Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Happy Singles Awareness Day

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I like being married to the gym single.

monopoly cats

I couldn’t even handle having a cat in my life.

What I can handle is eating red food.  I’ve been traveling too much to make anything special, but if I make it to the grocery store today I may eat something red.

In the meantime, I did manage to round-up my favorites… and separate them into courses.  This is what happens when you blog on an airplane.

Then I couldn’t help myself – I made a new sugar-free, high protein microwave cake when I got home from the airport.  It was late, the pics are dark… but this is what happens when you are without chocolate cake and Nuttzo for days.  Cravings must be satisfied!  Recipe at the end.

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Breakfast

Raspberry Baked Oatmeal (To-Go!)

Raspberry Baked Oatmeal (To-Go!)

♥

Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

♥

Roasted Beet and Orange Smoothie

Roasted Beet and Orange Smoothie

♥

Mains

Crabby Smoked Gazpacho

Crabby Smoked Gazpacho

♥

Vegan Goat Cheese Stuffed Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

Vegan Goat Cheese Stuffed Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

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Veggie Sushi with Beet Wasabi Sauce

Veggie Sushi with Beet Wasabi Sauce

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Dessert

Beet Protein Frozen Custard

Beet Protein Frozen Custard

♥

Strawberry Smoky Almond Tart

Strawberry Smoky Almond Tart

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This last dessert is the one I made upon arriving home last night.  I had a fierce peanut butter and chocolate craving, and this sugar-less treat fit the bill.  And did I mention it has 30g of protein???

If you stop the microwave while it still looks a tad jiggly on top, you’ll have a gooey, molten cake.  Which is exactly when I did, and highly recommend.  Then I topped it with a healthy serving of Nuttzo (which I am obsessed with), and a festive strawberry heart.

PB Chocolate Cake

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Microwave Cake

  • 2 T peanut flour
  • 1 scoop (2T) chocolate protein powder
  • 1 T cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 1 T pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 C egg whites
  • 1/4 unsweetened almond milk (or water)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 drops chocolate liquid stevia (I used NuNaturals)

 

Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl.  Add wet to dry and stir to combine.  

Transfer to a small, greased bowl (I used coconut oil).  Microwave until just done, ~ 45-60 secs.  

Transfer to a plate, top as desired, and enjoy!

Approximate Nutritionals: 180 calories, 4g fat, 150.8mg sodium, 11.2g carbohydrates, 4.8g fiber, 1.5g sugar, 31.5g protein

I received this jar of NuttZo free of charge through participation in a FitFluential campaign. I was not otherwise compensated; all opinions on the product are my own (I already ate the stuff religiously). Check out NuttZo on Twitter and/or Facebook!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

I think this is the perfect night to curl up with a glass of red wine, some popcorn, and dark chocolate while watching Grey’s.

Do you have big Valentine’s plans?

What is your favorite Valentine-themed food?  I dig those Reese’s hearts… the shapes have more PB!

 

Coca-Cola’s Anti-Obesity Campaign + WIAW

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Coca-Cola is fighting obesity?!

 

Something feels fishy.

When you make your money by selling sugar… can you really be an anti-obesity voice?

[pullquote align=”left|center|right” textalign=”left|center|right” width=”30%”]”The biggest single source contributor to child and adult obesity in the USA is sugar-sweetened beverages,” says Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.[/pullquote]

 

Monday night Coca-Cola will begin airing a two-minute video on several national cable networks,  It talks about the range of beverages produced by Coca-Cola, and how they voluntarily began offering water, juice, and lower calorie options (let’s not talk about the additives in diet drinks…) in schools.

 

Sugars in soda

 

Damage control?  Most certainly.  But should we complain or be happy they are making a positive move, regardless of the motivation?

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This WIAW post is terrible.  I admit it.  I’m doing what I can to eat anything at all in order to recover from this stomach bug.  There weren’t any real “meals, ” so I’m calling them all snacks.

I did eat all of this randomness with blessing from my trainer:

 

Be sure to click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see everyone else’s (more appetizing) meals!

