herbivore

1 cup Almond milk
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp agave
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp Almond Milk

In measuring cup, pour in 1 cup almond milk and 1 tsp lemon juice.  Let sit for a moment until milk "curdles".  Stir in vanilla, agave and brown sugar.

In medium bowl whisk together dry ingredients (omitting powdered sugar and almond milk).  Stir wet into dry and spoon batter into ziploc bag. 

Cut the corner of the bag and pipe 2 tbsp batter into mini-donut pan or Babycakes appliance like mine.  For baking instructions follow the Happy Herbivore's instructions.  For Babycakes, bake for 4 minutes.  Let donuts cool.

Whisk together powdered sugar and 1 tbsp almond milk.  Dip each donut into glaze and let dry.

Yum, yum.

And while we are on the subject of recent eats...here is dinner last night:
I made Angela's Falafel Burgers a few days ago and we are still eating on the leftovers.  Combined with roasted veggies and corn on the cob.  Flavorful, fresh and filling!

Ok, onto another forgotten subject: Fitness.

I have taken quite the hiatus from regular workouts over the last 3 weeks.  Many would denounce my break, saying that I should continue to work out when busy to help eliminate stress.  However, for me, the break from regular workouts was much needed and felt refreshing.  And honestly, my every day job is typically very physical, so I wasn't left feeling worthless or like a couch potato.  I stayed active and busy. 

While I took away the demand to workout each week, I still opted for a few runs just because I felt like it.  Over the last 3 weeks I think I managed to squeeze in 4 runs.  Not bad considering I wasn't planning to work out at all!  I also took a few bike rides that were work related...not workout related.  All the same. 

Well now my 3 weeks are up.  I began this week with an open schedule and a readiness to hit the gym (street, etc).  So yesterday (Monday) I started fresh with a 4 mile run.  All by myself.  No music.  No Garmin.  I typically hate running on my own but yesterday I felt refreshed.  It was a great start to the week.

Today was an even better workout that helped clear the cobwebs from my 3 week break.  I met Ashley at the gym for a high intensity interval workout, sometimes referred to HIIT (training).  Here's how it went down:

HIIT Workout 

5 minute warm-up on the treadmill @ 6.0

Then we alternated between treadmill and weights.  I started treadmill, she started weights.  We did this series twice through:

2 minutes treadmill (speed):
     1 minute 7.0 (1.0 incline)
     1 minute 7.5 (1.0 incline)

pushups for 2 minutes

2 minutes treadmill (hills):
     1 minute 3.0 incline, 6.0 pace (10 minute/mile pace)
     1 minute 6.0 incline, 6.0 pace

tricep dips for 2 minutes

2 minute treadmill speed

back lunges and curls for 2 minutes

2 minute treadmill hills

plie squat alternating front and lateral raises

It was a sweaty good time and I really worked my heart and my muscles.  It felt so good to move my body like that.  Toward the end of our second round we started getting crazy with our speed trying out paces closer to 6 and 7 minute miles.  Our motto: I can do anything for just 1 minute!

So life returns to normal again.  A balance of hard workouts with easier days, and a balance of healthy eats with treats mixed in.  Back to mainly office work for the summer and afternoons spent with the kiddos.  That's where I am. 

The last two days I have taken 3 hour naps right around the 2:00pm time.  Guess what?  It is now 2pm and I am fading fast.  I might need a caffeine pick up today because a nap is not an option!  Off to get the kiddos from school!  Have a great Tuesday!

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