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Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

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GNC Total Lean PB Shake

In Fitness, Food, Recipe, Running, San Diego, Weight loss on October 16, 2012 at 11:47 pm

GNC Total Lean 25 PB shake

This bad boy is packed with 30g of protein! And it is delicious!

What you’ll need…

4-5 ice cubes

1 cup Almond Breeze unsweetened milk

2 scoops GNC Total Lean 25 – Rich Chocolate

2 tbsp PB2 powdered peanut butter

2-3 Truvia packets

Dash of cinnamon

I like to mix everything but 2 Truvia packets, blend well then add the other two packets once in my cup.

Blend well

Cinnamon has several suggested health benefits…

  1. May lower bad cholesterol (LDL)
  2. Has antifungal properties
  3. Has anti-clotting effect on blood.
  4. Natural remedy for eliminating migraines/headaches.
  5. Can helps stabilize blood sugar (which is good for weight loss)

IMPORTANT: It can be toxic in large doses. So just a dash or shake in your coffee/tea or in this case, a smoothie/shake will be plenty enough. 

Also, the PB 2 powdered peanut butter product is AMAZING. I ordered mine from amazon.com and this is my first time using it. The taste is amazing and using it in smoothies is a great way to eliminate the extra calories and fat regular PB has.

GNC Total Lean 25 PB Shake Nutritional Information: 285 calories, 9g fat, 24g carbs, 7g sugar, 30g protein.

This was my post run fuel, even though I only ran 2 miles. More time constraints…ugh!!! But I pushed myself and tried to make it a worthwhile run.

I should’ve gone for negative splits…oh well. 8:24 overall pace.

Sophie has graduated to a new booster (carseat) !! She has also just been accepted into a preschool program here in SD. We are very excited about that!!

Big girl!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. Always consult your Dr./Nutritionist if you have questions.

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Make Ahead Breakfast…

In Fitness, Food, Life, Recipe on October 11, 2012 at 2:42 am

 

I was inspired by another blogger after she posted an egg casserole that she makes for breakfasts. I’ve been making a similar breakfast casserole for years now and it’s an absolute fav of mine. It’s so easy to make & re-heat. It’s great for all three meals and even snacks.

So I thought I would share with my readers. I like to have a few pre-made meals/snacks for during the day. It takes the guess work out of eating healthy.

Egg & Spinach breakfast casserole:

Finished product.

What I used:

8×8 baking dish

TJ Olive Oil spray

Italian seasoning

Mild cheddar TJ cheese stick (shredded myself)

4 eggs

2 tbsp chopped ham

1tbsp TJ chia seeds

2-3 handfuls TJ baby spinach

Salt/pepper to taste

Generously coat pan with spray and add spinach.

Beat 4 eggs, mix in everything else.

Pour over spinach.

Oven – 400*, Bake for 25 minutes. Makes about 9 servings.

Nutritional Information: (roughly) 1 small square: 56 calories, 4g fat, 5g protein.

I usually eat 2 squares, because they are kind of thin. They are so good and make great snacks too! And it’s totally customizable, add any veggie or meat you want. Leave out the cheese, etc. Personally, I think some small amount of meat/cheese helps hold it together. Enjoy!

I entered in to the Lululemon world today! EEK!!!! I’ve been contemplating a purchase for a while now and finally bought something a few days ago. 

My Lululemon purchase

LOVE my top. Going to try it out cycling tomorrow.

So pretty!

Sophie says “hi”…

Silly girl.

Ok, so are you a Lulu wearer?

What are your favorite pieces?

 

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Fall Mornings: Crockpot Oatmeal

In Fitness, Food, Life, Recipe on October 6, 2012 at 5:57 pm

 

Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

I made Apple Cinnamon (my favorite) crockpot oatmeal for the first time last night and it’s delicious! I love oatmeal, but was skeptical that this would be tasty. It’s not only tasty, but it’s also clean and healthy.

Ingredients:

What you need.

What I used…

Grease your crockpot FIRST!!

I used Unsweetened Almond Breeze in place of skim milk and rolled oats instead of steel cut (didn’t have any).

Throw it all in the crockpot, sliced apples last and cook on low for 7 hours. I got up this morning about 7 and put my crockpot on warm. Left it that way until 10 and it was perfect. I added a few packets of Truvia, well because I have a sweet tooth.

Nutritional Info:

3/4 c. serving size – 149cal (that’s using skim milk), 3.6g fat, 27.3g of carbs, 3.9g fiber, 4.9g protein.

Original idea came from here.

Last night.

This morning!

Yesterday, my new medicine ball arrived, along with my Gymboss timer. I love them both!! So of course I had to try them out.