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Snack 1:

I wasn’t sure what to expect from my stomach when I woke up, but I figured kombucha green tea and a couple of Go Raw Spirulina Super Chips.

Go Raw crackers

 

 

Snack 2:

Crackers stayed down so I decided to move on to bread.  Half an English muffin made by my mom with TONS of peanut butter and some fig jam.  It was the jam.

 

 

Snack 3:

I had to go home (Mom’s Internet is down = deal breaker), but mom sent me with homemade matzoh ball soup.  I swear this is the perfect sick food.

Mom makes the best matzoh ever.  And we’re not Jewish.

Matzo Ball Soup

 

I chased that with a Lemon-Ginger Kombucha.  Reed’s was a new brand to me.  I liked it, but Buchi Fire remains my #1.

Reed's Kombucha Lemon Ginger Raspberry

 

 

Snack 4:

Right before my next feeding, I got an email from my concierge that a package had arrived.  My iHerb delivery!!!  I shuffled down to collect it, and made snack #2 with some of its contents.

 

iHerb order

  • Peanut flour
  • Growing Naturals’ Chocolate Protein Powder (SO good!)
  • CarbRite bars
  • Collagen
  • Probiotics
  • Resveratrol (antioxidant… and “supposedly” anti-aging)
  • Creatine (I’m going to try it… stand by)

 

If you haven’t tried peanut flour or the Growing Natural’s rice protein yet, I highly recommend both!  Use code USO924 for $5-10 off your order.

 

The thing about being sick is that you end up carb-loading.  I needed some green and protein to help me heal!  A green smoothie bowl with my replenished protein powder was in order.

 

healing green smoothie

Healing Green Smoothie

  • 2 C raw spinach
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 in piece fresh ginger
  • 1 stick fresh cinnamon (or 1/2 tsp ground)
  • Pinch of Guar Gum
  • Ice + water, to taste
  • Toppings: pomegranate arils and oats

 

I put it all in the Vitamix and let it run until I had “ice cream.”

FYI: banana and ginger are both tummy-soothers, cinnamon is anti-bacterial, and pomegranates are antioxidents!

 

 

Snack 5:

Anything involving peanut butter sounded good to me today.  Apples are good for the tummy.  Naturally I needed to have both.

Mom had been telling me to eat Greek yogurt for the probiotics… that sour-ish taste didn’t appeal to me, but I finally found a way I could do it: Apples and zucchini with Peanut Yogurt Dip.

 

Peanut Yogurt Dip

Peanut Yogurt Dip

  • 1/4 C Greek yogurt
  • 2 T peanut flour
  • 3-4 drops liquid Stevia
  • Unsweetened almond milk (to desired consistency, ~2 T)

 

 

Meal 6:

I don’t know why this sounded good, but I wanted something chocolate.  I mixed up the dregs of a cottage cheese container with 1/2 scoop of my chocolate protein powder and some almond milk.  Then I crushed a rogue bag of airplane pretzels on top.  Tasty.

Cottage cheese and chocolate protein

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The protein count for the day: I have NO idea.

Don’t forget to join the Strange But Good link up this Friday!!! 🙂

What do you think about Coke’s anti-obesity ads?

What is your comfort food when you have a tummy thing?

 

Flu Fighting + Oatmeal Cookie Shake

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This was going to be an “easier” week leading up to my big race Saturday.

I just didn’t realize how easy…

About 1:30am on Sunday I got sick.  Stomach flu sick.  Hence the super-late post today.

At 4am I was a little worried I was going to pass out and texted to see if my mom was awake.  The woman never sleeps, I swear.  She was at my door in 30 mins.  Yup, I’m almost 30 and I call my mom when I’m sick.

I actually feel really lucky that I didn’t get it worse.  My little sister had it last week and she was in the ER getting fluids!  When I felt like I could make it in the car, Mom took me back to her house where she nursed me back to health.

Flu remedy

Ginger Kombucha with bananas.  And a flamingo.  Sure to make the sickest patient smile.  I ♥ my mom.

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Enough unpleasantry!  Let’s drink cookie shakes!

