I Own This + WIAW

January 28, 2015 By Laura

We create our own destiny.

I refuse to read my horoscope.

Someone told me that Mercury is in retrograde. After Googling to see WTF that meant, I called bullshit. There are times where life gets more challenging, time is short, motivation is lacking… but in the end we decide how we handle it.

Right now my struggle is on the superficial side, but a struggle nonetheless. It’s diet. I’m supposed to compete in 8 weeks and I’m struggling with getting back on track. However, I’ve decided to allow myself to be flexible. If I don’t make this show, there will be one the next weekend. And the next. And next year. I came to that realization by being honest about where I am. I talked to my ~~therapist~~ trainer Monday night and he reminded me that a lot is changing for me. I got married. It’s a new life. I don’t have to do EVERYTHING at once (insert shocked face). Doing stuff like enjoying dinner with Vegas on her birthday is more important right now.

That’s not to say I’m giving up. But whatever happens… I own this!

One thing that helps is treating myself with healthy buys… like a haul from iHerb. Beet powder (which I love in pancakes and Red Velvet protein shakes), Cocoa Cardio (Red Velvet Waffles!), peanut flour, and gelatin are daily staples. If you have any digestion “issues” I highly recommend it (here’s a post I did on it). I’m trying the collagen version for the first time with this order.

Use discount code USO924 for $5-10 off your first order!

Another motivator is energy. I was thrilled when I received the two-10 discovery pack from FRS®. The pack includes a big bottle of FRS concentrate, a sample pack of soft chews, and 2 cans of their energy drink.

My favorite thing about FRS is their ingredient list and why it was developed. It was originally created by health scientists to provide chemotherapy patients with natural, sustained energy. The FRS patented Healthy Energy formula has the all-natural antioxidants quercetin (found in blueberries and apples) and green tea extract, plus seven essential vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E). I’m all about immune system support after getting the plague.

Not only are these drinks more delicious than the junk from the gas station, but they also doesn’t rely on chemicals, sugar and massive amount of caffeine to give you ~~the shakes~~ energy.

Vegas and I both loved the soft chews on our San Diego hikes. I could feel the difference mid-hike as I raced Vegas up a hill. I won, btw.

So, I’m challenging myself to go with the flow and not be so hard on myself. At the same time, I’m committed to doing my best and staying active. It’s what makes me happy! #iownthis

Learn more about the FRS two-10 discovery pack, and check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of FRS.

This WIAW is 8 weeks out from my competition. See above.

Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!

Meal 1:

The usual morning cocktail, followed by my morning sludge.

Breakfast is the new standard – basil and garlic egg white scramble with a whole egg dropped in for #yolkporn. Toast with coconut oil and cinnamon.

Meal 2:

I baked Sizzlefish trout with lemon and Italian herbs. Eaten standing up with red bell pepper slices and kabocha.

Meal 3:

Chicken with sugar peas. Simple… but a perfectly cooked piece of chicken is actually one of my favorite things. That and hot sauce.

Meal 4:

Rice cakes with Nuttzo nut butter. I probably look forward to this meal a little too much. I had one with chocolate protein “icing” too.

Meal 5:

Rinse and repeat from last night. A giant peanut butter-sweet potato pancake made with Japanese white sweet potato.

Peanut Butter-Sweet Potato Pancake

2T peanut flour (an iHerb order)
1/2 C cooked sweet potato
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp no sodium baking powder
5-6 drops liquid vanilla stevia

Blend and cook!

Meal 6:

I love yogurt. Really. I’m just as happy with bowls like this as I am with *most* regular desserts. Well, average regular desserts. Oh man, I love dessert.

This dessert bowl was 1/2 scoop of Growing Naturals vanilla rice protein mixed with plain Greek yogurt, cinnamon, almond extract, and vanilla liquid stevia. Then I mixed up 1/2 T cocoa powder and 1/2 T coconut flour with stevia and just enough water to make it a fluff. Topped with crumbled leftover pretzels from the plane. Sweet ‘n salty perfection!

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If Mercury means being impatient, then maybe I am a believer… ha!

Do believe is horoscopes and Mercury and all that jazz?

What are you owning right now?

Work It Out: Fueling with FRS

June 25, 2013 By Laura

Mornings are not my thing.

This may be the understatement of the year.

I try my best not to work out first thing in the morning. I need time to wake up! When you have a full-time job and play on sports teams, compromise is sometimes necessary. Today’s Work It Out is dedicated to one of my favorite ways to give my body a jump-start when I need to get moving early in the day.

And there’s a giveaway. 😉

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In addition to lifting, I also play softball. It was my first athletic love, and I aim to play for the rest of my life. The team I play on now, Laidback, plays on Sunday mornings. Early.

Ninja socks are necessary at 8am.

We are an all women’s team, but play in a men’s league. And we beat all the men. The man-beating requires wakefulness. We’ve discussed my lack of enthusiasm for coffee before; you know I was THRILLED to find an energy alternative in FRS.

I drug my tired self to the field, armed with my ninja socks, gloves, and my favorite FRS flavor.