WOD: 10 weighted squats – 30lbs, 10 strict push-ups – 5 rounds for time

Thrusters and wood chops, oh my!

Used the weight plate for thrusters and the medicine ball for wood chops and more push-ups. Killer workout.

Last thing, if you know me well, you know I LOVE sports. Baseball and football are my two favorites, but I just love competition in general, so I get sucked in to most sports. Last night was VERY bittersweet as a baseball and Atlanta Braves fan. I’ve been a Braves fan my whole life, been to countless games and cheered religiously for them. Chipper Jones was a rare athlete in that he stayed an Atlanta Brave. For as long as I can remember, he has been the face of the Braves. The reason I’ve been a fan. Along with John Smoltz, Chipper has always been my Brave. You know, the one you buy their jerseys, t-shirts, etc… So his last at bat was emotional. I had invested many hours of my life cheering for him and I’m incredibly happy he has retired an Atlanta Brave. Thanks for the 19 seasons, Chipper!! Every minute cheering for you was worth it!!

My favorite Brave!

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No Rest Sunday.

In CrossFit, exercise, Fitness, Food, Running, San Diego on October 1, 2012 at 5:49 am

 

Hodads

If you are ever in San Diego, allow me to treat you to the best burger in town (at least I think so). Hodads is this tiny little hole in the wall burger joint downtown, and it’s amazing. We ate there for lunch today. Sophie is telling a big story above, how cute is she? But with that delicious burger, had to come an intense workout.

GNC Pro-Scuplt – Fruit Punch

Pre-Workout

So, pro-sculpt is growing on me. You mix 1 scoop with 10oz of water. It reminds me of some sort of childhood medicine. Each time I use it, I like it a little better. The best thing is, I get the kick I need. I typically use pro-sculpt if I’m going to be doing lots of cardio. If I’m doing strictly strength training, then I’ll take the GNC Meta-Ignite. So far, no complaints.

The Workouts:

Fitbook

WOD: 10 rounds – 10 hand-release push-ups & 10 squats

By round 6, my triceps and shoulders were on fire. I went through those 10 rounds with very little rest. All you really need is a mat (if you’re on hard surfaces).

HITT: Provided by BlondePonytail.com I’m loving her GNC series workouts. They are the bomb! 

I switched it up a little bit since I technically just did 100 push-ups and don’t have a medicine ball (yet!)

Equipment: Jump rope, medicine ball/or dumbbell/kettlebell – whatever you have. An interval timer.

1. Thrusters/Jump rope – I used a 15lb dumbbell instead of a medicine ball.

2. Plank toe taps/Jump rope

3. Wood chops R/Jump rope

4. Wood chops L/Jump rope

You can check out the link above and watch her video demonstration. You set your interval timer to 30:30. 30 seconds of first workout then 30 seconds of jump rope. No rest. I was sweating right off the bat. I did plank toe taps instead of the push-ups.

Followed all that up with 30 minutes on my bike trainer doing speed intervals.

New favorite treat.

Sophie and I have fallen in love with Trader Joe’s Almond chocolate ‘milk’. It’s so good and a nice little treat. It’s a little high on the sugar side, so I don’t drink a full serving. But it’s sweet and tastes good after a workout.

Tomorrow starts trying to get my body back in decent racing form. 1 month till Ragnar TENNESSEE!!!!!!

Disclaimer: These are workouts and supplements that I do and take. I’m in no way recommending you do or take them. Always consult your physician before starting a new workout program. I use my blog as a way to share workouts and products that are beneficial to myself. You assume all risk of workouts and supplements you take. 

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Mind Games

In Fitness, Food, Road race, Running, San Diego on September 30, 2012 at 3:50 am

I set out early this morning for a 10 mile run with two of my best running buddies. Both have pushed me through many a painful runs while marathon training. There is something special about the bond you share with your ‘endurance’ friends. They get it. They understand when everyone else just thinks you’re crazy.

Last weekend said friend and I ran 8 miles, fairly easy.

Danielle, my dearest friend.