You may remember this creation from last year… it is on my “sick craving” list today.  Thankfully, it’s one that would actually be good on my tummy since it uses Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened Vanilla and bananas (bananas are good on an upset tummy, FYI).

Appropriate for breakfast or dessert, this is one tasty batter. The mix of oats, banana, flax, and coconut flour give it a fabulously doughy texture. I almost wanted to put the mix in the oven once I blended it.

Nutritional yeast may seem like a weird addition, but it has a rich, nutty taste that compliments the sweet flavors in this dough. The vanilla and cinnamon add to the cookie flavor, and – if you have it – the butter extract just adds a hint of “fresh from the oven.”

Oatmeal Cookie Protein Shake

Oatmeal Cookie Shake

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4 C rolled oats (use gluten-free for a GF shake)
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1.5 tsp ground flax
  • 1 T coconut flour
  • 1.5 tsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp butter extract
  • 7-8 drops liquid stevia
  • 1/2 C Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened Vanilla
  • Ice, to taste
  • 1/8 tsp Guar Gum (optional, but this addition will make your smoothie thicker)
  • Toppings: crushed walnuts, raisins, cacao nibs (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a high-seed blender and blend until smooth.

Add toppings and drink your dough!

Notes:

  • Nutrition will vary based on the protein powder you use.
  • You may leave out the protein powder; however, I like the addition because protein is good for muscle building/recovery and it makes this even more filling.
  • Using Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened Vanilla rather than skim milk saves you 25 calories in this recipe

Oatmeal Shake Nutrition

Be sure to check out Silk Pure Almond website and Facebook page to see more delicious, creative recipes!

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Silk and FitFluential, LLC. All opinions are my own. Learn more about Silk Pure Almond Unsweetened on Facebook and Twitter.

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The endurance cram-session post is coming.  I swear… unforseen circumstances.  Ugh.

Do you have a stomach bug miracle cure?  I have to be 100% by Saturday!

What is your favorite milk?  I will never go back to regular again.

Pear-Ginger Tofu Surprise

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People always joke about the lunch lady and her “surprise” specialties.

Surprise and tuna should never be in the same sentence.

Dishes with unidentifiable ingredients can be a scary thing.  We all fear the unknown.  Rest assured, this is one surprise bowl you need not fear.

The first surprise is the ingredient in Heather’s Meatless Monday round-up this week – Spinach.  My favorite!

BWV-January

Spinach may be the most versatile veggie in the land.  I like it in salads, sautés, sauces, soups… apparently anything that starts with an S…  I especially like it in smoothies.  It’s the perfect way to sneak extra veggies in you diet and to make your drinks a very pretty color.

Today’s Pear-Ginger Tofu Surprise Smoothie is the thickest, creamiest smoothie you’ll ever have.  Guaranteed.  The tofu and avocado together make this reminiscent of a soft-serve treat.  The pear and ginger flavors are a fun, refreshing combination… and you’d never detect the green surprises if it weren’t for the color.

Strange.  But good.

The strange but goodness doesn’t end with the surprise ingredients.  How I stored the ingredients is also a thing of curiosity.

Do you ever eat half an avocado and wonder what to do with the rest?  No matter what I do, they don’t store well.  So I freeze them.  Remove the skin and toss it in a baggie for safe keeping in the freezer.  I toss the frozen chunks into smoothies for the added creaminess and healthy fats.

Warning: You can thaw it for use in a dip, but it won’t be the same if you try to eat it in slices.

Same goes for the pear.  I had a massive pear and only wanted half.  The other half went into my freezer, and was used in this smoothie.  Awesome, right?  We all knew this worked with bananas.  Don’t be afraid to try it with everything!  I’ve done oranges, cherries, berries, mango, peaches… beans….

Pear-Ginger Suprise Smoothie

Pear-Ginger Tofu Surprise Smoothie

  • 3 oz tofu
  • 1 C fresh spinach
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Sun Warrior)
  • 1/2 large pear
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 1/4 in piece fresh ginger
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 small slice fresh lemon
  • 5-6 drops liquid stevia
  • Water + ice, to taste
  • Optional toppings: oats, muesli, cinnamon, etc.