I’ve actually be drinking the Healthy ENERGY drink for awhile (proof), but as a Fitfluential Ambassador, I given the opportunity to try out the entire FRS Healthy Energy line.

My favorite flavor of the canned drinks remains the Peach Mango. The low-cal drinks are my preference because they are low in sugar – just 2g!

FRS is full of vitamins and green tea extracts, but FRS also contains something special: quercetin. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant which is found in the skins of blueberries, apples and grapes and has been shown in clinical trials to provide sustained energy, increased endurance and immune system support.

One of the coolest things about FRS is the reason it was developed. It’s original intent was to provide energy to chemotherapy patients while supporting their immune systems. Natural, healthy, sustained energy without the crash (sorry coffee lovers) is also important to athletes, so this line is great for the fit-minded crowd.

I love this quote.

The chews were a new product to me. I loved them! I ate mine before a run on a morning when I was particularly dragging and I ended up doing 6 solid miles with a smile on my face. 2 chews are around 40 calories and 6 grams of sugar, and PACKED with nutrients.

Last was the powdered drink mix. I love the portable packs it comes it. They were easy to grab when I was running out the door late for work. It may not be the intended use, but I drank one to fuel my work day! It gave me a kick and helped me stay awake and focused through an all day meeting.

FRS is available at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Kroger, Walgreens, Harris Teeter. You can also order at a free 10 day supply at FRS.com! Make sure to download a coupon for $1 off 2 cans or bottles of FRS.

Or you can win it!

Giveaway

I’m giving away a FRS trial pack (retail value of $30)! Just visit FRS.com and leave a comment telling me in which product/flavor you want to try. I’ll randomly select a winner on Thursday, June 27th.

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Disclaimer: I was compensated for this review but I assure you my opinions and MINE.

How do you like to fuel workouts? What about work days?

Which product and flavor do you want to try?

Sweet Potato Pie Oatmeal + WIAW

December 14, 2011 By Laura

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

This was the drama club’s “quote” in high school. You know, the one that everyone had written some where. I think there is even a video of the club reciting it in unison post-curtain call.

Yes, I was a drama dork. Not the cool kind that was the lead in musicals. I did make up backstage. ~~Secretly, I wished I could act.~~

Having given up on drama (as an art and a personality trait I avoid like the plague), on Jenn’s infamous What I Ate Wednesday I use this quote in reference to breakfast.

Breakfast:

A breakfast soooo good I didn’t want to take the last bite because that would mean it was over.

Sweet Potato Pie Oatmeal is by far my new favorite winter breakfast. It was like having dessert for breakfast. If only I’d had marshmallows on hand to top it off properly!

Recipe at the end!

Lunch:

In preparation for the Christmas party catering gig this weekend, I’m focusing on making as much room as possible in my fridge and freezer.

No grocery shopping. Eating frozen meals and ~~cookie~~ muffin creations to clear freezer space. Thai food.

Lunch today was a Chicken Enchilada Evol Bowl. It wasn’t too bad – especially with the Tabasco I “borrowed” from the office fridge.

The bowl microwaved evenly and wasn’t as salty as many frozen meals out there (just over 500). They used corn tortillas – far superior to flour, IMHO – making it gluten-free.

Speaking of salt, did you hear that the FDA is considering putting a limit on the amount of salt restaurants use? Apparently the average American eats 11 CUPS of salt in a year. Gross.

Dinner:

Next to my kickboxing gym there is ~~danger~~ a Whole Foods. As a treat I sometimes stop in after class for a Hot Bar Trash Can (a hodge podge of food that exemplifies my inability to choose just one or 2 thing from any menu).

I know it included kale-apple salad, sweet potato-cashew hash, buffalo-garlic tofu, seitan in some tasty red sauce, eggplant-zucchini-asparagus-onions in another tomato sauce, bowtie pasta, ancient grains, lemon-roasted carrot slices (these were REALLY good)… and a ritual… I always reserve a little corner spot for a teensy scoop of that glorious iced chocolate brownie.

Snacks:

I only managed pics of 2 of today’s snacks.

Multi-Green Kombucha on the drive in to work.

Late-night chocolate chip cookie and almond milk (see earlier remark regarding the necessity of clearing out my freezer).

Unpictured: peanuts (I eat like I’m on a plane even when I’m not), Pure Protein bar, coffee, and a pre-workout FRS drink (which I swear does work!).

Sweet Potato Pie Oatmeal

1/2 C oatmeal (I used Bob’s Mill gluten-free)
1/2 C unsweetened vanilla coconut milk (a la So Delicious)
1/2 C water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp almond extract
Pinch of salt
3 T sweet potato puree
1/2 tsp chia seeds (optional)

Cook the oats according to package instructions, adding spices and extract once boiling.

When almost done (1-2 mins to go), add sweet potato and chia seeds. Taste (careful not to burn your mouth ~~like I did~~) and adjust flavors as needed.

Topping ideas: pecans, walnuts, marshmallows, maple syrup, brown sugar

Makes 1 serving.

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Most of today’s pics were tricked-out thanks to my new love – Instagram.

What is your favorite photo app? Do share!

Do you concern yourself with salt intake?