This weekend, knowing I should run long, was already in the mindset that I didn’t want to run more than 6 miles. This week starts an intense training month leading up to Ragnar Relay, so I thought I’d take it easy this morning. Nope. Danielle says “I’m running ten”. She is one of the LUCKY few who was accepted in to the Nike Women’s Half-Marathon in San Francisco (SOOOOO happy for her) in a few weeks. It’s a lottery entry, she is stoked to be running it. So, how can I leave her hanging for 10 miles alone? So another friend and I man up and run it with her. Endurance was fine, but my legs hated every step of it. Bricks, much? Especially those last two miles where they were cursing me. Yes, I heard them.  And the red lights, the dreaded red lights. Stopping and going, might as well just shoot me now. Ok, so I might be a tad dramatic…but you get my point. The funny thing is, how many times have I ran 10 miles? I’ve lost count. But I still have those runs where I feel like a beginner and not quite sure how to make my legs move forward. Those are the runs where I have to visualize what awaits me at the finish…

Recovery

A delicious Con Pane cinnamon roll and roasted turkey sandwich. I’m telling you what, you haven’t experienced a deli quite like Con Pane. It makes ANY run worth it! Oh and the San Diego skyline isn’t a bad view either.

Fun in the sun

Took the kids to Coronado to run around this afternoon.

A trick I learned (thanks Holly!) during marathon training to help aid in recovery was to “rinse” your legs using a water hose, as soon as you could after a run. There were many a run, I was standing in my driveway hosing my legs down with ice cold water. But, I swear by it. Same effect as an ice bath, just a tad more bearable. I say that because my legs were sore today and standing in the ocean had the same effect. It was COLD today. But the kids loved it.

Pre-RUN: GNC’s Pro-scuplt and 1 orange.

I’ve also added these bad boys to my supplements.

GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil 1500

Fish Oil

GNC Probiotics Ultra 5 Probiotic Complex with Fiber

Reduces harmful bacteria and aids in good bacteria for digestion.

GNC Total Lean Engergizing Lean Chew

Energy chews

Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!

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Yummy Eats

In CrossFit, Fall, Fitness, Food, Life, Recipe, Running, San Diego on September 29, 2012 at 1:00 am

 

Homemade taco seasoning

Do you make your own taco seasoning? Well you should ;).

What you need:

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic & onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt & pepper

It won’t turn your meat that weird orange color and tastes better.

Almost done with September…notice our Disney week?

Did a 3 mile beach run last night, averaged a 7:45 pace.  Was your run this gorgeous?

Sunset run.

Friday ‘WOD’: Run 200m, 11 push-ups, 11 weighted walking lunges (35lb weight plate), 11 thrusters. 5 rounds for time.

Core workout: Plank 2 spidey, reverse plank w/ leg lift, V-ups, ankle taps, butterfly sit-ups. 5 rounds, 15 reps each.

Happy Fall!! We might not get all the beautiful tree colors of fall, but my Birds of Paradise have bloomed! Love them!

Birds of Paradise are blooming!

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Clean Eating and Why?

In Food, Life, Weight loss on September 21, 2012 at 6:01 pm

I’ve been asked several times about clean eating and why I’ve chosen to do it. I don’t necessarily look at it as “clean eating” so much as just eating healthy. Not dieting, not starving myself, just eating the right foods. If “clean eating” is something that may interest you, here are a few tips I go by.

  1. READ LABELS! This could be a whole different post on it’s own. But it’s as simple as that. Read the labels for your food. If it has 6-7 ingredients, chances are, you could consider it a “clean” food. Example:

 

5 ingredients. 

Try and educate yourself on the chemicals put in to food. That way when you are looking over ingredients, you can recognize what each one is.

2. Sugar: This could also take up another post. My method with sugar is moderation. That’s all I’ve got for ya. I don’t believe in doing anything to one extreme or another. Obviously eating a cup of strawberries is going to be different than a poptart. 😉 And your body will utilize the sugar from strawberries vs. poptart differently. Sugar naturally is brown, so keep that in mind.

3. Consider the source: “Clean” eating could be summarized as eating food closest to it’s natural state. Some people believe this allows too much wiggle room. But I believe that is the just of it. Example: If you asked a clean eater “if they would rather eat the orange, drink orange juice, or <insert orange flavored processed food>” A clean eater would pick the orange. It comes directly off a tree, making it as close to nature as possible. Buying organic oranges will eliminate the chemicals. 

4.Start With Small Changes: Clean eating shouldn’t be stressful. If the only way you can make the switch is throwing everything processed out, then by all means knock yourself out (not literally). Most of us can achieve clean eating by making small changes daily/weekly until it becomes habit.

Disclaimer: The above tips are just meant as a guideline. Always consult your physician/dietician before starting a new diet. You assume all risks for food you choose to eat. 

So those are a few guidelines I try to consider when choosing foods. There are several different methods for clean eating. I try to eat this way 85% of the time. And yes, sometimes I like to enjoy that processed poptart, only after 50 miles on the bike. 😉 Moderation is key with anything we do.

Have a great weekend!!