Throw everything into a high-speed blender and mix until smooth.  

Add toppings of your choosing and enjoy!

Serves 1.

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Week 1 of Junk-Free January was amazing.  It sounds funny, but I almost forgot how good it feels to eat clean.  Energy is awesome!  11 weeks until my next competition and I am PUMPED!

Do you freeze your leftover produce?

Are you detoxed from the holiday yet?  Or are you one of those “good” people with self-control? 😉

2012’s Popularity Contest + WIAW

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2012 was a great year for discoveries.

 

I can’t believe I survived without some of these things before.

I feel like I’ve gotten to know so many inspiring people (like YOU).  Becoming a member of the FitFluential community has been a huge game changer.  The members of that community are constant sources of motivation and positive energy.  I’ve discovered new blog, learned a lot, and been able to learn about new products (shameless plug: perfect example is my Polar HRM from h.h. gregg – check out the review/giveaway here).

 

Polar Leg Day

 

Another amazing discovery was Instagram.  It’s unbelievable how much it’s changed the way we interact.  I love that when I can’t decide what to eat, I can just scroll through my feed.  It has been a fun way to have conversations with people throughout the day!  It’s basically Twitter with pictures and open comment threads!  I also love seeing recipes people are interesting in.  I forget that just because I make a certain snack every week doesn’t mean everyone else does!

 

I also have to give a holla to my morning cocktail.  Apple Cider vinegar became an addiction in 2012.  I drink it every morning with my Fitmixer Aminos (fruit punch flavor).  It is delicious and has totally replaced my need for coffee in the morning.  Love.  It.

 

 

One last love.  Peanut flour.  I cannot imagine my life without it.  I use it in savory sauces, smoothies, PB & Jegg-like creations, Elvis French Toast… to quote the Texas Pete lady: “I put that shit on everything.”  You can order it online through iHerb.com.  Use code USO924 to get $5 off your order!

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This popularity contest is my first WIAW post of 2013… What I Ate in 2012!  Below are the Top 10 Sprint 2 the Table posts of 2012 (based on page views).  Click on titles to link to the recipe.

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Check out the Top 10 below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how other started out their 2013.

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Most Poplar Recipes of 2012

1. Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

These take the prize for my favorite veggie sneak.  If you tasted these, you would have NO idea they have zucchini. OR that they are basically sugar-free.

 

 

2. Banana Creme Brownie Parfait

What’s better than brownies?  Brownies with (healthy) icing.

 

3. Raspberry Baked Oatmeal To-Go

Seeing this recipe pop up in the top 10 made me realize I’ve been making new versions and not sharing.  I’ve share a new twist on this soon!  I always have a few in the freezer for quick breakfast or snack.

 

 

4. Peanut Butter & Jeggs

I would like to vote this my favorite invention – and worst pic – of 2012!

 

 

5. 150 Calorie Chocolate Protein Cake

I’m actually eating one as I draft this post.  This cake is my most repeated dish of 2012!

Chocolate-Microwave-Protein-Muffin

 

 

6. Vegan Goat Cheese Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

I made these for a French-themed book club while I was eating vegan.  The meat-eating crowd ate them with no problems!

Vegan Goat Cheese Tomatoes

 

 

7. Chewy Granola Cookies

Otherwise known as “the ones that mom likes.”  She requests them. 🙂

granola-cookie

 

 

8. Sprouting Chickpeas

It shocked me to learn how easy sprouting is!

chickpeas sprouted

 

 

9. PB & Aggs (Peanut Butter and Apple-Eggs) and Carrot Cake Protein Batter

I don’t know which of these made this post popular… but I eat both almost weekly.

PB & Aggs and Carrot Cake Batter

 

 

10. Basic Protein Shake Recipe and Protein Powder Review

This is one of my favorites because it’s the post where I announced I was training for my first figure competition!

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I’m so excited to start Junk-Free January!  My sister came over for dinner last night, and we enjoyed a tasty kombucha cocktail over out collards and black-eyed peas.

What was your favorite recipe last year?

Did you have any group/social platform discoveries on 2012?

 

Orange Cardamom TVP “Oats” + WIAW

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105 lbs doesn’t seem like a ton.

Until it’s on your lap while you’re doing dips…

Normally I do legs (my least favorite) with my trainer, but last night I had a back and tri day.  It was a great reminder that – even though my upper body is more developed – I still need a “check up” every so often.  With a little help I can move SO much more weight.  I couldn’t have stacked those weights on my lap by myself… and there is no way in hell I would have turned that last set into a drop set.

I’m feeling much better with my diet after last week’s adjustments, and it’s paying off.  My trainer noticed growth.   (He also told me I make sex-like noises while doing hack squats.  Weird that hacking with 200 lbs elicits the same sort of sound…).  A couple of other people have commented recently too (on the gains, not the noises).  Never in my life did I think people telling me I look bigger would be a compliment! 🙂

It is a little disconcerting to have lost my abs, but I know they’ll be back and looking better than ever after bulking season.  I need to print that reminder out and tape it to my mirror.

My Kitchen Workout (have you joined?) is keeping me motivated an (mostly) on track during this month of indulgences.  Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday theme this month is also a great accountability check!

Below is a day of a figure competitor’s bulking-season eats.  Check it out, and then be sure to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons and see what everyone else is eating during the most delicious time of year.

Meal 1:

I started my day with the only thing I like to repeat: my morning cocktail (mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos), and my 2 mile incline walk.

Then it was time for a breakfast I started dreaming up on Sunday.  This is a new version of my TVP oatmeal, and it may be my favorite one yet!

Indian Spiced TVP Oats

Orange Cardamom TVP “Oatmeal”

  • 1 C water
  • 1/3 C TVP
  • 2 T oats
  • 1 tsp ground flax
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp coconut extract
  • 4-5 drops lemon liquid stevia (or sweetener of choice)
  • 3 T egg whites
  • 1/2 orange, sectioned
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes, to top
Prepare according to these instructions from the original recipe.  Top with orange sections and coconut. Demolish.

Meal 2:

Last week I rocked a chili-lime crab salad with mango for lunch.  This week I was ready for more… but needed to make it strangers for this Friday’s link up.  Being strange pays off, friends.  This one was a hit!  The sweet citrus from the orange was perfect against the tangy lime and heat of the cayenne.

Curried Chili-Orange Crab Salad

  • 3 oz crab
  • 1/2 large orange, sectioned
  • 1/2 C edamame
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Juice from 1/4 fresh lime
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp curry powder
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste
  • Cilantro

Meal 3:

I had to get a new plate to take to work.  My zoo animal paper plates ran out.  Booooo!

On my pretty blue plats is: Chili Nutty Baked Tofu, celery sticks, a P28 protein bagel, and the last of my favorite hummus.  I get this Roots hummus at Whole Foods.  It’s from Asheville, but I’m not sure if you can get it outside of the Southeast.  If you can, the spinach is worth a try!

Meal 4:

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my new swordfish creation Monday night.  I finally tried making it a different way – I chipped it into cubes, coated it in lime juice, avocado oil, and my Mexican spice blend before cooking it under broil for ~10 mins.  It worked like a charm!

I brought the leftovers to work to be enjoyed over a kale salad massaged with coconut vinegar, fresh orange juice, and nutritional yeast.  Topped with baby bellas and red pepper.  My complex carb was a very tasty Garnet sweet potato.

And I wonder why my co-workers think I’m weird….

Meal 5:

Leftovers from yesterday… a creation that I made for this Friday’s Strange But Good link up.  Are you guys planning to participate?!  I’m so excited to see what everyone comes up with!!

Don’t know what I’m talking about?  Click here for the explanation.

Meal 6:

My trainer’s gym is pretty far away (30-45 mins… or an hour during rush hour…), so I always take a recovery shake to enjoy on the ride home.  After a killer workout, I enjoyed a favorite: Carrot Cake Batter Shake.

Don’t you love when your clean-eating #kitchenworkout meals taste dirrrrty?  I added some kale (clearly not enough since it’s still orange-ish), and stirred in muesli for a chewy happy ending.