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Workin It Out

In CrossFit, exercise, Fitness, Food, Life, Running, San Diego on September 20, 2012 at 4:09 am

Morning run

I had an awesome 3 mile short run this morning. It was 70*, perfect running weather!

Not a soul on Coronado!

Came home and combined a WOD and sprint exercise. It was tough. I really hope CrossFit will help me run on tired legs during the Tennessee Ragnar Relay race. Especially since I’ll be running two legs. :/ Guess I should start seriously training, eh?

Wednesday WOD

I don’t why I put 5 rounds. You only go through this once, but you sprint 200m 5 times.

I buy all my “training” food from REI. Anybody else love that store?? I mean, it’s addicting. I can’t go in there and NOT spend at least $100. They are running their 20% off 12 or more nutrition items…can’t pass that up! I’ve also been eyeing Teva sandals for Sophie. Some people like Chaco’s, I like Teva’s.

For my inner endurance junkie!

My workouts warranted Chipotle, right? Well, my parents have never been to this amazing place. So of course, any excuse to go is good enough for me! Steak burrito and chips/salsa. I love that all of their meats are hormone/anti-biotic free.

Food for my running soul…Chipotle!

The wild ones.

The little beasts!

So, I ran in my new Reebok CrossFit Nano 2.0. They aren’t classified as running shoes, but they are “minimal” inspired. They felt great and are super light. Now, can I have a red and grey pair??

Hope you guys worked it out today. Another beautiful day in San Diego (sorry, don’t mean to brag ;))

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Feelin’ Beachy!

In 2012, California, Fitness, Food, Life, San Diego on September 18, 2012 at 4:08 am

My growin’ girl!

So, I’m originally from East Tenessee and my parents are here visiting us in San Diego for a few weeks. We are going to Disneyland next week!!!! If you know my child, you know she is OBSESSED with all things Mickey. I mean, she will even watch the old school black and white  Mickey. I bought her a few classics off Amazon a while back. She l.o.v.e.s. him! We have all the plush toys, coloring books, plates/silverware/cups, movies, all of it. So I think I’m more excited to watch her experience it more than anything.

Anyways, we spent the afternoon at the beach today. It’s finally back in to the 70’s and it was a beautiful day.

Pretty girl.

My mom and nephew.

It was back to the grind today and I managed only 20 minutes of strength training today, oh well.

10 DB hang squats, 6 push-ups – 12 rounds for time. 100 plank jacks/mountain climbers alternating every 10. 

Look who got new kicks!

Snazzy right?

What I’m eating…

Breakfast.

So I’ve finally gotten my coffee protein shake the way I want it.

What you’ll need…

4 ice cubes

1/4 c. almond breeze

1/4 c. coffee

2 scoops

GNC Lean Shake 25 – rich chocolate

Couple truvia packets (your choice)

It’s something like 240 calories, 4 g. sugar, 26 g. protein…

Hope you found time to be active today!! 

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Proof.

In CrossFit, Fitness, Food, San Diego, Weight loss on September 12, 2012 at 11:27 pm

First, I have to say, I did not want to work out today. I set my alarm for 6:00 this morning, hit snooze about 5 times, by that time I had to get ready for my CPR/AED certification class. So I blew my morning workout, which I always feel guilty about. I finally made myself do it around 3:30 this afternoon. Once I got going, I was good though. Anybody else feel like it should be Friday already?

So here was the workout today:

WOD: Burpee to push-up, 10 push-ups, back to burpee. 5 rounds for time. 

Today was core day, except when is it ever NOT core day? Especially with CrossFit. Did 5 more rounds of:

Plank knees-to-elbows, table top crunches, v-ups, ankle taps, butterfly sit-ups. 15 of each. 

#proof

I only took the side shot because in a month, I want to see how far I’ve come. I’m 3 1/2 weeks in to more HIIT workouts and can already see a difference in my abdominals area. It’s a tough area for us girls to tone. So ladies, it is possible after baby!! Don’t believe the lie that you can’t be better than ever. If you put in the work, you’ll see the results.

Gotta share the top I’m wearing because it’s amazing. The Nike Pro line is worth every penny you spend.

Look what I found??

Ok, so I can’t lie and even pretend like that Fro Yo is even remotely healthy. 23g of sugar for 1/2 cup, 200 calories. You really are better off just eating plain ole vanilla ice cream or something. But it sure is yummy. So if you can keep it to 3-4 small bites, you won’t derail too much! 😉

Want a better alternative?

150 calories, for a whole pint???

These bad boys have whey protein in them and only 150 calories for that whole pint. I found these at Sprouts Farmers Market here in San Diego…you can check their website to see retailers near you.

Nutrition label

Happy Hump Day, bring on Friday!