Meal 7:

I’m on a serious bender with my 150 Calorie Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake.  Tonight I topped it with a healthy scoop of Arctic Zero Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream and a drizzle of peanut flour sauce. Cherries on top.  Fo’ shizzle.

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The protein count for the day: 177.2g.  I can almost feel the growth.  Bwhahaha!

It’s been a week… time for another shameless plugs!  I’d love it if you’d click here and “Like” my new Facebook page. 🙂

Do you have a workout partner or trainer that you “check in” with when you need to push harder?

What is the tastiest “clean” food you’ve eaten this week?  Work it out in the kitchen!

Chili-Lime Crab Salad + WIAW

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I’m full of it.

 

I also love a dual meaning..

No, today I am full of protein and carbs.  Last week I talked about my new, carb-heavy plan in effort to gain.  I also get a daily “cheat” vs. the one cheat day I was getting before.  At first I thought this was awesome, but I now realize that one full day of cheats was better.  It gave my brain a break from measuring out fat-carbs-protein 7x a day.

Which brings me to one reason I love my trainer: he’s open to changing strategy.  We talked about diet last night (during a brutal leg workout), and made a couple of adjustments:

  1. I don’t have to eat if I’m miserable – 6 meals is ok as long as I’m getting in the protein/calories needed to gain (read: no salad for dinner)
  2. Two 1/2 day cheats per week rather than the daily cheat – there wasn’t a point in the daily cheat when I was too full to even take it

 

Of course after complaining I wasn’t hungry at all and nothing sounded good, he killed my legs and I was ready to eat my arm by the time I got home.

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I’m working hard on fueling my body right via my Kitchen Workout (have you joined?) and my training plan.  Jenn must have read my mind, but my goals fit perfectly with this month’s What I Ate Wednesday theme: healthy holiday recipes.  Below is one day of delicious, healthy eats.

 

Be sure to click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons and see how everyone else is eating healthy during the season of temptation joy.

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Meal 1:

Of course I enjoyed my morning cocktail (mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos), followed by a 2 mile incline walk.  I take a treadmill walk every morning while I’m going through my Reader and commenting on blogs and catching up on the royal baby gossip.

Today was an odd breakfast day.  I didn’t know what I wanted!  I was hot after the brisk walk, so I wasn’t relishing the thought of a warm breakfast.  However, I don’t like to have shakes or yogurt for breakfast (I have no idea when/why this started).  After drinking an ice water, I settled on a favorite: runny egg with a P28 protein bagel.  Cooked in truffle oil and served with a side of blackberries.

 

 

Meal 2:

If you follow my on Instagram, you may notice that I ate the same thing for meal 2 yesterday.  This combo was a winner!  Lindsay put the chili-lime flavor combo in my head Sunday night.  Eyeing my fridge, I decided that sounded like a great flavor for my lump crab meat.

 

Chili-Lime Mango Crab Salad

  • 3 oz crab
  • 1/4 large mango, cubed
  • 1/2 C edamame
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Juice from 1/4 fresh lime
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste
  • Cilantro

 

 

Meal 3:

Nothing sounded good to me this afternoon.  I ate meal 3 (lunch) at 2:30.  Chicken Burgers, seasoned with my Mediterranean spice blend and mixed mushrooms and onions.  It was actually really good.  I’m glad I made 2 so I can have it again when I’m more excited about eating.  I ate it on an Ezekial pita with spinach hummus and cucumber slices sprinkled with pepper and paprika.

 

 

 

Meal 4:

Because I was so annoyed at my lack of appetite, I moved up my appointment with my trainer.  Leg day is a great cure for anti-hunger, right?  I whipped up a Zucchini Bread Protein Shake to have post-workout.  I mixed in oats for my carb.

(Random fact: I’ve always loved raw oatmeal.  I even ate them out of the Quaker container as a kid.)

 

Sorry for the bad terrible  pic.  I drank it in the car on the way home and it gets dark early!  And leg day so thoroughly cured my lack of appetite that I nearly forgot a pic.

 

 

Meal 5:

Dinner was leftovers.  This pic is a left over too… ’cause it was much prettier right out of the pot.  I have no real recipe – this Curried Tomato Chicken and Eggplant bowl was a “throw-together” dinner winner.

It involved curry powder, other Indian spices, ground chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, Thai eggplant, onion, red pepper, and cilantro.  I ate it over shirataki noodles. 

 

 

Meal 6:

I repeated again.  Last week I made my beloved Carrot Cake Batter, using cottage cheese in place of the Greek yogurt.  This week I did it again, but also crumbled a salt-free rice cake into it and topped with a little sugar-free caramel (it’s by Walden Farms… and no, it’s isn’t near as good as the real deal). 

Meal 7:

When I drafted this post earlier in the day, I was ready to announce that I failed again at eating meal 7.  Behold, the power of leg day.  Meal 7 was an old favorite: 150 Calorie Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake.  Lots pf protein with cherries on top.

 

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The protein count for the day: 167.3g.

My 2 shameless plugs: I’d love it if you’d click here and “Like” my new Facebook page.  Also, don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to Open Sky!

Are you a fan of “cheat” meals?  Would you rather have it all in one day, or spread out over the week?

How are you keeping it (mostly) clean this season?

 

Last Chance to Be Productive

By

Friday.

 

That day of the week where you can make a final push to get your work done and start Monday with a clean inbox.  Your last chance to be productive for the week.  Or you should screw around on the internet reading surveys like this.

 

Everyone seems do have done this Last Chance survey this week.  I think the first place I saw it was on Brittany’s blog.  I’m joining the party today!

 

Last food you ate?

Vitamix money shot

A post-workout protein shake.  Butternut-Cherry Bomb.  I started making this 2 years ago and it remains on of my favorites.

 

Last beverage you drank?

Water.  I drink 120 oz a day.  Constant peeing.

 

Last workout?

Leg day!  It was my FIRST workout post-competition (except for some walk/runs).  I was so thrilled to get back in the gym that I didn’t complain that it was legs.  Next competition is March!

 

Last thing you pinned?

Alexandra’s Spunky Monkey Pumpkin Pie.  Protein, peanut flour, and pumpkin.  Does it get any better?

 

Last text message you sent?

A text to my trainer complaining that I now have to take 2 weekly rest days.  Lame.

 

Last blog you visited?

Some random blog while in search of a homemade cottage cheese recipe.

 

Last tweet you sent?

A reminder to ever my NuttZo giveaway!

 

Last place you visited?

The ATM.  I walked through the drive thru on my way back from the gym.  Only slightly concerned I was going to get mugged.

 

Last time you did ab work?

Wednesday.  It was my last “off-plan” day.  Normally I’m not allowed to do much ab work, so before I got my new training plan I planked.  Am I really that neurotic?

 

Last show you watched?

Grey’s Anatomy is on as I’m drafting this post.  It’s a half-assed effort at watching… I’m paying more attention to writing this.

 

Last thing you baked? 

Mama Pea’s Pop Tarts.  Last Friday I promised I’d make the post-competition.  So glad I did.  Instead of her strawberry filling, I made a pumpkin-cinnamon center.

 

What is the last thing you Instagramed?

My new Harbinger weightlifting gloves.  A little post-competition treat to myself!

 

Last item on your to-do list today?

Review an Excel model in advance of a client call.  It’s as much fun as it sounds.

 

Do you like sprints, or do you like steady state better?

If I have to be on a treadmill, sprints.  Outside I like to steady run and watch the scenery.

 

Do you need coffee to get going in the morning?

No.  I like my morning cocktail (apple cider vinegar and FitMixer Aminos), but I do prefer to have a cup after lunch to warm up (why must they keep it so cold in my office?!) and get me through the afternoon.

***

Don’t forget to enter to win a jar of NuttZo nut butter! Click here to enter.  Contest ends Tuesday at midnight!

The end of the day can’t get here fast enough because Allie and Heather are coming to spend the weekend with me!!!  So.  Excited.

Pick one (or 2 or 3…) and share your answers!

Do the powers that be keep your office at arctic temps?

 

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